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In This Issue

PROPOSED REVISION OF THE STATEMENT OF FAITH: TOOLS AND RESOURCES

The Spiritual Heritage Committee is providing materials for those interested in teaching/preaching through the Proposed Revision.  Some beginning work was done at a Leadership Conference seminar this past June.  You can read those notes at http://www.efca.org/about/media/sof-tools-resources.pdf.  We are also teaching through the Revision this fall quarter (12 weeks - introduction, 10 articles and conclusion) in an adult class at a local EFCA church.  The sessions are being taped, and both the lecture and the notes will be made available through the EFCA website in January 2008. 
 
If there are other additional resources you would find helpful, or if you have further questions, please inform the Spiritual Heritage Committee by email at president@efca.org.

STORIES OF GOD AT WORK

At the past EFCA Leadership Conference, we had the opportunity to film 51 people sharing how they have seen God at work in their lives, ministries and churches. Since then, we have posted many of these GodSighting stories on the EFCA Web site. We're excited to announce that GodSightings videos are available to download in both iPod video and Windows Media Player formats. These stories are great to use in worship services, new member classes, Bible studies and more. To find out more, visit http://www.efca.org/godsightings. Let others know about this new offering, and watch for more videos throughout the coming months!

WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

Bringing Women Together
November 3 from 9 a.m. - 12 noon
City Chapel EFC - South Bend, Indiana
Spend the morning discovering ideas, resources, and strategies to equip women to fulfill the Great Commission! BWT events are hosted by members of the National Women's Ministries Networking Team. All women are welcome!  Cost is $10 and includes a continental breakfast. For more information and to register, contact Laura at (574) 231-9892 or EFCA Women's Ministries at (800) 745-2202 ext.765.
 
Women's Ministries Leadership Internship
Learn the essentials! Catch the vision! Impact the next generation! Join women from around the country who serve women in local churches at the upcoming Women's Ministries Leadership Internship, January 28 - February 2, 2008 at Trinity Church in Redlands, CA. Experience six days of comprehensive leadership training, learning how God's Word strengthens women for the good of the next generation and the glory of God! The internship is a partnership of EFCA Women's Ministries and Trinity Church. Register early, as space is limited. For more information and an application visit http://www.efca.org/women/internships/index.html, or call (800) 745-2202 ext. 765 or (888) 329-6222.

LIVEš

ReachGlobal's Live to the Power of Nothing, or LIVEº, is in the process of recruiting team members and team leaders to be sent to Rwanda, India, East Timor, and beyond! As a ministry, LIVEº seeks to work among the most underserved people in the most overlooked places. Teams of 10-12 members serve for two years, live in community while serving on a compassion platform, and always serve alongside church planting efforts.

There are two demographics being recruited: the older adult "finishers" and the 18-35 year olds. Both are growing groups and both fit well in this paradigm. The 18-35 year olds, who often don't have any special training, love the Lord and are seeking tangible ways to express their faith on a compassion platform. The "finishers" are retirees with life and ministry experience and a desire to pour that experience into an up-coming generation that desperately needs to be mentored as it serves. During the two-year term, team leaders mentor the team members personally and as a team using a curriculum that has been developed for the ministry of LIVEº. For more information and a free informational CD, visit the Web site at http://www.powerofnothing.org/, contact the LIVEº office at (952) 767-0557, or email info@powerofnothing.org. You are also invited to visit the blog at http://www.zerofactor.org/.

INTERIM PASTOR MINISTRIES

Are you approaching 62 years of age and wondering how to continue ministry?  Becoming an interim pastor is an excellent way to finish strong for the Lord without burning out.  Interim Pastor Ministries is offering a training/information opportunity at Boone EFC (IA) on November 15.  The cost for participation is $50 for materials. Transportation and meals are on your own. To register, contact Arnie Conrad at aconrad105@mchsi.com.  To check out what churches are saying about interim pastors, go the IPM Web site at http://www.interimpastors.org.  This is a great way to finish strong without burning out!

MINISTRY IN EUROPE NEEDS YOUR HELP

Due to the decline of the dollar, ReachGlobal staff in Europe must deal with a decrease in their monthly paycheck of 1-3 percent. Practically speaking, this means a family with a monthly income of $4,000 has seen their income decrease by $50 to $120 each month.  This decline has been consistent over the past couple years, while expenses are the same or increasing.  Each month missionaries in Europe must figure out how to cut their expenses, raise more support or use any reserves they might have to make ends meet.  Now, many are at the point where it is becoming impossible to stay on the field with their present support.
 
