BMH Editor's Blog

Fellowship Council Meets in Simi Valley

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 29, 2010  |  No Comments

The Fellowship Council discusses the future direction of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

The board of directors of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, more commonly known as the Fellowship Council, began meeting yesterday in Simi Valley, Calif. Pastors came from all over the U.S. and from Canada to review reports from national organizations, consider churches that would like to join the Fellowship, and do other business pertaining to the network of congregations.

First on the agenda was to meet with Jeff Bogue, pastor of Grace Church of Greater Akron, a Grace Brethren church in Akron, Ohio, who has been approached to serve as the first multi-term moderator of the Fellowship. Bogue presented an analysis of the churches and presented a plan to move the Fellowship forward in a vibrant, biblical, and God-honoring path.

In the afternoon, they broke into commissions to consider regular agenda items such as membership and finances.

Meetings continue through Saturday at the Simi Valley church.

Clear Lake Camp Seeking Full-Time Caretaker

Posted by Terry White on January 28, 2010  |  No Comments

Clear Lake Camp, an historic Grace Brethren recreational property nestled in the shadow of Mount Rainier at White Pass, Washington,  is seeking a camp caretaker.  This is a full time, year round position. 

For more information, please contact Pastor Peter Touhey of the Harrah, WA GBC at petertouhey@gmail.com.

Media Coverage Summary of Dan Woolley Rescue

Posted by Terry White on January 28, 2010  |  1 Comment

The latest e-newsletter from Los Altos, Calif., Grace Brethren Church (Phil Helfer and Mike Jentes, pastors) carries this good summary of media coverage of the amazing rescue in Haiti of Dan Woolley (pictured with his wife), whose mother teaches at the Los Altos school.

Today Show video interview with Dan & Christy Woolley

MSN article Buried in Haiti rubble, U.S. dad wrote goodbyes; But with iPhone info, he treated his injuries and was rescued after 65 hours

Colorado Connection by Fox News article and audio from Dan

NPR audio and article

YouTube video of Dan being pulled from the rubble
Full Video clip of the French News TV broadcast
A chronicle of reports about from the Compassion International staff

Pat Woolley interviewed by CBS 2 from LA. 
You can click here or the picture to go to the CBS 2 site and watch this powerful clip.  

The 20/20 clip that Pastor Phil spoke about on Sunday.
Growing Unrest: Who’s Rescued First? Part of the 20/20 special “Earthquake Haiti: Race to Save a Country.”
also a Good Morning America article by the same journalist.

Pictures from the LA TIMES

Dan’s Twitter so you can follow him there.

Dan’s co-worker with Compassion David Hames is still missing. You can read more here: Compassion Workers in Haiti. Also there is a a statement from David’s family

We all are impacted by this tragedy, and are encouraged to pray and to move in action as the Lord leads to love and serve towards those God loves in Haiti.

The Grace Brethren Churches are encouraging support through our Grace Brethren International Missions relief efforts. More here 

Caribbean Vision Ministries which sprung up through Grace Brethren church planting and leadership development there in Haiti.

Through Compassion International (the ministry Dan Woolley serves with ).

January 27 Haiti Update from Caribbean Vision’s Dr. Chuck Davis

Posted by Terry White on January 27, 2010  |  No Comments

 I just wanted to let you know that Pastor Elysee Joseph returned from Haiti last Monday on board a US Air Force plane that landed in Orlando. He was in Haiti from the middle of December until Monday. He was due to return home when the earthquake hit. After the quake he was busy helping our Haitian team members in Cap Haitien and then assisting Pastor Eddy Bezin in Port Au Prince.

Pastor Elysee gave us the follow-up report on our friend Dr. Eddy Bezin who is the Pastor and Leader of Delmas Christian Church, “Preaching Christ to the Multitudes” and Adelphos College in Port Au Prince. Twenty-five members of Pastor Eddy’s congregation died in the earthquake and sixty-three families lost their homes. The needy in Pastor Eddy’s congregation are turning to him to have their material needs met and of course resources are in short supply. They are in need of food, water and tents. Hopefully aid will arrive from the first responder teams in short order.

