BMH Editor's Blog

Pierre Prinvil Joins Staff of CPR-3

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on February 28, 2011  |  No Comments

Pierre Prinvil

Pastor Pierre Prinvil has joined the staff of CPR-3 as Haiti national director, according to Dan O’Deens, director of CPR-3.

Pierre is a Haitian pastor trained in the USA, who started and led a Haitian congregation in Florida until he heard the call of God to go back to his home land and serve his own people.  He has started and built two orphanage homes outside of Port au Prince and has served countless families and children.

His real passion is to shepherd and train future pastors to care for and serve the physical and spiritual needs of people throughout Haiti.  He is currently training over 150 pastors and will provide leadership to The REFINERY: Haiti Bible Institute.

CPR-3 is a cooperating ministry of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches whose purpose is to empower local church leaders to identify and implement sustainable solutions to the physical and spiritual needs within the communities of the overlooked.

Fort Lauderdale Grace Brethren Reunion Planned

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on February 28, 2011  |  1 Comment

If you ever were a member or attended the Grace Brethren Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., you are invited to a reunion on Saturday, April 2. All the information is contained in the flyer, which is reproduced above.

The original deadline to respond, March 2, has been extended to March 19.

Pray for Info Session Tonight for Grasslands Church

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on February 28, 2011  |  No Comments

Grasslands Church, the new Grace Brethren church being planted in Medicine Hat, Alberta, hosts its first “official” activity tonight — an information session at a local hotel. They will be meeting at 6:30 p.m. (Mountain Time) for dessert and casual conversation.

Church planter Oliver (Shane) Edwards and Bart Blair, who will be leading worship and taking on other administrative tasks, ask for prayer as they have their first opportunity to share the vision and plan for Grasslands Church with people outside their social and spiritual circle. Learn more in video update below. Simply click on the link to view the video.

Grasslands February Update

Lincoln Don’t Get No Respect

Posted by Terry White on February 22, 2011  |  No Comments

Stephen Howell, formerly of the pastoral staff of the Calvert Grace Brethren church in Owings, MD (Robert Wagner, pastor), reports that “A citation of $50 was given to my son at the Lincoln Memorial on this President’s Day. He resembles Lincoln and decided to dress up as our 16th President and recite the Gettysburg address. Some tourists asked for pictures and gave tips. The citation was given for solicitation on Federal property without a permit.”

Washington-area television stations are airing news reports on the event, and some YouTube footage may be seen by clicking here.

Fred Benedict, Longtime Brethren Encyclopedia Head, Dies

Posted by Terry White on February 21, 2011  |  No Comments

Bob Kern Obituary

Posted by Terry White on February 21, 2011  |  1 Comment

Pastor Bob Kern, 77, of Quarryville, Pennsylvania,  went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community.

Born June 15, 1933 in Winchester, VA, he was the son of the late Wilbur R. and Margaret (Steele) Kern. He was married to Dorothy I. (Keating) Kern on June 23, 1956.

Pastor Bob’s voice has been known on WDAC for thirty years with spot devotionals, “Bits of Truth.” He has been a Pastor/Teacher/Counselor in Philadelphia, PA, Mansfield, OH, Elkhart, IN, Myerstown, PA, Denver, PA and Ephrata, PA.

For the past 10 years, Pastor Bob was Chaplain at the Willow Valley Resort and Associate Pastor of Senior Adults at Grace Church at Willow Valley (John Smith, pastor).

In addition to his wife of 54 years, he will be lovingly missed by two daughters, Deborah Lee, wife of Kerry E. Rapp, of Myerstown, Beth-Ann E., wife of Patrick McKinney, of Stevens; a son, Mark J. Kern, of Lancaster; eight grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by an infant son, James Raymond Kern and a granddaughter Krista Joy McKinney.

A Celebration of Pastor Bob’s life will be held at Grace Church at Willow Valley, 300 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA, on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 3 PM with Rev. Dr. John F. Smith officiating. Private Interment was in the Willow Street Mennonite Cemetery, Willow Street, PA.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with the family at the church on Sunday between 1 and 3 PM. Kindly omit flowers. Memorial Contributions can be made in Pastor Bob’s memory to the Bob Kern Memorial Endowment Fund to provide scholarship money for children to attend Camp Conquest. Gifts can be made to Camp Conquest, 480 Forest Road, Denver, PA 17517.

