Wednesday, August 14, 2013

A blog for September, 2013!



Dorinda Bogran                                        

Division Business Manager
September 17, 2013 



So….what happens around here when we have no volunteer teams? 
We catch up, we clean up, we evaluate this past season of the volunteer teams that the Lord has sent to serve with ReachGlobal Crisis Response and we discuss if we served them with excellence—or not, we organize and plan for the next season of volunteer teams and pray that we can serve this next season of volunteer teams with excellence for God’s glory, we develop and improve processes, we raise support, we develop and improve relationships with ministry partners, and we take a week of vacation away from the demands of ministry to relax, refresh and rejuvenate with our families and friends. 
Annual Ministry Planning: 
Last week we gathered together as a whole team.  All those on our team, and some praying about their calling,  traveled to the ministry center for four days of focused time together.  We spent the first day in “quiet waters” — a day of fasting, worship and prayers.   The rest of the time together was spent reconnecting as a team,  evaluating the past year of ministry and seeking God’s direction for His plan in going forward for the next year of ministry.  As we were working on improving the “architecture” of a what a response looks like, we found out that about half the state of Colorado was flooding. 
Floods in Colorado:
“Right now we are staggering as we see the enormous impact and the over-whelming need”, said Pastor Jess Mahon, (Rocky Mountain EFC). Devastating floods have impacted the entire area around his church in Estes Park, Colorado. “The roads are gone”, he continued. “We’re completely cutoff.” Roads have washed out, and portions of the town are inundated. Small communities around them are completely gone. Every business, school and home has been affected. His church members took in 200 kids who had to be evacuated from a nearby YMCA camp. With roads cut off, teachers can’t get to school, business people can’t get to their jobs, their tourism industry flounders. He said, “The ripple effect will go on for years as people try to rebuild and deal with the financial calamity.”  On Sunday, a team from ReachGlobal Crisis Response arrived in Colorado to connect with local churches and assess how to respond in the wake of this crisis. Another team is traveling with a trailer of mucking tools to help.  Join us along with Pastor Jess in praying for this region.   To give a financial donation for the flood relief efforts, please visit www.efca.org/give .  (Flood account #3990)




 ReachGlobal Crisis Response
Mission
We exist to Develop, Empower and Release the Body of Christ to show His love in times of crisis to multiply transformational churches among all peoples


 PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TEAM

Ariealle
Babette


      Ella                                        Carrie

Jen
Katie
      


Kevin
Lois


Mark
Mary


Shelby



Ernie
Sylvia & George
    Jessica
                                                                                                                                          Nelson

Roberto & Robin



Not pictured: Julie, Donna, Nick, Ronnie, Lenny, David and everyone in the process!








My ministry as a supporting ligament in the Body of Christ is based on this verse!

Ephesians 4:16
From him (Jesus Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Join me in praising the Lord for the way He has gifted each and everyone of us to serve Him uniquely.




My Contact Info:
985.705.2416 (cell) 
985.893.0218 (office) 
dorinda.bogran@efca.org
Give online: www.efca.org/give        Designate #1566 Dorinda Bogran


Wednesday, March 27, 2013



Dorinda Bogran                                                            
Division Business Manager         
March 27, 2013





It’s spring break time!
The azaleas are in full bloom, the oak trees are showing signs of new growth, extreme pollen is in the air and volunteers from around the country have   followed the Lord’s call to come and serve in the ministry field that follows a crisis.  Here in New Orleans, we are in our third week of the spring break season with 123 volunteers serving on mission teams from churches in 8 different states who will show the Love of Christ to those in need in the New Orleans area.  These servants will be roofing, painting, insulating and installing drywall, prayer walking and cooking for the neighborhoods.  In New Jersey our staff will host 13 weeks where 230 volunteers from 7        different states will serve the community surrounding Beacon Church and Brigantine Bible Church by continuing the rebuild process for homeowners who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy. 
Leaders with Crisis Response are now working with Salem EFC in Staten Island, NY to partner with the crisis response ministry already established surrounding their church.  This church has experienced a significant growth since Hurricane Sandy as the members of the church have served those in need in their area.  We are working on a partnership with Salem EFC to house volunteers to join in their efforts to multiply transformational churches among all peoples.  Check out the churches blog about their relief efforts since Hurricane Sandy.  www.salemchurchblog.org/

 








Ministry Updates: It’s official….the name of the ministry is changing.   We are now ReachGlobal Crisis Response.  Everything else remains the same only now we have a new name!


