Sound Bites from the Superintendent
Isolation is a common factor in failing to finish well.  Pastor clusters provide peer-mentoring for growing character and competency in ministry.  We concur with a "constellation model" where some are ahead, some alongside, and some following, all headed in a common direction of healthier leadership and churches.  For more information about one of the 13 existing clusters or to discuss starting one in your area, please contact me at the district office at 612-338-1716.

Church Planting News
Recently Bob Nieuwendorp, Church Planting Director, sent out a letter to update all churches in the NCD of the current events in ethnic church planting.  How exciting it has been to see 8 new baby churches in our district representing various ethnicities and cultural groups!  Did you know that Minnesota has over 600,000 immigrants living in the state, but only 10% go to church?  God is literally bringing the world to our doorstep to hear the gospel.  The letter included a charge to support ethnic church planting financially.  Most of these immigrants have little financial resources to support these baby churches.  If you would like more information about this exciting opportunity, please contact Bob at bob@ncdefca.org or Dan Moose at dan@ncdefca.org.

We're not in Chile anymore...
Victor and Myrian Benaldo recently made a decision to leave their native country of Chile to serve as missionaries to Latino immigrants in Monticello, MN.  A couple of years ago as the Benaldos were planting a church in Lautaro, Chile, they felt challenged to come to the United States and plant a church.  Answering God's call, they have made a huge impact in the Monticello Hispanic community as many people have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.  They are leading a Bible study every Sunday morning that is well attended and are overwhelmed at how quickly the new believers are growing in their spiritual walks.  Please pray for the Benaldos as they are looking to start core group training soon and for their family as they are hoping to be able to return to Chile this summer to visit family.  Bienvenidos al North Central District, Benaldo family!

Welcome to NCD Staff Jamie Buchanan!
The North Central District would like to welcome Jamie Buchanan as the latest member of its team!  Jamie is the new Director of Student Ministries and Associate 20/20 Director.  Jamie comes to the Twin Cities from Lake Community Church in Alexandria where he served as Youth Pastor for over 5 years.  A graduate of Northwestern College in Roseville, Jamie is passionate about reaching out to and mentoring youth in our district and has 15 years of ministry experience.  Jamie and wife Pam have two children, Wyatt, 11 and Paisley, 6.

20/20 Vision Update
September and October have been a whirlwind! Several conferences and workshops provided strategic opportunities for ministry sharpening, fall Church-based training courses kicked off, and Jamie Buchanan joined our NCD staff team. God has recently provided us with several 18 to 25 year-olds that we believe will play a significant role in our efforts to develop pathways for leadership multiplication. Please pray for our on-going relationships with these contacts. Pray that God would grant us wisdom and direction as we lay a foundation for reaching future generations.  Also continue to pray for the O’Rourke’s home near Glenwood to sell as well as the upcoming birth of their second child in January!

Pastors, Did You Overcome?
The 2006 Pastors Teaching conference brought together 120 pastors and leaders to consider how to overcome in ministry rather than being overwhelmed.  Speaker David Hansen challenged us, among other things, to be aware of the flesh's unceasing bent to resist becoming fully human, that is, fully and humbly dependent on God.  Only in embracing Jesus' own humanity, trusting his incarnational love and following his incarnational humanity, will we be able to overcome.  CD's of David's messages will be available through NextStep Resources at www.nsresources.com > EFCA Resources > Conferences.  Look for them in early December to be available on the web.

Looking to be Licensed??
Or just want a theological refresher?  Licensing discussion groups are functioning in different parts of the district.  If  you are presently licensed with the EFCA or are interested in becoming licensed, it is highly recommended that you join one of these groups for discussion and interaction over theological themes of the EFCA Statement of faith.  For more information contact Dave Linde at the NCD office at 612-338-1716 or email dave@ncdefca.org.

Want a Midwinter (Ministerial) Getaway?
Join the EFCA at its Midwinter Ministerial in Indianapolis, IN, January 24-26, 2007.  The Ministerial will address the topic of hermeneutics and eschatology, a key issue in the ongoing discussion of the proposed revision of the EFCA Statement of Faith.  The NCD strongly encourages you to attend this event.  For more information visit the EFCA website at http://www.efca.org/pastoralcare/ or download this brochure in pdf format by clicking here.  Adobe Reader required to view the brochure.

Featured Church
Lakes Free of Lindstrom, MN, has a long track record in district leadership through board involvement, implementing church based training, birthing baby churches, and have been exemplary in their commitment to Fair Share giving.  Most recently they are seeing God at work through their newly launched "Car Care Ministry" to single moms throughout their county.  To find out more about this ministry or donate a used car (a great tax break!) contact Adult Ministries Pastor Ron Berget at 651-257-2677 or email ron@lakesfree.org.  Check out the Lakes Free website at http://www.lakesfree.org/home/home.html or by clicking on the logo on the right.

Not feeling rested?  Joins us for a Sabbath Retreat...
Winter is upon us and with it the Christmas Holidays.  Now is the time to catch your breath and learn the rhythms of rest and work so you can start practicing them in the New Year.  Join us for a Sabbath Retreat at Timber Bay Retreat Center December 4-5, 2006.  For more information contact Jim Anderson at productiverest@integraonline.com or Ardie Swanson at ardie@ncdefca.org, or by clicking here for a pdf brochure.  "Prepare to face resistance not to come.  Satan will tell you, you don't need it or you don't have time.  Don't believe it.  Prepare to come and get refreshed, it will be the most important step you can take."     -Rich Hubert, Senior Pastor, New Joy EFC, Rogers, MN

Bringing Women Together
Women, join us for a one day event to network with and encourage other women as they minister in the local church.  It is our desire to help the women of your congregation to develop a healthy, growing ministry to women.  We would love to bring this event to your area.  If you would be interested in hosting this event contact the North Central District Women's Ministries Networkers, Shirley Henderson at 952-545-2013 or hendy545@aol.com or Ardie Swanson at 612-338-1716 or ardie@ncdefca.org.  You can read more about this ministry by clicking here for a pdf brochure.

Women's Ministries Leadership Development Internship
Do you desire specific leadership training in ministering to women?  Would you like to see up close a healthy model of women's ministries serving in the context of local church?  If so, the Women's Ministries Leadership Internship is for you!  The next Development Internship will be held Jan. 29 - Feb. 3, 2007 in Redlands, CA, and will be hosted by former national Women's Ministries Director Elizabeth Inrig and Trinity EFC.  Registrations are now being accepted and space is limited, so please register today!  Registration information can be found at http://www.efca.org/women/internships/index.html or by contacting Natalie at 800-745-2202 ext. 765 or nbartelme@efca.org.

Season's Greetings and Merry Christmas from the NCD!
The North Central District Staff would like to wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving, blessed Christmas and happy New Year!  It is such a great time of year to look back and reflect on God's faithfulness and provision, and to thank Him for sending us His greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ.  May we never forget the true reason for celebrating Christmas as we get caught up in the busyness of the season.  Blessed holidays from all of us to all of you!

Dates to Remember...
December 4-5, 2006    Sabbath retreat at Timber Bay Retreat Center

January 24-26, 2007    EFCA Midwinter Ministerial in Indianapolis, IN

April 16-17, 2007    North Central District Conference at Crystal Evangelical Free Church, Crystal, MN

April 20-22, 2007    North Central District Youth Conference in Duluth, MN

For a more complete listing, click here for the NCD website calendar.

In His grip,
Tom Mouw
ncd@ncdefca.org