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In This Issue

EFCA TOUCHGLOBAL CRISIS RELIEF

Jakarta Flood
This past weekend, after days of torrential rains, Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia experienced the worst flooding in years. It is reported that 70 % of the greater Jakarta area is affected. Thousands of homes are under water and tens of thousands of people have taken refuge. EFCA TouchGlobal is partnering with a national ministry to help those in need. Our national partners have concentrated their efforts specifically in two villages that have suffered significant loss and received very little aid. Existing ministry with this unreached people group provides them with personal contact and helps get aid to those in direct need.
 
The local team has made initial relief distributions. The team had wonderful fellowship with village leaders. Local people greeted workers, saying "May Allah (God) bless all of you!" Initial relief will help 500 families with $20 packages. People need: clean water and food, clean used clothes and blankets, cooking oil and kerosene stoves, medicine and school books. Through your assistance, these items can be purchased in Indonesia and distributed by our partners who are able to provide hope to those in need. 
 
Please pray for our Indonesian partner as they share Christ's love in practical ways, and for the Church to show the love of Christ to those in need. Also, please consider giving to help this relief effort. To donate online using our secure server, go to https://www.efca.org/apps/giving/?designation=SE%20Asia%20Disaster%20Response%2021709-3961  
You can also call our donor services team at (800) 745-2202 or mail in a donation. To mail in your donation, please make checks out to EFCA and send them to:
 
EFCA
Attn: TouchGlobal  # 21709-3961
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300

Florida Tornados
Tornadoes on February 2 destroyed over 400 homes and caused damage to over 1,250 homes in Florida.  EFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response Ministry has established contact with three EFCA churches in the region. Crisis Response coordinated initially with Pastor John Harling of Faith Community Church to mobilize a response team on Sunday, February 4, 2007. By God's provision, Pastor John led a team from Faith Community to the Katrina mission field only weeks before and was well aware of the ministry needs that follow a crisis of this nature. He advised, "On my way home from Covington, I thought about our church's need for a crisis response plan, but had no idea I'd need to put one into action so soon."

We are currently working to mobilize additional local volunteers to help with ongoing clean-up. We are also working with local churches to assess the possibility of ministry opportunities including help with reconstruction needs in coordination with local long term recovery committees. For more information about crisis response work in Florida, go to the TouchGlobal website at http://www.touchglobal.org  Please check the website often for more information regarding relief efforts. If you have immediate questions, contact EFCA Crisis Response Ministry at (985) 893-0218 ext. 321.

Continue to pray for the Faith Community family, and for the needs of those families in the region who are dealing with funerals, FEMA and facing uncertain futures. Also, please consider giving to help those impacted by the storms and the ongoing crisis response needs. To donate online using our secure server, go to https://fusion.efca.org/giving/?designation=Crisis%20Response%20Ministry%2021709-3928  
You can also call our donor services team at (800) 745-2202 or mail in a donation. To mail in your donation, please make checks out to EFCA and send them to:
 
EFCA
Attn: Crisis Response Ministry #2021709-3928
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300

Thank you!

NEXTSTEP RESOURCES VALUES YOUR FEEDBACK

NextStep Resources (NSR) is committed to providing quality resources to multiply healthy churches among all people.  Serving as a ministry of the EFCA, we know that the best way to keep growing and improving is to seek input from those we serve.  Please share your feedback about NSR products and services in a short (10-15 minute) survey.  The information gathered will be used to enhance the future direction for NextStep Resources, so we appreciate your candid input. In appreciation, you can enter a drawing for one of four $50 gift certificates to NextStep Resources!  Thank you in advance for your time and assistance! To begin the survey, go to
http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB2262MS99SQU

AARK SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 18, 2007

The EFCA African-American Fellowship is setting aside February 18, 2007, as AARK Sunday to celebrate God's faithfulness and the growth of EFCA African-American Ministries. Contact Dante Upshaw at dante.upshaw@efca.org to learn more about how you and your church can get involved through praise, prayer and portion.

EFCA GODSIGHTINGS TELL YOUR STORY

When families gather, it is stories of the past and present celebrated together in laughter and tears that unify their hearts. GodSightings are the evidence of God's hand in action touching our lives. The goal of the GodSightings campaign is to unify the hearts of the EFCA family! Gather. Share. Celebrate God's handiwork across the EFCA! Email stories to Godsightings@efca.org (Please attach related pictures whenever available, and be sure to advise if the story should be communicated anonymously.)

Milt and Barbara Daggett were part year residents at our church and one of those rare gem couples who asked to serve somewhere, anywhere - and meant it.  They had been involved with our church for several years when last August Milt, a retired Delta pilot, was killed with a son and daughter flying back from another son's wedding.
 
Barbara was finishing a multiple month's long funeral tour which finally took her near the crash site.  This is her story.
 
