BMH Editor's Blog

Ralph Burns Obituary

Posted by Terry White on April 20, 2012  |  3 Comments

Pastor Ralph S. Burns

Reverend Ralph Samuel Burns of 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana, passed away on Friday, April 20, 2012, at 9:20 a.m. at Grace Village Health Care of Winona Lake at the age of 91.

He was born on November 21, 1920, in Fairview, New Jersey, to John Henry Burns and Hannah Elizabeth (Hartley) Burns. On March 31, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was married to Ruth Dietz, who passed away on May 21, 2009.

Ralph was a graduate of Frankford High School in Philadelphia, after which he attended and graduated from Grace College & Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, as well as the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania.

He was a resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana for the past 41 years, where he was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, Winona Lake, Indiana. He served as a pastor for more than 40 years in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Indiana; and was also a chaplain at Grace Village Retirement Community of Winona Lake, Indiana.

He will be lovingly remembered by his son: Ronald David (wife Krista) Burns (Warsaw, Indiana); daughter: Rebecca (husband Daniel) Gehrke (Warsaw, Indiana); ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters, and one brother.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 23, 2012 from 10:00 – 12:00 noon and 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

His funeral service will be conducted later in the evening on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, 1200 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, Indiana, and officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow and Pastor Glenn Byers.

Private graveside services will take place at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Indiana.

Memorial donations in Ralph’s name can be directed to Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries, P.O. Box 612, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590; or to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590 and would be appreciated by his family.

Virginia Beach Church to Help Fight Human Trafficking

Posted by Terry White on April 20, 2012  |  1 Comment

Michael Pumphrey, pastor and church planter of Awaken Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has alerted us that his church, which is part of the Chesapeake District, is getting ready to enter into a new area of ministry as a church fighting against human sex trafficking.

Pumphrey says, “We have bought the rights to show a film called SEX+MONEY and have rented out a movie theater to help build awareness about local trafficking.  We have been in contact with local justice initiatives and law enforcement to hold a panel discussion at the screening.  This will be one of many screenings we will be doing over the next year to help build awareness and partnerships as we try to combat the issue here locally, which is larger than most would realize due to the ports and tourism and navy cultures.”

Pumphrey says his church considers these screenings only the first phase in what they want to see accomplished.

More information about the film may be found at http://sexandmoneyfilm.com/

Pastor Ralph S. Burns With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on April 20, 2012  |  1 Comment

Longtime Grace Brethren pastor Ralph S. Burns has gone to be with the Lord from his residence at Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Indiana.

A resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana, for the past 42 years, Pastor Burns was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. His wife, Ruth Burns, whom he married in 1945, went to be with the Lord in May of 2009. Ralph Burns pastored Grace Brethren churches for more than 40 years in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Indiana.

Further details will be released as they become available.

Jeremy Norton to Conclude Youth Ministry at Soldotna Church

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

Jeremy Norton will be leaving his ministry as youth pastor at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, Soldotna, Alaska, effective June 9, 2012.

In his announcement, Norton said, “The past 3.5 years have been full of amazing experiences, where the Gospel has been spread and lives have been changed.  However recently, through a unique set of circumstances, we have felt the Lord leading us back to Alberta.  A diverse ministry opportunity, serving specifically within outreach and evangelism of all ages, has presented itself and we have chosen to accept it.”

Sunnyside Volunteer Couple Featured

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

Pastor Chuck Winters from Sunnyside, Washington, has alerted us to a current article featuring Sherman and Wanda Schafer, long time Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church members, who  were honored by the Sunnyside School District for more than 20 years of volunteer service to students and staff. Nathan Zakahi pastors the Sunnyside church. This is an excerpt. To read the entire article, click here.

photo courtesy of Curtis Campbell

Sherman Schafer volunteers, helping students at Pioneer Elementary School with a reading assignment.

Jennie McGhan

There’s a sense of satisfaction that comes from helping others through volunteer work.

That’s according to Sherman Schafer, who volunteers at Sunnyside’s Pioneer Elementary School.

