BMH Editor's Blog

Jason and Doni Weimer and their family (shown here earlier this year addressing the Iowa District Conference) leave Minneapolis-St. Paul airport for the Philippines, where they will have an extended ministry in church-planting and where Doni will teach in a Christian academy. The Weimers are from the Grace Brethren Church of Waterloo, Iowa--prayers are requested for their safe travel, for their acculturation, and for their effective ministry while in the Philippines. 

Pastor Mike Jentes of thequest in Columbus, OH, was one of seven young pastors who planned and implemented the recent DRIVEN conference for approximately 100 young Twenty-Somethings. Here is his wrapup report, which capsulizes well the week and its activities. (pictured, Ezra Wimberly, left, leads worship with the Norton North team)

DRIVEN wrap
www.driven05.org
By Mike Jentes

More than one hundred Grace Brethren people gathered at Kenyon College in Gambier, OH for the first young adult conference in the FGBC from June 15-18, 2005. DRIVEN, as the conference was called, had a theme of Engage, Accelerate and Incarnate.

The three-day conference had an evening and morning session emphasizing these three components along with a variety of other opportunities.

Wednesday night kicked off the conference and started the Engage portion. An introductory plenary session with worship where the seven young men who provided the leadership for DRIVEN each got to share their heart about the theme and their passion for DRIVEN.

Then the conference was encouraged to partake in a variety of “experiential” worship expressions—varying from time alone with God to a recreation of a medieval prayer labyrinth. A late night “coffee talk” gathered people to converse with missionary Barb Wooler about “Your Wildest Dreams are Too Small.”

Thursday morning, after breakfast, started with a slate of workshops covering a variety of topics from “Societies Lies about Women,” to “How to get a Book Published,” to “HIV/AIDS, Africa & Orphans,” to “What is Truth?”

The morning main session was headlined by Dr. David Hoffeditz, Professor of Bible at Cedarville University, as he spoke about “Rules for Successful Engagement” from the story of Hannah in Luke 2. Roundtable discussions about the main session followed during the lunch time frame.

The afternoon time frames each day were free for people to mingle, chat, nap, or play some organized sports. The late afternoons had another spread of workshops available. After Supper the evening held another main session.

On Thursday evening, the “Accelerate” theme was launched with main speaker Jeff Bogue from the North Campus of Grace Church (Akron, OH). Jeff delivered a powerful message of running with abandon toward Jesus including a challenge around singleness and marriage from 1 Corinthians chapter 7.

A very meaningful time in round table discussions carried on into the night. A couple of late night options were a “coffee talk” with Dr. Tim Boal about “What does it mean to be called?” and an open mic/poetry reading time led by John Shirk from the Urban Encounter team in Chicago.

Friday morning continued the “Accelerate” theme during the main session as Neil Cole of Church Multiplication Associates laid forth a challenge to live the adventure of the Christian life and start a movement from 2 Timothy 2:2.

The musical worship for the week was outstanding. Ezra Wimberly and a team from Grace Church and recording artist Marc Andre served to catalyze the music during the main sessions. Prior to and after the main sessions, Chi-town DJ Sasha spun some records to set a fun tone. A sprinkling of video testimonies and punchy clips found themselves in each main session as done by Kate Ward and DRAW productions. In addition there were a couple of late night concerts from grassroots artists.

A huge highlight for the conference was communion was celebrated Friday evening. A short gathering and explanation about Communion and the Love Feast was followed by one of the most special meals of the weekend—starring prime rib as the main entrée.

After a sweet time of feasting the conference moved outside for some instruction and participation in foot washing. Then the body walked together to the civil-war era chapel to reflect and partake of the bread and cup. Communion was a beautiful and moving time of fellowship with Jesus and those gathered.

The Friday evening session speaker was Neil Cole again as he introduced the theme of Incarnate. Central to his teaching was the powerful picture of Jesus as presented in Philippians 2 and that God’s Kingdom is Inside-Out and Upside-Down.

The “coffee talk” late night on Friday saw Dave Guiles (Grace Brethren International Missions) and Kurt Miller of (Grace Brethren North American Missions) share their observations about the State of the World.

DRIVEN ended late Saturday morning. The farewell address was about James Gribble, pioneer missionary to the Central African Republic, as presented by Dave Guiles. Gribble’s life brought out the call from John 12:24 “…unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” This send off was a great conclusion to a stellar conference.

If you missed it, you missed it. It was a fabulous time all the way around. Stay tuned for details about DRIVEN in 2006.
 

Steve Makofka, pastor of the Centerville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, sends along the following endorsement for some thoughtful summer reading:

I just finished reading Marilynne Robinson’s novel “Gilead,” and I'm recommending that every Grace Brethren pastor take a little time this summer to soak in this high-quality work of inspiring fiction. Its recent recognition with a Pulitzer Prize marks it as a book of distinction. Its strong religious themes will resonate with every pastor, especially older ones looking back to make some honest evaluations of a lifetime of ministry.

Grace Brethren pastors also have an historical context for evaluating the abolitionist and pacifist themes in the book. The early Brethren were sympathetic with the Quakers on the issue of slavery, Christopher Sower having done some printing for them on the evils of slavery as early as 1760. Yet they did not embrace the militancy of the abolitionists leading up to the Civil War.

In the book, John Ames, the son and grandson of ministers, leads a small congregation in the same town all of his life. In 1956, at age 76, he takes to writing a letter to his young son, passing on to him insights he will not live to share with the child as he grows up. He revels in the simple joys of small town and small church ministry. He laments his own mistakes and shortcomings. He has insights into life that make me envious of a fictitious character.

One of my favorite sections is where the the reverend is asked a question about the doctrine of predestination and whether or not folks are predestined to hell as well as to heaven. The reverend responds with irritation, tired of the futility of speculative theological arguing. Only later does he realize the person asking the question was looking for some hope for their own redemption. I've made that ministerial mistake once or twice myself.

I'm interested to hear others’ thoughts on the book.

http://suntimes.com/output/books/sho-sunday-robinson14.html


 

It's Vacation Bible School time of year again! At Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church, registration for the "Ramblin' Road Trip" VBS started Sunday afternoon and VBS continues each morning through Thursday. Statistics show that MANY long-time church leaders first committed their lives to Christ through VBS programs. 

A hot-dog feed in the parking lot helped increase the attraction for VBS registration. Here Mark McCollum (left) and Bob Jackson serve up the tube steaks. 

Dave Guiles, (center, rear of photo), executive director of Grace Brethren International Missions, sent along the following update on June 25 (his birthday) regarding the current ACTS in AFRICA training sessions with African Grace Brethren church leaders being held at the Chateau St. Albain in France. Here is an excerpt from his report:

Twelve key leaders representing Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic are here with Tom Julien (outer left) Mike Taylor (outer right of photo), Tom Peters, Greg Burgess (translator) and myself for two weeks of intensive conceptual training.

