Powell Pastor Receives Doctorate in Leadership

Posted by Terry White on April 30, 2011  |  1 Comment

David Coleman (upper photo, at podium), pastor of administration at the Grace Brethren church in Powell, Ohio (Rick Nuzum, pastor), today received his Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.

Coleman was one of four candidates receiving the terminal degree at today’s ceremonies. His dissertation, which involved several Ohio Grace Brethren churches in the study, was entitled “The Impact of Learning Organization Strategies on Spiritual Maturity as Exemplified in Participation in Home-Based Small Groups.” The supervisor for his dissertation was IWU faculty member Dr. James Freemyer, who is also a Grace Theological Seminary alumnus.

Attending today’s ceremonies with Dr. Coleman (center, lower photo) were (from left) his daughter Alexandra, his wife Monica, and his parents, Dorothy and Lundy Coleman from the Columbus area. Also attending was David’s brother, Richard (not pictured. Congratulations, Dr. Coleman!

4,000 Eggs, 29 Conversions at Sebring Eggstravaganza

Posted by Terry White on April 30, 2011  |  No Comments

Another great Easter event has come to our attention. At the Grace Brethren Church of Sebring, Florida, Pastor Randy Smith reports that the “Easter Eggstravaganza 2011″ featured 4,000 Easter eggs, but the greatest news is, “29 people prayed to ask Jesus to be their Savior, 575 people came to the event, 95 people of Grace served them… I am overwhelmed at God’s goodness!”

Pastor Bill Tweeddale With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on April 29, 2011  |  1 Comment

Pastor Randy Weekley from the Pinellas Park (Fla.) Grace Brethren Church this evening passes on this sad news:

 Our pastor Bill Tweeddale is in the presence of his Savior (7:15 p.m) the One who he lived for and was a champion of… truly one of the greatest ambassadors of the Lord I have ever known…praise God He gave so many of us the privilege of knowing and learning from…all to the glory of God!

Details will be posted when available. Here are just two of the highlights of Tweeddale’s long ministry, taken from the “Almanac” sections of FGBC World:

January, 1973

- The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Grace Brethren Church achieved self-support status. William Tweeddale was the pastor.

January, 1981

• The Penn Valley GBC, Telford, PA, celebrated the 200th birthday of the Sunday School with the “world’s largest birthday cake”—112 feet long. Bill Tweeddale, pastor.

Update on Greg Howell’s Son

Posted by Terry White on April 29, 2011  |  1 Comment

Earlier this blog reported on Cameron Howell, son of Pastor Greg and Colleen Howell of the Grace Brethren church in Goldendale, Washington. Greg now sends this update:

Colleen, Rebekah, Rachel, and I were able to visit him in the Naval hospital in San Diego, April 11-16.  He has had two surgeries to repair the damage to his right upper arm inflicted by an enemy sniper while serving as a Navy Corpsman with a Marine Engineering unit in Afghanistan. 

He was in good spirits and we were able to take him out of the hospital for some day trips to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo.  Our oldest son, Austin, was also able to get hardship leave from his Navy duty in Djibouti, Africa, and be there for the first surgery and still be there a couple of days after we arrived.  Austin was a great help attending to Cameron’s needs.  The nurses said they would have to do more when he left. 

Cameron has one more surgical time, May 4.  They will “jump start” his ulnar nerve at his wrist to speed its rejuvenation and allow him to begin exercising his ring finger and pinky.  He visited his storage unit and retrieved his X-box and old phone.  He told us that using them was therapeutic because they make him use both hands.  

He should be up here with us most of June for 30 days convalescent leave and then light duty for 5-6 months.  No one has said anything about him not being able to complete his commitment which ends April 15, 2012, nor have they indicated that he would or would not be deployed again.  By the way, he was the only one seriously injured during this last tour.  The rest of his battalion should arrive state-side next week. 

