Conference attendees had their choice of six workshops throughout the conference. We recommended our PROFESSIONAL TRACK (shown in italics) for consideration of professionals.

(Listed here in random order)
Developing Healthy Relationship Roles/Relational Dynamics in Ministry
Sharpening Your Facilitating Skills
The Power of Story in Any Culture
Difficult Dialogue/Courageous Conversations
Awakening the Gifts Within: Passing on True Aboriginal Virtues
Hope for FASD
Caught in the Headlights: Examining the Lived Experience of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Work Readiness: Preparing Communities for Work
Paternalism, Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency
Models of Empowerment for Aboriginal Communities
Being a Transformational Leader in an Aboriginal Cultural Context
Suicide Intervention
Growing in Cultural Intelligence When Dealing with Money in Cross-Cultural Partnerships
Financial Accountability in Other Cultures - What Does It Look Like?
Financial Planning for the Golden Years
MDP for You
Aboriginal Youth in Balance
Aboriginal Youth in Motion
Dealing with Depression, Grief and Loss
When the Fog Lifts: The Misunderstood Concept of Contextualization (offered twice)
The Trust Account: Key to Effective Leadership
White Privilege: Examining Invisible Racism
Isn’t What You Just Said Racism? Awareness and Sensitivity
The Aboriginal Family: Beyond Survival
The Aboriginal School: Beyond Survival
The Aboriginal Church: Beyond Survival
More Ready Than You Think
Care for Aging Parents
Aboriginal Churches That Matter
Missionary Ethics
Become a Cyber-Missionary!
Workshop for the Technology-Challenged
Sagging Support: Gaining and Maintaining Full Financial Support: Parts 1 and 2
Leadership Dynamics to Promote and Develop Strong Teams
Understanding the Mid-Life Change (for Women Only)
Understanding the Mid-Life Change (for Men Only)
Jesus, Lover of a Woman’s Soul
Toward an Effective Elder Board
Communicating Christ Cross-Linguistically
Knees Needed: Hope for PSA (Prayer Strugglers Anonymous)
Post Colonial Ministry: Knowing What to Throw Away and What to Keep
Training Indigenous People to Impact the Next Generation
First Nations Reaching the Nations
Perspectives on Worship
Ethnicity as a Gift and Barrier
Worldview Transformation



WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

DEVELOPING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP ROLES (RELATIONAL DYNAMICS IN MINISTRY)
Walter Selke, Nick Helliwell

Let’s start with some definitions:
Codependency: the dependence of two people or groups on each other, especially when this reinforces mutually harmful behavior patterns.
Codependent: someone who exhibits too much, and often inappropriate, caring for persons who depend on him or her.
Conflicted: Caught between two opposing loyalties in equal struggle for resolution, resulting in confusion or ambivalence.
Burnout: The photo of someone you know!

Are you tired of feeling like you're being taken advantage of? Do people get really close to you only to leave you feeling wounded? Is it hard for you to say no? If you feel like you are running all the time, burning the candle at both ends, you are. This workshop has a strong emphasis on dependency and dysfunctional life styles that characterize many people with whom we serve. In this workshop, now given annually at MDP, Walter and Nick flesh out a simple but dynamic model for helping ourselves and others deal head-on with victimization. It’s time to consider balance, rest, and relationship. Don’t miss their practical discussion on how to avoid falling into a dysfunctional ministry relationship leading to co-dependency.

Walter Selke with his wife Cindy have been in full time ministry for the last eighteen years in Regina SK. Together they have seen God build Healing Hearts Ministry. During this time they have pursued a life and ministry style of healthy relational patterns and building realistic boundaries in ministry. This workshop shares some of the principles that have helped develop Healing Hearts Ministry.

Nick Helliwell with his wife Vivian have been a part of Healing Hearts Ministry from the very beginning. They helped form the vision and have grown into true servanthood roles with this ministry. They have been full time missionaries with Healing Hearts Ministry for the past two years.

SHARPENING YOUR FACILITATING SKILLS - John Cosby

No one learns or retains information the same way as someone else. So we’ll be wise to have a number of ways to demonstrate and teach the truths we wish to communicate. An effective facilitator, states John Cosby, is someone who skillfully helps a group of people understand their common objectives and plan to achieve them without personally taking the reins. Only 5% of what we communicate through lecture is remembered. Twenty percent of what we communicate audio-visually is retained, but 50% of what is discussed in a small group will be retained!

This workshop will provide participants an opportunity to explore techniques for effective adult learning. There will be opportunity to review skills and tools needed for effective facilitation whether used in meetings or training venues. The workshop will actively involve participants in a facilitating situation using the tools and strategies introduced, with the opportunity for feedback.

John Cosby has an M.S. degree in Instructional Leadership and Curriculum Design with a California Bilingual teaching certificate. He also has thirty-five years experience in church planting and adult leadership training, working in a large variety of training venues including small groups, seminars, workshops, formal Bible College classroom and one-on-one discipleship. John and wife Marge began serving with Mexican Gospel Mission in 1972, and since 1982 have served with UIM International. John has served as MDP Director for the past five years. They currently live in Greeley, Colorado and have begun a Hispanic church plant there. They also are blessed with five children and fourteen grandchildren.

THE POWER OF STORY IN ANY CULTURE
Clyde Cowan

Seventy-five percent of the Bible is story or dialog. Fifteen percent is poetry, song, or proverb. That leaves ten percent of the Bible that comes to us in the style of our usual sermons and teaching. Clyde Cowan suggests we might improve our teaching, preaching and communication if we moved closer to the overall biblical pattern. Everybody is a story teller at some level. In this one session we’ll talk more of why to tell stories than how. Jesus and Abraham Lincoln are role models.

Stories run the gamut from sermon illustrations to stories that apply lessons to stories that stand alone as the message in themselves, for the hearer to apply. Stories change worldview. This session will consider why. Stories cross cultural and age divisions. Bible stories, personal stories, and tall tales each have a place, and they stay in the mind. “Tell me your story,” is one of the most powerful sentences a missionary can say–if he or she actually listens to the person’s story.

Clyde Cowan holds an M.Div. degree from Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary. After pastoring a multi-ethnic church in Oxnard, California for six years he joined NAIM where he has served with NAIM in village ministry starting a church, administration, writing and training for thirty-one years. Convinced of the value to train and equip missionaries he has served with MDP as an instructor, mentor and Director. He has taken leave from NAIM twice, first with Interdev developing inter-agency partnerships to unreached peoples, and secondly to COMIX35, an international literature ministry he co-founded to promote and train the use of comic books for missions. His passion to communicate the Gospel clearly led him to comic books, the most widely read and understood literature form in the world. He has been married to Paula for thirty-nine years, with three children who follow the Lord better than their Dad does, and seven grandchildren with an eighth due just before this IMCO staff conference. Paula serves with Women Of The Harvest, an international ministry devoted to serving and strengthening missionary women, to help keep them healthy, whole, effective . . . and on the field.



DIFFICULT DIALOGUE/COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION
Jack Teeter

Have you ever had a challenging conversation with a spouse, co-worker, friend, or family member that didn't turn out so well? How do you normally handle a highly charged, high-risk conversation other than only arguing or resorting to just being “nice”? Did you ever wonder how to best deal with a significant person in your life when needing to approach a topic about negative behaviors, skill deficits, attitude issues, interpersonal conflict, or blind spots? No one likes difficult conversations, but we must have them if we’re going to treat ourselves and others with respect and walk in truth.

In this workshop Jack explores the incompatible perspectives that create every difficult dialogue. He then shows how to move from a destructive and frustrating interchange to a "learning conversation," offering steps to help shift perspective and the direction of your difficult dialogue. This workshop guides you in dealing positively with these situations and conversations to engage in courageous, engaging, unbridled, truthful conversation to pursue the best possible relationship or outcome.

Jack Teeter and wife Annette grew up in the same church in Washington where their relationship began as childhood friends before they were united as life partners in ministry. After schooling they spent 33 years as missionaries with NAIM (North America Indigenous Ministries) before joining InterAct Ministries in 2003. Following a time of Pastoral Care training at Link Care Center, they began ministry in the Member Care Department with InterAct. The Teeters have been blessed with two wonderful married children and four grand daughters. Annette battled cancer from 1997 until her home going on January 8, 2007. Jack’s current ministry is Director of Member Care for InterAct and Acting Alaska Field Director. His vision is to “glorify God by encouraging, developing and providing meaningful pastoral and member care for InterAct staff, Indigenous Christian leaders, and others in the mission workforce in the North Pacific Crescent.”



AWAKENING THE GIFTS WITHIN: PASSING ON TRUE ABORIGINAL VIRTUES
Vince Hill

Most of us are on a search to find strategies that offer true hope. Yes, we know the Bible works, but we’re talking about strategies to implement truth into people’s lives. How do we make truth personal? Youth are resorting to drugs, alcohol, and suicide to deal with life. The music they listen to often reflects the deeper pain and rage they feel inside. They attempt to find belonging from their peers or gangs, but many of their peers also struggle with feelings of hopelessness and despair. But now youth are coming forward and sharing about the pain in their lives. What do we say? How do we help?

