BMH Editor's Blog

Ministry Seeks to Change Abortion Thinking

Posted by Terry White on January 19, 2007  |  No Comments

Greg Koukl, who will be speaking at Grace College and Seminary on January 24 (see blog posting of Monday, January 15), is also a leader in the pro-life movement. On this pro-life weekend, here is more information about Koukl and his ministry:

Ministry seeks to change
minds in abortion debate

By Michael Foust

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–It often is said that when it comes to the debate over abortion, minds rarely are changed. A pro-life Christian ministry hopes to transform that line of thought.

Stand to Reason, a California-based educational ministry, believes people who hold the pro-choice position can be converted to the pro-life cause, provided they are presented with a reasonable, persuasive argument. That’s the goal of Stand to Reason’s “Making Abortion Unthinkable: The Art of Pro-Life Persuasion” curriculum — teaching pro-lifers how best to persuade people to oppose abortion. By doing that, the ministry says, lives will be saved.

Gregory Koukl founded Stand to Reason in 1993 to help believers “think more clearly” about their faith and defend their faith. The pro-life curriculum is but a small part of the ministry, although it is one of its top sellers. Koukl and former Stand to Reason staffer Scott Klusendorf developed the curriculum after years of successfully teaching others how to defend the pro-life position.

“We came to the conviction that there was a fruitful way of dealing with the abortion issue that would produce results,” Koukl, the ministry’s president, told Baptist Press. “In fact, it already was producing results for us and changing minds of people who otherwise were hostile to the pro-life view, or at least were in the middle.”

The Making Abortion Unthinkable DVD and VHS curriculum is intended for small groups, while the CDs, MP3s and cassettes are geared more toward individuals. All of them focus on the logical arguments behind the pro-life cause, including the scientific and philosophical cases. Koukl and Klusendorf — now president of Life Training Institute — are featured on the curriculum.

Although issues such as privacy, rape and incest often complicate the debate over abortion, Koukl believes the issue is rather simple and can be boiled down to one question: What is the unborn? All the side issues, he said, eventually lead back to that one question.

“You can’t be for or against the killing of something if you are in the dark as to what the thing in question is,” Koukl said. “If the unborn is not a human being, then no justification for abortion is even necessary. If it’s just a blob of tissue, you don’t have to come up with privacy arguments and economic arguments and rape and incest arguments. Those are moot. But if it is a human being, those arguments aren’t adequate, because we don’t kill human beings for the reasons people have abortions.

“Abortion kills a living thing. Whether or not it’s right to kill any living thing depends entirely on what that living thing is. If it’s an ant, a spider — no problem. If it’s the little boy down the street because you’re mad at him, then that’s wrong.”

The language used in abortion discussions is important, Koukl said. He intentionally uses the word “unborn” in an effort to keep from stacking the deck in either direction, while avoiding terms such as “baby” and “fetus.” Koukl also believes that graphic images from abortions can be effective — as long as people are given warning and offered the chance to look away. But those images must be coupled with a reasonable argument, he said.

“Unless you have a good argument, then your approach doesn’t have integrity,” he said.

Pro-lifers have made progress in recent years, Koukl said, in part because of 4-D technology that now allows people to watch the baby move in real time.

“Technology allows us now to see into the womb in a quite vivid way, so that people can no longer kid themselves that the life being taken is not the life of a human being,” he said. “… It’s not a magic bullet in the sense that it’s not the one thing that’s going to persuade everybody, because some people don’t care. But I think there is an intuition that is sparked in people when they actually get to see in the womb, and they realize, ‘Gee, that’s what I have said is OK to kill.’”

The debate over partial-birth abortion also has helped pro-lifers make strides, Koukl said, adding that there has been a “measurable blip” in polling data on the side of pro-lifers because of it.

