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Bluffton, IN F17    Fall 2017
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Welcome to the Bluffton Perspectives Class!
Sunday Evenings, August 27 - December 10, 2017
6:15 - 9:15 pm
Bluffton YMCA, 550 W Dustman Road, Bluffton, IN 46714



GO DEEPER & FIND YOUR PLACE IN HIS STORY.

Perspectives is a profound and transformational experience in your faith journey. Whether you feel the tug to go to the "ends of the earth" or are looking for ways to share your faith in the marketplace or in your local community, Perspectives will help connect you with transformational opportunities and inspire you to live intentionally for the Kingdom.

This course is for all believers who are looking for ways to actively share your faith and live out the Great Commission. This course is designed to help you discover your God-given talents and place in His story.


FOR 15 WEEKS, YOU'LL BE INSPIRED & CHALLENGED TO LIVE OUT YOUR FAITH IN RADICAL WAYS RIGHT WHERE GOD PLACES YOU.


Each week, you'll hear from a new instructor who will share incredible insights into ministry, personal experiences from decades on the mission field and relevant information on how to live out the Great Commission wherever God places you. 

The Perspectives material takes you through four vantage points focusing on:

1. The Biblical Foundation for World Missions.

2. The History of the Missions Movement.

3. Effective Ways to Work Across Cultures.

4. Strategic Ways to Plug into His Story and see the Great Commission completed.


BE REFRESHED IN YOUR FAITH. CONSIDER HOW YOUR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS CAN HELP BRING THE GOOD NEWS TO THE WORLD. JOIN US FOR AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY THIS FALL.




WE ARE OFFERING FREE BABYSITTING! 


It is our goal to make this accessible for young families - and we hope you'll take advantage of free babysitting at the YMCA. Children should be pre-registered for the class so we can accommodate for the number of children. Please email for details and to let us know how many children (names and ages) will be attending. 




ENROLLMENT OPTIONS


Certificate Level: This level is recommended for those who seek to gain a deeper understanding of the topics. You will have weekly homework assignments, five "Personal Reflections", and one research project due at the end of the course. This level requires about 4 hours of work per week. We highly recommend this level to get the most out of the class.

Key Reading Level: This level requires about 1 to 2 hours of reading per week with no written homework. There are five "Personal Reflections" assigned during the course which would require approximately an hour each to complete. Don't be intimidated by the reading. You'll still get a tremendous benefit from the class at the key reading level!

Credit Level: Perspectives is offered for college credits! You'll receive a more in-depth study with 3 semester credit hours at specific universities. More information and the Course Syllabus are available upon request.



COSTS


Prices for the course vary depending on the level at which you choose to take the course. The levels and prices are as follows:


$275 Key Reading (Audit) Level

$275 Certificate Level

$550 Undergrad or Graduate Credit


Alumni 

$30 Key Reading Level

$50 Certificate




DISCOUNTS


$25 Early Bird Discount! – Enroll before August 1st and receive a discount!

Family Member Discount: Spouses or family members can get a discount for the second book if you are planning on sharing a book at home. Please discount one family member and we'll only order you one book to share! $30 off.

Alumni Pricing: We welcome all alumni to come and experience Perspectives again! See minimal fees above.

First Night Free: If you are curious about Perspectives, join us August 27 to learn more about the class! 



 

Still have questions? Browse the Perspectives website or contact Nick and Amber Steffen,

Class Info

Date: Sunday, August 27, 2017

Time: 6:10 PM to 9:15 PM

Location: Caylor-Nickel Foundation Family YMCA 550 W Dustman Road Bluffton IN 46714

