BMH Editor's Blog

Women’s Leadership Summit Begins In Ohio

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 30, 2009  |  No Comments

Participants in the Women’s Leadership Summit, being held this weekend at the Hampton Inn in Hilliard, Ohio, make notes in their journals as the opening session begins. It was the first in a weekend that looks at women in leadership in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Chery Boehm, below, is coordinating the event. She is guiding the discussion on leadership and encouraging women to consider their leadership styles.

Teressa Pierce (below) finished the opening session as the spoke about the recent journey God had brought their family through. Her daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Pierce, was diagnosed with brain tumor shortly after giving birth to her first child in early 2007. Teressa shared principles God had taught her throughout the process.

The Summit is sponsored by Women of Grace USA and open to all women in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. It is designed to offer women the opportunity to process leadership development with others who serve in similar ministries through vital interactions and intentional guided discussions.

Friday Feature: Soul Physicians On Sale!

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 30, 2009  |  No Comments

Now available through November 6, 2009 at a discounted rate!

Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction by Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D.

Looking for a relevant, in-depth theology of biblical counseling? Soul Physicians is just that! As medical students examine the anatomy of the human body, so soul physicians need to understand the anatomy of the human soul. In this book, you’ll find a theological foundation for the ministry of biblical counseling, soul care, and spiritual direction, equipping the counselor to make Christian counseling truly Christian

To read a review of Soul Physicians, click here.

Now available at bmhbooks.com for just $32 (normally priced at $39.99). Or call 1-800-348-2756 and ask for the Friday Feature. Tell John that you saw it on the Editor’s Blog!

Jonathan Nord, 29, With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on October 30, 2009  |  3 Comments

The following message is from Chris and Carolyn Nord, who served with Grace Brethren International Missions for about ten years in Chalon, France. The Nords are from the Bellflower, California, Grace Brethren Church (Tom Hocking, pastor). Jonathan Nord was engaged and planning to be married next June.

“We wanted to let you know that our son, Jonathan, left for heaven at 11:36 pm Thursday night. He fought his liver cancer until the end, but his weakened body finally wore out. He died peacefully in our home with my wife and I, and our French friend Jacqueline Dormont, at his bedside. Our daughters, Sarah and Stephanie, our son-in-law Jake, and Jonathan’s fiancée, Dawn, soon joined us.

“We sat together at Jonathan’s bedside sharing memories, crying and waiting for the funeral home to come and take care of formalities. Afterwards, we all stood in a circle and prayed, thanking God for allowing us to know Jonathan for 29 years. We are deeply grieving the loss of our son, but are happy that he was released from his frail body and is now in a much better place, where there is no pain, or sorrow, or suffering.

“Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers over the last several weeks. We will keep you informed of plans for a memorial service when we have finalized them with pastor Tom.”

With love and appreciation,

Chris and Carolyn Nord

Altoona Church to Host Illusionist Toby Travis

Posted by Terry White on October 30, 2009  |  No Comments

The First Grace Brethren Church of Altoona, Pennsylvania (John Townsend, pastor)will host a special evening with illusionist Toby Travis tonight, Friday, October 30, at 7 p.m.

Dates: October 30, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm
Target Audience: Kid Friendly, General Audience
Location: First Grace Brethren Church of Altoona
2932 Maple Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601
(814) 942-7642
Contact Info: Phone: (814) 942-7642
Web: Visit web site
Please log in to contact event poster. – Log In

Ticket Info: Price: FREE (Love Offering will be collected)

Event Details:
Prepare to be Amazed!! Toby Travis comes to Altoona, PA

With special guest: Dennis Keith (From America’s Got Talent)

The Illusion & Beyond® World Tour featuring award winning entertainer Toby Travis is coming to First Grace Brethren Church on Friday October 30th.

Illusion & Beyond® featuring Toby Travis is a magical blend of humor, mind-boggling illusions, and a refreshing, even enlightening look at the supernatural and the pseudosupernatural. In an extremely entertaining fashion, Toby Travis helps his audience discern between genuine and fraudulent supernatural claims.

More information:
http://www.fgbca.org
or
http://www.tobytravis.com

Village Grace Cleveland Has Break-in

Posted by Terry White on October 30, 2009  |  No Comments

Rich and Reida Bartley of the Village Grace Mission Center in Cleveland, Ohio, send along the following report of an incident and request for prayer:

I feel that I need to share the information about an incident that occurred at Village Grace Monday night. An unidentified male kicked in both of our steel doors and broke a few windows in the mission house. We have it on tape from our security cameras but it is a little too grainy to identify the person.