“People who want to know what a partial-birth abortion is can’t help but visualize it when it’s explained. When they realize that it’s barbarism, then it’s a common sense notion that traveling seven inches down the birth canal is not going to change an unwanted mass of tissue into a valuable human being. There’s no magic there,” Koukl said. “If partial-birth abortion is barbarism, then stuffing that baby a little further up the birth canal doesn’t change the moral nature of the act. I think people get that.”

“Making Abortion Unthinkable” is available online at www.str.org (click on “store”) or by calling 1-800-2-REASON. Stand to Reason is clearing its stock of the VHS curriculum and is offering it at a discounted rate of $5 (which includes shipping).

Henry Blackaby Hospitalized, in ICU

Posted by Terry White on January 19, 2007  |  No Comments

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (ANS) — Dr. Henry Blackaby (pictured), author of Experiencing God, remains hospitalized in ICU and continues to receive treatment in a Georgia hospital.

Dr. Blackaby was admitted to Southern Regional Hospital in the Atlanta area Tuesday night. At that point, all tests indicated that he had pancreatitis. However, what has caused this problem has not yet been diagnosed. Various tests (CT, sonogram, etc.) have been inconclusive. Dr. Blackaby will remain in the hospital for at least the next couple of days.

For updates, visit Dr. Blackaby’s website at www.blackaby.org.

Grace Seminary Scholarships Available

Posted by Terry White on January 18, 2007  |  No Comments

Grace Theological Seminary is proud to announce that the dates for the Presidential Scholarship Competition are March 23rd and 24th which coincides with the annual Glimpse of Grace event.

Incoming Fall 2007 students will be able to compete for 10 different scholarships with one of them being a full-tuition scholarship for an M.Div. student plus a housing allowance that in total is worth $58,800 over three years.

For more information, contact Ryan Egli, Recruitment Representative, Grace Theological Seminary, 1-800-54-Grace ext. 6435, Eglirn@grace.edu

Mishawaka Hosts Prophecy Conference

Posted by Terry White on January 18, 2007  |  1 Comment

Evangelist featured at Bible prophecy forum

MISHAWAKA — A three-day Bible prophecy conference with evangelist Mike Wingfield of Roanoke, Va., will begin Sunday at Mishawaka Grace Brethren Church, 15250 Day Road.

Sunday topics include an overview of the Book of Revelation at 9:30 a.m., “Islam’s Agenda for America” at 10:30 a.m. and “Iraq in Bible Prophecy” at 6 p.m.

“Living in a Demonic Society” will be presented at 7 p.m. Monday. “Standing Before Him at Last” will be discussed at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Wingfield also is expected to give a presentation on the Holy Land, including photos from his trip there a few months ago, beginning 15 minutes before each of the evening services.

The sessions are open to the public.

For more information, call the church at (574) 256-0225.

Kittanning School Holds Book Fair

Posted by Terry White on January 18, 2007  |  No Comments

Grace school sets book fair

Grace Christian School will hold a book fair from 4-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday in the basement of the Grace Brethren Church of West Kittanning, PA.

Follow the signs. Many books will be available for purchase. Choose from picture books, chapter books, science books, sport books, reference books and more.

East Side Bible Conference Set for February 3

Posted by Terry White on January 18, 2007  |  No Comments

Engage ‘07, the sixth annual Winter Bible Conference sponsored by the East Side Grace Brethren Church of Blacklick, Ohio (Chip Heim, pastor) will be held Saturday, February 3, from 8:30am – 3:15pm. Cost is $25/person or $40/couple, with lunch included.

The conference will begin promptly at 9am; registration starts at 8:30am. All will meet in the auditorium for a brief opening session. Following the opening session, the remainder of the day will consist of workshops. Topics and presenters include:

Fit To Serve Him Longer and Better How exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction can help us live a longer and healthier life. -Dr. Richard Couey, Ph.D Professor of Health, Human Performance and Recreation at Baylor University in Waco, TX.

