Posted by Terry White on May 31, 2009 | No Comments
Television station WNDU in northern Indiana currently has a short video on its website featuring chaplain John Boren and assistant chaplain Peggy Owens talking about the ministry they conduct in the Kosciusko County (Indiana) jail in Warsaw, Indiana.
Peggy is from the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, and is also an employee of CE National. To see the video, click here.
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Posted by Terry White on May 31, 2009 | No Comments
This shop, on Pierceton Road in Winona Lake, Indiana, just west of county road 250E, is the newest place to find authentic central African arts, crafts and rare artifacts for sale. All proceeds go to the benefit of micro-enterprise community development projects in the Central African Republic.
Many different types of items make up the display and inventory. Each item represents a viable business trade in central Africa and each artisan is able to generate a ‘fair trade’ income from the sale of these items. The shop is open most weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The shop has opened to help Integrated Community Development International (ICDI), a non-denominational, non-governmental, and non-profit faith-based organization presently working in the Central African Republic and other surrounding countries. Its vision statement is to “Empower Central Africans to give hope to the poor in Jesus’ name.”
ICDI focuses on developing local leadership and empowering local communities to overcome difficult problems on their own. Drilling wells, providing for orphans, AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention, shortwave radio community development broadcasting, agricultural development, and microenterprise development are the primary areas of focus for ICDI.
More information is available at http://www.icdinternational.org
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Posted by Terry White on May 31, 2009 | No Comments
John Trier (right) and his son Michael (left) went on a father-son construction team to Berberati, Central African Republic, with ICDI in 2005. Since that time they have been active volunteers and advocates for ICDI’s work in Africa.
The Triers are the energy behind this new venture. They have dedicated a section of their construction and woodworking business showroom to highlight ICDI’s efforts in CAR. The Triers are from the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church (Bruce Barlow, lead pastor).
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Posted by Terry White on May 31, 2009 | No Comments
Chris Parker (left) recently donated a kidney to his brother, Nick (right). Chris is an elementary education major at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. Here is an excerpt from the Warsaw Times-Union (IN) story. To read the entire article, click here.
Claypool 22-year-old gives his brother a kidney
Jennifer Peryam
Times-Union Staff Writer
CLAYPOOL – Nick and Chris Parker were close as brothers could be growing up.
Chris, 22, recently donating his kidney to his brother, Nick, 21, has strengthened the siblings’ bond even more now that they are both adults.
A year and a half ago, Nick said he began experiencing pain in both of his kidneys. He also was experiencing back pain, had headaches and was overly exhausted.
Nick hurt his knee two years ago and his blood pressure was checked and he was informed it was abnormally high. Doctors also found problems with his kidneys, and Nick was referred to a pathologist. He was put on kidney dialysis in October 2008.
Nick and Chris underwent a five-hour kidney transplant surgery at Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, Feb. 13.
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Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2009 | No Comments
Brethren Missionary Herald Co. invites you to participate in three BMH-sponsored events as part of this year’s national Grace Brethren conference, Equip09, to be held July 26-31 at the Grace Brethren Church of Worthington (Columbus), Ohio.
The first event is a gala ice cream social and BMH authors’ autograph party following the opening plenary session on Sunday evening, July 26. Already 10 or more BMH authors, including such favorites as Tom Julien, Kary Oberbrunner, Todd Scoles, Larry McCall, John Davis, David Plaster, and many others have committed to being present to autograph their books. All books by authors present that evening will be for sale at 50 percent off retail (for this event only) and the ice cream is free, so plan now to enjoy the ice cream, the fellowship, and the blessing of chatting with some of the gifted authors who have published with BMH Books.
The second event will be the all-conference pancake breakfast and BMH corporation meeting on Monday morning, July 27. Beginning at 7 a.m., Chris’ Cakes will have their world-famous pancake flippers in operation (they have flipped for four U.S. Presidents and hold the Guinness world record) for your pleasure. Staff and board members of BMH will be serving your tables, and at 8:15 there will be a short corporation meeting for all BMH corporation members, concluding in time for everyone to get to 9 a.m. classes. Pancake breakfast tickets are included in the conference registration, but additional guests are welcome at $5 each.
