BMH Editor's Blog

Kittanning Church to Hold Mini-Car Race

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

News from the West Kittanning (PA) Grace Brethren Church (Larry Edwards, pastor):

Veterans Day Bulletin Inserts Available

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on September 29, 2011  |  No Comments

Two bulletin inserts are available from the Eagle Commission to be used in recognizing Veterans Day, which is November 11. PDF files have been provided, either color or grayscale in a format, for printing as bulletin inserts. The four-color insert (2-up) may be downloaded here. A one-color (grayscale) insert (also 2-up) is available here.

The Eagle Commission provides support and encouragement throughout the year for Grace Brethren chaplains, their families, and the brave men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who wear our nation’s uniform, often in harm’s way.

Team TentMaker Skype Meeting Set for Tuesday, October 4

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

Team TentMaker meets via Skype on Tuesday, October 4 at 9:00 PM on Skype.  The topic will be “Time Management – How to NOT neglect your wife, family and job!”  This conversation is for anyone who would consider themselves a bi-vocational pastor (“Tent Maker”).  You must have a Skype address and send that address to tomavey@fgbc.org.  Space is limited.

NCO Examines, Approves Two for Ministry

Posted by Terry White on September 28, 2011  |  No Comments

The latest newsletter from the North Central Ohio district announces that Rick Dale and Mark Abel were both unanimously recommended back to their churches for the next steps in their credentialing process.  Rick was examined for licensure and Mark for ordination.  Congratulations to both of these men!

Dale is an associate at the Lexington, Ohio, church with pastor Jason Carmean and Abel is  pastor at Ashland Southview.

Los Altos Brethren School Marks 40-Year Anniversary

Posted by Terry White on September 28, 2011  |  No Comments

Today’s Gazette.com from southern California features the 40-year anniversary of the school affiliated with the Los Altos Grace Brethren Church in Long Beach (Phil Helfer and Mike Jentes, pastors). Here is an excerpt — to read the entire article click here.

By Stephanie Minasian

It’s been 40 years since Los Altos Brethren Preschool opened its doors in Long Beach, and has maintained its mission of providing an education based on Christian values ever since.

Barbara Wille

Barbara Wille — a former kindergarten teacher — founded the preschool in 1972 after deciding that her place of worship, Los Altos Brethren Church, needed a place for youngsters to learn.

She teamed up with a group of supporters and Don Shoemaker, who was the pastor of the church during that time, to lay the groundwork to get the school started.

“The church had to give the ‘okay that they wanted to have a preschool,” Wille said. “We advertised, and set up two classes. By time school started, we had four classes.”

Wille continued to allow the school to grow, as she served as the director while teaching classes herself. By January 1973, another class was added, and the school became licensed.

“We added a kindergarten class, and maintained as just a preschool and kindergarten for a while,” she added.

The growth continued, and so did the school’s legacy, Wille said.

‘A Child Shall Read Them . . . ‘

Posted by Terry White on September 28, 2011  |  No Comments

BMH Books author Larry McCall has called this delightful photo to our attention. About it, McCall says, “I came across this one of young Jack Mayer reading “Walking Like Jesus Did.” I found special joy in seeing this, as the book “Walking Like Jesus Did” arose out of a Bible study I had about 20 years ago with Jack’s parents, Rod and Shana, when they were young followers of Christ!”

More information about the book, the author, and his other BMH book on marriage, may be obtained by clicking here.

‘Not Just an Academic Read’

Posted by Terry White on September 28, 2011  |  No Comments

BMH Books is always grateful for reader feedback.  Here is a comment from a professor at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago who is reading “The Three Princes” by Tom Julien, one of BMH Books’ latest projects.

“I read chapters 6,7,8, of the book last night and today.  AMAZING!  The author captures what I have tried to communicate concerning Jesus tasting death for every person.  He captures well “He descended into hell.”  I was just so blessed by the illumination of the word of God that the Holy Spirit has brought to Julien.  I loved the way he described the dual nature of Christ: “in essence God” and “in expression human.”  I have studied the church fathers and the way that they tried to capture the incarnation – this was the best description that I have ever seen.

