Thursday, December 30, 2004
Hawaii Grandfather Shepherds His Athletic Family
Today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin carries a story about Randall Senas, a grandfather from the Waipio Grace Brethren Church in Mililani, Hawaii (David Mitchell, pastor), who serves as a mentor and father-figure for a group of unusually talented athletic grandchildren. Here is a short excerpt from the article -- to read the entire story click here. (Star-Bulletin photo)
Shuttling through traffic from one field to another, for practices and games, has a way of sapping a man's battery. Every Sunday, Randall Senas and his tribe of grandchildren march into Waipio Grace Brethren Church.
Granda sits in the pews and gets recharged.
He worries about his grandkids, and especially Chustin, the oldest boy. "I try to keep him focused on teamwork, not individual things," Grandpa said. "I tell him to stay away from things that harm your body." . . .
. . . Grandpa commutes from Mililani to Mapunapuna daily, where he is a purchaser for Rasko Supplies. Then he heads wherever his grandchildren are playing.
They may disagree about things, but Chustin knows one fact about his grandfather. "You can always count on him to be there," he said.
Grandpa doesn't like being there. He loves being there. "This is what I was looking forward to. I don't mind the running around," he said.
David Ogden Update -- The News is Good!
The following update from Russ and Betty Ogden on their son, David, who is pastor at Okeechobee, Florida, Grace Brethren Church, comes as welcome good news to the many who have been praying for David and this family.
When we heard of David’s hospitalization on December 16 with a pulmonary embolism, we asked God for a miracle that would restore David, bless his family, and bring glory to God.
A miracle is a big request; it is not in the routine of things and not to be asked for lightly. Friends around the world have joined us in prayer. We believe God has granted our request.
The providential hand of God is clearly seen in every step of his recovery. He was brought by friends to Martin Memorial Medical Center in Stuart, Florida, rated as one of the one hundred best hospitals in the nation. On duty in the ER was the best pulmonary surgeon in the hospital.
He immediately sensed a blood clot blocking the lungs and inserted a large-bore catheter into David’s left shoulder to rush medication to the problem. He attached a respirator with an oxygen tube down David’s throat to rush oxygen into his blood stream. He attached a Heparin tube to dissolve the blood clot, several other tubes, and heavily sedated David so he would not move.
When we arrived on Friday, the 17th, his condition was serious. On Saturday, the 18th, his surgeon implanted a Greenfield Filter (it spreads like umbrella ribs in the vein ) between the blood clots in his left leg and his lungs to catch any large clots that might move. The medication would then help to dissolve them.
Angela, with 18-month Caleb, and Ben were there. David rested on Sunday, the 19th. On Monday, the 20th, the doctors began to reduce the sedative. David could respond to us with his eyes and head movements. He understood everything. He was breathing on his own.
Tuesday, the 21st, they removed the respirator, set him in a chair and gave him some physical therapy. He could talk freely, but his throat was sore from the oxygen tube. He ate a few bites of lunch from a hospital tray. At3:00 PM, Doug, Elijah and Bethany arrived from Sebring to visit. At 4:00 PM, nurses moved David to a private room on the fifth floor with a beautiful view of the Lucy River where it is a half-mile wide.
He ate a light supper Wednesday, the 22nd; his therapist walked him down the hall to the nurse's station and back. On Thursday, the 23rd, he continued to gain strength. They started him on Coumedin, a blood thinner. His personal chaplain was our friend, retired pastor and missionary Dr. Ronald MacDonald who lives in Stuart. How many people do you know who can say that in their illness Ronald MacDonald ministered to them?
Friday, the 24th, at 10:00 AM, he was released from the hospital–eight days after being admitted in critical condition. We drove him home to Sebring as he reclined in the back seat of our car. His kids didn’t know he was coming, but were all in the driveway when we arrived for an emotional and spectacular welcome!
The family enjoyed Christmas eve (also Angela’s birthday) and Christmas together–except for Aaron and Kate who were vacationing with her parents in Mexico. We stayed for the weekend and returned home Monday evening the 27th.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! Our deepest thanks to all you friends for your earnest, effective prayers. "To God be the glory, great things He has done!"
--Russ and Betty Ogden
When we heard of David’s hospitalization on December 16 with a pulmonary embolism, we asked God for a miracle that would restore David, bless his family, and bring glory to God.
A miracle is a big request; it is not in the routine of things and not to be asked for lightly. Friends around the world have joined us in prayer. We believe God has granted our request.
The providential hand of God is clearly seen in every step of his recovery. He was brought by friends to Martin Memorial Medical Center in Stuart, Florida, rated as one of the one hundred best hospitals in the nation. On duty in the ER was the best pulmonary surgeon in the hospital.
He immediately sensed a blood clot blocking the lungs and inserted a large-bore catheter into David’s left shoulder to rush medication to the problem. He attached a respirator with an oxygen tube down David’s throat to rush oxygen into his blood stream. He attached a Heparin tube to dissolve the blood clot, several other tubes, and heavily sedated David so he would not move.
When we arrived on Friday, the 17th, his condition was serious. On Saturday, the 18th, his surgeon implanted a Greenfield Filter (it spreads like umbrella ribs in the vein ) between the blood clots in his left leg and his lungs to catch any large clots that might move. The medication would then help to dissolve them.
Angela, with 18-month Caleb, and Ben were there. David rested on Sunday, the 19th. On Monday, the 20th, the doctors began to reduce the sedative. David could respond to us with his eyes and head movements. He understood everything. He was breathing on his own.
Tuesday, the 21st, they removed the respirator, set him in a chair and gave him some physical therapy. He could talk freely, but his throat was sore from the oxygen tube. He ate a few bites of lunch from a hospital tray. At3:00 PM, Doug, Elijah and Bethany arrived from Sebring to visit. At 4:00 PM, nurses moved David to a private room on the fifth floor with a beautiful view of the Lucy River where it is a half-mile wide.
He ate a light supper Wednesday, the 22nd; his therapist walked him down the hall to the nurse's station and back. On Thursday, the 23rd, he continued to gain strength. They started him on Coumedin, a blood thinner. His personal chaplain was our friend, retired pastor and missionary Dr. Ronald MacDonald who lives in Stuart. How many people do you know who can say that in their illness Ronald MacDonald ministered to them?
Friday, the 24th, at 10:00 AM, he was released from the hospital–eight days after being admitted in critical condition. We drove him home to Sebring as he reclined in the back seat of our car. His kids didn’t know he was coming, but were all in the driveway when we arrived for an emotional and spectacular welcome!
The family enjoyed Christmas eve (also Angela’s birthday) and Christmas together–except for Aaron and Kate who were vacationing with her parents in Mexico. We stayed for the weekend and returned home Monday evening the 27th.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW! Our deepest thanks to all you friends for your earnest, effective prayers. "To God be the glory, great things He has done!"
--Russ and Betty Ogden
Monday, December 27, 2004
Family Business From Ripon, CA, Church Featured
The Floyd Cover family from the Ripon, CA, Grace Brethren Church (Glen Shirk, pastor) is featured in today's edition of the local newspaper, the Manteca Bulletin. The family, which operates a wholesale-retail nursery business called Park Greenhouse, is featured as a family-run, three-generation small business.
Viki Cover Rife, who directs communications for the Women of Grace and is the daughter of former GBIM missionary Robert Cover, helps connect the families. She says,
" You can basically assume that all the Covers in that area are related somehow. Floyd's dad and my grandfather were cousins. John and I were married in the Ripon church by my dad, assisted by Jack Cover, who is Floyd's brother. Floyd and Glenna did the flowers for our wedding and did a beautiful job of making that old school-gym-turned-sanctuary look appropriate."
Here are several paragraphs from the story--to read the entire article click here.
Michelle Cover, like her other siblings, also speak very highly of her grandparents.
"I've worked here off and on since we were little, but more permanently this past five, six years," she said.
She enjoys the job immensely, she said, and most especially working with members of her family especially her grandparents."It's a blessing to be with the family and to be able to help out here," she said.
The family worships at the Grace Brethren Church on Main Street in Ripon.
As for her grandparents, "They're always keeping busy. You can tell they enjoy it and everybody enjoys having them here. They're very hardworking. They're friends with everybody. But the best thing I'm grateful about them is the godly heritage that they passed down, and their Christian example is a blessing," Michelle said.
Viki Cover Rife, who directs communications for the Women of Grace and is the daughter of former GBIM missionary Robert Cover, helps connect the families. She says,
" You can basically assume that all the Covers in that area are related somehow. Floyd's dad and my grandfather were cousins. John and I were married in the Ripon church by my dad, assisted by Jack Cover, who is Floyd's brother. Floyd and Glenna did the flowers for our wedding and did a beautiful job of making that old school-gym-turned-sanctuary look appropriate."
Here are several paragraphs from the story--to read the entire article click here.
Michelle Cover, like her other siblings, also speak very highly of her grandparents.
"I've worked here off and on since we were little, but more permanently this past five, six years," she said.
