BMH Editor's Blog

BMH Author, Book Featured in Columbus Paper

Posted by Terry White on January 19, 2009  |  No Comments

Today’s Columbus Local News features BMH author and GBIM missionary Bruce Triplehorn (pictured here with his wife, Lisa, and their son, Jonathon, at their home in Brazil) and the publication of his recent book, Worship, the Golden Thread, by BMH Books. This is an excerpt–to read the entire article, click here.

Brazil mission opens author’s eyes to ‘daily’ Christianity

By DONAVON CAMPBELL

Bruce Triplehorn points to a picture of himself on his laptop computer. He is standing waist-deep in the murky waters of a jungle river, surrounded by eight or nine smiling Brazilian men.

He explains the shot is of a baptism, but he is quick to point out, although a few of the men studied the Bible directly with him, most of the others have come to be in the river because they studied with his pupils.

That word-of-mouth spreading of faith is “what real Christianity is — teaching one on one,” Triplehorn said.

For Triplehorn, 51, who grew up in Upper Arlington and graduated from Ohio State University, it is the type of moment he has devoted his life to.

He said he fell in love with Latin American culture while he was studying leaf-eating insects for his post-graduate work, but even though he always had a strong Christian faith, he wasn’t always sure how he wanted to exercise it.

It was when he and his wife, Lisa, 49 — also a graduate of both Upper Arlington High School and Ohio State — saw Christian musician and speaker Keith Green in Columbus that they felt challenged to do something more than simply observe their religion.

He later left a job as a professor of biology at Liberty University in Virginia — he studied at the seminary while at the university — to become a full-time Christian missionary in Brazil nearly 20 years ago.

Together the two have raised four children and spent some two decades sharing their beliefs as members of Grace Brethren International Missions.

“We just really saw that, even though (Bruce Triplehorn) had his science, we really wanted to invest our lives into things that were going to be eternal and lasting,” Lisa Triplehorn said.

Bruce Triplehorn spent the last four years writing a book, published in November, about his experiences and his outlook on both life and his religion.

Worship: The Golden Thread is 500 pages of scriptural teachings mixed with examples from his experiences living in a foreign country and his married life.

He said the central theme of his book is simple: the interweaving of an individual’s faith with his or her everyday life.

Meyersdale to Hold ‘Hunting in Penn’s Woods’ Saturday

Posted by Terry White on January 18, 2009  |  No Comments

The following article appeared in Saturday’s Somerset Co. (PA) Daily American. Randy Haulk is pastor of the Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church.

Resh to be featured speaker at Game Supper

MEYERSDALE — Hunting in Penn’s Woods will be the theme of this year’s annual Game Supper to be held Jan. 24 at the Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church.

The event will be held in the church’s Activities’ Building, located at the rear of the main church facility.

Featured speaker for this year’s event with be Tim Resh (pictured), a well-known Somerset County resident, who for the past 10 years has written a column in the Daily American, entitled “Backwoods with Tim.” The speaker describes his column as “written for those who enjoy spending time hunting in Penn’s Woods with family and friends.” He adds, “It even draws readership from those who have never purchased a hunting license.”

The supper is open to the public and is free, although a free will offering will be taken to help defray expenses. Reservations are required and the deadline is Jan. 21. They can be made by calling the church at 634-5980. The menu will include a wide variety of donated wild game and fish in addition to other meats. Several door prizes will be awarded.

Resh has served as pastor of the Brothersvalley Church of the Brethren, located at Brotherton, for the past 16 years. He is married to the former Janet Yutzey of Pocahontas. They have two children: Dr. Darah Resh, VMD. Somerset, and John Resh, a chemical engineer, living in Dover.

Resh’s employment over the years has included: Atlas Printing Company, press operator from 1966 to 1979, and outside sales/public relations from 1984 to July 2004. He also owned and operated a dairy/beef operation, 1979-1984. From August 2004 to December 2008, he served as Executive Director of the Conemaugh Municipal Water Authority. He was president of Resh Hunting and Fishing Supplies Inc. which was involved in retail sales of hunting and fishing supplies from 1993 to 1999.

Other key interests for Resh have included educational development at all levels. He serves as Board Chairman of the Somerset County Campus Foundation for Allegany College of Maryland and president of the Southern Tier Education Council for Bedford and Somerset Counties. He is president of Allegheny Housing LLC, a Maryland Corporation that owns and operates a housing project at the Main Campus of Allegany College in Cumberland, Md.

