BMH Editor's Blog

Winona Lake Church Goes "Out Plantin’"

Posted by Terry White on May 31, 2008  |  No Comments

Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church (Bruce Barlow, lead pastor) has been emphasizing the responsibility of each believer to plant seed (i.e. give a witness for Christ) in the natural forums where each person has been placed. This Sunday, June 1, the entire church family is being encouraged, instead of meeting in regular ABFs and Sunday School classes, instead to meet in self-selected “Field Focus Teams” for mutual discussion, encouragement, and motivation in witness.

Ted Rondeau and Jay Bell, who work in the outreach area of the church, have helped church members group themselves into one of the following categories by special-interest, or by self-identification. As they explain:

Field Focus Teams are how we, as a church family , seek to put “Out Plantin” into practice in our daily lives following the natural rhythms of where Jesus has already planted us (Mt. 13:37) …where we work…where we play…where we associate in the community.

Field Focus Teams are arranged with a focus on connecting with not-yet-believers in the vocational, recreational and civic/social aspects of our lives. Please find your way to one of the following groups during the 9 a.m. hour this Sunday

Out Plantin’ 101 – Kip Cone – Worship Center
For those new to the church family, unfamiliar with “Out Plantin”, or uncertain of where to start.

Education – Mark McCollom – Fellowship Hall
For those involved with K-12 public school, K-12 Christian school, Undergrad & grad school, and supporting services (bus, grounds, food service, etc.).

Homemakers – Mary Cone – Fellowship Hall
For those with children, without children (young couples or empty nesters) and Home-schoolers.

Business Owners & Professionals – Mark Hall – Fellowship Hall
Medical professionals, business executives and owners, those in management positions, sales professionals, etc.

Retail, Service, Manufacturing & Production – Dave Rank – Fellowship Hall
Factory workers, clerks, assistants, service industries, retail sales, etc.

Recreational Activities – Ted Rondeau – Fellowship Hall
If you look at your hobby, recreational, sports or pasttime activities as a means of connecting with non-believers or would like to begin doing so.

Unchurched Family & Neighbors – Terry White – Youth Center Auditorium
For those with a burden for lost family members and/or neighbors.

Ministry Workers & Leaders – Bruce Barlow – Conference Room
Do you find yourself working in an all Christian environment? Let’s talk about breaking out of the bubble.

Building Trades & Handyman Hobbies – Brent Hollinger – Church Office Lobby
All building trades or those with handyman skills or hobbies in the trades.

Retirees & Seniors – Tom Julien – Fireside Room
For those with a burden to reach other retirees or seniors for Jesus.

Students – Tim Wright & Nick Deck – Youth Center Rooms
High school and Jr. High students.

College Students – please pick a Field Focus Team from above that relates to your career direction or join in the “Recreational Activities” team.

A Year of ‘Fifties’ for Ron and Willa Henry

Posted by Terry White on May 31, 2008  |  1 Comment

This is the year of “Fifties” for Ron and Willa Henry of Warsaw, Indiana.

Today (May 31) is their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married May 31, 1958 in Martinsburg, Pa., with the Revs. Richard Grant and R. Wayne Snider officiating.

The couple have two children. Michelle (and spouse Bill) Heffelfinger, Granger, Indiana; and Monica (and spouse David) Wayne, Warsaw, Indiana. They have four grandchildren.

This month also marks the Henrys’ 50th anniversary year of graduating from Grace College. In this photo from the Grace alumni department, they were among the “Golden Class” honored at recent commencement exercises at Grace College and Seminary.

And finally, Ron retires this summer after 50 years of continuous service to Grace College in a number of roles as history professor and academic administrator. Willa earlier retired after 41 years as an elementary school teacher in the Warsaw, Indiana, Community School system.

The Henrys are active in Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church (Bruce Barlow, lead pastor). They plan to celebrate with upcoming trips to Door County, Wisconsin, and to Spain later this fall.