He and his wife, Wanda, have volunteered in Sunnyside schools for nearly two decades.

Mrs. Schafer, however, volunteered at Chief Kamiakin Elementary School until recently. Mr. Schafer said health issues has prevented her from continuing to help students with crafts as she has done for so many years.

“We like to volunteer. We like the teacher and the students we work with,” said Mr. Schafer.

He said Mrs. Schafer enjoyed helping students learn crafts, particularly needlepoint crafts for different holidays.

“She often purchased the supplies herself,” said Mr. Schafer.

He said Mrs. Schafer fit volunteering in the schools into her schedule when she wasn’t busy with home projects.

The couple hasn’t kept their time to volunteering in the schools, however. They volunteered with 4-H clubs for several years. Mr. Schafer has also volunteered his time delivering meals to seniors and maintaining the Outlook Cemetery.

Halbergs to Marshal Fourth of July Parade

Posted by Terry White on April 17, 2012  |  1 Comment

Pastor Roy Halberg

Pastor Roy Halberg (pictured) of Grace Fellowship, a Grace Brethren congregation in Alta Loma, California, along with his wife, Andrea, has been asked to serve as Grand Marshal for the annual 4th of July parade in their city of LaVerne for 2012.

Halberg said, “We were humbled to be asked and we are honored to be able to sit atop the classic fire truck on the fourth of July and greet and wave to all of the parade spectators. Hope to see YOU there!!” The Halbergs have been residents of LaVerne for 23 years.

Rondeau to Join Goshen Church Staff May 1

Posted by Terry White on April 15, 2012  |  2 Comments

Pastor Jim Brown (left) announced today that Ted Rondeau (right) will be joining the staff of Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren congregation in Goshen, Indiana,  as Executive Administrator beginning May 1. Rondeau’s wife, Dawn, is in the center.

Rondeau, who has a number of years of experience in financial planning and fund raising, has been working with Integrated Community Development International (ICDI). Prior to that he worked in stewardship with Grace Brethren International Missions (now Encompass World Partners).

In making the announcement, Brown said, “Ted comes with much experience and will be a great asset to our team. He will oversee our finances, outreach, short term missions, and ministry leaders.”

Essays on Anabaptism, Evangelicalism Edited by Grace Historian

Posted by Terry White on April 15, 2012  |  1 Comment

A new book dealing with the historical and theological relationship between evangelicals and Anabaptists in the North American context is now available. The lead editor was Dr. Jared Burkholder of the Grace College history faculty. It includes a foreword by George Marsden and chapters from 14 scholars from various institutions.

Entitled The Activist Impulse: Essays on the Intersection of Evangelicalism and Anabaptism , the 444-page paperback is published by Pickwick Publications and retails for $49.

Publicity says, “Anabaptists have often felt suspicious of American evangelicalism, and in turn evangelicals have found various reasons to dismiss the Anabaptist witness. Yet at various points in the past as well as the present, evangelicals and Anabaptists have found ample reason for conversation and much to appreciate about each other.

“The Activist Impulse represents the first book-length examination of the complex relationship between evangelicalism and Anabaptism in the past thirty years. It brings established experts and new voices together in an effort to explore the historical and theological intersection of these two rich traditions. Each of the essays provides fresh insight on at least one characteristic that both evangelicals and Anabaptists share—an impulse to engage society through the pursuit of active Christian witness.”

Burkholder, who is also collaborating with Dr. Mark Norris of the Grace faculty on a book to appear in celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the founding of Grace Theological Seminary, is part of Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church. Next Sunday, April 22, at 6 p.m., he will be speaking at the Winona Lake church’s Sunday Night Praise service on “Living Out Anabaptist Principles in Modern American Society.”

Manheim, PA, Church Plans ‘A Titanic Sunday’ for April 15

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

Pastor Jeffrey Dunkle and the Manheim (PA) Grace Brethren Church are currently featured in an online article for a special “Titanic Sunday” emphasis. To read the original, click here.