He was a school director for Somerset Area Schools from 1985 to 1993, and was chairman of the Somerset County Technology Center Board of Directors from 1987 to 1993. He is a Board Member at Citizens National Bank, Meyersdale, and is treasurer/secretary of the Shanksville Ministerium. Resh is a member and past president of the Somerset Rotary Club.

An active sportsman, he is a member and treasurer of Mountain Field and Stream Club Inc. and is a member of the Somerset Sportsman’s Club and New Baltimore Sportsman’s Club.

Grace Brethren Pastor Randy Haulk emphasizes that the Game Supper is open to the public, but it is important that reservations be made by the Jan. 21 deadline.

Ohio Teen Named Young Person of the Year

Posted by Terry White on January 16, 2009  |  No Comments

The current issue of the CE National e-newsletter calls attention to this article from the Dayton (OH) Daily News about an outstanding young man from the Grace Brethren Church of Brookville, Ohio. This is an excerpt–to read the entire article click here.

Honor takes young man by surprise

Jacob Blevins (pictured) of New Lebanon may not have seen his Young Person of the Year honor coming — but those around him did.

NEW LEBANON — When Jacob Blevins was named New Lebanon’s Young Person of the year in November, he was more than a little shocked.

“I was really surprised,” Jacob said. “I didn’t see it coming”

But plenty of others did. Jacob is known for his volunteerism, his involvement in school and church activities and his extroverted personality.

Jacob, in fact, can distill his gregarious personality into a single sentence: “I’ve never met a stranger,” he said.

Highlights of Jacob’s recent volunteer activities begin with his work to restore lives after Hurricane Katrina. In 2007, he traveled with his church youth group and joined over 2000 other students at the University of Southern Mississippi.

They were shuttled into Louisiana to help restore homes lost in the 2005 hurricane. Jacob said he was surprised to see “everyone literally living in a trailer.”

Over a week, crews rebuilt homes from the ground up. Jacob, along with Colt Stout, another Dixie High School student, chipped in, first painting siding and then installing metal strips to reinforce the wood.

Larry Poland Included in New Documentary

Posted by Terry White on January 16, 2009  |  No Comments

Larry W. Poland (pictured), Grace Seminary alumnus and former faculty and staff member at Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, is one of 20 Hollywood professionals featured in a new documentary entitled “Hollywood on Fire.”

Made by brothers Kenny and Kyle Saylors and Kevin Foster, “Hollywood on Fire” will be in stores nationwide February 25. To watch a trailer and clips from the film, including a short quote from Poland, go to www.hollywoodonfire.com.

According to the filmmakers, “Hollywood is the symbol of the media culture for the entire world. The ‘Hollywood On Fire’ feature documentary chronicles the past, present and future of faith in the entertainment business.

“See interviews and clips from over 20 professionals including producers, directors, actors, studio executives, comedians, stunt men, journalists, recording artists, critics and Hollywood-based ministries.

“If you watch movies or TV, then you’re already a part of the entertainment industry. Discover why you are the most important person in Hollywood and how you can make a difference right from your home. Have you dreamed of taking the path to Hollywood filmmaking and want to stay grounded in your faith? Find out if you really have what it takes from those who have done it.”

About the film Michael Catt, executive producer of “Facing the Giants” and “Fireproof” says, “Excellent job… These guys have reminded us that God has His people everywhere—He is not without a witness. There is hope in the entertainment media.”

Poland is founder, chairman, and CEO of Mastermedia International, a ministry to the top leadership of film and television in Hollywood and New York, and one which seeks to keep Christian believers informed of the spiritual dynamics inside media.

He’s the recipient of the coveted Covenant Award for significant, Christian influence on the secular media and the founder of the National Media Prayer Breakfast. His father is the late Frank Poland, who for many years was the financial administrator at Brethren Home Missions Council.

1913 Winona Lake Photo Posted

Posted by Terry White on January 15, 2009  |  2 Comments

Our friends at Dunker Journal call our attention to a panoramic Brethren conference photo taken on the grounds of the Winona Lake (IN) Christian Assembly in 1913. You may see some ancestors here–see if you can figure out the buildings and the geography. To see the photo click here.

The photographer is identified on the photo as “Vandeventer,” and the historical archives of the Eastman Kodak Company list several photography awards and cash prizes being given to a Vandeventer of Winona Lake, Indiana, who used a “Century camera” for his work.

