In This Issue

Brian Duggan--new leader for Latin America

ReachGlobal is very pleased to announce that Brian Duggan has accepted the responsibility to lead Latin America for ReachGlobal, the EFCA International Mission. Brian brings to his new role experience in living overseas, in the management of large numbers of personnel and projects, a heart for Latin America, a desire to become fluent in Spanish, a good analytical mind, a compassionate heart for the Latin American people and staff, stateside pastoral experience, and years of leadership experience.

Brian and his wife, Cathi, plan to move their family to Costa Rica when they have completed support team building. Because they have been planning to serve as a catalyst in Latin America for TouchGlobal initiatives, they are well along in the support building process. We hope by God's grace that in the next several months the rest of the support will come in.

Brian and Cathi have four children: Matthew is 18 and a freshman at Wheaton College (he will not be moving to Costa Rica with the family); Keri is 15; Benjamin is 11; and Anna is 6.

Please be in prayer for the Duggans as they go through this transition.

New missionaries accepted

During the January Readiness Event, we accepted nine people (three couples and three individuals) to serve the Lord with ReachGlobal, the EFCA International Mission. The couples anticipate serving in China, Peru and among Muslims in the United States. The three individuals were accepted as long-term staff serving with the new LIVE0 program. They have begun raising both their prayer and financial support. Please pray with us that the Lord would provide the support they need to begin their ministries.

We anticipate having approximately 12 - 16 people attending the May Readiness Event as they seek the Lord's leading in serving with ReachGlobal. Please pray for them and for wisdom for the staff involved in the assessment and decision making processes.

EQUIP releases first Group Distance Learning course

EFCA EQUIP is pleased to announce the official release of our first Group Distance Learning course entitled "Intentional Living." This four week (16 hour) course is based on material that Steve Hudson, EFCA Director of Leadership Development, has been teaching in individual consultations, at district conferences and at pastors' gatherings for over 15 years. In our first beta group going through this course, we have 23 learners representing seven countries outside the US and 10 states within the US. All of these participants are studying from home while participating actively in the collaborative learning environment. Our hope is to make this course available to all ReachGlobal personnel over the course of the next 12 months. For more information about this course or other learning opportunities through EFCA EQUIP, go to equip.efca.org or contact Mark Morgenstern, director of EFCA EQUIP, at (952) 853-1751 or mark.morgenstern@efca.org.

Short-term medical team needed urgently

Lebanon, April 29-May 12: Three to five medical professionals (especially doctors and nurses) needed for a two week trip to care for the very needy in this beautiful, but war-torn, country. This will primarily be basic primary care, not trauma. Some work will be in the outskirts of Beirut, while some will be in the south. All work is clearly linked to our partner, the EFC of Lebanon, and its church planting ministry. Cost is $875 plus travel expenses. Details and information are available from Dr. Tom Cairns.

Vision trip to Congo

Final preparations for a Vision Trip to Congo are currently being put in place. The dates for the trip are July 18 - August 5, 2007. The focus of the trip will be on ministry to those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as training of pastors, church leaders, and medical personnel in Congo. Those going will have the opportunity to see some of the initiatives being undertaken by the EFC of Congo to help orphans, widows and those whose lives have been impacted by the effects of civil war and HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the trip is to help EFCA churches find ways to partner with potential ministry partners in Congo, in HIV/AIDS ministry, in training of church leaders, and in medical ministry. There is still space for a few more medical personnel, pastors and church leaders to attend. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Dr. Tom Cairns as soon as possible.

Vision Trip to Liberia

Initial plans are being put together for a Vision Trip to Liberia in late September of this year. Kevin Kompelien, International Leader for Africa, is working together with Dante Upshaw, Director of EFCA African American Ministries, to plan this trip. The goal of the trip is to give pastors and church leaders the opportunity to both see and participate in the ministry of our Liberian National Partner, the Evangelical Free Church of West Africa. If you are interested in more information on this Vision Trip, please contact Kevin Kompelien.

Sudanese connections

Kevin Kompelien, International Leader for Africa, is working with the leaders of Sudanese EFC ministries in the US to develop a network of Sudanese congregations in the States that have a heart for reaching Sudanese people here in the States as well as those in Sudan. If you know of any Sudanese congregations or key Sudanese leaders who you think would be interested in being a part of this movement, please contact Kevin Kompelien with the pertinent information.

In addition, we are looking to have a meeting of churches who are partnering in Sudan during the week of the National Leadership Conference in Minneapolis to follow-up the Sudan Summit from last year. If you are interested in attending please contact Kevin Kompelien.

French-speaking accountant/bookkeeper needed

The Evangelical Free Church of Congo needs a short-term missionary for 4-6 weeks this spring or summer to train 4-10 Congolese bookkeepers in basic accounting skills. The Congolese are just learning basic computer skills. Ideally, the missionary should know French well enough to dialogue with the students. Travel, room and board costs would be approximately $3,500, and we ask that the individual raise their support. This is a great opportunity for ministry that will impact an entire denomination in Congo as well as thousands of orphans, widows, patients and churches. Please contact Dr. Tom Cairns at (800) 745-2202 if you have questions.

Volunteer needed

ReachGlobal, the international mission of the EFCA, is looking for a local individual to volunteer 1 - 2 days per week for a period of 2 months. This individual will be working on separating files and working with our Director for Medical Ministries to make sure all of our personnel's files are compliant with federal and state regulations. If you are interested in volunteering, or know someone who might be interested, please contact Lindsay Norman for more information.