Alta Loma Church Does Creative Outreach

Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2008  |  No Comments

Pastor Roy Halberg and his outreach team from Grace Fellowship, the Grace Brethren church in Alta Loma, California, are working hard at some creative outreach ideas. In this photo Alta Loma parishioners operated from a booth at this week’s Second Avenue Street Fair in Upland.

The church handed out bottles of water wrapped with million dollar bills and also handed out dozens of other gospel tracts as well. Several good conversations with people gave them the opportunity to share the Lord and the gospel message, they report.

Pastor Halberg says, “Our plan is to be there each Thursday night with 3-5 people hopefully helping out by handing out tracts or simply being present and praying for us . . . its going to be a lot of fun!!

He continues, “I am learning some ’street Magic’ as are two of the others. One of our gals is learning ventriloquism and has purchased several puppets but isn’t confident yet to go live. We are hoping to utilize these in drawing a crowd and sharing the gospel.

“One of the gals in our church performs as a clown and also does face painting.

“I have written a tract for cyclists since I see lots of people out on bikes when I am riding my bicycle. I had the opportunity of sharing one these tracts with a groundsman at a local cemetery last week. I found in conversation with Phil that he has kidney failure and is down to 26 percent function. I prayed with him and gave him my cyclist tract, telling him that I’d written it myself and would love to know what he thought of it.

“All of this to say, I am more excited today about our church in Alta Loma than I have been in the five and a half years I’ve been here. I am praying for a small core of men and women who will ‘charge hell with squirt guns’ with me.”

Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2008  |  No Comments

Bottles of “Living Water” wrapped in a million-dollar-bill tract were handed out at the street fair by an outreach team from the Alta Loma church. (photos courtesy Roy Halberg)

Twin Cities Church-Plant Moving Ahead

Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2008  |  No Comments

YIB (Your Intrepid Blogger) met this afternoon for several hours with Twin Cities church planter George Stagg (pictured in the heart of Uptown) who is seeking to establish a Grace Brethren church in the Uptown/Lake Calhoun area of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota.

George is encouraged by several developments–several individuals have come to Christ, and there are now three small groups that meet weekly–one in south Minneapolis, one in Uptown, and one in Woodbury. The three groups combine for worship and fellowship celebrations in the Uptown area in a rented facility (former tattoo parlor) Sunday evenings.

As you pray for George and his fledgling group, please pray (1) for an outpouring of God’s Spirit that will result in new conversions for Christ, (2) a good woman friend for George’s wife, Anna (the Staggs have four children), and (3) wisdom as George explores some creative outreach alternatives, including a possible “School of Tyrannus” (Acts 19:9)open forum where representatives of various worldviews (including Christianity) would have a platform for explaining their perspectives.

George has formed some good relationships with several fellow church-planters from other groups and with the Greater Minneapolis Association of Evangelicals. Pray for him as he seeks to make significant contact with unbelievers through book reading groups, teaching math to immigrants, joining a local comedy club, and other efforts.

Ralph Grady Obituary

Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2008  |  1 Comment

Ralph Henry Grady, 88, of Friendship Village, Waterloo, Iowa, died Thursday, May 29, 2008, at Covenant Medical Center of natural causes.

Ralph was born May 1, 1920 on the family farm south of Waterloo, the son of Charles and Mary Grady. Ralph grew up on the farm and graduated from Orange High School in 1938.

Ralph married Anna Mae Deits September 21, 1942, at Grace Brethren Church in Waterloo. They farmed together in Orange Township until moving to town in 1980.

Ralph was owner and operator of Grady Farms Dairy from 1961-1976. Ralph was a faithful leader in the church by teaching the Home Builders Sunday School Class and other Bible studies. Until just a few days before his death, he enjoyed reciting verses and entire chapters of the Bible from memory.

Many young men’s lives were impacted by Ralph and Anna Mae’s caring arms that brought them into the family to work and learn. Ralph was on the board of Trustees for Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, and was active in various community organizations and clubs.

He enjoyed collecting various antiques, including many old John Deere tractors.

Ralph and Anna Mae began a church ministry in 1980 in the retirement park where they resided in Fort Myers, Florida. Ralph loved calling on the sick and shut-ins. Ralph prayed diligently every day for each child, grandchild, their spouses and all the great-grandchildren by name, as well as scores of missionaries.