At least one local folk historian in Winona Lake believes that the photographer Vandeventer is the same person as the artist-turned-evangelist who wrote the hymn “I Surrender All.”

The following is from the website of hymnologist Wayne Walker at http://www.defenderoftruth.com/page10.html

“A song which expresses the idea of forsaking all to be a disciple of Jesus is, ‘I Surrender All’ (#332 in “Hymns for Worship Revised” and #98 in “Sacred Selections for the Church”).

“The text was written by Judson Woodbridge VanDeVenter (1855-1939). He was an artist who became a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church who did evangelistic work. The words were penned in 1896 while he was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, OH, to recall an earlier time when, after a long struggle between continuing in art or going into fulltime religious work, he had finally surrendered and dedicated his life to Christ.

“The tune (Surrender) was composed by Winfield Scott Weeden (1847-1908). Weeden was the song director for VanDeVenter’s evangelistic campaigns. The song was first published in Gospel Songs of Grace and Glory, compiled in 1896 by Weeden, VanDeVenter, and Leonard Waver in Philadelphia, PA, for the Hall-Mack Co. Originally the music was written for soprano-tenor duet. However, some alterations were made to the text and an arrangement for full four-part harmony was done in 1935 for “Christian Hymns” (No. 1) by the editor Lloyd Otis Sanderson (1901-1992).

“The song suggests what we must do to surrender to Jesus.”

SoCal Men’s Retreat Set for May 1-3: Sciarra to Speak

Posted by Terry White on January 14, 2009  |  No Comments

Mike Sciarra (right), pastor of the Grace Brethren church in Orange, California, will be the featured speaker for the Grace Brethren High Impact Men’s Conference to be held at the Pine Summit Christian Conference Center in Big Bear, California, the weekend of May 1-3, 2009.

The Theme for the retreat will be “Following Jesus Fully.” Cost will be $110 for standard housing and $155 for deluxe housing. There will be separate programming for men who speak English and for those who speak Spanish.

The steering committee said, “We are still rejoicing over what the Lord did at last year’s HIGH IMPACT and reports continue to come in with how the Lord used last year to unite our men and break through to some of the men who attended.

“It was by no accident that our theme last year focused around the idea that we as men are not alone in this world! God knows our every struggle and temptation! And more importantly God cares about our struggles and cares about each of us!”

More information will be available at this year’s FOCUS Retreat. Also, a packet of information will be arriving at each Southern California GBC church by the end of January with postcards and registration brochures. For more information contact Tim Lansing with questions or other help by email tim@gracelive.com.

McCall ‘Walking’ Published in Italian

Posted by Terry White on January 14, 2009  |  No Comments

BMH Books continues to impact other cultures and languages around the world. Copies of Larry McCall’s book Walking Like Jesus Did published in the Italian language arrived in the BMH offices this week.

Subtitled “Studies in the Character of Christ,” the book has 17 easily accessible chapters that make an excellent framework for ABF studies, small group, or one-on-one mentoring activities.

Also recently published in the Dutch language, the Italian edition was published by the Associazione Verita Evangelica, affiliated with Aurora Publishing, at www.istitutobiblicobereano.org. McCall, a graduate of Grace College & Seminary and originally from the Kittanning, PA, Grace Brethren Church, has pastored Christ’s Covenant Church in Winona Lake, IN, since 1981.

Randy Smith Israel Tour Has Openings

Posted by Terry White on January 13, 2009  |  No Comments

Dr. Randy Smith (pictured), pastor of the Grace Brethren church in Sebring, Florida, lived and taught in Israel for a number of years and continues to lead educational tours to the Holy Land.

Dr. Smith will be teaching three classes at equip09, the July 26-31, 2009, annual conference of the FGBC, to be held in Columbus, Ohio. His classes are entitled “The Life and Journeys of Jesus,” “The Life and Journeys of Moses,” and “The Life and Journeys of Paul.”

For those interested in a brief virtual study tour of Israel, the links below are each approximately 10-minute excerpts of Dr. Randy Smith teaching on location in February, 2008.

Smith leaves with a group again for Israel on February 17, and would appreciate your prayers. There is still space available for four more people if they act quickly. Contact Joan Keane at 614-436-9343 (Ohio) evenings/weekends for more information.

Clip 1: http://www.vimeo.com/2567529

Clip 2: http://www.vimeo.com/2643459

Clip 3: http://www.vimeo.com/2644284

Clip 4: http://www.vimeo.com/2644955

Memorize Scripture and Pie-the-Pastor!