“Thank you for the book.  It was not just an academic read for me – it truly blessed me.  In one moment I wanted to fall on my knees in worship – realizing what price Christ has paid (tasting eternal separation from the father) and the next moment I wanted to “shout” in the triumph of the resurrected Lord!”

“The Three Princes” is available online or wherever quality books are sold. For more information on the book or the author, log onto  http://www.bmhbooks.com/general/item/262-the-three-princes

Winona Lake Church Debuts ‘Learning Community’

Posted by Terry White on September 28, 2011  |  No Comments

Winona Lake Church Debuts ‘First Sunday Learning Community’

As part of its emphasis on seeking to be an equipping church, Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church has announced a new series of learning opportunities that are free and open to the public, beginning this Sunday, October 2 at 6 p.m. at the church’s building located at 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake.

Beginning Sunday, October 2, the first Sunday night of each month (except November and January)  will feature multiple opportunities to learn, to grow, to develop gifting, and to be better equipped for Christian living.

A coffee, fellowship, and get-acquainted time will start the evening at 6 p.m. in the courtyard. Then breakout groups will form for 75 minutes of interactive learning and application. All are welcome to participate without charge.  Childcare for children up through age five will be available.

Opportunities for October 2 include:

“How to Put Together a MAP (Ministry Action Plan)” led by Tom Julien. Designed for anyone who leads a ministry in the church (or wishes to in the future), this session focuses on the scriptural and practical guidelines for leading a ministry in a way that really gets results. The facilitator, Tom Julien, is a former missionary to France, former executive director of Grace Brethren International Missions, an author and teacher, a member of WLGBC’s pastoral staff, and he is helping to lead the Leadership Development portion of the Commitment to Common Mission for the FGBC. This ongoing session will be offered each of the First Sunday sessions.

“Biblical Principles for Handling Credit and Debt Management” will be led by David Jones. What does the Bible say about credit?  What does it say about debt?  Is there “good debt” and “bad debt?”  What if I’m drowning in debt?   David Jones, who has worked with Lake City Bank in wealth management for 11 years and is also a seminary graduate, brings his unique combination of scriptural knowledge and personal money management skills to provide helpful guidance. In future First Sunday sessions, David will offer additional topics on the Bible and finances.

“The Old Testament Book of Jonah” is led by Dr. Tiberius Rata. Rata, chair of the Bible department at Grace College and Seminary and an effective and frequent preacher at WLGBC. Dr. Rata says, “I am going to do an overview of the book of Jonah including the history of interpretation, exegetical insights, theological reflection, and present-day application.” This session is offered in response to the request for more learning opportunities based on specific books of the Bible.

A “ Leadership Academy” will be led by WLGBC’s  lead pastor Bruce Barlow and church moderator Terry White for those wishing to study leadership styles, issues, and how they relate to the church.  Topics in this first session will include “A definition of leadership,” “What kinds of leaders does this church need?”, “What is the difference between management and leadership?” and more. Pastor Bruce Barlow is a Grace College and Seminary graduate who leads the pastoral and church staff. Terry White is the publisher of BMH books and is completing an advanced degree in Organizational Leadership. This is an ongoing session, offered each First Sunday.

“I Taught It – But Did They Learn It?” is a stimulating session led by Dr. James Bowling of the Grace College education and institutional effectiveness faculty. Bowling says, “Working with a group of children, teens, or adults in a teaching setting is not easy work.  It seems there are always those times that you walk away from a teaching session and you wonder if it connected with them, if they ‘got it’.  There are ways of teaching and learning that increase the likelihood that your target group has learned the material, will remember the moral of the story, can tell someone else what they learned that day, and/or apply the concepts to everyday life.  This session will give you some of those tools to help you teach and to help them learn.”

