July 2009

Celebrate Freedom

Overworked and underpaid, church leaders frequently are exasperated by the overwhelming demands they face while large portions of the congregation sits idly by. The leader-pastor is often a one-man show -- preaching, counseling, evangelizing, visiting, coordinating, and at times even taking out the trash.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the whole congregation were mobilized to visit the sick, to pray for the needy, to teach the children, and yes, to take out the trash? Many people don't get involved in ministry because they don't feel qualified.

Scripture tells us, "It was he (Christ) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:11-12). Ministry is to be done by everyone. The church leader's job is to equip the believers for works of service.

EMI's calling is to come alongside church leaders in fulfilling their role of equipping believers for ministry. EMI's practical training has been empowering everyday people to do significant ministry for over twenty years. We've seen countless stories of ordinary believers equipped to minister, like a stay-at-home mom helping numerous neighbors find Christ; a retiree training a team of leaders to start a lay counseling ministry; a software engineer overseeing small group ministry and raising up new small group leaders in their denomination.

EMI's training is effective. You gain not just knowledge, but also hands-on experience. EMI's training is also transferable. Imagine an entire congregation, equipped and mobilized, actively involved in ministry, reaching out to non-believers, serving others. We long to see the church unleashed.

A hunger for freedom is woven into the very fabric of the United States. As we celebrate the founding of this country, can you picture your congregation free to experience all that God designed and intended it to be? Can you see the pastors and leaders free to lead and equip as God calls them to? Now that would be something to celebrate!

Come experience EMI's empowering training at the upcoming LIFE Seminar on July 17-18 in Cincinnati, OH.

Renewing Minds in the Ukraine

: Amel (in back) recently returned from teaching EMI’s popular Renewing the Mind course in the Ukraine.

Amel Whitaker, EMI Certified Trainer

Since it’s independence from USSR in 1991, Ukraine has overcome economic challenges and become a stable nation. But the World Health Organization estimated Ukraine to have one of the highest suicide rates and mood disorders in the world, with alcohol abuse estimated at 20% of the male population. Counseling and psychotherapy are not commonly available, and people are desperate for help.

I had the privilege of spending a week with a group of YWAM students from Ukraine and surrounding nations. They all loved Jesus and were eager to learn how to help others. Some of them were from families with alcoholic or depressive parents and needed personal healing themselves. EMI’s Renewing the Mind course is particularly suited for the needs of the people because of its emphasis on renewing thinking, perceptions, and beliefs from a biblical perspective.

God really touched and healed the lives of many of the students who attended. As we spent time each day learning and applying the teaching personally, I witnessed God doing the work of transformation in their hearts. Aside from my teaching, the opportunities to pray with several of the students were the most meaningful.

: YWAM school in Ukraine

One young man in particular stood out. During our time, he asked about how to overcome an inner feeling of being shutdown. As we dialogued, I found out that he had recently lost both of his parents within a short period of time. On the night before his father’s death, he called home but did not speak with him. I asked, “What would you have said and what did you hope your father would say to you?” He replied, “I wanted him to know I loved him. I wanted to hear him say he loved me.” And he began to cry for the first time since his father’s death.

As I put my arms around him, I asked, “Do you believe your father is with Jesus?” He said “Yes.” I then explained that because Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and heaven knows no time, the father knows of his feelings and even now is for him, and we began to pray. As we prayed, I had a picture of a beaver dam, with the water backed up, and it began to loosen as the logs floated away. I asked him to tell his dad how he felt, and picture Jesus standing there with his father holding him in his arms. He did, and asked his father’s forgiveness for not taking the time to speak with him, and forgave his father for leaving him when he needed him to care for his mother. I then remembered the scripture where God says to Jesus at the river Jordan when the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” I asked him, “Are those the words you needed to hear?” He said “Yes.” I then said, “I believe they’re yours. Your father and God has spoken them to you. You’re father is ok and your mother will be too.” It was quite an awesome experience, certainly not of my doing but just a divine appointment with God demonstrating his love.

My trip to Kiev, Ukraine, was a wonderful blessing that I will remember for a long time.

To schedule a training led by Amel Whitaker or one of the many EMI's certified trainers on the West Coast, please email Pam Ping, or call 800-364-4769.

Renewing the Mind will be offered as part of LIFE seminar in Cincinnati, OH (July 17-18, 2009). You can register online here.

It's In God's Hands

Not only is EMI going out to the "ends of the earth", God is bringing the world to EMI's International School of Service (ISOS) in Cincinnati, Ohio this month.