Posted by Terry White on January 13, 2009  |  No Comments

Pastor Glen Sykes of the San Diego (CA) Grace Brethren Church explains his pie-in-the-face photo this way:

Like many Grace Brethren churches, San Diego operates an AWANA club for three-year olds through high school. Like many churches, we are constantly looking for new ways to encourage the students to “store up God’s Word” in their hearts.

One of the more successful avenues we have found is challenging the T & T (third through sixth graders) clubbers to complete three discoveries (21 sections which amounts to about 40 verses) in one nine week quarter. The first clubber each quarter who accomplishes this task is given the opportunity to “pie the pastor in the puss.” It is great fun as all the clubs come out and cheer on the victor.

Tonight, Allexis S. was the second quarter’s winner and she is enjoying making Pastor Glen a mess. Pastor Glen is enjoying the chocolate mint pudding and whipped cream too! More importantly, Allexis is great at memorizing Scripture for the long haul. She remembers many of the verses already learned since September!

Why does SDGBC encourage such ideas? Pastor Glen is committed to prompting Scripture memory! The benefits for the children and the church are simply amazing! Pie in the face is paying eternal dividends in San Diego!

Several other T & T club members were already heard saying “I want to pie pastor next quarter!” The challenge is on and the line-up has started.

Centerville Links with GBIM for Christmas Giving

Posted by Terry White on January 12, 2009  |  No Comments

The mission committee of the Centerville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church (Steve Makofka, pastor) is currently featured on the Grace Brethren International Missions website for its creative use of the GBIM gift catalog at Christmas. Members of the committee are (from left) Lisa Hannahan, Kathy McGuire, Frank Brewster, and Judy Newton.

According to the web report, God put a desire on Kathy McGuire’s heart to influence her church family at Centerville to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Fueled by a passion for missions, she called GBIM to request several gift catalogs. She designed gift certificates for the church family to give to each other after selecting a ministry project.

Some chose a bicycle for a church planter. A children’s class sent money for seeds for African children to grow crops for food. “People in America don’t need another necktie for Christmas,” Kathy says, “but how much more can we further God’s work by giving that gift money to someone in need?”

More information and copies of the GBIM gift catalog are available at 574-268-1888 ext30.

Mark Holbrook Reflects on Wildfire Damage to Home

Posted by Terry White on January 12, 2009  |  No Comments

Mark Holbrook, for many years a leading layman in the Grace Church of Orange, California (Mike Sciarra, pastor), recently reflected on the danger and damage to his Yorba Linda home in the southern California wildfires. Holbrook is the president and CEO of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union. Here is an excerpt–to read the entire article, click here.

Last month my wife and I were visiting our daughter, Rebekah, who teaches in a missionary school in the Dominican Republic. We had just returned from visiting families in the poorest section of town, humbled that people with so little could love the Lord so much, when Rebekah’s cell phone rang. She quickly handed me the phone, and I heard my son, Matthew, yelling, “There’s fire all around. You have about one minute. What do you want us to grab?”

So began a drama that lasted through the night as we waited for the next update. At one point my brother called to say he was watching our neighbor’s home on television when the news crew panned to two guys on our roof battling a firestorm of flaming embers with garden hoses.

As we waited in Rebekah’s little living room 3,000 miles away, we prayed mostly two prayers: “Lord, please keep everyone safe,” and, “If you choose to take our home, that will be OK.” Well, our home did catch fire—briefly. Through some heroic work on the part of our son, son-in-law, a friend from church, and some anonymous police officers, our house was saved.

Kellemen Blog Journey Begins January 19

Posted by Terry White on January 12, 2009  |  No Comments

BMH Books author Dr. Robert Kellemen has created a 40-day blog journey and invites anyone interested to journey along with him, beginning Monday, January 19. Kellemen is head of the graduate program in counseling at Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and is the author of BMH books Spiritual Friends and Soul Physicians.

Please consider joining the journey and telling your friends about the Forty Day Journey. On January 19, 2009 and continuing to February 28, Dr. Kellemen will post 40
consecutive blogs on Heroes of Black Church History and how their legacy impacts our lives and ministry today.

Dr. Kellemen says, “Each day we will highlight a stirring narrative from Black Church history. Then we will ponder application of this legacy to all of our lives today—regardless of our ethnicity, nationality, race, or cultural background. We will also include discussion questions so that you can individually, in your family, corporately in your church ponder the implications for your life and ministry.”

