BMH Editor's Blog

Pottstown Pastor, Family Flooded Out of Home

Posted by Terry White on June 30, 2006  |  No Comments

Pastor Kork Moyer, who not only leads the Still Waters Grace Brethren Church and ministry to the homeless in Pottstown, PA, but also is the Northern Atlantic District coordinator for the FGBC, has been personally affected by the flooding in the east. Here are edited excerpts from two of his recent e-mail updates:

We are under water. The Schuylkill River overflowed into our neighborhood.

We were evacuated, and we spent our time from 6:00 am till around 1:00 pm playing “Beat the Clock,” removing items from our house (my guitars are safe), packing overnight stuff, turning off power and gas, moving as much furniture as we could to the second floor, watching as our basement filled with water from the floor drains, and scrambling to help secure St John’s (where we meet for Tabernacle). We were able to salvage all of the furniture and stuff that was collected for the family that was burned out this past week too.

We are safe, and we keep telling ourselves, “it’s only stuff.” I am always reminded about folks with terrible—truly life-threatening situations, that make this inconvenience pale, in comparison.

Only this past Sunday, I spoke about the giants in our lives. In home church this week we were going to talk about how scripture always moves us to an uncomfortably dependent place from a human standpoint. So, here we are… trying to walking the talk, and finding ourselves in need too.

We stayed with Missy’s parents last night, but we are going back to the area today to see the damage in the area, and to our home.

God has given to us the responsibility of loving our neighbors in a terrible time. Please pray for us as we move forward. In all too many ways, we don’t know what to do next, but God has given us some really good gifts already.

A second message from Kork, dated today (Friday, 30 June) includes the following:

Well, today we begin.

There was a meeting at our firehouse last night that informed us what to do next, and what to expect moving forward. Our township is run by great, knowledgeable folks who pulled out all the stops.

We cannot go back into our home to live until we pump out the water, have an electrician and a plumber okay things, and have the code enforcement officer inspect for structural damage.

Once that is completed, they will turn the utilities back on and we can stay. But up to that point there is a ton of work to do and we don’t know how much all of this is going to cost.

The damage was primarily to our basement and its contents which pretty much filled, so we are talking water heater, furnace, electrical panel, and cleaning up supplies (the water is of course contaminated with sewage and fuel).

Our garage was submerged too, and there was less tossing around of its contents than in our basement which was like a tornado hit it.

Some folks offered help from my previous email, and we are glad to accept it. We need to do all of the above before we can clean out the basement, and our insurance company adjuster also needs to shows up. After all of this, we need help cleaning, and currently we need to move the furniture back onto the first floor from the higher floors. I guess today we can begin cleaning up so if you are available please come.

This will continue through the weekend and into next week (I believe). There is a problem with letting “non-residents” into the area because they are very serious about security. So if anyone comes to help, plea se call me on my cell phone so that I can escort you in. The number is (215) 480-5253.

We are not only concerned for our own property, but that of our neighbor’s, and once we are finished, there is plenty of need. Looking only to our own church responsibilities, we have currently five buildings to take care of… 1) the Tabernacle (Parish House), 2) St John’s Church, 3) St John’s Parsonage (where Pastor Folks lives), 4) our home, and 5) our garage. After all of that, there are plenty of neighbors that could use our help.

I don’t know how much this will cost, and since this happened to me personally, I am a bit unnerved asking for monetary help. Maybe it’s pride, maybe embarrassment, but there is a ton of need; physical labor and monetary help. We are asking that if you consider helping monetarily, you can make those donations through our website at http://www.besidestillwaters.net/contributions.html or make checks payable to Still Waters, adding “Flood Relief” to the memo line. For those who want to help with labor, we will begin cleanup today.

We truly appreciate your prayers!