Contact: Amber Steffen

(260) 827-8942

 
    • Registration & Orientation

      Registration & Orientation

    • Instructor

      Luke Kuepfer

      The Truth Made Simple, Prospect Heights IL

      Luke Kuepfer is a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and co-author of Becoming a Leader Worth Following. Having founded and directed a non-profit in Southeast Asia, he now serves as president of the Reverb Network, a non-profit organization committed to growing missional leaders and starting serving leadership movements around the globe. Primarily focused on the business world in North America, Luke facilitates workshops on Serving Leadership, The Art of Listening, Employee Engagement, Teamwork, and Winning at Customer Service. He has a Master's degree in Leadership and has taught a class on Foundations of Management and Leadership at Colorado Christian University. As a leadership developer and life coach, Luke helps business and non-profit leaders understand how to maximize their God-given potential to lead and serve others. His newest venture in the experience economy integrates leadership development with high-mountain trekking adventures. You will find Luke online at LukeKuepfer.com, thetruthmadesimple.org, and ReverbNetwork.org.


    • Date: Sunday, August 27, 2017

      Time: 6:10 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 2

      The Story of His Glory

      Exploring God's purpose for Himself: How God has been steadily unfolding a plan throughout all nations and generations to bring about His greater glory, ultimately drawing to Himself the worship of all the peoples. Passion and prayer for God's glory.

    • Instructor

      Luke Kuepfer

      The Truth Made Simple, Prospect Heights IL

      Luke Kuepfer is a keynote speaker, workshop leader, and co-author of Becoming a Leader Worth Following. Having founded and directed a non-profit in Southeast Asia, he now serves as president of the Reverb Network, a non-profit organization committed to growing missional leaders and starting serving leadership movements around the globe. Primarily focused on the business world in North America, Luke facilitates workshops on Serving Leadership, The Art of Listening, Employee Engagement, Teamwork, and Winning at Customer Service. He has a Master's degree in Leadership and has taught a class on Foundations of Management and Leadership at Colorado Christian University. As a leadership developer and life coach, Luke helps business and non-profit leaders understand how to maximize their God-given potential to lead and serve others. His newest venture in the experience economy integrates leadership development with high-mountain trekking adventures. You will find Luke online at LukeKuepfer.com, thetruthmadesimple.org, and ReverbNetwork.org.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, August 27, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 1

      The Living God is a Missionary God

      God's purpose is three-fold: against evil—kingdom victory; for the nations—redemption and blessing; and for God—global glory in worship. God's purpose revealed in promise to Abraham. Exploring God's purpose for the nations: Blessing to the nations described.

    • Instructor

      Mike Dworak

      Hope Dental Clinic , Woodbury MN

      I am a seasoned missional communicator having worked with several organizations involved in global work. A few highlights have been; creating and launching the latest Operation World website and prayer movement, directing media mission trips to Africa, heading up the artists program for Compassion International and now working with e3 Partners reaching Muslims and Jews in the Middle East.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, September 10, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 3

      Your Kingdom Come

      Exploring God's purpose regarding evil: How God has accomplished a defeat of evil powers in order to open a season of history in which the nations can freely follow Christ. The kingdom of God as the destiny of all history. Christ's mission seeks a hindering of evil to bring about a sign of the coming peace of the kingdom of God. Our prayers contend with evil in order to bring about the transformation of society with Christ's kingdom in view.

    • Instructor

      Rick Hudson

      Fellowship International Mission, Westfield IN

      Rick and Carol Hudson have a passion for serving the Lord in missions. They have spent their entire professional lives as missionaries. For 23 years, they served as church planters in Mexico; then in 2007, they transitioned to missions leadership roles. Currently, they serve with Fellowship International Mission. In Rick's present role he serves as a spokesperson for the cause of missions; as a consultant for churches, mission committees, and individuals; as a developer/coach of future missionary personnel; and as a trainer for those embarking on mission service.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, September 17, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 4

      Mandate for the Nations

      Jesus shows great strategic interest in Gentiles; wise strategic focus by initiating a global mission on a few disciples among the Hebrew people. The Great Commission and the ways of God's sending in relational power. Dealing with the ideas of pluralism (all religions the same) and universalism (all persons saved).