Whatever Happened to the Cross? Tired of just existing as a Christian? Maybe you need a deeper understanding of the Cross. -Rev. Bob Burney, Radio Talk Show Host of “Bob Burney Live” on WRFD Radio

God’s Redeeming Love in Your Marriage: Taking the Grit and Making a Pearl How to pursue each others’ hearts in a way that leads to intimacy and oneness. -John and Linda Willett, Search Ministries in Greensboro, NC

Doing God’s Business Dealing with practical aspects of being in the business world with Christian core principles. -Jeff Caroll, CEO of Grace Village Retirement Home, Winona Lake, IN

Is Fear Holding You Back? Discover your potential if fear were not a factor for you. -Pastor Kondo Simfukwe, Pastor of Worship at Christ’s Covenant Church, Winona Lake, Indiana

My Journey with Lymphoma & God One man’s story of how he discovered the wonderful medicine bottle of God. -Ralph Foster , Former Director of Alumni & Professional Affairs for OSU College of Pharmacy

Personal Finance Workshop – Melanie Wollenberg, Executive Vice President of Development for Equity Real Estate.

For more information, or to register, log onto http://esgbc.org/ministry/bc07.htm

Salvation Army Official Named to Head NAE

Posted by Terry White on January 18, 2007  |  No Comments

W. Todd Bassett, former National Commander of The Salvation Army, has been named Executive Director of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

“Todd Bassett brings the highest level of leadership and experience to his new position as Executive Director of the National Association of Evangelicals,” said Leith Anderson, NAE President. “He is well-known and respected among evangelicals and the broader religious community of America. I am thrilled to have him join our leadership team.”

Bassett has served on the association’s Executive Committee for four years, representing The Salvation Army, one of the organization’s 60 member denominations. In his new role as Executive Director, he will oversee NAE’s administrative, financial, and communications functions and help formulate and implement organizational vision and strategy.

“As former National Commander of The Salvation Army, one of the premier service organizations in the world, Todd will bring a wealth of experience to this new role,” said Richard Cizik, Vice President for Governmental Affairs. “We all look forward to working with him. He’s a man of great integrity and spiritual stature,” Cizik said.

“I’ve watched first hand his handling of a national crisis, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it wreaked, and can say that the credit The Salvation Army received for its splendid response, can in part be given to his leadership. Moreover, Todd has a special burden for the poor and he’ll be able to lend his commitment and experience to this aspect of our governmental affairs work,” Cizik said.

Bassett and his wife Carol were commissioned as officers in the Salvation Army in 1965 and have served in ministry for nearly 42 years in a variety of appointments. Their assignments have included youth ministry, the School for Officers’ Training, and divisional and territorial leadership. They also served for two years at the Army’s International Headquarters in London.

Bassett was appointed National Commander of the Salvation Army in 2002 and served in that post until April 2006.

BMH Welcomes Melody-the-Intern

Posted by Terry White on January 16, 2007  |  1 Comment

For the next several months, visitors who call or visit the BMH offices in Winona Lake, Indiana, during the middle part of the day will be greeted by BMH’s spring-semester journalism intern, Melody Pfaffenberger (pictured).

Each semester Dr. Paulette Sauders of the Grace College journalism department arranges for a journalism or communications major to work with BMH for about 20 hours a week. The interns receive college credit, along with “real-life experience” in the Christian publishing/communications business.

Melody, who is from Mishawaka, Indiana, is a communications major at Grace. She will be assisting Liz Cutler Gates in writing and editing FGBC World, will be helping senior editor Jesse Deloe edit and proof manuscripts for BMH Books, and she will be assisting with other general writing, editorial, and office duties.

Melody has written for the Elkhart (IN) Truth newspaper and for the Grace College newspaper, The Sounding Board. She is also active in the drama program at Grace.

What Kevin Showed Me

Posted by Terry White on January 15, 2007  |  1 Comment

John Teevan (pictured), director of the prison extension program at Grace College, Winona Lake, IN, recently sent this thoughtful reflection, based on his experience with one of his prisoner-students. It is reproduced here with his permission.