Jeffrey Dunkle, senior pastor at Manheim Grace Brethren Church in Manheim, has orchestrated ‘A Titanic Sunday’ for April 15, to observe the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Dunkle is a 1971 graduate of Greencastle-Antrim High School.

“I’m not aware of any other church pausing for this,” he said. “It’s kind of unique.”
His goal is to encourage his congregation and visitors to learn lessons about courage and to understand the spiritual context of events that horrific night.

“There were many heroes,” he continued. “People gave up their lifeboat seats so others could live.”

A movie at 9:30 a.m. will highlight the life of John Harper, a Scottish minister on his way to the United States to preach. Witnesses reported he spent his final moments sharing his faith and gave away his life jacket. The wealthy John Jacob Astor sent his wife on without him.

At the 10:30 a.m. worship service people will sing songs connected to the history of the great ship, including “Nearer My God to Thee”, which is popularly believed to have been played by the band to the end. Another is “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” sung during Captain John Smith’s church service April 14.

Grace Brethren, located at 333 E. High St., will also have a display of Titanic memorabilia. “It’s some really cool stuff,” said Dunkle, who has been a Titanic buff since childhood.

It started when he read his father’s copy of “The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea Disasters”. He has studied the history of the event; visited exhibits in Tampa, Harrisburg, Baltimore and Orlando; and collected related items.

Dunkle, 58, is the son of Wayd and Shirley Dunkle. He and his wife Ruth have three children, Tim, Dave and Rachel, and a grandson Zack.

For his special activities on Sunday, he said, “It’s good for people of faith to pause and reflect. Stories of the Titanic carry a human perspective. It was a test of people’s character.”

CE National Launches ‘City Life’ Ministry for Teens

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

Timothy Kurtaneck, Director of Church Relations & Youth Leadership Training at CE National, has announced the launch of a new high school ministry opportunity this summer called “City Life.”  The information about this 15-day ministry experience may be found at citylifetour.org. This opportunity (June 19-July 3)  is a little longer than the typical time that high school students get to spend on a ministry trip or at Urban Hope Training Center or at Momentum youth conference.  Yet, it is not nearly as long as an Operation Barnabas tour.

City Life will focus on ministries in Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York City – three great cities!  It is specifically geared for students who are going into 9th grade through those who are graduating high school.  Matt and Melody Rupple have agreed to lead this new ministry trip.  They have led domestic Operation Barnabas teams in the past and are excited about helping to start up this new tour.

Kurtaneck says, “Would you be interested in something like this for this summer?  Do you know someone who may be?  Check out the website for more information.  Maybe you want to talk with a couple of friends and see if you might want to do this together.  Our desire is to provide this ministry opportunity so that what is learned may be applied when retuning to the local church, community, and school.  All kinds of information, including the application material,  may be found on the website. If I can answer any questions about this, please be in touch with me at tkob@cenational.org.”

NCO District Approves Four for Licensure

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

Jason Carmean, pastor at Lexington, Ohio, sends out a newsletter on behalf of the North Central Ohio churches of the Fellowship. Today he says, “Congratulations go out to the men today who were all approved for recommendation back to their local churches for licensure in the North Central Ohio district:

Dave Nicodemus – Polaris GBC

Dan Hermiz – Polaris GBC

Matt Vosberg – Polaris GBC

Rick Bean – Darby GBC

“All men were unanimously approved by the team examining them without reservation.  Congratulations to each one of you!”

Pastor’s Wife, Esther Miller, With the Lord

Posted by Terry White on April 10, 2012  |  No Comments

Esther Miller, widow of longtime Grace Brethren pastor R. Paul Miller, died unexpectedly from a heart attack on Saturday, April 7, 2012. She had been married to R.Paul for 64 years and was a faithful member of the Ocala, Florida, Grace Brethren Church.

Her husband, R. Paul Miller, died December 17, 2011. The Millers served Grace Brethren churches in Garwin, Iowa; Uniontown, Pa.;  Mansfield, Ohio;  Maitland, Florida;  Myerstown,  Pa.;  and assisted at Ocala, Fla. in retirement. During Miller’s ministry at the Marion Avenue church in Mansfield, he was instrumental in the founding of Mansfield Christian School.

