Ladies and gentlemen of the forum, a couple of other members and I were discussing the wonderful possibility of trying to organize a reunion! We have not planned anything yet because we were hoping for everyone's input before plowing ahead. We'd like to know:

Where would you like to gather together?
When would you like to meet?
What kinds of activities would you be interested in participating in?

IS THERE EVEN ENOUGH INTEREST TO WARRENT PLANNING?

I'm so excited about the prospect of meeting some of my brothers and sisters out there! I really think something like this could really add to the camaraderie and atmosphere on the forum. I also would LOVE to really see and get to know a little better the people behind the name- eat with you guys, fellowship, and worship together!

I want honesty guys! Let me know what you REALLY think!



Julie

Rather than attending a 'reunion' how about some of these...
other 'less expensive' options... at least for now. It may be
to hard, or expensive for some to get away and join in.

We do have members in Foreign Countries after all,
like the Southern U.S.A.

------------------
Ok so I am letting my 'geek side' show through on this post...
But it really is rather easy to set up some of these things.
The hardware requirements are also not that much. Most
modern PC's have built-in sound cards, and Video is always
an option, if you have a Web Cam. So adding a microphone and
possibly some speakers, or a microphone/headset, is not that
hard to do. Walmart sells this stuff for cheap (est $20).

If you look hard you could likely get a cheap Webcam for that
price also. The most expensive part is the Internet access,
which I do believe we all have.

Some of this software, I do not really care for (as I think it is
insecure, and opens your computer to attacks). (Especially
any of the IM/Instant Messaging options. But that is for each
individual to decide.)

But then everyone is running some anti-virus, a firewall, and
some anti-spyware, right? And you make sure you keep your
computer up to date, right? Using MS Internet Explorer and
this website: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Free AV -
http://www.free-av.com/

Free Firewall - http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/cat...=US&lang=en

Free Anti-Spyware -
http://www.spybot.info/


------------------
The Alternatives...
------------------
http://www.easyfreeconferencing.com/

They do not 'charge anything for this', (the caller anyway), the cost is
paid for by each participant paying the long distange charges that
they would normally incur for a long distance phone call.

(Note: More Info... on why it is 'free'...
FreeConferenceCall and FuturePhone—work by routing their calls through
a local call exchange in Iowa. The 712 area code used by these
services allow the local carriers to charge a number of subsidies to
those carrying the incoming calls due to the location of the tiny,
rural exchange. These fees are split between the local exchange and
the "free" conference call company, which allows them to make a pretty
penny. The fees for these calls made into 712 are higher than those
charged by other exchanges, and AT&T/Cingular has in fact filed a
lawsuit against these Iowa-based telcos for what Cingular claims are
violation of a number of laws and FCC decisions. )

------------------
http://freeconferencing.liveoffice.com/
------------------
This is supposed to be 'OK'.
High-attendance, 250-person conference call capacity

Record your conference calls at no cost with LiveOffice's
FreeConferencing. Not only is recording the conference call free, but
it's as simple as dialing the phone. The audio file from your
conference is an MP3 file for superior audio quality and flexible
playback. Conference recordings are made available online within sixty
minutes of your conference call concluding and will remain available
for a minimum thirty days.

------------------
http://www.accuconference.com/
Some free time, but they charge for more service
------------------

------------------
SKYPE
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/
http://support.skype.com/?_a=knowledgebase
------------------
A free IP phone/conferencing system, works over the internet.
You can call other Skype members for free (over the Internet), and
you can call others over the Telephone networks (for a fee).

How do I make a conference call?
http://support.skype.com/index.php
Searched Knowledgebase for: conference

Skypecast can be for up to 100 people at a time, one moderator
who then allows others to speak.

http://support.skype.com/index.php?_a=know...questiondetails
&_i=92 (Limit of 10 people at a time).