At least fourteen Christian leaders actively serving the Lord across various continents are making plans to attend the week long training school. In drastic contrast to the apathy of media-saturated Americans, their passion and enthusiasm for the spiritual opportunity this training promises is palpable.

The social fabric of many of their countries has been tattered by generations of poverty, neglect, and AIDS, exterminating all hope. As church leaders, they believe God will change their nations' revenge mindset and AIDS-ravaged behaviors through the relationship skills and Godly truths we teach them to teach others.

This is invaluable training they would be unable to afford, offered at no cost because of the generosity of EMI donors.

SOS GRADUATION 2009
If you would like to know more about EMI’s International School of Service, we invite you to experience firsthand the impact that seven days of intensive SOS training has on these foreign nationals who hunger to duplicate this powerful message to thousands in their homeland. Come to the International School of Service Graduation 2009 and experience God’s international handiwork.

Equipping Ministries International
School of Service 2009 Graduation
Friday, July 24th
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Loveland, OH

This intimate, casual gathering offers fellowship and food as we celebrate with each SOS graduate.

For directions and more information, RSVP by July 17th to Pam Ping or call 513-742-1100 or 800-364-4769.

If you are able to help provide transportation for our international guests during their time in Cincinnati (July 16-24), please contact Pam Ping. Thank you for your support and please keep our SOS students in your prayers.

Have an Eternal Impact: Learn to Teach EMI Courses

EMI Teacher Training: August 14-15, 2009

Has the Lord used someone's teaching to impact your life for good? To draw you higher up and deeper into relationship with God and others?

Are you passionate about seeing the Body of Christ grow in God's grace and truth . . . To reflect the image of Christ? To draw closer to Him? To minister out of His grace? To help heal wounds?

EMI is dedicated to equipping the saints for ministry that transforms. Investing in people who are eternal souls has the greatest return for your time and efforts! Forever is . . . well, forever!

Whether you've been teaching for years --or-- have never taught and wonder if this is something you can do, EMI's Teacher Training is designed to be a safe place to learn preparation and presentation basics. The only prerequisite is that you have already taken Listening for Heaven's Sake.

Friday evening you will learn EMI's philosophy and strategy for equipping: How to address 3 different learning styles and how to prepare a teaching -- from a memorable opening to closing with a "bang." Learn how to maximize the impact of EMI courses' learning process.

Saturday morning you will present a 10-minute teaching from an EMI course (we provide the pages you need from one of our teacher manuals). This will be done in the safety and privacy of a small group of 2-3 others who are also presenting. A certified EMI trainer will give you encouraging and constructive feedback.

Saturday afternoon you will learn more about EMI-specific classroom dynamics: how to work with facilitators, how to prepare effective role plays, and how to customize your teaching for specific audiences. And we make it fun!

So whether you are seeking EMI Certification or think you may never teach an EMI course, you will learn something the Lord will use to impact people, for life here and beyond.

Comments from previous participants:

"Coming from such a dysfunctional background, I have an insatiable hunger for truth and reality in a practical way. EMI does it and taught me how to make it a reality for others!" Pastor Yvonna Arnold, Cedars of Lebanon Church, Lawrenceburg, IN.

"To be equipped to serve the body of Christ through the uniqueness in which God has made us is worth exploring." Michelle Johnson, Tryed Stone Baptist Church, Cincinnati

"This was fun! And a big help!" Vicky Hofmann, YWAM Missionary, Ukraine.

For more information call 513-742-1100 or 800-EMI-GROW(364-4769).

Have questions? Email Pam Ping

2009 Cincinnati Homecoming Events

Friday Oct. 2, 2009
Marriott Kingsgate

Homecoming Awards Banquet
Honoring Dr. Gary Sweeten
and other ministry pioneers.

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009
College Hill Presbyterian Church

Homecoming Conference
Workshops and Candlelight Service

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009
College Hill Presbyterian Church

Church Service & Homecoming Alumni Reception

Don't miss this special weekend

Register online for EMI Homecoming

________________________

Be part of the EMI Homecoming Yearbook by emailing your photos and/or stories (50 words or less) to Lois Dunn by July 20.

________________________

July Special

Outflow Small Group Kit

Summer time is a great time to encourage small group members to share Jesus naturally. With Outflow, there are no formulas to memorize and no sales techniques to master. Instead your group will simply experience the joy of God's presence, then reach out to share that abundance in their lives with others.

Kit contains DVD with engaging video segments and discussion prompts, Outflow music CD, and a copy of the Outflow book.

July Special: $19.99.
(20% off retail $24.99)

Order online now

_________________________