ReachGlobal Crisis Response Mission
We exist to Develop, Empower and Release the Body of Christ to show His love in times of crisis to multiply transformational churches among all peoples



 985.705.2416 (cell)  985.893.0218 (office) www.efca.org

Give online: www.efca.org/donate  Designate #1566 Dorinda Bogran






Friday, January 18, 2013










Dorinda Bogran
Division Business Manager

 January 15, 2013







Happy New Year! 

This year started with TouchGlobal hosting a team of 7 volunteers from Trinity International University from Illinois.  The first day of the new year that I walked into our meeting room I saw the image from the photo on the left below.  The volunteers made a chart on the white board with 3 columns.  The first was titled “This week my personal prayer request is….”  The 2nd was “answered prayer” and the 3rd was “God Sightings.”  As the week progressed, the board began to fill up.  (bottom right photo)  This was such an encouragement to me and the rest of the team.  You see, the ministry of TouchGlobal began over 7 years ago and it is sometimes hard, even for those of us who see and hear the people in desperate need, to totally realize that the ministry is still making a difference—not just for those homeowners who are not back in their homes since Katrina or are just starting to get into their homes since Sandy, but also in the lives of the volunteers that are changed when they serve the Lord of Creation and actively look for Him wherever they may be serving.  God is at work….yesterday, today and tomorrow wherever He has planted us.  We just need to open our eyes to His works and be on the lookout for “answered prayers” and “God Sightings.”  


Thank you!

I would like to thank each and every one of you for your part in supporting the ministry of TouchGlobal.  When you receive this email please take a moment to lift up the ministry in prayer to our Heavenly Father.  If you get excited by what you hear is happening within the ministry, remember that you are a part of this through me.  If you would like to become a bigger part by joining us as a volunteer, as part of our staff or as a financial partner by becoming a supporter of the ministry through me, please call me or email me.  I am excited to talk to you!

Answered prayers and expected God sightings by the end of the week!  AMEN!!!
Prayer requests at the beginning of the week along with expectations of answered prayer and God sightings for the week ahead!   










                                                                                                   












































































Friday, December 14, 2012

Happy Birthday, Jesus and Merry Christmas to you all!




Dorinda Bogran
Division Business Manager

 
December 11, 2012




TouchGlobal Mission
We exist to Develop, Empower and Release the Body of Christ to show His love in times of crisis to multiply healthy churches among all peoples


Giving:  

During the Christmas season there is always a focus on giving.  Of course we all know that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ—God gave His son to save the world (John 3:16).  We also remember that Christ gave his life as a sacrifice for our sins (Romans 5:8).  One of our Pastors at Church gave a great sermon this past Sunday that focused on giving less—less P-R-E-S-E-N-T-S but giving more of our P-R-E-S-E-N-C-E. 

Let’s look beyond this Christmas season of giving and look at everyday giving.  What does it look like to give of ourselves on a daily basis?  John the Baptist was called to “make straight the way for the Lord.”  John was baptizing people before Jesus came and when Jesus came and was baptized by John, the ministry of the Lord began.  At that time, John the Baptist said in John 3:30 “He (Jesus) must become greater; I (John) must become less.”  John the Baptist gave up himself so that Jesus would shine brightest. 

My prayer is that there will be less of me and more of Jesus in all that I say and do, so that Jesus would shine brightest and others may come to know and love Him!!!  


Ministry updates: 

This past year TouchGlobal hosted over 700 volunteers in the New Orleans area—that’s over 30,000 volunteer hours and many lives touched for Christ.  Hurricane Isaac hit south La. in mid-august just when we thought our “busy” season was over.  Then in October, Superstorm Sandy pounded the New Jersey and New York area.  TouchGlobal is partnering with several EFCA churches in N.J. and N.Y. to rebuild their churches and homes and now, with the help of church members and volunteers serving in the mission field created by Sandy, to reach their neighborhoods for Christ! 


Asking: 

As the end of the year approaches and you are considering your end of year donations, will you prayerfully consider partnering with me through  EFCA TouchGlobal?  I am still under supported by about $1500 per month.  Your support will allow me to continue to serve with TouchGlobal to touch lives for Christ!!!


Merry Christ from our family to yours.  May you all be blessed this Christmas season and throughout the New Year!!!!
Merry Christmas!!!




Contact me: 985.705.2416 (cell)  985.893.0218 (office)   
Give online: www.efca.org/donate 
Designate #1566 Dorinda Bogran
www.touchglobal.org

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The Deed is Done!



