In This Issue

GlobalFingerprints through TouchGlobal

TouchGlobal has launched a new program called “GlobalFingerprints.” This is an AIDS and orphan sponsorship program. Because this AIDS sponsorship program for children orphaned by AIDS or other tragedies will primarily be done online, EFCA TouchGlobal is currently working with the website to see if there are any last minute glitches in the process for sponsoring a child.

This sponsorship program is not an "adoption thing." Your money goes to sponsor GlobalFingerprints ($20/month), which will help fund Christian, Congolese families taking care of children who have been orphaned primarily as a result of the AIDS pandemic. These are orphans and families from our Congolese Free Churches, as well as from their communities. Funding will help with food, transportation, nutrition and medical needs, and education. Sponsors will have the opportunity to pray for and write to a specific child through the website. Through the Congolese Free Church, sponsors will be updated and kept in touch with a child. We are working with Congolese who will translate the letters.

Information will be available when the GlobalFingerprints website is completed. Please look for forthcoming information regarding this new program. To follow progress on GlobalFingerprints, register for the monthly email letter at: www.globalfingerprints.org.

Vision Trip - Congo

Last chance to join us!

Several months ago we announced a Vision Trip to Congo for senior pastors and medical personnel. Due to presidential elections in Congo and civil unrest, we rescheduled the trip for the end of January and we now have a few places available.

We are looking for two senior pastors who would like to teach in the Bible Institutes of the Congo Evangelical Free Church and two physicians of any specialty to work in the hospitals and help teach Congolese physicians and staff.

The trip is scheduled for January 24 - February 11. Those going will have the opportunity to teach African pastors and seminary students; medical staff will be able to work in the Tandala and Bau hospitals. The purpose of the trip is to help EFCA churches find ways to partner with potential ministry partners in Congo, both in training of church leaders and in medical ministry. We will also see some of the initiatives being taken to help orphans and widows.

The group will fly to Europe, on to Kinshasa the capitol, and then up country to Gemena. From there the group will divide and go to the several sites where we will work. The timeline is short for getting reservations and travel documents; we will not repeat this announcement. For a brochure and more information, please contact Dr. Tom Cairns at tcairns@efca.org.

Katrina relief - recent teams to Louisiana

Since the beginning of November, there have been multiple teams in Louisiana assisting with ongoing relief efforts led by EFCA TouchGlobal. The following are a list of teams sent by local EFC churches.

Teams November 6 - 12

  • Church of Charlotte (NC)
  • Cornerstone Community Church (OH)
  • EFC of Canton (IL)
  • Great Bridge EFC (VA)
  • Homewood EFC (IL)
  • Mountain Life EFC (UT)
  • Susquehanna EFC (PA)
  • Trinity Western University (BC)
  • Door Creek Church (WI)
Teams November 13 - 19
  • Village Church of Barrington (IL)
  • First EFC (MN)
  • EFC of Hershey (PA)
  • Community EFC (PA)
  • Lebanon EFC (PA)
  • Groveland EFC (CA)
  • Valley Church (CA)
  • Arlington Heights (IL)

Katrina Relief Statistics

  • Approximately 2,200 families have contacted TouchGlobal at our Trinity EFC base.
  • 1,200 families have come to the free store at Trinity EFC.
  • $2.4 million in donations
  • $4.25 million in value of donated labor (at $10 per hour)
  • Teams to date: 487
  • Volunteers: 5,744

Congo project update

As of November 20, $22,700 has been received for the risograph and leadership training project. We anticipate some additional gifts will come in over the next several days. We praise the Lord that the goal of $5,000 was met and exceeded as there will be significant ongoing expenses for producing materials for this important leadership training project. Thanks to the Lord for His provisions and to each one who gave to make this project a reality.

GodSightings at the EFCA

When families gather, it is stories of the past and present celebrated together in laughter and tears that unify their hearts. Sharing stories--whether small or great, heart-touching or Aha!, personal, family, church or community in scope, from next door or across the globe--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!

Beginning with this broadcast, GodSightings will be told through various EFCA media--with the goal of bringing our family closer together. Tell your congregation, tell your families, and share your story! Simply email stories to Godsightings@efca.org. (Please attach related pictures whenever available, and be sure to advise if the story should be communicated anonymously.)

Urbana (repeat)

Urbana is coming! If you or your church will be attending, click here for more details! If you register for Urbana through the EFCA International Mission website, $20 of every registration will be shared with the EFCA International Mission!

There will be EFCA International Mission representatives at Urbana from different mission fields that will be ready to talk to any individuals interested in shor-term or long-term opportunities in international ministries.

Provision closet (repeat)

The Provision Closet at the EFCA national office in Minneapolis has been a way to provide home set-up supplies for missionaries on home assignment. Over the past three months, however, we have had to reclaim the warehouse space, which housed the Provision Closet, to accommodate two newly developed areas of ReachGlobal (EFCA International Mission).

While both of these ministries are now centrally located at the national office, it means a sad goodbye to the Provision Closet. We have asked around to find other space in a church or donated facility (and if a reader close to Bloomington, Minnesota would like to take this up as a ministry, we would love to hear from you). We have not received a response as of yet.

Since the Provision Closet is now without a home, please consider a donation to the "Deacon's Fund" which meets the needs of home assignment missionaries. Previously donated quilts and housewares will be donated to World Relief for the benefit of newly settled refugee families in the Twin Cities.

If your church is interested in being the host site for the ReachGlobal (EFCA International Mission) Provision Closet, please email im@efca.org with "Provision Closet" in the subject line.