In addition the facilities of “Preaching Christ to the Multitudes” suffered some major damage in contrast to preliminary reports we had received. The only thing remaining of the primary school building is the roof. All the walls of the building collapsed. All the other structures on the property suffered cracks, some severe. Pastor Eddy & Mirlande have moved from their quarters to the lower quarters area where guests usually stay. This appears to be the safest area at this time.

Caribbean Vision Ministries has dispatched funds to aid Pastor Eddy and his congregation with their urgent needs. Our local staff in Cap Haitien will be helping with supplies from that area and overseeing the delivery of needed financial resources. In the meantime we will be communicating with Pastor Eddy to determine his continuing needs and the best way we can resource him. We will keep you aware as our plans develop.

In the meantime we ask you to continue to pray for the people of Haiti and the workers from around the world who are attempting to help them. Pray also for Pastor Eddy and the people he is ministering to.

Pray for our Grace Brethren congregations in Haiti and their needs as well. Pray for Daniel Cardichon, one of our pastors who also serves with the Haitian National Police at the Palace. Daniel was returning to Haiti from the US and his plane was landing at Port Au Prince when the quake hit. He was unhurt and his family at home was unhurt but his home in Port Au Prince was destroyed. He and his family have been sleeping outside since that time.

All the palace guards who were on duty at the time of the quake were killed as the palace was destroyed. In addition, the five churches Daniel had started in the mountains around Las Cahobas all suffered destruction of their buildings. As our communication with Daniel improves we will lay out a plan of action to help him and his congregations.

Thanks for your prayers and thanks for your financial gifts. We have put some of the funds to use already as we noted and more funds will be disbursed soon as avenues of ministry to the needy people of Haiti open up. All financial gifts can be sent to: Caribbean Vision Ministries, PO Box 18317, Panama City Beach, FL 32417 and are tax deductible. 100% of all funds received will be used for disaster relief for the people of Haiti.

Text Gift to Help People in Haiti

Posted by Terry White on January 27, 2010  |  No Comments

Dan O’Deens has asked that the following message be distributed to all FGBC churches and people:

Help Convoy of Hope Provide 10 Million Meals in Haiti 

Text CONVOY to 50555 

 January 27, 2010 

 Dear Pastor, 

We have a special opportunity for your congregation to partner with Convoy of Hope in Haiti.  

 During the next two weekends would you consider taking a moment in your worship services to ask your people to pause 

and make a one-time donation to Convoy of Hope via text message?  

 The process is simple:  

Text CONVOY to 50555 to donate $10 to Convoy of Hope’s Haiti relief efforts.  

 A $10 donation can provide 50 meals in Haiti for hungry children and families. 

 Convoy of Hope’s goal is to raise $2 million that will provide 10 million meals in Haiti. 

Sincerely, 

 Hal Donaldson , President of Convoy of Hope

Fellowship and Celebration Part of Focus Retreat

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 27, 2010  |  No Comments

The Southwest Focus Retreat for Grace Brethren pastors continued today (Tuesday, January 26) in Rancho Capistrano near San Juan Capistrano, Calif. After the morning session, which focused on “Loving Christ’s Body,” the men gathered for their annual group photo (below). The afternoon and the dinner hour was set aside for fellowship and celebration, allowing time for the pastors to get to know one another better and to learn more about their respective ministries. When they returned to the retreat center after dinner, they gathered to celebrate successful ministries and to pray with those who felt alone or are hurting.

The retreat concludes tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

2010 Southwest Focus Retreat

Fountain of Life Raises $8,000 for Haiti Relief

Posted by Terry White on January 27, 2010  |  No Comments

Pastor Vic Young

Goshen Member Helps in Haiti

Posted by Terry White on January 26, 2010  |  No Comments

This blog entry was posted by Jim Brown, pastor of the Grace Brethren church in Goshen, Indiana.  To read more, click here.

As I type, one of our own here at Grace, is in Haiti. She flew in a few days ago with a medical team and is holing up in a makeshift tent, and helping people. Sonia Green lives on the front lines the majority of her life.

She has been on numerous mission trips that Grace Community has sent out, and she heads up our short-term mission teams along with her Husband Kim. Grace Community is full of people like this and the world is a better place because of them.