Thank you for your prayers for him and for us.  Please continue.  We saw several at the physical therapy clinic at the Naval hospital that had lost fingers and limbs.  Cameron is aware and thankful that God did and is protecting him.
Ghowell

How Grace Brethren Churches Can Help Tornado Victims

Posted by Terry White on April 29, 2011  |  No Comments

CPR-3 Director Dan O'Deens

CPR-3, an FGBC cooperating ministry directed by Dan O’Deens, has established a relationship with a church in the tornado-affected area to help them help others. 

When asked for details on how Grace Brethren churches can help, O’Deens responded, “Thanks for being willing to serve those in the south whose lives have been altered due to the tornado.  I will keep you informed on how to work and serve best. Pastor Steve is sending me an email with all the facts, and needs. He is also sending the location of their warehouse and staging area for their relief efforts.

“At this point it is still a lot about search and rescue. Shelters are still going up. The need for food and water and blankets and clothing is still critical. Tonight it will go down to 48 degrees.

“Red Cross and First Response agencies will stop the serious bleeding and then all of our near first response efforts can begin. Awareness and sharing the opportunity can happen NOW.

“85% of all donations, money and resource are given in the first hours/days of any catastrophe.   

“The second need will be clean-up crews.  Chainsaw teams, heavy equipment, etc., is an option for more skillful oriented people.

“Any donations can be made through my web page:  www.cpr-3.com    All gifts are tax deductible.  All monies will be given to the Highlands Church, Pastor Chris Hodge. They are multisite and the largest church in Alabama.

“They are able to house staging at their Birmingham Campus and have a 100,000 square foot warehouse.

“More details coming as they become available.

“Thanks for caring for the overlooked!”

Dan O

‘Dads ‘n Daughters’ Event Concludes Winona SMM Year

Posted by Terry White on April 28, 2011  |  1 Comment

At today's SMM Dads and Daughters event at Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church, the girls led their dads in a participatory exercise about missions in Argentina.

The Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church/Jefferson Elementary School SMM program concluded its program year this Thursday afternoon with a special “Dads and Daughters” event that included a picnic lunch, prizes, presentations by the girls, and some special awards.

Approximately 80 girls, grades 1-6, were enrolled in the SMM program this year, meeting Thursdays after school in the elementary school building which is across the street from the church building. Headed by Sharon White, the staff of nearly 20 women, college, and seminary students that helped with the program led the girls each Thursday in crafts, games, songs, scripture lessons, and refreshments. “A Girl After God’s Own Heart” was the theme for the year.

At the closing event the girls performed several songs for their fathers, in English and in Spanish, and led the dads in a participatory reading about South America, the continent the girls’ missions emphasis focused on this year.

Katie Yocum (left) received a special award for her years of involvement in the SMM program.

Katie Yocum, daughter of Mike and Carrie Yocum of Winona Lake, was honored for seven successive years of involvement in the SMM program.

Partly because of the success and popularity of the girls’ program, midway through the current school year a companion program for boys was begun at the school, as well. It is being led by Dr. Rick Roberts of the Grace College faculty, who previously was a children’s pastor.

Philadelphia Church Restructures for More Effective Ministry

Posted by Terry White on April 27, 2011  |  No Comments

Here is an update—and a prayer reminder–from Pastor Shawn Kidder of Grace Community Bible Church, a Grace Brethren church (Oxford and Knorr) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Thanks for praying for our church and community.  We appreciate it much.  Our church is going through a re-structuring phase. 

For decades our church operated a certain way to reach its demographic.  In the last 20 years, the demographics have changed 100 percent and the church was still operating the same way and was no longer relevant to its community.  So last year we began to refocus and restructure our church–people and ministry–which includes a new name. 

We have done this so that our church will be more relevant and effective at proclaiming the gospel to our community and making disciples.  These changes were not easy, but were necessary. 