"In about 1994 we had a wedding anniversary coming up. Milt asked what I wanted. I replied I didn't know.  He said what if we got matching watches?  My first thought was, that is kind of dorky!  But I didn't say so; I just asked why he would want to do that.  He said you know it is kind of like I'm yours and you're mine. I thought that was the sweetest, most loving thought for a gift.  We got the watches and have been wearing them ever since. When the coroner returned some of his belongings to me, his watch wasn't there. I figured it was either lost or destroyed in the crash.
 
While traveling, I stopped by the crash site. (I had wanted to pick up a few pieces of the plane if there were any, to put in my memory box).  I saw a piece of metal and picked it up.  While on the ground, I was just moving my finger in the dirt and I brushed across another piece of metal about 1/4 inch in size. I started lifting it and out of the dirt came Milt's watch!  It was in two pieces, still running and the face wasn't even cracked! I screamed ‘thank you Father' and cried and cried. I was so happy!  I never thought of the watch being at that place, I just figured it was too broken to pass on to me and had been thrown away. 
           
Now the watch is on the tray in our bathroom, where he used to put it at night. This is proof to me that God still does miracles, and that He cares about the details of our lives.  It meant much more to me to have found it than if someone sent it to me. This way I will always know God gave this to me."
 
Pastor Bill Cripe
Faith EFC in Waterville, Maine

2007 EFCA MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION: MIDWINTER THEOLOGICAL DISCUSSION STUDY PACK

This 9 CD set includes audio, presenters notes, and slides from the conference held in Indianapolis, IN on January 24-26, 2007.  Included in the study pack for $30 are:

  • CD 1 - Hermeneutics of Dispensationalism by Elliot Johnson
  • CD 2 - Hermeneutics of Progressive Dispensationalism by Darrell Bock
  • CD 3 - Hermeneutics of Historic Premillennialism by Douglas Moo
  • CD 4 - Hermeneutics of Amillennialism by Gregory Beale
  • CD 5 - Presenters Response
  • CD 6 - Interaction with Presenters (part 1)
  • CD 7 - Interaction with Presenters (part 2)
  • CD 8 - Drawing Doctrinal Lines: Where and How? by Michael Andrus
  • CD 9 - PDFs of Handouts and Slides 

Go to http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=9214 to order your study pack today!

STUDENT MINISTRIES

E-Zine 
Please go to http://www.efca.org/student/workers/index.html for the winter issue of the EFCA Student Ministries E-Zine, the electronic magazine for youth workers and pastors.  Jeff Piehl, EFCA Student Ministries director, recommends some current ministry books and lists many helpful resources and opportunities for youth workers. Check it out!
 
Sonlife Ministries
As a long time training partner of the EFCA, Sonlife offers two innovative equip level student experiences.  Hands-on learning, creative Bible storytelling, discussion groups, interactive projects, music and media will guide student ministry workers and students toward a life-long transformation.  Check out MERGE for senior high students July 8-13 and July 15-20 at Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL; or AWAKE for junior high students June 22-24 at Trinity University, Deerfield, IL. For more information go to http://www.sonlife.com/experiences  

GLOBAL WANT ADS

Immediate Need: Experienced restaurant cook
One of our creative access ministries needs to develop a business platform in order to remain in the country. A US style restaurant is seen as "exotic" and would be a first in this city. An established team of ReachGlobal workers and national staff need someone with experience managing a commercial kitchen to train national staff for 1-6 months. Please email amanda.voss@efca.org or call (800) 745-2202 for more information.

TRAINING FOR MINISTRY TO MUSLIMS

We live in urgent times. From the remote fishing villages of Indonesia to the crowded streets of Istanbul and Detroit, millions of Muslims are searching for true peace with God. Will you respond to the call to be His hands and feet among Muslims?  Attend the Sahara Challenge, June 8-16. The Sahara Challenge is a one-week intensive training experience that will equip you to bridge the gospel to the Muslim heart and mind.  Ideal for missionaries, pastors, lay workers, and college students, the Sahara Challenge will not only give you the tools and knowledge to share the Hope with Muslims, its message will motivate you for a lifetime of service. Following the Sahara Challenge, apply what you've learned during a two-week overseas or one-week stateside outreach called ENCOUNTER journeys.  Experience a new culture, develop life-changing relationships, intercede for Muslims, and explore God's call on your life.  Destinations include Lebanon, Turkey, Oman, France, Indonesia, Spain/Morocco, and Atlanta. The Sahara Challenge is a program of the Crescent Project and is endorsed by ReachGlobal (EFCA International Mission). For more information on the Sahara Challenge training conference or the ENCOUNTER journeys, go to http://crescentproject.org/saharachallenge.cfm  For more information about the Crescent Project, go to http://www.crescentproject.org

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

Partnering with investors like you to provide loans to buy, build, remodel or refinance ministry properties for EFCA related organizations since 1959. For more information, go to http://www.christianinvestors.org/  

 