“Making a Difference in Our Community” will be led by Jesse and Gladys Deloe. Based on the book Generous Justice; How Grace Makes Us Just by Tim Keller (available from bookstores, Amazon, and on Kindle), this is the first in a series that stretches through all First Night sessions. Gladys Deloe, founder and CEO of Grace In Action USA, a cooperating ministry of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, asks, “Are there neighbors in Winona Lake whose needs we overlook? How can WLGBC make a difference? This course explores biblical teaching on social justice and what’s being done in our community. We will develop plans to make a lasting difference by integrating good deeds and the gospel in our community outreach.” The first night’s session is entitled “What is Doing Justice?—a Biblical Perspective.”

“Studying God’s Word…Digging Deep and Finding God!” will be led by Dr. Mark Soto. Soto is a popular teacher in the Grace College and Seminary Bible department, a former pastor and church elder, and student of God’s Word. He says, “We will look at ways to study the Word of God that will help you find God in the text and grow in your relationship to and with Him.”

“Dealing with Annoying People: Understanding the People in Your Life that Drive you Crazy” will be led by Dr. Christy Hill. Dr. Hill teaches at Grace College and Seminary and is in frequent demand for her retreats and teaching sessions on spiritual formation, women’s ministry, and other topics. About the October 2 session, she says, “We’ll look at social styles/personality traits and recognize some valuable lessons about living and working in a way that promotes the biblical mandates of love and unity.”

No pre-registration for the First Sunday Learning Community sessions is necessary, although for logistics purposes it would be helpful if those planning to attend could e-mail wlgbc@wlgbc.com and indicate the number of people from each family unit planning to attend each session.  For further information call the church office at 267-6623.

Dedication, Autograph Party Debut ‘The Three Princes’

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

A gala autograph party and book-signing on Sunday evening, September 25, followed an evening of focus on BMH Books author Tom Julien’s new book The Three Princes: Lifting the Veil on the Unseen World.

Several hundred friends and supporters attended the event, held at the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church. Jay Bell of Grace Brethren International Missions gave context for the book, speaking about his own experience in dealing with the spirit world and observing that the noted author Neil Anderson, who has published extensively in this area, asked for the privilege of writing the foreword to Julien’s book.

Jesse Deloe spoke from a literary perspective. As senior editor of BMH Books, Deloe edited the Julien manuscript prior to publication. Author Tom Julien, who has been a missionary to France, former executive director of Grace Brethren International Missions, and now discipleship pastor at the Winona Lake church, spoke on the content of the book, opening with several dramatic incidents from the time he and his late wife, Doris, spent in France when they had to deal with issues of the spirit world.

Warning readers that this is a book for reflection, not a “quick read,” Julien challenged the audience to examine the work of the Spirit in their own lives and to use the dramatic story of the three princes–Adam, Satan, and Christ–as an occasion to reflect on the glory of God  and His spiritual provision for mankind.

Dr. James Nesbitt of the Grace Seminary faculty prayed a prayer of dedication for the book and for spiritual protection on all who will read and use it, and then an autograph party and refreshment time provided by BMH Books followed in the courtyard of the church.

The ISBN for The Three Princes is 978-088469-278-2 and it is available through all major bookstores and at online booksellers. For more information, log onto www.bmhbooks.com.

Grace College & Seminary From the Air

Posted by Terry White on September 25, 2011  |  2 Comments

For a unique aerial tour of the Winona Lake, Ind., campus, click on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Toqtyn4B9l0

Late Summer FGBC World Now Available Online

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on September 23, 2011  |  No Comments

The late summer edition of FGBC World is now available online at fgbcworld.com. A companion to the print issue of the magazine, which was mailed last week, the online edition includes a feature story on the efforts of the Woodville Grace Brethren Church in Mansfield, Ohio, to feed the needy in their neighborhood. It also contains news of the summer Grace Brethren conferences and information about the people and congregations of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

FGBC World is an all-fellowship, all-Grace Brethren magazine published four times a year, with a special Conference edition that was released in early summer. In it you will find stories about Grace Brethren people around the world—from individuals who are on the front line of ministry to organizations that help impact lives for Jesus.