Netmeeting:
Yes it can be used on Windows XP (Just need to know how).
http://www.meetingbywire.com/XPNetMeeting.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting/
http://www.theeldergeek.com/netmeeting.htm
http://www.petri.co.il/where's_netmeet...p_2000_2003.htm

And last of all, there is Info available on the Forum site already:
(For those who have put it in)

Your ICQ UIN
http://www.icq.com/
Free conferencing software/site

Your AOL identity (I Guess they now also have free E-mail)
http://free.aol.com/thenewaol/index.adp
(This service is now free to all, just need Internet access)

Your Yahoo identity (They also offer free E-mail)
https://edit.yahoo.com/config/eval_register...com&.src=ym

Your MSN Messenger identity
http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/
http://login.live.com/login.srf?id=2 (Hotmail (E-Mail) for Free)

Remember this is just another suggestion... shoot it down if need be!
I think I can take it.

Yes Julie you know I am in! I have been here over a year and it is just eating at me to meet you guys! It does not matter where we have it the Lord willing I will be there! This is why I brought it up to you cause I would love to meet everyone!



Your Friend in Christ,

Val

Messiahiscoming

OH Val... I grabbed hold of your vision right away!!! God is ABLE to meet all our needs... sometimes faith is just steppin' out there and letting God roll up His sleeves to show us how marvelous and wonderful He is!

I LOVE YOU!

QUOTE(jhamner @ Apr 3 2007, 10:32 PM) [snapback]108041[/snapback]

QUOTE(messiahiscoming @ Apr 3 2007, 10:59 PM) [snapback]108038[/snapback]

Yes Julie you know I am in! I have been here over a year and it is just eating at me to meet you guys! It does not matter where we have it the Lord willing I will be there! This is why I brought it up to you cause I would love to meet everyone!



Your Friend in Christ,

Val

Messiahiscoming

OH Val... I grabbed hold of your vision right away!!! God is ABLE to meet all our needs... sometimes faith is just steppin' out there and letting God roll up His sleeves to show us how marvelous and wonderful He is!

I LOVE YOU!

Yes sweetie you are so right!

I love you too!



Me!

Messiahiscoming

I love the idea. I live in one of those foreign countries, though (Southern USA) and am not sure that I speak the same English as the rest of you English-speaking folks, and the only other language that I speak halfway decently is French. (Ok, JohnK--you're not the only geek! )

I'll have to wait and see what's decided, though, because at the moment I don't know what my family circumstance will be beyond this week (see prayer requests). I'll check back and hopefully there will be something coming soon to a theater near me . . . !

I'm game!!!!!!!
Kim

I feel like a little girl running for the ice cream truck...count me in!!!!

I'm in one of those foreign Southern states too... A litte further north from you, though John. Va Beach is where I call home these days...although, I went to highschool in Tarpon Springs...not too far from you.

Oh please please please Lord let this happen!!!

btw John, Thanks for the information! I can see it could be very usefull to me.
However, I feel the need to give Val a great big bear hug and I'm afraid I'd crush my laptop in the process. Since that just won't do...we'll have to meet somewhere!

It would be cool to set something up like that for a bible study...maybe a weekly or monthly get together. Maybe you could think about organizing something like that for us. Ok, everyone, I nominate John for the geeky setting up computer job thingamagigdoohiggy...coming from a fellow geek of course...actually I'm more like a goofy dork, but with similar qualities I'm sure.

Yes...I've had no sleep today

Love you all!!!!!!
Let's do this!!!!!

You're all welcome to come on up to Virginia Beach...It's central to the Eastern part of the states anyway.

Many Blessings to you all!
Love, Lisa

I'm in...

Well, guys... since many of you mentioned being southerners....

Valerie has graciously offered to help plan and everything... and she thinks that her church would let us hang there. She lives in Oklahoma City.

Another person mentioned that it might be a good idea to host it in the Chicago area- because it would be easier to get a flight in.

What do you folks think about these two options?

Laurel... what a beautiful thing to offer to help with worship. I would love it if any member with the gift to worship lead us- guitar playing, singing, dancing. !! We need to find someone who might lead us in teaching too!!!

Father, I come into agreement with laurel's prayer. I ask that you might give us devine wisdom concerning this matter- that we might be directly in the center of your will. Tell us where you want us to meet- how, why, when. We don't want to do anything if you are not there, Daddy. Jesus, if it is your will, move on your people so that they would feel a pull to attend. Lord, I take a step of faith and ask that you would bless our time together. Lord, do mighty works! Bless our worship! Bless our fellowship! Give us revelation! Lord, we want Your presence. Thank You for hearing our prayer. I humbly ask all of this in Your precious Name Jesus. Amen.