And finally, the first-ever Southern Ohio Grace Brethren Heritage Tour will depart from the Columbus church about 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, and return around 9 p.m. Tour guides Todd Scoles and David Plaster will share historical context and background, as will a talented couple from the Powell church who are experts in Brethren history and will be in costume for the event.
The first stop will be at Carriage Hill Farm, founded by a Brethren couple in the 1830s, where a park historian fully versed in Brethren history will conduct a tour, lecture, and Q&A time. Next stop will be the Bear Creek Meeting House, in continual use by the Old German Baptist Brethren since the 1880s, and an elder of that congregation will host us there for a brief history lesson.
Then comes the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, where there is a large repository of documents and artifacts relating to Brethren history and all the branches of the Brethren church which have descended from Alexander Mack’s baptism of seven believers in the Eder River in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708.
The evening concludes with a wonderful German/American dinner in a private dining room at Rob’s Restaurant in Brookville, where the family that owns the establishment has been serving legendary meals since 1976. The all-inclusive cost for the tour, including the bus, entrance to all sites, and the meal is $30 per person.
And, of course, all week long BMH will welcome your browsing and fellowship at our book exhibit table, where the more than 130 fine products published by BMH will be available, including latest copies of the all-Grace Brethren periodical, FGBC World. BMH welcomes you to Equip09 and looks forward to visiting with you!
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Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2009 | No Comments
Pastor Ron Smals (pictured) of the Woodville Grace Brethren Church in Mansfield, Ohio, has a viewpoint piece published in today’s Mansfield paper. Here is an excerpt–to read the entire article click here.
Viewpoint by Ron Smals: Bad news points way to good news
By RON SMALS • Woodville Grace Brethren Church • May 30, 2009
The news lately has been bad, very bad, even worse. We hear that our prisons are overcrowded. There are problems in our schools — drugs, guns, knives, fights — and in our homes — domestic violence, not just between mom and dad, but child and parent. Respect is no longer to be expected, even of authority figures. Courtroom dockets are full to overflowing; there are just too many cases! The economy is a mess. We hear of corporate greed and mishandling of funds. What is going on? Stop the world, I want to get off here!
Should we be surprised by what we read and hear? The Bible is filled with prophecies of what will happen in the last days. God says, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Why is all of this happening now? Could it be “the last days”? I think so. If the Apostle Paul thought so about 2,000 years ago, how much more should we think the same today. In fact, God says, “But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).
What does the last days mean?
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Posted by Terry White on May 30, 2009 | No Comments
This is an excerpt from an article in the Warsaw (IN) Times-Union newspaper. To read the entire article, click here.
Grace College Students Serve In Philippines
Jennifer Peryam
Times-Union Staff Writer
WINONA LAKE – Grace College students recently visited the Philippines to reach out to orphans.
The 16 students visited Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, May 10-23.
Students at the college are required to participate in a cross-cultural experience before they graduate.
They volunteered with Kids International Ministries, an organization started by missionaries, that has an orphanage that assists 70 orphans.
The students had the opportunity to participate in a program where they fed the orphans. They also performed programs and shared stories, singing, games and crafts
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Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on May 29, 2009 | No Comments
Mike Sciarra of Orange, Calif., is passionate about Jesus, God’s Word, and family ministries. This summer at Equip09, he’ll teach a class that combines them all. Equip09 is the annual conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Meet this lively young Grace Brethren pastor in the May-June issue of FGBC World, which is available at no charge at your local Grace Brethren Church, and online at www.fgbcworld.com.