Ralph is survived by his four children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren – daughter Donna Mae (Tom) Miller of Winona Lake, IN, and their children Annette Coenen, Tami Miller and Amy Miller; son Tom (Jane) Grady of Alpharetta, GA, and their children Janet (Randy) Darden, Jenny (Michael) Barker, Toby (Katie) Grady, Jamie Grady; son Jim (Jeanette) Grady of Waterloo, and their children Stephanie (Jon) Moseley, Matthew (Athena) Grady; daughter Betty Anne (Kyle) Bergen of Dallas, GA, and their children Ben (Anna) Bergen, Elizabeth (Jason) Flowers, Katie (Chris)Torres, Charlie (Maggie) Bergen.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Anna Mae on January 2, 2004, his parents, his brother Lawrence, and sister Bernita Chisum.

Services are set for 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 2, 2008, at Grace Brethren Church, 1760 Williston Ave. Visitation is from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 1, 2008, at Locke Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Orange Township Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa, and memorials may be made to Grace Brethren Church or Friendship Village.

Lilly Provides Full-Ride to Grace College

Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2008  |  No Comments

Excerpted from the Brazil (Indiana) Times:

Two students each from Vigo, Clay and Sullivan counties will receive four-year, full-tuition scholarships as the 2008 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for their respective counties.

In addition to full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice, each scholar will receive an annual stipend of up to $800 for required books and equipment.

Funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., the scholarship program is administered by the Wabash Valley Community Foundation and affiliates, the Clay County Community Foundation and the Sullivan County Community Foundation.

Northview High School’s Abby Birkey (pictured), daughter of Allan and Robin Birkey, earned the scholarship this year.

“It is such a blessing to have won this scholarship, it is an answer to my prayers,” Birkey said. “I took a leap of faith because I didn’t have a way to pay for a private college.”

Birkey will be attending Grace College in the fall.

“Abby is an amazing young woman, she sets a very good example for other students,” NHS Guidance Counselor Don Harrison said. . .

. . . More than 200 applications from students in the three counties were received by the foundation.

Each county had its own selection committee composed of citizens from throughout the county.

The selection process was “blind” in that all identifying material was concealed prior to application review by the committees in an effort to make this as fair a process as possible.

Any student entering college for the first time in the fall of 2008 who resided in or attended school in Clay, Sullivan, or Vigo counties and was (or would be) a graduate of an accredited Indiana high school in the current or past two academic years was eligible to apply.

The scholarships are intended for “well-rounded individuals,” according to the foundation. Selection criteria for the area includes 10 percent financial need, 45 percent academic achievement and 45 percent activities outside the academic setting, including extracurricular activities, service to the community and/or part-time employment.

Each county committee then conducted interviews and narrowed selections to two nominees and one alternate.

ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents 31 regionally accredited degree-granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.

The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor’s degree. There were 216 scholarships awarded statewide.

Waterloo Church Responds to Tornado Victims

Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2008  |  No Comments

The tornadoes that ripped through Iowa north of Waterloo last Sunday, May 25, hit the home of a family from the Grace Brethren Church of Waterloo, David and Cindy Schake. Here is part of a diary, supplied by Waterloo pastor Kelvin Cooke, of how the church responded over the next several days (Waterloo Courier photo)

Sunday, May 25, 10 p.m.

Today (Sunday, May 25) during all this bad weather one of the tornadoes went north of Waterloo and into Dunkerton. On its way it got part of Dave and Cindy Schake’s home. The machine shed and garage are completely gone. No sign of any equipment that was in the machine shed. Two boats are totally gone. The trailers they were sitting on are down the road a bit. Everything else is gone.

The garage that Dave had his restored car in, along with a truck, is gone. Both vehicles were lifted and something is underneath them and rear tires are not on the ground. We will investigate that tomorrow.

The house had all of it windows on the west side of the house blown in and you can’t believe all the dirt and debris that was blown in. It appears that the ceiling of the entire house was literally lifted off the walls and then dropped back down.