The fall issue of the magazine is now in production. News items may be submitted to lcgates@bmhbooks.com.

Fort Myers, Fla., Church Finds New Home

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on September 23, 2011  |  1 Comment

Friendship Community Church (FCC), a Grace Brethren congregation in Fort Myers, Fla. (Rich Schnieders, pastor), celebrates their first Sunday in a new facility this weekend as they have moved to a different location to better accommodate their growing congregation. The new location is 10251 Metro Pkway #116, Fort Myers, FL 33966.

The new facility has provided more room for the congregation of Friendship Community Church, Fort Myers, Fla.

FCC started in 1997 and has seen a cycle of growth and contraction, according to the pastor. “Much of the contraction was due to people moving from the area,” he says. “For the last six plus years, we have met in a leased storefront but we have been struggling to comfortably accommodate everyone on most Sunday mornings for the last few months.”

He continues with the story: “Many of our folks like to have a table to put their Bibles and books on for Adult Sunday School and for the worship hour. Due to attendance growth, we had been slowly removing more and more of the tables until we no longer could have any table set up in the auditorium. We came to the end of our lease at the end of 2010 and began looking for a suitable location to lease. It was anticipated in the depressed real estate market we live in it would not be that difficult to find suitable space. However, we discovered many owners would rather leave a unit empty than to lease it at the current acceptable market rate. We eventually entered into an agreement to lease the vacant unit next to the unit we had occupied for six years only to find out permits to complete the build out would be very difficult if not impossible to obtain. After prayer and leadership discussion, we abandoned that project and set out to find another facility.

“The FCC leadership prayed and considered our options. We consulted with Grace Brethren Investment Foundation (GBIF) about the potential of buying property and building. After working through the numbers we thought it would be unwise for us to follow that path as it might jeopardize our commitment to missions we have maintained since our beginning. We believe it is more cost effective to lease a facility that provides us growth space but is substantially cheaper than building a new building.

“FCC leadership asked the congregation to sign up to pray for the month of August. We asked for two people to pray every day about finding the right location. A calendar was created and the month of August was all about prayer. We looked every day at the commercial real estate listings. We spent hours on the phone with realtors and owners. Then a new listing was found. Twice the space same lease payment. Then another space that looked perfect also came available. We called the realtors for both spaces, no return calls. We tried again and waited, prayed and prayed some more.

“One of these two potential locations already had a church in the space. Once the realtor called he arranged for the leadership team to tour the facility. The facility is in a commercial three building campus with great security and maintenance. We met there and immediately knew this was the place God had been preparing for us. We told the realtor and the owner that we were very interested in it, but we did not want to be party to forcing another church out of the space. The owner made it clear to us that he had no choice but to terminate the lease with the other church as they were several months behind on the rent. The existing church was made up of mostly migrant workers and with the work gone so were they. The church was shrinking every week. They knew they would have to give up the building eventually. The building owner and realtor worked with them and we offered to assist them in potentially renting our old space if the landlord was willing to work out a reduced rent for them. We don’t know what happened with them but we have prayed for them often.

“The other great potential location ended up being leased only a couple days after being listed. When the realtor finally called back all he could advise was it was leased. It was clear God was leading us to the building we had just toured.

“The night we agreed with the owner to move ahead with a lease we received a call from the realtor for the second great potential location that had been leased in just a couple days. The realtor advised they were having difficulty in coming to an agreement with the potential new tenant and asked if we were still interested in seeing it. We told him we were but it had to be that day as we were preparing to make an agreement on another location. The realtor advised he would try to work that out. We believe God was testing our commitment to following His clear direction.

“When the realtor failed to call back, FCC leadership agreed we would move ahead with the first building. We entered into the agreement with the owner and a few days later we were given keys to the building. The previous church moved out in just a couple days and we were given access three weeks early. That allowed us to paint, clean carpets, and install our audio visual equipment.

