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In This Issue

GLOBAL OUTREACH SUMMITS

EFCA CONNECT offers a training and resource ministry for churches called the Global Outreach Summit, or GO Summit (formerly Global Ministry Summit). This weekend conference is designed to help your missions leadership team in global outreach. It will stimulate your thinking to new levels, offer many practical ideas that you can implement immediately, and assist you in networking with others. There are three GO Summits currently scheduled:
September 15 at Kearney EFC - Kearney, NE
October 13 at Trinity EFC - Lakeville, MN
October 27 at Arlington Heights EFC - Arlington Heights, IL
 
For more information on GO Summits and to register, please visit http://www.efca.org/international/connect/training.

NATIONAL MINISTRIES UPDATE

The fall edition of the National Ministries Update is available on-line at http://www.efca.org/national/media/NMUFall07.pdf

  

 

TIU ACHIEVES RECOGNITION

Trinity International University achieved recognition by both U.S.News & World Report and The Princeton Review as one of America's best colleges.
 
Trinity earned a ranking among Best National Universities in the 2008 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S.News & World Report, joining a prestigious list of similarly ranked schools, including Seton Hall, DePaul, Temple, and Rutgers. The exclusive rankings were published in the magazine's August 27 issue and are available online at http://www.usnews.com/colleges. Click on "National Universities."

We celebrate TIU's significant achievements as a Christ-centered national university. 

REBOUND YOUTH WORKER RETREAT

Rebound, the youth worker and spouse retreat in Daytona Beach is coming October 27-30.  Registration closes on September 21.  Go to http://www.efca.org/student/workers/rebound.html for the brochure and registration form.  This retreat is open to any youth worker - volunteer or paid.  Check it out!

EFCA WELCOMES NEW NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

As of September 1, EFCA Women's Ministries welcomed Jackie Redmond as the new National Women's Ministries Director. Jackie brings a wealth of experience in the area of women's ministries as well as prayer, equipping women as a conference speaker, and as a women's ministries leadership trainer. Her husband, Bruce, is the church planting director for the Rocky Mountain District and together they have partnered in church planting for the last 10 years. Jackie and Bruce reside in Canon City, Colorado and have three children and eight grandchildren.  Please visit the website (http://www.efca.org/women/) for more information regarding Jackie and to learn about upcoming opportunities to meet her. Please join us in thanking God for His provision.

EQUIPPED FOR THE KING CONFERENCE - WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

September 28-29 - Apple Valley, MN
In the last few years, hundreds of women have come together for Equipping conferences nationwide. Enjoy new plenary sessions with Elizabeth Inrig, former national Women's Ministries director, as she gives a glimpse of our King and helps women learn about their privileged role as daughters of the King. Begin to understand more deeply the wonderful and unique ways He has equipped women for His service. Plan now to attend. Complete conference information is available at http://www.efca.org/women/conference/index.html.  If you have questions, email natalie.bartelme@efca.org or call (800) 745-2202 ext.765

STATEMENT OF FAITH DISCUSSION

Transitional Rules
On June 29, 2007 the National Leadership Conference overwhelmingly approved, by written ballot, the adoption of Transitional Rules for Implementation of a Revised Statement of Faith.  As you will recall, the EFCA Board of Directors submitted a motion to the Leadership Conference for adoption of Transitional Rules governing the implementation of a revised Statement of Faith if the EFCA Statement of Faith is ultimately revised by the 2008, or subsequent, Leadership Conference.  Transitional Rules numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7A, 7B, and 8 were adopted by the Conference without change from that which was submitted and recommended by the Board of Directors.  Transitional Rule #7C, pertaining to the faculty of Trinity International University, was amended by floor action at the time of the business session.  In addition, Transitional Rule #9 was amended by floor action, at the business session, to add a third sentence so that this Transitional Rule would apply, specifically, to all District Superintendents.
 