FGBC World is an all-fellowship, all-Grace Brethren newspaper that is published six times a year. In its pages you will find stories about the Grace Brethren family around the world – from individuals who are on the front line of ministry to organizations that help impact lives for Jesus. Pick up your free copy of the May-June issue at your local Grace Brethren church, see www.fgbcworld.com/ or subscribe online to have your free copy delivered directly to your home.
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Posted by Terry White on May 29, 2009 | No Comments
Once again, the Brethren Missionary Herald Co. is sponsoring a stimulating and enlightening Brethren Heritage Tour as part of the national FGBC conference, Equip09. The tour will be Thursday, July 30, 2009, with the luxurious coach bus leaving the Columbus church at 1:15 p.m. and arriving back about 9 p.m. Your tour hosts will be the premier Grace Brethren historians, Dr. Todd Scoles and Dr. David Plaster, both of whom have written definitive books on the history of the Brethren movement.
The first stop on the tour will be Carriage Hill Farm, near Dayton, which was first settled in 1830 by a Brethren family, Daniel and Catharine Arnold. Operating now under the auspices of the Montgomery County park system, Carriage Hill Farm includes some 900 acres rich in cultural, natural, and Brethren religious history. We’ll tour the Visitor Center, the Country Store gift store, and the historical farm where household chores and farming are performed as they were 125 years ago. A park historian knowledgeable in Brethren history will personalize a lecture and Q&A time for our group.
We’ll then journey on to the Bear Creek Meeting House where an elder from our sister group, the Old German Baptist Brethren, will give a lecture and tour of the meeting house which was built in 1882 and has been little changed since then, with even the same benches being used in worship.
Our final stop will be the Brethren Heritage Center in Brookville, a rich research archive for Brethren history and genealogy. Nine Brethren groups, all tracing their origins to Alexander Mack and Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708, have cooperated in combining books, historical records, and artifacts for the Center. Currently comprising about 7,100 square feet, the Center is staffed by volunteers, includes historical displays and a bookstore, and more.
The tour will conclude with a delightful family meal at Rob’s Restaurant in Brookville, where since 1975 this family-oriented business has been providing delicious home-cooked meals in the German and American tradition.
An added special feature will be Jeff and Sherry Martin of the Powell Grace Brethren Church, who do historical reenactments of a Brethren elder and his wife, well-researched and in period costume. The Martins have agreed to join the tour in costume for some Q&A on the bus trip. Cost for the entire tour, including bus, meal at Rob’s and entry to all sites, is $30 per person. Register today, as seating is limited. Questions should be directed to Ann Myers at BMH by e-mailing amyers@bmhbooks.com.
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Posted by Terry White on May 27, 2009 | No Comments
Announcing a new “feature” at Equip09…
One of the things that attendees value most about the FGBC national conferences is the opportunity that these conferences provide for those present to network and share ministry ideas.
In an effort to promote this type of interaction, Equip ‘09 will offer affinity group meetings during lunch on Tuesday, July 28th, and Wednesday, July 29th. At the Tuesday and Wednesday lunches, spaces within the eating area will be designated where people who wish to discuss specific issues or fall within certain categories can meet. The following groups have been suggested:
“Engage Africa”
“Post-Christendom leadership tips from pre-King David”
“Reaching internationals”
“When the ‘minister’ is chronically ill”
Arts & media ministry
Children’s workers
Church planting
Finances and facilities
Homeschooling groups
Lay leaders on elder/deacon boards
Missions staff/committee members
Music & worship ministry
Outreach & evangelism
Pastoral care ministry
Senior pastors of churches with paid staff
Solo senior pastors
Women/pastors’ wives
Young adult ministry
Youth ministry
Many of these groups will meet on both Tuesday and Wednesday. No advanced sign-up is necessary to be part of the groups; simply show up at lunch, find the group in which you want to participate, and join in the discussion! If you would like to suggest a group that is not listed above, or if you have questions about the affinity groups at Equip ‘09, please email Beau Stanley at beau.stanley@gracebrethren.org.