In this workshop educator Vince Hill suggests ways that community leadership (school, health, band government, and church) can have a key role in the development, implementation, and modeling of a character-building initiative. He will explore and share leadership strategies that we may use to increase effectiveness in creating a culture of character development. We will learn the value of speaking the virtues language that brings healing and deepens personal relationships, replacing shaming thinking/speaking with new empowering habits. In closing we’ll discuss the need for setting clear boundaries for healthy lives and simple practices for daily routines of reverence.

Vince Hill, son of NCEM missionaries Carroll and Cathy Hill, is currently the Associate Director of Education at Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC). Over the last twenty years as a teacher, school administrator, and in his current position, Vince has seen violence in schools on the rise, addictions destroy the lives of so many talented youth, and even experienced the loss of students committing suicide. While searching for ways to help a former school find solutions to these social issues, he discovered Virtues Project International. His enthusiasm was buoyed by noticing that people responding positively to the affirmation they receive through the five strategies of the Virtues Project. After implementing the Project, he saw tremendously encouraging results in the lives of the students and teachers. Since arriving at PAGC Vince has facilitated numerous workshops and conferences across western Canada encouraging participants to live the virtues as a way of life instead of only implementing another program. In August 2005, he was appointed a Master Facilitator by Dan and Linda Kavelin-Popov in recognition for his work to promote the Project. He is passionate about the Virtues Project and is thrilled with the interest generated by people to embrace truth that changes lives, offers healing, and brings lasting hope. He and wife Anne have two daughters and a recent son-in-law.



HOPE FOR F.A.S.D. (FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER)
Dr. Dolores Logan

F.A.S.D. is a term describing a range of disabilities that may affect people whose mothers drank alcohol while they were pregnant. Some estimates suggest that FASD affects 1% of people living in Canada – that’s 300,000 people in this country alone. Although FASD is not limited to Aboriginal populations, it’s been suggested that the prevalence is higher in Aboriginal communities. Only in recent decades have the wide range of FASD issues been identified and explored.Can anything be done to help minimize the effects of FASD?

In this workshop, Dr. Delores Logan will, with the aid of power-point, discuss the medical and social factors involved with FASD, the common behavioral and learning patterns associated with FASD, and suggest a variety of activities parents and teachers of FASD children can do to overcome the affects of FASD. The workshop attendee will also learn a variety of practical strategies that can be used to assist FASD children and adults in living healthy and productive lives.

Dolores Logan was born in Saskatchewan, the fifth of seven children to farmer parents. Christianity and faith were a large part of her growing up. She accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour at the age of fifteen and eventually came to believe God called her into Medicine as a Physician. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Saskatchewan and did her Family Medicine Residency in Regina, Sask. She still lives and practices in Regina. She married Murray Logan in 1983 and they have five wonderful children ages 21 to 10. She enjoys using her gifts in ministry to women and children, especially those with special needs, such as those affected by F.A.S.D.




CAUGHT IN THE HEADLIGHTS: EXAMINING THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
Linda Jarrett

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is caused by a traumatic event which may result in this debilitating condition that affects every area of a person's life. While classified as a mental disorder, Linda suggests it is a psychological injury. Healing from any injury involves a process. The process of recovery from PTSD involves moving the sufferer from surviving to thriving. This process can be interrupted at many points along the journey. Moving along the healing journey requires complex assessment, treatment, and supports.

Linda will present a lived experience of PTSD, reveal implications for Aboriginal populations, and draw parallels to holistic health and healing. The intent of this workshop is to provide information and create understanding for those who work in populations where this insidious injury is likely grossly unreported or underreported. There will be opportunity for discussion on how to offer hope and touch the lives of those who have experienced trauma.

Linda Jarrett was born in southern Saskatchewan and came to faith in Christ in 1977 in a small Anglican church. She is the mother of two and has five grandchildren. She has attended SAIT (EMT-Ambulance), Medicine Hat College (Associate of Arts Diploma), University of Regina (Bachelor of Social Work degree), and University of Northern British Columbia (MSW candidate - course work/research completed, writing in progress). Linda is a social worker whose practice includes working in northern Saskatchewan Native villages since 1994. As a professional living as a minority in Dene, Cree, and Métis communities, Linda has witnessed both accepting and dividing practices by non-Native workers in community. She notes that this has created opportunities for her to examine and challenge her own beliefs. She is currently writing a retrospective analysis of post traumatic stress disorder and the implications for Aboriginal Peoples as a partial requirement for her graduate degree.



WORK READINESS: PREPARING COMMUNITIES FOR WORK
Dr. Grant Bogyo

God has equipped every church with what it needs for ministry. Oddly enough, He has equipped every community with the power for change (God does not make junk). Culture, environment, history, victimization; all play a role. If we wait for help from outside, then we deny the power and potency of any community with or without Christ resulting in people perishing.

This workshop outlines a step-by-step approach to low-cost, sustainable development that will increase employment, improve nutrition, build the church and reduce risks for abuses of all kinds. What you'll hear will get your juices flowing. Note: for the brave at heart only!

Grant R. Bogyo is a Clinical Psychologist. He holds a Bachelors degree in Religious Education from Northwest Baptist Theological College, a Master of Arts Degree in Biblical Counselling from Colorado Christian University, a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from George Fox University. He and his wife Betty of thirty-two years have been involved in missions since their marriage. They serve with NAIM, Freedom River Counselling Group, as well has directing a full-time practise with patients as far away as New York and New Zealand.




PATERNALISM, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Ed Wood, Les Wills

This workshop defines paternalism, accountability, responsibility and transparency and how these issues affect intercultural relationships with missions and ministry. When is accountability paternalistic and when is it not?

Ed and Les will give a clear picture of history, including the harmful problems and symptoms of paternalism. They will discuss issues such as is there a better way, can we solve financial paternalism, some proposals for further thought, what happens when the indigenous leader claims paternalism when it is not, and a summary of dealing with some tough issues that usually don’t become part of our discussions with our Aboriginal friends. They will offer practical solutions for what’s required for breaking the cultural barriers in a changing and cultural sensitive environment. A question period at the end will provide time to ask those questions that require a practical solution to this topic.

Ed Wood, born in St. Theresa Point, Manitoba, has lived in Winnipeg for the past fifty years. an Aboriginal leader, entrepreneur (throughout his twelve years in the lumber business he sold lumber to some 400 First Nations across Canada), has served on Board of Directors for various organizations and para-churches, government liaison, respected elder in many Native communities and an elder in his local church. His experience, wisdom and primary language (Oji-Cree) is invaluable to draw from for practical solutions. He has recently been honoured as a Recipient of the 2007 Order of Manitoba, the highest honour given by the province. He and wife Jean have been blessed with six children and four grandchildren.

Les Wills, from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, is both a friend and colleague of Ed Wood - in business, church and para-church life. Les brings to the table twenty-seven years of working among First Nations communities, boards and churches on capacity building, administrative and management training, board governance, strategic planning, and church and organizational structure. He is presently chairman of his church board and the Board of Directors for Baptist General Conference of Canada. He is the principal owner of Northern Training and Consulting Services, an organization dedicated to assisting northern communities to succeed in providing a better quality of life for their community members through consulting and training of Chief, council, boards and administration staff. He and wife Phyllis have four children and eleven grandchildren.



BEING A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER IN AN ABORIGINAL CULTURE CONTEXT
Ryan O’Leary

The New Testament gives clear examples of societal transformation as a result of Christian ministry and presence. Peoples’ lives were transformed from the inside out through relationship and contact with the person of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and each other which ultimately lead to the transformation of society around them. Similarly, God desires to transform lives today from the inside out which ultimately leads to the transformation of tribal societies. However, a key component of transforming tribal societies involves the quality of spiritual leadership present in these societies. In essence, a mature aboriginal church cannot be built without transformational spiritual leadership.

This workshop will provide participants an overview of the seven transformational leadership traits from the life of the great old testament leader, King David. It will give participants an overview of seven transformational leadership traits from King David’s life. It includes the following topics:
-- God’s divinely appointed calling of leaders
-- Overcoming negative voices from spiritual and human opposition as a leader
-- Building a transformational team as a leader
-- The character and essential of demonstrating self-control in leadership
-- Leading people to relate to God’s presence from a healthy, biblical, and balanced perspective.
-- Leading people in divine praise
-- Building the family as foundational to transformational leadership

Ryan O’Leary is an enrolled tribal member of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwa in Northern Minnesota. Ryan has extensive experience working in the Native community. He has served as a tribal administrator as well as board member and vice-chairman of the board for his reservation’s economic development board. Ryan has served as Senior Pastor of a predominantly Native American congregation in Minneapolis and now currently serves as the Administrator for On Eagles’ Wings ministry. Ryan possesses graduate degrees in both business and divinity and serves as a teaching/preaching elder in his local church. He is also currently pursuing his Doctorate in Ministry degree and was drafted to play professional hockey by the Calgary Flames. He and wife Kristen are blessed with three children.




MODELS OF EMPOWERMENT FOR ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
Dr. Grant Bogyo

My uncle had severe headaches. He went to his doctor for five weeks seeking ever-increasing doses of powerful pain medicine to help control his headaches. The doctor concluded he was merely drug seeking. My uncle died of a brain tumor eight weeks after his headaches began. How can we empower if we are uncertain of the problems facing a community? How can we look past the symptoms and seek to empower attacking the root cause?

