Greetings from the Chalmers Center!

I am pleased to announce our schedule of upcoming distance learning courses. Below I've included some information about the courses along with dates and prices. Note that group discounts are available as well as an indigenous discount for those from outside the U.S. Please feel free to share this information with your ministry team and also with those in your broader ministry network who could benefit from this training.

Upcoming Chalmers Center Distance Learning

1. Microfinance and Microenterprise Development - For those ministering to the poor in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the Chalmers Center offers a series of three distance courses on conducting Christian microfinance and microenterprise. The initial course is called Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry (International Ministry Track). The Foundations course helps you understand appropriate goals and strategies for conducting Christian economic development in poor communities within Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The course will actually benefit anyone preparing for Christian outreach and ministry among the poor, whether they plan to implement an economic development strategy or not. This year the course will be offered September 7 - October 2, 2009 and again November 9 - December 4, 2009. Cost of this four-week course is $120 (USD) plus the cost of separately ordered course material.

The second course in the series is called Principles and Practices of Christian Microfinance and Microenterprise Development. It gives you an overview to microfinance and microenterprise development and orients you to the selection and design of a holistic intervention appropriate for your ministry context. The next class is scheduled for September 7 - October 23, 2009. Cost of this seven week course including materials is $230 (USD). Note that the Foundations course is a prerequisite for this course.

The third course in the series is an eight-week course called Promoting Church-Centered Savings and Credit Associations. This course is scheduled for Ocotber 26 - December 18, 2009 and is available to those who have taken the prerequisite Principles and Practices of Christian Microfinance and Microenterprise Development course. Cost of this course including materials is $300 (USD). Note that the Principles course is a prerequisite for this course.

2. Economic Development Ministry - For those ministering to the poor in the U.S. or Canada, the Chalmers Center offers a series of two distance courses on conducting economic development ministry. The initial course is called Foundations and Principles of Holistic Ministry (U.S./Canada Ministry Track). The Foundations course helps you understand appropriate goals and strategies for conducting Christian economic development in poor communities within North America.

The course will actually benefit anyone preparing for Christian outreach and ministry among the poor, whether they plan to implement an economic development strategy or not. The next class will be offered August 3 - 28, 2009. Cost of this four-week course is $120 plus the cost of separately ordered course materials.

The second course in the series is Principles and Practices of U.S. Economic Development Ministry. It addresses economic development ministry in the areas of savings and asset accumulation, financial literacy, and job training. The next class is scheduled for the summer of 2010. Cost of this four-week course including materials is $200. Note that the Foundations course is a prerequisite for this course.

About Distance Learning - The Chalmers Center distance learning courses use the Internet to create a virtual classroom and a training process that does not require the instructor and the participants to be engaged in the learning process at the very same time. The courses feature a weekly reading and written (e-mail) assignment and a weekly lesson summary by the facilitator that reflects on the assignment responses from the course participants.

Interaction with other participants in the class via a threaded discussion provides an opportunity to learn from others insight, knowledge, and experience. The advanced courses also include the opportunity to receive individual responses from the facilitator. Because the courses are email-based, slow dial-up speed will not limit participation. The training goes in depth and, depending on the course, it will require an average of 4-8 hours of work per week (longer if English is not your primary language).

Registration - To register or learn more about the distance learning courses, or for information about group and indigenous discounts, visit www.chalmers.org. When registering, use Reference Identifier MK-06/09. For questions, email chalmers@covenant.edu or call 706-419-1805.

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