June 2024
Relationally Connected For Global Impact
We want to hear from you! Do you have an uplifting story, a prayer request, a praise report, something you’d like to share? Submit it here.
A Letter From The Chairman
Greetings Pastors and Leaders,
EFI continues to have a significant impact on nations. When I say EFI, I mean each of you. It is your individual faith and actions that make things happen. EFI is here to serve by occasionally supplementing projects and always cheering you on. You are EFI. You are making a difference in so many lives. I admire the faith and vision that many of our leaders embody—it's inspiring to me and others.
God bless you, pastors and leaders. Continue to hear God’s voice and respond as you have for the last 40 years. We stand with you and celebrate the victories alongside you.
With love,
Phillip
REGISTER NOW
We are heading to the mountains for our annual Leverage Conference this year. We will be meeting and staying at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC. The theme for the conference is Building Bridges and the faculty will be bringing their experience and insight into how to build the bridges we are all called to build. You don't want to miss this opportunity.
We offering a new event this, a kick-off reception that will begin at 3:30 on Monday, 10/21 in the lobby of Mountain Laurel. There will be light refreshments but heavy conversations. So you can come check-in and enjoy the first of many fellowship times at this conference.
We've secured a block of 60 rooms for our upcoming gathering in Ridgecrest. However, they're going fast – nearly half are already booked. To ensure you have a spot, please make your reservations soon. Right now there are still more rooms available, but the mountains are a very popular time of the year for people to go to the mountains, so rooms may become scarce as we get closer to our time together.
IMPORTANT: We are hoping to offer childcare this year if we can get the volunteers needed. So if you are willing to take a session during the conference to help, please email Debbie at: admin@efiglobal.org to let her know you're coming and willing to help by July 15th.
We want to make sure your experience at the EFI Conference goes smoothly! Remember, while registering with EFI is a great first step, it's essential to also reserve your accommodations separately with Ridgecrest. Simply give them a call at 800-588-7222, and let them know you're attending the EFI Conference. They'll take care of the rest!
Rod Reid Travels to Cuba
EFI Board member, Rod Reid, teamed up with Russell Black of Latin Impact Ministries to take a group from his church to Cuba. They traveled to various pastors' homes to encourage and pray for them while providing certain food items and medicine. The group held a two-day leaders' conference where more than 31 pastoral leaders came together to worship and be encouraged in the Word. Please be in prayer for Cuba, as they are in critical condition regarding healthcare and basic personal care items. But be encouraged, because God is doing an amazing work in the hearts of the people, and the Gospel is flourishing.
Recent News
Celebrating 40 years of Victory Christian Fellowship
Congratulations to Pastors Rod and Char Reid and their congregation for reaching this remarkable milestone. Over the past four decades, Victory Christian Fellowship has been a pillar of faith and love in the community
Pastors Rod and Char Reid have shown exceptional dedication and leadership, fostering a strong and vibrant church family. Their unwavering commitment to serving God and the community has made a profound impact.
Here's to many more years of faith, fellowship, and service. Congratulations once again to Pastors Rod and Char Reid and the entire church family!
Watch the message from their anniversary down below!
A Message From Image Church
We are excited to share our ministry plans for Nicaragua this July. We will be undertaking several important projects to support local churches and communities.
In El Viejo, at Iglesia Comunidad Villa Dolores, led by Pastor Noel Mendoza, we will be building walls and wiring lights. Additionally, we will conduct Vacation Bible School at Pastor Gregorio's church in the same area.
Our mission will then move to Esteli, where we will construct restrooms at Iglesia Vuelo de Aguila and organize VBS there as well as at Pastor Gonzalo's church.
We invite any EFI churches interested in supporting this mission to contact us. Over the past five years, we have witnessed tremendous growth in these ministries and are eager to contribute to their continued expansion, furthering the Kingdom of God.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Phillip and Lynn Miles Celebrate Their 50th Anniversary!
We are pleased to congratulate EFI Chairman Phillip Miles and his wife Lynn on their 50th wedding anniversary!
This milestone is a wonderful testament to their love and dedication. Throughout the years, Phillip and Lynn have been a source of inspiration to the entire EFI family and beyond.
Please join us in celebrating this special occasion and wishing them many more years of happiness together.
Reed Cater: A New Chapter of Life
FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I wanted to say a couple of things about Reed Cater before he departs. Reed has been with EFI for almost 3 years. As a faith-based organization, we hope to have an impact on everyone with whom we have contact. Thankfully that would include those on our staff and others who experience us in our everyday lives.
We have had the experience of seeing real growth in Reed in his walk with the Lord. He came to us a believer. We soon found out he was also a seeker of more in his relationship with God. God has not disappointed him nor us. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with someone whose calm, steady demeanor was evident every day. Since coming to EFI, he has gone from a single man to a husband, to a father, to a man struggling with an injury that was unexpected. In all these situations, we have seen him lean into Jesus more and more.
While Reed’s time with us has been relatively short, he has helped to take our socialpresence on the web to a different level with many more people connecting with us andwatching us on almost every social media avenue. He has presented us with 2 greatopening videos for our conferences and he’s been the editor of all things video that we do. His ability to do all of this came from the understanding that we are an organization with a heart to reach the world and he’s given us his all to help us do that. Reed is now reaching with both hands into the next season of his life. He will be teaching high school students the art of business. His hope is to be a positive influence for Jesus with them and by God’s grace, he will stand out as a teacher who has a real relationship with God.
We pray that Reed will continue to be a blessing wherever he goes and whatever he does. We are believing God that every dream in his heart to reach the next generation will be blessed and God’s favor will go before him. We will miss you, Reed but we know the work God has done in you here is the first of many adventures He has for you. Stay true to the calling of God in your life.
Thank You EFI
EFI Family,
It is not easy for me to write this, but I am doing so to inform you all that I will be leaving EFI in early July to take another job to which I feel God is calling me. While I look forward to a new journey, I also look back and see all the amazing, loving, God-fearing people I’ve met here at EFI. I want you all to know that every single one of you has made a huge difference in my life. You’ve given me the best gift you can give someone: spirit-filled, loving relationships that helped me grow closer to the Lord—something I’ll never forget. EFI has changed me for the better. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without this place.
However, just because my tenure at EFI is coming to a close, it doesn’t mean our friendships have to. I must say, a lot of businesses, ministries, and groups use the term 'family' to describe themselves. But I can truly say, EFI is a family—a family I’m so proud to have been a part of. A family that truly knows how to love each other, and most importantly, knows how to love God. I know the future of EFI is a great one, and I’m excited to see the continued journey. If I could leave you with some parting words, don’t stop growing, don’t stop loving, and let’s all keep telling the world about Jesus. I love you all, and I thank you for everything.
with love,
Reed Cater
