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Miracles with technology

2012-04-27T16:00:00.000-05:00

Imagine hearing yourself for the first time as a 29 year old. Or showing some of life's most precious moments of life as they happen with people thousands of miles away.

We live in a day where we take miracles of technology for granted. A day when any idea can become a reality, and that reality can change someone's life forever.

In January I set a BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) to raise $25,000 for BGMC and inspire runners to collaborate for another $250,000.00 for missions by the end of August. But without a miracle, without technology, and without friends like you, this dream will not become a reality.

You can help in two ways.

First, would you make a small donation to my run? You can donate by stopping by my site Your Face On My Race.

Second, I'm looking for 50 people who will give 5 hours to help spread this idea to their family and friends. Simply watch for my Twitter and Facebook posts on 5/5/12 beginning at 5:00 PM and help spread the word to your friends by retweeting, commenting, liking, and supporting.

The math is simple, the more people who hear, the more who have a chance to support. The more who support, the more we can reach.

This is my idea, His miracle, and their eternity. What is your idea, your BHAG for missions? The sky is the limit… dream on!

Thanks for dreaming, thanks for making this miracle happen.

Scan This

2012-03-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

Or Click Here

YourFaceOnMyRace

2012-03-17T16:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Family and Friends,

I've been called insane for the plan I'm about to unveil... When you get done reading this message you might agree.

I am endeavoring to raise $25,000 by the end of July 2012 for an urgent missions project in the northern reaches of Russia. (learn more)

Our family has committed to give sacrificially towards this effort and would like to give you an opportunity to join us.

Here are some ways you can help:

1. Give: Consider supporting my upcoming run in Barrow, AK. That's right I have committed to run a marathon (26.2 miles) in the northern most city in the United States! You can send support directly to my home address for the Hosanna Plan (payable to BGMC) or utilize my website www.yourfaceonmyrace.com to donate through a bank account or credit card.

2. Share: Whenever you see a post on Facebook or Twitter about YourFaceOnMyRace, please like it, tag it, share it, or retweet it. My goal is to utilize the power of social media to spread the word, and friends like you could help make that happen with the click of a button. I am connected to over 3,000 people through Facebook and Twitter if each person would give $10 my goal of $25,000 would be crushed! Think of the possibilities if each person would give and spread the word.

Though www.yourfaceonmyrace.com is live, I would like to have more faces on it before I start to send posts out on the social networks. So while, I'd love to have you visit the site and share a link immediately, I would really love to include your profile picture as a result of your donation first. :)

3. Run: Sign up for your own 5k or marathon and raise funds for the Hosanna Plan. Maybe you would even consider signing up for the same marathon I'm running (www.runatthetop.com). If you do plan to run please click the +1 link on my site to register your goal. I'm hoping to generate a total of $250,000 in goals from runners across the US.

Thanks for your time and thanks for what you do for missions.

Save Money on Your #KidminOutreach

2012-01-04T08:48:00.000-06:00

I am very excited to be a part of the latest edition of MEGA Sports Camp. MSC is a two-time winner of Outreach Magazine's "Outreach of the Year" award and the 2012 release is destined to be the best one yet.

The team has worked hard to add some great elements to help the local coordinator and spice up the rallies by adding fun elements and characters.

For a limited time we are offering a discount on the purchase of the latest kit from our facebook page. Check it out and then help us spread the word!

Local coordinators will find updated tips and helps inside the kit, and anyone hosting a children's outreach can benefit from the weekly MEGA Sports Camp Minute blog post videos.

If you are planning a summer outreach for children, I hope you'll take a look at MEGA Sports Camp: Beyond the Gold.

What's So Great About #FaithCase ? #Kidmin

2011-12-02T16:00:00.000-06:00

Description: Rod Loy, executive presbyter and pastor leads discussion about Faith Case and children's ministries with the AG national office children’s ministries leadership team.

Related Link: http://www.faithcase.com http://www.facebook.com/faithcaseresources

Tele-Consulting for Pastors

2011-11-18T16:00:00.000-06:00

Find out more

Ultimate Event for Guys

2011-11-11T16:00:00.000-06:00

The ultimate guys event is coming!