The attendance of the Cameroonians seemed doubtful last week. But many
prayed, God answered and visas were granted in time. Our first week was
dedicated to understanding the agricultural metaphors of Scripture and how
they should guide our work in evangelism and discipleship.

Afternoons were spent contextualizing the content for the unique challenges and opportunities of each country. Friday featured a Day with God and concluded with communion.

This weekend we are taking a break, and Sunday the men will visit Grace Brethren Churches in the region. Next week we'll tackle the construction metaphor, as well as body, shepherd and temple.

After looking at how the apostles used these word pictures to guide church planting in the New Testament, the men will wrestle with the implications of these truths for their own ministry context. Things wrap up on Friday.

Please join us in prayer that God will continue to work. So far, some
relationships have been restored, several have renewed their commit to
Christ and the spirit is very positive. Yet much work remains to be done!

More information is available at www.gbim.org and at www.womenofcharis.net.
 

Rich and Reida Bartley, whose inner-city mission to Cleveland, OH, reaches out creatively to urban residents, recently reported with enthusiasm on some positive events and outreach contacts from their ministry. Here is an excerpt from Rich’s report—learn more at www.villagegrace.org.

We found out about a church that was closing its doors. The pastor called and said he had some "stuff" to sell. We went over, and he had 120 stackable chairs, flowers, screen, Peavey speakers, Fender speakers, 16-channel sound board, amp, EQ, digital delay, flags, podium, CD players, DVD players, TV's, etc. He wanted almost $6,000 for it.

We prayed--he prayed--God sent us some unexpected checks and we now own a complete sound system and stackable chairs for the sanctuary. We only paid $2,000 for everything! Sounds to good to be true. God is sooooo good! AMEN!

The last two weeks we have had youth groups staying at the center. The service projects the youth have done in the neighborhood and within the city of Cleveland have opened a lot of eyes. We have gotten "Thank You's" from the neighbors and organizations that they helped. (Cleveland Food Bank, Pregnancy Center, Slavic Village Development, Ward 12 and 13 Councilman, City of Cleveland and the Western Reserve Fire Museum) This last Tuesday the kids painted all the playground equipment in the small park near the church!

Last Thursday the youth had a Kid's Night at the center. We cooked over 75 hot dogs and went through 40 pounds of ice for sno cones! (blueberry is best!) There were almost 40 children from the neighborhood playing and talking with the youth group. Many seeds were planted and hopefully the children will start to come around more often.

This week the teen group did surveys of the neighborhood asking what the Mission Center could do for the neighborhood. They painted the sanctuary and moved out all the pews and stacked 120 new chairs. On Thursday they had a small carnival at the center with 10 game stations, five craft stations, free hot dogs and free sno cones.

I was totally shocked--we had more than 150 parents and children show up and participate! We had four women ask to be included in a Bible study and two men. Three parents asked if we could provide piano lessons. We were able to give out four Bibles and at least 20 promises of children attending VBS.

The hard work of building relationships is paying off and children and adults are hearing the Gospel message. Two children accepted Christ last night and an adult came within two words of doing the same. We also had eight promises of attending church service when it starts.

We are asking your prayers for the following:

1. The Mission Center's continued success

2. More volunteers to help handle the sudden surge of promises and to be able to start new children’s programs to teach about Jesus and keep them off the streets

3. For giving hearts - the gifts to the Mission Center have fallen over 60% this year so far. We are operating on the proverbial "shoestring." The last two weeks have depleted most of our reserve supplies (Cups, plates, sno cone syrup, straws, spoons, hot dogs, mustard, catsup, small game prizes, etc.) Our main HP printer went south this week - prints great red but no blue and yellow. We lost one of the computers to an unknown virus. An office computer rejected both CD drives.

4. Pray especially for the community meal that is Saturday at 6:30PM. It will be the first time we will be trying to feed the neighborhood. We have the sanctuary set up for 75 people. If this meal goes well we can do this again the last Saturday of every month.

We love and thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support of a much-needed ministry. 

Grace College and Seminary alumnus Dane Bailey, originally from the Bethel Grace Brethren Church in Berne, IN, is featured in today's Section C of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette newspaper as the "Singing Auctioneer." (Journal Gazette photo by Dean Musser, Jr.)

Here is an excerpt--to read the entire article, click here. Bailey's website is www.singingauctioneer.com.

Singing for God

Local auctioneer uses song to deliver gospel message

By Nancy Vendrely

The Journal Gazette


Dane Bailey has created an unusual musical niche.

He calls himself “The Singing Auctioneer,” but the image that title conveys isn’t the whole story.

He sings and, yes, he is an auctioneer, but the main thrust of his music is ministry. Along with singing Southern gospel songs, Bailey imparts his devotion to God and to his lifelong faith.

“In a church service or that type of setting, I segue, song to song, from a ministry standpoint. … I wholeheartedly believe and work to live that testimony,” Bailey says. “As a Christian, it’s who I am.”

His repertoire also includes secular songs for engagements at places such as festivals, conferences and conventions, but he says, “I work real hard to find music that doesn’t compromise who I am.”
 

# posted by Terry White @ 9:46 AM 0 comments

The spelling may be faulty, but the music is not! This evening opened the month-long MasterWorks Festival with a 115-piece orchestral concert led by New Zealander Andrew Sewell at the podium. The festival continues through mid-July in Winona Lake, IN. Details may be found at www.christianperformingart.org. 

The first piece of this evening's concert was a chamber orchestra playing Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 with a violinist and two flutes as soloist. Then the full orchestra joined for a thunderous rendition of Smetana's "The Moldau" and concluded with Dvorak's "New World Symphony." Tomorrow evening the Dvorak will repeat, and the feature will be a John Williams Concerto for Tuba. The free orchestra concerts are held 7:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, and faculty recitals are Sundays at 7:30--all in Rodeheaver Auditorium. 

The July/August 2005 issue of FGBC World is now arriving in churches and homes. Here are several paragraphs you may use in your church bulletin, newsletter, website or blog to call attention to it over the next several weeks. Use one a week for maximum effectiveness.


Europeans are notoriously hard to reach with the gospel. Read about a brilliant new strategy to find spiritually-sensitive young Europeans in the July/August issue of FGBC World, now available at the church building or online at www.fgbcworld.com. You’ll also read about Equip05, the upcoming national conference, the 50th anniversary of the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, and much more. Pick up your copy today!


What happens when your mate dies? Can you continue in ministry? Read about a unique couple who did—under most unusual circumstances. This and other great stories are in the July/August issue of FGBC World, the publication of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, now available at the church building and online at www.fgbcworld.com. And be sure to check the “Editor’s Blog” online for daily updates on Grace Brethren people and churches around the world!


National Conference is coming, July 31-August 5 in Winona Lake, IN. Read about the annual gathering of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. There will be educational courses, historical tours, inspiring speakers, national organization business meetings, Open Houses, free barbecue dinners, an old-fashioned hymnsing and much more. Read about it in the new issue of FGBC World which has just arrived. Or read it online at www.fgbcworld.com (check Editor’s Blog for daily updates).


