BMH Editor's Blog

Leadership Development: Taking a Chance on a Young Guy

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 30, 2012  |  No Comments

Dave Kennedy, pastor of Community of Grace Church, a Grace Brethren church in Richmond, Va., says he’s been entrusted by God to encourage a young pastor. Read about his mentoring relationship with Associate Pastor Brad Gromis in the Winter 2012 issue of FGBC World. It is now available for free at local Grace Brethren churches.

The quarterly magazine of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches is also available online at fgbcworld.com. To watch more of the interview with Dave Kennedy and Brad Gromis, click here.

Indiana Governor Speaks on Grace Campus

Posted by Terry White on January 27, 2012  |  No Comments

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (center right) was the keynote speaker for the 100th anniversary dinner of the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce dinner, held last evening in the Orthopaedic Capital Center on the campus of Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.  Gov. Daniels was presented with a special recognition award for his work in government. Flanking him here at the table are Grace administrators John Boal (left) and Bill Katip (right.) Tuesday evening Daniels delivered the Republican response to the president’s State of the Union message on national television.  (Trina Hoy photo)

Theatrical Presentation Sunday at Wooster Church

Posted by Terry White on January 27, 2012  |  No Comments

WOOSTER, OHIO — The 34west Theater Company will present “We Go Everywhere Together” on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Grace Brethren Church, 4599 Burbank Road.

Award-winning playwright Stephen W. Baldwin and Artistic Director Jeffrey Querin will play two old-timers who have set out to find the loves of their lives despite a series of mishaps and adventures.

A dessert reception will be held in the south fellowship hall following the performance. No tickets are required for the event; a love offering will be taken.

For more information, contact the church office at 330-264-9459 Ext. 226.

FGBC Fellowship Council Meets in Long Beach

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 26, 2012  |  No Comments

Today and tomorrow, the council will also look at a Declaration of Common Identity and review applications from six churches that would like to join the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

The council is led by Bob Fetterhoff, current moderator of the FGBC and pastor of the Grace Brethren Church in Wooster, Ohio. Serving on the board are representatives of three regions of the country: east, central, and west. Board members have come from as far away as Alaska, Maryland, and Virginia.

Clinton Dedicates New Facility

Posted by Terry White on January 26, 2012  |  No Comments

The Clinton (MD) Grace Brethren Church (Irv Clark, pastor) recently opened their new facility, financed by the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation. Here is an excerpt from an explanatory article–to read the entire article, click here.

Members of Grace Brethren Christian School and its parish community in Clinton gathered Sunday for a public tour and dedication of the school’s new 13,000-square-foot building featuring a two-story library, classroom additions and teacher’s lounge.

The school, which purchased its 17-acre campus from the Prince George’s County Board of Education in 1984, currently has about 610 students in prekindergarten through grade 12, said school director George Hornickel.

“We’re very pleased with where we are right now,” he said. “We feel very blessed especially when we hear that other [private] schools have closed or cut back significantly.”

Hornickel said the library will open Wednesday.

The original school building, which dates back to the 1920s, had five additions made to it and was the former site of Surrattsville High School and Surrattsville Junior High School.

Students and teachers moved into the new building before the winter break. Grades 3 and 4 are located in the first floor of the new building, and grades 5 and 6 occupy the second floor.

Hornickel said construction of the $2.85 million building was funded through loans with the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, which provides financial services for churches and ministry organizations affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Sylvia Jentes Obituary

Posted by Terry White on January 23, 2012  |  No Comments

Sylvia F. Jentes

SYLVIA F. JENTES was born September 1, 1943, in Long Beach, CA, and died at Hemet Valley (CA) Medical Center on January 18, 2012. She lived in Hemet for 30 years. She was a LVN Nurse at Hemet Valley Medical Center for 19 years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hemet and sang in the choir.

She is survived by her husband, Donald; her daughter Sharon of San Dimas; son Daniel of Hemet; sisters Elizabeth Leaman of Munich, Germany; Nancy Windhauser of Orange, CA; Martha Vandeventer of Yorba Linda, CA and her brother, Richard of Myrtle Point, Oregon and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 28, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 26087 Girard St. Hemet.

