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In This Issue

STATEMENT OF FAITH REVISION UPDATE FROM THE EFCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

This broadcast announces a "Recommendation from the EFCA Board of Directors for the Adoption of Transitional Rules for Implementation of a Revised Statement of Faith by the 2007 Conference."  This recommendation, along with an introductory cover letter from the Chairman of the Board of Directors, can be found on the EFCA website at http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine. 

The Third Draft Revision of the EFCA Statement of Faith will be posted by March 5, 2007 at the same link (http://www.efca.org/about/doctrine).  These documents will also be translated into Spanish in the near future.  Once translated, they will also be available at the above link.  

Thank you for your support through prayer and encouragement as this process continues in the EFCA.  May God grant us grace and His favor as we continue to discern His will for our denomination.

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.)

Manor Community Church, an EFCA church plant in Manor, Texas, held its first monthly Preview Service.  Per Pastor Terry, it was rather interesting as the setting was Papa Geno's Family Pizzeria (the only facility they were able to secure for a service)! He shared...

First thing in the morning, we turned the pizzeria in to a sanctuary.  We began to set-up all the praise band equipment and wondered, "How are they going to find room for all that stuff?"  The worries were all for naught as everything fit nicely around the pool table.  We set-up 62 chairs and God filled 50!  And we "morphed" the entrance area into a Children's Church space.  Amazingly the space was set into a sanctuary, even with the talking deer head on the wall.    

After the service we enlisted the men to help us change the pizzeria back into its original setting, so we could serve a pizza lunch.  Ahhh, praise and pizza there's nothing like it.

SHORT TERM MISSIONARY OPPORTUNITY

French speaking accountant/bookkeeper needed to teach basic accounting in Congo. The Evangelical Free Church of Congo needs a short-term missionary for 4-6 weeks this spring or summer to train 4-10 Congolese bookkeepers in basic accounting skills. The Congolese are just learning basic computer skills. Ideally, one should know French well enough to dialogue with the students.  Travel, room and board costs would be approximately $3,500, and we ask that the individual raise their support.  This is a great opportunity for ministry that will impact an entire denomination in Congo as well as thousands of orphans, widows, patients and churches. Contact Dr. Tom Cairns at (800) 745-2202 with questions.

NEXTSTEP RESOURCES

2007 Spring Bible Study and Small Groups CD Catalog now Available
Order our new Bible Study & Small Groups CD Catalog.  This resource will help inform you about great new small group & Bible study materials available. Watch clips of DVD curricula, see what is new, and stay informed!  Go to http://www.nsresources.com to order this free CD today.
 
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

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!

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH MUST-READ

Reconciliation Blues: A Black Evangelical's View of White Christianity, by Edward Gilbreath
In celebration of Black History Month, the Urban & Intercultural Mission encourages you and your teams to grab a copy of Reconciliation Blues. This book is a must-read for Christians that have found themselves discouraged about the progress of the evangelical church in the call to be racially reconciled. Brother Gilbreath has given a name - Reconciliation Blues - to the song that many "bridge builders," both past and present, have sung a time or two. Reconciliation Blues will provide meaningful insight for white brothers and sisters seeking to better understand how many African-Americans experience the evangelical church.
- Dante Upshaw, director of EFCA African-American Ministries

Go to http://www.efca.org/urban/resources to download the prologue and first chapter.
Reconciliation Blues is now available through NextStep Resources. To order your copy today, go to http://tenderfoot.windborne.net/nextstep/product_info.php?products_id=8880  

EFCA CHAPLAIN MINISTRIES

We are launching a program through which local churches can benefit from the pastoral leadership of a seminary graduate while he/she completes mandatory church training to become a military chaplain. The new program, called AMCIT (Assistant Minister/Chaplain in Training), is intentional and can last 12-36 months (depending on the needs of the church and the candidate).  The seminary graduate gains practical church ministry experience prior to seeking active military duty.  AMCIT is adaptable to the needs of the church and candidate.  We are seeking 20 churches willing to consider this concept of adding to their staff or locating a temporary pastor.  For a program example or to inquire about this concept, contact roy.bebee@efca.org or call (800) 745-2202.

Deployed chaplains who covet your prayers:
Ch (MAJ) Roy Myers, USA, Fort Hood, TX - Iraq
Ch (CPT) Tom Strong, USA, Fort Lewis, WA - Iraq
Ch (LCOL) Phil Wright, USA, Fort Drum, NY - Afghanistan
Ch (CPT) Jason Tobin, USA, Alaska - Iraq
Ch (MAJ) Charles Causey, USAR - Iraq
Ch (LT) Pat Niemeyer, USN - Iraq
Ch (LCDR) Ron Pettigrew, USN - Germany

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

While the money you invest with Christian Investors Foundation earns interest for you, it also helps to build Evangelical Free Churches around the country.  Christian Investors Foundation has Demand and Term Investment Certificates available to help you invest for your future.  At the same time, funds are made available for loans to Evangelical Free Churches to buy, build, remodel, or refinance.  You help build churches, plus you earn interest on your investment.  For more information or to request an investment packet, call us at (800) 995-8574, or visit us online at http://www.christianinvestors.org  

This does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the Investment Certificates in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not authorized.  This offering is made solely by the offering circular.  An investment in the Investment Certificates involves certain risks more fully described in the offering circular, including the right of Christian Investors Foundation to redeem the Certificates prior to their final maturity.  In the event a hold redeems his Certificates prior to their final maturity, such redemption will be subject to an early redemption penalty equal to: (i) 90 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is one year or less, (ii) 120 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is over one year to two years and (iii) 180 days' interest on the principal amount redeemed if the original maturity is over two years.

GLOBAL PROCLAMATION ACADEMY

Dr. Ramesh Richard, professor of Pastoral Ministries and World Missions and Intercultural Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and President of RREACH, hosts leading pastors from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe each year for three weeks with master coaches on the DTS campus. The academy purposes to strengthen and connect young, leading pastors through a continuing education and peer-level networking experience in order to provide global leadership for Christ's church over the next decades. Know of any outstanding men who might make potential GPA candidates? Please refer them! Find out more at http://www.thegpa.net  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

 

EFCA FOUNDATION

Consider an EFCA Donor Advised Fund
Open your own charitable account that serves as a great substitute for a family foundation.  Make an irrevocable contribution, gain immediate tax deduction, and wait to distribute grants to your favorite ministries and charities over time.  It may be the perfect way to simplify your gift giving, recordkeeping, and to transfer stock to multiple charitable organizations.  For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578 or foundation@efca.org. Check out our website at http://www.efcafoundation.org

  

URBAN AND INTERCULTURAL MISSION AWARDS (Repeat)

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.

SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TRAINING (Repeat)

EFCA IM Team Leader Training will be held in St. Louis, MO on 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. Please register this week! For a brochure or to register, go to http://www.efca.org/international/connect/shortterm/tlt.html or contact Gary (gary.reedy@efca.org) with questions.