Take a short trip into the world of industrial organizational psychology. It will be short indeed. This workshop builds on our understanding of communities and introduces an experimental tool for evaluating your missionary career, mission organization and the communities in which we live and work, with the goal of empowering ourselves and others to change.

Grant R. Bogyo is a Clinical Psychologist. He holds a Bachelors degree in Religious Education from Northwest Baptist Theological College, a Master of Arts Degree in Biblical Counselling from Colorado Christian University, a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from George Fox University. He and his wife Betty of thirty-two years have been involved in missions since their marriage. They serve with NAIM, Freedom River Counselling Group, as well has directing a full-time practise with patients as far away as New York and New Zealand.




SUICIDE INTERVENTION
Selma Poulin

Many people come to a point in their lives where they see no way out of their difficult life circumstances and choose suicide as a form of escape. Suicide has no barriers when it comes to social classes, religious beliefs, race, age, etc. Bulgaria has the highest rate of suicide in the world and the Australian Aborigines the lowest of .004. Canada’s overall suicide rate is typically about 14 per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is consistently slightly lower, at about 12 per 100,000. Suicide rates in the Canadian Native population are more than twice the sex-specific ratio and three times the age-specific rates of non-Native Canadians.

The workshop participant will learn about society’s view of suicide and basic understanding of suicide risk behavior. As caregivers we need to know how to approach and help a person contemplating suicide. The rest of the time will be spent in role-playing suicide intervention activities based on the following guidelines; situation, symptoms, signs, support and safety plan.

Selma Poulin is an Oji Cree woman born in Bearskin Lake, Ontario. She and her husband Dave live in Sioux Lookout, Ontario where she works as a Mental Health Consultant. Their five children are grown and pursuing their life goals. She received her Master of Arts in Counselling from Providence Seminary in 1995. She worked at an Aboriginal Counselling Center for twelve years as a counselor, director and a clinical supervisor, providing her with much experience working with suicidal Native youth, and suicide prevention in general. She is a Board member and a regular speaker for Rising Above Abuse Counselling Agency since early1990’s and most recently for the Professional Association for Canadian Christian Counsellors. She has a great desire for her First Nations people to know God and to be healed by Him.



GROWING IN CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE WHEN DEALING WITH MONEY IN CROSS-CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS
Mary Lederleitner

Mission leaders are frequently careful to contextualize outreach programs. Ministries are adapted to align more effectively with the culture of the indigenous group being reached. This effort is undertaken because effective mission practitioners do not want peripheral issues of culture to be an obstacle keeping people from coming to Christ. Although we generally understand this concept when it comes to outreach and ministry, business processes and “how” we administratively work and manage our ministries often continues without critical examination or contextualization. The end result is that inherently positive processes in one cultural setting can convey an inherently negative message to cross-cultural ministry partners.

Attitudes about money and financial processes are critical to the success of cross-cultural ministry partnerships. Through the use of social science literature, stories, and scripture passages, this session will serve as a stepping stone toward growing in cultural intelligence in this area. It is designed to help mission leaders, practitioners, including those within the host culture more effectively manage and lesson the tension of differing world views about money in cross-cultural partnerships.

Mary Mallon Lederleitner holds a Masters Degree in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College and is a Certified Public Accountant in the US. She has served as Asia Finance Coordinator and International Audit Coordinator for Wycliffe Bible Translators International and SIL International. She is currently in a research role with Wycliffe studying the impact of accountability on relationships in cross-cultural partnerships. She is pursuing PhD studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. Her ministry is devoted to encouraging and ensuring the highest level of fiscal integrity within Christian ministries and nonprofit organizations. She believes a critical ingredient for accomplishing this is keeping open lines of communication and building ever greater trust in cross-cultural partnerships. She and husband John have been married for five years and are members of Christ Church of Oak Brook. John is a lay teacher for Crown Financial Ministries and together they serve on a larger missionary care team that provides financial advice and services for their church's missionary partners.



FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN OTHER CULTURES - WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Mary Lederleitner

A common assumption made by mission leaders and donors is that if similar financial processes and controls are required in another ministry context, accountability and fiscal integrity will be ensured. However, this does not always prove to be true in cross-cultural partnerships. Often the rules governing fiscal integrity and accountability in one context do not apply in another. If this is the case, how can mission leadership foster accountability and ensure fiscal integrity?

This session is designed to help mission leadership, administrators and indigenous leadership understand the different “playing field” of financial accountability in other cultural contexts. Through the use of stories and real life examples, mission practitioners will receive insight and a greater depth of sensitivity regarding commonly held assumptions about financial accountability and the ensuing problems these create. They will also receive practical recommendations and tools that frequently foster a higher level of accountability and fiscal integrity in cross-cultural partnerships.

Mary Mallon Lederleitner holds a Masters Degree in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College and is a Certified Public Accountant in the US. She has served as Asia Finance Coordinator and International Audit Coordinator for Wycliffe Bible Translators International and SIL International. She is currently in a research role with Wycliffe studying the impact of accountability on relationships in cross-cultural partnerships. She is pursuing PhD studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. Her ministry is devoted to encouraging and ensuring the highest level of fiscal integrity within Christian ministries and nonprofit organizations. She believes a critical ingredient for accomplishing this is keeping open lines of communication and building ever greater trust in cross-cultural partnerships. She and husband John have been married for five years and are members of Christ Church of Oak Brook. John is a lay teacher for Crown Financial Ministries and together they serve on a larger missionary care team that provides financial advice and services for their church's missionary partners.



FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR THE GOLDEN YEARS
Abe Harder

Regardless of whether you plan to retire someday or plan to die with your boots on, no one is exempt from either getting older or needing money to eat and pay the bills during the golden years. In fact, there is no phase of life where any of us have the convenience of ignoring financial planning without eventually facing the consequences. Additionally, research shows that financial issues are central to at least eighty percent of marital conflict in North America.

Abe Harder suggests that when stewardship is in balance, it brings freedom from worry, freedom to serve. Borrowing from his nearly three decades of experience as a Certified Financial Planner with a biblical worldview, he will discuss the basics everyone needs to know about designing a personalized, custom-designed financial plan. It depends on your issues, your goals, your unique value system, and your circumstances. Whether you’re already walking into your golden years or you’re in your 20s or 30s, this workshop is worth its weight in gold. This hour with Abe is especially relevant for three types of people: 1) those who “feel the pinch” with every financial statement, 2) those who dream of having no debt, and 2) those between ages 20 to 50.

Abe Harder is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Life Underwriter with twenty-eight years in this industry. He is affiliated with Investment Planning Counsel of Canada, one of Canada fastest independent financial planning organizations.




MDP FOR YOU
Panel: MDP Staff, chaired by John Cosby

Perhaps you’ve had an interest in cross-cultural ministry. Perhaps you’ve been involved with people who come from a different culture than you’re accustomed to. Maybe you’ve wondered about the value of some type of cross-cultural orientation and how this may be of help to building relationships with people around you don’t understand. This workshop is a panel discussion on the value of cross-cultural training, what’s all involved. How then does MDP serve to address these things?

Come to this workshop and find out if MDP is for you or others you may know. Interact with the MDP staff. Find some answers to the questions you may have about cross-cultural training.





















ABORIGINAL YOUTH IN BALANCE
Kene Jackson, Vernon Grant

You’re serving in a community where spiritual attitudes have been shaped by experiences with residential school and exposure to popular mainstream culture. How are you going to reach out to youth?

Kene Jackson and Vernon Grant say there are certain discussion topics that are relevant in any culture. One of the keys Freedom River is using to get beneath the veneer of spiritual cynicism is topics that engage the mind, heart and will - issues like relationships, self esteem, and attitudes. This workshop is two sets of acrostics - “ABCDE” (Day One): Attitudes, Balance, Cognitive skills, Dating, Esteem, and (Day Two): Addictions, Boundaries (abuse), Changes, Decisions, and Education. This workshop is more than a Freedom River report. This workshop offers insights and strategies to use story, music and culture to meet the needs and cries of youth and young adults to offer lasting hope.


ABORIGINAL YOUTH IN MOTION
Kene Jackson, Vernon Grant

Since seventy-five percent of Canada’s Aboriginal people are twenty-five years old and younger, ministry that’s going to have any long-term impact among Aboriginals must address this demographic.

This workshop is a natural follow-up to Aboriginal Youth in Balance with a focus on those in the latter high school years. It’s about vision for the future and the unlimited possibilities ahead of them. “Where’s your future taking you?” Vernon and Kene suggest discussing issues with youth like goal setting, habits, identity, giftedness and the acrostic SWAT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Advantages, and Threats. A central tenet of this workshop is a focus on career types and choices. This workshop goes deeper into youth culture to capture longings to make a difference in their world.


DEALING WITH DEPRESSION, GRIEF, AND LOSS
Kene Jackson, Vernon Grant

There are few things that stop people in their tracks to get them thinking about real life issues quicker than loss and the feelings of depression and grief. In the Aboriginal world eighty percent of deaths are accidental, compared to twenty percent of deaths in mainstream society. How do people get past grief and go on with life?