The need to proclaim the gospel in Europe has never been greater!  Recent estimates put the Evangelical Christian population in Europe at less than 3 percent.  European levels of church attendance fall far short of American church attendance and the situation is deteriorating fast.
 
If you would like to give a gift to help with the general financial needs for EFCA missionaries in Europe, please make your check out to the EFCA with a note that states, "For Europe Missionary Support project # 25059-92600."
Checks can be sent to:
EFCA
901 E 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420

To donate online, go to https://www.efca.org/apps/giving/ and enter "Europe Missionary Support project # 25059-92600" as the designation.

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SERVICE - MINISTRY CAMPAIGN SERVICES

Ministry Campaign Services has been expertly helping over 255 EFCA churches and ministries raise funds for expansion since 1997.  Being part of Christian Investors Foundation means that churches also have access to the loans they need to bring their vision to life.  Together, we offer the very best in cohesive services.  To read the real life stories involving Ministry Campaign Services and Christian Investors Foundation, visit http://www.christianinvestors.org/stories.

INTERNATIONAL TEACHING OPPORTUNITY

A lecturer/facilitator is urgently needed for a newly forming Bible school in Sumatra, Indonesia being sponsored by ReachGlobal.  The ideal candidate would be: married, hold a D.Min. or higher degree from an evangelical seminary, missions-minded, committed to discipleship, gifted in teaching and in helping local leadership promote the school to local Indonesian Christians and overseas networks.  Minimum 1-year commitment.  Teaching will be in English with translation.  The location includes safe and comfortable housing, International Church, Indonesian language lessons, and a strong missionary community in the same city.  For more information, email bala@linkmail.org

ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP

Basic and Tax Elimination Estate Planning for Christians
You are invited to a complimentary workshop Saturday, October 27, 2007, at Trinity International University - Hinkson Hall, in the Rodine building. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. with the workshop beginning at 10:00 a.m. There will be a Q&A and lunch. The speaker will be Rodney Piercey, a Christian estate planning attorney whose ministry is to assist Christians in redirecting probate costs and taxes to their families and to the Lord's work. Mr. Piercey is founder and director of The Good News Foundation, which is an ECFA-approved charity educating Americans around the country about their estate planning options.
 
This workshop is offered as a service to friends of Trinity International University, sponsored by the Office of Advancement. If you have questions or would like to register for this event, please contact Lisa Modrzejewski at (847) 317-8169 or lmodrzej@tiu.edu.

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.)

One of our American co-laborers invited a Hispanic guy by phone to attend our church. He is a seasonal worker and his name is Omar. It is a long story, but to make it brief he accepted the invitation to church.  When this girl and her brother went to pick him up at the hotel where he lives, they knocked on the wrong door.  An eighteen-year-old man answered, and because they had only spoken to Omar on the phone they asked this man: "Are you Omar?"  He replied: "Yes I am." They said: "We are here to take you to church, are you ready?"  He hesitated a little, but finally said "Yes I am ready."  After talking to him on the way to church, once they arrived they realized he was the wrong guy! The Omar that agreed to attend church was still at the hotel! The two guys were neighbors and were both named Omar.  (God has such a sense of humor!)

At the end of the sermon, Omar accepted Jesus!  Once the service was over, he told me that he heard the history of his life in the sermon, which is amazing since I'd never met him before. The Holy Spirit was at work, and He can do more then we expect in ways that we can't imagine. Praise the Lord!
- Pastor Rubens of Rios de Agua Viva (Streams of Living Water)

EFCA FOUNDATION

A secure income for life at attractive rates
Do you have CD's or CIF certificates about to mature?  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 Evangelical Free Church 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 or by email at foundation@efca.org. Check out the Web site at http://www.efcafoundation.org.

 

REMEMBER OUR TROOPS IN YOUR PRAYERS

Please remember in your prayers our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines in their continued commitment to the War on Terror. EFCA Chaplains currently serving in combat locales include:

Joel Kornegay, USAF (in Qatar) home based at Travis AFB, CA (family in CA)
Wes Gornall, USA (in Iraq) home based at Fort Benning, GA (family in Brighton, CO)
Jason Tobin, USA (in Iraq) home based in Alaska (family in Alaska)
Ray Bailey, USN (in Iraq) home based at Marine Corps Air Station in NC
Ron Webb, USA (in Iraq) home based at Fort Bragg, NC (family in NC)
K. Don Tak, USN (in Kuwait) homebased out of Port Hueneme, CA (home is MN)
Sean Dennis, USA (in Iraq)  family in Tennessee
 
If your church would like to send a care package, a letter from a Sunday School class, or an encouraging message, please contact Chaplain Roy Bebee at roy.bebee@efca.org for the overseas address.