Dirt is everywhere. Broken glass is everywhere. It got dark just as we were getting tarps over all the windows and the holes in the roof so we didn’t get much more accomplished outside.

A large number of you [church family] tried to get to Dave’s house but law enforcement shut down all roads going into that area. In the quarter-mile leading up to Dave’s house there were four lines down across the road. There was also a propane tank leak that had to be fixed before they would open the road.

As of 10:30 tonight they had moved the wires off the road and it was drivable but the sheriff still had it closed. We are hoping that in the morning it will be open. Thanks so much for trying.

Many wanted to know how to help…

Outside–The plan is to start at about 9 am going thru “stuff” in yard and where shed and garage used to be to sift out what is still good.

Inside– they will try to pack up those things that are still good and move them to the basement or to the attached garage. There might be a possibility that storage sheds will be rented.

It was suggested that for those that come we will be cleaning up the glass that is everywhere in the house and in the yard. Rakes, wheelbarrows and scoop shovels would be helpful.

We have plastic over the windows at this time. We may want to put tarps up (more heavy duty) or plywood. They are going to stay in the house at this time. There is no electricity. Power lines are down all the way down the road. They have a generator.

Monday May 26th 9:00 a.m.

We just got home from helping all day. There were about 45 people who showed up to help. We removed and burned debris, raked up glass, boarded up broken windows, helped his elderly neighbor across the road with some of the same.

The tornado lifted their roof off their house and then set it back down. We could not believe the devastation. Dave is always helping others, so today it is our turn to help him. Their home is lovely and not very old so not sure what they will do.

Wednesday May 28th 6:00 p.m.

Around 40 people, including about 20-25 youth and leaders, met at the home of David and Cindy Schake last night to pray for them and all of the neighbors in their area that were hit by the tornado. It was a precious time of lifting up our praises and prayer requests to our Lord and Savior.

Pastor Ken Matteson (Youth Pastor), Pastor Kelvin Cooke (Senior Pastor and his wife) the youth leaders, and the youth passed out about 50 fried chicken meals and bottles of water to David and Cindy’s neighbors in a several-mile radius around them and crews working on power lines all over the area. They were able to pray with some of them also and invite them to church.

One family we gave meals to and prayed with said we were God’s angels sent to them and that they really appreciated the meal since they had not been able to cook for a few days.

Pray that God will bring many blessings out of this disaster and that His name will be praised and glorified because He is good all the time!

New Columbus Church-Plant Underway

Posted by Terry White on May 29, 2008  |  No Comments

The current e-newsletter from thequest, pastored in Columbus, Ohio, by Mike Jentes, carries more information about a new church-plant in that state’s capital city.

A New Urban Church Plant is in formation–Capital City Grace

Our vision is to be like an oak tree that is physically rooted in our city and spiritually rooted in God’s Word. Capital City Grace has been the vision of Larry and Sylvia Totzke for quite some time. Larry and Sylvia moved to the Short North district of urban Columbus over seven years ago as part of the team from East Side GBC that founded the quest. The Totzkes believe God wants to use them to plant this church to reach the downtown neighborhoods.

God has also called Eric and Julie Miller (pictured) to be on the team to begin this work. They moved to Columbus in February after talking about living in Columbus since before getting married almost two years ago.

They spent the first year of their marriage praying and waiting for the right ministry opportunity, always listing Columbus as their first choice. Both Eric and Julie had lived in larger cities and were craving a return to life and ministry in the city.

If you want to stay connected via email to all the plans, you can find contact info on the website at www.capitalcitygrace.com (the website is being constructed even now, so look for a new launch soon!).

Two More Saints Promoted to Glory

Posted by Terry White on May 29, 2008  |  No Comments

Two more Grace Brethren saints have gone on to glory. Here are prayer requests as distributed today from Grace College and Seminary:

For Dr. Rich Jeffreys and his family. Dr. Jeffreys’ mother, Mary Jeffreys (87), passed away on May 25. The funeral was held this morning at the Uniontown (PA) Grace Brethren Church. Dr. Jeffreys is the biology and pre-med program director at Grace College.