Services will be held at Spring Lake Village Club House, Silver Springs Fl. on Saturday, April 14 at 4:30 pm. Esther Miller is survived by five children and 13 grandchildren. Her son, Stephen Miller, is lead pastor at Maumee Valley Church, a Grace Brethren congregation in Maumee, Ohio.

Shoemaker Announces New Web Site, Ministry Availability

Posted by Terry White on April 9, 2012  |  No Comments

Pastor Donald Shoemaker, who recently retired from pastoring the Seal Beach, California, Grace Brethren church, has a new website and is now available for a variety of ministries in speaking, consulting, and more. For many years Shoemaker has chaired the social concerns committee for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, and he has also taught at the graduate level in several institutions.

Shoemaker’s new website may be found by clicking here. He says, “Early this year I retired after almost 28 years as Senior Pastor of Grace Community Church in Seal Beach. In addition to serving my church as Pastor Emeritus, I wish to be available to congregations and other venues through my speaking ministry. Perhaps I may be of service to your church, or religious or secular organization.”

Shoemaker may be contacted through his website or by e-mail at contact@donaldshoemakerministries.com.

Andy Gannon to Pastor Summit Mills, Pa. Church

Posted by Terry White on April 8, 2012  |  2 Comments

Andy and Rachel Gannon

Andy Gannon has posted a notice that he will begin his pastoral ministry at Summit Mills Grace Brethren Church, Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, beginning tomorrow, the day after Easter. Gannon was formerly minister of Christian Education at the Basore Road Grace Brethren Church in Dayton, Ohio.

Grace College & Seminary Announces Leadership Promotions

Posted by Terry White on April 4, 2012  |  No Comments

Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana,  recently promoted the following members of its senior leadership team:

Dr. Carrie Yocum has been named Associate Provost. Her responsibilities include serving as chief compliance officer, overseeing the schools of arts and sciences, behavioral sciences, business and education and facilitating institutional effectiveness. Yocum has served at Grace College since 1997 and previously was assistant provost.

Dr. Jim Swanson has been promoted to Vice President for Academic and Student Services.  His expanded role includes oversight of academic services, student affairs, athletics and admissions. Swanson formerly was vice president for student affairs and academic services. He has served at Grace College since 1994.

Cindy Sisson has been promoted to Dean of Enrollment Management.  Her responsibilities include admissions and recruitment, including oversight of admissions for The Weber School, and assisting with student retention. Sisson formerly was dean of admissions. She has served at Grace College for 16 years in various capacities. In this new role, she joins Grace College’s senior leadership team.

“Drs. Yocum, Swanson and Ms. Sisson have provided highly valued leadership in the redesign of Grace College’s academic programs and new, innovative three-year bachelor’s degree.  They have worked tirelessly to improve affordability and the academic quality of a Grace College education for a growing number of families. Their leadership in service to students and faculty has contributed significantly to Grace College’s increased enrollment and program innovation in recent years,” said Dr. William Katip, provost, upon announcing the promotions.

Grace College’s on-campus traditional undergraduate, seminary, graduate, adult and online enrollment has grown by 35% the last four years to its 2011-12 headcount of 1,568.

Leamersville Church, Pastor Mark Lingenfelter Featured

Posted by Terry White on April 4, 2012  |  No Comments

The Morrisons Cove (PA) Herald is currently featuring Pastor Mark Lingenfelter (pictured) and the Leamersville Grace Brethren Church. Here is an excerpt from the article–to read the full original, click here. Lingenfelter is also the author of the newest BMH book, entitled “Chasing After Faith.”

Leamersville Church Draws from the Cove

By Chris Burlingame Friday, 16 March 2012 15:28

Although not officially in the Cove proper, Leamersville Grace Brethren Church has drawn a crowd from all around the area. With more than 300 congregants including those from as far away as Orbisonia and Curryville, the church seems to have a special “it” factor that allows it to cast a wide net.