Freedom River addresses depression, grief and loss issues in the Aboriginal context, offering hope, healing and wholeness. Treatment plans can be designed and developed for individuals as well as communities. A key element of Freedom River workshops is the hope and realization of closure. How does one envision and experience closure? Where does hope come from? Where is the pathway of hope?

Kene Jackson is from the Whitefish Lake First Nation (Cree) in northern Alberta. He served with SonRise Band for many years and as Interim NEFC Director for six years. He has considerable experience in music, television production, economic development, administration, youth issues, and addictions. He is currently the Director of Freedom River Counselling Group and trained in the addictions field. He is also pursuing certification in the Conflict Resolution program at Mount Royal College (Calgary). He and wife Millie have three children and two grandchildren.

Vernon Grant is from the Kitimat First Nation in northwest British Columbia. He has an M. Div. with a proficiency in Cross-Cultural Counselling from Taylor University (formerly Edmonton Baptist Seminary). He served for five years with NCEM in Cormorant, MB and five years with Edmonton’s Hope Mission leading the addictions program. For three years he served with Campus Crusade for Christ with the Church Dynamics Int’l program. He has served as Associate Pastor with the Calgary Native Bible Fellowship, and has been teaching workshops for the past four years with Freedom River Counselling Group. His daughter Natasha has served with On Eagles Wings for three years. He currently makes his home in Kitimat, BC.




WHEN THE FOG LIFTS: THE MISUNDERSTOOD CONCEPT OF CONTEXTUALIZATION
Dr. Emerson Falls

Context: the whole situation or background relevant to a specific event or person.
Contextualize: to place in context, especially one that's appropriate.
Contextualization: the teaching that statements or ideas have little-to-no useful meaning outside the context in which they appear.

God came into our context - we call it the incarnation. The four gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - were each written in a specific context (Matthew to the Jews, Mark to the Romans, Luke to the Greeks and John to the whole world). Yet, in recent decades the concept of “contextualization” as it relates to Aboriginal ministry has been foggy and full of red herrings. Misunderstanding have sometimes led to a polarization based on uncritical acceptance or denial.

The purpose of this workshop is to bring fresh awareness that we are not called to make the gospel relevant. However, we must present the gospel in a way that the receiving culture can understand and practice. Dr. Emerson Falls suggests the goal of ministry is not cultural preservation, but spiritual transformation. There is no “one model” that works everywhere, but there are biblical principles that will help us transform a community of people, while avoiding a movement towards syncretism.

Emerson Falls, from the Sac & Fox and Choctaw nations, was born and raised in Oklahoma City, He graduated from Central Oklahoma University with a degree in Sociology. He worked for the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service for several years. Later he earned a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Emerson has pastored Indian congregations in California and Arizona. He served as on the faculty and as Director of a Golden Gate Seminary’s campus in Denver, Colorado, after which he served as President of Cook College and Theological School. Currently, he is the Senior Pastor of Glorieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He speaks throughout the U.S. and Canada on spiritual, cultural, and leadership issues. He has been married to his wife, Shirley, for 33 years. They have two grown children and one grandchild.



THE TRUST ACCOUNT: KEY TO EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
Dr. Emerson Falls

Trust: 1. the firm belief and confidence in the honesty, integrity and reliability of another _2. the single most important issue in leading people

In a ministry setting, the essence of leadership is influence. We cannot force people to follow, but if we have enough influence, people will want to follow. It has been said that the only test of leadership is that somebody follows. People will not follow when the “trust account” is low. This workshop will help participants understand the issues of trust in a cross-cultural setting and present biblical principles for building and re-building trust. The goal of building trust is to become more effective leaders.

Emerson Falls, from the Sac & Fox and Choctaw nations, was born and raised in Oklahoma City, He graduated from Central Oklahoma University with a degree in Sociology. He worked for the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service for several years. Later he earned a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Golden Gate Theological Seminary. Emerson has pastored Indian congregations in California and Arizona. He served as on the faculty and as Director of a Golden Gate Seminary’s campus in Denver, Colorado, after which he served as President of Cook College and Theological School. Currently, he is the Senior Pastor of Glorieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. He speaks throughout the U.S. and Canada on spiritual, cultural, and leadership issues. He has been married to his wife, Shirley, for 33 years. They have two grown children and one grandchild.



WHITE PRIVILEGE: EXAMINING INVISIBLE RACISM
Jimmy Durocher & Linda Jarrett

There are advantages and disadvantages created by an invisible barrier that sets apart people based on skin colour. This “invisible barrier” is unacknowledged privilege that gives one side the advantage and is harmful to the other. It is this privilege that Jimmy and Linda want to explore and expose its destructive nature which elevates the status of one and degrades the status of the other.

It is the objective of Jimmy and Linda to identify and challenge the validity and injustice of this unconscious benefit that is experienced solely by virtue of skin colour. The participants of this workshop are encouraged to come prepared to challenge and have their own beliefs challenged. An attitude of willingness to learn is certainly a quality that is needed for this workshop.

Jimmy Durocher was born and raised in Beauval (northwest) Saskatchewan, the ninth in a family of twelve children. He accepted the Lord in September 1988 after twenty-five years of alcohol abuse. He married Freda in 1990. They have two children and also raise foster children. Jimmy attended Southern Baptist Seminary from 1989 to 1994, after which returned to Prince Albert where he pastored a few Native churches while “tent-making.” Currently Jimmy and Freda are members of Scarborough Baptist Church where Jimmy occasionally preaches.

Linda Jarrett was born in southern Saskatchewan and came to faith in Christ in 1977 in a small Anglican church. She is the mother of two and has five grandchildren. She has attended SAIT (EMT-Ambulance), Medicine Hat College (Associate of Arts Diploma), University of Regina (Bachelor of Social Work degree), and University of Northern British Columbia (MSW candidate - course work/research completed, writing in progress). Linda is a social worker whose practice includes working in northern Saskatchewan Native villages since 1994. As a professional living as a minority in Dene, Cree, and Métis communities, Linda has witnessed both accepting and dividing practices by non-Native workers in community. She notes that this has created opportunities for her to examine and challenge her own beliefs. She is currently writing a retrospective analysis of post traumatic stress disorder and the implications for Aboriginal Peoples as a partial requirement for her graduate degree.



ISN’T WHAT YOU JUST SAID, RACISM? AWARENESS AND SENSITIVITY
Merle Nisly, Jim Keesic, Cello Meekis

Racism: a belief that differences between people determine cultural or individual achievement and usually involves the idea that one’s own ‘race’ is superior.
Ethnocentricity: the tendency to look at the world primarily from the perspective of one’s own culture; the viewpoint that “one’s own group is the center of everything,” against which all other groups are evaluated and/or judged.
Prejudice: opinion formed beforehand, usually an unfavorable one, based on insufficient knowledge, irrational feelings, or inaccurate stereotypes; unfairly showing unwarranted favor towards others.

How will followers of Jesus learn to recognize and own our tendencies toward racism? Am I a victim or an agent of racism? Or am I both? What experiences have most helped me to become more sensitive to prejudice? This workshop, in the format of a panel discussion, is designed to help us consider how we may honestly confront our own ethnocentricity, prejudice, and racism, regardless of our ethnic background. Merle and Jim offer a model of thinking through this issue so that we can converse honestly with one another and resist being a victim. Be prepared to discover it’s not just the other guy who’s on a learning curve!

Merle Nisly and his wife Rita have served in local church ministry and leadership among the First Nations for 30 years. Merle currently serves as CEO of Living Hope Native Ministries based in Red Lake, Ontario. Merle is passionate about the life and purpose of the local church, and is mentoring numerous local church leaders in exploring relevant and life-giving strategies for impacting our world. Merle and Rita deeply enjoy a growing family of four daughters, four sons-in-law, and seven granddaughters—even though the family is scattered around the world.

Jim Keesic is a retired school teacher of the Ojibwe tribe. He taught in both public and reserve schools. For eight years, he had an Ojibwe radio broadcast in the Fort Frances area. Jim has been involved with the Ojibwe Bible translation project since 1979 at different levels and on a more regular basis for the last two years. He is a board member of Living Hope Native Ministries. He and his wife Mary attend New Hope Fellowship in Thunder Bay and have three children and three grandchildren.

Cello Meekis is a member of the Deer Lake First Nation, Ontario. Cello and his wife Sopena have been faithful in ministry among their own people, the Oji-Cree of Ontario, for more than thirty years. During those years, they have served through fruitful associations with local churches, Bible Schools, and mission agencies. Currently, Cello is an elder in a local Native church and is a board member of Living Hope Native Ministries, Red Lake, ON. Cello and Sopena have three sons and six grandchildren.




THE ABORIGINAL FAMILY: BEYOND SURVIVAL
Larry Sayers

Aboriginal family life has undergone enormous change across Canada in the past fifty years. Some of these changes have been by choice, reflected in statistics of population, family make-up and residence. Others, like occupations and income, are driven in part by personal choice but also by conditions in the surrounding society. Still other changes are the result of federal legislation and policy, past and present.

In the midst of such immense cultural change, how does an Aboriginal family stuck in denial and a dysfunctional lifestyle move out of survival? How does a family move away from the aftermath of generational realities and start over, moving forward with healthy relationships and a home lifestyle with purpose and direction? What can the church do to make a difference with families? Come to this workshop and hear firsthand how an Aboriginal family moved beyond survival.