She enjoys the job immensely, she said, and most especially working with members of her family especially her grandparents."It's a blessing to be with the family and to be able to help out here," she said.
The family worships at the Grace Brethren Church on Main Street in Ripon.
As for her grandparents, "They're always keeping busy. You can tell they enjoy it and everybody enjoys having them here. They're very hardworking. They're friends with everybody. But the best thing I'm grateful about them is the godly heritage that they passed down, and their Christian example is a blessing," Michelle said.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Cones Relocate Their Ministry to U.S.
Mary Cone, recently-returned GBIM missionary to Germany, was the Sunday morning soloist today at the Maranatha Grace Brethren Church in Hagerstown, Maryland (Jay Fretz, pastor). Mary, her husband Kip, and their boys were visiting Mary's parents, CM and Marie Hicks, who are founding members of the Maranatha church. The Cones have served nine years in Germany, but beginning January 1 will join the staff of the GBIM international missions center in Winona Lake, IN, working with recruiting and developing new missionary candidates.
Friday, December 24, 2004
Althea Miller With the Lord
The following message was received this Christmas Eve afternoon from David S. Miller, son of Robert and Althea Miller. The Millers are well-known throughout the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches for Robert's many years of pastoring, teaching, and evangelism. Althea for many years wrote a column for the Brethren Missionary Herald magazine entitled "Under the Parsonage Roof," and those columns were later compiled into a 96-page paperback book by the same title, published in 1969 by Moody Press. More details will be forthcoming as they are available.
Two weeks after her stroke, my mother flew away home to live with the Lord.
At 4:30 this Christmas Eve morning she took her last earthly breath as my youngest brother Mark sat by her side. We are grateful the Lord allowed her to bless the lives of countless people for more than 93 years.
Yesterday morning she opened both eyes and smiled at Dad, her last present of love to him; in September they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.
The memorial celebration will be held on Jan. 8 at 10:00 at the Rose Drive Friends' Church in Yorba Linda, CA.
Two weeks after her stroke, my mother flew away home to live with the Lord.
At 4:30 this Christmas Eve morning she took her last earthly breath as my youngest brother Mark sat by her side. We are grateful the Lord allowed her to bless the lives of countless people for more than 93 years.
Yesterday morning she opened both eyes and smiled at Dad, her last present of love to him; in September they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.
The memorial celebration will be held on Jan. 8 at 10:00 at the Rose Drive Friends' Church in Yorba Linda, CA.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Simi Valley Coach Displays Trophy
Terry Gourley, Simi Valley's Grace Brethren Coach-of-the-Year, has had an outstanding football season record of 13-1-0. Not only did his team with the 11-man championship in their division, but Gourley was also named Coach of the Year.
Terry Gourley, coach of the Simi Valley Grace Brethren High football champs, holds high the trophy.
David Ogden Update--Doing Better
This PRAISE! update, dated December 21st, on Pastor Dave Ogden is from his father, Russ:
"When we arrived [at the hospital] on Friday, we didn’t know if [Dave] would live or die. He has several blood clots in his left leg (not the right one which was injured).
On Saturday the doctor implanted a filter in the vein that sends blood from his leg to his lungs to block large blood clots from reaching his lungs, or heart, or brain. He came through the procedure well."
On Sunday David was much improved. Monday, they were able to take him off the respirator, most of the tubes, and stop the sedatives. By mid-afternoon they propped up the head of his bed, lowered the foot so he was partially sitting, and taking some nourishment. His mind is sharp and he is able to talk.
Today, Tuesday (Dec. 21), he will start therapy and probably be moved out of ICU to a regular room. His surgeon says he will be back to work in about six weeks. Praise God!"
"When we arrived [at the hospital] on Friday, we didn’t know if [Dave] would live or die. He has several blood clots in his left leg (not the right one which was injured).
On Saturday the doctor implanted a filter in the vein that sends blood from his leg to his lungs to block large blood clots from reaching his lungs, or heart, or brain. He came through the procedure well."
On Sunday David was much improved. Monday, they were able to take him off the respirator, most of the tubes, and stop the sedatives. By mid-afternoon they propped up the head of his bed, lowered the foot so he was partially sitting, and taking some nourishment. His mind is sharp and he is able to talk.
Today, Tuesday (Dec. 21), he will start therapy and probably be moved out of ICU to a regular room. His surgeon says he will be back to work in about six weeks. Praise God!"
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Grace Students Replicate Rainbow Prayer Meeting
The Friday, November 19 entry in this blog (see November archive) detailed the all-night prayer meeting in the Rainbow Room of the Westminster Hotel in Winona Lake, Indiana, which preceded the Billy Graham 1949 Los Angeles crusade. That article will also appear in the January/February issue of FGBCWorld, soon to arrive in homes and churches.
Judy Daniels, of the Grace College alumni publications office, has alerted us to a recent replication of that meeting by current Grace students. Read and be blessed. To receive Judy's updates contact her at connect@grace.edu.
STUDENTS HELD AN ALL-NIGHT PRAYER MEETING at Westminster Hall on December 3, led by the Grace Ministries in Action Prayer Team. The meeting was the idea of senior Candice Cavett, who was inspired by a Youth for Christ video that she saw this summer. The video included a segment on the famous all-night prayer meeting in 1949 at Westminster which included a young Billy Graham.
Candice thought another all-night prayer meeting in the same location would be a good idea for Grace. The night was divided into segments with students praying for specific requests such as the college and seminary, missionaries, the persecuted church, and local churches.
The meeting ended with a prayer walk around campus where students prayed for specific buildings as well as ones to come, such as the Event Center.
"The whole night just came together so beautifully," Candice said. She hopes that students continue the all-night prayer meeting at least once a semester in future years.
Judy Daniels, of the Grace College alumni publications office, has alerted us to a recent replication of that meeting by current Grace students. Read and be blessed. To receive Judy's updates contact her at connect@grace.edu.
STUDENTS HELD AN ALL-NIGHT PRAYER MEETING at Westminster Hall on December 3, led by the Grace Ministries in Action Prayer Team. The meeting was the idea of senior Candice Cavett, who was inspired by a Youth for Christ video that she saw this summer. The video included a segment on the famous all-night prayer meeting in 1949 at Westminster which included a young Billy Graham.
Candice thought another all-night prayer meeting in the same location would be a good idea for Grace. The night was divided into segments with students praying for specific requests such as the college and seminary, missionaries, the persecuted church, and local churches.
The meeting ended with a prayer walk around campus where students prayed for specific buildings as well as ones to come, such as the Event Center.
"The whole night just came together so beautifully," Candice said. She hopes that students continue the all-night prayer meeting at least once a semester in future years.
Simi Valley Wins Division Title
Grace Brethren High, affiliated with the Simi Valley, CA, Grace Brethren Church (John McIntosh, pastor) has clinched the title in its football division with a 13-1-0 season. First-year coach Terry Gourley was named Coach of the Year and was featured this week on local television following Monday Night Football.
This was Grace Brethren’s first 11-man title, although the school won an 8-man championship in 1999, finished as the Division XIII runner-up in 2002 and was a Division XIII semifinalist last year.
Grace Brethren’s record-setting tailback, Chad Kackert, completed one of the best individual seasons in Ventura County history, rushing for 3,437 yards and 56 touchdowns (tied for sixth all-time nationally) as well as intercepting eight passes. Kackert’s 131 career TDs and 804 points rank in the top 10 nationally, according to the national High School Sports Record Book.
Kackert, a 5-foot-8, 177-pound senior, carries no regrets about playing football at Grace Brethren, a small school which enrolls fewer than 190 students. “God has taken me here for a reason,” he says. “I wouldn’t do anything different.”
His coach, Terry Gourley, says Kackert got the opportunity to play running back as a sophomore only because he was at a small school.
"At any bigger school, he would have been way too small to play running back,” said Gourley. “Here, he got a chance to play fairly early, and he’s a much more polished player with the experience.”
This was Grace Brethren’s first 11-man title, although the school won an 8-man championship in 1999, finished as the Division XIII runner-up in 2002 and was a Division XIII semifinalist last year.
Grace Brethren’s record-setting tailback, Chad Kackert, completed one of the best individual seasons in Ventura County history, rushing for 3,437 yards and 56 touchdowns (tied for sixth all-time nationally) as well as intercepting eight passes. Kackert’s 131 career TDs and 804 points rank in the top 10 nationally, according to the national High School Sports Record Book.
Kackert, a 5-foot-8, 177-pound senior, carries no regrets about playing football at Grace Brethren, a small school which enrolls fewer than 190 students. “God has taken me here for a reason,” he says. “I wouldn’t do anything different.”
His coach, Terry Gourley, says Kackert got the opportunity to play running back as a sophomore only because he was at a small school.
"At any bigger school, he would have been way too small to play running back,” said Gourley. “Here, he got a chance to play fairly early, and he’s a much more polished player with the experience.”
Simi Valley's Grace Brethren team clinched its division championship this year with a 13-1-0 record.
Players and cheerleaders from Grace Brethren High in Simi Valley, CA, were featured on local television following Monday Night Football this week.