BMH Books, the publishing house of our Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, has just released several exciting new products. Read about the new Gospel of Mark commentary by Dr. Homer A. Kent, Jr.; a witnessing how-to entitled “How to Start a Kingdom Conversation” by a dentist in our Columbus, OH, church; and read the thrilling stories of 13 “Heroes Who Live On” from the earlier days of the Fellowship. It’s all in the new FGBC World, now available at the church building or online at www.fgbcworld.com. And if you’re reading online, daily updates are available on the “Editor’s Blog.” Get your copy today, or log on to get the latest.
 

...and we've got bluegills. But after Minnesota fishing, this is no great thrill! 

Tomorrow is Chad's 11th birthday (June 24) and he came back from Minneapolis with his grandparents to spend a week at Winona Lake. Here's our annual fishing photo at Heritage Lake -- we've got largemouth bass.... 

Jim Hocking, whose organization in the Central African Republic is currently hosting a team from Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church, sends along the following update and list of prayer requests:

God has truly been blessing the work of the drill team. They have completed three wells in four days and are today completing the fourth well. Pray that they will be able in the next two weeks to complete the 12 wells that we would like to have done before Joel and I head back to the USA. This would really help with our standing with US AID.

On the way to Berberati we stopped and spent some time watching the well repair team work. They were working on two different types of wells and it was good for us to see them struggling with some difficult problems with these well pumps. They have over 30 villages to visit in the next three weeks. Pray for safety for this team as well as wisdom as they try and help people understand the necessity of maintenance on these hand and foot pumps.

As I write from Berberati, CAR the team is in Bangui and putting up the last of the trusses in the capital city at our Mercy Care Center. We now have all the roofing there and the roof should be on the building by the end of this week.

Please be praying for good weather as we continue to work on this project. We are in the rainy season and it is very possible that it could rain every day and severely hamper the progress of this work. Also please be praying for safety for the team as they continue to work there with the nationals. It has been fun to see the boys building relationships with both the workers and the neighborhood young people. A new soccer ball has been a tremendous hit!

God is blessing and we are seeing great advances on a number of fronts. The last three days Nancy Zellner has been able to see over 55 kids and evaluate their health needs. Pray that she will continue to have strength as she works with Dieudonne in meeting some of the health needs of the children here in the CAR in our Orphan Care Program.
 

The July/August, 2005 issue of FGBC World, the bi-monthly publication of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, is now posted and available online at www.fgbcworld.com. The paper edition of the paper should arrive in homes and churches around July 1.

The lead stories for the current issue include the Norm Johnson/Ann Nichols marriage after each had lost a mate; a feature on the Pilgrim's Fountain and the creative strategy to reach spiritual seekers in northwest Spain and Europe; and a review of the Equip05 activities in addition to the educational courses offered.

Each issue contains much more--a Grace Brethren Almanac, a calendar of upcoming events of general interest in the Fellowship, an historical article every issue (L.S. Bauman feature this issue), announcement of new BMH Book products, an article stating the clear plan of salvation, and much more.

The paper is available free to anyone requesting it (click "subscribe" on the website). In addition, the fgbcworld.com site features current job openings in Grace Brethren churches and organizations, a church locator to find a Brethren church anywhere in the US, and a link to this daily "Editor's Blog" with updates on Grace Brethren people and churches and events of general interest to the Christian conservative community.

One of the great programs of CE National is Operation Barnabas, which each summer sends teams of young people around the US (and overseas) to be of assistance and encouragement to Grace Brethren churches and people. Bus transportation is key to the trips, and the following note from Scott Distler, pastor of the Lititz (PA) Grace Brethren Church, gives the heartening news of how his church helped OB obtain more dependable transportation. This is excerpted from Pastor Distler's e-mail update to his congregation:

"I cannot express to you in words what it meant to me to see our church respond in such a big way to my challenge regarding providing a newer bus for the ministry of Operation Barnabas.

Two of the three busses they are using now are 20 years old and at least one of them has well over 200,000 miles on the engine. The cost of a newer bus is $17,500 of which CE National had been given a $3,000 grant.

I challenged our church Sunday to meet this $14,500 difference in a special offering at the end of both services. I am happy to announce that the total that came in for this offering was $12,264.29. One gentleman from our church told me on the way out of the service to call him today and that anything that we were short he would see was provided. WOW!

I continue to be amazed at how Grace Church responds to the ministry challenges that are laid before it. I believe that God will greatly bless us we bless such fruitful ministries such as Operation Barnabas and CE National."

More information about CE National and Operation Barnabas may be obtained by clicking here.

This week's institutional update from the Grace College campus shares the good news that a number of young people attending Lancer Soccer Camps have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Soccer coach Roy Danielian said, on June 14, "The Lord really blessed today as soccer staff saw 20-plus kids raise their hands saying that they received Christ this morning at Lancer Soccer Camp. Many thanks go to former Lancer Peter Lucht, who was available to be used by God to speak to the kids today."

Others who shared messages last week at the soccer camp included Charles Pridgen (seminary student), Jim Bowling, Jon Yeh, and Jim Kessler. Prayers are encouraged for the ongoing camps and staff as they have opportunity to teach skills and to share Christ.

John and Ruth Gillis--John has pastored Grace Brethren churches in a number of locations--recently were highlighted for their 50th wedding anniversary in the Alaska Star newspaper. Here is an excerpt:

Former Eagle River residents John and Ruth Gillis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 11. They were married June 11, 1955, at the Grace Brethren Church of North Long Beach, Calif.

They have three children: Erin Kathleen Kelley of Eagle River, Eldred John Gillis III of Yucaipa, Calif., and Kelly Maureen Whitacre of Winchester, Va. They also have eight grandchildren: Caleb, Luke, Nancy, and Katie Kelley, Eldred John IV and James Gillis, and Julia Mae and Gregg Whitacre.

The Gillis' lived in Eagle River for 17 years before retiring and moving to Grove Hill, Ala. John Gillis had served as pastor at Greatland Grace Brethren Church in Anchorage and Ruth was secretary at the Federal Bureau of Investigation prior to retirement.

Friends and family throughout the United States submitted pictures and reminiscences for their anniversary album. There was a celebration at Friendship Baptist Church in Vineland, Ala., where Pastor Gillis is serving as interim pastor.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, June 16, 2005.
 

Following the Love Feast this evening, participants in the DRIVEN conference in Gambier, Ohio, gathered on the lawn beneath the Kenyon College dining hall for an outdoor footwashing service. Mike Mason of thequest church in Columbus (standing on chair, at right) read scripture and made comments to prepare hearts for the experience. The conference, which includes about 100 people ages 19-29 from a variety of Grace Brethren churches, began Wednesday evening and concludes Saturday noon. 