Peace,
Kork

Still Waters – Surely, goodness and mercy will follow…
256 South Hanover Street Pottstown, PA 19465-7022
www.BesideStillWaters.net PastorKork@besidestillwaters.net
tel: 610-970-2444 fax: 484-363-4017

Police Chief Commends Church for Flood Relief Work

Posted by Terry White on June 30, 2006  |  No Comments

The Grace Brethren Church of Lititz, PA, (Scott Distler, pastor) has been assisting the local police department with meeting community needs caused by the recent rains and flooding. Pastor Distler received the following e-mail from Police Chief Rich Garipoli:

“I just gotta tell you how proud I am of your staff and members. I had the need yesterday for a group of individuals to help us out…I knew immediately who to call…Grace Church. I got Pastor Snow and he took off from there.

“The couple who requested the help was an older couple. The husband had open heart surgery and the lady has hip and walking problems, so they cannot lift anything. They called the police because they had water coming into their basement and wanted the police to help them remove their furniture, because this is all they have (believe me, they don’t have much).

“Apparently, your ‘team’ (led by Andy!) went there and because of it, I have received calls from many, many people who wanted to know who were the people who came to the home on Millway to assist the elderly couple. I tell them…you don’t need to know their names, just that they are from Grace Church and they would do this for anyone.

“My officers were running from call to call…so requests like this cannot be handled by us (even though they would like to). It was just nice to know that Grace is there. Sometimes (I have learned) God places these ‘Little mission fields’ in our way to spread His Word. I am here to tell you it works! Thank you all and never, never stop!!”

Sincerely,
Rich Garipoli

AGBM to Consider Bylaw Changes at Conference

Posted by Terry White on June 30, 2006  |  No Comments

The Association of Grace Brethren Ministers (AGBM) is currently in a time of study, strategic planning, and projected change for the future. In preparation for AGBM meetings at Celebrate06, the AGBM officers would like all association member to read and carefully process the following:

Several years ago following the creation of a Research and Development position approved by our membership, the officers of the organization asked Dr. Jerry Young to serve in this capacity. His position was created for the purpose of researching and recommending to our membership changes essential to the future of our organization in its service to our membership.

His recommendations for changes to by-laws and organization represent his many hours of research conducted nationwide through extensive travel and communication. We the officers believe that he recommended a plan to us that was thoughtful and well-developed and which represented the majority of opinion among our membership.

Our intention is to bring these recommendations to the floor at our business meeting in California this summer.

We deeply appreciate the tone and kindness of those who have provided alternative proposals to our organization. We certainly appreciate these alternative ideas and would appeal to all of our members to bring your questions, comments, and concerns to our meetings this summer.

Because we desire to conduct our business in a manner pleasing to the Lord, our intention is to pursue the following agenda at our meetings in California. We have been graciously provided four opportunities to meet and here is what we expect to accomplish, Lord willing.

In Meeting One, to be held on Sunday, the officers of the AGBM will explain the thinking behind Jerry’s proposal and answer the questions you have for the purpose of clarification only.

In meeting two, to be held on Tuesday, we will begin working our way through each point using Jerry’s proposals as a starting point, allowing for discussion following motions.

In meeting three, on Wednesday, we will continue our discussion and voting. Our hope is to have a completed debate by Wednesday with full ratification by meeting end.

In meeting four, on Thursday, we will dedicate new officers.

We also want to remind AGBM members that three of our own will be honored.

On Tuesday we will present our “Lifetime Achievement” Award;

On Wednesday we will present “Pastor of the Year”;

On Thursday we will present “Excellence in Ministry” Award.

We look forward to your participation in our meetings held during this year’s FGBC national celebration

AGBM Officers

Homer Kent Honored on 80th Birthday

Posted by Terry White on June 30, 2006  |  No Comments

Dr. Homer A. Kent, Jr. (standing, with cake), President Emeritus of Grace College and Seminary, was honored today on his 80th birthday at an Alumni Picnic on the lawn of Mount Memorial Hall on the Grace campus in Winona Lake, Indiana.