Simi Valley cheerleaders pose for TV cameras following Brethren High's championship season.
Monday, December 20, 2004
David Jeremiah, Grace Seminary alumnus, debuts his Baptist Press column this week with thoughts on God's "Very Best" present.
David Jeremiah on God's "Very Best"
Grace Seminary alumnus David Jeremiah has recently joined Baptist Press as a columnist. Jeremiah is senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif., and has been featured on the "Turning Point" radio and television ministry since its launch in 1982. Here are excerpts from his first BP column:
God Sent the Very Best
By David Jeremiah
Joyce Hall became the founder of Hallmark Cards, Inc. He is best known for the Hallmark slogan, "When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best."
Quality was his trademark. Not a single Hallmark greeting card reached the marketplace without his "O.K.-J.C." signoff. He was committed to giving the very best to his customers so they could give the very best to their loved ones.
We are motivated and inspired to strive for "the best" because we strive to reflect the character of the One -- the only One in history -- who absolutely did give His very best.
God gave His very best. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The gift of Jesus Christ to the world represents the high price God paid to give us His gift. God Himself is the best.
God gave the most expensive gift He had for you and me -- Jesus. God gave for the best purpose. The best gifts accomplish the highest good for the recipient. They're given for positive, uplifting purposes. God's gift was given for the best purpose: That whoever believes in Christ, God's gift, should not stay mired in sin but might be lifted up and planted on the solid rock of salvation and eternal life.
Joyce Hall set a high standard for excellence. But the perfect example of "caring enough to send the very best" is God's gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. God loved enough to send the very best to those who could only be saved by a perfect Savior.
At this time of the year our thoughts are turned toward gifts. The most important gift we have to give every year is the gift we give back to God Himself -- the gift of all that we are and have. Jesus described it as our "heart ... soul, and ... mind" (Matthew 22:37).
When we give ourselves wholly to God, we make known the riches of His grace and glory to the world, proclaiming Christ's death until He comes (Romans 9:23; 1 Corinthians 11:26).
In the midst of your gift-giving this Christmas, reserve your best gift for the One who gave His best gift to you. Resolve this year be to give yourself -- heart, soul, mind and strength -- to God every day.
Make Christmas a year-long event as you unwrap yourself in the presence of God each day.
Show that you care enough to send Him the very best.
God Sent the Very Best
By David Jeremiah
Joyce Hall became the founder of Hallmark Cards, Inc. He is best known for the Hallmark slogan, "When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best."
Quality was his trademark. Not a single Hallmark greeting card reached the marketplace without his "O.K.-J.C." signoff. He was committed to giving the very best to his customers so they could give the very best to their loved ones.
We are motivated and inspired to strive for "the best" because we strive to reflect the character of the One -- the only One in history -- who absolutely did give His very best.
God gave His very best. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The gift of Jesus Christ to the world represents the high price God paid to give us His gift. God Himself is the best.
God gave the most expensive gift He had for you and me -- Jesus. God gave for the best purpose. The best gifts accomplish the highest good for the recipient. They're given for positive, uplifting purposes. God's gift was given for the best purpose: That whoever believes in Christ, God's gift, should not stay mired in sin but might be lifted up and planted on the solid rock of salvation and eternal life.
Joyce Hall set a high standard for excellence. But the perfect example of "caring enough to send the very best" is God's gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. God loved enough to send the very best to those who could only be saved by a perfect Savior.
At this time of the year our thoughts are turned toward gifts. The most important gift we have to give every year is the gift we give back to God Himself -- the gift of all that we are and have. Jesus described it as our "heart ... soul, and ... mind" (Matthew 22:37).
When we give ourselves wholly to God, we make known the riches of His grace and glory to the world, proclaiming Christ's death until He comes (Romans 9:23; 1 Corinthians 11:26).
In the midst of your gift-giving this Christmas, reserve your best gift for the One who gave His best gift to you. Resolve this year be to give yourself -- heart, soul, mind and strength -- to God every day.
Make Christmas a year-long event as you unwrap yourself in the presence of God each day.
Show that you care enough to send Him the very best.
Simi's Gourley Named Coach of the Year
Pastor John McIntosh of the Simi Valley, Grace Brethren Church, has notified FGBC World that Grace Brethren High School football coach Terry Gourley has been named the 2004 ABC7/National Football League’s High School Coach of the Year for the Southern California Region. This is in addition to a previous award as Coach of the Week.
Gourley will be honored on a local Sports Zone show today, Monday, December 20, after Monday Night Football. Gourley’s team won the state championship last weekend by beating Ontario Christian School, 31-6.
Gourley will be honored on a local Sports Zone show today, Monday, December 20, after Monday Night Football. Gourley’s team won the state championship last weekend by beating Ontario Christian School, 31-6.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Grace Receives $997,791 Lilly Grant
According to the lead story in this morning’s Warsaw (IN) Times-Union newspaper, Grace College has received a grant of nearly $1 million from Lilly Endowment, Inc. as part of Lilly’s initiative to recruit and retain intellectual capital for Indiana higher education institutions.
According to Grace’s president, Dr. Ron Manahan, the grant will be used to expand one existing program and to launch two new ones. Manahan said, “The purpose of these initiatives is to draw additional intellectual resources to Indiana through faculty and students.”
The announcement says the money will be used for three programs. The first is to establish a Criminal Justice Administration program that will be held by a widely-experienced faculty and that will complement the college’s existing Criminal Justice program.
Second is to refocus and upgrade the Communication and English programs by increasing the intellectual capacity among faculty and placing greater emphasis on organizational communication, business communication, and communication arts.
And third, the college will establish an honors academy (Millennial Scholars Academy) to attract additional gifted students to the college.
Dr. David Plaster, vice president for academic affairs, says, “These changes will make Grace much stronger academically and, in the end, will be directly beneficial to students.”
Grace is one of 37 colleges and universities in Indiana that received grants from the Endowment. A total of $100 million was distributed in 2004 for this latest initiative. Further information is available from John Boal in the college’s advancement office at boaljr@grace.edu.
According to Grace’s president, Dr. Ron Manahan, the grant will be used to expand one existing program and to launch two new ones. Manahan said, “The purpose of these initiatives is to draw additional intellectual resources to Indiana through faculty and students.”
The announcement says the money will be used for three programs. The first is to establish a Criminal Justice Administration program that will be held by a widely-experienced faculty and that will complement the college’s existing Criminal Justice program.
Second is to refocus and upgrade the Communication and English programs by increasing the intellectual capacity among faculty and placing greater emphasis on organizational communication, business communication, and communication arts.
And third, the college will establish an honors academy (Millennial Scholars Academy) to attract additional gifted students to the college.
Dr. David Plaster, vice president for academic affairs, says, “These changes will make Grace much stronger academically and, in the end, will be directly beneficial to students.”
Grace is one of 37 colleges and universities in Indiana that received grants from the Endowment. A total of $100 million was distributed in 2004 for this latest initiative. Further information is available from John Boal in the college’s advancement office at boaljr@grace.edu.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Prayers Requested for David Ogden
Russ and Betty Ogden of Indianapolis request prayer for their son, David, a Grace Brethren pastor in Florida. David is a single parent, having lost his wife to cancer several years ago. We will post updates here as they are available. [UPDATE: Russ and Betty have decided to go to Florida and are leaving 9 a.m. Friday, Indianapolis time]
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST
Our son, David, pastor of the Grace Brethren Church and School in Okeechobee, Florida, is in Martin Memorial Hospital in Stuart, Florida, with pulmonary embolism– that's the medical term for blood clots affecting both lungs.
He is in Critical Care Unit. His condition is serious.
A few weeks ago he got a scrape on his right leg that became severely infected. The hospital in Okeechobee did surgery to clean the wound. It appeared to be healing, but difficulty breathing alerted friends to admit him to the larger hospital in Stuart.
Dave’s son, Ben, will fly down tonight from Baltimore. Ida Frushour, his mother-in-law, will go from Ft. Meyer to Sebring tomorrow to look after Doug, Elijah and Bethany. Betty’ s brother, George Ralph, lives in nearby PalmBeach Gardens and will monitor his condition.
His cousin, Doris Russell, lives in Stuart and has been in to see him, but he was sedated.
Russ is registered with the hospital to approve medical procedures while David is sedated. We will decide tomorrow morning whether or not we will go down. We urgently ask your prayers for David’s full healing and for God’s guidance to us in this crisis.
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be shaken" (Psalm 62:5, 6).
Yours in Christ, Russ and Betty
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST
Our son, David, pastor of the Grace Brethren Church and School in Okeechobee, Florida, is in Martin Memorial Hospital in Stuart, Florida, with pulmonary embolism– that's the medical term for blood clots affecting both lungs.
He is in Critical Care Unit. His condition is serious.
A few weeks ago he got a scrape on his right leg that became severely infected. The hospital in Okeechobee did surgery to clean the wound. It appeared to be healing, but difficulty breathing alerted friends to admit him to the larger hospital in Stuart.
