Welcome to the ministry newsletter for Todd Braschler Ministries for the months of August and September, 2009.  A special welcome to our new friends from churches who hosted events and ministry opportunities with us in these past two months.  Despite the crazy economy and the ups and downs of the world, according to the news stations at least, ministry for us and the fall schedule this year has been very full and so very rewarding.  As you look through the photos below, and see the vast amount of weekends God provided for us, I pray you will celebrate with us for a number of reasons.  For one, at each event, especially the men's events, each date represents men and women who either came to Christ for the first time, or made commitments to serve him in a more profound way.  Each event represents people who were just going about their weekly stuff, and through our prayers and efforts, they made decisions to become more intentional with their faith, with their gifts and with their passion. 

I love serving Christ this way.  This is the most fulfilling way I've ever found to serve my Savior.  Each weekend is a chance to direct and encourage people out of their normal routine and challenge them in the most foundational ways to reconsider the direction of their life.  As you can see by the list of churches below, we have put on a few miles since our last newsletter.  From Northern Ohio to the mountains of Colorado, despite the distraction of what reporters and the media would call an American catastrophe with our economy, pastors and lay people remain passionate and focused on impacting their communities for Christ.  That's exciting.  I pray your church is right there in the thick of ministry as well - passionately reaching those who we live by and drive by every day. 

There are a number of exciting up and coming events headed our way as a ministry and to you as someone who has chosen to stay connected in some way to our ministry.  Check out the list of upcoming events on the right side of this newsletter for details.  One opportunity I'm very excited about is the recent invitation by Joe White and the leadership of MEN AT THE CROSS, a ministry worldwide to reach and encourage men as disciples.  Joe White is the founder and director of Kanakuk Camps in Forsythe MO.  With a huge heart for families and men as well, MEN AT THE CROSS (MATC) started a few years ago to change the perception of large men's events to more of a practical, disciple-building effort, and less of a one-time stadium gathering.  My great privilege and invitation centers around becoming a national ambassador.  This will entail traveling on behalf of MATC to speak for community leaders and men's organizations across the country, and perhaps abroad as well.  This will, in no way, interfere with our ministry or current schedule.  Instead, the exposure and venues for speaking could, in fact, open many more doors for our ministry.  Pray with us that God's will and purpose will be fulfilled.

Another huge event coming our way is the first ever, citywide men's conference for the city of Wichita, KS through our efforts.  FIGHT LIKE A MAN has now been offered in over 50 churches and organizations, and is quickly becoming our most requested speaking opportunity.  On Friday and Saturday, November 20 -21, 2009, this men's event will be brought to Kansas by the Westlink Christian Church men's ministry.  Men's leader, Mike Hearne hosted this retreat for his leadership and a few of the pastoral staff back in June.  Since then, there has been a never-ending effort to bring this conference to the church and our community.  To hear more about this event, click on MEN'S RETREAT or download a brochure for yourself.  Registration for this event can be obtained by clicking on Westlink Men's Conference or by calling 316-722-8020.  Seating is very limited based on the number of men who have been invited already, so call today if you are interested in attending.  Lodging close by is available for the Friday evening. 

There are a variety of ways our ministry serves the church and your community:

Building the Church of God's Dreams - All Church Event   Worship Retreats    Men's Ministry  Leading Worship   Concert Ministry  Speaking

Thanks again for taking a moment to catch up.  Enjoy the photos and notes below.  Check out our upcoming events list below, and if you know of someone in the area of a ministry weekend, invite them to come.  As we enter our our 8 1/2 year mark, we serve with as much or more passion and commitment as ever.  God bless, and have a great week.

Photo Gallery for
August - September, 2009

UPCOMING EVENTS

 PREVIOUS TWO MONTHS

Singing with Tyler and Nick (our two oldest sons) for the
100th Celebration of the First Church of God
Hutchinson, KS
Sunday, September 6, 2009

Sudden elevation frequently leads to pride and a fall. The most exacting test of all to survive is prosperity."
~ Oswald Chambers

When you have a choice between stupidity and ignorance, pick ignorance. It's curable.

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."    — Helen Keller

Joel 2:25 (NIV)

  "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
       the great locust and the young locust,
       the other locusts and the locust swarm my great army that I sent among you."

Charitable Tax Break
(reported this week in USAToday)

Another tax break that's scheduled to expire soon benefits retirees who want to contribute to their favorite charities.

If you're 70½ or older, you can take tax-free withdrawals from your IRA as long as the money goes directly to charity. You can't deduct the contribution, but it won't be included in your taxable income for the year. That makes this option attractive for seniors who have paid off their mortgages and don't have enough deductions to itemize.

The maximum you can contribute is $100,000 a year. Unless Congress extends it, this tax break will expire Dec. 31.

In the past, one of the biggest benefits of this provision was that the amount withdrawn from your IRA counted against your required minimum distribution for the year. IRA owners who are 70½ or older are required to withdraw a minimum amount from their IRAs or 401(k) plans every year, whether they need the money or not. This year, though, that rule doesn't apply. In response to last year's market collapse, Congress waived the withdrawal requirement for 2009.

The waiver makes the charitable rollover provision less attractive for retirees, says Mark Joseph, a financial planner in Reston, Va.

But seniors who have more money in their IRAs than they'll need for living expenses shouldn't rule it out, he says. Making a large charitable contribution this year will reduce the size of your IRA, he notes, resulting in lower required minimum withdrawals in the future.

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