For on-line condolences visit: www.scheidfuneralhome.com

Pray for Pastor David Bogue

Posted by Terry White on February 19, 2011  |  4 Comments

Your prayers are encouraged for the health of Dave Bogue, pastor of the Upper Arlington (OH) Grace Brethren Church. Here are excerpts of a message he sent Saturday:

Thank you for praying and loving on Elaine and me–your patience gives us patience too.  The doctors have been wonderful here at Cleveland Clinic.  Many teams of doctors are working to get to the bottom of my health challenges.

To be specific, currently I am extremely weak, am unable to walk without assistance, am very short of breath, have difficulty conversing with other people, have no appetite and am very nauseous.  Doctors have discovered very little to date as to why my symptoms are progressing.  Some feel it is hormonal, due to my endocrine issues, but most of the teams are leaning to neurological investigations of which no test results confirm anything to date.

Elaine and I expect to be at the Cleveland Hospital for a few more days, then perhaps a rehab center.  Pray for Elaine: it’s been very challenging!   We have had two crashes of sorts here, one mild and one very severe.  We really weren’t sure if we would recover from the last episode.  The AMET team (emergency breathing unit) was called in – it was very scary!  But as of Friday morning all is well. The storm is over, but I am just very, very weak.

Someone reminded us of several beautiful passages of Scripture reminding us to wait on the Lord in times of trouble.  Psalm 27: 13&14, Psalm 25:5; Psalm 31:14&15.

Yesterday as I lay in bed, I listened to Lovely Lainey as she tenderly talked to my roommate about Jesus.  He had no confidence of where he would go upon his death, which is near.  Elaine helped explain the Gospel to him, and he repeated aloud the sinner’s prayer.  She said tears were running down his face as he prayed, and became a brother in Christ.

Thank you for faithfully continuing to pray for us.  We should know more from the doctors early next week.

Pastor Bob Kern With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on February 17, 2011  |  3 Comments

QUARRYVILLE – WDAC Radio has received word that Pastor Bob Kern has died. Bob was heard for many years on WDAC on a short feature called “Bits to Bite” which then became “Bits of Truth.” He was Associate Pastor of Senior Adult Ministries, Emeritus at Grace Church at Willow Valley (Lancaster), Pennsylvania.

He had ministered in the Philadelphia area and Ohio. He helped to start a Christian camp ministry that became Camp Conquest located in Denver, Lancaster County.

The Bob Kern Memorial Endowment Fund was created to provide need based scholarship money for children to attend the Christian camp each year. For information in contributing to the Bob Kern Memorial Endowment Fund, you can call Camp Conquest at 717-336-2541.

ICDI Dedicates International Headquarters Building

Posted by Terry White on February 14, 2011  |  No Comments

ICDI founder Jim Hocking (in doorway) and other staff, board members and friends participated in a ribbon-cutting dedicatory ceremony and Open House Sunday afternoon, February 13, of ICDI’s new world headquarters building on State Road 15 north of Warsaw, Indiana.

With a ribbon-cutting and a prayer, Integrated Community Development International (ICDI) on Sunday afternoon, February 13, dedicated its new worldwide ministry headquarters on State Route 15 just north of the US 30 interchange in Warsaw, Indiana.

ICDI was founded in 2004 by veteran African missionaries Jim and Faye Hocking with the help of many friends, supporters, and colleagues. The vision of ICDI is to eradicate the trend of persistent poverty in central Africa through collaborative efforts at the village level.

Several dozen friends, supporters, and ministry colleagues attended an Open House Sunday in the former Millennium Sound building. Ted Rondeau, chief development officer for ICDI, conducted a short ribbon-cutting ceremony which concluded with a dedicatory prayer by missionary statesman Tom Julien.

Rondeau paid tribute to a number of local organizations and individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of ICDI, including Silveus Insurance, who initially assisted ICDI with office space, and the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation of Winona Lake, which is helping to finance the new facility.

ICDI is a non-denominational, non-governmental, and non-profit faith-based organization presently working in the Central African Republic and other surrounding countries. ICDI has 501c3 status in the USA as well as tax-exempt NGO status in the Central African Republic. Several years ago ICDI was approved by the Fellowship Council of the FGBC as a cooperating ministry.

