TCExcitement!

We are always happy to hear about exciting things happening in TCE courses. Over the years we've heard about TCE students leading their own kids to the Lord while practicing their Wordless Book. We have even occasionally heard of TCE students themselves coming to faith in Christ as a result of attending the course. When you look at a new group of TCE students, do you ever wonder what God will do with and through them?

Recently, Carol Horn in Upper Michigan signed into our guestbook (see sidebar), sharing the exciting potential of her latest TCE class. In case you didn't see it, here's what Carol had to say:

"We are in a tremendous TCE level one with 10 super students. These include 3 teenagers, 1 dad (who wants to teach the Word to his 6 year old twins), 2 pastor's wives, a S.S. Superintendent, a grandma and some moms! Pray for this group to catch the fire of GNC ministry. 3 of them are helping me in my own GNC in Manistique! Praise God!"

Way to go, Carol! We are looking forward to hearing what God does with this great group of students! Send us a picture and we'll post it right here in the Cafe.

Okay IOTs--so what's happening in your TCE courses? How about sharing what God is doing in your neck of the woods. You can leave a comment at the end of this post or drop us an email at Cheryl.Oetting@cefonline.com. Send us a picture and we'll be glad to post it so the rest of our IOT family can enjoy your success.

Let's uphold Carol's course in prayer, and let's keep encouraging one another in this very important ministry of multiplication.

Reaching the Millennial Generation

What is your generational label? We all know (and some of us are charter members) of the boomers. Then there are the busters, generation x, and now the "millennial generation" (aka the "mosaics"). Gets a little confusing, doesn't it? Anyway, the millennial generation, born on or after 1982, were talked about long before they arrived. Many were predicting what this generation would be like. Turns out, they were wrong!

Dr. James Emery White, Christian thinker, writer and president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, has written an interesting article called, Millennials Rising? In it he discusses what people thought would characterize this present generation--and what the reality is. You can read his article on his Web site at, www.serioustimes.com. You may want to bookmark that site as it often contains interesting and thought-provoking information. Also, you may want to check out Dr. White's book, Serious Times, for your library.

The article mentioned above would be helpful for you to have on file. It might be useful in teaching classes in TCE Level 1 such as Importance of Conversion or Importance of Reaching the Child in the Neighborhood. In Level 2, it might be useful in the class on Basic Needs of the Child. It might also provide illustrative material if you do training seminars on today's child or children in crisis.

As instructors of teachers, we need to be aware of current trends in the way children think and behave. It doesn't change our message, but it may have a bearing on our methods as we gain a clearer understanding of those we are trying to reach with the Gospel.

If you have suggestions of other good resources concerning this generation, share it with us in the comment section of this post. Let's help each other stay current!

A New Year--New Changes

Do changes make you feel disgruntled? As we go into a new year we always wonder what new changes will occur in our personal lives and in our work. Some of us do not like changes, some welcome them as challenges. Changes can be positive and exciting if you let them.

We have made a few new procedural changes in the department of education. There is a change for registering TCE courses. We have a new form—TCE Course Registration. There is one for both Levels 1 and 2. This form is to be filled out at least one week prior to the start of your TCE course and sent to the department of education either by email, fax or U.S. mail. A second change is that along with the Course Registration Form you will need to send your TCE Course Schedule.

Where do you get the Course Registration Forms? We have already emailed the form to a few people we knew were getting ready to hold a TCE Course. So you may have already received one from Cheryl Oetting or from someone in your state whom Cheryl has sent one to. If you have not received one, then email or call Cheryl and let her know that you need one. Her email address is Cheryl.Oetting@cefonline.com and the phone number is 636-456-4321 ext. 291. She can email the form to you and you can then save it to your computer. You will be able to fill out the form on your computer and email it back to her as an attachment when you have a course to register. Or you can print it out and fax it or mail it.

Then right after your course has begun, be sure to mail in the Student Registration Forms as you have always done.

What changes have there been in your life in the past year or two? Have you had a change of address, phone number or email address? Or maybe you have had a name change. What ever the change may be we need to know about it to keep our records up to date. Let Cheryl know of any of these changes.

As you know we renew the IOT credentials every three years. And yes, believe it or not, this is the year for renewal. We usually wait until summer to reissue everyone's at the same time. As you can imagine that is a huge job. So this year we plan to start early and do a few every week, hoping to have it all done by summer—another new change. This is a good reason to make sure Cheryl knows your present mailing address.

Education is a dynamic ministry. There are always changes and updates necessary to stay relevant. We appreciate your willingness to help us with these changes.