Following the example of Jesus, a footwashing service was held following the Love Feast. Footwashing is part of the historic Grace Brethren communion service, based on John 13. 

Following the footwashing service, the bread and cup portion of communion were observed in a solemn ceremony in the historic Holy Spirit Chapel on the Kenyon College campus. California-based church planter Neil Cole was the speaker for the morning and for the 8 p.m. evening session. The conference concludes Saturday morning with an address by Dave Guiles, executive director of Grace Brethren International Missions. 

The following excerpt is from an article in today's Warsaw (IN) Times-Union newspaper:

National Public Radio will host its show “From The Top” at Rodeheaver Auditorium, Winona Lake, Saturday.

“We’re very excited to be part of this event. It should be a great experience for all those who can attend,” Brent Wilcoxson, Winona Restoration manager, said.

The radio show features live musicians under the age of 18 performing classical music. An estimated 350,000 people will be tuning in to listen to the national broadcast. Tickets are available through WBNI Public Radio.

Directed noontime Round Table discussions, with designated leaders and suggested discussion questions, helped DRIVEN attendees get to know each other better, and to focus on the subjects of "Engage," "Accelerate," and "Incarnate." The conference concludes at noon on Saturday.  

A wild game of "Ultimate Frisbee" was one of the Thursday afternoon recreation options at the DRIVEN conference for Twenty-Somethings on the Kenyon College campus in Gambier, Ohio. 

Pastor Steve Edmonds of the Grace Brethren Church in Columbus, Ohio, was one of the Thursday afternoon presenters at DRIVEN, giving a workshop on "Achieving Intimacy in Relationships." 

Neil Cole, Grace Brethren pastor and church-planting expert, taught a Thursday-afternoon seminar on "Organic Church Movements" at the DRIVEN conference. 

DRIVEN, the national Grace Brethren conference for Twenty-Somethings got underway this evening on the campus of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio with Ezra Wimberly (pictured) and his team from the Norton, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church North Campus leading worship. Tomorrow is a full day of workshops and activities, with main speakers Dr. David Hoffeditz of Cedarville University and Jeff Bogue, pastor of Norton North.  

The following is excerpted from an article in a Calvert County, Maryland, newspaper from this morning:

Owings Girl Wins Congressional Arts Competition
Congressional Arts Competition Veronica Loveless from Calvert County

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) congratulated Veronica Loveless today as the winner of the 5th Congressional District High School Congressional Arts Competition. Loveless visited the Capitol today to meet with Congressman Hoyer and she participated in events on Capitol Hill to recognize the talented young artists who won similar competitions in other Congressional districts. Veronica Loveless, 16, just completed her junior year at Grace Brethren Christian School.

"I am very proud of Veronica, an outstanding and talented individual," said Congressman Hoyer. "We are fortunate to have a gifted and promising artist like Veronica in the 5th Congressional District of Maryland. In fact, we had a tremendous turnout this year, with 14 of our talented young people entering this competition, and I hope they are as proud of their work as I am. The judges had a very difficult time selecting a single winner from all these excellent entrants."

The Congressional Arts Competition provides Members of Congress with the opportunity to showcase the artistic talent of high school students within their districts, thereby acknowledging our nation's gifted young artists.

Veronica Loveless lives in Owings, and was joined on Capitol Hill today by her parents Maria and Robert Loveless. She learned about the Arts Competition from an announcement in the Calvert Independent.

Since the first competition in 1982, Members have conducted nearly 5,000 local contests involving more than 650,000 high school students. The winning entries from each participating Member's district-wide contests are on display in the Cannon Tunnel connecting the Cannon House Office Building to the U.S. Capitol.

Mark Holbrook, shown here teaching the adult Sunday School class at the Grace Brethren Church in Orange, CA (Ed Trenner, pastor) was recently elected chairman of the board of directors of the Christian Management Association.

Holbrook, who is president and CEO of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union in Brea, California, succeeds Jerry E. White, president of The Navigators, who recently completed his term as president of CMA. Holbrook was featured in the May/June, 2004 issue of FGBC World (see archived issues at www.fgbcworld.com). Holbrook and his wife, Cindy, have been leaders at the Orange church for many years.

The Christian Management Association, headquartered in San Clemente, CA, serves more than 3,500 leaders and managers from 1,500 Christian organizations and growing churches. For information on CMA, click here. Holbrook is also chairing the search for a new executive director to replace John Pearson at CMA. 

Reports for the next several days will be from the campus of Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where we'll be reporting from, and participating in, the first-ever DRIVEN conference for Twenty-Somethings.

Take a look at www.driven05.org for the whole lineup of speakers and workshops.

BMH will be creating a daily conference newsletter (DRIVEN World) and we'll be teaching several workshops on how to get a book published.

Mike Jentes, Kary Oberbrunner and all the young pastors who have organized and created this conference have done a terrific job. If you can't attend, might you be able to pray for some of the fine young believers who will be attending? This is a crucial age for involvement in the church--we're excited about what God will do between now and Saturday noon in the hearts of a lot of young men and women.

We'll be keeping you posted!

Wheaton, Ill., Tyndale House Publishers founder Kenneth Taylor, whose The Living Bible helped millions of people discover they could read and understand Scripture, died Friday, June 10 at age 88 in his Wheaton home.

"Making Scripture accessible for all people was my father's passion," said his son and Tyndale President Mark Taylor. "Many, many people have told him, 'I became a Christian when I read The Living Bible,' or 'My first Bible was the green padded Living Bible.' Even at 88 years old, his enthusiasm and fervor for his work never waned."

Taylor founded one of the country's largest Christian publishing houses, known recently as the publisher of the Left Behind series, and authored several children's books. He is best known, however, as the creator of The Living Bible, a paraphrase of Scripture that in its early stages was embraced by Billy Graham, which became the nation's best-selling book for three years. To date it has sold more than 40 million copies. The Living Bible has also been accepted internationally, with portions or entire Bibles available in more than 100 languages.

The Living Bible was born out of Taylor's deep desire for his ten children to understand God's Word. He found the King James Version of the Bible -- the most commonly used translation at the time -- especially difficult for his young children to understand.

Taylor began to reword specific passages in simple, conversational language, easy enough for even his youngest child to grasp. He finished his paraphrase of the New Testament epistles in 1962, but could interest no publisher in his project, which he called "Living Letters." Taylor and his wife, Margaret, decided to self-publish 2,000 copies of "Living Letters."

Taylor named his fledgling company Tyndale House Publishers after William Tyndale, the 16th century reformer who was burned at the stake for translating the Bible into English. In its early days, Tyndale House was literally a kitchen-table operation. The older daughters typed Taylor's manuscripts, Margaret typed invoices and mailing labels, and the younger children stuffed envelopes and packed books ordered by bookstores.

As Taylor continued to paraphrase the rest of the Scripture, orders for "Living Letters" trickled in. But when evangelist Billy Graham began to use Taylor's work as a premium for his television broadcasts, demand for the books began in earnest.