Southwest Focus Retreats Begins

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 26, 2010  |  No Comments

Michael Saldivar (Modesto, Calif.), Glenn Shirk (Ripon, Calif.) and Matt Householder (Ripon, Calif.) catch up after arriving at Rancho Capistrano on Monday afteroon.

The Southwest Focus Retreat got underway late Monday afternoon (January 25) as pastors from Grace Brethren congregations from around the southwest as well as from across the U.S. and Canada gathered at Rancho Capistrano, a retreat center near San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

The sessions are led by Tom Hocking, pastor of the Bellflower Brethren Church in California and current moderator of the Fellowship of grace Brethren Churches. As with other Focus Retreats held in the fall, the evening concluded with a time of solitude, when retreat participants were encouraged to spend 12 hours alone with God, beginning at 8 p.m.

Avey Requests Prayer for Fellowship Council Meetings

Posted by Terry White on January 25, 2010  |  No Comments

Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey sends along the following update and prayer request:

The Fellowship Council of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches meets this week in Simi Valley, California. This meeting’s agenda is especially full as the council consider their recommendation for the first multi-year moderator term. 

For information about the composition and work of the council go to http://fgbc.org/whoarewe/fellowshipcouncil.cfm . 

Please pray for these important meetings starting Thursday morning the 28^th ending on Saturday afternoon the 29^th.  On Sunday the 30^th, members will visit Southern California churches.”

O’Deens Haiti Update for Saturday, January 23

Posted by Terry White on January 23, 2010  |  No Comments

Former Pastor’s Son Flying Relief to Haiti

Posted by Terry White on January 22, 2010  |  No Comments

The following message from Jim White of Prosser, Washington (Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church) asks prayer for Roy Harris, son of the late long-term Grace Brethren pastor Vernon Harris, who will be leaving North Carolina Monday to fly a helicopter to Haiti, likely from Florida on Wednesday, in his work with the Samaritan’s Purse organization.

“I have received this message from Kathy Harris in North Carolina, the wife of my cousin, Roy Harris.  Please be in prayer for Roy and his crew as they leave for Haiti, and then serve in that ravaged country.  May God be honored through their efforts and the efforts of other relief workers and agencies.”

Whittier Community GBC Location Update

Posted by Terry White on January 22, 2010  |  No Comments

Richard and Claudia Todd

Community Grace Brethren Church of Whittier, California, (Richard Todd, pastor) sold its property to an evangelical Bible-teaching church in spring of 2009. The congregation has since been meeting to worship on Sundays at Whittier Senior Center.

An office/warehouse complex has been leased for the church office and church related ministries. As the Lord directs, the Whittier church will be relocating to another location in the Whittier area. Current information/updates are available at the church website at www.whittierbrethren.net

 Offices are at 12300 E. Washington Blvd., Suite U,  Whittier, CA 90606

Sunday morning worship is at Whittier Senior Center
13225 Walnut St, Whittier, CA  90602

Hagerstown Grace Looks For New Home

Posted by Terry White on January 21, 2010  |  No Comments

The Spruce Street building of Grace Brethren Church of Hagerstown, Maryland, is for sale. (Kevin Gilbert photo)

From the Hagerstown, MD, Herald-Mail:

Grace Brethren Church looking for new home

By DAN DEARTH

HAGERSTOWN — High utility bills and other operational costs have prompted officials at Grace Brethren Church on Spruce Street in Hagerstown to search for a new place of worship.

The Rev. Harald Bjerga said area residents have attended the church since it opened in 1939.

“It’s fairly simple,” Bjerga said. “Utilities and maintenance on a building this size — it’s more than half a block — are more than we can deal with.”

Bjerga said the church, which holds up to 300 people, will remain open until officials find another site.

The asking price for the Grace Brethren building is about $1.63 million, said Michael Hill, of Long & Foster Realtors. That price includes the church, parking lot and a three-story building on the property.

The primary structure was built in 1900, according to documents from the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. The property’s appraised value is $2.43 million.

Bjerga said the church rented a portion of its space to Washington County Public Schools for classroom use last year after students at Antietam Academy were displaced by a fire in March.

He said the school system paid the church $3,000 a month to rent offices and Sunday school classrooms on the first floor.