Equip is the annual conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. For more information, go to www.equip09.com
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Posted by Terry White on May 27, 2009 | No Comments
Members of the East Side Grace Brethren Church in Blacklick, Ohio (Chip Heim, pastor) are making a difference in their neighborhood. Here is an excerpt from a Columbus news artice–to read the entire article click here.
Volunteers make a difference for a number of residents
By LAURA ENGLEHART
Reynoldsburg Chief Building Inspector Chet Hopper said his experience with code enforcement has inspired his continued push for the city’s Fix-Up Assistance Project as part of the Reynoldsburg Community Clean-Up Day.
“There are a lot of people in the city that are on a fixed income that can’t afford to do certain projects around their homes and would otherwise have to hire someone,” Hopper said.
Instead, a group of volunteers from Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church, Eastside Grace Brethren Church and city employees are tackling indoor and outdoor projects for senior citizens, disabled adults or widows.
“It’s a great way to give back to the community,” said Mark Kipp, superintendent of Water and Wastewater for the city and a member of Eastside Grace Brethren Church.
In the past, volunteers have fixed and cleaned gutters, replaced siding, trimmed bushes and repaired back yard sheds.
“People have called and said they have something like an old television set in their basement that they’d like removed, so we’ll come and get it for them and get rid of it,” Kipp said.
Some projects are addressed weeks after the clean-up date.
“We determine if we can handle the project with our volunteers. There have been things that we can’t take care of on the community clean-up day that we’ve gotten to two or three weeks down the road,” Hopper said.
This year, the group has had four or five applicants who need help with various tasks, and Lowes Home Improvement Center has donated $500 worth of gardening and home improvement supplies toward the effort.
Hopper said residents are usually very appreciative.
“I think it’s a needed service and I don’t believe there are enough people that take advantage of it. You have an aging community and people that can’t afford to hire someone or may not have the knowledge, so we try to do what we can,” he said.
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Posted by Terry White on May 26, 2009 | No Comments
Prophetic Insights in Turbulent Times — What Does it Mean for Americans
BELLMAWR, NJ, May 26 /Christian Newswire/ — Jonathan Schanzer, former U.S. White House Counterterrorism Analyst to Speak at The Friends of Israel Prophecy Conference at Winona Lake, Indiana July 26 -31.
The Friends of Israel is holding their 12th annual Prophecy Conference at the Rodeheaver Auditorium at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana July 26 – 31, 2009.
The Friends of Israel’s Executive Director, Bill Sutter, states, “We know that Americans are anxious about world events that are taking place and what that means for us here at home, as well as for our brothers and sisters around the globe. We are pleased that Jonathan Schanzer will be joining us for our ‘Honor Israel Night’ on Tuesday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m.”
Prophetic insights will be dissected and related to biblical accounts to discover how the prophecies relate to current U.S. and world events.
Experts on biblical prophecy will be speaking including Bill Sutter, Executive Director; Jim Showers, Vice President; David Levy, Director of International Ministries; Steve Herzig, Director of North American Ministries among others from The Friends of Israel.
Pastor Meno Kalisher from the Jerusalem Assembly will be providing updates from Israel.
There is a children’s program during all sessions and the conference is free. For details call Lisa Grosso at The Friends of Israel – 1-800-257-7843, extension 139, or visit www.foi.org.
The Friends of Israel was founded in 1938 by Christian leaders in response to the needs of Jewish people afflicted by the torrents of Nazi hate during the Holocaust. Through this Christian ministry, funds were raised and aid distributed to Jewish refugees. Today, The Friends of Israel is an evangelical Christian voice opposing anti-Semitism, explaining the unique, biblical role of Israel in God’s plan and encouraging Christians to pray for Israel and support her biblical, historical, and moral rights to live within secure borders.
Jonathan Schanzer is the Deputy Executive Director of the Jewish Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and author of the book Hamas vs Fatah (Palgrave Macmillan). He was a counterterrorism analyst for the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and a Research Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where he authored the book Al-Qaeda’s Armies.