“We now have a beautiful large youth room, a children’s classroom and nursery as well as a room that the leadership has prayed for more than a year. FCC started a food pantry for members and friends of FCC. We ask for each person to bring one item of non-perishable food every service. We store that food and make it available to our church family and friends when they have times of need. We have some that receive food regularly without any government support. We don’t advertise the pantry to others outside of our church family, it is there for the family to help the family. Our new facility has a room set aside to store that food. In our old facility, the shelves were in the auditorium.

“We could comfortably seat 25-30 people in our old facility with no nursery and the youth met in the front room where people gathered before the worship service; not very conducive to very long lessons. Now we have a beautiful fellowship hall to sit and have a cup of coffee and a cookie before the service while Sunday School is finishing. The youth are not disturbed. We have a nursery that will have sound and eventually video from the auditorium. We can accommodate close to 100 in the new auditorium. We purchased new more comfortable chairs, new hi-def projectors and screens to make the new facility as comfortable as possible. But most importantly to make it a place where people come to worship, fellowship and study God’s Word.

“The congregation has really worked hard at getting the facility ready for services with our actual move in day–Thursday September 22, 2011. Our first services will be this Sunday, September 25, 2011. We have more than twice the space, a beautiful layout and we still pay less than we budgeted for rent this year. God has richly blessed us.

“We prayed today as a group of tired, hot, and sweaty movers in the new auditorium and thanked God for the new facility. We thanked Him for the process He took us through to get to that point. But most importantly we prayed that we would be worthy of this new facility and the mission it brings us. FCC is committed to our missions partners and to the teaching of God’s Word in a clear and relevant way. Even though we have not grown fast we know the hearts of those involved in this ministry, we know the hearts of those that have grown as a result of God working through this ministry. We asked God to grow us in ways the door counters can’t see. When we dedicated the month of August to pray for a new building God gave us a new building at the end of the month. When we signed the agreement, we had special gifts given to purchase the new chairs and electronics totaling more than $11,000 dollars. That is more than our regular offerings for a couple of months. We have watched God work throughout this process. God has blessed us and we are excited about what is coming next.

“We welcome people from our churches up in the frozen north to stop in an pay us a visit when they come south to thaw this winter. We would love to share our SUN (SON) with them!”

Zamperini Tale a Story of Faith and Forgiveness

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

Photos by Laura J. Gardner | The Journal Gazette

Lewis Neibert, right, from Tippecanoe Lake shakes the hand of Louis Zamperini, 94, a former Olympian, World War II POW and the subject of the book “Unbroken” by Lauren Hillenbrand.

WINONA LAKE – They say that time heals all wounds.

Louis Zamperini, though, in a discussion before a packed arena at Grace College in Winona Lake, has a different answer.

Faith, being born again and being willing to forgive is what really heals.

On Wednesday, 66 years after suffering two years of brutal abuse at the hands of his Japanese captors in World War II, the 94-year-old Zamperini spouted not bitterness but humorous stories of those times.

Two Old Vets Reflect on God’s Goodness

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

Retired GBIM missionary Roy Snyder (left), a World War II vet, was able to meet with American war hero and Olympian champion runner Louie Zamperini (center, with hat) Wednesday when Zamperini spoke for the Grace College chapel in Winona Lake, Indiana.

Snyder says this photo represents “the past and the present” as the two young people to the right are current high-achieving runners for Warsaw (IN) High School. The young man, Snyder says, is “Jake Poyner, son of Tim and Sue. Jake is top distance runner for Warsaw High.”

Zamperini, 94, is the subject of the book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, written by “Seabiscuit” author Laura Hillenbrand.

Zamperini was an Olympic runner in 1936. He joined the Army Air Corps as a bombardier during WWII where he crashed in the Pacific Ocean and was picked up by the Japanese, who took him as a Prisoner of War.

After two harrowing years in the camp, he was freed when the war ended and returned home to California, where he got married. But he was directionless and bitter about his war experiences, which led to too much drinking and his life spiraled out of control.