TEDS FULL-TUITION MDIV SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Deadline March 16, 2007
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and the Kern Family Foundation will once again award a minimum of five (5) full-tuition MDiv scholarships to applicants desiring to seek positions of local church pastoral leadership within the United States. Additionally, qualified applicants must be 27 years old or less (as of 8/29/07), U.S. citizens, possess an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 and be prepared to commence full-time studies at TEDS for the Fall Semester of 2007. Finalists in the selection process who are not chosen for the Kern scholarship will automatically receive the Carl F. H. Henry Memorial half-tuition Scholarship. Pastors are encouraged to recommend qualified individuals for this extraordinary opportunity. Applicants must apply and be accepted to TEDS by March 16, 2007 (for Fall 2007 admission) and submit a separate Kern Family Foundation written application. For further information go to the Trinity/Kern website at http://www.tiu.edu/divinity/financialaid/mdivkernscholarship or call the TEDS Admissions Office at (800) 345-8337.

EFCA LOGOWEAR

We have the EFCA logo set up with Lands End for any interested EFCA pastor, church, ministry or member. To request the desired logo for your items, place an order via the Lands' End website at http://www.landsend.com (go to Business Outfitters), or call their toll free number (800) 338-2000. You will need the EFCA logo # 0632497, understanding a logo application fee, plus taxes, shipping and delivery are added to the order. To request a Lands' End order information sheet, email djump@efca.org

 

CHURCH PLANTING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

A church planting movement is rapidly growing in the U.S. and around the world.  Trinity Evangelical Divinity School is committed to providing cutting-edge instruction and learning experiences to prepare students for church planting ministries in various settings.  In addition to church planting courses, church planting field education and internship experiences are available. For more information, please visit the TEDS web site at http://www.teds.edu/churchplanting

URBAN AND INTERCULTURAL MISSION AWARDS

Each year at the EFCA Leadership Conference, the Urban and Intercultural Mission recognizes EFCA leaders making significant impact in the arenas of urban and ethnic ministry. UIM is now accepting nominations for the following award categories: Bridging, Vision, Courage, and Compassion. To review the award descriptions or to nominate a candidate, go to http://www.efca.org/urban Nominations are due by May 1, 2007. Awards will be presented at the 2007 Leadership Conference in Minneapolis, MN.

2007 IRON SHARPENS IRON MEN'S CONFERENCES

For the past seven years, Brian Doyle, Men's Ministry Director of Vision New England, has organized church-based men's conferences across New England.  Many EFCA churches have participated. These conferences have been so successful that Brian expanded his vision.  In 2007, God has raised up a network of Christ centered ministries to host these one-day Iron Sharpens Iron conferences across the nation.

EFCA Men's Ministries is partnering with Iron Sharpens Iron to deliver men's leadership training breakout sessions in many of the conference locations.  Our unique contribution equips pastors and men's leaders, attending with their men, with the tools they need to disciple men following the conferences. Go to http://www.ironsharpensiron.net for more information and registration. To find out which locations EFCA Men's Ministries will be presenting at, contact chris.vanbrocklin@efca.org

MINISTER TO MULTI-ETHNIC POPULATIONS IN YOUR AREA

Is your church effectively reaching America's newest ministry frontier...our urban immigrant neighbors?
The RREACH AMEN-Project partners with local churches to expose the upper-crust of immigrants to the gospel. Valuable resources and tools range from major media telecast, on-line books and CD's, to scheduling a proclamation and pre-evangelistic event with Dr. Ramesh Richard.  Coming soon, "Wisdom toward Outsiders," a text and workbook that are an ideal training foundation for cross cultural evangelism and worldview apologetics. To find out more about these resources, contact bill@rreach.org or visit the web at http://www.rreach.org. Listen in February 21 at 8:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time) to a Moody Network interview with Dr. Richard as he discusses "Windows and Doors to Nonbelievers, How to Share Christ across Cultures and Religions" on Open Line with Chris Fabry.  Ramesh Richard Evangelism and Church Health is a ministry endorsed by EFCA national office leadership. For more information about RREACH, go to http://www.rreach.org

AN INCOME FOR LIFE

Do you have CDs or CIF certificates about to mature?  Then consider rolling them into a Charitable Gift Annuity through the EFCA Foundation.  You can gain an attractive return, tax savings, and the opportunity to ultimately support your favored EFCA ministry.  EFCA gift annuities provide a great way to support your church, camp, or district ministry.  For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578, by email at foundation@efca.org or check out the website at http://www.efcafoundation.org

  

SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TRAINING (Repeat)

EFCA IM Team Leader Training will be held in St. Louis, MO on March 2-4 and again March 30-April 1, 2007. Designed to equip team leaders and other short-term mission leaders, the training covers aspects of how to prepare a team for effective cross-cultural ministry. Registration deadlines are nearing so don't delay! For a brochure or to register, contact Gary Reedy by email at garyreedy@efcaim.org or call (515) 432-9175.