Dave’s son, Ben, will fly down tonight from Baltimore. Ida Frushour, his mother-in-law, will go from Ft. Meyer to Sebring tomorrow to look after Doug, Elijah and Bethany. Betty’ s brother, George Ralph, lives in nearby PalmBeach Gardens and will monitor his condition.
His cousin, Doris Russell, lives in Stuart and has been in to see him, but he was sedated.
Russ is registered with the hospital to approve medical procedures while David is sedated. We will decide tomorrow morning whether or not we will go down. We urgently ask your prayers for David’s full healing and for God’s guidance to us in this crisis.
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be shaken" (Psalm 62:5, 6).
Yours in Christ, Russ and Betty
BMH, FGBC and Friends Enjoy Holiday Open House
About 125 friends, neighbors, and fellow FGBC National Organization employees enjoyed a Holiday Open House this noon at the newly-renovated BMH/FGBC offices on Kings Highway in Winona Lake, IN. A highlight for many of those who attended was the opportunity to greet newly-arrived European missionaries Kip and Mary Cone and Larry and Vicky DeArmey. Those who weren't able to get there today in time for the meatballs and punch are invited to stop in to 1104A Kings Highway anytime they are in Winona Lake.
Tracy Owen (left) and Ken Herman (right) settle some difficult world problems in the conference room during today's Holiday Open House at the BMH/FGBC offices in Winona Lake.
Sharon White entertained at the keyboard in the front reception room with a steady stream of carols and holiday music at today's BMH/FGBC Holiday Open House.
Denny and Judy Daniels and Charlotte Austin check out some of the photos on Tom Avey's office wall in today's BMH/FGBC Open House. BMH's Ann Myers is visible in the hallway.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Good-bye, Dr. Laura, and Thanks
Today was the last day of work at BMH for Laura Bloomingdale--known on the internet as Dr. Laura--in her role as fall editorial intern with FGBC World and BMH Books. Laura graduates tomorrow from Grace College and will be returning to Dayton, OH to live and work, where she is a member of the Basore Road Grace Brethren Church. BMH salutes Dr. Laura for her good work with us, and thanks Dr. Paulette Sauders of the Grace College journalism faculty for arranging student interns for us each semester. In a few weeks you'll meet Ashley, who begins with BMH January 10 as second-semester editorial intern.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
First Winona Snowfall of the Winter (Skycam)
First snowfall of the winter-- The skycam atop the science building on the Grace College campus shows McClain Hall and adjacent buildings after this morning's first snowfall. Classes end this week and resume January 11. The skycam, which changes live photos every five minutes, can be accessed by clicking "campus skycam" on Grace's website at www.grace.edu.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Do Church-Hunters Use the Internet?
Some do--at least in eastern Pennsylvania. The following excerpt is from a weekly e-mail Pastor Scott Distler of the Lititz, PA Grace Brethren Church sends to all who request it. Is YOUR church's website being kept up-to-date and infused with fresh material? Maybe someone is visiting your site to see if your church is for them!
INTERNET FRUIT
This past Sunday I met three different people whose first encounter with our church was listening to sermons via the internet. I also received this note this past week from someone within our church:
“I wanted to let you know that this past Sunday I met a man, his wife and three children in the halls of the church. Not looking familiar to me, I asked him his name and discovered that it was only his second visit to our church. When I asked him how they found our church, he said that he had heard one of your sermons on the internet and was "captivated", and decided to come and visit.”
Make sure that you check all that is available at our website (www.lgbc.org) so that you can use it to connect people you know to Grace Church!
INTERNET FRUIT
This past Sunday I met three different people whose first encounter with our church was listening to sermons via the internet. I also received this note this past week from someone within our church:
“I wanted to let you know that this past Sunday I met a man, his wife and three children in the halls of the church. Not looking familiar to me, I asked him his name and discovered that it was only his second visit to our church. When I asked him how they found our church, he said that he had heard one of your sermons on the internet and was "captivated", and decided to come and visit.”
Make sure that you check all that is available at our website (www.lgbc.org) so that you can use it to connect people you know to Grace Church!
You're invited to a Holiday Open House this Thursday, December 16, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the combined offices of Brethren Missionary Herald Co. and the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, 1104A Kings Highway, Winona Lake, IN.
James Joiner Named Grace Chaplain
James Joiner, who has been serving as youth pastor at the Bellflower (CA) Brethren Church (Tom Hocking, pastor) has been named chaplain at Grace College, Winona Lake, IN.
A 1998 Grace College graduate, Joiner also was graduated in 2004 from Grace Theological Seminary with a M.A. degree in theological studies, and also holds degrees in apologetics and philosophy of religion and ethics from Biola University and Talbot School of Theology in southern California.
Born and raised in San Pedro, CA, Joiner completed high school and community college in Northern Arizona and came to Christ at age 20. He and his wife, Rachel, were married in June, 2000 in Columbus, OH, and moved to southern California in 2001.
The Joiners and their son, Isaiah, will be relocating to Winona Lake from California in January. Joiner succeeds Jack Rants in the chaplain’s position.
A 1998 Grace College graduate, Joiner also was graduated in 2004 from Grace Theological Seminary with a M.A. degree in theological studies, and also holds degrees in apologetics and philosophy of religion and ethics from Biola University and Talbot School of Theology in southern California.
Born and raised in San Pedro, CA, Joiner completed high school and community college in Northern Arizona and came to Christ at age 20. He and his wife, Rachel, were married in June, 2000 in Columbus, OH, and moved to southern California in 2001.
The Joiners and their son, Isaiah, will be relocating to Winona Lake from California in January. Joiner succeeds Jack Rants in the chaplain’s position.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Natorg Heads Gather to Discuss, Pray
The executive directors/heads of the major Grace Brethren cooperating organizations gathered this week for a festive Christmas dinner and their annual lengthy discussion about the Fellowship--the bright spots, issues to address, reports on activity, and ways to pray for Grace Brethren churches and people. Held in the conference room of the newly-renovated offices of Brethren Missionary Herald Co. and the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, the dinner was prepared by FGBC staff member Sandy Barrett. Participants included (right, front to back), Ron Manahan, president of Grace College and Seminary; Ed Lewis, executive director of CE National; and Dave Guiles, executive director of Grace Brethren International Missions. At left (front to back) are Tom Avey, FGBC Fellowship Coordinator; Larry Chamberlain of Grace Brethren North American Missions and Grace Brethren Investment Foundation; and Terry White, executive director of the Brethren Missionary Herald Co. (Jesse Deloe photo).
Lexington Pastor Expresses Christmas Thoughts
The following editorial by Pastor Jason Carmean of the Lexington, OH Grace Brethren Church appeared in this morning's Mansfield, OH newspaper:
I wake up on Christmas morning with the anticipation of homemade cinnamon rolls and a fresh hot cup of coffee knowing that there are gifts under the Christmas tree with my name on them. I enjoy opening my gifts, and I would wager a guess that we all do.
I also love to give gifts. To see the look on my wife's face when she opens the gift that I put an extra amount of thought into that she has no idea she is getting makes my day. To have my two young daughters tear into a gift that daddy bought them could almost bring me to tears. It brings joy to my heart.
The prophet Isaiah also told us of the real gift that we would all receive. Isaiah 9:6 says, "To us a child is born, to us a son is given." Oftentimes we read that and our mind automatically goes to the child and the son. We know that he is talking about Jesus. We know that his birth is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
I'm glad that is often our focus, but what is repeated in that verse is "to us." The child and the son are born to us. That's good news.
Isaiah knew of the gift that we were going to receive about 700 years before Jesus came. Now, 2,000 years later, we can look back on that gift and know the gift was for us.
God knew that as long as he stayed in heaven he would not be known. People would know about him, but they wouldn't know him. God wanted that to change. I think he had the plan for Jesus to come all along, but 2,000 years ago, God sent the child to us.
He didn't look like God at the time, he didn't sound like God at the time. I think that is why people missed him. He wasn't what they were expecting. The child is born to us. The son is born to us. He has become our very own Christmas gift. He has come to us.
When I look at my two young daughters, I can't wait until they open their gifts on Christmas. What will thrill my heart as a father even more though is when they get old enough to realize the child was born for them too -- that Jesus came to be their gift, too. That will make Christmas that much more meaningful for me.
The child was born for you, too. The Son of God has come so that we might know God. We celebrate Christmas oftentimes as just another holiday that takes too much work to get ready for. We enjoy the time off work. We enjoy the time with our families, but do we enjoy the fact the child has come for us?
These are the opinions of the Rev. Jason Carmean of Grace Brethren Church in Lexington.
I wake up on Christmas morning with the anticipation of homemade cinnamon rolls and a fresh hot cup of coffee knowing that there are gifts under the Christmas tree with my name on them. I enjoy opening my gifts, and I would wager a guess that we all do.
I also love to give gifts. To see the look on my wife's face when she opens the gift that I put an extra amount of thought into that she has no idea she is getting makes my day. To have my two young daughters tear into a gift that daddy bought them could almost bring me to tears. It brings joy to my heart.