Larry Sayers is a Cree-Metis raised in Calgary. He’s been employed with Child and Family Services for thirteen years, currently working as Contract Manager. He brings to this workshop eleven years of family intervention. He’s a 1991 graduate of Moody Bible Institute, a leader in the Calgary Native Bible Fellowship, and is a current board member of NEFC. He and wife Colleen and family reside in Calgary and enjoy considerable involvement with On Eagles Wings. Larry also enjoys starting new trends in IMCO such as sending in trophy photos for the conference workshop descriptions webpage!




THE ABORIGINAL SCHOOL: BEYOND SURVIVAL
Jill Horsman & Marilyn Charlieboy

Does your community have a school? Do you have any concerns about the quality of education or struggles faced by the students? Does your school face staff turnover, resembling a revolving door? Is student attendance a problem?

A school is the hub of a community and holds the critically important responsibility of training our children - our future. The school setting can give many of us a venue to use our gifts and talents to bless the community. Schools provide opportunities to demonstrate unconditional love and servant-leadership while becoming involved in a form of community development. Aboriginal schools can serve as a way for professional educators to make a difference in a school and community - with excellence. Volunteers play a key role in improving the atmosphere of the school, thereby enhancing both school and community through their service.

If you are a professional educator, this workshop is for you! If you are a caring community member who is sometimes distressed at the challenges faced by Aboriginal students and schools, this workshop is also for you! This workshop provides an overview of ministry opportunities through school-related relationships, share stories of successes and challenges, and provide you with a full range of recommended resources. Finally, this workshop will provide opportunities to interact through focused activities designed to broaden your understanding of how YOU can utilize God’s appointed relationships in the hub of your community, the local school.

Jill Horsman and husband Steve reside among the Chilcotin First Nation in beautiful Chilanko Forks, BC. (Steve serves with InterAct Ministries.) Steve and Jill have been in full-time Christian ministry since 1981; eleven years in camping ministries in Wisconsin and Alaska, and, since 1992, as church planters in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region. Jill has a bachelor degree in education from the University of Wisconsin, her Grad Diploma in Education from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver), and is currently pursuing her MA in Education Leadership from Trinity Western University, Langley. After serving for three years as Principal of Tsi Del School (Certified, FNSA), Chilanko Forks, she is passionate about improving education standards in Aboriginal schools through a ground-breaking accreditation process she’ll tell you about in the workshop. Jill and Steve have three married children and nine grandchildren!

Marilyn Charleyboy, of the Chilcotin First Nation, has been involved with the school system for approximately nine years in a number of roles. A teacher at heart, her life focus has been around First Nations youth. She has recently started working on designing a youth outreach program to reach out to those youth that constantly fall through the cracks of the public school system. She attributes generational trauma as the primary cause for few Chilcotin people successfully completing their education. She has passion for being a part of the shift for Chilcotin people and envisions seeing successful people of her nation standing strong. She is working at becoming a story teller in the Chilcotin language and especially enjoys hearing the Bible in her own language. She is a single mother of two teenage daughters.



THE ABORIGINAL CHURCH: BEYOND SURVIVAL
Howard Jolly, Larry Wilson

Research shows that the majority of Aboriginal churches average between 20 and 40 people meeting together on Sunday. Obviously, there are many more indicators of church health beyond numbers, but why do the vast majority of Aboriginal church fellowships seem to struggle to (only) survive?

This workshop is an informal discussion of the dynamics of Aboriginal church fellowships. What does survival mode look like? Why is it easy to stay in survival mode? What does it take to move beyond survival? How do churches transition from the pastor doing everything to the pastor focusing on pastoring? Is it possible to identify what’s required for a church to become healthy?

Come and discover the values born out of the observations Howard and Larry have made over the years of visiting literally hundreds of churches—singing, teaching, preaching, and pastoring. They’ll also borrow from their total of 18 years experience of pastoring an urban Aboriginal church.

Howard Jolly, a Waskaganish Cree, has traveled extensively with Sonrise Gospel Band and now sings with the Rising Above Band. He is the author of Hope for the Hurting. He and his wife Karen and two children reside in Niverville, MB. He recently completed his Master of Divinity at Providence Theological Seminary (graduating with Highest Honours) and now pastors the First Nations Community Church in Winnipeg.

Larry Wilson, a Cree Indian, was born on the Peguis Indian Reserve in Manitoba and lived there until his conversion experience at age 16. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree (Pastoral Major), and eventually pastored the First Nations Community Church from 1988 to 2004. Larry and his wife Joyce and two teenage children, live in Winnipeg. He serves as National Director of the First Nations Alliance Churches of Canada, a member of the National Board of Promise Keepers Canada and a member of the Aboriginal Council for the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Larry’s passion is to assist the National Native Church to move toward health and stability.



MORE READY THAN YOU THINK
Ellen Hooge

People of all ages are longing to find spiritual truth and are open to hearing about it. Have you ever contemplated how to maximize your opportunities? Are we even recognizing these opportunities when they present themselves? We as Christians sometimes paralyze our efforts by imagining barriers to sharing the Gospel that don't even exist. And unfortunately, we sometimes erect barriers that we are completely unaware of.

Evangelism is and always will be based on relationship. How did Jesus build relationships with the spiritually hungry? How can we follow His leading 2000 years later? Come share your stories and enjoy the stories of others as we explore this topic. This workshop will encourage us all to think outside the box in our passion to fulfill the Great Commission.

Ellen Hooge graduated from Briercrest Bible College with a B.R.E. and joined NAIM in 1980 (with her husband Jack). In 1991 she became a part-time Children’s Pastor and has served in three churches. She has developed her own Sunday School curriculum that was used in these churches. In 2001 Ellen published a book called Laugh At The Days To Come - a Mother’s Commentary On Proverbs 31. And in 2006 published A Mighty Warrior - a book of ten Cree stories that illustrate the truths of Ephesians 6:10-18. Ellen loves to communicate to people of all ages the wonderful truths of Scripture and has found receptivity to her books in the most unexpected places. Jack and Ellen have been married for thirty years and have four adult daughters.




CARE FOR AGING PARENTS
Panel: Dan Mayerle (Chair), Dave & Coleen Christmas, Ruth Guenther, Carol Smith

Your parents aren’t getting any younger. How do you balance ministry responsibilities and caring for your parents? What are the ethics of missionaries caring for their parents when the parents live so far away? What kind of living arrangements would your parents prefer when they can no longer take care of themselves? How do you decide how much to get involved? How much do you insist? What information do you need to properly guide your parents who seem increasingly dependent on others for basic living assistance?

For the largest generation in North American history, questions like these are both common and urgent. Planning ahead, housing options, health issues, balancing care-giving and ministry (or career), dealing with difficult parents or siblings, will and legal issues, caring for parents with Alzheimer’s — this panel of experienced care-givers will help you sort through options and choices to help you make informed decisions about caring for your aging parents. From finding good medical care to knowing when and how much to intervene, don’t pass up this opportunity to get perspective and answers.

Dan Mayerle and wife Bev are missionaries with InterAct (Calgary). Dan serves as Canada Field Director for InterAct as well as pastors the Native Bible Fellowship of Calgary. He provided care for his each of his parents over a few years before they both passed away.

Dave and Coleen Christmas served with Indian Life Ministries (Winnipeg) for six years. They both provided bedside care for both of their aging parents up to the time of their deaths.


Ruth Guenther and husband Rick have served with NAIM for 27 years, currently involved in urban ministry in Saskatoon. Ruth set up a toll-free number so her state-side mother could call her without cost concerns.

Carol Smith and husband Dale have served with InterAct Ministries in Alaska and Canada for 22 years. Dale is the Native Ministries Director in Canada in Carstairs, AB. They are well acquainted with the responsibilities associated with aging parents as Carol’s mom has Parkinson’s disease and Dale’s parents are approaching and sometimes resisting the need for greater assistance.




ABORIGINAL CHURCHES THAT MATTER
Merle Nisly

Aboriginal Church: a fellowship of believers where Aboriginal people can feel they truly belong and can potentially feel ownership/involvement at core levels. This doesn't technically require ethnic majority or leadership.

What do you think satisfies Jesus in regard to the life and function of the local church? Do regular meetings, good preaching, and growing attendance make a real difference in the primary issues facing individuals, families, and the community? Do we understand the ideological tension between the church systems we are accustomed to and the nature of the Church as Jesus imagined it? Are we are aware of the deep disillusionment toward the church by many of those in our communities?

This workshop takes an honest look at where the church is at, where the people we need to reach are at, and suggests ways in which that gap can be filled. We're going to examine our assumptions and consider alternatives as we move toward being a church that matters.

Merle Nisly and his wife Rita have served in local church ministry and leadership among the First Nations for thirty years. Merle currently serves as CEO of Living Hope Native Ministries based in Red Lake, Ontario. Merle is passionate about the life and purpose of the local church, and is mentoring numerous local church leaders in exploring relevant and life-giving strategies for impacting our world. Merle and Rita deeply enjoy a growing family of four daughters, four sons-in-law, and seven granddaughters—even though the family is scattered around the world.




