507 people have gone out on STEM (Short-Term Evangelical Missions) 
teams this year and we have begun recruiting teams for next year. Just as important as that is all the follow-up that occurs with team members, leaders, and host receivers. It’s an ongoing process and we ask for your prayers for leadership training and growth as well as for effective debriefing.
STEM hosted six teams that did urban ministry in the Twin Cities this summer. Participants came from as nearby as Wisconsin and Iowa and as far away as Washington state. Some went out on the streets and into city parks to share the love of Jesus. All teams took part in “mercy ministries” such as helping with a community food shelf, serving meals at a Gospel mission and teaching English to immigrants. One team hosted a VBS for children of international students at the U of M. While the teens put on the program, the adults on the team got to know the parents and had some great conversations about the Gospel. STEM’s partner ministry wrote to the team afterwards, saying “The children LOVED climbing over and playing with the student leaders. Your maturity and commitment exceeded expectations-you gave it your all to serve and share Christ’s love with the children AND parents. Perhaps we could convince you to come back next year?” Our teams work hard to prepare for their mission trips, whether overseas or here in the US. We love to get this kind of positive feedback!
MP3s Now Available
You can now listen to Bethany’s first president, Pastor T. A. Hegre, via podcast at the Bethany International ITunes page. He and other former conference speakers will be highlighted there. One or two podcasts will be posted each week.
You will need ITunes installed on your computer via a web download that you can find here in order to listen to the messages via ITunes.
As well, these messages will soon be available on the BI site in MP3 format for easy download to your computer and MP3 player (for those who don’t use ITunes).