Ministry Helps Those Who Are Overlooked or Struggling

Posted by Liz Cutler Gates on January 23, 2012  |  No Comments

Little did Dan O’Deens know that when he responded to the need for help at Ground Zero in 2001, it would develop into a full-time ministry to those who are overlooked and struggling. In the Winter issue of FGBC World, learn how this passion developed into CPR-3, a new cooperating ministry of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. The quarterly issue of FGBC World is now available at local Grace Brethren churches or online at fgbcworld.com.

If you’d like to receive a free copy mailed to your home, send an email to fgbcworld@bmhbooks.com or call 574-268-1122.

Grace Lancers Now 18-3 Overall, 8-2 in the Conference

Posted by Terry White on January 21, 2012  |  No Comments

The Grace College Lancers and the Mount Vernon (OH) Nazarene Cougars gathered for a post-game, midcourt prayer meeting after their Saturday afternoon contest today which Grace won, 89-63. Mount Vernon’s head coach, Matt Moore, now in his third season with the Ohio school, was a former Grace College standout player and assistant coach under head coach Jim Kessler.

Grace is now 8-2 in the MidCentral Conference and 18-3 overall, holding first place in the conference. Grace plays at Indiana Wesleyan this Tuesday and is back home at the Orthopaedic Capital Center in Winona Lake for a televised “Game of the Week” against second-ranked Huntington University at 3 p.m. next Saturday, January 28 (Gordon Austin photo).

Sylvia Jentes With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on January 21, 2012  |  1 Comment

Don and Sylvia Jentes

Family members this weekend are reporting the death of Sylvia Jentes of Placentia, California, this past Wednesday, following a massive heart attack and several days on life support. She is the wife of former Grace Brethren pastor Don Jentes. Services are tentatively scheduled for January 29.

Here is posted information regarding Don and Sylvia’s ministry:

Brethren Christian’s ‘Big’ Much in Demand

Posted by Terry White on January 21, 2012  |  No Comments

Here is another interesting Fox Sports article about Brethren Christian High’s “big.”  This is an excerpt–to read the entire article, click here.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.

Every day the secretary at Brethren Christian High School here fields phone calls from college scouts regarding Mamadou Ndiaye, a junior on the school’s basketball team. That is not unusual: Ndiaye is a budding college prospect who averages 22.9 points, 13.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game for the Warriors.

What is extraordinary is that the Guinness Book of World Records recently phoned to inquire about Ndiaye.

“Our school wouldn’t cooperate with them,” Brethren Christian’s coach, Jon Bahnsen, said, “but Guinness probably wanted to see if he was the world’s tallest high school basketball player.”

The 18-year-old native of Senegal stands 7-foot-5, weighs 310 pounds and wears size 19½ lime green Nike Zoom Kobe VI shoes. At 89 inches, Ndiaye is two inches taller than anyone currently toiling in the NBA even though he plays for a tiny private school (enrollment: 250) that currently does not even have its own gym.

While his stats may be skewed due to the Warriors competing in California’s third-smallest class (5-AA), Bahnsen has little doubt that his player who ducks through doorways has an unlimited ceiling.

“Right now his game is basically catch, turn, drop-step, dunk,” says the 5-foot-11 Bahnsen, whose own college coach was a 7-footer from a foreign country, former NBA center Swen Nater of the Netherlands. “But this kid’s going to play professionally someday. The minute Mamadou enrolled I became a much better basketball coach.”

Here is another interesting Fox Sports article about Brethren Christian High’s “big.”  This is an excerpt–to read the entire article, click here.

Worthington Christian Schools Granted Five-Year Accreditation

Posted by Terry White on January 19, 2012  |  No Comments

John Foreman, superintendent of Worthington Christian Schools, which has been affiliated with the Grace Brethren Church of Worthington (Polaris), Ohio (Mike Yoder, pastor) has announced that, based upon its October, 2011, site visit, the Association of Christian Schools International has granted the school a full five-year term of Kindergarten-Grade 12 accreditation.