Mark your calendars now and spread the word. It's been six years in the making and over 5,000 guys are anticipated to show up!

Activities include archery, target shooting, fishing, swimming, disc golf, paintball, 5k run, soccer, flag football, and more.

Special Features:

Emcee: Justin Fennell (www.justcleanfun.com)
All meals are provided
Fireworks display
Evening services
Hot air balloons
50th year Royal Ranger celebration

I would personally like to encourage all Children's and Youth Pastor to not only spread the word, but to play a strong role in using this event as a part of the spiritual journey of the tween and teen boys in your church.

NOTE: Attendees do not need to be Royal Rangers in order to participate. I'll see you at Camp Eagle Rock July 9-13, 2012

Do you need a campground or retreat center for your next off-site event? Consider booking Camp Eagle Rock in Southwest Missouri.

How To Pray With Kids for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

2011-11-04T16:00:00.000-05:00

Evangelist Tim Enloe discusses how to pray with children to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

How To Plant Seeds of Compassion in Your #Kidmin

2011-10-28T16:00:00.000-05:00

Sr. Director of Children's Ministries, Mark Entzminger, guides answers to questions about the importance of planting seeds of compassion in the hearts of children. Special guests David Boyd and Jay Risner share valuable insights that will help children’s workers and parents help their kids see the needs around them and find ways to respond.

Questions Include:
- Why is it important to teach kids compassion?
- How do you know if your child has a heart of compassion?
- How can you help your child experience hands-on compassion w/o overseas missions experiences?

And more!

View on AGTV

#Kidmin Discipleship Resources

2011-10-21T16:00:00.000-05:00

How To Plant Seeds of Compassion in Children

2011-10-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

Teaching kids to see a need and respond with compassion is a huge task for the church today. We live in a media rich environment that flaunts self-satisfaction at all costs. We don't want any measure of discomfort, and it's much easier to enlist response to a need if there's something in it for us.

So what are children's leaders and parents to do? How do we effectively plant seeds of compassion into the lives of children in a way that bear fruit that lasts a lifetime and makes a difference.

Join Children's Missionary, Jay Risner, and the National Children's Missions Director, David Boyd as we discuss the best ways to plant the seeds of compassion live on MinistryDirect.com. During this 45 minute session you'll have a chance to send in your questions and hear a live response from two veterans who have successfully impacted thousands of children all over the world.

Join the session on Wednesday, October 19th at 2:00 PM (Central Time) at www.ministrydirect.com/live. Submit your questions to:

email: questions@ministrydirect.com
twitter: #MinistryDirect
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ministrydirect?sk=events

Missionary Jay Risner has served as a children's pastor, state district children's director, oversees an international children's ministry outreach organization, and travels the world to train local leaders in principles of reaching kids in their communities. Jay served in Kenya as a missionary for a number of years where he launched a television program called "Rainbow Surprise" which is continuing to be filmed and broadcast around the nation.

David Boyd has been a children's pastor in North Dakota, Michigan, and Florida. He and his wife Mary reside in Missouri where he directs a national missions & compassion education program called Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge. Over the 9+ years of leadership they have seen boys and girls give $65 million dollars to resource missionaries, and show compassion around the world.

Who's Making You Uncomfortable?

2011-10-07T04:00:00.000-05:00

Who looks you in the eye and says,

"given your skills, you could do better..."
"You have enough leverage to really make a difference."
"What would happen if you doubled the amount you donated?"
"Could you set aside the fear and go faster?"
"I know you're holding back..."

It takes love and kindness and confidence to bring the truth to a friend you care about. If you're insulating yourself from these conversations, who benefits?

- Seth Godin

Original Post

I trust you receive these uncomfortable challenges with the right spirit, and I hope you motivate one another on as you would like to be challenged.

SMART Goals

2011-09-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

SMART Goals Many people have goals. But those who have SMART Goals are more likely to be successful at exceeding expectations on projects and moving towards fulfilled dreams.

The following is what makes a goal SMART.