    • Instructor

      Wayne De Wet

      One Plus God Ministries, Marion OH

      Wayne de Wet and his family had the privilege to grow up in the lovely, and very diverse South Africa. Wayne had learned since childhood how to put his trust in God no matter what, and how precious time is to make a difference to God’s glory! Over the years Wayne gained a global perspective, through his studies and missions involvement in several African countries, Haiti, Jamaica, Papua Indonesia, Thailand and the Karen State of Myanmar. He does not only have a burning passion for God’s Word, but also a broken heart for the lost, that inspired him to start One Plus God Ministries in 2013 to continuously pursue mission mobilization.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, September 24, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 5

      Unleashing the Gospel

      The first followers of Jesus: obedient in costly, foundational ways. The climactic act of the book of Acts is the freeing of the gospel to be followed by Gentiles without Jewish traditions as a requirement. A foundational act of God which speaks to the situations where the gospel is hindered today. Strategic suffering and apostolic passion.

    • Instructor

      Levi Hazen

      Life in Messiah, International, Lynwood IL

      Levi Hazen serves as the Executive Director for Life in Messiah, International. He is a 2004 graduate of Taylor University where he received a B.A. in Christian Education Ministry. After six years in business and several trips to Israel, Levi went back to school in 2011 and received a certificate in Jewish Studies from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. In 2016, Levi completed an M.A in Biblical and Theological Studies at Moody Theological Seminary. Levi and Stephanie have one son, Salem, and reside in the Chicago area. Levi co-hosts a weekly podcast called TOV. TOV is the Hebrew word for "good". The podcast is for people who enjoy studying the Bible (www.tovpodcast.com.)

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, October 1, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 6

      The Expansion of the Christian Movement

      The story of God's purpose continues relentlessly from Abraham's day until the present moment. An overview of the largest and the longest-running movement ever in history—the world Christian movement. How the gospel surged through the peoples and places of the world. Important insights for our own day.

    • Instructor

      Luke Fetters

      Huntington University, Huntington IN

      Luke Fetters is the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of the Faculty at Huntington University. Previously, he served as professor of Ministry & Missions and founder/director of Huntington University's Institute for TESOL Studies. Luke served in Macau from 1986 until 1997 as the director of the English Language Program, a conversational English program for adults in Macau. While in Macau, he helped to establish the United Brethren Mission and plant two local churches. For nearly 30 years, Luke has consulted on English teaching methodology for numerous school districts and universities in China.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, October 8, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 7

      Eras of Mission History

      The greatest explosion of growth ever has taken place in last 200 years in three "bursts" of activity. Why we could be in the final era of missions. The global harvest force comprised increasingly of non-Western missionaries.

    • Instructor

      Barbara Yandell

      Hope for the Nations, Round Rock TX

      President Hope for the Nations, director of Engage Course and teacher at Horizons International, ordained minister and board member of the Alliance of Reformed Churches, Interserve USA, founder of Legacy Muslim Ministry conference.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, October 15, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM

    • Lesson 8

      Pioneers of the World Christian Movement

      Today we anchor the race by continuing what others have begun. It's a day of finishing. All the more reason to learn the wisdom and the heart of ordinary people who did extraordinary things in earlier generations. Reading the writings of William Carey and other leaders to discern what these people have left to us. Exploring the contribution of women in missions throughout the centuries.

    • Instructor

      Barbara Yandell

      Hope for the Nations, Round Rock TX

      President Hope for the Nations, director of Engage Course and teacher at Horizons International, ordained minister and board member of the Alliance of Reformed Churches, Interserve USA, founder of Legacy Muslim Ministry conference.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, October 15, 2017

      Time: 8:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 9

      The Task Remaining

      God's pressed His purpose forward until the present hour of amazing opportunity. Understanding the concept of "unreached peoples" to assess the remaining task. Recognizing the imbalance of mission resources shapes strategic priorities. The basic minimal missiological achievement in every people group opens the way for working with God against every kind of evil so that the gospel of the kingdom is declared and displayed with clarity and power. The need and opportunity of urban mission.