MISSIONARY ETHICS
Dr. Grant Bogyo

Frank (character name) is a great leader to his field staff. As Field Director, he is a good example and quick to remind himself and his staff that they are “here to serve God first.” With this fantastic attitude, can you spot Frank’s inevitable ethical failure? If we assume we are ethical, then we guarantee that we will act in an unethical manner.

In this workshop we will discuss case scenarios to help sharpen our ethical skills. This workshop will serve as a discussion of the most frequent yet subtle of ethical dilemmas in which most of us are already embroiled. Com and see if you can figure out how to get out of the stew you didn’t know you were in. This will be fun, challenging and informative.

Grant R. Bogyo is a Clinical Psychologist. He holds a Bachelors degree in Religious Education from Northwest Baptist Theological College, a Master of Arts Degree in Biblical Counselling from Colorado Christian University, a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from George Fox University. He and his wife Betty of thirty-two years have been involved in missions since their marriage. They serve with NAIM, Freedom River Counselling Group, as well has directing a full-time practise with patients as far away as New York and New Zealand.




BECOME A CYBER-MISSIONARY!
Michael Sandstrom

We are living in an increasingly cyber-dependent culture. Internet, e-mail, MSN, chat rooms, Skype, Google, blogs, My Space, webs, MP3, pod-casting and on-line gaming has become our daily bread. This generation spends much time and effort in Cyber Space. We have become an @ and .com “screen” culture. Most of us live, consume and breathe cyber media in its various forms. It’s associated with enjoyment, relaxation and provides a “virtual relational reality.” It may appear neutral, but it always comes with a message, sometimes subliminal, and always for a purpose. Cyber media is like a “double edged sword.” We like it, we want it, and we need it! It’s highly addictive. Statistics show that an average person spends about four to eight hours daily in the screen culture. On-line pornography, dating and gambling are increasing rampantly. In the end, it comes like a thief, to steal, destroy, and kill. And the voice of the Lord still echoes from the Garden, “Where are you…”

How do we be light and bring light into this darkness? In this workshop, learn ways of becoming an active cyber missionary for Christ and impact this generation for eternity. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light...” 1 Peter 2:9.

Michael Sandstrom with wife Man and their two children, Gabriel (15) and Lovisa (12) are missionaries with NCEM. In his earlier life Michael was an officer in the Swedish Royal Air force, earned an M.B.A from Stockholm School of Economics in Sweden and London Business School in England and was an investment-banker and VP of Corporate Finance, immigrating to Hong Kong as an entrepreneur and businessman in 1988. After accepting Christ as personal Saviour and being called into ministry, Michael graduated in 1998 with an M.Div. from Tyndale Seminary, Toronto. Since 1999 they have lived and served among the Cree, Dene and Beaver First Nation's peoples in northern Alberta. Michael is also the founder of CIAM Radio, the first Christian non-commercial radio community station in Alberta. Michael has had an increasing burden to reach out through media. Recently, CIAM Media Broadcasting has been formed, which has as its vision to reach the lost in this generation through creative Christian media, such as radio, TV, film, and the internet.


WORKSHOP FOR THE TECHNOLOGY-CHALLENGED
Jim Stauffer

You’ve seen some real nice power-point presentations and wondered how they did that. You’ve got some great ideas of how you’d like to start up a website, but barely know how to begin. You’ve attempted using Excel, perhaps you’ve even taken a course, but it sure is easy to forget how to use it, isn’t it? You’ve just bought a new printer, perhaps it has one of those touch screens, but you just can’t get it to work the way you dreamed it would.

Now we're asking the techies of IMCO to come to your rescue! We heard back from a number of you via the survey that you hoped for just this kind of practical workshop at the conference. Whatever your technology question is, regardless of where you’re at on your learning curve, someone has the answer you’ve been looking for. Some of you want a crash course; some only have one question. This workshop will be a series of small group support breakouts: For instance, if you have questions about power-point, go to this corner with Joe. Questions about web design over in that corner with Tom, etc. Bring in your printer, laptop, iPod, digital camera, PDA, whatever. We’ll do our very best to help you find the answer you’ve been looking for, and you can listen in on the answers to other questions your friends have about a similar issue. And sure, you can even bring in your GPS (that's a Global Positioning System, for those who’ve never heard of GPS); we’ll give you a lesson on how to navigate through anything!

NOTE: If you’re (sort of) a techie and you’d like to offer your help in this workshop, or if you can briefly describe the issue on which you’ll need help, click here to contact Jim Stauffer.

Jim Stauffer and wife Lois both graduated from Prairie Bible Institute. They joined NCEM in 1977 and have lived in the Northwest Territories for the last twenty-four years. Their three children are all married. Jim has no formal training in computers but has been "fooling around with them" since 1983. In 2001 Jim received an award from the Northwest Territory government for developing the Dogrib NT font and making it available free of charge to Dogrib bands. His website includes downloads for Mac and PC for Dogrib, Chipewyan, North Slavey and South Slavey. (These are Athabaskan languages of Canada's Northwestern Territories.) He provides technical support for local business, education, and government in the fly-in community where they live and delights in using what he has learned to help others.




SAGGING SUPPORT: GAINING AND MAINTAINING FULL FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Dave & Diane Norman

How’s your support level? If you’re like most missionaries, over the course of time you’ve experienced sagging support due to any of these reasons: 1) Economic fluctuations, 2) Growing apathy towards missions, 3) Older support base retiring and on limited income or dying, 4) Small churches getting smaller, 5) Different worldview of the younger generation, and 6) Long-term commitment lacking.

If you think you can raise more support just like you did fifteen or twenty years ago, think again! Times have changed, and there’s plenty of support fatigue out there! With this in mind, Dave and Diane Norman have prepared a second-to-none interactive, creative, and participatory workshop to help you use a practical approach to finding solutions to these problems.

There are two workshops. In the first workshop, you'll identify the obstacles that hinder you from reaching and maintaining your full support. You’ll likely be surprised the greatest hindrances include your attitude and myths you hold on to regarding support raising resulting in some amazing mistakes we usually make. Scripture has something to say about support-raising too.

In their second workshop, Dave and Diane get into the nitty-gritty of setting a fundraising strategy that works, properly analyzing your donor base, preparing a calling sheet and vision statement, and phoning for an appointment. Don’t miss hearing some tried and true ways of maintaining a stronger support team. There are untold numbers of folks out there, waiting to hear your vision and passion so they can be a part of building God’s kingdom through the relationships you’ve been developing on the field. Don’t miss this vital training opportunity! (Note: Part One is pre-requisite to Part Two.)

Dave and Diane Norman have twenty-two years of field experience with NAIM. They have been involved in Native education in the public school, Native church planting, and serving as a liaison between the Native community and the local Ministerial Association. The past year they have taken special training to prepare for their new role of coming alongside the NAIM staff to help get support levels to 100%. Recently as NAIM Deputation Coordinators they completed seven regional training workshops with the US and Canadian NAIM staff, teaching them how to gain and maintain a support team.

LEADERSHIP DYNAMICS TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP STRONG TEAMS
John Cosby

Team and teaming are strong “buzz words” in our ministry vocabulary for today. When is a team a true team and not just rhetoric? What are the characteristics of a true team? How do teams and organizations differ? What about decision making within a team? Where do you start in revitalizing your team? These and more issues will be considered in this workshop.

A non-directive approach to leadership weaves itself throughout the entire fabric of true teaming. John brings his years of team-building in exploring the true nature of teams, the type of leadership needed to promote and maintain them, and the basic steps in building team strategy.

John Cosby has an M.S. degree in Instructional Leadership and Curriculum Design with a California Bilingual teaching certificate. He also has thirty-five years experience in church planting and adult leadership training, working in a large variety of training venues including small groups, seminars, workshops, formal Bible College classroom and one-on-one discipleship. John and wife Marge began serving with Mexican Gospel Mission in 1972, and since 1982 have served with UIM International. John has served as MDP Director for the past five years. They currently live in Greeley, Colorado and have begun a Hispanic church plant there. They also are blessed with five children and fourteen grandchildren.



UNDERSTANDING THE MID-LIFE CHANGE (FOR WOMEN ONLY)
Dr. Dolores Logan

If you’re a woman between the ages of 40 and 55, you’re very likely in some phase of The Change. “This change is not simply a collection of physical symptoms to be fixed,” says Dr. Dolores Logan, “but a mind-body revolution that brings the greatest opportunity for growth since adolescence. The choices a woman makes during these years – from the quality of her relationships to the quality of her diet – have the potential to secure her health and well-being for the rest of her life.

Through her personal story, case study experience and power-point, Dr. Logan shows how God uses the time between pre-menopause and post-menopause to rewire the female brain. Menopause puts a woman’s life under a microscope. These hormone-driven changes usually give a woman a sharper eye for inequities along with a voice that insists on speaking up about them. The accompanying boat-rocking may put long-established relationships into upheaval, including marriage. Dr. Logan shows how to make menopause a time of personal and emotional empowerment – emerging wiser, healthier and stronger in both mind and body than ever before.

Dolores Logan was born in Saskatchewan, the fifth of seven children to farmer parents. Christianity and faith were a large part of her growing up. She accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour at the age of fifteen and eventually came to believe God called her into Medicine as a Physician. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Saskatchewan and did her Family Medicine Residency in Regina, Sask. She still lives and practices in Regina. She married Murray Logan in 1983 and they have five wonderful children ages 21 to 10. She enjoys using her gifts in ministry to women and children, especially those with special needs. She also enjoys her international travels, having recently spoken at an international conference in Egypt on diabetes.