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Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on May 26, 2009 | No Comments
From the Hays, Kan., Daily News over the weekend comes information about a prayer service that was held last evening (May 25) at the Grace Brethren Church in Portis, Kan. (Dave Sarver, pastor). To read the complete story, click here.
Portis joins together
In March 2008, the small, northwest Kansas town of Portis sustained a devastating loss with the death of Jeffery Scott Noel.
Since that time, in an effort to remember and celebrate the life that was taken from them, area residents have gathered monthly at Grace Brethren Church, Portis, for a series of prayer services.
Monday, another such service will be held, although the theme of the evening might differ slightly than originally expected.
With the conviction last week of Salina resident Kenneth Eugene Wilson, who was charged with Noel’s murder and the burglary of his home, the service’s theme of “remembrance” could also feature a good deal of praise.
“Since the good Lord has blessed us with a good verdict, there will be some praise items too, I’m sure,” said Darrel Wolters, a member of the church committee organizing the event. “It would have been really disheartening if the outcome hadn’t come out like it did.”
To read the rest of the story, click here.
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Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on May 26, 2009 | 1 Comment
News comes from the Grace Brethren Schools, Simi Valley, Calif.: Cory Edwards, an eighth grader at Grace Brethren Junior High School, has won the gold medal from the prestigious Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Annual Science Fair. Below is an interview with Cory from the school’s website. To see more photos, click here.
Cory, What was your motivation to put such an award winning project together? “I enjoy the world of science; I wanted to create a project on Natural Energy, so my motivation was to be successful in what I do in the eyes of my parent’s, teachers, & friends and above all my God.”
What do you think set your project apart from the others? “I went there to win. I have been raised to strive for success, to go above and beyond. For three months I put together the most efficient board, log book, & charts with incredible amount of data and I believe the judges could see the amount of hard work I put into this award winning project.”
Is it important to you that your work be recognized in this way? “This is extremely important to me all the hard work the weekends and days I spent on this project have paid off. I never gave up I never took short cuts I kept going and going and from my work I was proudly was awarded.”
What other thoughts would you like to share with the Grace Brethren community and readers in the public?” This wasn’t no stroll in the park let me tell you that. It was very difficult to endure all the stress and hardships but just as I said it all paid off. I couldn’t explain the feeling I had when I received the medal I was proud of what I have achieved I have been blessed with an incredible talent of science and speaking used in my presentation. I wonder every day why God gave me these talents but I believe it is for times like these I can express these talents. I would like to thank Mrs. Howard the Grace Brethren teachers and administration and friends for there large amount of support and help from all of you thank you and God bless you.”
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Posted by Terry White on May 25, 2009 | No Comments
The long-awaited groundbreaking for the first facilities of an eventual 30-building seminary complex, named the James Gribble Leadership Training Center, took place this past Friday, May 22, in Bangui, the capital city of Central African Republic. The following report was edited from blogposts by Jason Carmean, pastor of the Lexington, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, who is in CAR teaching and participating in the groundbreaking ceremonies. To read Jason’s blog, click here. (Jason Carmean photo)
Today (Friday) was a wonderful day to be a part of the groundbreaking ceremony that took place for the new seminary here. The only thing that made the day hard was that it poured down rain and was a muddy mess all over the grounds where we were. We had to drive back a “road” to get to where the seminary was and got stuck in a 4-wheel drive truck two different times.
It’s hard to put into words all that the groundbreaking meant for the leaders of the seminary and the churches here. In many ways it was a very solemn time as they realized the responsibility they have been given to train the next generations of leaders and pastors in the African churches.
The students and their wives arrived on the grounds at about 8 a.m. After that it was the pastors and their wives, beginning with those who would have been younger and may not have been ordained yet. Our group was set to leave when we got word that the Prime Minister was not going to be there until 10 a.m. so we waited until about 9:30 to leave so that we would arrive shortly before him.