    • Instructor

      Eldon

      Refugee assistance, Fort Wayne IN

      Youth With A Mission is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM (pronounced "WYE-wam"), their calling is to know God and to make Him known. When they began in 1960, their main focus was to get youth into short-term mission work and to give them opportunities to reach out in Jesus' name. Today, they still focus on youth, and they also involve people of almost every age (even many people who choose to spend their "retirement" in active service). Their many ministries fit into three main categories: evangelism, training and mercy ministry. They are currently operating in more than 1000 locations in over 149 countries, with a staff of nearly 16,000. Eldon has spent 8 years in Uzbekistan and is currently working with Somali and Burmese refugees in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, October 22, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 10

      How Shall They Hear?

      Culture and intercultural communication of the gospel. Communicating the gospel with relevance at the worldview level helps avoid syncretism (blending of cultural error with God?s truth) and also enables powerful movements of the gospel. Sensitive missionaries will look for ways that God has preserved or prepared people to hear the gospel, often finding redemptive analogies for God's truth.

    • Instructor

      Darrell Whiteman

      Asbury Theological Seminary 1984-2005; The Mission Society 2005-2014; Interim Executive Director, Overseas Ministries Study Center 2015-2016; Global Development 2017-present; , Gig Harbor WA

      Darrell Whiteman is a missiological anthropologist now semi-retired but continues to teach and train cross-cultural workers around the globe. He retired as VP and Resident Missiologist at The Mission Society, now TMS-Global. Darrell served in cross-cultural ministry for nine years in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Central Africa, then was one of the founding professors of Asbury Theological Seminary's School of World Mission and Evangelism, where he taught for 21 years and served as dean in the later years. He’s given leadership to many professional missiological societies researching the intersection of cultures and biblical values. Darrell annually equips hundreds of cross-cultural witnesses to understand God's mission around the globe and to help them to better connect the gospel to the deepest part of their worldview.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, October 29, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 11

      Building Bridges of Love

      The incarnation as a model of missionary humility. How missionaries can enter appropriate roles in order to form relationships of trust and respect to develop a sense of belonging, and thus to communicate with credibility for understanding. Explore the intricacy of identification in another culture. Explore the even greater complexity of presenting identity with integrity in a globalized, terrorized, pluralized world. Recognizing the dynamics of social structure in order to initiate growing movements of ongoing communication throughout the society.

    • Instructor

      Richard Mendola

      International Friendships, Upper Arlington OH

      Rich was born in Buffalo, NY, the grandson of immigrants from Italy who settled in Western, NY. His mother and father were both raised in the Italian section of the city. Although he was raised in a religious family who attended church, he did not personally know Christ until he was 17 years old. Prior to that, the death of his father at age 13 triggered a search for meaning and truth. This eventually led to studying the Bible, where he discovered that the true purpose of life was to worship and serve God. Through reading the New Testament he learned that Jesus Christ made it possible to come to God because of His sacrificial death for sins. Immediately upon coming to know Jesus, Rich had the strong desire to let others know the good news. Rich attended Colgate University in New York State where he majored in Biology and minored in Education and Philosophy and Religion. After his graduation, he had the first opportunity to pastor and was called to serve a rural congregation . At the same time he served on the Dean’s staff at Colgate University as the Director of Housing. In addition, he studied for a Master’s degree in counseling. In 1979 Rich and Janet attended.the Urbana Mission Conference. There Rich sensed a call to full time cross-cultural ministry. In 1980 he began to work full-time with international students in Buffalo, NY. At the same time, Janet attended medical school at SUNY Buffalo. In 1987 they moved to Athens, Ohio to open a new ministry to international students while Janet fulfilled her obligation to the National Health Service Corp – a program placing physicians in shortage areas. In 1991, Rich and Janet moved to Columbus, Ohio to work with International Friendships. Since 1998 he has served as the Executive Director. He also leads Bible studies and does 1-1 discipleship with students. He has written several Bible studies for internationals. He has served as the Chairperson for the Association of Christians Ministering to Internationals. Rich has also helped to plant two churches. He currently serves as lead pastor for All Nations Christian Fellowship. During Rich’s 29 years of service among internationals hundreds have come to know Jesus and many have returned as effective witnesses of Jesus among their own people. The kingdom of God is advancing among Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and atheists because of the ministry to internationals. Jesus can share many wonderful and dramatic stories of God’s work among internationals. Rich is a regular speaker at missions conferences, evangelistic outreaches, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement and is a lecturer at Vineyard Leadership Institute. Rich and Janet have 6 children: Grace, Danielle, Hope, Philip, Melody, and Paul. Rich’s interests are: Evangelism, Discipleship, trips, chess, and hats. Rich’s spiritual gifts are leadership, exhortation, and evangelism.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, November 5, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 12