Sunday, May 22, is our official Grand Re-Opening under our new name: Grace Community Bible Church.  All the community is invited and we will have a chance to showcase our ministries to the community and most importantly to proclaim Christ.  Please pray for this event and the coming year, thanks!

Ft. Myers Church Sees ‘Cool’ Answer to Prayer

Posted by Terry White on April 27, 2011  |  No Comments

Pastor Rich Schnieders of Friendship Community Church, a Grace Brethren church in Fort Myers, Fla., today posted this answer to prayer (and implied prayer request):

Today some of us from Friendship Community Church gathered to look at a building for a potential new church location. The realtor arrived and apologized, but he could not bring a key so we could get in. We talked a while, looked through the widows and agreed we would get together again with a key.

The realtor left and we decided to pray as a group in front of the building. While we were praying a guy walked up with a key. He works for the previous tenant and was getting some stuff out. He let us in to check it out.

How cool to see God answer while we were still praying! BTW the building is a perfect fit, God just has to work out the finances. We need more space and this building has it all ready to move in.

Grace Band to Perform Thursday, May 5

Posted by Terry White on April 26, 2011  |  No Comments

The Grace College Wind Ensemble will present their final concert of the year on Thursday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Warsaw High School Performing Arts Center.

 The program will feature not only the Grace College Community Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Martin Becker, but also the popular 18-piece Truth in Jazz Big Band from Elkhart, Indiana. Additionally the concert will feature three soloists during the evening, including Jay Flippin from Lexington, KY, whose special arrangement “Tribute To The Duke” for jazz trio and concert band will be programmed.

The sixty-plus member Grace College Community Band is conducted by Martin Becker. Mr. Becker retired in 2002 as Director of Bands for Warsaw Community Schools and now is in his ninth year as director of the Grace College Wind Ensemble. The musicians include Grace College students, community members, several high school students and professional musicians.

The “Big Band ‘Pops’ Concert” will be on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 7:30 PM.  It will be held at the Warsaw High Performing Arts Center and is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:45 pm and the Concert starts at 7:30 pm May 5, 2011. Contact Martin Becker at Grace College if you need additional information about the Grace College Wind Ensemble.

Injured Grace Student ‘Graduates’

Posted by Terry White on April 25, 2011  |  No Comments

On September 17, 2010, Grace College student Jeremy Mohr suffered an injury that resulted in paralysis from the ears down and the death of his friend.  Today his CaringBridge site carried the following news:

Surprise! Jeremy graduated from college today! Dr. Swanson, Professor Schram, and Aaron Crabtree were here today and videoed Jeremy in his cap and gown. The nurses watched and cried! It was wonderful ! Ryan Gerber his best bud was here too ! Jeremy decided to go to Shepherd’s in Atlanta, Georgia. The plans are to fly out Wednesday. What an answer to all our prayers! We thought it might take awhile for the insurance to approve. Thanking the Lord for the great day.

To read more, log onto http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeremymohr

David J. Schwan Obituary

Posted by Terry White on April 25, 2011  |  No Comments

Here is obituary and service information for David Schwan, father of GBIM missionary to England David Schwan.

David J. Schwan

June 6, 1930 – April 22, 2011

Wooster Ventriloquist Featured in Film

Posted by Terry White on April 25, 2011  |  No Comments

The following article appears this week in the online version of the Mansfield (OH) newspaper. The Miller family began attending the Wooster, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church (Robert Fetterhoff, pastor) in 2009.  To see the original article, click here.

Kimberly Yeager Miller featured in documentary

MANSFIELD — Mansfield native Kimberly (Yeager) Miller is one of five featured ventriloquists in the film, “Dumbstruck,” a documentary by director Mark Goffman.

Kimberly Yeager Miller, from the Wooster, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, is one of five ventriloquists starring in the new documentary film, "Dumbstruck." / Submitted photo

The movie tells about the struggles of five ventriloquists, including “America’s Got Talent” season two winner Terry Fator.