Dorinda Bogran
Finance Manager
October 16, 2012


THE DEED IS DONE!  That was the text message I received from Kevin W. and Arnold H. as they left the buses for Haiti at the docks in Miami.  If you remember, the buses were purchased at a greatly reduced price in PA, driven down this summer by volunteers & parked at Challenge conf. in the convention center in N.O. to be a huge part of Love Moves.  They were then loaded with all the donated school supplies, toiletries, benches and beds for our partners in Haiti.  They are now loaded on a ship to go to Haiti.  Pray they arrive and go through customs with no troubles. 



With a little bit of work, well, a lot of work actually, the buses were loaded and driven to Miami to be shipped to in Haiti

A VOLUNTEER STORY—Last week one of the volunteers that served with TouchGlobal shared his storied past of his life before Christ. Our faithful God, who doesn’t waste anything, allowed this volunteer to use his past to minister to the son of one of our homeowners who is going through the same type of difficulties.  Pray for redemption and that the Lord will open Lance’s eyes to his need of the saving grace of Jesus Christ and that he will seek help through Christ to break free from his addiction—for himself, his sons, and generations to follow. 

HURRICANE ISAAC  -  This Saturday is our last day we have set aside to join with the local churches to serve with TouchGlobal to help people who have damages to their home from hurricane Isaac.  If you are interested in partnering with us this Saturday, please call me for details at the office 985.893.0218.

ACT II—SERVICE WEEKS!!!  Next week has been set aside for those over 50 year old that want to use their gifts to serve the Lord.  If you are 50+ and wondering how you can use your skills and gifts in a short term mission trip, this week is just for you!


                                                  A little bit of God’s Glory here on earth!


TouchGlobal Mission
We exist to Develop, Empower and Release the Body of Christ to show His love in times of crisis to multiply healthy churches among all peoples


Contact me: dorinda.bogran@efca.org Give online:  www.efca.org/donate   Designate #1566 Dorinda Bogran





Tuesday, September 18, 2012

It's been a busy, busy month!!!



Dorinda Bogran
Finance Manager
September 18, 2012


HURRICANE ISAAC

Our plan for the month of September was to have some down time.  You know...time to re-group after a very busy spring and summer season of volunteers, but, God had other plans (Proverbs 19:21)  Hurricane Isaac hit Louisiana as a category 1 storm with loads of rain and took over 2 days to move out of La, causing rivers to overflow their banks and the lake to rise and flood homes that have never flooded before.  God allowed the ministry to activate our Mobilize network and strengthen our partnership with local churches by allowing us to serve in the unique mission field that follows a crisis.  We have had teams serve since the weekend after the storm passed and more are scheduled to come to serve those in need and share the Love of Christ!  The local churches are being asked to serve with us on 3 Saturdays coming up on 9/22/12, 10/6/12 and 10/20/12.  Call me for details...office 985.893.0218  cell 985.705.2416



 
Some homes in  LaPlace look like homes in N.O. after Hurricane Katrina (left) and some look like the one on the right.  All belong to hurting people!



The last 2 weeks in October have been set aside for those over 50 year old that want to use their gifts to serve the Lord.  We will have special activities just for you.  If you are 50+ and wondering how you can use your skills and gifts in a short term mission trip, this is just for you!


Act II Service Weeks
Service opportunity for those 50 years old and over

On Location  New Orleans area
Casting Call  Weeks of October 21 and October 28
Cast positions only available for those age 50 and over who have wisdom, experience, and skills they want to use for the Lord.  These short-term missions weeks are just for you!  Come as an individual or as a team!
 
· Rebuild
· Love on people
· Pray on location
· Assist with cooking
· Administrative help


Weekend intermission options will be available.

Partner with TouchGlobal for one or both weeks!
  
Learn more  E-mail KatrinaRelief@efca.org.  Visit TouchGlobal.org.  Call (985)893-0218.



KRA’S

TouchGlobal Annual Planning Meetings  -  Our whole team (pictured below) gathered together last week to celebrate all that the Lord has accomplished through ministry last year and to pray about what the Lord has planned for next year and to learn together how best to serve one another.  Please join us in prayer as we earnestly listen for the voice of Holy Spirit to guide our steps as we search for opportunities after a crisis to present the whole Gospel to the whole person in intentional relationships with those who do not know Jesus Christ. 


Our Team!!!