Specific - clearly defined in a few sentences Measurable - how you know you the goal has been attained
Achievable - can be accomplished with current talent and budget (might require a stretch, but is not extreme)
Relevant - effort expended moves you closer to completion of the project or dream
Timed - you've set a deadline and it's a manageable pace

After setting the goal, take a moment to capture the next step, team members and the specific role they play, then set it in motion. (read more)

Boys vs Girls

2011-09-23T04:00:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder why you sit in a circle with your Sunday school class and all the girls are focused on you while the boys are watching the renegade bug crawl across the floor?

The fact that boys and girls learn differently requires us to teach boys and girls differently.

Readers Digest published an article on "How boys and girls learn differently". It asks the opinion of David Chadwell, South Carolina's coordinator of single gender education. I found the article very practical and easy to apply to any classroom ... no fancy props needed.

(Original post by Ashley Anderson)

Need some specific resources to minister to boys and girls? Take some time to review the ministry content available through Royal Rangers and National Girls Ministries.

How To Build A Ship

2011-09-16T04:00:00.000-05:00

If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."

- Antoine de Sainte-Exupery

(1900-1944); aviator, writer

FREE Fire Bible for Kids!

2011-09-09T04:00:00.000-05:00

In order to become more familiar with processes at the Assemblies of God National Leadership and Resource Center, I’ll be working in the Customer Service call center at Gospel Publishing House. This will give me the chance to listen in on phone orders and comments from some of our customers. It will be a great learning experience for me and I look forward to meeting some incredible leaders.

Calls coming in between 9:30-11:30 AM (Central Time) on Tuesday, September 13th have a chance to being routed to me – which could be just a little scary. :)

In conjunction with my work in Customer Service we are offering a FREE Fire Bible For Kids* (Paperback, NIV) to every person that orders Faith Case: The Beatitudes by calling 1 (800) 641-4310. Make sure to say, “Mark Sent Me” to get your free Bible!

*Phone orders only. Limited to customers in the continental United States.

Help Kids Live Like Jesus

2011-09-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

When Faith Case: Investigating the Truth came along it was in response to the need to teach children the core doctrines of the Bible. Faith Case: Fruit of The Spirit and helped kids identify the real fruit of being a Christ-follower.

In early August 2011 Faith Case: The Beatitudes was made available to help churches teach kids how to live like Jesus did. The lessons are summarized below:

I will live for God
I will ask for help
I will admit my sin and not do it again
I will be strong and easy to live with
I will always want more of God
I will see the need and make a difference*
I will keep my heart clean
I will make peace wherever I go
I will do what's right even when it's hard

I am proud to announce Faith Case: The Beatitudes is in stock and ready to ship. Be watching my blog and follow me on Twitter for a promotion coming in the next few weeks!

The Faith Case line continues - scripts writing and casting calls are underway now for what is planned for a Winter release of the Armor of God. Be watching for updates soon.

* Features a compassion offering to Convoy of Hope.

Teaching Kids To Pray

2011-08-26T04:00:00.000-05:00

Kids learn teamwork and sportsmanship on the ball field. They learn spelling and math in school. Yet in both places when life gets difficult they want to know how to pray.

The following children's resource was passed my was as a tool to help teach children about prayer. Consider using it for small groups, Sunday School, or modifying it for Children's church. There is some great content inside.

Topics include:

Prayer: What’s It All About?
Who Should Pray?
What Should We Pray About?
When Should We Pray?
Where Should We Pray?
Why Should We Pray?
How Should We Pray?

The children's level materials are targeted at students in grades 3,4 but adaptable to grades 1,2 as well as preteens. Prayer Basics is designed to be a 7-lesson course.

Prayer Basics Children's Lessons

Prayer Basics is a resource from the National Prayer Center.

Money Secrets of the Amish

2011-08-12T22:00:00.001-05:00

Times are tough and people all over wonder how to make it all work - financially speaking. Yet most people would never consider taking a look at the simple lifestyle of the Amish and consider that beneath the beards and simple lifestyle there could be secrets that create wealth.

Dave Ramsey is the king of financial management and truly gets the ball rolling with his Total Money Makeover. Money Secrets of the Amish takes those baby steps further and shines a light on places where many people forget to look to find extra cash.

Though I am not a huge fan of rummage sales, nor will I end up taking old curtains and turning them into a tablecloth, I found a renewed energy towards making things last longer and working harder at finding deals on eBay and Craigslist.