The entire set of Transitional Rules, as adopted by the Leadership Conference, is now available on the EFCA Web site: http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof_transitional_rules_adopted.pdf
 
Commentary
A commentary is available at the following link: http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof-proposed-revision-commentary.pdf  This commentary highlights proposed changes from the current Statement of Faith and does not expound the theological truth common to both statements.  That will be done if/when the Proposed Revision is approved by the Conference.
 
Proposed Revision with Scripture References
This Proposed Revision with Scripture References is a "working document."  This means the Spiritual Heritage Committee will continue to add Scripture references to each article.  Even at this draft stage, you will find this version helpful in expanding your understanding of the Proposed Revision.  You can download it at this link: http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof-proposed-revision-with-references.pdf  
(This is the corrected Web site link.  The initial link sent out was incorrect.)

Tools and Resources
We are also providing materials for those interested in teaching/preaching through the Proposed Revision.  Some beginning work was done at one of the seminars at the National Leadership Conference this past June.  You can read those notes here:  http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof-tools-resources.pdf  We will also be teaching through the Revision this fall quarter (12 weeks - introduction, 10 articles and conclusion) in an adult class in one of our local EFCA churches.  Those sessions will be taped, and both the lecture and the notes will be made available through the EFCA website in January 2008. 
 
What additional resources would you find helpful?  Please let the Spiritual Heritage Committee know. Send an email message to: president@efca.org

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.)

NEW! Check out video GodSighting stories now on the EFCA web site at http://www.efca.org


Maika came to our small rural community from Germany as a foreign exchange student. Several students from our church's high school group befriended Maika, and before long she was tagging along on Wednesday evenings to Bible Study.
 
We remember Maika's first weeks of involvement in the Bible study as polite and yet very skeptical.  For a young woman who had never opened God's Word, these deep truths seemed hard to understand in the context of her personal life.  Over time, Maika's questions transformed from "How can you know that" to "but how can you know if you really believe that?" As spring came, Maika's interaction and questions had definitely taken a turn.  She was active in our weekly study and drawing personal application from God's truths.
 
One week at the end of our Bible study, Maika asked me a question. "What do I need to do to be baptized in your church?  Because I consider your church to be my church."  I told her she had to answer two questions.  #1 - Do you believe that Jesus' death on the cross was to pay for you sins and that His sacrifice is the only reason you can have eternal life?  "Yes," she replied.  #2 - When will it work for you to be baptized?
 
In June, we celebrated Maika's new life by baptizing her while her host family looked on.  The days and weeks leading toward and following her baptism have given us many meaningful opportunities to discuss spiritual matters with her family as well.  We look forward to seeing God continue to do miracles through these relationships.
 
God brought Samaria to us. Maika has returned to Germany, with a newly found faith and a commitment to grow as a Christian.  We are working to help her find a Bible study and some Christian fellowship near her home in Stuttgart. Praise God!  His Word does not return empty!
 
 
- Pastor Jeff Jensen of Geneva Evangelical Free Church

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

EFCA churches around the country are constructing and renovating facilities at a tremendous pace.  But when attempting to borrow money, churches often find that banks are not interested in assisting with their needs or causes.  You and your church can become part of the solution.  By investing in Christian Investors Foundation, you can join the thousands of investors that have helped make loans to EFCA churches since 1959.  We offer competitive interest rates, often above the national average for bank certificates of deposit for a comparable term.*    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 shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of Investment Certificates in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not authorized.  The offering is made solely by the OFFERING CIRCULAR. * EARLY REDEMPTION PENALTY: (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 2 years.  Christian Investors Foundation reserves the right to discontinue offering these Investment Certificates at any time.  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 INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES PRIOR TO THEIR FINAL MATURITY. THE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES ARE NOT FDIC INSURED.

EFCA FOUNDATION

Better Estate Planning
Many people would leave a bequest to your ministry, but tend to procrastinate.  Many times they simply do not know where to begin.  Bequests are a great way to honor the Lord with the blessings you have accumulated in life.  Send for a complimentary brochure that covers "Better Estate Planning."  For details, contact Lanny Harris at (800) 995-8578, by email at foundation@efca.org or check out the Web site at http://www.efcafoundation.org.