EFCA Update for 2009-03-19

In this issue of the EFCA Update

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY - NEW EDITION

Based on the 2008 EFCA Statement of Faith
This EFCA membership manual is designed as a curriculum to be used in your church's membership class. Its purpose is to help new members become informed about the EFCA, what the EFCA believes, and the ministries of the local church. It also includes a brief spiritual gifts inventory and helps for individuals in preparing their personal testimony. This revised edition is updated and includes a study on the 2008 EFCA statement of Faith. Order online today. 
 

HEALTHY PASTOR RESOURCES

Tom Garasha, EFCA West director of pastoral care and coaching, has republished his excellent book, EKG - Probing the Heart of a Pastor. Order your copy from Next Step Resources. For similar resources for healthy pastors go to http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare.

SHOW FIREPROOF IN YOUR CHURCH

"Fireproof," the #1 independent movie of 2008 that honored marriage and lifted up Jesus Christ, is available to show in your church! Order your movie event package at http://www.fireproofoutreach.com/. A 10% discount has been approved for all EFCA churches.  Simply mention the EFCA discount when calling (800) 991-6011 or use coupon code EFCA2009FPFEB on the Web site. The EFCA discount is valid until April 30.

EXPONENTIAL 09 CHURCH PLANTING CONFERENCE

April 20-21 in Orlando, FL
Join us for EFCA church planting dinners

There will be two EFCA dinners hosted by ReachNational Church Planting at the Exponential 09 church planting conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Experience God’s church planting movement around the world.” Our dinners will reflect this theme:

April 20 - a celebration of ReachGlobal church planting teammates and an opportunity to get to know them better.
April 21 - a celebration of ReachNational church planting progress.

If you are attending the Exponential 09 conference, you are welcome to join us for the dinners. To register or for more information, please visit our web page.

EFCA RESOUND WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

Training opportunities
Join Jackie Redmond, EFCA RESOUND Women's Ministries director, as she presents "The Disciple Making Pathway" at upcoming conferences:

  • April 17-18, 2009 - Forest Lakes District Conference: Blackhawk Church, Madison, WI
  • April 24-25, 2009 - United EFC, Seattle, WA

Event registration information for each conference is available at http://www.efca.org/resound.

The Eastern District Women's Ministries team is hosting Leadership Connections for Women in Ministry featuring training in leadership, disciple making, evangelism and coaching:

  • March 21, 2009 - Warrenton Bible Fellowship, Warrenton, VA
  • March 28, 2009 - First EFC, Brooklyn, NY
  • April 18, 2009 - Faith EFC, Allentown, PA

The cost is $25 and registration is available online.

EFCA RESOUND and the Forest Lakes District are hosting "The Disciple Making Pathway" seminar for women:

  • April 25, 2009 - Terrace Shores EFC, Markesan, WI
  • May 2, 2009 - Kenosha Bible Church, Kenosha, WI

For more information, visit http://www.efca.org/resound or call EFCA RESOUND Women's Ministries at (800) 745-2202.

HOLISTIC SHORT-TERM MISSIONS SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES

LIVE0-to the power of nothing this summer! Opportunities include:

  • Earthquake relief and development in affected area of Chincha, Peru.
  • In the young nation of East Timor, opportunities include teaching English, micro enterprise, survey work and medical options.
  • Rwanda--a country rebuilding from genocide in 1994--where you can help in schools with reconciliation by teaching English and computer classes, as well as working with widows and orphans.
  • India opportunities include working with street children and women in tangible ways, including micro enterprise, discipleship and evangelism.
  • Several holistic opportunities throughout Asia.

Live0 (a ministry of ReachGlobal) is currently offering short-term mission locations, training materials and coaching for local churches as they seek to fulfill their missions mandate and mobilize church members into international missions. In addition to helping churches with fields where they have existing connections, we offer all-inclusive location, training, and ministry opportunity experiences in Peru, Rwanda, and several locations in Asia. For more information, contact info@powerofnothing.org or call (952) 767-0557.

SHARE HOPE THIS EASTER

Save up to 50% on new booklets from Charles Swindoll, perfect for outreach this Easter season.

  • The Rising Hope - Encouragement for your heart
  • Walk with Jesus - a 40 day journey to the cross and beyond
  • Mission Possible - a 40 day adventure with Jesus for elementary school age children

$39.97 /pack of 25
Check the NextStep Resources Web site for more information and to order your copies today!

EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE

May 1-2, 2009 at New Life Fellowship Church in Queens, NY

Pastors and church leadership are invited to attend this two day intensive conference. The conference will provide biblical background and practical experiences that will launch you on a pathway of deep transformation and equip you with tools to take emotionally healthy spirituality into your church, leadership and ministry. For more information and to register, go to http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/.

 

CHRISTIAN INVESTORS FOUNDATION

Has your bank decided not to move forward with a loan for your church? Your bank might not be lending, but we are. Since 1959, Christian Investors Foundation has helped hundreds of Evangelical Free Church congregations realize their dream of buying, building, or remodeling their church facility. We also are very interested if you need to refinance your church’s loan. For more information, call us today at (800) 995-8574, visit us online at http://www.christianinvestors.org/, or email admin@christianinvestors.org.

HELP EFCA URBAN CHURCHES WITH SUMMER OUTREACH

Summer is an important time of year for urban ministry outreach. BUMP - Bridging Urban Mission Project - will help you and your students come alongside an EFCA urban ministry. You will work to energize the church and their neighborhood through VBS programs, sports clinics and neighborhood block parties. For more information on involving your students in BUMP, go to http://www.efca.org/bump.

EFCA - Multiplying Healthy Churches Among All People

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