It currently operates out of three primary locations in the Central African Republic, although the international headquarters are in Warsaw, Indiana. The capital city of Bangui is the headquarters for ICDI administrative staff, as well as the primary orphan care center, and the primary AIDS/HIV training headquarters.

Just north of Bangui, ICDI’s short-wave radio station transmits from the town of Boali. In western C.A.R., Berberati is the primary center for the well-drilling and well-repair crews, with storage facilities for supplies and a full garage capable of complete vehicle rebuilds and pump repairs. This past December, ICDI’s well drilling work was featured in an ABC News special with Diane Sawyer and Chris Cuomo.

ICDI’s agricultural development program is also currently located in Berberati, although a larger more permanent center is currently in the planning stages. A second orphan care center is also located in Berberati.

Found Jim Hocking says, “We have seen God work in awesome ways through the Central Africans working with ICDI and hope to empower even more nationals. Conflict continues in the country, limiting access to some areas of the country for expatriates, so training Central Africans is a key part of ICDI’s strategy.”

For more information, log onto www.icdinternational.org

John Kline Manuscript Rediscovered

Posted by Terry White on February 10, 2011  |  No Comments

From Church of the Brethren Newsline:

ELGIN, IL — Terry Barkley, director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill., provided the following report on newly rediscovered historical material related to Civil War-era Brethren leader John Kline:

 Shortly after assuming the directorship of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives on Nov. 1, 2010, I examined a small green box in my office labeled, “Original Penciled Manuscript of book LIFE OF JOHN KLINE by Funk.” I quickly realized that I was looking at Benjamin Funk’s original hand-written manuscript (partial) for his book, “Life and Labors of Elder John Kline.”

 Elder John Kline (1797-1864) was a Civil War-era Brethren leader and martyr–a preacher, healer, and moderator of the Brethren Annual Meeting from 1861 until his murder in 1864. He was ambushed and killed on June 15, 1864, near his home in Rockingham County, Va., after falling under suspicion for making frequent trips across the lines between north and south, as he served the Brethren on both sides during the war.

As the story goes, Benjamin Funk reportedly destroyed John Kline’s original diary shortly after publishing his book in 1900. Why Funk felt that he needed to do this has always been open to speculation and controversy. What was in Elder Kline’s diaries that Funk didn’t want others to see? Thus, this “discovery” of Funk’s partial penciled manuscript and additional data is cause for celebration and scholarly examination.

Notations in the box indicate that the manuscript is incomplete, covering only the diary entries that Elder Kline wrote from March 1844 to August 1858. There is also some additional material in the manuscript, which apparently was not included in Funk’s book. This additional material includes sermons (at least one by Peter Nead) that are incomplete in beginnings and endings.

 Jeffrey Bach, director of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College, is presently working with the Funk/Kline material. Dr. Bach will give a presentation for the John Kline Homestead on April 9 regarding the history of the Brethren and slavery.

In his presentation he plans to touch on the Funk/Kline manuscript. Bach also is the speaker for an insight session sponsored by the Brethren Historical Committee at the 2011 Annual Conference of the Church of the Brethren, to be held in Grand Rapids, Mich., on July 4.

Tipp City Launches With More than 70 Present

Posted by Terry White on February 9, 2011  |  No Comments

The new Grace Brethren church-plant in Tipp City, Ohio, led by Pastor Ron Sheranko, had its kickoff this past week, on SuperBowl Sunday, and had more than 70 in attendance.

Sheranko said it was, “after a week in which the schools were shut down for four days due to ice, snow, and cold temperatures.  Our core group and other supporting families have been meeting all of January for worship and to prepare ourselves for kickoff Sunday and onward.”

Calling their new venture “The Bridge,” the group has been meeting at Broadway Elementary School, where the public launch occurred.

"The Bridge," a new Grace Brethren church in Tipp City, Ohio, launched on SuperBowl Sunday with more than 70 present.

Sheranko, who recently left his associate’s post on the pastoral staff of First Grace Brethren Church of Dayton, Ohio, to become a church planter, said that more information may be obtained by logging onto www.thebridgetippcity.com.