We got there and the heavens opened and it poured and poured and poured. Thankfully we were under a canopy, but the other two groups had much more of a makeshift covering that would fill with water and they would have to dump out. We all made the best of it and managed.
Then we received word that the Prime Minister was called into another meeting and so he was not able to come but they were sending someone else. Protocol, however, would not allow one of the government officials to arrive at something in the rain so we thought we might end up waiting a long time.
Finally the rain began to let up and he arrived and the ceremony began. We finished and arrived back here at the guest house about 3:00 for lunch.
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Posted by Terry White on May 24, 2009 | No Comments
The Old German Baptist Brethren, one of six sister groups which, along with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, traces its roots back to Alexander Mack in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708, is holding its annual conference later this week in Modesto, California. One of their meeting houses will be included in the Brethren Heritage Tour to be conducted Thursday of the week of Equip09, the annual national conference of the FGBC, this July. This is an excerpt of an article from the Modesto newspaper. To read the entire article, click here.
Thousands of German Baptists to meet in Modesto for annual conference
By Sue Nowicki
Members of the Old German Baptist Brethren churches are easy to spot — men in simple, dark suits with broad-brimmed hats and beards, but no mustaches, women with white hair coverings and long dresses with matching capes and aprons.
There are about 500 German Baptists in Modesto and Twain Harte. You’ll see them throughout the community — working as dentists, hygienists, farmers, cabinet makers, etc., and shopping at Costco, talking on cell phones or going to restaurants like anyone else.
But they have no TVs or radios in their homes, and going to movies is discouraged.
They know people often focus on their “peculiarities,” but they would rather have folks focus on their Christian faith — deep, simple and peace-loving.
Each year, they have a nationwide conference where about 2,500 attend for worship services, meals and a business meeting to take care of any issues that have arisen. In years past, those issues included whether radios and automobiles should be used (they eventually decided no on the former and yes on the latter).
The conferences rotate throughout the country; this year’s event will be held on a ranch near Waterford, the first time it’s been in the area since 2002.
Several events are open to the public. The denomination doesn’t seek publicity but does allow outsiders to sit in on worship services and meals, in part to show that they are not a secret sect or cult.
“My greatest desire is that through our relationships with other people, they would know Jesus Christ,” said David Rumble, one of three men authorized to speak for the denomination and an organizer of the conference. “Often, folks will look at the way we dress and not see that we do worship the Lord Jesus — that’s the center of our faith.”
“We’re not here to portray our own selves,” added Curtis Selby from the Twain Harte congregation.
Preparations for the conference began about two years ago. Modesto dentist Galen Filbrun offered his land for the four-day event. About 20 acres, formerly a rice field, were planted in sod last fall.
The grassy area soon will be filled with two huge tents — a dining tent to seat 832 people and a council tent that will seat 3,000 for the worship and business meetings. A kitchen building, concession tent and bathroom facility, as well as parking spots for 1,225 vehicles, also will be part of the complex.
On the Saturday following the conference, an auction will be held for the lumber, electrical, plumbing and other building materials used for the project. The money will help offset the cost of the event, which is paid for by the churches in the western region.
History of the faith
German Baptists, often called Dunkards, trace their history to 1708 when eight people near Schwarzenau, Germany, decided to strictly follow the Bible, rejecting all creeds. They practiced — and still do — triune baptism, where they immerse people three times forward into the water, symbolic of the trinity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Persecution forced the group out of Germany. William Penn offered the group a place of religious freedom in the New World. The group today is found only in the United States, with congregations ranging between 30 and 300 people. Each congregation selects its own ministers, who are not seminary-trained but instead study the Bible on their own. Some churches have two or three ministers, and some have six or seven. They serve for life.
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Posted by Terry White on May 22, 2009 | 1 Comment
Ruth Burns, 84, of 261 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2009, at 8:28 pm at her residence at Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, IN.