In 1967, Tyndale published the Living New Testament and in 1971 released the complete Living Bible. It became the best-selling book in the United States for the next three years, after which Publisher's Weekly decided not to allow Bibles to compete with "regular books" for a spot on the best-seller list.

Taylor and his wife committed from the start to deposit all profits from The Living Bible into a charitable trust, insisting that the Bible's royalties be donated to Tyndale House Foundation. The foundation supports mission projects around the world and today continues to promote Taylor's vision and mission of making the Bible accessible and available to everyone.

Taylor was born on May 8, 1917, in Portland, Ore., to George and Charlotte Huff Taylor. Due in large part to his pastor father and godly mother, Taylor developed a solid faith in Christ and a deep respect for the Bible at a very young age. He graduated from Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.) in 1938, attended Dallas Theological Seminary for three years, and graduated from Northern Baptist Seminary (Chicago, Ill.) in 1944.

Taylor, who spent 65 years in the publishing industry, began his career as editor of HIS magazine and later served as director of Moody Press in Chicago. He was the author of many children's books, including The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes and My First Bible in Pictures.

Taylor was president of Tyndale House Publishers until 1984, when he turned over the reins to his son Mark. He continued to serve as chairman of the board from 1984 until his death.

Today millions of readers around the world are familiar with Tyndale products, including such best-selling titles as Left Behind, Bringing Up Boys, and the New Living Translation. Each year the company's 260 employees produce 250 new products.

Taylor is survived by his wife, Margaret, ten children, 28 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

 

The following news report from this morning's paper gives a report and update on yesterday's picketing of the Tracy, CA, Grace Brethren Church by a hate group from Kansas.

By Malcolm Maclachlan
San Joaquin News Service
Last updated: Monday, Jun 13, 2005 - 07:24:50 am PDT

If this weekend's performance is any indication, members of the Westboro Baptist Church are far more vocal when they're not outnumbered 10 to one by counter protestors.

In contrast to the relative quiet they displayed during much of their 25-minute picket outside of the Tracy High School graduation ceremonies Saturday, 13 members of the anti-gay group from Kansas yelled slogans and Bible verses as they picketed several Tracy churches Sunday morning. They were trailed by several Tracy police officers, along with people taking pictures and at least one documentary film crew.
"It's not yelling," Westboro member Steve Drain said, when asked about Sunday's commotion. "It's called raising of voice, dude. It's crying at the altar."

Westboro members yelled anti-gay remarks as the choir practiced before that service, the voices of protest competing with strains of "Oh Sing to the Lord" and "Gentle Shepherd."

While a few First Presbyterian members professed to be disturbed by the group's visit, several laughed openly.

"They're an annoying mosquito that flew away," choir member Cathie Reich said, after the Westboro members had packed up their two rented Ford minivans and moved on to the next church. "They're pathetic. We feel sorry for them."

Several passersby got in minor confrontations with the group. Tracy resident Veronica Hudson yelled, "Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus!" as she tried to drown out the group during its picket outside the conservative Grace Brethren Church on Parker Avenue.

Grace Brethren member Randy Lane said that he used the Westboro visit as a chance to relay some lessons to his children. When he said that, a member of the Westboro group accused him of being a child molester and described a sexual act involving a cucumber.

The Westboro group's most vehement speech was reserved for St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Some members of the group held signs that specifically target Catholics, using slogans like "Pope in Hell," with a picture of the late Pope John Paul II.

They yelled, "They rape little boys here" and "Why do you hate your children?"
Unlike the other churches visited by the Westboro, which reported normal attendance for the morning, St. Bernard's was nearly empty when the out-of-towners arrived. The 9:30 a.m. Mass had started 15 minutes early, meaning that almost all parishioners were gone by the time the Westboro group arrived at 10:30 a.m.

One of the loudest confrontations of the morning was when three young men passing by objected to the Westboro members trampling on several American flags while American soldiers are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I'm glad they're being killed over there," Westboro member Deborah Hockenbarger said. "God hates this country. I thank God for those planes crashed into those buildings on 9/11. Not enough died."

Over at Heartland Church, Pastor Mark Humphreys had a simple response: "People don't need to say how wrong they are. Just look at them, and you'll know."

Shades of yesteryear! The 1900-1912 vintage cars on display at the "gas and brass" festival in Winona Lake, IN, today were common transportation in the town known as "a kind of religious chautaqua" under the leadership of Solomon C. Dickey. William "Billy" Sunday arrived in 1895 with his wife, Nell, and the baseball evangelist eventually preached to more than 100 million people in his career. The lake had just been re-named from "Eagle Lake" to "Winona Lake" and the town of Winona Lake incorporated in 1913. A year later, in 1914, the "great fire" on Chestnut Street wiped out a significant segment of the town's properties above what is now the Hillside Amphitheatre and Tabernacle Field. More on the Village at Winona is available at www.villageatwinona.com.

Here is a description of today's festival: Experience the heritage of pre-1912 automobiles when the Michigan Brass and Gas Club visits the Village at Winona® on June 11th. Cruise in to see a 1906 REO, built by Ransom Olds, the founder of Oldsmobile, or other early classics such as Pierce-Arrow, EMF, Jackson, Maxwell, Oakland, White and Winton.

Of course, there will also be models made by more familiar names such as Ford, Buick and Cadillac, but all of these early cars will be open cab, canvas-top machines sporting two-, four- or six-cylinder engines capable of reaching the dizzying speed of 30-35 miles per hour.
 

The approximately 35 "gas and brass" antique cars lined up on Canal Street in Winona Lake, IN, today were a reminder of the rich history of the town. Most were manufactured about 1912 or earlier, in the years Winona historian Steve Grill refers to as the "glory years" in the history of the town. The Winona Assembly and Summer School Association had just been founded in 1895, and financiers John Studebaker, H. J. Heinz and others were building the canal, adding a wing to the Winona Hotel, and building the Presbyterian building (1905) which today is the Westminster Hotel/Hall. Not until many years later (1949) would the young evangelist Billy Graham preach here, Youth For Christ would be founded, and other events significant in the history and growth of the evangelical church in America would take place. 

Just a reminder to pray for the testimony of Pastor Robert MacMillan and the Grace Brethren Church of Tracy, CA, this weekend as this is the Sunday a hate group from Kansas has chosen to picket the church, along with some others. Here is a brief excerpt from this morning's Tracy newspaper -- see earlier blog entries for background.

Bohn Elementary School first-grade teacher Mike Chivers recently wrote a Tracy Press column that said he’s opposed to homosexuality as a Christian. He attends Grace Brethren Church, one that Westboro plans to picket on Sunday.

But he supports the GSA’s desire to stop harassment against gay, bisexual and transgender students at West and Tracy.

“The Bible is pretty clear that homosexuality is not an appropriate lifestyle,” he said. “The bottom line really is we need to start talking with each other rather than calling names and pointing fingers. I think it is tragic that there is a group out there that thinks that the way to reach people for Christ is by beating them over the head with a few selected verses from the Bible.”