Dr. Kent is still quite active, editing and re-publishing his 15 New Testament commentaries as part of The Kent Collection by BMH Books. (Tom Avey cellphone photo)

Tampa Contractor Encroaches on Setback

Posted by Terry White on June 30, 2006  |  No Comments

From today’s St. Petersburg, Florida, Times:

Church’s porch in right of way
The contractor asks for forgiveness. Community residents and leaders are not much inclined. The county will decide.

By JACKIE RIPLEY, Times Staff Writer
Published June 30, 2006

——————————————————————————–
TOWN ‘N COUNTRY – When church leaders envisioned a new sanctuary on Webb Road 10 years ago, they pictured a house of worship so fertile that congregants would one day spill onto the portico and into the community.
But they probably never envisioned the portico itself spilling into the community.

That’s exactly what’s going on at a construction project on a tract of land between Rhonda Road and Webb Road. An open expanse fronts the Rhonda Road side of the property. But on the Webb Road side, a portion of the 3,600-square-foot building intrudes into the county right of way.

“The building is encroaching 8 to 10 feet into a required 25-foot setback zone,” said Craig Mahlman, the manager of Hillsborough’s site plan and subdivision review section. “It’s in violation of building codes.”

County code calls for setbacks of 7½ feet on the sides of the building and 25 feet in the front and rear.

Brian McElroy of Lithia is the contractor for Iglesia Comunal Cristiana de Tampa, a Spanish-speaking church meant to house as many as 180 members. And on July 7, McElroy will ask the county to forgive his construction mistake.

If granted, the porch, though partially in the county right of way, would be allowed to remain. And a sidewalk, removed for construction, would not be replaced.

The construction mistakes, as well as the county’s lack of oversight, have upset many in the community.

“Why is the contractor not being held responsible for ‘accidentally’ putting the building in the wrong place,” asked Bill Browne, president of the Town ‘N Country Alliance. “What happens if the county wants to widen that road?”

Browne is joined by leaders of the Town ‘N Country Park Homeowners Civic Association and Twelve Oaks Civic Association. They say residents would be adversely affected if the county forgives the mistake and does not make the church remove the porch and replace the sidewalk.

“Sidewalks on Webb Road are necessary for citizens who walk to and from the hospital and medical office buildings, and for elementary school children who must walk along Webb Road to and from school,” said Rosemarie Middleton, president of the Twelve Oaks Civic Association.

Things apparently began to go awry a few months ago when McElroy laid the foundation for the building too close to Webb Road.

Mahlman surmised McElroy incorrectly thought he could pick the street that would front the building, in this case Webb Road.

Iglesia Comunal Cristiana de Tampa is affiliated with Grace Brethren North American Missions Inc. in Winona Lake, Ind.

Other churches affiliated with Grace Brethren are in Brandon, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, Brooksville and Orlando.

McElroy declined to comment on the project. The church’s pastor, the Rev. Gerardo Leiton, did not return a reporter’s telephone calls.

In the meantime, the county has ordered McElroy to stop work on the part of the project intruding into the county right of way. Civic leaders, however, are not satisfied.

“They’ve applied for a variance but that’s not good enough,” Browne said. “It should never have gotten to that point.”

Deloes Celebrate 50th Anniversary Today

Posted by Terry White on June 29, 2006  |  10 Comments

Today is the 50th wedding anniversary of Jesse and Gladys Deloe of Winona Lake, Indiana. Jesse and the former Gladys Mighells were married in Randolph, New York, on June 29, 1956.

Jesse, whose father was a printer for a Washington, D.C., newspaper and later was a linotype operator for The Brethren Missionary Herald, has been the Director of Operations and Senior Editor at BMH Books and the Brethren Missionary Herald Company since 2003.

He previously taught English and French, and served as associate pastor or pastor of Grace Brethren churches in Waterloo, Iowa; Dallas Center, Iowa; Cleveland, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Whittier, California; and Lanham, Maryland.

He was Director of Church Relations for the Foreign Missionary Society of the Grace Brethren Church (now Grace Brethren International Missions), was Director of Administration for Grace Brethren Home Missions (now Grace Brethren North American Missions) and served as a field representative and Assistant to the President of Grace College and Theological Seminary.

