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In This Issue

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.)

During our experience last summer at BUMP - Denver, my friend and I were especially convicted about our time and ministry to the poor. On poverty day, we were challenged through our tasks to interact with people we encountered on the street. God really spoke to my heart that day. He gave me a desire to connect with these people and share my time and abilities. While doing our devotional later that night, we came across verses that further directed us to love without limits. 1 Corinthians 13:3 emphasizes that our actions are worthless and have no meaning, if we do not have love for those we are serving. As my friend and I returned home, we decided to not fall back into our old routine and forget that loving others is not limited to mission trips. In our time since BUMP, we have gone to a park in downtown Colorado Springs that attracts many transient people. We took bags that contained food items and copies of the book of John containing a clear gospel presentation in the front. Through these experiences, I have learned that loving other people as Jesus wants us to forces us to stop, and not only acknowledge people that we might otherwise ignore, but to also listen with our hearts.

Myriah Miller
Faith EFC - Colorado Springs, CO

EFCA TOUCHGLOBAL VBS PROJECT

The Elikia Project
This year's Vacation Bible School ministry project from EFCA TouchGlobal, is titled "Elikia - Building a Home of Hope." Offerings taken for this project will go to the CEVO project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal is to raise $25,000 to build a home for orphans within a self-sustaining community for widows and orphans, many who have been impacted by the AIDS crisis. Contact elikiaproject@efca.org for more information or to request your free project kit.

EFCA RECEIVES TELLEY AWARDS

At the 28th annual Telly Awards contest - recognizing excellence in commercials and films on TV, video or Web - the EFCA's "Resurrected Hope" video won 10 Telly Awards in categories such as: charitable/not-for-profit; videography, social issues and use of music.  For more inforamation on the Sudanese Repatriation and to view the winning video, visit the web http://www.touchglobal.org/sudan/. In 2006 the EFCA's DVD about tsunami relief also won five Telly Awards.

 

EFCA ENCORE - A NEW MINISTRY

We are excited to announce the new ministry of EFCA Encore
Encore is a ministry emerging in our denomination at the same time that ministry to older adults is grabbing the attention of churches across America.  The baby boom generation is starting to retire. When the boomers and builders are added together, there is tremendous opportunity for churches to minister to them and to mobilize them for the sake of expanding the kingdom.  The Encore name reflects that as meaningful as life has been thus far, there is much to look forward to in the second half of life - and quite possibly, the best is yet to come!

If you are attending the Leadership Conference in Minneapolis, we encourage you to attend the Encore luncheon. The keynote speaker will be Don Wilcox who works for Leadership Network leading a new initiative directed toward reaching and mobilizing boomers and builders in churches throughout North America. We are also excited that two of the finest leaders of the Encore generation, John Coulombe and Rosalyn Encarnacion, will also share in two conference seminars about their dynamic ministry at First EFC in Fullerton, CA. Check the conference Web site for more information. Go to http://www.bthetree.org/ to register. Join us in asking God to powerfully guide the launch of this vital ministry in the days ahead!

EFCA FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES

EFCA Family and Children's Ministries is making available exciting training opportunities during the week of the Leadership Conference.  Besides offering two training sessions during the conference, there are four training opportunities prior to the start of conference. 

On Tuesday, June 27 there is a tour of Children's Ministry church facilities in the Twin Cities.  Also, Kirk Weaver will offer "Family Time Training."  On Wednesday, June 28 there will be another facility tour (of different churches), and Dr. Scott Turnasky of the National Center of Biblical Parenting will offer "3 Buckets of Parenting Solutions."  For more information on this session, go to http://www.biblicalparenting.org/edenprairie.asp. To access information on all these opportunities, go to http://www.bthetree.org/conference-info/special-events/  

URBAN & INTERCULTURAL MISSION SPECIAL EVENTS - EFCA LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Urban & Intercultural Mission Luncheon - Tour Thru Samaria
Friday, June 29, 2007, noon to 1:30 p.m. - Free
The UIM luncheon is going on the road! We will go through Samaria by bus, hosting a "lunch and discuss" as Urban Ministry Director Dan Reeve guides us on a tour of the changing ethnic neighborhoods in South Minneapolis. Come prepared to talk about what it means to discover the Samaria in your own community.  Because of scheduling constraints, we will remain on the bus for the duration of the tour. Make sure to sign up when you register for the Leadership Conference at http://www.bthetree.org/registration  

