Group Leader Packets available now.

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 12:27:45 -0500

On March 31, all churches registered to come to camp this summer received a separate email giving them a link to their camp information. If you did not receive yours, or are having trouble downloading the packet, please contact our office via email at info@passportcamps.org <x-msg://117/info@passportcamps.org> Subject: GLP inquiry.

Devotional site hosts one million visitors in 2010

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 12:25:17 -0500

For over an hour every morning, computers in the Passport office send out 10,000 requested daily reminders to d365 readers. Originally written for youth and young adults, this devotional site audience now spans all ages and every time. “Perhaps this speaks to a fundamental need for daily nourishment we all have,” says Daniel Ingram producer and administrator of ad-free website, “or perhaps it is because we are all students, continually shaped by scripture, and conversation with God.”

d365 began as an immediate devotional response to the attacks on September 11, 2001. “The world changed in an instant and everything that was in print had been written in a world where the Twin Towers had not fallen.” remembers Burroughs, who launched the site in collaboration with web-designer Tim Pennington-Russell and editor Nick Foster. “In an instant almost everything written for students suddenly wrestling with the theology of burning sky scrapers, felt dated.”

Now, almost ten years later, the intentional effort to remain current continues to define the web resource. Most recently, when the reports of the devastating earthquake in Haiti were rolling in, Ingram worked immediately to revise the devotional content. Michelle Thomas-Bush, Associate Pastor for Youth and their families at Myers Park Presbyterian and the writer for that season, immediately retooled the content for coming days. “I’m a minister of the Gospel. Words matter.” Simultaneously, Dove award-winning composer and performing artist, Ken Medema, literally created a new musical arrangement for the series overnight.

“In a world where the news and images of catastrophic tragedies are unavoidable our youth and their congregations now grieve, respond and heal together on a global scale.” says Burroughs. “d365 site has the ability to immediately respond hoping to offer a thoughtful context for individual and corporate prayer. “

And d365’s global impact continues to grow. A few months ago Ingram was contacted by an IT professional working at a Christian seminary in Mongolia. This man regularly participates in d365 and wanted to make this devotional resource available to young Mongolian Christians. Seminary faculty and staff will soon be translating d365 devotions into Mongolian!

d365 readership has grown well past the thousands of campers who attend Passport in the summer. In 2010, d365 will host well over 1 million vistors.

D365 is free online resource, is a ministry of Passport made possible by gifts from individuals and congregations, as well as grants from the Presbyterian Church (USA), The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and The Episcopal Church.

If you are interested in supporting this ministry as a writer a musician, or through a financial gift please contact us at editor@d365.org.

Watering Malawi forms Advisory Council

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 12:23:11 -0500

At the direction of the Passport Board of Directors, Watering Malawi has formed and Advisory Council. Chosen to represent the interests of students in the U.S. as well as the strategic success of the on-going water projects in Malawi, the council is made up of an extremely diverse and qualified group of people.
 At the top of the list of those who have agreed to serve as advisors is Her Excellency Hawa Ndilowe, Ambassador to the United States for Malawi. “Understanding the vision the government has for her people is a critically valuable perspective.” says Watering Malawi founder Colleen Burroughs. “Ambassador Ndilowe’s willingness to advise us means that we will work in harmony with the larger goals the government has set as priorities for Malawi.”

Also serving are:
 Dr. Ambassador Ndilowe
Dr. Barbara McClure Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, Vanderbilt Divinity, Nashville, TN
Bambo Bernard Alifeyo Pastor and Chaplain, Kasungu, Malawi
Bambo Peter Chisi Businessman, Salima, Malawi
Mr. Paul Koning Former missionary to East Africa, Writer and Editor, Raliegh, NC
Mr. Don Durham Development Advisor, Atlanta, GA
Ms. Maren Helfrich U.S.student representative Fredericksburg, VA
Mr. Brian Ablel U.S. Student Minister representative Beaumont, TX
Ms. Sara Hunt U.S. college student representative Tampa, FL

The council has been named to in order offer guidance and accountability to an effort that continues to gain momentum and receive a significant stream of offerings for water projects in Malawi.

There was no way of knowing in 2005 if or for how long Watering Malawi would actually be able to provide access to clean water. But students – now children through college age – have created a grassroots response that has spread into congregations and onto campuses. “It has a life of its own and the Passport wants to make sure we are nurturing it carefully and investing these precious, life-giving, offerings wisely.” explains Burroughs. “It is not just about being able to account for the money given by the students but about our placing it in the hands of the key partners in Malawi to accomplish what Malawians have determined is the priority for themselves.”

Even as Watering Malawi continues to dig wells, and fish ponds and put bathrooms in schools, Passport is planning its’ first trip for U.S. students to travel to Malawi in 2011. In a discussion with the Ambassador about making this a valuable cross-cultural experience for all the students involved, she was clear in expressing that whatever it is we do together it must include the gospel message. That, of course, is great advice.

Leadership training begins in April

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 12:19:29 -0500

With the Fall interviews a distance memory and, after hours of prayerful consideration in the Passport office in January, the summer teams were completely staffed by mid-February. Final touches on the program wrap up in March and the program directors arrive in April. A program director is anyone who will oversee a specific area of camp during the summer: Directors, Assistant Directors, Pastors, Worship Leaders, Missions and Choice Coordinators.

For four long days in April these college and seminary leaders are trained in every aspect of overseeing their program area, as well as the leading of a diverse team, theme development, crisis management and creative problem solving. Knowing what to do when the unexpected happens is as or more critical to a successful week of camp as doing your job well.

All the training in April is preparation for a ten day full-team training week just prior to camp. Working on a summer team is a serious commitment of time and energy. These students, many called to be ministers, social workers and teachers, are spending concentrated weeks and days listening to experienced leaders, practicing their communication skills, learning to work on a team, risking the responsibility of administrating and preparing their hearts for long days of service. They are not just getting ready for camp. They are catapulting themselves to be light years ahead of the experience curve vocational careers of ministry. Just last year, more than 13 of our former staffers were ordained and placed in congregational settings. Please pray for our camp leaders this summer. They just may well be leading your congregation a few years from now.

A thank you note from India

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 12:16:52 -0500

Dear Passport,

Words are NOT enough to express my gratitude and deepest appreciation for your most generous gift for $10,000.00 toward “Sewing Center Training Project” in India. Believe me or not, this is the biggest and highest gift that I have ever received from any church, organization or individual for that matter. I just learned about it today and I wanted to acknowledge it with grateful heart. Because of your sacrificial giving many needy people are being reached and touched by the love of our loving and living God, Jesus Christ, especially individuals such as…widows, teenage girls, orphans, evangelists and church planters in India. Furthermore, because of your unconditional contributions and gifts, several self-sustaining projects, programs and training centers are now in place to help the needy to encourage them through a vocational skill that would help them to stand on their own feet and to take care of their families with dignity and respect. This training and skill makes them feel that they are something and above all, they are loved and cared for! That’s truly something they never had before and never even thought that they could ever reach that stage in their lifetime. Your gifts are making such a significant difference in their lives and in the community. Above all, your gifts are changing lives…economically, socially, physically and spiritually. I want to thank you for continued encouragement, prayer and also your financial support for our on-going ministry in India. Without any questions asked, God has been multiplying your gifts in ways and things that I cannot imagine to tell you.

… may the good Lord richly bless you and all your endeavors.

Because of Jesus Christ,

Samuel N. Bandela