“We weren’t looking to make money,” Bjerga said of the church officials’ decision to rent the space. “They asked us what the utilities cost per month and gave us a little more. We wish they would have stayed.”

Washington County Public Schools spokesman Richard Wright said the Antietam Academy students were moved in the fall to modular classrooms on the South Hagerstown High School campus. A new building to house Antietam Academy is under construction and is expected to open in early 2011.

Heartland Church-Planting Vision Re-Ignited

Posted by Terry White on January 20, 2010  |  No Comments

The Heartland Ministerium of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches met on January 19, 2010, at New Horizons Community Church in Winona Lake Ind. Tony Webb and Ron Boehm of Vision Ohio made a presentation of their work starting churches in Ohio.  Several Heartland pastors discussed the possibility of beginning new Grace Brethren churches in cities such as Fort Wayne and Lafayette Ind.

Jim Franklin (pictured), pastor of Flora (IN) Grace Brethren Church, agreed to take the lead in re-establishing a church-planting momentum through Vision for Mid-America.

Franklin will communicate with anyone interested through the Facebook group “Vision for Mid-America” and by e-mail at heartland@fgbc.org.

Rob Borkowitz Installed as Waterloo Pastor

Posted by Terry White on January 20, 2010  |  1 Comment

Pastor Rob Borkowitz was installed as the new pastor at the Grace Brethren Church of Waterloo, Iowa, on Sunday morning, January 17  as members and friends of the Waterloo GBC gathered to welcome Rob and Karen into the membership of the church and installed Rob as pastor.

Pastor Ron Weimer (pictured) and Moderator Ted Boger officiated.  After the morning message by Tom Avey, FGBC Coordinator, the church family gathered at the front to commit themselves to serving God together. Pray for Waterloo GBC as they move forward for God’s glory.

O’Deens Haiti Relief Update Tuesday, Jan. 19

Posted by Terry White on January 20, 2010  |  No Comments

HAITI RELIEF BRIEF

From:  Dan O’Deens          1.19.2010

HAITI RELIEF DEVELOPMENT

COH Response Update

• 164,696 meals distributed at 9 PODs  (points of distribution)
• 10 containers set to ship this week
• NEEDS: food, water, medical supplies, tents, and tarps
• We are distributing and setting up walter filtration units in Haiti, number of units to come.
• New team going in today (Monday) and one team coming out.
• We have been active in Haiti for about 3 years

Current Ground Report

• 70,000 confirmed deaths
• Ports still closed
• Fuel is still a major issue
• Tent camps being setup outside the city

**We are aware of the 6.0 earthquake struck in Guatemala. This earthquake struck 64 miles beneath the earth’s surface. We have not seen or heard any reports of damage / causalities.

1) At this time, Convoy of Hope is not recruiting or deploying volunteer teams due to unsafe conditions and the nearly impossible travel situation.  We are also not accepting product donations that have any expectations attached for these same reasons.  We hope to open up these opportunities as the situation stabilizes.

2) If your organization is collecting individual donations for Haiti relief efforts, we can create a custom landing page on the COH website, to which you can direct individuals to by placing a link on your website.  We can then easily track and report back to you the results of your efforts.

Link to News Headlines:    http://www.convoyofhope.org/go/headlines

Link to photos available for public use:  http://photos.convoyofhope.org/cgi-bin/imageFolio.cgi?direct=Public/Haiti_Earthquake_2010

“The situation regarding food and water remains dire,” says Kevin Rose, Haiti director for Convoy of Hope. “The lack of fuel and security issues has made it very difficult to move food around the city. But through our network of partners we are getting food into some of the most desperate places.”

Rose says the food being distributed to earthquake victims is inventory from Convoy of Hope’s warehouse that is used to feed 7,000 children each day who are a part of Convoy of Hope’s feeding initiative in Haiti.

“That supply will last 10 to 14 more days,” admits Rose. “So, we need to replenish the warehouse as fast as we can to ensure that we can keep feeding the children in our program while also continuing to provide food for those who are suffering from the earthquake.”

PLAN OF ACTION:

      PRAY: Search & Recovery; Families; Hope; Medical, Food & Water; Safety

      GIVE:  Secure Container With Supplies For Airdrop – DONE!