He was consumed with the idea of returning to Japan to get revenge on the Japanese sergeant – whom the prisoners referred as “The Bird” – who inflicted so much pain on him. But in 1949, Zamperini’s wife asked him to go see Billy Graham preach. He did so and the Gospel grabbed his heart and made him new.

Grace College students were encouraged to read the book over the summer months and this fall were privileged to hear Zamperini speak in chapel, as well as in classes.  After the chapel address, he invited all military veterans to the platform to have their photo taken with him. (photo courtesy of Roy Snyder)

Ron Guiles Obituary

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

Ronald Allen Guiles
(October 25, 1935 – September 17, 2011)

Ronald Allen Guiles of Warsaw, Indiana passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 7:20 p.m. in his residence at the age of 75.

He was born on October 25, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to James Ernest and Ellen Margaret (Snyder) Guiles. On October 6, 1956, at Third Brethren Church in Philadelphia, he married Irene Ann Horst, who survives.

After graduating from Northeast High School in Philadelphia, he attended Temple University. He graduated from Grace College and from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Divinity degree. He worked as the Financial Aid Director for Grace Schools and served on the Board of Trustees of Grace Schools for sixteen years.

While in Grace Seminary he was pastor of Skinner Chapel in Twelve Mile, Indiana. He served as a pastor in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Fort Worth, Texas; and Maitland, Florida. In October 2000 he retired from pastoral ministry and moved to Warsaw, Indiana, and began working for Grace Brethren International Missions. He was a member of Community Grace Brethren Church of Warsaw where he served on the Board of Elders, was Pastor of Seniors, taught Bible Classes and led Small Groups.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Irene Ann Guiles of Warsaw, Indiana; one daughter, Susan and husband Reverend Ron Smals, pastor of the Woodville Grace Brethren Church of Mansfield, Ohio; and one son: Reverend David Guiles, Executive Director of Grace Brethren International Missions, and his wife Sue of Warsaw, Indiana.

Also surviving are five grandchildren: Daniel, Jonathan, Brandon, Mark and Melisa; as well as his sister Joan and her husband Bill Ambacher of New Holland, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

Callers will be received at Irene’s home, Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. A private family graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw, Indiana. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 24, 2011, at 10 a.m. in the Community Grace Brethren Church, 909 South Buffalo Street, Warsaw, Indiana officiated by Reverend Steve Bailey.

Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.

MEMORIALS: Memorial donations in Ronald’s name can be directed to Grace Brethren International Missions, P.O. Box 588, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590 and would be appreciated by his family.

Grace’s New Programs Offset Loss of Prison Students

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

Today’s Fort Wayne (IN) Daily News carries an article on college campus enrollments that opens with Grace College’s current situation. Here is an excerpt—to read the entire article click here.

History Professor, Author, Reflects on Visit to Grace College

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

John Fea (Ph.D, Stony Brook University, 1999) is Associate Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania.  Fea has written extensively for both scholarly and popular audiences. He spoke on the Grace College (Winona Lake, Ind.) campus last week and this is his blogpost recalling that experience:

I had a great day today at Grace College, a Christian college in beautiful Winona Lake, Indiana.  Thanks to Jared Burkholder, a history professor and director of the college’s Center for Faith and Learning, for the invitation.

This morning I spoke during the college chapel service.  My message was entitled “Christian America and the Kingdom of God.” I tried to get the students to reflect more deeply about the relationship between their Christian faith and their identity as citizens of the United States.

I was asked to speak in chapel to commemorate Constitution Day, but I soon learned that this was not the only commemoration happening on the Grace campus today. One year ago two Grace students were crushed by a tree as they sat on a hammock along the banks of Winona Lake.  One of them, a freshman volleyball star, was killed instantly.  The other student was paralyzed from the ears down.  The college put together a video to honor the students and the president of the college offered some reflections on the one-year anniversary of the tragedy.  As an outsider I was deeply moved by the way that this academic community came together to call upon God during a time of collective grieving.  I am not sure if anyone remembered what I had to say today, but that is just fine.  There was something much deeper, much more significant, going on in the auditorium this morning.