The person kicked in the back door first (broke the door but the locks held). Then you can see him breaking the window of the food pantry then going to the side door and kicking it in. The light goes on in the food pantry–then a few minutes later the person exits the side door carrying something.

Tuesday morning after the Cleveland Police were done we searched the house but the only thing missing was some food. $800 dollars in damage and only a few food items were taken. I took it very personal because we would have given the person food if they would have come to us. I expect things like this to happen from time to time but it is still hard to accept especially since we do not budget for “repairs”.

Unfortunately with the economy the way it is, peoples’ situations are getting to the point where they are doing desperate things. Compassion ministries are needed more than ever – help us to make a difference!

Pray for this unidentified person – Pray for our nation and its leaders – Pray for Village Grace to continue to change lives for Jesus Christ.

East Focus Retreat Concludes

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 29, 2009  |  No Comments

The Focus Retreat for Grace Brethren pastors in the eastern region of the U.S. concluded yesterday (October 28) at Ocean City, Md. The morning began with breakfast, then Tom Hocking, moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches for 2009-2011, taught on Loving Christ’s Body. (Tom is also pastor of Bellflower Brethren Church in California.)

The morning concluded as the men spent time in listening and reflecting, dividing into twos to celebrate the spiritual discipline of foot washing. Some chose to walk the beach, as the two pastors below did, while others found other locations around the Holiday Inn, where the retreat was held, to wash one another’s feet. As they returned to the meeting area, they spent time in prayer and commissioning, before returning to their respective ministries.

Village Where Gribble Began Mission Receives Well

Posted by Terry White on October 28, 2009  |  No Comments

Jim Hocking, director of ICDI, sends along the following article and photos of a well just drilled in the village where Grace Brethren African missions began in the 1920s.

This mission station on the hill behind the village of Bassai, Central African Republic, was established by James Gribble back in 1921. He started the work in Central Africa there which has now grown to a huge church and many many believers. Since that time a dispensary was started and then later a church built down in the village off the hill.

The first church building was built up near the mission station. As more and more people came for different reasons the town of Bassai has grown. Now the dispensary is run by another French NGO but is still there and functioning. There is also a government school there.

The Brethren church there, built from bricks from the earlier church up on the hill, is still standing and used every Sunday.

This year ICDI partnered with LWI to drill a well there and place a vergnet pump in the town of Bassai. This is a very good opportunity for us to be able to minister to a village where there have been no missionaries for many, many years.

This is also the location of a fort built high on a granite mountain about a 1.5 hour walk from Bassai. When slave traders would come to this part of the country the people would flee there in order to be safe. The biggest problem for them was surviving till the traders left. They had caves where they kept food stores but they did not have water on the mountain. This meant they had to either sneak down at night to get water or go without.

This fort was built out of rocks stacked on top of each other which could be used if the slave traders tried to climb the very steep mountain to get to the villagers hiding there. There were two main entrances which were walled up and then one very dangerous secret passage down the back of the mountain. Villagers can take anyone who would like on a hike out there. It is much easier to see in the dry season than in the rainy season.

East Focus Retreat Kicks Off at Ocean City, Md.

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 26, 2009  |  No Comments

The East Focus Retreat for Grace Brethren pastors kicked off this evening at the Holiday Inn Oceanfront in Ocean City, Md. It’s a time for pastors and church staff members from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Massachusetts and other eastern states to gather for fellowship and refreshment. Below, Bill Holt, family pastor at the Grace Brethren Church (Jeff Thornley, senior pastor) of Waldorf, Md., catches up with Larry Weber, pastor of the Grace Brethren Church in Waynesboro, Pa.

The retreat is being led by Tom Hocking, below, pastor of the Bellflower (Calif.) Brethren Church and the 2009-2011 moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Steve Howell, below, who until recently was on the staff of the Grace Brethren Church of Calvert County, Owings, Md., and is now a trainer for Dynamic Church Planting International, led a discussion of what it means to practice the spiritual discipline of solitude and silence.

Iglesia la Esperanza Highlighted in Paper

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 23, 2009  |  No Comments

Iglesia la Esperanza, a Grace Brethren church in Valrico, Fla., and their newly-established food pantry were recently featured in the local newspaper, the Observer.

In the photo from the newspaper, at right, are food pantry coordinators Joseph and Shari Garcia, with their daughter, Kaitlyn (far right).

Below is a portion of the copyrighted story.

Local Congregation Adds Food Pantry

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,” states the Bible’s Matthew 25:35, correlating
to ideals held by Iglesia La Esperanza as the church prospers forth with the creation of a food pantry in Valrico.