Please join Kellemen daily at: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://rpmministries.blogspot.com%2F

East Side Conference Set for February 7

Posted by Terry White on January 10, 2009  |  1 Comment

Dr. Todd Scoles (pictured) associate pastor at the Marysville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church and author of the recently-published Grace Brethren historical work Restoring the Household, is one of the speakers for the upcoming conference of the East Side Grace Brethren Church (Chip Heim, pastor). Here is further information on the conference:

Engage 2009: Saturday, February 7th, 9am – 2:45pm East Side GBC, Columbus OH

$25/person
$40/couple
Lunch included
Register online at www.esgbc.org or in the church’s lobby starting January 11th
Register by Sunday, February 1st

SCHEDULE

The conference will begin promptly at 9am; check-in starts at 8:30am. We will all begin in the auditorium for the opening session. The remainder of the day will consist of workshops. You will have the option of choosing from 4 of 6 workshops.*

WORKSHOPS

Distinctively Brethren: Our Place in God’s Work
There’s so much more to being Grace Brethren than the unique methods of baptism and communion. We’ll explore the dynamics that shaped the five key perspectives of Alexander Mack and his companions in 1708, and the ways in which the principles they found in Scripture apply to our lives today. Dr. Todd Scoles, Associate Pastor of Marysville Grace Brethren Church

The Four Major Religions of the World
A look at the top religions around the world and how we, as Christians, can reach out to those who believe in them. *This workshop is two parts, which means that you will take it for two consecutive workshops. Dr. Tom Stallter, Professor & Chairman of the Department of Intercultural Studies and World Mission at Grace Theological Seminary

Getting Past the Pain of your Past
During this insightful workshop, we’ll reveal how the wounds we receive as children can trigger the reactive behaviors we have as adults. Bob Combs, Senior Pastor at Grace Church in Norton, Ohio and Founding Pastor of East Side Grace Brethren Church

Overcoming Male Passivity: How Ancient Insights Address a Modern Day Problem
Men and women, please join us for a discussion of how the Bible speaks to the passivity amongst men of our society and how both men and women play a role in identifying and correcting the problem. Coach Mike Stanley & Beau Stanley, Pastor of Young Marrieds at Grace Brethren Church of Columbus

Which God, Whose Way: A Case for the Uniqueness of Christ
We will explore and develop the case for Christ’s uniqueness and the significance for considering Christianity. James Joiner, Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Grace College & Current Ph.D student at Calvin Theological Seminary

Winning the War Over Your Soul
So often, we don’t know why the same issues, concerns and problems plague us over and over, sometimes for years. We do what we think God would want, and yet are often discouraged in our efforts. This seminar will examine biblical truths, provide practical strategies and expose common pitfalls related to God’s desire for His people to have an abundant life. Dr. Tammy Smith, Licensed Professional Counselor and Founder of Threshold Counseling

Worship Book Bulletin Inserts Available

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 8, 2009  |  No Comments

Camera-ready images are now available for bulletin inserts to promote the new book, Worship: The Golden Thread, by Bruce Triplehorn. The book was recently released by BMH Books, Winona Lake, Ind.

The insert is available in grayscale or color, and are in a two-up format. They may be downloaded at no charge at www.bmhbooks.com. The files may be used to produce flyers to be included in a bulletin or other promotional material.

Click here to download the bulletin inserts.

Week-Long Canoe Trip is Next GBB High Adventure

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 8, 2009  |  No Comments

GBB National, the Grace Brethren ministry for boys, has released the information for the 2009 High Adventure — a week-long canoe trip on the Rideau Canal near Kingston, Ontario, Canada!

For more details, including information about how to apply for a passport or pass card to re-enter the U.S. following the event, see the GBB website.

Grace Brethren Boys’s mission is to reach boys for Christ, instill Godly character through discipleship, and mold them into Godly leaders in their family, their church, and their community while encouraging men in their discipleship responsibilities.

Knute Larson Retirement Plans Featured

Posted by Terry White on January 8, 2009  |  2 Comments

The Akron (OH) Beacon-Journal today featured the retirement plans of Grace College and Seminary alumnus Knute Larson (pictured). Here is an excerpt. To read the entire article, click here.

Rev. Knute Larson leaving The Chapel

By Colette M. Jenkins, Beacon Journal staff writer

Jeanine Larson has been saying a special prayer for her husband for the past three years.