My only complaint is the vast number of parenthetical statements (it was distracting) on just about every page (literally). Regardless of this fact I do recommend families read through this book especially given todays economy.

Phoenix Bound

2011-07-22T15:52:00.004-05:00

I look forward to connecting with pastors and leaders during the General Council 2011 event in Phoenix Arizona. Most days I'll be in the Healthy Kids area of the AG Healthy Church exhibit area stop by to visit about kids ministry resources or just to say "hi."

In order to help you make the most of your time in Phoenix, here's a few links:

1. Main Site
2. Register (It's Not Too Late)
3. Join the Influence Conference
4. Download the General Council 2011 App (iPad, iPhone, Droid)

The AG Kids team will be launching the latest in the Faith Case series during the Kids Council services. Stop by on Wednesday night for a sneak peek. A free Fire Bible For Kids will be given to parents* who attend.

I hope to see you there.

*One per family.

CharacterConnex Impact

2011-07-15T06:00:00.002-05:00

Below is a message we received about the effectiveness of the CharacterConnex school program.

Hello Patti!

It's been a long time since we've talked, hope things are going well. Just got back from vacation and saw the new topics coming out for CharacterConnex and saw the promo.

The promo looked great! I was wanting to be sure to let you know that I'm interested in everything that is getting ready to come out and 99% sure I will be buying everything to use.

CharacterConnex is huge here and every year I have a waiting list wanting us to come in. In fact the 2009-2010 school year I filled 18 schools in just 1 hour! And still had a waiting list in case a school had to cancel, which none do. :)

Anyway, please keep me up to date on new releases and releases.

Thanks and God bless!

Greg

Learn more about CharacterConnex.

Sustainable Fundraising

2011-07-08T06:00:00.002-05:00

There's a lot of talk today about being "sustainable." The idea that most or all of the resources used can be replenished with minimal impact on the environment. But what if there was a way to raise money for your ministry dream that was sustainable? Not just because of another offering appeal, but because the funds came in naturally as a part of doing "business."

There is. A growing number of churches and ministries are recognizing the the benefit of merging the social and business sector where a company is founded and run by business minded people but with a financial plan that directly supports a ministry.

Toms shoes is likely the most notable touting "For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need." In a culture and generation that claims "we are what we share" we will begin seeing more of this kind of business model appear. The question is, will one fund your dream?

Today's feature is the Eurasia Trading Company. A small coffee shop and bed and breakfast opening on Commercial Street in a few months in N. Springfield. Customers can purchase coffee and feel great that they are helping free victims of human trafficking and more. Shop online today and support Assemblies of God missionaries who are reaching a desperate people.

Realize your dreams today with a variety of creative funding solutions. To get started I recommend a talk with Mike Ennis of Impact Resource and Development.

Church Ministries Diploma

2011-07-01T06:00:00.003-05:00

CHURCH MINISTRIES DIPLOMA

Berean School of the Bible cooperates with the national Girls Ministries Department by offering a Church Ministries Diploma in conjunction with the Girls Ministries Leadership Development Certification (GMLDC). Students wishing to enroll in the Church Ministries Diploma must complete the GMLDC certification with the national Girls Ministries Department and provide a copy of the certificates for their student records before receiving their diploma.

Upon completion of the Church Ministries Diploma, the student should have the academic training necessary for working in Girls Ministries Girls Clubs and other ministries in the church.

In addition to the completion of the GMLDC, the following courses must be completed for the Church Ministries Diploma.

Bible
BIB 114 - Christ in the Synoptic Gospels
BIB 214 - Old Testament Survey
BIB 212 - New Testament Survey
BIB 121 - Introduction to Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible
BIB 115 - Acts: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers

Theology
THE 114 - Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine
THE 211 - Introduction to Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective
MIN 111 - Biblical Counseling
MIN 123 - The Local Church in Evangelism
MIN 251 - Effective Leadership

What are you "selling?"

2011-06-24T06:00:00.002-05:00

Some people think Coke sells a carbonated beverage. I think they feel differently. Do you truly know what you are "selling?"

500 Miles

2011-06-17T15:47:00.000-05:00

What a great birthday gift - 500 Miles!