The prophet Isaiah also told us of the real gift that we would all receive. Isaiah 9:6 says, "To us a child is born, to us a son is given." Oftentimes we read that and our mind automatically goes to the child and the son. We know that he is talking about Jesus. We know that his birth is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
I'm glad that is often our focus, but what is repeated in that verse is "to us." The child and the son are born to us. That's good news.
Isaiah knew of the gift that we were going to receive about 700 years before Jesus came. Now, 2,000 years later, we can look back on that gift and know the gift was for us.
God knew that as long as he stayed in heaven he would not be known. People would know about him, but they wouldn't know him. God wanted that to change. I think he had the plan for Jesus to come all along, but 2,000 years ago, God sent the child to us.
He didn't look like God at the time, he didn't sound like God at the time. I think that is why people missed him. He wasn't what they were expecting. The child is born to us. The son is born to us. He has become our very own Christmas gift. He has come to us.
When I look at my two young daughters, I can't wait until they open their gifts on Christmas. What will thrill my heart as a father even more though is when they get old enough to realize the child was born for them too -- that Jesus came to be their gift, too. That will make Christmas that much more meaningful for me.
The child was born for you, too. The Son of God has come so that we might know God. We celebrate Christmas oftentimes as just another holiday that takes too much work to get ready for. We enjoy the time off work. We enjoy the time with our families, but do we enjoy the fact the child has come for us?
These are the opinions of the Rev. Jason Carmean of Grace Brethren Church in Lexington.
Friday, December 10, 2004
Pastor Tim Boal to Lead GBNAM
Pastor Tim Boal of the Penn Valley Grace Brethren Church, Telford, PA, is the newly-named Grace Brethren North American Missions executive director. His duties with GBNAM begin January 1, 2005.
Tim Boal Named GBNAM Exec.
The Board of Directors of Grace Brethren North American Missions is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tim Boal as the new Executive Director of GBNAM. Dr. Boal is the senior pastor of the Penn Valley Church of Telford, Pennsylvania, a position in which he has served since 1992. He will begin his duties with GBNAM on January 1, 2005.
With the full support of the boards of directors of GBNAM and of the Penn Valley Church, Dr. Boal will continue in his role as Senior Pastor at Penn Valley, as he also assumes the responsibilities for the direction of GBNAM. Dr. Boal is singularly qualified, through education and experience, for the challenges of this new role. His pastoral experience spans a period of 20 years, and includes pastoring the Community GBC of Everett, PA, as well as the Penn Valley Church. Under his leadership, the Everett church experienced substantial growth in seven years. As Senior Pastor of Penn Valley, his responsibilities have included being the primary teaching pastor, oversight of the elder board, oversight of vision and strategy, and oversight of the pastoral staff.
Tim’s leadership experience in our Fellowship has also prepared him well for the challenges of directing GBNAM. He has served as President of the West Penn District Mission Board (1987-1992), President of the Northern Atlantic District Mission Board (1992-2001), and as a board member of Grace Brethren North American Missions (1992-2004). In this latter position he chaired both the Canadian Task Force and the Church-Planting Committee, working closely with Kurt Miller (GBNAM’s National Director of Church Planting) on the implementation of the church-planting strategy. Dr. Boal has also been involved in various phases of starting churches, in Pennsylvania as well as Nigeria. He was the President of the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers from 2002-2006, and in 2004 became the second moderator-elect of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
Dr. Boal was licensed to Grace Brethren ministry in 1984 at the Uniontown, PA, GBC, and was ordained in 1987 at the Community GBC of Everett, PA. He is a certified trainer with Evangelism Explosion, as well as with BILD International.
Tim has been a radio host with WJCR-FM, and a news and sports anchor for both WCVI-AM and WRSW-FM. He has served as both the radio and television host of “Lifeline” a Bible-teaching program. Tim enjoys golf, oil and acrylic painting and biking.
Tim’s wife Tammy (formerly McKinley) is an R.N. and a graduate of the Grace Nursing program. She met Tim while he was in the M.Div. program at Grace Theological Seminary. They have three sons: Benjamin, Daniel and Andrew.
We welcome Dr. Boal to his new position with GBNAM, and look forward to the continuing vision and leadership he will provide to the organization and to our Fellowship of churches!
With the full support of the boards of directors of GBNAM and of the Penn Valley Church, Dr. Boal will continue in his role as Senior Pastor at Penn Valley, as he also assumes the responsibilities for the direction of GBNAM. Dr. Boal is singularly qualified, through education and experience, for the challenges of this new role. His pastoral experience spans a period of 20 years, and includes pastoring the Community GBC of Everett, PA, as well as the Penn Valley Church. Under his leadership, the Everett church experienced substantial growth in seven years. As Senior Pastor of Penn Valley, his responsibilities have included being the primary teaching pastor, oversight of the elder board, oversight of vision and strategy, and oversight of the pastoral staff.
Tim’s leadership experience in our Fellowship has also prepared him well for the challenges of directing GBNAM. He has served as President of the West Penn District Mission Board (1987-1992), President of the Northern Atlantic District Mission Board (1992-2001), and as a board member of Grace Brethren North American Missions (1992-2004). In this latter position he chaired both the Canadian Task Force and the Church-Planting Committee, working closely with Kurt Miller (GBNAM’s National Director of Church Planting) on the implementation of the church-planting strategy. Dr. Boal has also been involved in various phases of starting churches, in Pennsylvania as well as Nigeria. He was the President of the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers from 2002-2006, and in 2004 became the second moderator-elect of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
Dr. Boal was licensed to Grace Brethren ministry in 1984 at the Uniontown, PA, GBC, and was ordained in 1987 at the Community GBC of Everett, PA. He is a certified trainer with Evangelism Explosion, as well as with BILD International.
Tim has been a radio host with WJCR-FM, and a news and sports anchor for both WCVI-AM and WRSW-FM. He has served as both the radio and television host of “Lifeline” a Bible-teaching program. Tim enjoys golf, oil and acrylic painting and biking.
Tim’s wife Tammy (formerly McKinley) is an R.N. and a graduate of the Grace Nursing program. She met Tim while he was in the M.Div. program at Grace Theological Seminary. They have three sons: Benjamin, Daniel and Andrew.
We welcome Dr. Boal to his new position with GBNAM, and look forward to the continuing vision and leadership he will provide to the organization and to our Fellowship of churches!
Thursday, December 09, 2004
You're Invited to a Holiday Open House
The combined offices of Brethren Missionary Herald Co. and the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches invite you to a holiday Open House next Thursday, December 16 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. We'll have a light lunch for you, some live Christmas music, and lots of fellowship and good conversation in our newly-renovated offices. We're at 1104A Kings Highway, Winona Lake, IN, just adjacent to the Herald Bookstore. Please join us if you can!
Our home is your home. This is BMH's front lobby/reception area--offices for BMH and FGBC are back the hall, with the conference room at the end. Come see us the 16th or anytime you're in the area!
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
MKs Explain Christmas Customs
A panel of Grace Brethren MKs (missionary kids) presented a program earlier this week for some 70 Women of Grace at Grace Village Retirement Center in Winona Lake, Indiana. The panel discussed how Christmas is celebrated in the cultures in which they have lived--the host was Grace College professor Jacqueline (Julien) Schram. Panel members (from left) included Steffi Pappas (Germany), Jen McCaman (Argentina), Tim Bailey (Argentina), Chris Manduka (Germany), and Josiah Triplehorn (Brazil). Standing, at right, are Jacqueline Schram and her mother, Doris Julien. (photo courtesy Barb Wooler)
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Former Grace Prof. Daniel Wonderly Dies
Daniel E. Wonderly, who taught biology at Grace College in the middle 1960s and 1970s, died December 3 in Garrett County Memorial Hospital, Oakland, Maryland, according to today's Warsaw Times-Union newspaper.
Wonderly, 82, is survived by his wife, Edna; a daughter, Eunice Stackhouse of Montreat, NC; a son, Philip, of Warsaw, IN; a grandson and a great-granddaughter. Services were at 2 p.m. today in Oakland, Maryland.
Wonderly, 82, is survived by his wife, Edna; a daughter, Eunice Stackhouse of Montreat, NC; a son, Philip, of Warsaw, IN; a grandson and a great-granddaughter. Services were at 2 p.m. today in Oakland, Maryland.
Ohio Pastor Leads Accordion Band, Outreach
Pastor Steve Makofka of the Centerville, OH, Grace Brethren Church, is shown here directing the Oakwood Accordion Band in the lobby of the Schuster Center for the Performing Arts in Dayton, Ohio. Makofka, whose interest in the accordion and ethnomusicology increased after a mission trip to Africa, joined the band to gain some more facility in playing, and became the director when the need arose. Makofka, who has a B.S. in Music Education from Grace College, says the band will be playing in his church on December 26. "I'll have the opportunity to bring my music family and my church family together," he says. He requests prayer "that we will have an effective witness to a mostly unchurched group of musicians." (Lowell Davis photo)
Grace Brethren's Biggest Little Running Back
Today's Los Angeles Daily News carries a story about perhaps the best-ever running back to come from Grace Brethren High in Simi Valley, CA.