My only question thus far is: Do you feel enough people (14) in all, going by poll results, has chimed in to make any decision as of yet?

Of course if all correspondance is taking place in PM's instead of on the thread, many more could have responded, we would have no way of knowing.

This kind of thing was actually talked about last year. Nothing ever came of it because to me, it would seem as JohnK presented, the expense factor, to fly and meet for a dinner, praise and maybe a teaching or two.... I actually like what JohnK presented...

Just touching on some bases that others may feel uncomfortable asking...Not trying to damper anything...
One last thing. For those with a disabilty, special needs will have to be made. In your discussions before your presentation to the forum, was this factor?

I don't know... sometimes I think things don't happen because we look for the "can't" in a situation instead of the "cans". God is ABLE!!! Trust!

If there is a genuine need- God will provide. He's promised to in His Word.

As a personal testimony... I went to a conference in Florida a couple of weeks ago because the Lord told me to. I had to step out on faith to go- it was a huge step. I'm a college student with two small children. We are just making it. Anyway, God said to go- so I paid for my flight and hotel using tax refund money. On the day of my trip, I went with about $10 to spend (after paying around $50 for a shuttle to and from the airport to my hotel). I didn't have a ride to the site of the conference! The Lord showed up- providing me with transportation to where I was going the four days I was there. When I got back to Indiana, I was able to pay for parking at the airport. I didn't know how I would pay for it when I parked my car on Thursday morning- but someone gave my hubby some money while I was gone! BUT THE COOLEST THING... is that I got two checks in the mail a week after getting back. They were unexpected- and the amount of the checks EQUALED the amount of money my trip cost to the DOLLAR... hotel, flight, what I gave in offerings, and parking equaled the amount of these two checks. It was so awesome! GOD IS ABLE! PRAISE THE LORD!

I think 14 sounds like a pretty cool number if you ask me- quite a response. This poll has been up LESS that 24 hours- give people some time. I know personally of two members of the forum that finally met a month or so ago. Their weekend together was probably one of the most memorable they've ever had. What if we take that number times 7? WOAH!

God can do a lot with a small number. Revival starts in small groups.

JohnK... your idea sounds really awesome! Why can't we do both???? Maybe we could make it like a monthly thing- or even a weekly thing depending on time/interest!!!

JH I am not looking for the "can't" at all...Just asking certain question that others may have felt uncomfortable to ask as I stated previously. I fully know the Lord is ABLE in all things. I for one know that the Lord provides if we are going in His will and not our own desires. Your testimony is proof of that.

Yes 2x7 = 14 WOW! That would be a great thing....But we must allow all that want to participate a chance to put in their two cents so to speak. That's all I was saying...No, biggie....carry on...

I think it sounds wonderful to meet with my brothers and sisters!!

Please count me in!!

In Christ,
Chris

I think it is a wonderful idea and would love to meet all of you.

OK! Love you girl!

Hey... I know you must have something specific in mind. Would you care to share??? If it is private/personal, just let me know. I want everyone to feel welcomed and feel like they can particpate- CERTAINLY.

It would be so awesome to meet all of you! I live in New Hampshire though... far from that foreign country you call Southern US. LOL

Amen
Wouldn't you all like to come to California? Count me in where ever it is.

Just an Idea.
Think two or three day event and think out in the open like a park or campground.

Perhaps a "central" location? On a world map, place an "X" on each state/country where an interested party lives, then connect-the-dots and determine where the "center" is.

I'm an Arkansan.

Also, would a holiday weekend be good? A three-day weekend would be even better, but I can get time off.

Also, I'm not against "chipping in" for those that are more distant. I've not got much, but what I do have belongs to the Lord and his body.

In Christ,

Mike

Awwww.... look at you guys!



I think this sounds like a good idea! I'll get a map. So far we have:

Indiana
North Carolina
Arkansas
Virginia Beach
New Orleans (I think that is where AdonaiCole lives)
California
And others... that I don't know there location yet.