Last Friday, I was talking with Kevin (a prisoner at an Indiana maximum security correctional facility) about how to settle a problem with an outside agency so he can pursue his college education. While talking to him I noticed that he had an attitude that I do not really possess and that I do not often see. This led me to a kind of realization that there may be three ‘postures’ to Christianity. Kevin has the first one.

The first is the posture of the person who is in control of nothing and who seeks to work on the edges of life to achieve, survive, cope, and make slight improvements over infuriating long periods of time. He is under God, which is good, but he is under man, and especially under the system, which can be bad.

The second is the posture of a person who has an actual vision of a better life, an idea of what life should look like, and the hope that things might change if he acts to change them. This posture is full of ideals, goals, plans, strategies, effort, risk and sacrifice; this is the posture of the revolutionary who serves a worthy cause.

The third is the posture of the person who is (or imagines himself to be) in control. This posture is the opposite of the first one. He can achieve anything, solve any problem, create real improvements quickly and by direct effort, facilitated by others whom he also controls.

So is there a best biblical posture?

In the first one God is in charge and man humbly takes his place under God’s care. Much of the Bible, and not just the OT, tells us to live like this (Jeremiah’s personal reflections in Lam. 3 is right along these lines and worth reading all 66 verses). It may seem passive, but it is the posture of potential contentment; a contentment that comes not from having things right, but from trusting the one who does or will make things right. Trust and hope.

The second posture has characterized Christians and the West for centuries. The revolutionary has been brilliant, and yet he has been awful. He has sought godly goals, utopian goals, and political goals. And yet he has been universally corrupted either in his own demise by delusion, or by power, or by zealous followers who have gone off the rails in distressing ways. His sins are often considered forgivable as they are the sins of idealists. ‘The Greatest Generation’ (and MLK) was characterized by this posture. Effort and sacrifice.

The third posture is that of a man who already thinks of himself as a very competent person of good will whose attendant affluence augments his opportunities. This is the model for western and especially American leaders today. This is the CEO; this is Gary Cooper standing alone against Frank and his gang while the cowardly townspeople hide in ‘High Noon’ (1954). This, oddly, is one of the main models for the Christian leader and pastor today who creates outcomes for Jesus who is grateful. Power.

So here are the options: a humble servant characterized by trust and hope; a self-sacrificing visionary; and a powerful giant in the land. The chief difference is the role of God in each posture. In the first posture, God is all; in the second, God is the driving force; in the third, God is the role model and audience.

Many people prefer to minister among the people of the first posture as that is ‘front line’ ministry where God intersects with life. I think of this as being the ‘salt and light’ zone. In the second God intersects with good ministry plans. And in the third posture God only intersects with personal goals or needs. The first posture is real, the second is vibrant (light but not much salt), and the third too often seems fake (too often being neither salt nor light).

So which is the best biblical posture? It is tempting to say that the first is better, but I imagine that it must depend on circumstances. If I am free enough for it, should I adopt the second posture of effort and sacrifice? Sure, but only if I am much more inclined to drift toward the first posture of humility rather than drift toward the third posture of power.

I am grateful to God for Kevin, a humble, salt and light Christian, for prompting these thoughts.

John Teevan
Director of Prison Extension
Grace College

Grace Receives $250K Andersen Grant

Posted by Terry White on January 15, 2007  |  No Comments

Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, has again been notified that the school is the recipient of a $250,000 grant from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation of Bayport, Minnesota. The Andersens were affiliated with
Andersen Windows.

The unrestricted grant is given to educational institutions that do not accept state or federal funding (with the exception of financial aid granted to students) for any purpose.

In announcing the gift, Grace’s advancement office said, “Grace is grateful to God that we have been a recipient of an annual grant from the Andersen Foundation since 1978.”

Grace to Sponsor Emergent Church Session

Posted by Terry White on January 15, 2007  |  3 Comments

Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana, will sponsor “Truth Is a Strange Sort of Fiction – The Challenge from the Emergent Church” on Wednesday, January 24 from 7-8:30 p.m. in McClain Auditorium.