For the family of Ralph Grady (88), who passed away this morning in Waterloo, Iowa. Mr. Grady served on the Grace Board of Trustees for 18 years and has been a faithful friend to the college and seminary for many years. Arrangements are incomplete at this time at the Locke Funeral Home in Waterloo, Iowa.

The visitation will be Sunday, June 1, from 3-7 p.m. at the Locke Funeral Home in Waterloo, Iowa. The funeral will be Monday, June 2, 2:00 p.m. at the Grace Brethren Church, 1760 Williston Ave., Waterloo.

Grace Names Scott Feather to New Position

Posted by Terry White on May 29, 2008  |  No Comments

E. Scott Feather, M.Div., has been appointed Dean of the Chapel and Global Ministries at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana. Feather most recently has served as Associate Dean of Character and Leadership Development.

Feather is an alumnus of both Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary, having earned his B.A. degree in the college and M.Div. degree in the seminary.

His parents are Ray and Sharon Feather of Edmonds, Washington, where Ray pastors Grace Commmunity Chapel, a Grace Brethren church in Mukilteo, Washington.

In his new position, Scott will be responsible for coordinating the chapel program, student ministries, and Global Perspectives, as well as giving leadership and direction to the undergraduate cross-cultural experience.

Feather will be leading a trip to Thailand beginning June 15. To access his blog, click on http://www.esfeather.com/

In other personnel news at Grace, Todd Norris, M.A., has accepted the position of Registrar, previously held by Anecia Miller, whose husband, Kurt, has accepted a position as lead pastor at the Grace Brethren church in Martinsburg, Pa. Norris brings to Grace a range of experiences in academic services. He currently is the Director of Student Education Services at Indiana University South Bend.

Carlos Tellez, M.A., has accepted the position of cultural liaison. His duties will focus on cross-cultural experiences (specifically organizing and leading several trips) and working with the Global Perspectives and Global Experience classes. He will work closely with international students.

Creation Museum Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

Posted by Terry White on May 29, 2008  |  1 Comment

The Creation Museum, which is located in a suburb of Cincinnati, Ohio, will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its opening this weekend. The museum has surpassed its year-long attendance goal in fewer than six months. A number of Grace Brethren churches in the midwest, as well as Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Indiana, have sponsored tours and trips to the museum. To read the remainder of the article excerpted here, click here. To see the museum’s website, click here.

This weekend, the founders of the Creation Museum will celebrate the anniversary of their one year opening with much fanfare and jubilation.

The museum, which features the Bible’s literal account of creation as aligned with natural history, has been billed a success by its founders.

Ken Ham, president and co-founder of Answers in Genesis, the founding organization of the museum, spoke optimistically of the museum’s future and his plan for expanding its operations.

“We are delighted to continue to welcome new visitors to the museum and we are excited about the future as we continue to reach new people with the creation/gospel message,” he said in a statement.

Ham said that the museum planned to build a series of parks and kiosks that would help the museum be more family friendly and attractive to younger visitors over the course of the next year. He also explained his hope for the museum as a tool for bringing people to Christ and furthering the cause of Biblical creationism.

Moody President Resigns Due to Back Problems

Posted by Terry White on May 29, 2008  |  No Comments

The president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago (pictured) has resigned, due to health problems with his back. Here is an excerpt–to read the entire release click here.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (ANS) — Dr. Michael J. Easley, President of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, has announced his resignation effective June 30, 2008 due to a health problem with his back.

“After much thought, prayer, and consultation, I have asked the Board of Trustees of the Moody Bible Institute to relieve me of my duties as President so that I may devote more time and energy seeking medical treatment for my back,” said Dr. Easley in a letter to the Moody community.

“Surgery has already once interrupted my tenure for several weeks, and unfortunately it has become clear that more treatment is required. I have come to the difficult conclusion that under the circumstances I cannot be as effective a President as the Institute deserves.”