He has also been moderator and vice-moderator of the FGBC, including chairing its constitution revision committee. He has been an overseer, teacher, and moderator at the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, where the Deloes are members. The Deloes have recently been active in founding and launching Grace in Action, a non-profit organization to assist churches with economic and community development.

Jesse and Gladys, who is a reflexologist and former piano and school music teacher, have two sons and three grandchildren. Christopher and his family live in Sylvania, Ohio; and Jonathan and his family live in Warsaw, Indiana. The Deloes’ children held a festive Open House in honor of their anniversary this past Saturday at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.

DRIVEN06 Final Wrap

Posted by Terry White on June 28, 2006  |  No Comments

Mike Jentes has pulled together all our blog entries and photos from DRIVEN06, just concluded this past Sunday, into a “final wrap.”

To read through the entire string, click here: http://www.driven07.org/driven06wrap.html

Church-Planting Class Offered in August

Posted by Terry White on June 28, 2006  |  1 Comment

Grace Brethren North American Missions, in cooperation with Grace Theological Seminary, is offering a class on church planting this August. The class will be a weeklong experience in Winona Lake, Indiana, from August 14-18, 2006.

The focus will be on the basic understanding and skills necessary for starting a congregation in most North American cultural contexts. The course takes the student from the individual call to reaching and bringing together a group of 25-27 individuals committed to being a church.

Cost for the course is $1,020 for three-hour course credit or $510 for non-credit participants (books and lodging not included). Spouses are encouraged to come at no extra charge.

Registration deadline is July 17. Reasonable housing is available for participants; contact Ron Boehm (Midwest_ron@mac.com) for more information. For more information, or to register for the course, go to http://web.mac.com/midwest_ron/iWeb/MissionWork/GTS.html

Shearer: How Will We Recognize the Fire?

Posted by Terry White on June 28, 2006  |  No Comments

Keith Shearer (pictured), moderator this year of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and pastor of New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church in Myerstown, Pennsylvania, asks the following question: HOW WILL WE KNOW WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FIRE??

-at national conference this year?
-in the churches of the FGBC?

He says, “This is an excellent question considering our theme, “Hearts on Fire”. It is also a really good question because hundreds across the FGBC are praying for this. By the way, I thank you all immensely for those prayers! SO, how will we recognize the answers to our prayers?”

To read the remainder of his post, click on http://firestation06.blogspot.com/2006/06/how-will-we-know-we-have-experienced.html

Drew Waggoner Joins Pickerington, OH, Staff

Posted by Terry White on June 28, 2006  |  1 Comment

Drew Waggoner, pictured here with his wife, Nicole, and children, is the new Associate Pastor at Grace Fellowship, the Grace Brethren church in Pickerington, Ohio (Keith Minier, pastor).

Most of Waggoner’s time will be focused on youth ministry, but he will also oversee the children’s ministry, fill the pulpit occasionally, oversee the care ministry, and will “share the load” with Minier. Waggoner’s father, Tim, is pastoral care pastor at the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, OH.

This past year Drew Waggoner was at the Chico, California, Grace Brethren Church as youth pastor. His new address is 3079 Breed Drive, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Please update your FGBC handbook.

OBI FINALLY Arrives in Brazil!

Posted by Terry White on June 28, 2006  |  No Comments

After nearly a week’s delay which included an airline going bankrupt, the unexpected stranding of a team in Mexico City, and much more, the Operation Barnabas International team has finally arrived in Brazil, almost a week later than intended. Here is a portion of their message this noon:

“Welcome to Brazil, OBI! After nearly a week of travel, we have finally arrived in Belem.

“Wow… what a trip! We left Mexico at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, flew to Houston and, with a very tight connection, very nearly missed our flight to Miami. They were very gracious to open the gate back up and let us on the plane!

“In Miami we had a long layover, and flew through the night to arrive in Belem at around 7:30 a.m. So altogether that makes: 4 flights, 3 trips through customs, countless security checks, and 14 people that are very glad to have arrived!