Mores shaken Daley said gay, lesbians and transsexuals aren’t shoving their sexuality down people’s throats. Instead, he said, he’s trying to put a stop to the harassment of gays for being who they are.

Campus clubs pushing for gay rights encourage high-school students to think critically, said Matt Netto, Tracy’s GSA faculty adviser and choir director, last week.

“Typically, issues like this play out first in high school and college,” he said. “They want to challenge the established norms of society. Personally, I think that is quite healthy, but it creates controversy. I have watched lots of kids learn how to think more rationally through all of this.”

Daley said the influx of Bay Area transplants is uprooting the town culturally.

“Tracy is no longer a conservative Central Valley town. People’s views are changing.”

Shall we gather at the river? They did...in downtown Columbus, Ohio...this past Sunday. Pastor Mike Jentes baptized three believers from his church, thequest, in an outdoor service on the banks of the Scioto River in Columbus--more photos and some good articles on baptism are available on his website and blog at www.thequestcolumbus.com 

The following note is from the "Grace Connection" e-mail update, distributed free each midweek by Judy Daniels in the communications office at Grace College and Seminary. You, too, may receive the Grace Connection, simply by e-mailing Judy at connect@grace.edu and typing ADD in the subject line.

Nineteen of Grace College's prison extension students at the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City received their diplomas on June 3. Dr. David Plaster, vice president for academic affairs at Grace, was present for the ceremony and gave greetings from the campus.

Tomorrow, 12 students at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle, Indiana, will receive their degrees from Grace College. Grace President Ron Manahan will be the speaker for that ceremony. In July, 23 prison extension students at the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill will receive their degrees from Grace.

All totaled, 31 students are graduating with Associate of Science degrees in Biblical Studies and 23 earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Organizational Management. Grace continues to offer 17 courses this summer at four Indiana prison locations - the three mentioned above, plus Pendleton. Please remember our prison students and graduates in your prayers as they live and work in a difficult environment.

The July/August 05 issue of FGBC World, the free paper distributed throughout the Grace Brethren world to better connect people and churches, went off to press just before noon today. Copies should arrive in homes and churches on or about July 1.

One of the front-page features is Norm and Ann Johnson (pictured), from the Ashland, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, where Norm is associate pastor. Both lost spouses to cancer, and they have a most unique story about how God brought them together, and how they are now serving Him together as a married couple.

Since Equip05, the Grace Brethren national conference is fast approaching, we'll also share a "sneak peak" at another of the front-page articles which tells the variety of opportunities available at this year's conference IN ADDITION TO the fine educational courses that are being offered.

Remember that you may receive FGBC World free in your home just by requesting it. And please help the distribution in your church -- help your church family know about our fine brothers and sisters in other Grace Brethren churches and organizations around the world.

Here's the article on Equip05:

Equip05 is More Than Courses

Registrations are strong and enthusiasm is high for the 20-plus courses that are being offered as part of the Grace Brethren national conference, Equip05, to be held July 31-August 5, 2005, in Winona Lake, IN.

However, the conference is more—much more—than the excellent educational opportunities. Business sessions, inspiring plenary meetings, worship and devotional times, recreation, historical tours, open houses, and more will be available to individuals and families who are part of the Equip05 activities.

The Association of Grace Brethren Ministers (AGBM) will begin the week’s activities with its only group meeting of the week at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church. Current AGBM president Tim Boal will preside, and the meeting will include recognition of the Pastor of the Year, the Excellence in Ministry Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. The AGBM will have a picnic lunch at 6 p.m. following the meeting.

The opening celebration of the national conference on Sunday, July 31, will be at 7 p.m. in the Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake and will feature music led by Jeremiah Olson, prayer for new missionaries, and opening addresses from Pastors Mike Lee (Raleigh, NC) and Neil Cole (Long Beach, CA). All plenary sessions are free and open to the public with no registration required.

On Monday evening, August 1, will feature a gala dinner, GBIF anniversary celebration, and corporation meeting extravaganza. The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) will hold its annual business meeting, as will cooperating organizations including Grace Brethren International Missions, Grace Brethren North American Missions, CE National, The Brethren Missionary Herald Co., and Grace College and Seminary. Ashland, OH, pastor Dan Allan, current FGBC moderator, will conduct the FGBC business meeting.

The Grace Brethren Investment Foundation is providing a free meal at the Rodeheaver Auditorium in honor of its 50th anniversary at the Monday evening event, and the buffet lines open at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. There is no charge, however meal tickets must be reserved in advance through the office of Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey at www.equip05.com or by calling (574) 269-1269.

Open Houses Tuesday
When classes are over at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 2, many cooperating ministries who have offices in Winona Lake will be holding Open Houses. Conference attenders may tour the homes of Grace Brethren International Missions, Grace Brethren North American Missions, CE National, Grace College and Seminary, or Grace Village Retirement Community. The Brethren Missionary Herald Company’s Open House will feature an autograph party with several of BMH Books’ best-known authors, including Dr. Homer Kent Jr. and Dr. John Davis.

A chicken barbecue at Grace Village on Tuesday will be followed by a BMH-sponsored hymnsing in the Grace Village chapel at 7:30 p.m. A volunteer choir, led by Don Ogden, will rehearse at 6:45 p.m. in the chapel, and the hymnsing will feature Sharon White at the piano, Ed Lewis at the organ, Don Ogden directing the volunteer choir (including college alumni invited to sing “A Mighty Fortress”) and Miriam Uphouse Christiansen performing as Susannah Wesley.

Open recreation will also be available Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Gordon Recreation Center on the Grace College and Seminary campus at 7 p.m.

Wednesday evening’s celebration at 7 p.m. in the Rodeheaver Auditorium will feature the moderator’s address by the incoming FGBC moderator, Pastor Keith Shearer of the Myerstown, PA, New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church.

About his address and the emphasis during his year as moderator, Shearer says, “God has graciously granted us much as we look at the FGBC in the twentieth century. Our focus, our ‘family flag,’ is Jesus—His Word, His Church, His Mission.”

“Now,” asks Shearer, “will we dip the candle of our focus into the flame of Christ’s Spirit that we will rejoice in a blazing focus? It is time for the FGBC, each one of us, to arise and claim our God-given inheritance in the twenty-first century.”

Thursday evening will feature open recreation at the Gordon Center and, for those interested in the history of the Grace Brethren movement, Brethren Missionary Herald Co. is sponsoring a special “Brethren Heritage” bus tour. Narrated by Grace professor Dr. David Plaster and others, the tour will leave the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church parking lot at 5 p.m. and will travel north to Camp Alexander Mack, for a tour of the monuments, a lecture on the Brethren history murals, and dinner on the grounds.