And since WCS completed a dual site visit, they have also been awarded a full five-year term with AdvancEd (formerly North Central Association/NCA).  Foreman expressed his thanks to faculty and staff members who worked so hard to help WCS achieve this professional award.

Grace Buzzer-Beater Makes ESPN

Posted by Terry White on January 18, 2012  |  No Comments

A buzzer-beater from a recent Grace College women’s basketball game has made ESPN’s “video of the day.” Another day, another buzzer beater — this one from the folks at Grace College in Indiana, where Hayley Cashier was straight money (sorry) on a game-winning shot over Texas A&M International. To see the shot, click here.

Nancy Weirich Obituary

Posted by Terry White on January 17, 2012  |  No Comments

Nancy Jo Weirich, 65, went to be with her savior, Jesus Christ, on Jan. 16, 2012, at her home on Cool Hollow Road, Hagerstown, Md.

Nancy was the daughter of Betty L. Nye of Hagerstown, who  survives her, and the late W. Joe Nye.

She was a member of Paramount Baptist Church and a former member of Hagerstown Grace Brethren Church.

Nancy was a 1964 graduate of North Hagerstown High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind., and a master’s degree from St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, Ind.

She taught elementary school, beginning in Rome City, Ind., and ending in Washington County schools.

She was a dialysis patient for 12 years at Robinwood Dialysis. In 2001, she was diagnosed with scleroderma. She endured many operations and procedures.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Ned Curtis Weirich of Hagerstown; son, Nathan, and wife, Elissa Weirich, and their children, Nathan II, Madison and Devon Osborne, of Sharpsburg, Md.; son, Jeffrey, and wife, Danielle Weirich, and their children, Reghan and Parker, of Virginia Beach, Va.

There will be no viewing. Her final resting place is Broadfording Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Paramount Baptist Church on Marsh Pike, Hagerstown, with the Rev. Dr. Larry Rickard officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations are to be given to Paramount Baptist Church, 13234 Marsh Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Arrangements are by Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown.

Online condolences are accepted at www.minnichfh.com.

Nancy Weirich, Hagerstown, With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on January 16, 2012  |  No Comments

Word has reached BMH of the death earlier this evening of Nancy Weirich of Hagerstown, Maryland. The former Nancy Nye and her husband, Ned Weirich, are Grace College alumni and are known by many among the Grace Brethren churches in Hagerstown. As more details become available, they will be posted here.

In 2010 Nancy and her treatment for chronic illness were featured in a blogpost. Here is an excerpt–to read the entire article click here.

Ned and Nancy Weirich

Nancy Weirich, a 63-year-old dialysis patient from Hagerstown, Md., has always loved to travel. With her grandchildren located just a few hours away, and annual family vacations to Tennessee and Alabama, Nancy wasn’t about to let dialysis stop her from traveling. She started in-center hemodialysis nearly ten years ago after being diagnosed with scleroderma, which causes high blood pressure. She receives treatment at Fresenius Medical Care Robinwood.

An earlier post on this blog about Nancy may be seen here.

Worthington Principal Benefit Helps With Medical Expenses

Posted by Terry White on January 16, 2012  |  No Comments

Tom Anglea is the principal of Worthington Christian High School, which is affiliated with the Grace Brethren Church of Worthington (Polaris), Ohio (Mike Yoder, pastor). Anglea is battling stage IV brain cancer.

This past Thursday night more than 600 people gathered to honor Tom and Lisa Anglea and all they have meant to many people at Grace Polaris Church and Worthington Christian Schools over the years.

As of Saturday, more than $92,000 was raised, all of it to go directly to the Tom Anglea Fund to help defray expenses associated with Tom’s illness. The “Night With Angleas” benefit was held at the Villa Milano in the 1600 block of Schrock Road in Westerville. An anonymous donor  committed to match all contributions up to $25,000.