By Ramona Shelburne, Staff Writer
When the legend of Chad Kackert is shared with future generations at Grace Brethren High in Simi Valley, the story will begin during the fourth week of the 2002 season, when running back Josh Matthew missed a game to attend a weekend church trip and coach Dennis Stephenson asked a 5-foot-6, 140-pound sophomore wide receiver to fill in for the week.
"That was the year that changed my life," Kackert said. "The first week I had 230 yards and three touchdowns. ... I've been playing running back ever since."
Matthew went on to have a fine season as a wide receiver. Kackert hasn't grown much since then, but he has gone on to become one of the most prolific running backs in area history.
Going into Saturday's Southern Section Div. XII championship game against Ontario Christian, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Kackert has 3,286 rushing and 54 touchdowns this season. That is the second-best season in area history, behind Jermaine Marshall, who played for Kilpatrick of Malibu in 1999.
Kackert's 129 career touchdowns have far surpassed the previous area mark of 99, by Hart's Ted Iacenda in 1993-95. Kackert's mark is No. 2 in state history, behind the 137 scored by Lorenzo Booker of St. Bonaventure of Ventura in 1999-2001.
Kackert's story actually begins four years before that 2002 game, when his mother, Betty, finally allowed him to play football.
"They have minimum height and weight requirements, so we had to wait until he was big enough to start playing football," Betty Kackert said. "He was smaller as a little kid. We're smaller people in this family. I'm 5-1 and my husband is 5-4. ...
"But Chad had always been a good athlete. We had him in baseball, skateboarding, surfing and (judo). He's always had this fearlessness. Chad doesn't take stupid risks, but he's always been able to push it."
At the time, Kackert could barely fit into a set of football pads. He was 70 pounds and didn't hit 5-foot until eighth grade.
But he had speed. Great speed -- as a high school junior, Kackert was clocked at a blazing 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. And he had a coach, Kevin Williams, who believed in him and was willing to work with him on fundamentals.
"He taught me all the basics," Kackert said. "I was scared to death of him, but I always remember going through all the drills trying to do everything right to impress him.
"That was the only year I played running back until my sophomore year in high school."
Kackert finally had a growth spurt when he got to high school. At the time, Grace Brethren played eight-man football, but with just 100 male students at the school, Stephenson put Kackert on the varsity as a freshman.
The next season, Grace Brethren switched to 11-man football, and four weeks later, Matthew went on his church trip and Stephenson made the position change that changed Kackert's life.
Kackert rushed for 1,030 yards and 26 touchdowns that year. As a junior, he finished with 49 touchdowns, and this season he has exceeded those numbers. His father, Craig, worked in special effects for the film "Jurassic Park," and he has documented every game with three to six cameras and made highlight tapes for every player on the team.
Despite the gaudy statistics, Kackert didn't begin attracting attention from Division I programs until he ran the 4.39 in the 40 at a Nike combine last summer.
"He ran a 4.4 back-to-back, then did a 4.15 in the shuttle, and the next day we started getting calls from Oregon and Oregon State," Grace Brethren coach Terry Gourley said. "I get a lot of calls from colleges about him, and they all want to know: Is his size an issue? From my perspective, it's not because of his speed and the size of his heart."
Kackert has official visits lined up in January with Oregon and Nevada. He's also trying to finalize a trip to Oregon State. He could become the first player from Grace Brethren to earn a full scholarship.
Before Kackert leaves, Grace Brethren plans to retire his No. 27 jersey. And the story of the little running back who broke all the records might one day become legend at the tiny school in Simi Valley.
"There's a lot of big guys out there in football who have a lot of talent but don't have a lot of heart," Gourley said. "Sometimes I think God gives all the heart to the little guys like Chad."
By Ramona Shelburne, Staff Writer
When the legend of Chad Kackert is shared with future generations at Grace Brethren High in Simi Valley, the story will begin during the fourth week of the 2002 season, when running back Josh Matthew missed a game to attend a weekend church trip and coach Dennis Stephenson asked a 5-foot-6, 140-pound sophomore wide receiver to fill in for the week.
"That was the year that changed my life," Kackert said. "The first week I had 230 yards and three touchdowns. ... I've been playing running back ever since."
Matthew went on to have a fine season as a wide receiver. Kackert hasn't grown much since then, but he has gone on to become one of the most prolific running backs in area history.
Going into Saturday's Southern Section Div. XII championship game against Ontario Christian, the 5-foot-8, 180-pound Kackert has 3,286 rushing and 54 touchdowns this season. That is the second-best season in area history, behind Jermaine Marshall, who played for Kilpatrick of Malibu in 1999.
Kackert's 129 career touchdowns have far surpassed the previous area mark of 99, by Hart's Ted Iacenda in 1993-95. Kackert's mark is No. 2 in state history, behind the 137 scored by Lorenzo Booker of St. Bonaventure of Ventura in 1999-2001.
Kackert's story actually begins four years before that 2002 game, when his mother, Betty, finally allowed him to play football.
"They have minimum height and weight requirements, so we had to wait until he was big enough to start playing football," Betty Kackert said. "He was smaller as a little kid. We're smaller people in this family. I'm 5-1 and my husband is 5-4. ...
"But Chad had always been a good athlete. We had him in baseball, skateboarding, surfing and (judo). He's always had this fearlessness. Chad doesn't take stupid risks, but he's always been able to push it."
At the time, Kackert could barely fit into a set of football pads. He was 70 pounds and didn't hit 5-foot until eighth grade.
But he had speed. Great speed -- as a high school junior, Kackert was clocked at a blazing 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. And he had a coach, Kevin Williams, who believed in him and was willing to work with him on fundamentals.
"He taught me all the basics," Kackert said. "I was scared to death of him, but I always remember going through all the drills trying to do everything right to impress him.
"That was the only year I played running back until my sophomore year in high school."
Kackert finally had a growth spurt when he got to high school. At the time, Grace Brethren played eight-man football, but with just 100 male students at the school, Stephenson put Kackert on the varsity as a freshman.
The next season, Grace Brethren switched to 11-man football, and four weeks later, Matthew went on his church trip and Stephenson made the position change that changed Kackert's life.
Kackert rushed for 1,030 yards and 26 touchdowns that year. As a junior, he finished with 49 touchdowns, and this season he has exceeded those numbers. His father, Craig, worked in special effects for the film "Jurassic Park," and he has documented every game with three to six cameras and made highlight tapes for every player on the team.
Despite the gaudy statistics, Kackert didn't begin attracting attention from Division I programs until he ran the 4.39 in the 40 at a Nike combine last summer.
"He ran a 4.4 back-to-back, then did a 4.15 in the shuttle, and the next day we started getting calls from Oregon and Oregon State," Grace Brethren coach Terry Gourley said. "I get a lot of calls from colleges about him, and they all want to know: Is his size an issue? From my perspective, it's not because of his speed and the size of his heart."
Kackert has official visits lined up in January with Oregon and Nevada. He's also trying to finalize a trip to Oregon State. He could become the first player from Grace Brethren to earn a full scholarship.
Before Kackert leaves, Grace Brethren plans to retire his No. 27 jersey. And the story of the little running back who broke all the records might one day become legend at the tiny school in Simi Valley.
"There's a lot of big guys out there in football who have a lot of talent but don't have a lot of heart," Gourley said. "Sometimes I think God gives all the heart to the little guys like Chad."
Monday, December 06, 2004
Our Forebears Paid a Terrible Price
The current issue of Christian History & Biography magazine (Fall, 2004) carries an excellent article by Chris Armstrong and Jeff Bach entitled "A People of Conscience" which gives further background and context to our forebears, who paid a terrible price for following what they believed to be Scripture's teaching on the baptism of adults, rather than infants. Here is a small excerpt--to read the full article click here.
When the Swiss brethren instituted adult baptism, daring to separate church and civil government by declaring that the only true church was a church of gathered believers, they would of course raise the ire of the established order.
But even these first zealous Anabaptists ("re-baptizers"—the term of reproof used by their enemies) could not have foreseen the magnitude of the ensuing persecution.
The purge would start almost immediately at the hands of their teacher, Zwingli, and the Zurich city council, and by the end of the 16th century would wipe out some 2,500 of their brethren in the Low Countries—by burning, drowning (fitting, felt their persecutors, for those who insisted on baptism by immersion), and cruel tortures. . .
. . . Many of the movement's leaders, like the black-haired peasant Blaurock—called "Strong George" and a "second Paul" by followers—came from and cared for the common folk, exemplifying the Anabaptist article of faith that it is the simple and the poor in spirit, not the learned and famous, who are given the gift of understanding God's kingdom mysteries. . .
. . . In Schwarzenau on the Eder River, separatists Alexander and Anna Margareta Mack looked to Arnold's accounts of early Christians and to the New Testament for models of the church. Mennonite writings such as the Martyrs Mirror also influenced the Macks. They felt called to form a gathered church.