Continuing north to Arnold’s Grove, the site of the 1882 Holsinger meeting, participants will hear a brief lecture, and the tour will conclude with a visit to the MennoHof Interpretive Center of Anabaptist History near Shipshewana, IN. A limited number of reservations for the Heritage Tour are available through Avey’s office at $25 per person ($26 online).

The conference concludes Friday at 4:30 when the course modules end, although the following day, Saturday, August 6, the Village at Winona is sponsoring a special Billy Sunday Day and Ice Cream Festival which is open to any who can extend their conference stay.

‘Jump Start’ Your Mornings
Each day during conference there will be a “jump start” in the Alpha Dining Commons on the Grace campus at 8 a.m. Jeremiah Olson will lead worship and a different pastor each day will lead a devotional after breakfast.

Grace Village and Grace College and Seminary are also sponsoring nine holes of golf at the beautiful Stonehenge Country Club, and exhibits by many of the cooperating organizations will be available throughout the week at the conference center hub at the Gordon Rec. Center.

As in years past, Brethren Missionary Herald Co. will produce a daily “FGBC Conference World” newsletter, available early each morning, to keep attendees informed of news updates and each day’s activities.

To register for the Monday night business meeting, or any of the courses, log onto www.equip05.com or call the Fellowship Coordinator’s office at (574) 269-1269. A limited number of reservations are also available for childcare and children’s conference up through grade 6. Children must be pre-registered with the Fellowship Coordinator’s office.

The 2006 national conference will be held at the Hyatt Grand Champion in Indian Wells, California, the week of July 29-August 3, 2006.


 

One of the fun things about living in Winona Lake, IN -- especially in the summer -- is the opportunity to meet many missionaries, pastors, lay leaders, and special people in the FGBC as they come through town.

Yesterday the BMH offices had a special visit by Kevin and Holly High and their three children (center of photograph). The Highs are currently on a nine-week break from Spanish language study at the Rio Grande Bible Institute in Texas and are on their way east to visit supporting churches. They anticipate career missionary service in Argentina beginning early next year.

Traveling with them are two fine young RGBI students. Daniel (left) is a 22-year-old Peruvian who is studying for the pastorate and Tatiana (right) is from Mexico, has an accounting degree, and is preparing for future ministry. Tomorrow we anticipate about 11 friends from the Grace Brethren Church of Rittman, Ohio, to visit the BMH offices.

All are welcome--stop in when you're in town! 

Blog readers were asked last week to pray for a sudden emergency situation with the father-in-law of Steve Galegor, Jr., missionary with Grace Brethren North American Missions to New York City. Here is an excerpt from Steve's report, followed by a paragraph from the tribute he gave at the funeral:

Though many of you heard, I tell you with a sad and heavy heart that Melanie's dad, Lyle Galey, was taken to the Lord's side last Sunday early in the morning. He was sustained by a respirator until I got there with the kids to say goodbye, it was removed, and then he passed. It was a traumatic week for us all but we were sustained by lots of family, the outpouring of love by the church family at Harvest Fellowship and by your thoughts and prayers. The sting of the initial shock has passed but we mourn for the loss and begin to recall all the good memories we have.

From the funeral tribute:

Lyle has finished the work for which he was made, a unique lifework. I believe his family and all of those who were here yesterday and you now today are a testimony that Lyle fought the good fight; he finished the course, and kept the faith. For that, and many other reasons, I am proud to be one of the sons Lyle always looked forward to having, and I hope we will all continue the work serving the Lord as he did.

While we mourn, and Jesus said we would grieve, our grief will turn to joy. By faith, hope and love in Jesus we will see Lyle again. I thank you all for the love and warmth that you have shown which has sustained our family. May God’s blessings be upon us all to His glory.

We thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers, the many cards and quick email responses.

Baby Bogue
Ann and Norm Johnson, proud grandparents, send along this news note about the family of Jeff Bogue, pastor of the north campus of the Norton, OH, Grace Brethren Church:

We had a great weekend with the birth of healthy grandchild #9. Heidi
delivered Naomi Cleonise Joy Bogue at 12:45 a.m. Sunday June 5. What a
blessing!


Elizabeth Schaefer Reports
Elizabeth Schaefer, wife of Grace Brethren military chaplain James Schaefer, sends along this report on her cancer treatment:

Just want to let everyone know that I finally got to come home on Friday night after a very hard four days in the hospital--it is definitely NOT something I want to repeat! Lord willing, I'll never have to. I was very, very sick, and still am a bit, but just so glad to be back home and able to get to my own bed, (even tho it's really not my bed--it's Army borrowed furniture!) :) Nevertheless, I've just been so glad to rest here at home, and that's basically all I can do right now since I'm still rather weak, but that's okay as long as I'm home....

I get a full-body scan on Thursday, and then get the report from the doctor on the 13th, and we'll know more about where we stand at that time. He already started me on the thyroid hormone, and I should begin to feel better soon--maybe within a few days if all goes well. I'm looking forward to that.

The ladies of my Bible study here on post are bringing meals for the next week--I am so blessed. I feel hugged everyday by some kindness from someone, or a kind word via email or cards. It's been amazing, and I just am so very grateful, and so is James. So thank you, thank you for your prayers and support! God is good, and caring for us. I am looking forward to a good report, Lord willing, from the doctor on the 13th.

Smals to Woodville
Pastor Ron Smals is concluding his ministry at the Ocala, FL, Grace Brethren Church and will be assuming the pastorate of the Mansfield, OH Woodville Grace Brethren Church on July 1

Coatesville Gets a Shepherd
Dan O’Deens, pastor of Gateway Grace Community Church, Parkesburg, PA, sends the following staff news:

Jonathan Damon has accepted the call to join the Gateway Church team. Jon brings 20 years of faithful pastoral ministry. Jon began interning at First Baptist Church of South Whitley, IN, with Pastor John King while attending Grace College. After college he became the Youth Pastor. When Pastor King left the church Jon was asked to step in and be the Senior Pastor. He has served as Senior Pastor at the church for over 10 years. Jon continued his education at Grace Seminary and earned a Masters of Divinity degree. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at the college in Bible and Languages. Jon is married to Kelly and they have three high school children: Jon, Jordan and Megan.

Jon is a shepherd pastor at heart. He will share the ministry in a "senior" level role of pastoral leadership with current Senior Pastor Dan O'Deens. Jon will be teaching pastor and focus widely on shepherding the church. He will be a great complement to the Pastoral team at Gateway.

BMH Books, Winona Lake, IN, announces that Heroes Who Live On, Volume 2 went to press today and should be available for shipping within a month. The book features 13 men and women who have played a significant role in the development and history of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

The Heroes project was initiated by CE National under the direction of Ed Lewis, and CE National published Volume 1 in 2002. Text for the 106-page paperback Volume 2 was created by Robert Cover, Sr., and his daughter, Viki Rife. Illustrations are by 2005 Grace College art department graduate Sarah Pratt, and Prof. Arthur Davis, head of the college art department, oversaw the interior design and typesetting of the book.