A commemorative scrapbook is also being created for the Anglea family, with notes, funny remembrances, wonderful time shared with Tom, a Bible verse, or photo to be included.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should make checks payable to Huntington National Bank Account #01892793498. Write “Tom Anglea Fund” on the memo line, and write “for deposit only” on the back. Send donations to “Anglea Benefit Dinner,” P.O. Box 2370, Westerville, OH 43086-2370. All proceeds are designated for Tom Anglea, and cannot be considered for tax deductions.

Simi Valley Church Helps in Family Tragedy

Posted by Terry White on January 16, 2012  |  No Comments

Another story has been published about the young widow helped out by the Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley, Calif. (John McIntosh, pastor). Here is an excerpt–to read the entire story click here.

When Christina Bartholomew and her husband, 3-year-old son, mother-in-law and a friend headed out caravan-style, from their Colorado home Sept. 29, her mind was filled with dreams and hope for their new life in Simi Valley.

But before the three vehicles even crossed the Utah border, the 26-year-old became a widow when the U-Haul truck her husband was driving went off I-70 near Grand Junction, hitting a support beam for the overpass. Eric Bartholomew, 27, was killed instantly.

“I don’t know what happened,” Bartholomew said. “We were caravaning, and my friend was following behind when it happened. I was in front, leading the way with my mother-in-law. And I lost site of him in the rearview. My phone rang. My friend said: ‘You need to call 911. This is not good.’ He slowly drifted off the side of the road. There were no brake lights.”

An autopsy ruled out heart attack, stroke, aneurysm, alcohol and drugs as possible reasons why Eric Bartholomew drifted off the road. The police investigation has been closed, Bartholomew said.

Three from Philadelphia Church Perish in Fire

Posted by Terry White on January 13, 2012  |  1 Comment

The Ritzmans - Mark, Candi, Tytus & Zachariah

Prayer is requested for Mark and Candi Ritzman and their family. Mark is pastor of the Crossroads Grace Brethren Church in the Philadelphia (Frankford) area.

They have suffered a tragedy this week with the death of three regular attendees to Crossroads. Gloria and her two children, Krystal and Anthony, died in a fire at their apartment earlier this week.  Gloria’s brother, Carl, also attends Crossroads. Here is a link to a news story on some of the details: article from ABC News .

Please pray for God’s comfort and strength for all those who are grieving and that God would use the Ritzmans and Crossroads to bring God glory through this situation and the memorial service, which Mark will be conducting.

Delaware, OH, GBC Sponsors ‘Car Care Saturday’

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2012  |  1 Comment

The Delaware, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church (Gary Underwood, pastor) is advertising this Saturday as “Car Care Saturday.” Here is their note:

Need a checkup? Join us for “Car Care Saturday” this Saturday @ Delaware Grace from 10AM-2PM. We will do basic checkup on tires, fluids, and safety, and provide discounts on local oil changes or parts that you may need. Invite friends! Refreshments served in our church lobby. See you Saturday!

Fort Lauderdale Church Reunion Set for February 11

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2012  |  No Comments

Paul Mutchler, former pastor of the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Grace Brethren Church, is initiating a reunion of former church members and friends.

In a public invitation he invites all friends of the former church…”We are inviting you to join us for a carry-in reunion on Saturday, Feb 11, from 1-4 p.m. at the old Grace Brethren Church location…now Holy Temple Christian Academy. Free-style carry-in to share with all…the church there is graciously allowing us to use their newly-refurbished Fellowship Hall (pray that it is complete by then!)…they only ask for a love offering to the church…and no spills! We’re looking forward to seeing you all…might have to use nametags, but it will be fun! Paul and Linda.”

Miss America Contestant Has Grace Brethren Connection

Posted by Terry White on January 11, 2012  |  No Comments

Pastor Jim Brown of Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren congregation in Goshen, Indiana, says, “Continue to pray for Matt and Natalie Jerlecki who are part of our church family. Their daughter right now is in the Miss America Contest in Las Vegas. She is the reigning Miss Indiana.”

Jackie Jerlecki from Goshen was crowned Miss Indiana 2011. She will represent the Hoosier state at the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, January 14. The pageant will air on ABC television.

Jackie was awarded a Preliminary Talent Award as well as a Preliminary Interview Award at the Miss Indiana Pageant. For more information, log onto