“Please thank God with us that we have arrived safely and that yesterday’s and today’s travels went fairly smoothly.

“Today is planned to be a day of recovery/rest/adjusting to the time zone and weather. Please pray for us to adjust quickly as we hit the ground running tomorrow with some school and church programs.”

The Grace Brethren International Missions Brazil team, which includes Bruce and Lisa Triplehorn and Wayne and Ellen Patton, are excited to receive these young people. They will be ministering together in Grace Brethren churches in Belem.

The team arrives back in the USA on July 20, just in time for Brethren National Youth Conference on July 21.

Warsaw Community Grace Celebrates 50 Years

Posted by Terry White on June 27, 2006  |  No Comments

Executive Pastor Tom Abbitt (pictured) reports that Warsaw (IN) Community Grace Brethren Church celebrated its 50th anniversary this past week with a full week of service projects. Members of the church went into all facets of the local community with their sleeves rolled up, ready to do whatever they could. (Kevin Lilly photo)

Activities began last Monday with a day of prayer and fasting. Tuesday, members of the church gave 600 hotdogs away at the little league park in Warsaw, while others spent their time washing windshields at a gas station in Silver Lake and handing out water bottles at a park in Winona Lake. Wednesday, the county jail received a visit by a group ready to minister in any way possible.

Thursday, a group from the church went to “Our Father’s House,” a local charity organization with a food program. The intent was to help prepare and serve food, but due to a problem in the kitchen, they were not able to serve. “But” says Executive Pastor Tom Abbitt, “they learned some good lessons about spiritual warfare!”

Saturday the church distributed water bottles at a local triathlon and at a park. A carnival was held at the church from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday morning included a celebration service and “big lunch after the service,” says Abbitt.

Study Reveals Media Habits of Christians

Posted by Terry White on June 27, 2006  |  No Comments

Research results being released for the first time in the July/August edition of Facts & Trends magazine show most people who attend a Protestant church are using Christian media–magazines, websites, television, radio, movies, and music–but Christian media is only a fraction of the media churchgoers use. Protestant clergy, on the other hand, are much heavier users of Christian media than are the people in their churches.

Facts & Trends is published bimonthly by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Two studies were conducted by Ellison Research, Phoenix, Ariz. One is a representative sample of 806 Protestant church ministers nationwide, and the other is a companion survey of 1,184 adults who attend Protestant churches at least once a month. The studies asked each group about their use of various media, including what proportion of each type is general interest or secular, and what proportion is “specifically Christian” (not just that which is inspirational or has a good message).

Of the eight types of media covered in this study, the type with the largest proportion of churchgoers using a Christian version of the media is music. Seventy-eight percent of Protestant churchgoers listen to music that is specifically Christian, and among those who listen to music, Christian music makes up an average of 42 percent of what they listen to.

Not far behind is radio. Sixty-four percent of churchgoers listen to Christian radio (music or talk formats), and among those who listen to radio, Christian radio represents 37 percent of what they listen to, on average.

Sixty-four percent of all adults who attend a Protestant church visit Christian websites, but Christian websites make up only 20 percent of what the typical Protestant uses online. The numbers for television are identical–64 percent of all laity watch Christian television, but it accounts for only 20 percent of all programming they watch, on average.

Sixty percent of all laity read Christian non-fiction books (excluding the Bible), and Christian books make up four out of every ten non-fiction books they read, on average. There is much more usage of Christian non-fiction books than fiction books. Only 47 percent read any Christian fiction, and Christian books account for an average of 28 percent of all fiction books read.

Fifty-five percent of all laity report watching Christian movies, and Christian films make up an average of 17 percent of all movies Protestants watch.

The type of media with the lowest use of Christian options is magazines. Only 44 percent of all churchgoers read any Christian magazines, and Christian magazines make up just 21 percent of the magazine reading done by the average Protestant.

Rarely do people rely exclusively on Christian media. Just 5 percent of all Protestants only listen to Christian radio, 7 percent only listen to Christian music, and 1 percent watch only Christian television, for instance.