“Dumbstruck” tells the humorous, heartfelt story as these performers pursue their dreams of a career in puppetry. The film follows across the United States, the Mexican Riviera, the Bahamas and Japan.

The movie debuts across the country this weekend. It won the Best of Fest award at the Palm Springs Film Festival last year.

Miller’s storyline tells about her performing at children’s shows and wanting to branch out to working on cruise lines.

A 1994 graduate of Madison Comprehensive High School, Miller graduated from Liberty University in 1997 with a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling. She has an educational interpreting certificate from Columbus State University and is a part-time sign language interpreter for the Rehab Center in Mansfield.

The former Miss Ohio contestant and Mrs. Ohio America 2010 answered a few questions about her film experience.

Was it fun?

Miller: Filming was very fun. In this movie, the world will see that I am not the only person who talks to themselves and plays with dolls for a living.

Overall, I enjoyed telling my real-life story of what it’s like working as a professional ventriloquist and magician, and they saw firsthand what that entailed. It made me nervous at the beginning of the filming process, always having a camera on me and told to “just act natural and be yourself” … but then I quickly got used to the cameras and forgot they were even there most of the time.

The filming process was over a period of two years. … They set up cameras in my car, filmed me in my home, my parents’ home, my church and at my shows. They came on a Bahamas cruise … to film me performing on a cruise ship. They used a lot of that footage in the movie. …

What have you been doing since then?

Miller: Since the filming process my life has dramatically changed.

The filming process for me was in 2006-2007. As the filming was ending, I had decided that I did not want to live and work on a cruise ship after I saw what life was really like for performers. I heard about so many people that had marriages fall apart, and you can’t bring your dogs. I really thought I could bring my dogs, since I trained them to use a litter box. The film shows my struggles with wanting to work on a cruise ship and making that decision, if that is the life I really want.

During the filming process, I met and began dating my future husband, Brooks Miller. We were married on May 23, 2009. …

In June 2010, I won the title of Mrs. Ohio America 2010 and competed in Mrs. America last September.

Currently, I stay steadily busy performing family-based shows for business organizations, schools, churches, shelters, etc. In January 2011, I was a headliner for the All-Star Show at MAGI-FEST in Columbus.

Has the film opened any doors for you?

Miller: The film premiered last week in Atlanta, and I’ve had two calls this week from booking agents. One from Illinois who owns a modeling talent agency that wants to sign me … and another talent agency from Cleveland. So I’m excited about the future possibilities this movie could bring.

My career goal is to star in a children’s television show with my puppets and magic, teaching educational topics through entertainment. Shari Lewis was a great example of this. She took an old sock and turned him into a superstar on television. …

What can you tell us about your personal life?

Miller: My husband, Brooks Miller, and I live in Wooster. He is a graduate of the (United States) Military Academy at West Point, and an Iraq war veteran and captain. We attend Grace Brethren Church. I am a volunteer with “Every Woman’s House” in Wooster. We have three dogs, Jasper, Julip and Jepetto. Our future plans are to expand our family with “real” children.

Goshen Church to Host Chick-Fil-A Leadercast

Posted by Terry White on April 25, 2011  |  No Comments

Grace Community Church, the Grace Brethren church in Goshen, Indiana, located at 20076 C.R. 36, will be one of the satellite locations for the Chick-Fil-A Leadercast on Friday, May 6 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Speakers include Seth Godin, Dan Cathay, Dave Ramsey, John Maxwell, and many more.

About 135 tickets remain, at $75 each. For more information, or to register, log onto http://duleadercast.eventbrite.com/

God Adds 98 to His Kingdom in Goshen

Posted by Terry White on April 24, 2011  |  No Comments

All around the world, Grace Brethren churches were praying for opportunities to introduce people to Christ at Easter services today. Here is a report from just one church–in Goshen, Indiana–taken from Pastor Jim Brown’s blog. We’d love to hear from others, as well, about how God worked today.