Jean Wooler Obituary

Posted by Terry White on February 8, 2011  |  No Comments

Jean Wooler, mother of GBIM missionary Barbara Wooler.

Jean (Craig) Wooler – 81, of New Holland, Penna., formerly of Fayetteville, Penna., went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, February 6, 2011, at Garden Spot Village in New Holland.

She was the loving wife for 61 years to Howard William Wooler.

She was born in Philadelphia, Penna.,  to the late David and Beatrice (Cassel) Craig.

Jean graduated from Olney High School in Philadelphia, class of 1947. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Jean volunteered much of her time in the “Released Time” Bible class in the Fayetteville, Penna., area.

She enjoyed crocheting, traveling to Florida with her husband during the winters and spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends. Jean was in fellowship at North Ridge Bible Chapel of Sellersville, Penna.

In addition to her husband, Howard, she is survived by William Wooler (Son) & wife, Gina of Quakertown, PA; Charles Wooler (Son) & wife, Holly of Honduras; David Wooler (Son) & wife, Cathy of Souderton, PA; Barbara Wooler (Daughter) of Winona Lake, IN; and 10 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Craig.

Viewings will be held at Anders Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory on Friday, February 11 from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday, February 12 at North Ridge Bible Chapel from 10 to 11 a.m.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at North Ridge Bible Chapel, 831 Keystone Drive, Sellersville, PA.

Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Park in Feasterville, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Christian Missions In Many Lands, Inc., P.O. Box 13, Spring Lake, NJ 07762 or Project Hope and Charité Orphan Ministry, P.O. Box 588, Winona Lake, IN 46590.

Arrangements by: Anders Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, PA. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com

Grace Professor’s Ezra-Nehemiah Commentary Published

Posted by Terry White on February 8, 2011  |  No Comments

A new Ezra-Nehemiah commentary by Tiberius Rata, Professor of Old Testament Studies and Chair of the Department of Biblical Studies at Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind., has been  published in the Mentor series by Christian Focus Publications (Scotland) is now in print and available for purchase.

Rata holds a B.S. in Urban and Regional Planning, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; M.Div. in Biblical Languages, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary; and Ph.D. in Theological Studies (Old Testament), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Dr. Rata came to Grace Theological Seminary from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama, where he served as Assistant Professor of Divinity. Before that he taught at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, and Emmanuel Baptist University in Oradea, Romania.

He has also pastored churches in California and Alabama, and served as an interim pastor in Michigan and Indiana.  He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Institute for Biblical Research and has presented papers at the national conventions of the Evangelical Theological Society.

Rata and his wife, Carmen, are active in the Winona Lake (Ind.) Grace Brethren Church and have two sons.

About the commentary, former Grace president John J. Davis, himself a recognized Old Testament expert and author, said, “This commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah is superbly written, beautifully illustrated and carefully documented. Dr. Rata has provided the student of Scripture with a thoughtful commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah that is wholelistic in approach. He skillfully weaves together matters of the Hebrew text, historical backgrounds, theology and archaeological discoveries. Also not forgotten are the practical needs of the contemporary Christian.

“This is a book suitable for the classroom, pastor’s office or the scholar’s study.”

To obtain a copy of the book, log onto http://tiberiusrata.wordpress.com/.

Barb Wooler’s Mother With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on February 7, 2011  |  1 Comment

The mother of Barb Wooler, Grace Brethren International missionary to the Central African Republic, passed away early Sunday morning in southeastern Pennsylvania after a long illness. 

Last fall Barb was led to reschedule her usual February trip to Africa until May, and she also decided to go to Pennsylvania this past Friday instead of waiting until Saturday, as was her original plan.  She was able to spend some good time on Saturday with her mom.  Arrangements will be made after they know when her brother, a missionary in Honduras, will be able to get to the States.

Barb said, “It is indeed amazing (and humbling and affirming) how God has led me so that I’m in the right place at the exact right time.  I can’t imagine my dad having to walk alone through this. I am so very grateful to be here.” 

Noting her mother’s long period of declining health, Barb observed to friends, “It has been a long journey, and arriving to the end of her journey true to her Savior and holding firm to her simple, pure faith, she has won. I was so blessed to have such a loving and good mother.”