There are numerous differences by denominational groupings. While Southern Baptists are fairly average in their media use, people who attend other types of Baptist churches (e.g. independent Baptist, General Baptist, Regular Baptist) are particularly heavy consumers of Christian fiction and Christian radio. People from Pentecostal or charismatic denominations are more likely than average to use Christian fiction, magazines, Web sites, and particularly radio and music.

Protestants from mostly mainline denominational groups are, on average, lighter consumers of Christian media. Methodists are relatively light users of Christian books, radio, music, and Web sites. Lutherans are comparatively infrequent consumers of Christian films, fiction, music, and radio. Presbyterians are the denominational group least likely to listen to Christian radio.

Some of the greatest differences are when lay leaders (volunteer leaders in church, such as Sunday school teachers, drama directors, or Bible study leaders) are separated from the crowd. For most types of media, lay leaders are more likely than non-leaders to use a Christian version of the media, and Christian media makes up a higher proportion of what they use.

An example is Christian radio. Seventy-two percent of all lay leaders listen to Christian radio, compared to 61 percent of non-leaders. The average lay leader spends 49 percent of his/her radio time tuned to Christian radio, compared to 31 percent among non-leaders.

Clergy have heavier usage of all eight types of Christian media than do the people in their churches. Among clergy, the most nearly ubiquitous form of Christian media is non-fiction books. Ninety-two percent read Christian non-fiction, and Christian works make up an average of 76 percent of all non-fiction they read.

Christian music is also commonly used by ministers – 94 percent listen to Christian music, and it comprises an average of 66 percent of all music they listen to. Eighty-seven percent of clergy read Christian magazines, and Christian versions comprise an average of 61 percent of pastors’ magazine reading.

Eighty-four percent listen to Christian radio, but the average pastor splits time between Christian and secular radio almost equally (48 percent Christian, on average). The numbers are very similar for Christian Web sites – 83 percent of all pastors visit Christian Web sites, and Christian sites account for an average of 51 percent of the sites they visit.

Among clergy, the lowest levels of Christian media use are for movies, television, and fiction books. Seventy-six percent report watching Christian movies, but Christian movies account for only 26 percent of all movie viewing. Seventy-seven percent watch Christian television, but Christian programming accounts for only 23 percent of all TV they watch, on average. And just 53 percent read any Christian fiction, with Christian books comprising an average of 45 percent of the fiction ministers read.

Like churchgoers, ministers rarely rely solely on Christian media. Fourteen percent listen exclusively to Christian music and 15 percent read only Christian non-fiction books, but just 8 percent only listen to Christian radio, 7 percent read only Christian magazines, and 1 percent visit only Christian Web sites.

Also like churchgoers, for clergy there are significant differences in media use according to denominational groupings. Southern Baptist ministers are particularly heavy users of Christian radio and movies. Clergy from other Baptist denominations are also more likely than average to listen to Christian radio. Pentecostal and charismatic pastors rely more than average on Christian music.

Lutherans read less Christian fiction, listen to less Christian music and radio, and watch less Christian TV than average. Presbyterians consume less Christian television and radio. Methodists are fairly average in their media use. Overall, evangelical pastors tend to be heavier consumers of Christian media than are mainline Protestant ministers – evangelicals are heavier users of Christian fiction, music, magazines, and radio than are mainline pastors.

Ron Sellers, president of Ellison Research, noted that these figures show what the business community has known for some time – Christian media is big business with a wide reach. “Secular corporations have been backing movies with strong religious themes, buying Christian publishing companies, and releasing albums from Christian artists,” Sellers noted, “and these figures really show why. Christian media, although often still lacking the financial resources of the secular media, is reaching tens of millions of Protestant churchgoers and clergy on a regular basis – to say nothing of its reach among people who don’t attend Protestant churches.”

Sellers noted that there is still tremendous room for growth. “Although Christian media of some type reaches the vast majority of Protestants, for the average person it still represents a fraction of the media they consume. From a pure business standpoint, in most categories there is probably greater growth potential in getting current Christian media consumers to consume more of it than to try to convert non-users to users.”