ELECTRICIANS NEEDED - CONGO

There is an urgent need for 1-2 electricians to go to Congo for a 2 week short term visit. The wiring at the Gemena and Tandala stations is very old and dangerous, and must be replaced soon.  Electricians will go to help determine exactly what is needed for rewiring the various houses, the hospital and underground wiring between buildings.  The trip will be more of an assessment trip, though there will be some actual wiring work too. Possible dates would be September 26 - October 14, 2007 or January 23 - February 10, 2008.  This effort will be part of a vision trip for pastors and missions leaders.  Please share this need with people in your congregation who might be able to help.  Contact Dr. Tom Cairns at tom.cairns@efca.org or call (800) 745-2202.

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

Multiplying healthy churches among all people is the mission of the Evangelical Free Church of America. At CIF, we want to help make that mission a reality by partnering with you, our investors, and financing the construction needs of EFCA churches and ministries.  Do you know someone that may wish to be part of our ministry by investing with us?  Does your congregation know about the opportunity to partner with CIF and earn competitive rates while helping build EFCA churches?  We appreciate your referrals.  Help us "Build a Church without Picking up a Hammer."  For more information, go to http://www.christianinvestors.org.

The purchase of our Investment Certificates is subject to risks, which are described in our Offering Circular, including the right of Christian Investors Foundation to redeem the Investment Certificates prior to their final maturity.  This is not an offer to sell our Investment Certificates to you and we are not soliciting you to buy our Investment Certificates.  We will offer and sell our Investment Certificates only in states where authorized.  The offer is made solely by the Offering Circular.
Not FDIC or SIPC insured. Not a bank deposit. No EFCA guarantee.

REBOUND YOUTH WORKERS AND SPOUSE RETREAT

Save the dates of October 27-30 in Daytona Beach, Florida to join other youth workers and spouses for a time to get away, to regroup, and reconnect with your spouse and with God.  Lodging will be at the LaPlaya Resort.  More information and details will be available soon!

 

MEN'S MINISTRIES

Stand in the Gap 2007 - October 6
Men from all over America are making plans to journey to the Nation's Capital for an unforgettable day of being face-to-face before God and shoulder-to-shoulder with brothers in Jesus Christ from every living generation. The Web site (http://www.standinthgap2007.org) has all the information and resources you need to get started with plans to attend.  For answers to the most frequently asked questions about Stand in the Gap 2007, go to http://www.ministryplanet.net/sites/sitg2007/answerspage  If you are a man who loves God and wants to change things, plan now to be a part of this historic event. 

EFCA Leadership Conference: Men's Ministries Events
Thursday, June 28 "Building High Impact Teams" - Tools to assist you as you strengthen your men's disciple making ministries.
Friday, June 29th "Top Gun and Men's Fraternity" - Two of the most life-changing men's curricula available today.
Friday, June 29th EFCA Men's Luncheon - Steve Sonderman, Men's Ministries Pastor at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI and founder of "Top Gun."
Register today at http://www.bthetree.org/registration  

EFCA FOUNDATION

Attractive Annuity Rates Now Available 
With low rates for CDs, many people find the higher current gift annuity rates quite attractive.  This is a great way to increase income, save taxes, meet personal goals, and honor the Lord's work.  Since gift annuities can be set up for any level above $5,000, this option is viable for many people with charitable intent.  For more information or an application packet, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578; by email at foundation@efca.org;or check out the Web site at http://www.efcafoundation.org.

 

CHURCH PLANTING TRAINING FOR SPANISH-SPEAKERS

 The next BootCamp for Spanish-speaking church planters will be July 5-7, 2007 in Kansas City, MO. This training event will be held Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday to accommodate bi-vocational church planters. The cost is $150 per participant, and includes the training manual. For more information, contact Luis Martinez at lmarti1208@aol.com or go to http://www.efca.org/urban/hispanicministries/english/.