Located at 407 St. Cloud in Valrico, the pantry accommodates some 700 sq. feet, where at an estimated 25 families seek sustenance through the weekly giveaway of a boxful of food. Having opened its doors in September, the church is seeking to broaden and expand its calling to provide those less fortunate with food, asking the community to donate canned goods, dry grains – such as rice, beans, pastas, cereals, etc. – and clothing to the undertaking.

“The food pantry was created because we have seen the impact that the economic crisis has had on people of our community,” asserts pastor Jesus Munoz. “Many of them are in distress because they are losing their homes or have not been able to find work; we help so that, at least, they will not go hungry.”

Friday Feature — Jerusalem to Rome Book Available at Discounted Rate

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 23, 2009  |  No Comments

Now available through October 30, 2009 at a discounted rate!

Jerusalem to Rome: Studies in Acts by Homer A. Kent Jr.

Experience the thrilling story of Acts against its historical background. This book is full of photos and charts and is best read with your Bible close at hand.

Now available at bmhbooks.com for just $12 (normally priced at $14.99). Or call 1-800-348-2756 and ask for the Friday Feature. Tell John that you saw it on the Editor’s Blog!

Grace Village Residents Head Back to School

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 22, 2009  |  No Comments

It’s back to school time for some residents at Grace Village Retirement Community in Indiana. They’re taking advantage of a unique partnership with nearby Grace College that allows them to audit classes. Read more about it in the September-October issue of FGBC World, which is available at no charge at your local Grace Brethren church or 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 September-October issue at your local Grace Brethren church, see fgbcworld.com or subscribe online to have your free copy delivered directly to your mailbox.

Dallas Center Confronts the Dark Side

Posted by Terry White on October 21, 2009  |  No Comments

Randy Todd, lead pastor of the Grace Brethren Church in Dallas Center, Iowa, sends along the following information that may be of interest:

I’m currently preaching a series I’ve titled “In Sheep’s Clothing” in response to finding several books in our church library authored by well-known heretics. I’ve been here in Dallas Center now for three years and am finally going through our collection of media that I’m calling our “Wall of Shame” in light of what I’ve discovered.

Over the past three weeks God has helped our congregation come to grips with our personal responsibility to be on guard for false teaching in our home libraries, video collections, and to be sensitive what the televangelists we allow access into our homes by way of TV and radio are teaching. The response has been amazing!

I’ve received dozens of phone calls, emails and had several personal meetings with folks that have for the first time in their faith walk been awakened to the “disturbing” truth that they have been complacent and must begin to investigate (try) those who come teaching in the name of the Lord.

Yesterday during the morning service I asked Rick Stark, one of our newest brothers in the Lord, to share his testimony before the Dallas Center congregation. Rick was a medium prior to coming to Christ in January of this year. Since then his wife and daughters have also been saved and know desire to serve God.

If you think others would be as encouraged I am by this beautiful response to Truth they can listen via the church’s website at www.dallascentergrace.com by clicking the “Sermons” link and then the 10/18/09 sermon titled “In Sheep’s Clothing – Part 3: Reasoning Apologetically”. Rick’s testimony is approximately 22 minutes into the message.

Thanks for the opportunity to give God the glory and celebrate His transforming power with our FGB co-laborers in Christ.

NOTE: For those who may be interested in exploring further the issue of dark spiritual powers and demonization, see the recently-published BMH book It’s Only a Demon by Liberty University professor David Appleby at www.bmhbooks.com.

Women of Grace President Reviews ‘Sacred Friendships’

Posted by Terry White on October 21, 2009  |  No Comments

Read a great review by Women of Grace USA president Janet Minnix of BMH’s recent publication Sacred Friendships. Here is an excerpt:

“I was challenged by these women who used their feminine giftings to comfort, encourage, and give spiritual direction to both women and men, and I was deeply moved by the depth of their walk with Christ, their lives of prayer, and their spiritual wisdom learned from studying God’s Word and experiences in the furnace of affliction.

“I highly recommend Sacred Friendships for any woman or man who longs to be more effective in comforting the hurting and guiding people to new levels of spiritual insight and maturity. We can learn much from these spiritual sisters. I will go back to this book again and again for wisdom and guidance.”

To read the entire review, log onto http://womenofgraceusa.wordpress.com/

Schwarzenau Assembly Book Available

Posted by Terry White on October 21, 2009  |  No Comments

A complete record of the 300th anniversary celebration of the Brethren movement held in August, 2008 in Schwarzenau, Germany, is now completed and available for purchase from Brethren Encyclopedia Board, Inc.

Edited by Dale R. Stoffer, Ph.D., the dean of Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio, the book contains program information, greetings by all the German officials present, transcriptions of the two sermons by Fredrick Miller and James Beckwith, and a translation of the major address, “The Brethren: A Church Between Anabaptism and Pietism,” by German scholar Marcus Meier.