This lecture with a question-and-answer session will be given by Greg Koukl (pictured), who will address the issue of speaking intelligibly to a postmodern culture.

Koukl is founder and president of Stand to Reason and professor in Christian Apologetics at Biola University. He is an author and speaker, and has hosted his own radio talk show for more than 15 years.

Koukl is known for his popular defenses of various doctrines of Christianity and also well known for being an advocate of the Pro-Life position. He is also an outspoken critic of moral and philosophical relativism.

Koukl is often paired with many contemporary conservative Christian thinkers such as J.P. Moreland, Hugh Hewitt, Scott Klusendorf, and William Lane Craig. He currently broadcasts his call-in radio show Stand To Reason out of AM-740, transmitting from Avalon, CA, every Sunday from 3:00pm to 5:00pm Pacific Time (shortened to 4:45pm during shorter daylight hours in December and January).

Koukl lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two children.

Raleigh Church to Feature Bono Interview

Posted by Terry White on January 12, 2007  |  33 Comments

Hope Community Church (Mike Lee, pastor), the Grace Brethren church in Raleigh, North Carolina, will be featuring a video interview with singer Bono (pictured) on Sunday, March 4 at 6 p.m.

Here is a bit of text from their promotion–to see the entire page click here.

“Sunday, March 4, 6:00 p.m., Hope’s auditorium with Hope’s own Band of Brothers performing live

“Sometimes God touches and transforms the lives of the most unusual people to carry out his work…

“Join us as we present an exclusive interview event with Bono, lead singer of the rock band U2 and TIME magazine’s 2005 Person of the Year. This is a rare opportunity to hear Bono share about his own spiritual journey as well as his passion to fight the dual tragedies of global poverty and AIDS.”

Simi H.S. Senior in Scholarship Finals

Posted by Terry White on January 12, 2007  |  No Comments

From the Simi Valley, California, Acorn:

GBHS senior will represent VFW in state competition

A senior at Grace Brethren High School has been chosen to represent the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049, Simi Valley, and District 7 in the state finals of the Voice of Democracy scholarship competition.

Caleb Hargis will join 24 other district representatives in Sacramento for three days beginning Jan. 18.

During this time, the students will participate in educational and competitive venues. A meeting with the governor is tentatively scheduled, along with tours of various state buildings and offices.

The Voice of Democracy competition is a national audio-essay scholarship program for high school students who develop a 3 to 5 minute audio-essay. This year’s theme is “Freedom’s Challenge.”

Various scholarships are awarded at each level of the competition. The state winner will be flown to Washington D.C. to compete for the national $30,000 scholarship.

Seminary Prof. to Assist Osceola Ministry

Posted by Terry White on January 12, 2007  |  No Comments

Brian Baughman, pastor of Hispanic ministries at the Grace Brethren Church of Osceola, Indiana, sends along the following news note and prayer request:

Praise the Lord that we have 30 people signed up for our Intercultural Communications class here at the church in Osceola!

Dr. Tom Stallter (pictured) from Grace Seminary will be traveling up to teach us over the next two weeks. Everything starts this Saturday morning at 8 am, so please be praying for us.

This will be a very important time of learning for us as a leadership team and church family. This class will aid us greatly in understanding the complexities of reaching people from other cultures as we build God’s church. I personally just praise the Lord for the many good things He has done to bring this class to Osceola!

Please pray with me that it will help give us even more vision and passion for our future!

ESPANOL

Alabado sea el Señor por los 30 personas inscriptas en la clase de Comunicaciones Interculturales que empieza aquí en Osceola este sábado! El Dr. Tom Stallter del seminario Grace viene para enseñar durante los próximas dos semanas. Será un tiempo de aprendizaje muy importante para nosotros como un equipo de liderazco y la familia de la iglesia. La clase nos ayudará entender unas de las complexidades de alcanzar gente de otras culturas mientras que edificamos la iglesia de Dios. Personalmente quiero agradecer al Señor por las muchas cosas muy lindas que El ya ha hecho en cuanto de hacer posible esta clase. Por favor oren conmigo que ella nos dé aún más visión y pasión para nuestro futuro!