UNDERSTANDING THE MID-LIFE CHANGE (FOR MEN ONLY)
Dr. Dolores Logan

Estrogen. Progesterone. Androgens. PMS. Fibroids. Hot flashes. Perimenopause. Not exactly common lingo for a man, and even less understood by husbands whose wives become desperate to know what’s happening during their 40s and 50s. Dr. Dolores Logan suggests that “the forces that change the goose also change the gander.” Men have their own set of mid-life issues that, combined with their wife’s changes, can create rough-water rapids in their lives and marriage.

If your wife is between the ages of 40 and 55 and you’ve had limited exposure to the above terminology, it’s time to be more diligent about heeding the Apostle Peter’s wise counsel, “Dwell with your wife according to knowledge.” This will likely involve a more serious consideration of issues such as your wife’s love language, boundaries, margins and emotional health. Husbands, don’t pass up this unique opportunity to learn how to press the restart button on your marriage by validating your wife’s changes jump-started by menopause.

Dolores Logan was born in Saskatchewan, the fifth of seven children to farmer parents. Christianity and faith were a large part of her growing up. She accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour at the age of fifteen and eventually came to believe God called her into Medicine as a Physician. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Saskatchewan and did her Family Medicine Residency in Regina, Sask. She still lives and practices in Regina. She married Murray Logan in 1983 and they have five wonderful children ages 21 to 10. She enjoys using her gifts in ministry to women and children, especially those with special needs. She also enjoys her international travels, having recently spoken at an international conference in Egypt on diabetes.



JESUS, LOVER OF A WOMAN’S SOUL
Rebecca Lutzer

Jesus was revolutionary in his treatment of women. He broke with the customs of his day and was willing to take criticism because he elevated their worth and status in a culture that relegated them to second place. He and his disciples were supported by woman and he always dealt with them with dignity and respect. Whether it was the woman at the well or the woman taken in adultery, Jesus was quick to show compassion, to forgive and restore.

Best of all, Jesus was able to move beyond the superficial opinions of those who evaluate people by their personality and appearance. Jesus saw the hearts of the women he met; he understood their pain, their disappointments and their difficult situations. He spoke peace and hope into their souls and encouraged them with his compassion and power.

This workshop is intended to show that Jesus is capable of doing the same for women today. He bridges the gap between the first century and today, speaking hope and restoration to our broken world. And it is our privilege and responsibility to communicate this hope to others.

Rebecca Lutzer is a graduate of Dallas Bible College and a registered nurse. She has been a pastor's wife for thirty-plus years and enjoys mentoring and teaching women that God loves them and is always waiting to forgive, restore and heal their wounds. Rebecca and husband Erwin were blessed to raise three daughters and are now actively involved in the lives of their six grandchildren.




TOWARD AN EFFECTIVE ELDER BOARD
Ed Wood, Les Wills

You’re in the process of starting a church in a First Nations community. Perhaps you’re considering having elders in your church-plant. Or perhaps your church already has elders, but you wish they would work together better as a team. This workshop defines what elders do in their community, church and board governance.

Ed and Les offer both a Christian and secular perspective of the definition of elder, their roles in governance, keys to directors competencies and tasks, legal duties, qualifications, biblical church elders, what elders could do in the local church, the differences between biblical elders and biblical deacons in the church, elders’ role in the community, characteristics that would contribute to board confidence, other matters that are important to governance, and Board of Directors email meeting protocol. This will offer practical solutions for what’s required for becoming a successful elder in a changing and cultural sensitive environment. A question period at the end will provide time to ask those questions that require a practical solution to this topic.

Ed Wood, born in St. Theresa Point, Manitoba, has lived in Winnipeg for the past fifty years. an Aboriginal leader, entrepreneur (throughout his twelve years in the lumber business he sold lumber to some 400 First Nations across Canada), has served on Board of Directors for various organizations and para-churches, government liaison, respected elder in many Native communities and an elder in his local church. His experience, wisdom and primary language (Oji-Cree) is invaluable to draw from for practical solutions. He has recently been honoured as a Recipient of the 2007 Order of Manitoba, the highest honour given by the province. He and wife Jean have been blessed with six children and four grandchildren.

Les Wills, from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, is both a friend and colleague of Ed Wood - in business, church and para-church life. Les brings to the table twenty-seven years of working among First Nations communities, boards and churches on capacity building, administrative and management training, board governance, strategic planning, and church and organizational structure. He is presently chairman of his church board and the Board of Directors for Baptist General Conference of Canada. He is the principal owner of Northern Training and Consulting Services, an organization dedicated to assisting northern communities to succeed in providing a better quality of life for their community members through consulting and training of Chief, council, boards and administration staff. He and wife Phyllis have four children and eleven grandchildren.



COMMUNICATING CHRIST CROSS-LINGUISTICALLY
Arlyn van Enns & Mark Dana

Fact or fiction? Around the world, the majority of missionaries among indigenous peoples who are not professional linguists are NOT strong linguists.

It’s a fact! Most missionaries coming from an English-speaking culture ministering among non-English-speaking people regularly say to themselves, “Learning a second language is NOT one of my gifts!” However, some find no lack of motivation to involve themselves in language learning! Why? Because they understand that unless they learn at least some of the language, they’ll never grasp the worldview differences. They’d miss out on making contacts and friendships with many in the host culture. If they don’t enter into a language-learning relationship with at least a few people, they’d be shrugging their shoulders to the most basic of ice-breakers. Learning another language is one of the primary ways to develop relationships in the community. Though most Native communities in Canada are multilingual, there are still a few where children don’t even begin learning English till Grade Two.

Missionaries serving among Aboriginal peoples in the twenty-first century are wise to understand the great limitations of knowing only English. God values language and language-learning. In this anecdotal workshop Arlyn and Mark discuss God’s heart for language learning as well as summarize the whole range of language learning – from initial awareness to thorough language immersion. They will share encouraging insights from translation work into the usage of dynamic-equivalence. Mark and Arlyn are not theoretical linguists; they’ve lived most of their lives in a large variety of cross-cultural settings. This workshop is highly recommended for those who can identify with the fears of learning another language.

Arlyn van Enns and wife Annette serve in a church-planting role in Fort Chipewyan, AB with NCEM. They have ministered widely within the multi-tribal Sub-Arctic. During ice-road season they teach as Adjunct Faculty at Key-Way-Tin Bible Institute in the areas of missiology, apologetics, and Christian education. Arlyn has a passion for the theological development of Native leadership. He has had opportunity to study at a wide variety of colleges in Alberta and British Columbia, including Prairie Bible College (BREd) and Taylor University (MTS).

Mark Dana and wife Ruth hold BA and BREd degrees respectively from Prairie Bible College, in addition to studies done at the University of Quebec and New Brunswick Bible Institute. They have served among the Cree, Abenaki, Mikmaq, Montagnais, and Algonquin tribes. Some of their Montagnais neighbours are unilingually French. English is neither an option within Mark’s prison chaplaincy or in their summer camp ministry. Mark deepened his passion for accurate and living contextualization of the gospel message while assisting with the Innu translation of the Jesus film.



KNEES NEEDED: HOPE FOR PSA (PRAYER STRUGGLERS ANONYMOUS)
Ernie Gonzales

This being a conference on relationships, it was no surprise to find several responses to the workshop survey asking for a workshop on prayer. So what’s been happening in your prayer life? Or does this very question stir up feelings of guilt for not praying enough? If we’re honest, most likely much of the struggle in our Christian life circles around the same two themes: why God doesn't act the way we want Him to, and why we don't act the way God wants us to. Perhaps we could say that prayer is the precise point where those themes converge.

The truth is – there’s a whole lot more to prayer than the “pray-without-ceasing” exhortation. The “one-size-fits-all” sort of approach to prayer is flawed. Prayer doesn’t have to be the formal form we all learned in church; it’s an attitude of living a life in companionship with God. In this workshop Ernie explores various facets of prayer – listening, petitioning in the midst of suffering, corporate prayer, praying the prayers of Scripture – and draws several important conclusions. The main purpose of prayer is to know God. Prayer gives us corrective vision and helps us align our petitions with what God wants for us. Asking for help, acknowledging our dependence, listening to God – these are at the root of prayer. Without prayer we cannot affect social justice. Evidently, God likes to be asked. He even likes to be wrestled with through prayer.

Take in this workshop and leave encouraged and affirmed to solidify your resolve to be in regular conversation with God. Prayer does make a world of difference!

Ernie Gonzales has been in ministry for fifty-five years in a variety of several different missions organizations and settings. He and wife Barb celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on May 30 of this year. Since 1984 they have served with InterAct Ministries, basing out of Quesnel, BC. They are blessed with four children and nine grandchildren.



POST COLONIAL MINISTRY: KNOWING WHAT TO THROW AWAY AND WHAT TO KEEP
Panel discussion by Brian Han, Clyde Cowan, Tal James & Tim Higginbotham (Chair)

Colonial Age: the period of time generally referred to in world history when peoples of European origin colonized and governed the indigenous peoples of Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia.
Post-Colonial Age: the period of time generally referred to in world history as beginning when previously colonized peoples began assuming their Indigenous Peoples identity, independence, and self-governance.

