SUMMER COURSES

Chronological Bible Storying

Every Wed, Sep 1-22 @ 6-7:30 pm – Rm 333
T Peter Swann, Andrew Brown & David Humphrey
COST $20

A four-week class. Fifty percent of adult Americans are functionally illiterate, and seventy percent of the world's population is functionally illiterate. Overseas, missionaries are now ministering to these Primary Oral Learners through Chronological Bible Storying, telling "God's story" (the Bible) in a chronological, oral format. Even in the States, storying is a tremendous tool for evangelism and discipleship as it targets those who are functionally illiterate but holds great truth for all. Without the requirement of literature, storying can easily go into countries or homes that are closed to the gospel in a form that can be readily understood, accepted and spread. As it is non-confrontational, it can be shared anywhere at any time.

Water Well 101

Every Wed, Sep 1-Sep 22 @ 6-7 pm – Missions Suite (144C)
T James Greer & Richard Bell
COST $20

A four week class consisting of the following: introduction to water well ministry, on the field water well training including drilling of new wells and repairing of existing wells, how to use water well ministry as a platform to share the gospel and logistical aspects of water well ministry in partnership with Living Water International.

Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts

Every Wed, Sep 1-29 @ 6:30-7:30 pm – Connection Ctr (145)
T Malcolm Marshall
COST $10

Have you ever asked yourself questions like “Why am I here?”, or “What can I do to make a lasting difference in the lives of others?” If so, we want to invite you be a part of the Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Class. This self-discovery process will bring about life transformation with a comprehensive exploration of your unique gifts and talents. **NOTE** You MUST complete the Spiritual Gifts Assessment BEFORE the class begins.

CONTACT Malcolm.Marshall@HoustonsFirst.org, 713.335.6453, for more information.

Perspective Exposure

Every Wed Sep 1-29 @ 6:30-7:30 pm – Missions Suite (144B)
T Amy Achgill
COST $10

Perspectives Exposure is a greatly condensed version of the Perspectives: World Christian Movement course. It briefly covers in 5 weeks what is covered in depth in 15 weeks in the full course. This class will expose you to what God is doing around the world and challenge you to consider your part in His purposes in this world. The courses cover:

• Biblical - Read your Bible like never before to discover God’s unchanging purposes from Genesis through Revelation.
• Historical - Find out what has been happening since the end of Acts.
• Cultural - Learn how to communicate the Gospel to people with different world views and backgrounds.
• Strategic - Find out what is happening in the world of missions today and where the areas of greatest need are.

Understanding Islam

Every Wed, Oct 6-Nov 3 @ 6:30-8 pm – Connection Ctr (145)
T Amy Achgill
COST $10

Grow in understanding how to interact with Muslims through learning about their culture and religion to gain confidence in pursuing friendships with them. Hear their point of view and learn how to build bridges that lead to authentic life on life in order to love them like Jesus did.

International Student Friendship Ministry (ISFM)

Orientation Class – Connection Ctr (145)
Thu, Sep 9 @ 6:30-7:30 pm
Sat, Sep 11 @ 9:30-10:30 am
Mon, Sep 13 @ 6:30-7:30 pm
Sat, Sep 18 @ 9:30-10 am
T Marie Downing

Are you interested in learning a new culture and have the desire to share your faith and hospitality? This fall, approximately 100 international students studying at the University of Houston will ask for an American friend through a non live-in friendship ministry between U of H and HFBC. Let’s not turn them away! Choose one of the above orientation dates for more details if you are interested in befriending one of these students.

CONTACT Marie Downing at Downings@Flash.net, 713.956.6052, or the Missions Office at 713.957.5861 for registration, questions or more information.

Legacy 685 Adoption & Orphan Care

Sun, Aug 29 @ 5-6:15 pm - Rm 251 & 252

Legacy685 will host an Adoption Panel that will include Domestic Adoption, Foster to Adopt, International Adoption as well as Foster Care.This will be a time to ask all your questions about any of the above adoption methods. You will be able to better understand many of the details and requirements of adoption through any and all of these methods. Find out about open adoption, closed adoptions, which countries can you adopt from and why, the cost of adoption, the foster care system and how it works and many other areas regarding adopting those that our Heavenly Father calls the fatherless. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. Childcare will be through the regularly scheduled childcare for that hour.

CONTACT Steve Klein at Legacy685@HoustonsFirst.org.

Safe Travel Solutions

Sat, Nov 6 @ 8 am-5 pm - Garden Rm
COST $25

This advanced training deals with the kinds of issues mission team leaders need to be prepared for while traveling in an uncertain and difficult world. Using cutting-edge approaches to age-old problems, security experts will present lecture and demonstrations covering lots of new materials on the following:

• Background - Understanding the culture of criminals, terrorists and would-be government detainers so you can predict and prepare.
• Standards - As a team understanding a "Code of Conduct" for times of testing.
• Preparation - Travel safety with anti-crime and anti-terrorism in mind.
• Avoidance - Behavioral strategies for avoiding crime and acts of terror.
• Protecting - Understand what information is private (or even harmful to our ministry, team, nationals or my own family) what you should or should not talk about openly.
• Survival - If something happens, have strategies for surviving and coping with acts of crime, captivity, brief detainment, etc. - minimizing harm - maximizing survival.
• Faith -Issues of faith in captivity - scriptural principles that can become confused under duress and can stall teams and destroy witness.
• Returning - Solid practices for avoiding and surviving these situations and coming home physically and spiritually healthy with peace and honor intact.

CONTACT SallyHinzie@UBAHouston.org, 713.503.9472.