When Pastor Mark Lingenfelter took over at the church 11 years ago it had around 100 members, but he said the majority of the growth within the congregation occurred over the past two years. He said the church is growing at such a rapid rate that the regular two Sunday services will not be able to accommodate its congregants in either seating or parking. The church is adding a third Sunday service beginning with Easter Sunday.

Pastor Lingenfelter credits the rise in his church’s population to a variety of factors, including location, relevant Biblical teaching, great music, friendly people and a vision, but he said God deserves the credit for the good fortune of his church.

Senior Elder Pete Brumbaugh, who has been a member of the church since he married his wife there 56 years ago said, “Pastor Mark has a heart for the ministry and a love for the Lord. He preaches in a way that is necessary in this day and age.

Scott Avey Accepts Worship Position in Frederick, MD

Posted by Terry White on March 30, 2012  |  No Comments

Scott Avey

Scott Avey, son of Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey and former worship leader at Ashland, Ohio, who has been living in Indiana while completing seminary and ministering with the Goshen, Indiana, church, has posted the following:

“While we have loved our time here at Goshen, it has always been my heart’s desire to get back to being a Worship Pastor. We have been called to Grace Community Church in Frederick, MD. It is bittersweet as we are both excited for the future and saddened to leave friends and family.”

R. Greene is pastor of the Frederick church.

Jim Smith, Son of Bill and Phyllis, Dies in Florida

Posted by Terry White on March 28, 2012  |  10 Comments

Word has been received of the sudden death this morning, apparently from a heart attack, of Jim Smith, son of Grace Brethren pastor and evangelist Bill and Phyllis Smith. Jim is also the brother of Sherilyn Rank, wife of Dave Rank, who is on the staff of the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church and CE National.

The younger Smiths live in Port Charlotte, Florida. Jim and his wife, Nadine, have three young adult sons living at home, several of which have special needs. Notes of sympathy may be sent to Nadine Smith,  167 Oldenburgh Court NE, Port Charlotte, FL   33952.

Grace College to Offer Five New Sport Management Majors

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

Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind.,  is expanding the Sport Management Program to include five new majors.  Debuting in the fall 2012 semester, the new majors will include Exercise Science, Facility and Event Management, Sport Marketing, Sport Media and Sport Psychology.

A task force was formed in 2011 with the objective of evaluating Grace’s academic offerings in order to identify new academic program opportunities, as well as ways to revise current offerings to better align with market demand and career potential for students. The task force identified the Sport Management Program’s potential for exciting expansion opportunities, appealing to students who desire careers in sports, health and fitness fields.

The new majors will open up a variety of career options for students, including personal training, event management, sports journalism within a variety of media, sports psychology, coaching and sport marketing, among many others.

Dr. Darrell Johnson, faculty advisor for Sport Management majors, is thrilled with the expansion of the program. “The new majors being offered will allow us to open up Grace to a whole new demographic of students desiring to enter the health and fitness industry.  The Sport Management Program has been cultivating applied learning opportunities for the past five years, and we’ll apply that same hands-on learning emphasis to our new majors,” Johnson says.

The Sport Management Program has 70 students and is the fastest-growing major on campus.

Neil Cole Book Named ‘Outreach Resource’ by Magazine

Posted by Terry White on March 26, 2012  |  1 Comment

Journeys to Significance: Charting a Leadership Course From the Life of Paul, a new Jossey-Bass book by Grace Brethren pastor and church planter Neil Cole, has been named a 2012 Outreach Resource of the Year by Outreach magazine. In the March/April 2012 issue of the magazine, Bill Easum said,

“Journeys to Significance is one of the more interesting books to come along in a long time. Based on the life of the apostle Paul and his journeys, Neil Cole’s book explores the various stages in life a leader has to pass through and how each stage affects the next stage until the leader reaches a point of maturity in which ministry is maximized and contentment with oneself is achieved (unless the leader gives up along the way). There are two reasons to buy this book: one is to read a new and creative interpretation of the life of Paul; the other is to compare the lessons Paul learned on this journeys to how God is working in your own life.”