Samaritan Way

MinisterConnection.net - New Version

New book from EFCA Pastor Larry Osborne

In Sticky Church, Larry Osborne makes the case that closing the back door of your church is even more important than opening the front door wider. He offers a time-tested strategy: sermon-based small groups that dig deeper into the weekend message and tightly Velcro members to the ministry. It's a strategy that enabled Osborne's congregation (North Coast Church, Vista CA) to grow from a handful of people to one of the largest churches in the nation.

Retail: $16.00
NSR Special price: $11.97 -- Order online now!

FCMM Retirement Plan

Attractive Year-End Funding Source for your Ministry

IRA Charitable Rollover Approved for 2008 and 2009
Great news!  Donors aged 70 ½ may directly gift IRA assets to your ministry in 2008 and 2009. This is a tax wise way to support EFCA ministries and initiatives--locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The EFCA Foundation is here to serve your ministry.

The EFCA Foundation will accept such IRA rollover transfers on behalf of any qualifying EFCA ministry. We are doing this as a service to EFCA ministries and their supporting donors. For example, a donor who wishes to support their local Evangelical Free Church, their EFCA district, and several EFCA missionaries may initiate one IRA transfer to the EFCA Foundation for processing. The EFCA Foundation will fully honor their stated charitable intentions, record the gift, prepare a receipt, and pass along the funds at the full value to any named EFCA ministry or affiliate.  Check the Web site for a list of key provisions and to learn more about the Charitable IRA Rollover.   If you or your any interested donor or ministry friend seeks additional information, email foundation@efca.org.

GodSightings Tell Your Story

GodSightings are the evidence of God's hand in action touching lives all across the EFCA. Let us share and celebrate God's work together! These stories are great to use in worship services, new member classes, and Bible studies. To find out more, visit http://www.efca.org/godsightings.

Falling Into Place
When I decided to go to the CHALLENGE youth conference, I was determined to be affected by God. I prayed that God would show me something I could do for Him. But, I also prayed that it not be my idea at all.

I would be leaving for college in 2 months, and I had so much stuff I never used. God gave me the idea to have a garage sale involving my entire youth group, and to give the money to people less fortunate. After God gave me the idea, I saw the GlobalFingerprints video showing the many orphans in Congo. The completely God-given idea started falling into place.

While I was planning the sale, people would tell me how great the idea was. I would quickly reply, "I didn't come up with anything. God is behind this and I'm just listening to what He's telling me needs to be done." Preparations for the sale didn't go as I had planned.  I didn't have success in asking other churches to promote the sale, and people weren't responding to my plea for volunteers. I began asking God, "What's the deal? I thought this was your plan." Then it dawned on me, I was trying to take control. I surrendered what I was doing to Jesus, and then everything started to fall in place. Within a week, five area churches were involved and the volunteers finished their tasks. The many items that were donated filled the church gym.

In the end, we made over $1,158 at the sale. God really worked through this project, and I am so grateful God used me to do His will.

-Jill DeWit (2008 CHALLENGE Conference attendee)

Christian Investors Foundation

2009 Midwinter Ministerial - Repeat

New edition of "This is the EFCA" brochure now available - Repeat