Gracias y tengan un muy buen día hermanos!

Brian MT 6:33

Mick Rockafellow Health Update

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2007  |  1 Comment

Many have been praying for the health needs of Pastor Mick Rockafellow of the Lansing, Michigan, Grace Brethren Church. Here are excerpts from an update he sends along:

I wanted to give you a bit of an update. This may help answer any questions regarding my situation.

First I am feeling well. I am able to do my work and carry on the duties of pastor, husband, dad, grandpa etc. I do notice that I get tired a bit easier than I used to. Maybe some of that is getting older So physically I have been pretty good.

On Dec. 18, 2006, I was at the liver transplant center at the U. of M. hospital for an initial evaluation and consultation. It was a four-hour visit. Coming out of that visit it was determined that at this time I’m not a candidate for a liver transplant. That is basically due to the fact that I’m not bad enough at this time for consideration to be placed on the list.

I am to keep taking the medications that I have been taking, watching my diet, limiting any strenous physical activity and using a lot of common sense. They were not able to tell me WHY I have the problem. That is disappointing, but at this time, it seems like the reality we have to face.

So Bonnie and I feel a bit better over-all with where we’re at, at this time. We both have mixed emotions about the entire matter, but have turned it over to the Lord, since we know that He is in control.

The doctors feel that if my liver cooperates and doesn’t get worse, that I could go for a few years before a transplant would be necessary. The risks are still great with a transplant and they don’t take the risks until it’s absolutely necessary. I can appreciate that position. However in the meantime, I have to watch all the things I mentioned above.

I will keep seeing my doctors here in Lansing and do follow-up with them. I go back to U. of M. in June to see how things are going and to establish a track record of my situation. In the meantime I will continue to have the esophegal banding procedures. This addresses the veins in my esophagus that can bleed and get serious in a hurry.

So that is my situation for now. I sincerely appreciate the prayers of God’s people and the contacts that I have had. It appears that I’m not critical and for the moment have perhaps stablized for a time.

NamNet Launched–You’re Welcome to Join

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2007  |  1 Comment

NamNet!, an e-mail newsletter especially for those interested in mission ministry in Viet Nam, has been launched by Jay Bell and Bob Smoker.

“God sent many of us to Viet Nam with M-16’s, now we can return with John 3:16,” says Bob Greenwood, pastor of New Life Community Grace Brethren Church in Souderton, Pennsylvania.

Bob Smoker is the pastor at the Susquehanna Grace Brethren Church in Wrightsville, PA. (smok1@verizon.net). Jay is on staff with Grace Brethren International Missions (GBIM) in Winona Lake, IN. (jaybell@gbim.org). Smoker’s interest in Viet Nam was featured in the May/June, 2005 issue of FGBC World.

Bell says, “Bob and I have been talking about this for a long, long time. We are now ‘underway’ (that’s “Navy-speak”). Actually, the first person to bring up the idea of a network was Dave Mitchell (Pastor, Waipio Grace Brethren Church, Mililani, HI.) in the early 90’s.”

The network, Bell says, is for those who served in Viet Nam, or who are Viet Nam-era veterans, or those interested in Viet Nam.

Bell point out, for example, Edna Craghead, a dear Sister-in-the-Lord (Grace Brethren Church of Covington, VA.) who has an interest in Viet Nam. She lost her son – her only son, Buddy, while on patrol with the Navy Riverine Force in the Mekong Delta. She has been an “honorary” teammate on all the GO Teams (GBIM’s Global Opportunity short-term teams) to Viet Nam since 2002.

Also Ron Moore (Grace Brethren Church of Powell, OH.) is an example of a Viet Nam-era veteran. He didn’t serve “in-country,” but the flow of “body-bags” deeply impacted him while serving in Okinawa.