      Challenge Churches To: Give $; Purchase A Container $10,000

      GO:  Plan to Mobilize “GO TEAMS” for long term rebuilding

      For our FGBC Leadership as they work together to come alongside our FGBC Churches to organize and unleash God’s Love on Haiti

PRAYER RESOURCE:

We really appreciate your consistent prayers and generous support to the relief efforts that are already underway by our Haitian partners in Port-Au-Prince.  Here are some specific ways you can pray for the role the FGBC and our partners are planning to relieve the suffering from the earthquake:

-  Pray for the food distribution taking place in Haiti.  This is always dangerous when people are starving to death and will resort to almost anything to get to a food source.  That our national partners, who are working so selflessly to serve, will not be harmed during food distribution by those feeling desperate.

-Pray for the continued improvement of aid trying to enter the country.  Convoy of Hope’s food source is near gone, one container has been dropped and 10 more are in route to Haiti via the Dominican Republic.  

- Pray for the assessment team of Convoy of Hope and Dan O’Deens as they plan to go to Haiti.

- Pray for the safe transfer of funds and resources to our Haitian partners.  We want to do all that we can to make sure the people receive the money and resources we are giving.

- Pray for divine strength for the Haitian church leaders, who have faced their own personal hardships and loss of loved ones, yet continue to tirelessly work to ensure the well-being of their Haitian countrymen. 

Thank you for your partnership and your desire to stand with us in showing the people of Haiti the same compassion and mercy that we ask from our Heavenly Father. The recovery from this earthquake will take a very long time and the FGBC, CPR-3 and Convoy of Hope is committed to helping the church of Haiti lead the country in showing the world that even in times like this, there is help in the Lord God.

Literacy Flashcards Readied for Africa

Posted by Terry White on January 19, 2010  |  No Comments

Some 1,600 vowel flashcards are being colored and readied for delivery next month to the Central African Republic for use in literacy programs and in the Hand-to-Hand orphan schools.  Here a group of women from the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church (Bruce Barlow, lead pastor) work on the project. Those participating included (from left) Charlotte Austin, Nancy Peugh, Miriam Pacheco (standing), and Esther Morrison (Sharon White photo).

January 17 Haiti Update from Dr. Chuck Davis

Posted by Terry White on January 17, 2010  |  No Comments

Pastor Elysee Joseph will be departing Haiti this week and we will meet and plan for future assistance to the people of Haiti. We have also received word that Yolette’s niece in Port Au Prince was killed in the earthquake.  

Pastor Herlin Celicourt reports that his brother & sister and his sister’s baby in Cap Haitien have been found and they are safe. Herlin also reports that 2 sisters, a brother and a baby nephew in Port Au Prince are safe though their house was destroyed. We praise God for this good news of safety for family members.

Communication in Haiti is very spotty but T-Mobile seems to be working if you want to call people in Haiti with cell service. T-Mobile is providing free calling until January 31. Western Union is also letting funds be sent to people in Haiti via Western Union offices without any service  charges.     

Please pray for Pastor Eddy Bezin and his congregation in Port Au Prince as they minister to the hurting people around them. Pray also for all the people of Haiti as they suffer through these terrible times. Pray for the organizations and people from around the world who are serving in Haiti in search & rescue, security forces, food & health ministries and those serving medical needs. To follow will be those aiding long term in shelter, housing and all the other long-term need areas. Begin to pray for them as well.    

 For the latest up to date news each day check out our website at:   caribbeanvisionministries.org                                   

Please pray for the leadership of Caribbean Vision Ministries as we seek to follow God’s direction in aiding the people of Haiti in short-term assistance and long-term ministry. You may view our plan of action on our website.

If you would like to help Haitian people now and in the days to come you may send a financial gift to: Caribbean Vision Ministries(mark it Haiti relief fund) and send it to Caribbean Vision Ministries, PO Box 18317, Panama City Beach, FL 32417. All funds received will be used 100% for this purpose.

FGBC/Convoy of Hope Update on Haiti

Posted by Terry White on January 17, 2010  |  2 Comments

Current update on FGBC and Haiti relief, sent by Dan O’Deens, as of Sunday afternoon, January 17: