International Teams

New Pricing – Songs for the Oppressed Volume 1

ITeams — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:27:29 +0000

Songs for the Oppressed Vol. 1 is now $10 per CD, $8 per download. Hear the music. Change a life. These songs can change your life while providing resources to transform lives and communities around the world. Get yours today or get some as gifts. Be sure to check out our video contest winner from volume 1!

SONGSFORTHEOPPRESSED.ORG

Join the movement by purchasing CDs, spreading the word, and getting organizations like your church involved as partners. Learn more at songsfortheoppressed.org/partner

KONY 2012 – Freeing child soldiers in Uganda

Tim and Angie Sliedrecht — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:06:44 +0000

Our teams in Uganda have a vision to see lives and communities transformed by the power of God, and to that end they have been engaging the local church to help the oppressed. Among those they work with are former child soldiers abducted by the LRA, and countless others who have been affected by the realities of the warfare waged by Joseph Kony and his forces. Our teams have been working alongside the people of Uganda for a long time, and they intend to be there long after the blogging has stopped.

Recently, our teams have received many questions about the “KONY 2012″ video campaign sponsored by Invisible Children which aims to make the name of LRA leader Joseph Kony “famous”, thereby encouraging his capture for crimes against humanity over the past 26+ years. Some have leveled criticisms against the campaign and Invisible Children, creating some confusion about the issues and the cause, but our teams see the “KONY 2012″ awareness campaign as ultimately helpful and informative. While encouraging people to get involved, they urge careful consideration, research and prayer.

Here is their response:

The issue of the LRA is very close to our hearts as we live and work in an area that has been greatly affected by the LRA. Everyone around us has a story to tell about the direct impact the LRA has had in their life, including our three children. Our daughter Miriam is one of them. When she was 4 years old, the LRA rebels came into her village. She had to run and hide in the bush by herself, for over a day. She remembers hearing a lot of gunfire and seeing the LRA rebels’ boots as they walked by her hiding spot. They didn’t find her, but they did find and kill her two uncles.

She was then taken by distant relatives to a large Internally Displaced People Camp in Soroti, where we live. When the LRA rebels reached Soroti, they came through the camp. Everyone in the camp ran, but she remained hiding in her hut. She heard the rebels walking past and shooting, but they did not come in. Two of our other children, Moses & Zulea, were also Internally Displaced People due to the LRA.

In regards to our work, we partner with Fida International, an NGO from Finland that has been providing humanitarian aid and scholarships for around 150 youths who were child-soldiers in the LRA. Since 2007, we have been providing these youth with spiritual counseling by energizing, equipping and engaging the local church to reach out to them. We praise God for the transformation that is taking place in the lives of many of these youths and their subsequent powerful testimonies which are bringing about transformation in the lives of their communities.

We first heard of Invisible Children (IC) in 2006 and were very moved by their original video. We participated in their first event, the Global Night Commute, and my younger sister headed up the School for Schools fundraising project at her high school. We have since been tracking with IC. We have definitely been impressed with what they have done in terms of raising awareness. We’ve been especially impressed with how they have gotten so many young people passionate and involved in raising this awareness and putting pressure on the US government (and the rest of the West) to do something. To be sure, when young people come together to speak out about an issue like the LRA war, the world listens. We do believe that these efforts in raising awareness and government action caused the West (including the ICC’s warrant on Joseph Kony and his top commanders, and the US government sending in troops) to put pressure on the Ugandan government to act; and they did so, pushing the LRA out of Uganda into Democratic Republic of Congo and Central Africa Republic.

Their latest video, Kony 2012, has brought a significant amount of criticism, much of which we think is missing the point. In making the video, IC was not seeking to create a detailed documentary about the LRA war. It is, as much of IC’s activities in the West are, to raise awareness and get as many people as possible to pressure governments (particularly the US government) to act. As they have stated, “We are storytellers, activists and everyday people who use the power of media to inspire young people to help end the longest running armed conflict in Africa. We make documentaries, tour them around the world, and lobby our nation’s leaders to make ending this conflict a priority.” We believe that is what the Kony 2012 video and campaign is about – making Kony famous by making him known, and encouraging people to respond by contacting and pressuring the cultural and political leaders to end the war. We think the Kony 2012 campaign is a great initiative and encourage you to get involved.

In regards to the critique about the Kony 2012 video being misleading and inaccurate and simplifying the war, we do not find that to be the case at all. We found it to be quite clear in giving a quick, overall synopsis from when IC got established to today. Furthermore, it’s purpose is to spur people on to action, starting with researching and finding out more about the LRA, and IC for that matter, BEFORE doing anything – this is a must. For the other common criticisms to IC and the Kony 2012 video, we recommend you check out the following responses by Invisible Children themselves:

We strongly encourage people who wish to help the poor in Africa (or anywhere for that matter) to read When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett.

Read a related story about a former child soldier named David.

Food Needed for Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi

ITeams — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 11:32:32 +0000

Photos of from Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Used with permission.

Jake and Jennifer Tornga are working in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi. The World Food Program has cut the monthly ration of maize given to refugees in half, from 14 kg to 7 kg per person.

The Torngas’ team leader, Innocent Magambi, who is himself a former refugee who lived at Dzaleka, knows firsthand that 14 kg per person is not enough to live on for one month. Cutting that amount in half presents an extremely difficult situation for these refugees.

Although food provision is not normally an area of focus for the team in Malawi, Jake Tornga says, “This is a very serious crisis and we are looking at ways we can help.”

Making a donation to provide access to food can help save lives and alleviate some of the extra measure of suffering these refugees are experiencing. Please consider enabling the team in Malawi to help those in need by making a donation.

16,000 refugees and asylum seekers live at Dzaleka refugee camp, Malawi, Africa, and the World Food Program has been providing a basic food package to these refugees since the 1990s. However due to the increasing numbers of refugees in the region, the global financial crisis, and this being a long-standing refugee camp which no longer attracts much press coverage, food stock has almost run out. The basic food package was already not nutritionally complete, and since the beginning of March 2012, refugees have only been receiving 50% of the normal package.

We are raising money towards covering the shortfall of corn received by refugees between now and the end of 2012. Corn is the staple food of this region, and the most important food need at this time. $10 will cover the corn shortfall for 1 person for 1 month. $80 will cover the corn shortfall for 1 person for the rest of the year. The overall financial shortfall facing the WFP for 2012 is more than $1.8 million.

When such a crisis hits a refugee camp like Dzaleka, prostitution increases, child labor increases as children are taken out of school, and the medically fragile (HIV positive, disabled, elderly, nursing mothers) are at risk of rapid deterioration in their health.

Please stand with us as we seek to meet this immediate need. Visit our online giving form for this ALERT.

New inSight – Boldness and Faith

Jason Miller — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:54:50 +0000

Enjoy 2012′s first issue of inSight. Articles focus on boldness and faith, highlighting some exciting work in Cameroon and some new developments with our Community of Artists. You can download the PDF version and read or print it at your convenience.

Take a look at the new issue of inSight!

Boldness and Faith

Scott Olson — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:26:45 +0000

A particular story that appears in Scripture has always fascinated me. It’s the story of the paralytic who was taken to Jesus by his four friends only to discover that the crowds were so large there was no way to get him to Jesus except by climbing on the roof, cutting a hole in it, and letting him down to the lower lever directly in front of Jesus. Well, we all know what happens. Jesus heals the paralyzed man.

In each of the gospel accounts the healing is preceded by the same five words: “When Jesus saw their faith.” The paralytic’s friends saw a need and boldly stepped forward in faith which resulted in a transformed life. That leads me to wonder about the relationship between faith and boldness.

Does faith open the door to boldness in action or is it possible that bold action leads to increased faith?

Scripture doesn’t give us a window into the minds of the paralytic’s friends, but we do clearly see that faith and bold action are intricately intertwined.

Life is full of unanswered questions like whether the chicken or the egg comes first. Whether faith or boldness comes first may not actually matter as much as the fact that we need to boldly move forward with faith while waiting expectantly to see what God will do.

We’ve just completed another session of training classes, and I have to say that I’m thrilled to have met these inspiring individuals who are stepping out in faith to follow God’s call. I honestly wish that you could meet each and every one of them and hear their stories. Please join me in praying for them as they head to places such as Costa Rica, Uganda, Italy, France, Bolivia, Southeast Asia, Greece, Ecuador, and Honduras. I’m excited to see how God will move as He sees their faith.

In this issue you can read about how God is moving in Cameroon through the faith of our team there. This team is passionate about raising up Cameroon nationals to mentor and then send out to reach the unreached tribes of that region. I think you’ll be inspired by their bold faith.

I’m thrilled to announce that Shawn Christopher will be coordinating the musicians in our Community of Artists. She is passionate about using the gift of music to help tell the story of the oppressed that we serve. After she heard the vision of what could be possible through the Community of Artists, she eagerly decided to join us. I look forward to seeing artists gathered together, being mentored, and using their gifts for the Kingdom of God.

Scott Olson
President & CEO

Stepping out in faith

Linda Bryant — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:38:15 +0000

Photo by Necia Clare Erickson.

When a Cameroon native, D**, (a church-planter currently serving on the field whose name has been omitted for security purposes) was first sent to his target village, he was very afraid. He had heard stories of things that this particular people-group had done in the past to keep outsiders away and to keep Christianity from entering their tribe. Now he was there to present the Good News of Jesus, and he didn’t know what to expect. But, to his surprise, he found that he was welcomed warmly by the villagers, and he soon made many friends.

Bold Conversation about Jesus

“Before I came to the training, I didn’t really know what it meant to pray. Reading God’s Word was just something I did. But the training I received open up a whole new world for me. Now I can talk to Jesus about anything, and when I open the Bible, I hear Him talking right to me.”
— Comments from a church-planter who has been trained and sent out

The first person that he was able to share the gospel with was a woman who lived near him in the village. She became sick and since the village is quite remote, she was looking for someone who might have pills to help her with her sickness. D** told her, “I have some pills. I don’t know if they’ll help you, but I can give them to you. But I also know of something else that can help you more than the pills, and that is to pray in the name of Issa Almahsi (Jesus the Messiah). I can pray for you in His name.” The next morning she came to find him and told him that she was completely healed with no more sickness in her body.

A second opportunity came several days later. Another woman had gone to the nearby stream and while bathing, the charms that normally hung around her neck to ward off evil spirits fell off and disappeared into the stream. She was very frightened and returned to her village. When D** saw her, she told him that those charms had been her source of protection from evil spirits and sickness, but without them, she was very much afraid.

D** explained that he had a different power that protected him from evil spirits. With this power, he had no need of charms because this power was greater than any charm. It was the power of Issa Almahsi. She invited him to pray that this great power of Issa Almahsi would protect her from evil. Since then, she has not had anything bad happen to her.

Photo by Necia Clare Erickson.

Mobilizing Cameroonian church-planters is essential to reaching the people of Cameroon which many Westerners have considered ‘unreachable.’ D** is just one of the twenty native church-planters who have boldly stepped out in faith to serve among such unreached people groups. Their work is critical. These ‘unreachable’ tribes have never heard of Jesus. They have no church, no witness amongst them, and no access to the message of the Gospel. Their culture remains deeply influenced by its own strong religious heritage, and they are resistant to outsiders and new ideas. Thanks to the Cameroonians being sent, that is changing. Because Cameroonians understands their culture, they can present Jesus to them in a way they can understand.

Though diverse in cultures and gifting, it is an honor to serve together to reach the unreached tribes. Pictured: Bruno, Florence, Sammy, Kelsey, Nemsefor. Photo by Necia Clare Erickson.

Meet the Team Leaders

Sammy Weber and his wife, Kelsey, grew up in West Africa as children of Bible translators. At a young age, Sammy began to plan to reach the remaining unreached people groups of Cameroon with the message of Jesus Christ. He realized that the most strategic way to do this was to assist mature African churches to identify, send, and help support those sent to share the gospel of Jesus.They are grateful to partner with a native Cameroonian, Bruno, who is passionate to see the good news of Jesus spread to those who have never heard. Their team desires to facilitate the training and sending of hundreds of Africans to plant churches among their unreached neighbors.

One Miraculous Church Service

Team Leaders Sammy and Bruno continue to visit churches to begin relationships with leaders and potentially find people who may also be called to become church-planters.They had prayed for one particular visit earlier this year asking God to prepare the congregation for their visit.They waited expectantly.

Photo by Necia Clare Erickson.

As the service wore on, Sammy and Bruno felt themselves growing more nervous. “How are we going to present ourselves when it comes time for our introduction?” Sammy wondered. “We didn’t want to sound presumptuous. We simply wanted to let the church know that we were available to work with them if they desired to join the work that God had asked us to do.”

When it came time to speak, Sammy eagerly explained that they were looking for ways to help churches plant new churches among the unreached tribes in this region of the world.

The congregation responded by breaking into spontaneous applause. Sammy and Bruno were literally stunned to learn that the church had been praying for months that, in the year 2012, God would open a way for them to be able to plant a new church in an unreached area. “It became clear that we were God’s answer to their prayer,” marveled Sammy.

This experience served as a powerful reminder that this team is not ‘doing Kingdom work’, but rather joining the work that God is already doing. “It really paints a more vivid picture than our goals and plans could ever do. It is a true privilege for us to be serving God in something so much greater than ourselves. We look forward to training and equipping many to be church planters. It’s with much joy that we see lives transformed in front of our eyes,” says Sammy.

“We praise God for how He has been opening doors to begin mobilizing the next wave of Cameroonian church-planters. We have faith that God will bring 100 new Cameroonians to mentor, train, and equip so that they can serve Him amongst five new people groups who remain unreached. We continue to boldly move forward so that potentially thousands of Cameroonians will be exposed to the Gospel,” proclaims Sammy.

Shawn Christopher joins International Teams to help build Community of Artists

ITeams — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:27:06 +0000

International Teams is pleased to welcome Shawn Christopher to the role of Community of Artists Coordinator of Musicians. “I couldn’t be more excited to have Shawn join our organization. She brings a contagious passion about how music can tell the story of International Teams and the oppressed people we serve,” states President and CEO Scott Olson. Scott’s dream of creating a Community of Artists (COA) and Shawn’s passion to mentor musicians provides a perfect synergy stepping into the future.

Shawn’s musical history can be traced back to Chicago in 1982 when she recorded a single for Larc Records. Career highlights include touring worldwide with Chaka Khan, being featured with Meli’sa Morgan, Vesta Williams and Gavin Christopher (Shawn’s brother) on recordings and live stage shows, winning WGN’s “Battle of the Bands,” achieving #1 Billboard status for the single, “Don’t Lose the Magic,” and seeing many other recordings climb the charts.

She readily admits that touring and success took a toll on her and her family. Before she chose to follow Christ, she begged Him to help her six-year-old troubled daughter. “If you are real, you will help her.” After ten years, Shawn witnessed a miraculous transformation in her daughter. It could only be because of her daughter’s new relationship with Jesus. Shawn saw it, wanted it, and chose to follow Christ. Being baptized in Chicago’s Lake Michigan was a powerful moment in her journey.

After she met Jesus, she did return to touring and unfortunately, returned to old destructive patterns of drug abuse. She was literally faced with the end of herself. God used this darkness and pain to once again bring her back to Himself. She hasn’t looked back. “I have miracles all around me,” states Shawn as she continues to see His hope and power in her life.

Shawn loves God’s work in the world. “I didn’t grow up in the church. The only way I know how to do God’s work is to sing. I love it. I want to offer a light in a dark place.” She loves what God is doing through ITeams because it’s a vivid picture of what God’s people can do together. She’s amazed that she gets to lean into her passion of using music for God while providing avenues for other artists to do the same. “God will give them something to say,” said Shawn, “and I know His message needs to get out there. I want to help bring it about.”

Shawn was a contributing artist to Songs for the Oppressed Vol. 1 with the song Changed by Aaron Niequist. “Her life echoes the lyrics that Aaron wrote. Her life has been changed to bring change, and we are so excited to see what God will do through her leadership in the Community of Artists,” said Scott Olson.

About International Teams
International Teams is a global, evangelical organization that brings people together to help the oppressed. We are committed to seeing lives and communities transformed by the power of God. ITeams USA works among the poor, the slave, and the blind to provide access to food, freedom, and forgiveness. Learn more about ITeams at www.iteams.us.

Contact
Jason Miller, Communications Director
International Teams USA / www.iteams.us
411 W. River Road, Elgin, IL 60123
847.429.0900 / communications@iteams.org

Jennifer Polanco joins International Teams as Member Care Coordinator

ITeams — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:13:51 +0000

We are pleased to announce that Jennifer Polanco has joined International Teams in the role of Member Care Coordinator. Jennifer loves how this organization values working in teams and forming long-term partnerships on behalf of the poor, the slave, and the blind. She sees God’s hand clearly in preparing her for and leading her to this new role.

Jennifer received a degree in Youth Ministry from Judson College and a Masters Degree in Counseling from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. For the past nine years, Jennifer and her husband, Josh, served as pastors with the Salvation Army on the south side of Chicago. She loved utilizing her counseling and teaching gifts in that multi-cultural environment.

After sensing that God had something new in store, Jennifer and Josh began a faith journey that eventually led them to Elgin. Josh is now the pastor of Elgin Community Church, and they have moved, along with their three young children, to the area. While they have completely redefined their lives, they are both getting to use their gifts and passions to make a difference. In their experience, God’s timing and path has been perfect. “Everything I love has come together in one job!” said Jennifer.

“The valuable experience Jennifer brings, coupled with an energetic spirit, make her a natural fit for the member care position. I’m thankful to have her filling this vital role in the Human Resources department and am confident she will be of great benefit to ITeams people around the world,” states HR Director Suzie Inglis.

Contact
Jason Miller, Communications Director
International Teams USA / www.iteams.us
411 W. River Road, Elgin, IL 60123
847.429.0900 / communications@iteams.org

Rachel Fabian joins International Teams

ITeams — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:09:12 +0000

Rachel Fabian has joined International Teams as a Mobilizer. She is quite excited to use her skills and gifts to be a part of what God is doing around the world. Rachel appreciates the focus of this organization to bring hope to the oppressed by serving the poor, the slave, and the blind.

During high school, Rachel experienced her first short term ministry opportunity in Venezuela. This glimpse into another culture sparked her love of diverse cultures and ethnicities. She realized that ‘God is the God of the whole world’ in a very vivid way.

Rachel majored in Christian Education and Ministry at Wheaton College and continued to expand her love of the world through other global ministry experiences. John 15:5’s message about abiding in Christ rather than depending upon her own strength became quite very real during this season. Although she has often wondered if God would call her to serve in another country, she is eager to encourage others to be part of the teams serving throughout the world. She realizes that is a way her passion to serve the oppressed can actually be multiplied through the work of others.

“We are excited to have Rachel joining the Mobilization team on a more permanent basis. Her thoughtful diligence, gentle demeanor and passion to help people find the right place to serve is an asset to our team!” says Amy Rozko.

Contact
Jason Miller, Communications Director
International Teams USA / www.iteams.us
411 W. River Road, Elgin, IL 60123
847.429.0900 / communications@iteams.org

Sarah Miller named US Area Leader for International Teams USA

ITeams — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:20:37 +0000

International Teams is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Miller to the US Area Leader role. She will serve in this role under the leadership of Anthony Jones, Vice President of Ministry Development. As US Area Leader, Sarah will oversee current ministry teams based in the US as well as identify new ministry opportunities in the US context.

Sarah has served full-time with International Teams for over twenty years in various capacities; as team member, team leader, refugee global team member, and most recently as team leader for the Minneapolis Refugee Ministry Team.

Miller says, “I’ve often been challenged and encouraged by the passion and dedication of our US-based teams, so I’m excited about the opportunity to work with them in helping the marginalized and oppressed in our country. Together we can bring hope, dignity and wholeness to victims of economic, physical and spiritual oppression.”

“I can’t tell you how excited I am to have Sarah serving in this new role. She is a gifted leader with a great track record in a variety of ministry environments around the world. She is going to be a tremendous blessing to our teams that serve in the US,” states Scott Olson, President/CEO of International Teams USA.

Contact
Jason Miller, Communications Director
International Teams USA / www.iteams.us
411 W. River Road, Elgin, IL 60123
847.429.0900 / communications@iteams.org