Ruth was born February 24, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to William J. Dietz and Elizabeth A. (Bubeck) Dietz. On March 31, 1945, she was married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Ralph Samuel Burns, who survives.
A resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana, for the past 39 years, she was a homemaker, and a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, Winona Lake, Indiana. She served at her husband’s side as a pastor’s wife for 40 years in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Indiana.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 64 years, Ralph S. Burns (Winona Lake, Indiana); son: Ronald David (wife Krista) Burns (Warsaw, Indiana); daughter: Rebecca (husband Daniel) Gehrke (Warsaw, Indiana); nine grandchildren; and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and one brother.
Visitation will be Tuesday, May 26, 2009, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Indiana, with pastors Bruce Barlow, Bob Divine, and Glenn Byers officiating. There will be a private graveside service for the family at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Indiana.
Memorial donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries, P.O. Box 612, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590.
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Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on May 22, 2009 | No Comments
Earlier this week, more than 20 men from Grace Brethren churches in Washington State and British Columbia gathered at Camp Clear Lake in White Pass, Wash., to consider the theme “Guard what has been entrusted to your care.” John McIntosh, 2009 Moderator of the FGBC, led the study from 2 Timothy.
At one point in the day, John asked men to gather around pastors to pray for them (pictured above right). 
After the one-day retreat, the NW District Ministerium met to examine several young men for licensure including Jason Strain, the worship pastor at Hope Community, Surrey British Columbia.
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Posted by Terry White on May 22, 2009 | No Comments
Here is an excerpt from an interesting column on baby baptism and the Anabaptists. To read the entire article, click here.
Baby baptism and Anabaptists
Baptism is a common tradition within Catholic and most Protestant churches. The Church of the Brethren, the church I was born into and later grew out of, is and was not part of this tradition. It rather grew out of the Anabaptist movement in Europe.
The first Anabaptist congregation was formed in 1525 in Zurich. Anabaptists were opposed to infant baptism because it was not voluntary. For them, choosing to be a Christian should be an adult matter. Shortly after the first adult baptism took place in that city, its council decreed that anyone who refused to baptize infants eight days old or younger must leave the city.
Other Anabaptist congregations sprung up. In 1534, the first that came to be known as Mennonite was established in Holland. These believers did not differ greatly from general Protestant doctrines, but, because they did not favor state control of the church or church control of the state and differed in their beliefs about baptism, they were unwelcome wherever they settled in Europe. Mennonites also took the scripture literally—to love thy enemies and to do good to those who persecute you. Ironically, such belief made them victims.
Anabaptist Jakob Hutter was tortured, whipped, and immersed in freezing water (to mock baptismal practices), and at the order of King Ferdinand in 1563, Hutter was then doused with brandy and burned. (See Jerry MacGregor & Marie Prys, 1001 Surprising Things You Should Know about Christianity) During the next six decades, over fifteen hundred Mennonites were martyred, many of them burned at the stake.
In 1683, William Penn offered the Mennonites asylum in the colonies, and thousands of German, Swiss, French, and Russian Mennonites came to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Illinois and some went farther west.
The issue of when to baptize is one of the first decisions of faith vs. doubt that parents face. Doubt arose for those who chose to be re-baptised as adults because they were not sure that baptism as babies was good enough. They reasoned that faith should be a matter of choice, not something that was simply an act that others made for them.
So it was that I was baptized three times forward–in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
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Posted by Terry White on May 22, 2009 | 1 Comment
Word has been received of the homegoing Thursday evening of Ruth Burns, 84, wife of retired Grace Brethren Pastor Ralph Burns. In retirement the couple has lived at Grace Village Retirement Center in Winona Lake, Indiana, where Ralph served as chaplain for a number of years.
The Burnses had been in an automobile accident on Wednesday, but they had been thoroughly checked out with no apparent injuries. Ruth died peacefully between 8 and 9 p.m. Thursday.
Arrangements will be shared as soon as they are known.
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