EFCA Update for 2010-02-15

In this issue of the EFCA Update

Responding to Needs in Haiti

Thank you for praying and giving over $543,000 thus far to help EFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response provide relief in Haiti. We are very grateful for God's protection and leading. Crisis Response's current efforts focus on four primary areas:

  • meeting immediate needs
  • developing partnerships
  • recovery and development
  • ongoing logistics

Complete information about our ministry response, current needs lists and future opportunities to serve can be found at www.touchglobal.org/haiti. Give online now , or mail your donation to:

EFCA
Earthquake Relief #21709-3970
901 East 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300

Please make your check out to "EFCA" indicating "#21709-3970" in the memo line.

Crisis Response continues to mobilize people, equip churches, and transform communities in New Orleans, Galveston, TX and Peru.  Find out how you and your church can serve in these locations this spring and summer.

Challenge Volunteers Needed

Do you have a heart for students? The Challenge youth conference can use your help. It takes hundreds of volunteers to make Challenge happen. We need medical staff (doctors, nurses), housing and security personnel, recreation staff and other roles as well.  More information and an application form are available online.
 

Reconciliation Learning at Duke Divinity School

EFCA Samaritan Way desires to put together a cohort of leaders to apply for the 2010 Duke Divinity School Summer Institute, which will focus on the theme "The Ministry of Reconciliation in a Divided World." The institute takes place May 31 - June 5, 2010 on the campus of Duke University. Seminars will be offered for participants with all levels of experience in reconciliation work, including "Shaping Congregations for Faithfulness across Divides" which will be co-taught by EFCA Executive Director of Reconciliation Alvin Sanders. If you desire to participate contact Samaritan Way at samaritanway@efca.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 us at admin@christianinvestors.org.

Do Something! - Challenge Conference project

UNDO Illiteracy.   UNDO Hunger.   UNDO Hopelessness.
 
Challenge and ReachStudents have partnered with GlobalFingerprints to make a difference in the lives of orphans.
 
At the Challenge Conference, students will participate in the Red Backpack Project where they will construct 5,000 red backpacks and pray over each one before they are shipped to the Congo and a new field in India. 
 
To help us accomplish this project, we are asking district student conferences and individual youth ministries to raise funds, with the goal of raising $50,000 which will cover the expenses for the backpacks, supplies and shipping. 
 
Will you help?  For more information, see http://www.challengeconference.com.

2010 EFCA Leadership Conference

June 15-17 in Columbus, OH
Check out the bthetree.org Web site for the 2010 EFCA Leadership Conference. Registration opens in April 1.

Deaf Ministries

Does your church have an active ministry to those who are deaf in your congregation or local community?  Let us know. Contact lisa.theurer@efca.org.
 

New Resource from Bill Hull

Christ Like
The Pursuit of Uncomplicated Obedience
Spiritual growth isn't just part of church programming; it requires practice in the real environment of daily life, effort, and community.
 
Also, in stock ready for shipment are the 2010 Tax Guides. Order today!

FCMM summary plan document available

This helpful resource in communicating the essential features of the FCMM Retirement Plan can now be accessed as Form # 38 on the FCMM web page. We encourage church administrative personnel to communicate the availability of this document to all staff members.  If you have any questions, please contact fcmm@efca.org or call (800) 995-5357.

Bridging Urban Mission Project (BUMP)

Help an urban church in Chicago reach beyond their doors
Watch your students as they stretch beyond their comfort zone. See God move beyond your expectations. Some of our EFCA urban churches in Chicago need you and your students to come alongside them, to be a workforce helping them do a week of outreach ministry this summer. Picture your students leading a VBS or sports camp in an inner city neighborhood. Watch them as they interact with and grow to love the children they minister to. For more information on how your group can participate, visit the BUMP - Bridging Urban Mission Project - web page at http://www.efca.org/bump.

Share Your recommended reads (Repeat)

EFCA Today would love to hear from a variety of EFCA lay leaders, staff and pastors about the one theological book that has given you the greatest "aha" moment . . .and the one book of nonfiction that has taught you the most about God and His ways. So that means: We know it's hard, but please only send the names of two books! Add your personal comments about why, but only two books. . . .

Please enlist responses from other leaders at your church, too, and send your responses to pastormatt@lansefree.org by February 18.
EFCA - Multiplying Healthy Churches Among All People

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901 East 78th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55420-1300
(800) 745-2202 toll-free - (952) 854-1300 main - (952) 853-8488 fax - http://www.efca.org