Mid-Atlantic Responds to AGBM Proposal

Posted by Terry White on June 27, 2006  |  No Comments

The Association of Grace Brethren Ministers (AGBM) has been circulating a document with significant changes to the bylaws which will be discussed and acted upon at the upcoming AGBM meetings during Celebrate06 in California. The proposed documents are available on www.agbm.org under “document archive.”

The Mid-Atlantic District (MAD) ministerium, chaired by Doug Courter and Jay Fretz (vice chair) have crafted a thoughtful response which they would like all AGBM members to read and consider as the discussions approach.

Here is a bit of their text and a link to the MAD document. All AGBM members are encouraged to read and thoughtfully consider these and any other forthcoming documents that will help inform discussions at conference.

“You have invited responses to the proposed AGBM Bylaws changes. So in the spirit of that invitation, we (Mid-Atlantic District Ministerium) are responding to your invitation. Our desire is enhance the ministry of the AGBM and to see it even more effective. We would respectfully request that our proposal might also receive exposure among the AGBM for discussion.

”As mentioned in the attached document, we are appreciative of those who have invested significant time and effort in thinking through the future of the AGBM. We also consider the future of AGBM to be important, so we have invested time as well.

”Our discussion document in a PDF file may be linked to at this address:

http://www.midatlanticdistrict.org/Documents/AGBM%20-%20Discussion%20MAD%20Final%202006-06-26.pdf

Founder of Grace Brethren Boys Dies

Posted by Terry White on June 26, 2006  |  1 Comment

Pastor Jim Franklin of the Flora, Indiana, Grace Brethren Church, has sent notice of the death of Harold “Pappy” Stayer, a member of the Flora church for more than 40 years and a significant figure in the founding and development of the Grace Brethren Boys ministry.

J. Harold “Pappy” Stayer, 87, of Flora, died at 10:55 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2006, at the Chase Center in Logansport, Indiana.

Born Aug. 29, 1918, to the late Charles Urbanna and Mary M. Brumbaugh Stayer in Curryville, Pa., he graduated from Martinsburg High School in Martinsburg, Pa.

His marriage was to Mary Elizabeth Humberd on April 9, 1939, and she preceded him in death on May 13, 2000.

He was a veteran, serving in the Army in the Pacific Theater.

Mr. Stayer worked for Zenith Radio Corp. in Chicago where he developed guidance systems for U.S. military machinery and later worked on developing tuners for the first color television sets. In 1952, he moved his family to Flora, where he owned and operated Hal’s Television Service. He also worked for the Cutler Telephone Co. before retiring from Alltel in 1981.

He started working with the Boy Scouts of America in 1957 and was troop leader for Troop 160 from 1957 to 1972, Troop 140 from 1972 to 1982 and Troop 144 from 1982 to 1989. He was an assistant troop leader from 1989 until the time of his death.

He worked at the Boy Scout summer camp for more than 25 years and received several honors and awards from the Boy Scouts including the Brotherhood Award in 1968, the Ordeal Award in 1967, the Vigil Award in 1971 and the Woodbadge Course in 1974. He also received the Order of the Arrow Award and the Silver Beaver award.

Mr. Stayer hiked the Appalachian Trail twice, went to Philmont Scout Ranch two times and climbed Mount Baldi three times.

In 1974, he and 10 other men from Grace Brethren Church started Grace Brethren Boys, a boys youth group. In 2003, he received The Award for Selfless Service to his Nation as a Christian Father from the organization.

He enjoyed assisting with Mother’s Day Out, hunting, fishing, hiking, trapping, camping and outdoor activities.

Surviving are two daughters, Patricia Azbell (husband: Charles) of Rochester and Joyce Taylor of Warsaw; and a sister, Rhoda Blank of Corning, N.Y.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Monday at Reinke Funeral Home in Flora and one hour prior to 10 a.m. services Tuesday at Bringhurst United Methodist Church, Pastor Larry DeVos officiating. Interment Maple Lawn Cemetery in Flora.