Okay he did it again. As we prepared for the service today we had many decisions to make. We always walk into a Sunday begging God to show up and blow us away. At the end of each service we gave people an opportunity to trust Jesus as their Savior.

 To celebrate this new step in their spiritual journey we asked them to come and flip a switch on a wall that was built by a Grace attendee. The wall contained 90 switches with 100 watt bulbs. Each service people came up and flipped the switch and received a switch cover as a reminder.

And then God said I will show you… in the second and third service we turned on the lights of each person that trusted Jesus and began the spiritual journey. We gave  the invitation at the end of the third service and the air was filled with joy as the board began to light up.

And then it happened we had more people then we did lights. We ran out of lights. You should have heard the place as the last light was lit. It was a moment I will never forget, people cheered, clapped, shouted and praised Jesus.

At the end of the day the 90 lights were lit with 8 other people making decisions to follow Jesus. A total of 98 people. As I type I am still overwhelmed by what Jesus did !

Fathers of David Schwan, David Marksbury With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on April 23, 2011  |  No Comments

Word has been received of the death yesterday (Friday) morning of the father of David Schwan, who works with Grace Brethren International Missions in England. The elder Schwan lived in Willard, Ohio — no details are yet available, but will be posted when known.

David Schwan is the son-in-law of Tom Julien, former executive director of GBIM.

In addition, early Wednesday morning, the Lord called Ken Marksbury, father of pastor David Marksbury,  home at age 96.  

 Dave and Claudia would like to invite anyone who is able, to celebrate Ken’s life at 11am on Thursday April 28 at Marinier’s Church (Upper Room) -5001 Newport Coast Drive, Irvine, CA 92603
If you would like to send an encouraging card to Dave and Claudia, here is their address:  2256 Ascot St., Corona, CA 92879

Hazel Bishop, Former Missionary to Argentina, Dies

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

Hazel Irene Bishop

October 24, 1928 – April 19, 2011

Word has been received of the death of former Grace Brethren missionary to Argentina Hazel Bishop. According to Chuck Winter, Hazel’s parents were longtime members of the Sunnyside, Washington, Grace Brethren Church, Mr. and Mrs. Willis Belcher.

Hazel Irene Bishop was born on October 24, 1928 in Sunnyside, Washington. She died peacefully in her sleep on April 19, 2011

She is survived by her husband Don, of 60 years, two daughters; Gail Rickert and Paula Bishop of Bothell, three grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and one brother, Harold Belcher of Chattaroy, Washington.

Memorial service will be held at Bethany Bible Church: 6214 NE Bothell Way, Kenmore, Washington 98028 on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 2:00 PM.

Burial in Mt Olivet Cemetery, Renton WA

‘Communitas’ Event Merges Faith and Learning

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

WINONA LAKE, IN – Though classes at Grace College were cancelled for the Day of Worship celebration, students and faculty gathered together on March 31 to voluntarily participate in the school’s inaugural “Communitas” event, a program of academic and artistic presentations organized by the Grace College Office of Faith, Learning, and Scholarship.

Approximately 35 students participated in the event, which included a three-round original poetry slam, while roughly 150 students attended the various presentations. Dr. Jared Burkholder, director of the Office of Faith, Learning, and Scholarship, was highly impressed with student participation and attendance. “It was phenomenal, considering this was the first time for the event and it was not required,” he said.

Grace College senior Andrew Jones, who served BMH as an editorial intern and who has founded a literary magazine for the Grace College and Seminary community, was named 'Poet Laureate' of the campus.

Senior Andrew Jones, an English major, was named Grace College “Poet Laureate” after winning Grace’s annual poetry slam, which was specially hosted by the Scribbulous company, a student-organized on-campus writer’s group.