Written for an upper-grade-school audience, the book features personality traits of the 13 subjects, and includes discussion questions that may be used for individual, Sunday School class, or “Brethren History Moments” among churches. The discussion questions were created by Ashley Woodworth, a 2005 Grace College graduate who was an intern with the Brethren Missionary Herald Company the spring of 2005.

Individuals featured in Heroes Who Live On, Volume 2 include Henry Holsinger, L.S. Bauman, Mary Bauman, R. Paul Miller, W.A. and Frances Ogden, Allen Bennett, Orville Jobson, Charles W. Mayes, Jake Kliever, Noel Gaiwaka, Ralph Colburn, and Evelyn Fuqua.

Heroes Who Live On, Volume 2 is available for $9.99 each by logging onto www.bmhbooks.com or by calling BMH Books division manager John Leonard at 1-800-348-2756. Volume 1 is also available for $6.99 and the set of two is available for a limited time at the special price of $15.
 

The Juried Art Fair was the main event in Winona Lake, IN, this past weekend, with several thousand visitors prowling artists' booths Saturday and Sunday for artwork. Next weekend is the "Gas and Brass" antique auto show, and the following week is the opening of the month-long MasterWorks classical music festival. 

The "Plasters of Paris," Rob and Nichole Plaster who are Grace Brethren International Missions missionaries to Paris, France, were the featured guests last Thursday night at a special "Parisian cafe" hosted at the home of Pastor Mike Jentes of thequest church-plant in Columbus, OH. The Plasters reported on their work and those attending were able to interact and to pray by name for those the Plasters minister to. (photo courtesy Mike Jentes) 

Andy Wirt (right), associate pastor of the Western Reserve Grace Brethren Church of Macedonia, Ohio, poses with senior pastor Jason Haymaker and the mayor's certificate of appreciation given to Wirt and the church earlier this week. (Ron Boehm photo)

The certificate of appreciation, presented by Macedonia mayor Donald J. Kuchta on behalf of himself and the City Council, cited the members of the church and Pastor Andy Wirt for dedicated service to the city.

The citation read, in part, "Western Reserve Grace Brethren Church deserves special recognition for their charitable service and refreshment donations on Election Day, Family Fishing Day and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. They also provided the Christmas caroling entertainment at the Lighting Ceremony." 

Dr. Homer A. Kent, Jr. (left) this morning donated a copy of his newest book "Studies in Mark: The Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" to Bill Darr, head librarian at Grace College and Seminary.

The Mark book, the first in the new Kent Collection being published by BMH Books, is a newly-rewritten and expanded version of Dr. Kent's teaching notes from his 50-year career teaching Greek and New Testament. Dr. Kent was also president of Grace College and Seminary for ten years, and the Grace library now has a complete collection of his writings.

The 248-page paperback Mark commentary is available for $14.99 at www.bmhbooks.com or by calling (tollfree) 1-800-348-2756. Large-quantity discounts are available for churches and individuals wishing to use the book as a text for courses, ABF and Sunday School classes, or for small-group study use. Contact BMH Books division manager John Leonard at the 800 number for details.  

Brian Williams, who is planting a church in Sunbury, OH (pictured here with his family), was featured this Tuesday in the Delaware (OH) local newspaper for a program he's spearheading in the community to help make community contacts and raise visibility for his church-planting effort. Here is Tuesday's story:

Pastor wants to spread joy of music
By JOHN ROEPKE
Staff Writer

Delaware County youth can do their part to help spread the love of music across the globe. Brian Williams, the pastor of the new Sunbury Grace Brethren Church, has started a program where children can donate their old flutophones and recorders. Williams said he had the idea to donate the recorders and flutophones when he noticed the ones from his children — who are now high school age — sitting around the house.

He came up with the idea to donate them to children from other countries who don’t have the same resources as children in the United States.

Williams contacted his brother Bruce, a missionary with Global Mission Fellowship based in Dallas. The plan is for Brian to give the instruments he collected to
Bruce this weekend, when Bruce is in Delaware County for his nephew Brice Williams’ graduation from Olentangy High School. Bruce will take the recorders and flutophones overseas on mission work later this summer. Williams said he’d like to distribute the recorders to students in the Ukraine, Russia, South America and Africa.

“One classroom had a piano, a plastic saxophone and a toy drum,” Williams said. “That was it. Another classroom didn’t have enough chairs, so some kids had to sit in others’ laps. “To put a musical instrument in those children’s hands, it’s like hitting the lottery for them,” Williams added. “It’s striking to think of how much we have and how little they have.”

To gather enough instruments for the donation, Williams asked the parishioners of his old church, Delaware Grace Brethren, to donate any flutophones or recorders their children were no longer using. He also contacted the elementary schools in Delaware County and solicited the students to donate their instruments.

Christina Pelletier, a music teacher at Tyler Run Elementary in the Olentangy school district, has used her membership in the Central Ohio Orff Association (named after German composer Carl Orff, who worked with children, using music as an educational tool) to collect more than 60 recorders and flutophones so far. Pelletier is the vice president of the association, which is composed of music teachers throughout
Central Ohio.

“I would like to see as many people as possible give their old recorders and flutophones to this project,” she said. “It is great opportunity for people to give something to children around the world. By giving them an instrument, those children will learn to play music and learn the joys of music.”

This is not a one-time program, Williams said. He’d like to distribute instruments to children around the world every year. He would like to incorporate the donation into the mission work he is planning for his church. “I think next year we’ll have an even better response,” he said.

Williams said anyone in the county can donate recorders and flutophones by dropping them off at any elementary school in Delaware County this week. The Gazette office, 18 E. William St., is also a collection site for the recorders.
 

With the Grace Brethren national conference, Equip05, fast approaching, BMH and other Winona Lake, IN, organizations are getting their facilities ready for Open Houses to be held Tuesday, August 2, from 4:30-6 p.m. Open House at the Brethren Missionary Herald Co. (pictured here) will include an autograph party by some of BMH Books' most popular authors (see www.bmhbooks.com).

Registrations for the 20-plus courses being offered the week of July 31-August 5 are running well ahead of projections, according to conference coordinator Tom Avey.

For more information, or to register for Equip05 courses, log onto www.equip05.com. 

Jacob Patton, son of Grace Brethren International Missions missionaries Wayne and Ellen Patton, currently serving in Brazil, recently completed his Eagle Scout Board of Review with his scout leaders in Indiana via telephone long-distance from Brazil. (Patton family photograph, GBIM)

Jacob lived in Winona Lake, IN, with his parents for three years while they were finishing preparations to go to Brazil. Jacob traveled with his scout troop 715 to the Grand Canyon in 2001, to Kentucky Lake in 2002, and to Yellowstone national park in 2003. His Eagle project was to fix up a nature trail for Grace College in Winona Lake.

Patton earned 57 merit badges and served as patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, and was the troop's chaplain's aide for two years. Scoutmaster Dick McCleary communicated with Jacob via e-mail during the last year.