In August 1708, eight people went to the Eder River to receive baptism by threefold immersion in the names of the Trinity upon the confession of their faith and repentance from sin. The group also agreed to practice mutual church discipline. They observed the Lord's supper with foot washing, an agape meal ("love feast"), and the Eucharist, consisting of unleavened bread and wine.
These "New Anabaptists," or "Dunkers" were pacifists and rejected oaths. They evangelized energetically and emphasized the joy in discipleship. With their baptism in 1708 the Brethren broke with their separatist friends in Schwarzenau.
But their zeal and love was not always matched by theological or organizational acumen. A preacher would come into town, preach the message of a Bible-based, gathered church, and move on. Converts often came together to form churches on the barest framework of teachings.
When the Swiss brethren instituted adult baptism, daring to separate church and civil government by declaring that the only true church was a church of gathered believers, they would of course raise the ire of the established order.
But even these first zealous Anabaptists ("re-baptizers"—the term of reproof used by their enemies) could not have foreseen the magnitude of the ensuing persecution.
The purge would start almost immediately at the hands of their teacher, Zwingli, and the Zurich city council, and by the end of the 16th century would wipe out some 2,500 of their brethren in the Low Countries—by burning, drowning (fitting, felt their persecutors, for those who insisted on baptism by immersion), and cruel tortures. . .
. . . Many of the movement's leaders, like the black-haired peasant Blaurock—called "Strong George" and a "second Paul" by followers—came from and cared for the common folk, exemplifying the Anabaptist article of faith that it is the simple and the poor in spirit, not the learned and famous, who are given the gift of understanding God's kingdom mysteries. . .
. . . In Schwarzenau on the Eder River, separatists Alexander and Anna Margareta Mack looked to Arnold's accounts of early Christians and to the New Testament for models of the church. Mennonite writings such as the Martyrs Mirror also influenced the Macks. They felt called to form a gathered church.
In August 1708, eight people went to the Eder River to receive baptism by threefold immersion in the names of the Trinity upon the confession of their faith and repentance from sin. The group also agreed to practice mutual church discipline. They observed the Lord's supper with foot washing, an agape meal ("love feast"), and the Eucharist, consisting of unleavened bread and wine.
These "New Anabaptists," or "Dunkers" were pacifists and rejected oaths. They evangelized energetically and emphasized the joy in discipleship. With their baptism in 1708 the Brethren broke with their separatist friends in Schwarzenau.
But their zeal and love was not always matched by theological or organizational acumen. A preacher would come into town, preach the message of a Bible-based, gathered church, and move on. Converts often came together to form churches on the barest framework of teachings.
2005 FGBC Directory Now Available
The new 212-page handbook listing all Grace Brethren churches, pastors, national organizations and other pertinent information is now available. New features this year include a "Ministry Index" listing personnel by position type, and a 47-week prayer calendar. The directories are produced by Tom Avey in the Fellowship Coordinator's office. Churches and pastors will automatically receive copies, and additional directories may be obtained for $6 each (plus shipping and handling) from CENational by e-mailing CENational@cenational.org or by calling Peggy at (574) 267-6622.
'60 Minutes' to Feature Christian Artists
Evangelical Christian music's impact on mainstream media will be the focus of a piece Wednesday on '60 Minutes,' the CBS primetime news magazine. Correspondent Bob Simon will report on Christian artists' crossover appeal and how Christian entertainment now brings in $4 billion a year.
The program is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. EST. Simon talks to top Christian rock groups Third Day and P.O.D., and mainstream rap star Kanye West. The CBS News site (www.cbsnews.com) features free videos of artists featured on the Wednesday program.
The program is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. EST. Simon talks to top Christian rock groups Third Day and P.O.D., and mainstream rap star Kanye West. The CBS News site (www.cbsnews.com) features free videos of artists featured on the Wednesday program.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Grace Musicians Present 'Light of His Coming'
"The Light of His Coming," Grace College's annual Christmas concert, took place Friday evening at Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake, IN. Participating groups included the Grace Brass, Chamber Singers and Chamber Ensemble, and the women's vocal ensemble "Cantate!" (Al Disbro photo)
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Gingerbread and Carols Kick Off Season in Winona
Decorate-your-own gingerbread house was a popular event as dozens of families kicked off the holiday season at the Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake today with the Winona Holiday Festival, sponsored by the Village at Winona.
Carolers on the porches of Park Avenue businesses in the Village at Winona ushered in the season in today's "Winona Holiday Festival" in Winona Lake, Indiana.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Ted Ruiz Reports on Typhoon Damage
Four typhoons over a span of three weeks have wreaked havoc in at least five regions in the Philippines, sources report. As of Dec. 2, the number of people dead or missing in flash floods and landslides has reached nearly a thousand, while thousands more have been rendered homeless.
More than 160,000 people fled to high ground or crowded into schools and town halls Thursday as the latest typhoon, Nanmadol, battered the eastern Philippines, where rescuers are still struggling to find scores of missing from an earlier storm that killed more than 420 people, the Associated Press reported.
Earlier this week, the fury of three typhoons caused massive and widespread mudslides and flash floods, turning entire provinces facing the Pacific Ocean into a sea of mud littered with bodies, uprooted trees, collapsed homes and bridges. According to the New York Times, the military confirmed 492 fatalities, most of them from only three coastal towns in the eastern province of Quezon. Agence France-Presse reported about 400 others missing.
Ted Ruiz, GBIM missionary in the Philippines, has sent the following update to Wayne Hannah in the GBIM office:
1) Four typhoons came through our area in last three weeks. Manila was not hit hard, but the homes of the believers in Bicol were badly damaged. I went last Monday to check up on them. All are safe. Some relief help is on the way.
2) Some of the phones in our area have been down for two weeks and will be inoperable for a couple more, thus our email is not working again. However, a neighbor has been gracious enough to allow us to make phone calls and download /send emails, so we do have some communication with the outside world. Explanation for phone failures--someone stole the wiring of the underground phone cables. It'll take weeks to repair.
Further updates are also expected from missionary Clay Hulett.
More than 160,000 people fled to high ground or crowded into schools and town halls Thursday as the latest typhoon, Nanmadol, battered the eastern Philippines, where rescuers are still struggling to find scores of missing from an earlier storm that killed more than 420 people, the Associated Press reported.
Earlier this week, the fury of three typhoons caused massive and widespread mudslides and flash floods, turning entire provinces facing the Pacific Ocean into a sea of mud littered with bodies, uprooted trees, collapsed homes and bridges. According to the New York Times, the military confirmed 492 fatalities, most of them from only three coastal towns in the eastern province of Quezon. Agence France-Presse reported about 400 others missing.
Ted Ruiz, GBIM missionary in the Philippines, has sent the following update to Wayne Hannah in the GBIM office:
1) Four typhoons came through our area in last three weeks. Manila was not hit hard, but the homes of the believers in Bicol were badly damaged. I went last Monday to check up on them. All are safe. Some relief help is on the way.
2) Some of the phones in our area have been down for two weeks and will be inoperable for a couple more, thus our email is not working again. However, a neighbor has been gracious enough to allow us to make phone calls and download /send emails, so we do have some communication with the outside world. Explanation for phone failures--someone stole the wiring of the underground phone cables. It'll take weeks to repair.
Further updates are also expected from missionary Clay Hulett.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
World Magazine: "The Year of the Blog"
World Magazine, along with other sources, is calling 2004 "The Year of the Blog" because of the meteoric rise of this form of communication and its impact on public life. At least four Grace Brethren blogs (Tom Avey, Brian Orme, Ivanildo Trindade, BMH Editor's Blog) are accessible through FGBC's website, (click "short cuts") and there is vigorous blogging activity among Brethren teens on Xanga.com and other places.
The World article, which features born-again news commentator Hugh Hewitt, announces a new book on blogging by Hewitt to appear next month. Here is a short excerpt--read the whole article by clicking here.
Today's blogs are typically websites operated by an individual or a group with frequent postings throughout the day. Though some blogs are essentially personal notebooks or diaries open for the world to see, the more influential blogs post commentary and opinion with clickable links to information about the topic being discussed. New entries pile up on top of older entries, so visitors to the site have to scroll down to read what has been posted earlier.
But perhaps the most important feature of blogs is that they are interactive. That is, readers can post comments, responding to what the blogger says with discussion and information of their own. It was not the Powerline bloggers but a reader who first showed in September why Dan Rather's documents about President Bush's National Guard service were probably bogus. Soon, with the blogs linked together as they are, thousands of amateur detectives were on the case. Experts on typewriters and computer fonts posted their comments, exact duplicates of the memos were generated on personal computers, and soon the case for forgery was made.
The CBS executive who sniffed that a blogger in his pajamas was not to be compared to a professional news organization with its fact-checking resources was missing the point. Bloggers do not work in isolation. What the technology makes possible is the marshaling of thousands of fact-checkers. Blogs have created a whole new atmosphere of information, which has become linked together, harder to hide, and available to everyone with a computer.
Mr. Hewitt calls this "open-source journalism," in which an elite journalism establishment no longer has the monopoly on news and analysis, readers can collaborate with writers, and a free market of ideas and information can emerge.