At a meeting on May 16, the Moody Board of Trustees reluctantly accepted Dr. Easley’s resignation. At the Board’s request, Dr. Easley has agreed to serve as President Emeritus through the 2009 school year as they search for a new president.

“On behalf of the Moody Board of Trustees, we are disappointed to lose Dr. Easley, and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his agreeing to stay with us in this new role while we seek his replacement,” said Jerry Jenkins, Chairman of the Board. “He is a man of unique gifts who has hugely benefited the ministry here.”

In November 2007, Dr. Easley took a medical leave of absence to have surgery on his back. Since that time, it has been difficult for him to travel and engage as effectively as he would like.

The Board of Trustees will immediately begin the search for a new president.

Another article may be seen by clicking here.

Gas From God for $3.30 in Orlando

Posted by Terry White on May 29, 2008  |  1 Comment

Grace Brethren Florida church-planter Kirt Henman (pictured) and the gas discount his church is offering are currently being featured on a FOX News Channel in Orlando. Here is an excerpt–to see the original click here. Henman has also been interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel for a potential article.

(WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) — Fed up with the high gas prices? A central Florida church says it wants to bless you by giving you a discount on gas.

For a few hours on Saturday the members of the New Spring Church will pay $.50 cents of every gallon sold at the 7-11 on Red Bug Lake Road.

It’s certainly a smart way for their new church to get its name out but Kirt Henman, pastor of New Spring Church says it’s not the main reason why they’re doing this.

“For the two hours on Saturday people will come, whether they know we’re having this gas buy-down or not,” Henman said. “You know they may just be coming to 7-11. There is no catch. We simply want to show the love of Jesus Christ in a positive way. There’s no bait and switch. There’s no catch whatsoever.”

And Henman says there’s no lecturing, either.

“Nope, no preaching,” he said. “We’re just here to serve the community. We’re just here to pump the gas and wash the windshield, that’s it!”

23 Prisoners Receive Grace College Diplomas

Posted by Terry White on May 28, 2008  |  No Comments

Here is a short excerpt from an article in the current Michigan City (IN) News-Dispatch. To read the entire article, click here.

Many local inmates have taken the opportunity to further their education while incarcerated. At the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, 23 offenders earned associate and bachelor degrees from Grace College earlier this month, and on May 30, 104 offenders at the state prison will receive degrees from Ball State University, said Barry Nothstine, prison spokesman.

“A man that walks out of here with a college education has a lot better chance at succeeding than an individual that walks out of here without having obtained education,” Nothstine said.

The state prison offers G.E.D. courses, courses for offenders who want to go to college, college courses and vocational courses, Nothstine said.

What Can You Do With a Christian Education?

Posted by Terry White on May 27, 2008  |  No Comments

David Floyd (pictured), a 1983 graduate of Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, is one of several achievers currently being featured under the heading, “What Can You Do With a Christian College Education?”

Floyd is president of DePuy Orthopaedics, a Johnson & Johnson Company and global leader in devices for joint replacement.

To read more of the posting, log onto http://christiancollegeupdate.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-can-you-do-with-christian-college.html

Harrah Pastor Ministers to Shooting Victim

Posted by Terry White on May 26, 2008  |  No Comments

Peter Touhey, pastor of the Harrah (Washington) Grace Brethren Church, is having the opportunity to minister to a neighbor who was a shooting victim (pictured) in a robbery attempt. Here is a short excerpt of an article from the Yakima Herald–to read the entire article, click on http://www.yakima-herald.com:80/stories/4434

Because deputies were busy looking for the suspect, Libbrecht spent about 15 minutes using hand pressure to prevent himself from bleeding out through the groin artery, severed at the vein’s Y-junction down the leg. Once the suspect was arrested, an ambulance crew rushed Libbrecht to the hospital, where he spent about a week.

He’s grateful that those around him that day — a church school caretaker threatened by the suspect, as well as the medics, firefighters, deputies and the the pastor who lives next door — were there to help him and his children.

Peter Touhey, the neighbor and pastor at Harrah Grace Brethren Church, prayed with Libbrecht at the hospital. His 15-year-old son has mowed the lawn for him since the shooting.