Modern used to mean current, right now. Believe it or not, the modern era is over! Assumptions that shaped twentieth-century thought and culture, the bridges we crossed to this present moment, have blown up. The post-colonial/post-modern age has begun and isn’t slowing down. Talk about changes! Across many levels, Christian Missions are being significantly impacted by post-colonial thinking. Often times, we evangelicals are the largest targets of post-modern writers.

Just what is post-colonialism/post-modernism? Is it all bad? Is this what’s pushing IMCO missionaries into retirement? Is Jack Teeter’s humour losing its relevance? In this workshop our panel will take you on a whirlwind tour of the definitions, ideas and specifics of how this worldview is probably impacting your agency, your ministry and your future. Be aware . . . we reserve the right to change everything at the last minute depending on how we feel or the quality of IMCO’s coffee!

Tim Higginbotham, entering the world the same year as McDonald’s Restaurants and Rolling Stone magazine, currently works in Human Resources with NAIM and lives in Langley, B.C. He graduated from Seattle Pacific University in the early 90s and is married to Lana. They have three children, Brooke, Jordan and Madison. Tim enjoys his family, traveling (even furlough) and having his hopes dashed every year by the Vancouver Canucks.

Brian Han was born and raised in southern California, Brian is a Korean American who grew up in the church but started following Jesus during the last years of university. He is the Director of NAIM’s Summer Missions Institute (SMI) and Recruiting. His favorite restaurant is Costco.

Tal James is a First Nations man from Penelakut Tribe (Coast Salish) and Nisga'a, he is a husband of one wife, Christina who hails from Germany. Their two sons Corbin (7) and Connor (5) fill the house with much of their energy while draining that of the elder James' in the house. Diego is the most recent edition and he was born a little different than the rest, he has one of sextuplets and was born with four legs and he's black with a bit of white. The James' are currently living in Nanaimo BC, working in campus ministry and doing an outdoors program.

Clyde Cowan, tired from hunting dinosaurs, is on the panel because there was an empty seat to rest. Watch his face closely to observe the colonial mindset. He will communicate with puzzled looks and a grunted “Huh?” once in awhile as the younger panelists address the gospel to post modern concerns. His literary high point was comic books and he traveled through 35 countries finding his way home to NAIM.



TRAINING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES TO IMPACT THE NEXT GENERATION
Sheryl Grunwald

We want the next generation, the children in our churches and communities, to grow up following Christ. In order to see this, we’ll need to equip a multitude of men and women with the skills, knowledge and heart to effectively minister to children in their own cultural context. How do we do this? Where do we begin?

In this workshop we’ll explore two aspects of training children's workers in a cross-cultural (non-Anglo) context. First, we’ll discuss some of the methods and resources for presenting children's ministry training that will resonate with oral-based cultures. However, giving people ministry skills will not be enough to impact the next generation for Christ. More important is the transformation of our hearts. Therefore we’ll also discuss five facets of God’s heart for children and how His heart must beat within us and those we train in order to impact children in a lasting way for Christ. Our kids deserve no less!

Sheryl Grunwald grew up in rural Alberta and began following Christ as a child. She has been an elementary school teacher, a children’s pastor for 13 years, and now serves as an International Training Specialist with Kidzana Ministries, specializing in Children’s Ministry training. She is passionate about children, cross-cultural missions, and equipping believers to serve with excellence. In addition to training children’s workers in North America, she has trained in three African nations, India, Sri Lanka and East Asia. She is based in Calgary, AB.



FIRST NATIONS REACHING THE NATIONS
Tucker & Grace Grose

Have you ever heard the phrase, “toward the establishment of a strong and reproductive Native church?” This phrase, borrowed from the IMCO purpose statement, suggests a word-picture of First Nations churches reproducing themselves into an ever-growing church planting movement among their own people. But, let’s see, didn’t Jesus say something about making disciples of ALL nations?

Some will be surprised to learn that God has already been moving in the hearts of First Nations believers to reach other nations (ethnos, people-groups) of the world. Some have already taken steps to become part of this worldwide movement. Others are looking for a starting point. Come along with us as we find some ways to walk this journey.

Through an interactive power-point presentation, Tucker and Grace will explore the potential for First Nations believers reaching the people-groups of the world for Christ. They will look into different scenarios worldwide where a warm welcome is being extended to the Native peoples of North America. They will discuss examples of First Nations believers who have already gone through these doors of opportunity. Together we will brainstorm how to plant and foster seeds of world missions interest in First Nations believers, discuss some of the obstacles, hindrances, and problems to overcome, and explore the possibilities for cooperation on this task among the IMCO partnership venue and beyond.

Tucker and Grace Grose are staff members with NAIM Ministries. They have worked in the areas of evangelism, discipleship, church planting, youth and camp ministry. They currently reside in Black Diamond, Alberta. For the last five years they have been involved in the work of missions mobilization among First Nations believers. In this ministry they have had the privilege of travelling with First Nations believers on ministry trips to Mexico, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, and Eastern Siberia, Russia. They recognize the warm welcome extended to the indigenous people of North America by the peoples of the world. They are passionate about First Nations Reaching the Nations.



PERSPECTIVES ON WORSHIP
Haytham Abi Haydar

Worship is a gift from God. To be able to enter God’s presence, and experience His reality in our subjective human experience is an incredible privilege. At the same time, worship is one of the most neglected issues we struggle with as followers of Christ. Is there a “best form of worship” that communicates the reality of God to a lost world? What is it? What message does our worship communicate to the world?

Haytham Abi Haydar is privileged to pastor a church representing seven different nations and cultures. In this workshop he will share with the attendees specific truths that helped his congregation overcome the barriers of cultures and languages, uniting them in the truth.

Haytham Abi Haydar was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to a Shiite Muslim family. He came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in 1989, age 19. The Lord has given him numerous opportunities to serve in at least twelve countries around the world. He and his wife Kathy (nee Browning, daughter of InterAct missionaries Dick and Ruth Browning) have three children: Faith, Grace and Abrahim. Currently he pastors the Arabic Fellowship Alliance Church in Dearborn, oversees the Immigrant Oasis Ministry Center, and directs a weekly Christian TV program. He also travels annually to Sudan and Lebanon to teach in a local Bible school. His ministry passion is to see Christ glorified among the Muslim nations.


ETHNICITY AS A GIFT AND BARRIER
Haytham Abi Haydar

It’s time for a case study. Dearborn, Michigan. It’s the most densely populated land of Arabic-speaking Muslims in North America. A hotspot for outreach to Muslims! Every year there are an increasing number of Christian organizations and ministries flocking to this city to better able to reach out to them. So many missionaries, from so many backgrounds. There are days when it seems the missionary population is a bit overcrowded.

It is this scenario that gives pause to some vital questions. What advantages does a white, North American missionary have in reaching Muslims in North America? What obstacles does this person face just because he’s white and speaks English only? What about missionaries of another ethnicity? What about the Arab missionary? In what ways is it easier to share the good news of Jesus to someone of a different ethnicity? What makes it more difficult?

In this workshop, Haytham Abi Haydar shines the light of his insightful observations on these issues, while identifying the most important issues needing to be addressed in outreach to Muslim peoples anywhere.

Haytham Abi Haydar was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to a Shiite Muslim family. He came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in 1989, age 19. The Lord has given him numerous opportunities to serve in at least twelve countries around the world. He and his wife Kathy (nee Browning, daughter of InterAct missionaries Dick and Ruth Browning) have three children: Faith, Grace and Abrahim. Currently he pastors the Arabic Fellowship Alliance Church in Dearborn, oversees the Immigrant Oasis Ministry Center, and directs a weekly Christian TV program. He also travels annually to Sudan and Lebanon to teach in a local Bible school. His ministry passion is to see Christ glorified among the Muslim nations.


WORLDVIEW TRANSFORMATION
Haytham Abi Haydar

Isn’t it amazing every time you hear two people arguing who have a different opinion or belief, trying to convince the other person of his conviction, but unable to do so? Perhaps their communication skills aren’t the best, and even more importantly, the other person’s perception gets in the way of his understanding. Our perception is our worldview. How we perceive others reflects what we believe about others. It can get very complicated when we talk about Muslims and the West. Let’s just say there’s a whole lot of hostility between these two major people groups.

It is very crucial to understand our people group to better communicate and help them to transform their lives to the truth. In the process, sometimes we discover that we have to be transformed as well. In this workshop Haytham Abi Haydar analyzes the Muslim worldview and compare to ours. The objective? That we might be better equipped to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ in effective ways.

Haytham Abi Haydar was born in Beirut, Lebanon, to a Shiite Muslim family. He came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in 1989, age 19. The Lord has given him numerous opportunities to serve in at least twelve countries around the world. He and his wife Kathy (nee Browning, daughter of InterAct missionaries Dick and Ruth Browning) have three children: Faith, Grace and Abrahim. Currently he pastors the Arabic Fellowship Alliance Church in Dearborn, oversees the Immigrant Oasis Ministry Center, and directs a weekly Christian TV program. He also travels annually to Sudan and Lebanon to teach in a local Bible school. His ministry passion is to see Christ glorified among the Muslim nations.