The 135-page paperback book, entitled “Celebrating a Past: Envisioning a Future” contains all the proceedings and addresses from the Fourth Brethren World Assembly at Schwarzenau on August 2 and 3, 2008, along with more than 90 full-color photographs of the two-day event.

The book retails for $16 plus $3 shipping and handling and is available from Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc., 10 South Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543. The ISBN number is 0-936693-14-2.

Vision Ohio Releases Videos

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 21, 2009  |  No Comments

Vision Ohio, the Grace Brethren church planting group in the Buckeye State, has released several videos highlighting their ministries. Below, you’ll find an overview with several new churches featured. Click here for others, including reports from Dublin-Jerome, Englewood, Columbus, New Albany, Springfield, and Ashland.

VisionOhio Day Fall 09 from Ron Boehm on Vimeo.

Ronald Lutz Honored for 32 Years With Brethren Encyclopedia

Posted by Terry White on October 21, 2009  |  No Comments

At a meeting of the Brethren Encyclopedia Board (BE) earlier this week at Ashland (OH) Theological Seminary Ronald G. Lutz (right) was honored for serving as assistant treasurer of the board from time of its incorporation in December 1977 until June of 2009. BE board president Robert Lehigh (left) made the presentation.

As a volunteer for the past 32 years, Lutz has been the primary contact person for Brethren Encyclopedia. He has received book orders and payments, managed the bank account, kept financial records, and reported to the board twice each year.

A graduate of Manchester College and Bethany Theological Seminary, Lutz served as a church minister of education, for 18 years was director of the Germantown Ministry centered at the first Brethren church in America, and also served at the Ambler, PA, Church of the Brethren as assistant pastor and pastor.

Lutz will be succeeded by James C. Gibbel of Lititz, PA. Gibbel is president of Gibbel Insurance Agency in Lititz and has been active in a number of roles in the Church of the Brethren.

To learn more about Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc., log onto brethrenencyclopedia.org or contact BE at 10 South Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543. BE is comprised of representatives of the six Brethren groups descended from Alexander Mack, who baptized believers in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708. In addition to publishing encyclopedias, books, and monographs on Brethren history, BE also directs occasional Brethren World Assemblies including the 300th anniversary celebration in August of 2008 in Schwarzenau, Germany, which was attended by more than 1,000 Brethren from around the world.

Kids, Coats, and Cars at California Outreach

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 21, 2009  |  No Comments

The LaLoma Grace Brethren Church, Modesto, Calif. (Joel Richards, pastor) hosted a Kids, Coats, and Classic Cars event on October 10.

“It grew out of a desire to become more visible in our community,” says Pastor Joel. The classic cars show captured attention and there were plenty of activities for kids: face painting, jump house, a slide, bowling.

“The police, fire and ambulance were here. There was a booth for getting DNA of your children for safety reasons,” he adds.

They also joined with a local television station and helped kick off their Coats for Kids program. “We collected more than 175 coats for needy children that were given to the Salvation Army to distribute this winter,” he concludes. “It was well attended and considered a success by all.”

Click here to see images from the event.

12-Year-Old Succumbs to Infection

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 21, 2009  |  No Comments

Word has been received of the death of 12-year-old Audrey Wenger, daughter of Bob Wenger, a Grace College graduate and former staff member at the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio. She died October 16 after a massive infection ravaged her body following two days of fighting the flu. (Initial tests for H1N1 were negative.)

Audrey was also the granddaughter of Lloyd and Barb Wenger, long-time members of the Dallas Center, Iowa, Grace Brethren Church. (He served on the board of directors of Grace Brethren Home Missions from 1985 to 1997.)

Services are scheduled for 10 a.m., October 23 at Custer County School Gym in Westcliffe, Col. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Wild West Stables, PO Box 1587, Westcliffe, CO 81252.

Memorial Service for Larry Wedertz Announced

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 20, 2009  |  No Comments

A memorial service for Larry Wedertz, former staff member at the Grace Brethren Navajo Mission, will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 24, at Shiloh Chapel, 16435 Square Dr., Marysville, OH 43040. His son-in-law, Todd Scoles, will be officiating along with retired Grace Brethren pastor Don Rough.

Meet the Grays

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on October 20, 2009  |  No Comments

Doug Gray is the new pastor at the Grace Brethren Church in Millersburg, Ohio. (He’s pictured above with his wife, Leslie.) Doug comes to Millersburg from western North Carolina where he was a graphic designer for a Christian gaming company. A native of nearby Loudonville, he is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University (where he played baseball) and Ashland Theological Seminary.