”I’ve prayed for him to know when it was time to go, and that he would be able to do it,” Larson said. ”Sometimes I’ve whispered it alone and sometimes I’ve said it while we prayed together.”

On Wednesday evening, her husband, the Rev. Knute Larson, said the time to leave his post as co-senior pastor of The Chapel will be May 17. He will leave after more than 25 years of leadership that has motivated the spiritual and physical growth that has made the 8,000-member church the largest in Summit County, with campuses in Akron and Green.

The nondenominational church offers six worship services and more than 300 weekly activities. Although the membership meets in two locations, the church has one staff, one budget and one mission.

”This was a strong church when I came, and it is a strong church now — teaching and seeking to practice Scripture with gracious balance. God has been very good to us,” Knute Larson said. ”I had one main goal when I came and it is the same right now, for the next four months and will be for all my life: to clarify for people what the grace of God means so that they can make an intelligent decision and response about Christ and to try to teach and model how that grace shows in daily life and love.”

Larson, who will turn 68 Sunday, announced his retirement during a members’ meeting in the worship center at the Akron campus. The meeting was live-streamed to those in attendance at the Green worship center. After the meeting, an e-mail blast was sent to the membership and a letter written by Larson was posted on the church Web site, http://www.the-chapel.org.

Aiken Team Ministers to Hurricane Victims

Posted by Terry White on January 6, 2009  |  No Comments

A team of four teens and three adults from the Grace Brethren Church in Aiken, South Carolina (Steve Taylor, pastor) traveled to Pearlington, Mississippi, on December 27 to join the ongoing ministry of relief for hurricane victims.

They spent six days working on two new houses in the town of Pearlington and encouraging the people there. Continue to pray for this region of the country. There are still many forgotten people.

In addition to team members pictured here, the group included Bob Hennings and Pastor Don Soule.(photo courtesy Ron Thompson)

A New Day in Church Planting

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 6, 2009  |  No Comments

Iglesia La Esperanza in Valrico, Fla. (Jesus Munoz, pastor), is bursting at the seams! They’ve outgrown their meeting space and need to find new facilities.

Elk Creek Church, a Grace Brethren church in West Grove, Pa., recently celebrated their first anniversary. Pastor Mike Silliman has seen God at work in the church through changed lives and salvaged marriages.

Native New Life Church, a Grace Brethren church in Albuquerque, N.M. (Arnold Betoney, pastor), recently purchased a building. It will be an important point in the community as the congregation reaches out to touch lives with the Gospel.

These stories and others are included in the Winter 2009 issue of the Go2 Church Planting Ministries newsletter, which was mailed in late December. A copy may be obtained at a local Grace Brethren church or send your mailing address to Go2 Church Planting Ministries, info@Go2ChurchPlanting.org, or by calling 877-222-2048.

It’s a new day in church planting!

‘Death Day’ Experience Reveals Hand of God

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 5, 2009  |  No Comments

Just as some people mark their birthdays or wedding anniversaries, Francois Ngoumape remembers his death day—or at least the date that might have marked his death. He believes his experience was an obvious demonstration of God at work in the Central African Republic (CAR). Read more about his kidnapping in the January-February issue of FGBC World, which is available at your local Grace Brethren church or online at http://www.fgbcworld.com/.

Pike Man Inducted Into PA Southern Gospel Hall of Fame

Posted by Terry White on January 5, 2009  |  No Comments

John Lythgoe (pictured), from the Pike Brethren Church in Mundy’s Corner, PA (Rick Clark pastor) has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Here is an excerpt from a blog posting–to read the entire post, click here.

Once a nightclub performer, Lythgoe returned to performing gospel music in 1970 when he turned to Christ. He has been a member of various local gospel groups. He has been performing with a group known as the Masters, which he now owns the exclusive rights to, since 1985. John was inducted into the Pennsylvania Southern Gospel music hall of Fame on November 14, 2008.

Along with performing gospel music, John is a member of the Jackson Township Recreation Commission. He assists and coordinates the annual Jackson Township Fishing Derby, helps with the Annual Light up the Night at the Senior Center on Adams Avenue in Vinco, and can be found helping out at the annual Heritage Festival. John and his wife La Verne are the parents of six children and the proud grand-parents of 15 grandchildren. He attends Pike Grace Brethren Church in Mundys Corner. You can learn more about John Lythgoe by clicking on the following link. http://www.nantyglo.com/jonal02/nov1802.htm