In his new book Blog, due out in January, Mr. Hewitt traces the short but ground-shaking history of the blogosphere. He identifies four key stories that marked the clout of blogs over the mainstream media.
The World article, which features born-again news commentator Hugh Hewitt, announces a new book on blogging by Hewitt to appear next month. Here is a short excerpt--read the whole article by clicking here.
Today's blogs are typically websites operated by an individual or a group with frequent postings throughout the day. Though some blogs are essentially personal notebooks or diaries open for the world to see, the more influential blogs post commentary and opinion with clickable links to information about the topic being discussed. New entries pile up on top of older entries, so visitors to the site have to scroll down to read what has been posted earlier.
But perhaps the most important feature of blogs is that they are interactive. That is, readers can post comments, responding to what the blogger says with discussion and information of their own. It was not the Powerline bloggers but a reader who first showed in September why Dan Rather's documents about President Bush's National Guard service were probably bogus. Soon, with the blogs linked together as they are, thousands of amateur detectives were on the case. Experts on typewriters and computer fonts posted their comments, exact duplicates of the memos were generated on personal computers, and soon the case for forgery was made.
The CBS executive who sniffed that a blogger in his pajamas was not to be compared to a professional news organization with its fact-checking resources was missing the point. Bloggers do not work in isolation. What the technology makes possible is the marshaling of thousands of fact-checkers. Blogs have created a whole new atmosphere of information, which has become linked together, harder to hide, and available to everyone with a computer.
Mr. Hewitt calls this "open-source journalism," in which an elite journalism establishment no longer has the monopoly on news and analysis, readers can collaborate with writers, and a free market of ideas and information can emerge.
In his new book Blog, due out in January, Mr. Hewitt traces the short but ground-shaking history of the blogosphere. He identifies four key stories that marked the clout of blogs over the mainstream media.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Pacific Halibut a Hit at Simi Valley
The following story appeared in today’s Ventura (CA) County Star newspaper, featuring Tom Bohn, whose Pacific halibut, the writer says, “has been requested at many receptions in his church, Grace Brethren in Simi Valley.” Read it and drool!
His coolest dish is freshly caught fish
By Eva Smythe, CorrespondentDecember 1, 2004
Name: Tom Bohn.
City: Simi Valley.
Specialty: Seafood.
Secret: Fresh ingredients.
On the spot: Tom Bohn didn't like seafood when he was growing up but, soon after, he discovered that fresh fish, when cooked well, can be an enjoyable experience. For years he worked for the Los Angeles City Building and Safety Department, but now Bohn is retired and spends his days fishing, then developing interesting recipes for his catches, ranging from tuna to halibut. However, it is his excursions to Alaska and the salmon he brings back that earns him the most acclaim. Bohn recalls once arriving home at 2 a.m. from Alaska, marinating some salmon in a large ice chest, carting it to a family reunion the next day and cooking it on the spot. "My niece who doesn't like fish ate three helpings," he said.
Exotic locales: Bohn has attended seminars on fishing and hones his craft on fishing boats from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. He became enamored with the large varieties of fish in those waters and has piloted many fishing excursions to those locales. His Pacific halibut has been requested at many receptions at his church, Grace Brethren in Simi Valley. His recipe features a delicate blend of butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, capers, carrots, parsley, basil, oregano, sugar, bay leaf, chicken broth, tomatoes and red-wine vinegar. It's well worth the work, he said, because "I love the enjoyment of seeing people eat my seafood."
Family affair: There is nothing finer than those occasions when his family cooks together. Cooking alongside his wife Barbara and four sons, Tim, Dan, Randy and James, is always a special treat. Better still is when the grandkids, Jana, Lindsey, Taylor, Zachary and Noah, enjoy the family-prepared seafood.
Lemon Peppered Salmon
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 or 3 dried bay leaves
1 teaspoon crushed whole allspice
21/2 pounds salmon fillets, 1 to 11/2-inches thick (with or without skin)
About 1/3 cup mixed peppercorns (black, white, pink and green)
About 1 cup wood chips (hickory, apple etc.)
1 tablespoon honey
2 or 3 thin red onion rings
Dill, basil sprigs or fennel for garnish
Thin lemon wheels
1 tablespoon honey
In a 11/2-quart pan, bring 11/2 cups water, sugar, salt, ginger, bay leaves and allspice to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Rinse salmon fillet, pat dry, and lay flat (skin down) in a rimmed 12-x-15-inch container. Pour sugar-salt mixture over the salmon. Cover and chill, marinating the fish for 4 or up to 24 hours, occasionally spooning the brine mixture over the fish.
Add peppercorns to enough hot water to make them float off the bottom and soak for 15 minutes. Put wood chips in enough warm water to make them float.
Soak at least 15 minutes.
Drain the fish and discard the brine. Rinse the fish with cool water and pat dry. Set the fish, skin side down, on foil, cut to the shape of the fish.
Sprinkle honey over top of the fish and rub evenly. Drain the peppercorns and pat evenly onto fish in sticky honey.
Drain the wood chips and put in a foil "pan" and put under the grill (right on the coals is OK). Cover barbecue and heat on high until chips start to smolder (10 minutes). Place salmon on barbecue, turn temperature down to low (or low heat).
Add more wood chips if desired to maintain a steady stream of smoke. Cook until thermometer inserted in the fish reads 140 degrees in the thickest part, or the fish flakes easily (approximately 25 to 35 minutes, depending on your heat and on thickness). Add lemon wheels and onion during the last five minutes. Using wide spatula, slide fillet with foil onto a platter; garnish with dill or fennel.
His coolest dish is freshly caught fish
By Eva Smythe, CorrespondentDecember 1, 2004
Name: Tom Bohn.
City: Simi Valley.
Specialty: Seafood.
Secret: Fresh ingredients.
On the spot: Tom Bohn didn't like seafood when he was growing up but, soon after, he discovered that fresh fish, when cooked well, can be an enjoyable experience. For years he worked for the Los Angeles City Building and Safety Department, but now Bohn is retired and spends his days fishing, then developing interesting recipes for his catches, ranging from tuna to halibut. However, it is his excursions to Alaska and the salmon he brings back that earns him the most acclaim. Bohn recalls once arriving home at 2 a.m. from Alaska, marinating some salmon in a large ice chest, carting it to a family reunion the next day and cooking it on the spot. "My niece who doesn't like fish ate three helpings," he said.
Exotic locales: Bohn has attended seminars on fishing and hones his craft on fishing boats from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas. He became enamored with the large varieties of fish in those waters and has piloted many fishing excursions to those locales. His Pacific halibut has been requested at many receptions at his church, Grace Brethren in Simi Valley. His recipe features a delicate blend of butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, capers, carrots, parsley, basil, oregano, sugar, bay leaf, chicken broth, tomatoes and red-wine vinegar. It's well worth the work, he said, because "I love the enjoyment of seeing people eat my seafood."
Family affair: There is nothing finer than those occasions when his family cooks together. Cooking alongside his wife Barbara and four sons, Tim, Dan, Randy and James, is always a special treat. Better still is when the grandkids, Jana, Lindsey, Taylor, Zachary and Noah, enjoy the family-prepared seafood.
Lemon Peppered Salmon
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 or 3 dried bay leaves
1 teaspoon crushed whole allspice
21/2 pounds salmon fillets, 1 to 11/2-inches thick (with or without skin)
About 1/3 cup mixed peppercorns (black, white, pink and green)
About 1 cup wood chips (hickory, apple etc.)
1 tablespoon honey
2 or 3 thin red onion rings
Dill, basil sprigs or fennel for garnish
Thin lemon wheels
1 tablespoon honey
In a 11/2-quart pan, bring 11/2 cups water, sugar, salt, ginger, bay leaves and allspice to a boil. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Rinse salmon fillet, pat dry, and lay flat (skin down) in a rimmed 12-x-15-inch container. Pour sugar-salt mixture over the salmon. Cover and chill, marinating the fish for 4 or up to 24 hours, occasionally spooning the brine mixture over the fish.
Add peppercorns to enough hot water to make them float off the bottom and soak for 15 minutes. Put wood chips in enough warm water to make them float.
Soak at least 15 minutes.
Drain the fish and discard the brine. Rinse the fish with cool water and pat dry. Set the fish, skin side down, on foil, cut to the shape of the fish.
Sprinkle honey over top of the fish and rub evenly. Drain the peppercorns and pat evenly onto fish in sticky honey.
Drain the wood chips and put in a foil "pan" and put under the grill (right on the coals is OK). Cover barbecue and heat on high until chips start to smolder (10 minutes). Place salmon on barbecue, turn temperature down to low (or low heat).
Add more wood chips if desired to maintain a steady stream of smoke. Cook until thermometer inserted in the fish reads 140 degrees in the thickest part, or the fish flakes easily (approximately 25 to 35 minutes, depending on your heat and on thickness). Add lemon wheels and onion during the last five minutes. Using wide spatula, slide fillet with foil onto a platter; garnish with dill or fennel.