Stayer was lovingly known as “Uncle Harold” to every child. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, a special niece, Mary Simpson(husband: Ray) and their children, Matt and Monica, all of Bringhurst; 10 great-grandchildren, 3 stepgreat-grandchildren, 3 sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are 3 brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America Troop 144, Flora or the Grace Brethren Boys.

New Contact Info for Pastor Roger Myers

Posted by Terry White on June 25, 2006  |  No Comments

As they re-direct their ministry from the Waynesboro, PA, Grace Brethren Church, to the Vicksburg Grace Brethren Church, Roger and Lou Ann Myers send the following information. Please update your FGBC Handbook.

As you might imagine the past three months have flown past and it hardly seems that it is time for us to move. There are so many things we wanted to do and so many people we wanted to see just one more time before leaving but, unfortunately, we could not get all of those things done.

[June 25] will be our final Sunday at Waynesboro. We will finish packing and loading the truck on Monday, 6/26. Beginning 6/27 and continuing through 7/4 Lou
Ann and I will be on vacation.

Beginning 7/5 we’ll start unpacking, setting up the house, office, etc. We’ll forward our new email address as soon as that is established – hopefully right after returning from vacation. Meanwhile, our other contact information is:

Roger & Lou Ann Myers (mailing address)
P.O. Box 83
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648-0083

Church Office/Parsonage telephone 814-695-4240

The street address is
Rural Route 1 Box 555 Reservoir Road
Hollidaysburg, PA 16648

The current e-mail address is no longer available to me. After 6/25 it will
serve as the general address for all correspondence specifically for the
Grace Brethren Church of Waynesboro.

Thanks so much for your prayers on our behalf. We’ll look forward to
hearing from you at our new address. May God richly bless you.

DRIVEN Concludes With ‘Marker Brick’ Commitments

Posted by Terry White on June 25, 2006  |  No Comments

Dr. Kary Oberbrunner, a member of the pastoral staff of the Powell, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church and a key leader in the steering committee that has founded and directed the DRIVEN conferences for young adults the last two years, gave a powerful concluding message to this year’s participants this morning.

Oberbrunner, using examples such as Nelson Mandela, John F. Kennedy, Bono, and others, graphically pointed out how a clear vision can attract people to work effectively for a cause. He then called for the young people present to commit to changing their generation for Christ, and many responded.

The DRIVEN06 conference, held on the campus of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, concluded at about 11:30 a.m. today. Next year’s conference is already in the planning stages–when information is available you can see it on this blog or at www.drivenconferences.com.

Posted by Terry White on June 25, 2006  |  No Comments

As did the Israelites in the Old Testament, today’s young adults participating in DRIVEN06 were asked to place a stone, or brick, in a public place (at the foot of a cross, in this case) to make public record of something God did or accomplished in their lives today. Each young adult who made a commitment was asked to place a brick at the cross, and later was given the brick to take home as a reminder and remembrance of commitments made today.

Posted by Terry White on June 25, 2006  |  No Comments

These “marker bricks” will be returning today to homes and offices with dozens of young adults who made commitments in this morning’s service to be part of a group that impacts its generation for Jesus Christ.

DRIVEN Experiences First-Century Communion

Posted by Terry White on June 24, 2006  |  No Comments

An authentic Hebrew first-century communion service was led this afternoon by Dr. Randy Smith, who lived and studied in Israel for many years. After experiencing various Hebrew customs of ritual cleansing, blessing, and more, participants ate the Love Feast in a manner typical of what Jesus and his disciples experienced in the Upper Room.

A footwashing service followed, as taught in the Gospel of John, and then participants took a silent prayer-walk across the scenic Kenyon College campus to experience the final portion–the bread and the cup–in the architecturally-distinctive Gothic Holy Spirit Chapel.

The DRIVEN06 conference concludes Sunday morning with Kary Oberbrunner as the speaker for the closing session.