May 2011

Don't Miss Your Chance to Dream!

You still can register for EMI's upcoming three-day Dream Getaway on May 20-22! Time is running out, so don't miss this special opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation. You'll get inspiring biblical teaching and practical small group coaching that will help you:

* Focus your heart and mind on God’s dreams for your life
* Rid your life of 12 dream-killing spiritual strongholds
* Clothe yourself in 7 dream-nurturing spiritual garments
* Abide in God’s peace and dwell richly in his word

God and EMI have prepared a way for you to get away from the rush and the mayhem of your life and to find the spiritual refreshment you’ve been longing for. It takes place in a serene retreat center nestled in a quiet river valley near Cincinnati. Your food and lodging for two nights and three days are included in the registration fee.

Testimonies from EMI's dream getaway participants in January 2011:

"The Dream Getaway was a tremendous blessing to me as I was able to take time away from a busy schedule to reflect and spend extended time in the secret place. I dusted off an old "Dream Journal" that had no entries since 2008. I was amazed that of 15 dreams I had written down in 2008, The Dream Giver had made serious advances in my life on 13 of those dreams, even in the midst of opposition and turmoil! I learned through some great teaching, and through great small group interactions, that God's Dreams for me are to be more like His Son Jesus, more filled with the Spirit's fruit, and more in tune with my destiny as a Beloved Child of The Father and an Heir of the King. That week was transforming and has resulted in many new "green shoots" in my life with God, my marriage, my family, and my ministry." - Denis

"I lived in a place of duty and obligation, always trying to do the "right" and "godly" thing. Never disappoint, always serve. I wouldn't have admitted it, mind you, but I had become a slave to myself and others - self-imposed slavery - imprisoned. To disappoint was to fail. The fact that I didn't feel I had a real choice made it slavery. Well, God wants us to live in freedom and joy. I have seen the enemy and it is me. God wants to give me the gift of play. I am learning to play - not very good at it - yet. But having a great time learning. Yes, spending time having fun, with no agenda of service, productivity or accomplishment. My theme song is now: "Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance. I just want to praise you!" It is great when family and friends comment on the change they see." - Marianne

WHERE: Jesuit Spiritual Center at Milford (near Cincinnati)

SCHEDULE: Friday 8:30am to Sunday 4:30pm

COST: $299 per person covers 2 overnights, 7 meals, private rooms (shared bathroom).

REGISTRATION: Deadline extended. $150 deposit by Friday, May 13 will hold your space.

More Info | Register Online

Navigating Relationship Dynamics

When discussing an uncomfortable issue, we have a tendency to be either Mr. Nice-Guy or Ms. In-Your-Face. Some of us go out of our way to try not to offend and rarely get to the real issue. Others spew out the hard truths without regard for how they are received. If you find it difficult to keep a balance between being nice and being truthful, EMI’s course Speaking the Truth in Love will help.

Going beyond listening basics, Speaking the Truth in Love dives into the dynamics of mutual accountability and explores the give-and-take of an ongoing relationship. Building on the foundation of Listening For Heaven’s Sake, this insightful course covers six critical skills that enable you to become a master at navigating relationship dynamics.

Testimony
“Speaking the Truth in Love is a great extension from Listening for Heaven’s Sake and this material is radically changing how I perform ministry and conduct relationships!”- Roger Howell, City Gospel Mission

Please note that Speaking the Truth in Love will not be offered again until 2012. So don't miss out on this opportunity! Register before Saturday 5/21 for a $25 discount!

To register, call 513-742-1100 or 800-EMI-GROW (364-4769) or register online

Updates from EMI partners around the world

from Ram, Myanmar (SOS Graduate 2009, not pictured)

"I am using EMI's Guiding Life-Changing Small Groups in Myanmar, and the students are encouraged by the material. There are more than 30 small groups or churches in my network."

An update from Walter Liatema, Kenya SOS Graduate 2006

"It is sincerely true that the Lord is working faithfully and powerfully in me and through me as I serve Him with my whole heart and strength. I am striving to bring people closer to God. As our Christian Community grows ever wider, so does the need for tools that are equally diverse. I know in my heart that what I feed my Christian Community now can continue to nourish them later in life. I have formulated my teachings to help young faith grow healthy and strong to face the future.

"The teachings EMI shared with me have tremendously changed my personal life, removing me from the lost life of darkness into the life of light and hope. I strive to create teachings that impact people’s everyday lives and help them enjoy a deeper and more meaningful faith.

"In fact, from the teachings that I received from EMI, I have been driven to total commitment to helping people discover life in Christ through ways that glorify God and uphold His truths."

S. D. Premkumar, India (SOS Graduate 2005) writes,

"It is with joy that I want to inform you that EMI India is now available in one more Indian language, Hindi (or Hindustani), the national language of India.

"This morning I returned from Tuticorin, where I had a very good time completing "Speaking the truth in love" and awarding 22 people with certificates for "Listening ... and Speaking ...". Yesterday I conducted "Listening .." to 11 staff of a mission organization.

"At the end of the training a pastor was moved to tears and decided to change the way of dealing with his unco-operative teenaged son. The boy had not been taking his studies seriously and all along the pastor father had been rubbing him on the wrong side. He realized his fault and has decided to active listening!

Some lady staff in the mission organization were very quick to catch the principles of 'Empathy' and they came up with very good empathetic replies to difficult situations!

EMI's summer SOS session is July 15-22. Volunteer housing hosts and lunch providers are needed. Contact Pam Ping for more info.

Support EMI's SOS program financially. Click to donate.