      Christian Community Development

      A survey of world need. Dynamic balance of evangelism and social action. Hope for significant transformation as a sign of Christ's Lordship by Christian community development. Exploring the charge that missionaries destroy instead of serve cultures. Healing the wounds of the world between the peoples.

    • Instructor

      Johnson Sung

      Berne IN



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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, November 12, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 13

      The Spontaneous Multiplication of Churches

      Look beyond institutional features of churches to understand churches as dynamic movements of Christ Himself being followed. Such a view of churches as organic, living things opens up the practicality of seeing them multiply rapidly as movements and also flourish in society bearing the fruit of social transformation. Churches as counter-communities, acting as salt and light, bringing change to their cultures. How movements multiply by connecting with entire families and larger social structures.

    • Instructor

      Stan Yoder

      World Partners, Maquoketa IA

      Stan and his wife, Valli, served full-time with World Partners since 1978. Valli passed away in November 2021 after a long battle with M.S. Their experience includes 10 years of church planting and curative medical work in Sierra Leone, West Africa among the Yalunka People; 3 years at the US Center as Administrative Director for the Adopt-a-People Clearinghouse; 3 years mobilizing churches to adopt unreached people groups; 2 years training students at Bethel College, Mishawaka, IN; 4 years coaching workers in Africa and the Middle East; and 16 years reaching out to Middle Wast refugees in Kansas City, Missouri. They moved to Maquoketa, Iowa in October 2018 and will begin a new ministry to Middle East students. Stan will continue to serve with World Partners as a traveling evangelist among Muslims and instructor for Perspectives.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, November 19, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 14

      Pioneer Church Planting

      The hope of planting churches among unreached peoples. How the breakthrough of the gospel in an unreached people requires that the gospel be "de-Westernized". The difference of contextualizing the message, the messenger and the movement. Distinguish and appreciate people movements, church planting movements and insider movements.

    • Instructor

      Anil Yesudas

      GYAN RATNA MANDIR, Chicago IL



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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, November 26, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Lesson 15

      World Christian Discipleship

      What it means to integrate life for Christ's global purpose as a "'World Christian". Into the great story for His glory: a Person-driven life as a way of. pursuing a purpose-driven life. The basic practices of world Christians: going, sending, welcoming and mobilizing. The essential disciplines of World Christian discipleship: community, giving, praying and learning. Simplifying your lifestyle as if in "war-time". Exploring the practical ways of pursuing God's purpose. Business and mission. Short-term mission. Welcoming international visitors. Wisdom in working with local churches and in partnership with Christians in different parts of the world.

    • Instructor

      Joseph Shane Bennett

      Healing Nations , Rye CO

      Shane helps Christians love Muslims and Muslims love Jesus. He has served in missions mobilization since 1987, recruiting, training, and sending short term research teams. He's been on teams in Bangkok, Bombay, and Turkey and he's lived among Muslim migrants in Europe. Shane writes a weekly email called Muslim Connect that helps Christians think about Muslims the way God does and love them like Jesus does. He works with Healing Nations and he and his family live in southern Colorado.

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    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, December 3, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

    • Celebration

      Celebration

    • Instructor

    • Class Info

      Date: Sunday, December 10, 2017

      Time: 6:15 PM to 9:15 PM

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