After chapel I ate lunch with Jared, Mark Norris (a former colleague from Messiah College who is now an administrator at the college), and a group of Grace history majors.  Jared is using Confessing History in his senior capstone history course so we talked a lot about those essays. It was good to get some student feedback on the text. They particularly liked Beth Barton Schweiger’s essay, “Seeing Things: Knowledge and Love in History.”  Our conversation then turned to the discipline of historical thinking and the intellectual virtues that the study of the past can cultivate in our lives.

I spent part of the afternoon touring the Reneker Museum.  Dr. Steven Grill, the museum’s enthusiastic curator, showed me the room where, in 1949, Billy Graham and several evangelical leaders prayed through the night seeking God’s guidance for the launch of  Graham’s worldwide evangelistic ministry.  The museum tells the story of Winona Lake, exploring its years as a Chautauqua site that drew 250,000 people every summer in the late 19th and early 20th century.  Winona Lake was the home of Billy Sunday, one of the most popular men in America at the turn of the century.  It was also a vacation destination for William Jennings Bryan, H.J. Heinz, John Philip Sousa, Samuel Gompers, Charles Fairbanks, and Booker T. Washington.  All of them either spoke or performed on the grounds.  And there were many others.  The place even had a cyclorama!

I had a nice dinner with a group of Grace College faculty at the Boathouse Restaurant, a great little restaurant overlooking Winona Lake.  Our conversation focused on the history of American evangelicalism, dispensational theology, and the potential for a more robust liberal arts emphasis at Grace.

We then headed back to campus for my evening lecture on Was America Founded as a Christian Nation.  There were about 75 people in attendance, including Grace students, professors, members of the community, and a group of students and faculty from nearby Bethel College.  I also met a local Presbyterian pastor who has read The Way of Improvement Leads Home and Confessing History.

I could not help but feel a sense of vibrancy and enthusiasm among the people at Grace, especially the students.  It was fun to think about my lecture in the context of Winona’s history of promoting Christian faith and the intellectual life. I know that there are many faculty at Grace College who are trying to reconnect with that local heritage.  I wish them well.

What’s Going On Down There?

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

Here’s a unique view of the building belonging to Grace Church, a Grace Brethren congregation in Goshen, Ind., (Jim Brown, pastor). Staff member Scott Avey shot the video, and he says, “FPV (first person view) flying around church during second service this morning. The parking lot is always empty during the week and I wanted to get a shot of it on sunday morning. Shot on a GoPro Hero 720 60fps on my home built Tricopter.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-aZeH6k7NU&feature=player_embedded

Ron Guiles With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on September 17, 2011  |  6 Comments

Ron Guiles

Ron Guiles, longtime Grace Brethren pastor and father of Dave Guiles, executive director of Grace Brethren International Missions, died at his home in Warsaw, Indiana, about 7 p.m. today.  Guiles had been battling cancer the last several years.

Ron Guiles had been serving as pastor of 55+ ministries at Warsaw Community Grace Brethren Church, Warsaw, Ind., and he was also the Pray NOW! coordinator for Grace Brethren International Missions. One of his responsibilities there was to create and deliver the “Pray NOW!” e-mails each day to the GBIM constituency.

More details on Ron’s life and ministry will be available shortly. A private burial is scheduled for Friday, and a memorial service Saturday at Warsaw Community Grace Brethren Church.

Ethnic Pastors Conference Concludes

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on September 16, 2011  |  1 Comment

In the shadow of Window Rock, ethnic Grace Brethren pastors prayed for the Navajo Nation.

Haitian, Hispanic, African American, Native Indian, and Chinese pastors in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches celebrated three-fold communion this evening as they wrapped up three days together in New Mexico and Arizona. The pastors have been meeting since Tuesday afternoon, first in Albuquerque and for the last two days in Window Rock, Ariz.