Touhey said Libbrecht is moving forward. The pastor is grateful that everyone ended up alive.

“I was very impressed with the way things came together. Certainly the Lord was looking out for that,” Touhey said.

Retired Missionaries Help African Pastors

Posted by Terry White on May 25, 2008  |  No Comments

In the northern area of the Central African Republic, 150 Grace Brethren pastors have lost everything when rebels and bandits burned down their villages.

The retired missionaries to CAR have a project to help these pastors. They are asking $100 for each pastor to provide him with a Bible, a songbook, a machete, a shovel, and clothing for his family and himself.

Checks should be made to RAB (Relief Agency Brethren) with a note in the lower left hand corner saying,”For African Pastors.” Thank you for whatever you can do as quickly as possible. Please send to Grace Brethren International Missions, Box #588, Winona Lake, IN 46590

Simi Valley School is Top Fundraiser

Posted by Terry White on May 22, 2008  |  No Comments

From today’s Ventura (CA) County Star. FGBC incoming moderator John McIntosh is pastor of the Simi Valley church, which sponsors the school.

Students and faculty from Grace Brethren Elementary School, with Principal Howard Lee at far right, accept a $2,500 check as the top finisher in Simi Valley Town Center’s third-annual Shopping for Students program.

Students and faculty from Grace Brethren Elementary School in Simi Valley were awarded a $2,500 check May 20 from Simi Valley Town Center, as the top participant in the regional shopping center’s third-annual Shopping for Students program.

Vista Fundamental School placed second and earned a $2,000 prize, while Hollow Hills Fundamental School claimed third and $1,500.

“Students, parents, teachers and school volunteers have taken the program very seriously for three years now,” said Leticia Wilson, director of marketing for Simi Valley Town Center. “It’s rewarding to generate excitement and school spirit on local campuses, and then reward them.”

All told, Simi Valley Town Center donated $40,500 to 25 schools from Simi Valley and Moorpark in a contest that began at the start of the school year.

Schools receive five points for every dollar spent according to receipts submitted through April 30, and every school received at least $250. Grace Brethren earned 1,812,940 points; it also won the contest in 2007.

Drive to Publish Brethren History Books Nears Goal

Posted by Terry White on May 22, 2008  |  No Comments

Two new books on Grace Brethren history, including an important new volume by Dr. Todd Scoles of the Marysville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church (pictured) are nearing publication by BMH Books.

Because they are special-interest books with little outside commercial appeal, the Brethren Missionary Herald Co. recently invited friends and supporters to contribute tax-deductible gifts so that the two books could be produced and distributed without cost to any Grace Brethren churches or missionary units who requested them.

With a goal of $14,000, the fund drive is now at $11,780, with 66 giving units having contributed so far. Anyone giving a gift of $25 or more who is also affiliated with a Grace Brethren Church will also become a corporation member of the Brethren Missionary Herald Co., and therefore qualify to vote in upcoming board elections.

The other book is Heroes No. 3, a book for upper-grade school children, written by Viki Rife and her father, Robert Cover, Sr., which focuses on character traits and anecdotes from the lives of a number of Grace Brethren “heroes” from the past. Those featured include Bernie Schneider, Angie Garber, Margaret Dunning, Keith Altig, Walter Fretz, James Boyer, and many others.

The Scoles book is now in typesetting and the Heroes book is nearly through the editing process. Both are expected to be ready for introduction at the BMH corporation meeting during the Grace Brethren national conference in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, July 27.

Both will also be featured as part of the 300th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Brethren movement, to be held in Schwarzenau, Germany, and elsewhere the first week of August.

It’s not too late to contribute to the project. Send your tax-deductible gift (check made out to Brethren Missionary Herald Co.) to BMH, P.O. Box 576, Winona Lake, IN 46590 and when the books are available you, also, will receive a complimentary copy of each.

BMH is deeply grateful to all who are supportive of this project to help the Grace Brethren better understand their historical and theological roots, and the context for what today is the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.