And a park sounds like fun too. Only thing about a park is you have to depend on good weather (we'd have to have our intercessors praying for no rain... If God can stop the rain for Elijah, He can stop the rain for us!)

No, nothing...Carry on...

I am willing to do this, I do however need to know more details as to what method(s) to use for conferences.
Also how many are willing to do this (need a phone or computer with the hardware, software, high speed
internet... (dial-up may work fine with the lower speed options... voice and text))?

The easiest and cheapest for all is Text based, you are already doing this... just not doing a real-time
two-way conversation. I would like to suggest, we could start there (text only) and work up to Audio and
then possibly Audio & Video?


Options to consider:

1. Telephone (P.O.T.S. or Plain Old Telephone System), and free conferencing systems.
Note: This may not work for cell phones/ users calling from cell phones as some cell companies
block the usage of these 'free conferencing' services, due to the fees the cell companies get charged.

2. Computer based Audio or Audio/Video conferencing
Note: This is also a bit more complicated than it sounds at first. Audio conferencing is easier, as it
requires less bandwidth and is easier to setup. Many free services (Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, etc.), allow
you to setup conferences, but the quality degrades as more are added. Also there is a finite limit to
the number of users who can connect.

3. Text based chat.
Note: This is similar to IM (Instant Messaging), there are many many services that allow this type
of communication. This was the original way users on the Internet communicated with each other.
One needs to be a fairly good typist (and speller), how do you think all these abbreviations and
emoticons (smilies) got started? People needed a way to speed up the communication and
express emotion over the Internet. (LOL (Laughing Out Loud), ROTFL (Rolling On The Floor Laughing)

Just my two cents...

If you put a dot on Pretoria South Africa, we will all meet in the Atlantic

Julie you must take a group photo and then post it with names so that we who cannot come can at least see you all.

We can already talk and see in real time. Paltalk is there, with video included. Todd can create a link for us and those with a cam can log on. or we can just talk. We can call it something like Shekel's Cafe so we can all recognise it....then we just have to know how to get it online or what times say, Todd, will put it online for us.
We will have to do a bit of research but it’s possible.
Or, when we log on, we must log on with a "surname" so other members can see this person is from the forum.
C

PALTALK
www.paltalk.com


SKYPE
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/
http://support.skype.com/?_a=knowledgebase
------------------
A free IP phone/conferencing system, works over the internet.
You can call other Skype members for free (over the Internet), and
you can call others over the Telephone networks (for a fee).

How do I make a conference call?
http://support.skype.com/index.php
Searched Knowledgebase for: conference

Skypecast can be for up to 100 people at a time, one moderator
who then allows others to speak.

http://support.skype.com/index.php?_a=know...questiondetails
&_i=92 (Limit of 10 people at a time).

Netmeeting:
Yes it can be used on Windows XP (Just need to know how).
http://www.meetingbywire.com/XPNetMeeting.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting/
http://www.theeldergeek.com/netmeeting.htm
http://www.petri.co.il/where's_netmeet...p_2000_2003.htm

And last of all, there is Info available on the Forum site already:
(For those who have put it in)

Your ICQ UIN
http://www.icq.com/
Free conferencing software/site

Your AOL identity (I Guess they now also have free E-mail)
http://free.aol.com/thenewaol/index.adp
(This service is now free to all, just need Internet access)

Your Yahoo identity (They also offer free E-mail)
https://edit.yahoo.com/config/eval_register...com&.src=ym

Your MSN Messenger identity
http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/
http://login.live.com/login.srf?id=2 (Hotmail (E-Mail) for Free)

Also we need it far enough in advance for everyone to make plans.
I know we would have to make alot of plans because we have foster childern.
Kim

I didn't vote, for I live almost half the world map apart from you, in Europe.
I like reading you all, and God connects us if a gathering in physical manner isn't always ready at hand.

Actually I live in Washinton State and work in Oregon. I have been to New Orleans several times as I have family that lives in SW Mississippi and I usually fly into New Orleans. I think a reunion somewhere in the midwest would be good, since we are probably all spread out across the country (not to mention the world). Next year in Jerusalem!