Other projects included art exhibits, such as Christi Ziebarth and Jenny Flowers’ “One Big Good: A Celebration of Freedom;” panel discussions, such as Rebecca Roberts, Corey Grandstaff and Robin Tanner’s “Opportunities and Challenges in Local History;” and paper presentations, which ranged from an ethical look at plant stem cell research by Nathan Mosco to a paper titled “Women on India: Culture, History and Change,” presented by Lindsey Marks.

Communitas was held in conjunction with the spring semester Day of Worship, a day when all morning and afternoon classes are dismissed so that students can participate in an extended chapel service. The Office of Faith, Learning, and Scholarship chose to hold Communitas on the same day to “reinforce the notion that our lives should not be compartmentalized into ‘sacred’ and ‘secular’ spheres,” said Burkholder. 

“In other words, we don’t pursue ‘secular’ things when we study and research or write papers and then do ‘sacred’ things when we worship or pray. If we live in faithfulness to God and do our work with excellence for his glory, then everything that we do has a sacred quality,” he added.

Burkholder felt the day was a success, acknowledging the Communitas planning team, the Office of Student Affairs, and Sodexho food services as integral players in the planning and execution of the event. Communitas will likely be an annual event at Grace College.

“The feedback that we have received has all been very positive, both by faculty and students,” said Burkholder. “One student mentioned to me that events such as this are exactly the kind of thing that defines us a liberal arts college. And he’s right.”

“The Office of Faith, Learning and Scholarship aims to facilitate a culture on campus that celebrates and encourages scholarship, innovation, and creative expression, as well as to facilitate intentional dialogue and reflection on ways that faith intersects and informs our work within the academic community. It also is intentional about affirming our identity as an institution within the Grace Brethren movement,” Burkholder said.

Northwest Focus Retreat Coming May 16-18

Posted by Terry White on April 19, 2011  |  No Comments

Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey reminds us that the Northwest Focus retreat is just a few weeks away. 

Tom says, “ Last year was an incredible retreat!  Thanks so much for all who came. You blessed me deeply. This year Dan Allan and Tony Webb will take us through a study of Ephesians 3:16-19. The feedback from “Fully Alive” retreats this year have been very affirming.  Here is my favorite:

 ‘…I work in a prison [full-time profession... not at Martinsburg GBC] . Prison staff must constantly “watch the back” of my their fellow co-workers so that all will go home safely. Sometimes in ministry we feel alone. It is comforting to know that there are others, working for the kingdom, wrestling with the same issues that I am. It is because of the security of this support system that I can step out on the ministry ledge and grasp what it means to be “fully alive”.’  (more at www.fgbc.org/focus)

 ”I hope to see you there – May 16-18 at Clear Lake.”

Register online at www.fgbc.org/focus.

Brethren Encyclopedia Board Discusses World Assembly

Posted by Terry White on April 19, 2011  |  No Comments

The board of the Brethren Encyclopeda Project, which is the sponsor of the upcoming Fifth Brethren World Assembly to meet in Brookville, Ohio, the summer of 2013, met yesterday at Ashland (OH) Theological Seminary.

A special feature of the meeting was a tour conducted by Dr. John Byron (pictured, at right) of the New Testament faculty of the seminary. He gave historical background and commentary on the seminary’s current display of 38 historic biblical documents, including a portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls, several Sauer Bibles, and much more.

Monograph editor Jeff Bach is preparing an update of Donald Durnbaugh’s “Brethren Beginnings,” as well as beginning work on a manuscript on Brethren and Universalism, an update of Dale Stoffer’s “Background and Development of Brethren Doctrines,” and a thesis on Brethren hymn texts of the mid-nineteenth century.

The Brethren Encyclopedia Board, which is comprised of representatives of the six major groups descended from Alexander Mack’s founding of the Brethren Church in 1708, will next meet on Monday, October 17. The steering committee for the Fifth Brethren World Assembly, on which the FGBC is represented by Tom Julien, will meet on May 6.

Grace Inks Partnership to Provide Engineering Classes on Campus

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on April 18, 2011  |  No Comments