During her years with GBIM Barb has had a significant ministry with the Pygmy population, and has been the co-founder and developer of the Project Hope and Charite ministry that cares for more than 1,000 orphans in the central African country.

Super Mondays Schedule Promotes Enrichment, Encouragement

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on February 4, 2011  |  1 Comment

CE National, the Grace Brethren church effectiveness ministry, has announced the beginning of Super Mondays, a quarterly time of enrichment and encouragement that is co-sponsored by Grace College.

Super Mondays are for pastors, church leadership staff, those considering ministry, or those interested in the local church and its people. Each Super Monday will begin at 10 a.m. at CE National’s Russell Center in Winona Lake, Ind. Lunch is included and the program will be done by 3 p.m.

Five hours of information, fellowship, and counsel from those who are considered experts in their field will be offered four times a year.

The sessions will be hosted by Knute Larson, a church consultant for the GLD of the Evangelical Free Church of America, an associate Bible teacher for RBC Ministries, and adjunct faculty for Moody Bible Institute, Trinity International University, and Grand Rapids Seminary. He was senior pastor of The Chapel, Akron, Ohio, for more than 25 years.

Already planned for 2011 are these dates and topics:

• March 14: “Assessing and Enhancing Your Church Building” with Dr. James Rogers
• May 2: “Worship Wars Truce” with worship leaders and pastors
• October 17: “Best Man Standing: Energy for the Days” with Knute Larson
• December 5: “Discipleship: Where It Starts and Why It Doesn’t End” on the art of discipleship

For more information, see supermondays.net.

BMH Author on Blog Tour

Posted by Terry White on February 3, 2011  |  No Comments

BMH Books author and Grace College alumnus Tom Roy, who founded the pro baseball ministry Unlimited Potential Incorporated, is currently on a day-by-day “blog tour” promoting his BMH book “Released.”  To see today’s interview with Roy, who lives in Winona Lake, Indiana, click here.

Inner City Washington, A Story to Tell, and A Unique Distinctive of the Grace Brethren: the February 2011 Podcast

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on February 1, 2011  |  No Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Welcome to the FGBC World podcast, the program produced as a companion to the quarterly FGBC World magazine. Click on the link below to listen to this month’s program.

FGBC World Podcast, February 2011

In this February 2011 edition, you’ll hear about a inner city ministry in Washington, DC, listen to the music of a worship pastor from Goshen, Ind.; and learn why the Grace Brethren practice triune immersion.

Act I

About My Father’s Business Ministries

Stephen Joyce is the pastor of About My Father’s Business, an inner city ministry in Washington, DC. If you are interested in helping with the ministry, contact Pastor Joyce at (202) 834-0945

Act II

A Story to Tell

A Story to Tell is used with permission of Jeremiah Olson.

Jeremiah Olson is the worship pastor of Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren church in Goshen, Ind.

Act III

How did the Grace Brethren come up with the way we baptize?

Listen to the late Todd Scoles describe triune immersion in a sermon recorded in January 2010 at the Community of Hope, a Grace Brethren church in Surry, British Columbia. See the January 10, 2010, podcast, What in the World is a Grace Brethren?

For more information, see mudlove.com or on Facebook.

Learn more about Integrated Community Development Ministries (ICDI).

Act IV

News You Can Use

Southwest Focus Retreat, January 31-February 2, 2011, Lake Hughes, Calif.

R+R+R=Transformation

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on February 1, 2011  |  No Comments

Allen Witbeck, Michael Saldivar, and Phil Helfer lead worship at the Southwest Focus Retreat for Grace Brethren ministry leaders. It is being held through Wednesday at the Oaks Conference Center near Lake Hughes, Calif.

The annual Southwest Focus Retreat for Grace Brethren ministry leaders began this afternoon (Monday, January 31) at The Oaks Conference Center near Lake Hughes, Calif.

Pastor Dan Allen (Grace Brethren Church, Ashland, Ohio) is leading the 48-hours away. He began with the equation R+R+R=Transformation, Revelation + Relationship + Retreat = Transformation. Focused on the theme, Fully Alive, th looked at Ephesians 3:16-19.

“Treat this as a dine-in rather than a drive-through,” he told the group, some  who have come from as far away as Hawaii and Manitoba, Canada.