According to Bell, the door of ministry in Viet Nam began to slowly open through our Grace Brethren Cambodian Foundation-Layers (church planters) in 2000. They wanted to try to reach fellow-Cambodians living in the southern part of Viet Nam (the Mekong Delta used to be part of Cambodia).

he first GO Team was “inserted” in 2002. Bob Smoker and Bell were teammates on that first team. Since then many teams have gone, including many vets.

Bell says, “The Lord began to put into our hearts the vision to mobilize vets and others to pray for Viet Nam and the contacts we have met. God sent us there many years ago when we were young . . . Now as “good soldiers of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3) we can look back over our shoulders and join him in reaching Viet Nam for Jesus!

If you know of Viet Nam Vets or others interested in your church, ask them if they would be interested in joining the NamNet. If they agree, please send their name and e-mail address to Bell at jaybell@gbim.org.

TMSM Phasing Out After 13 Years

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2007  |  No Comments

According to the latest issue of “Kairos” publication from Grace Brethren International Missions, Total Mobilization Support Ministries (TMSM) is ceasing operations after 13 years.

The first TMSM team was deployed to Brazil in 1993. Their mission was to work side-by-side with local believers to build a church facility, and to do so in 7-10 days.

In all, 21 teams that included more than 300 members have served on TMSM teams in Asia and Latin America.

Nathan Bryant has been the TMSM administrator; Gordon and Barbara Grover were field logistics and building coordinators; and Ted and Elise Admonanis were team coordinators and administrators.

Kreider Update

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2007  |  No Comments

Abigail was taken into surgery at 7:00 this morning (eastern time). They had to cut a hole in her skull in order to operate on a blood clot.

The operation appears to have gone well. They found the clot to be larger than they thought. Abby did have some communication with the family after surgery but she is very tired of course. They have her in a neck brace, her left knee is very scraped, and she has bruises on her feet. Time will reveal if further injuries exist.

We continue to express our deepest thanks for your intercession on Abigail’s behalf. Everyone in the family is experiencing the peace of God’s presence as we trust He who is our Father to use all of this for His great names sake.

How thankful we are as well for the telephone when approximately 1,100 miles separate us from the situation our children are facing.

Thanks again for praying,
Our love,
Kevin & Lorna

Albert Mohler Continues Recovery

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2007  |  No Comments

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. was discharged Jan. 10 from Louisville’s Baptist Hospital East following a two-week hospitalization that included extensive abdominal surgery and a four-day stay in the intensive care unit due to blood clots in the lungs.

Mohler and his family are “overjoyed to be back home,” according to a press release.

“Dr. Mohler looks forward to resuming his presidential and ministerial duties, but his activities will be limited for some time as he continues his recuperation at home,” the release stated. “The Mohlers are deeply grateful for the many prayers offered and expressions of concern shown over the past couple of weeks.”

Mohler was moved out of intensive care and into a private room at the hospital Jan. 8. He was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 27 complaining of intense abdominal pain and underwent surgery the following day. While physicians reported that the procedure went well and that Mohler’s abdominal issues were remedied, the development of blood clots led doctors to move Mohler to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Kreider Prayer Request Update

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2007  |  No Comments

Received Thursday morning:

Our family thanks each of you for praying for Abigail and the uncertainty of her injuries at the moment of our first request.

We have learned that Abby has a fractured skull at the upper left side of her head
along with some internal bleeding in the head. Her lungs are bruised and she has some glass in her back.

She has responded to Paul (her husband) and moved toes for the neurologist. She certainly has some healing before her, and we deeply appreciate your prayers on her behalf. We will update you once more as we learn more of her condition.

Lorna and I have certainly been comforted by God as we waited for news that went further than, “They lifelined her and that’s all we know.” We could at that moment honestly say, ‘Thank You Father, for Abigail is Your child and we know You are working all things out for Your own glory. You make no mistakes and we wait to see Your will unfold before us.’

The body of Christ has taken on a fresh dimension for us and it too is a great comfort.

Our love,
Kevin & Lorna