BMH Editor's Blog

Rick VanPuffelen, of the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church, has sent this prayer request for one of his relatives, a senior at Taylor University, who was critically injured in the Taylor U. van crash Wednesday evening (see earlier blog entry -- Marion Chronicle Tribune photo).

"You have all probably heard of the tragic accident in which five people from Taylor University, including four students, were killed and others were injured.

"Of the survivors, the most serious is Laura VanRyn, the youngest daughter of one of my first cousins. She is in a coma and has multiple fractures, as she was thrown about 50 feet from the vehicle. Her vitals are OK but she is not yet responding to any stimuli.

"Sherrie and I were there with them yesterday at Parkview Hospital and her folks are doing well, but they all need our/your prayers, please."

Details of the accident and updates on survivors and memorial services are available at http://www.taylor.edu/community/news/accident_04-26-06.htm,

 

More than 500 people from eight Grace Brethren churches in central Ohio joined together this evening for a "Night of Praise" held at the Delaware, OH, Grace Brethren Church beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Delaware pastor Gary Underwood was emcee for the evening. A special point of praise was the story of the recent planting of a new church in Sunbury. Sunbury Pastor Brian Williams and many others from his church were on hand to tell the story of God's working in that city.

Central Ohio has the heaviest concentration of Grace Brethren churches in North America. (Tom Avey photos)
 

The "Night of Praise" evening at the Delaware church closed with a great 150-plus voice choir singing "Be Thou My Vision" directed by Randy Kettering of the Worthington, OH, Grace Brethren Church and by Brian Blackburn, worship pastor at the Delaware Grace Brethren Church.
 

Brethren National Youth Conference will be held on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg in 2007, according to an announcement today from CE National and the BNYC Executive Committee. The dates will be July 21-27, 2007.

This will be the first time the conference has been in Mississippi. BNYC Committee members Dave Rank and Matt Mason returned this week from a trip to the campus and reported, "The campus is beautiful, and it is the most ideal campus for BNYC that we have ever had. It is in an area where there are many opportunities for putting our faith into practice."

The campus is about 60 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, north of Gulfport and Biloxi. The school and Hattiesburg sustained hurricane-force wind and damage during Hurricane Katrina. With much relief work still needing to be done, leaders plan to incorporate this into the conference.

BNYC main sessions will take place in the 8,000-seat Reed Green Coliseum, home of the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The campus also boasts The Southern Miss Athletic Center, a state-of-the-art 60,000-square foot facility complete with a natatorium, and a 40-mile bike and horseback-riding trail. More information is available online at www.usm.edu.

BNYC06 will be held on the campus of Biola University in the Los Angeles area July 22-27, 2006.  

The May/June, 2006 issue of FGBC World, the all-Fellowship news publication of the FGBC, should by now have arrived in churches and at the homes of individual subscribers. To read the online version, click on www.fgbcworld.com. Here is some promotional copy for your use in church bulletins, newsletters, websites, in letting your church know it’s available.


Grace Brethren churches responded quickly and generously when hurricanes struck the gulf coast. A wrapup article mentioning many of the responding churches is in the May/June issue of FGBC World, now available. Take a copy today or read it online at www.fbcworld.com.


Construction is underway for a new 2,800-seat conference and athletic facility on the campus of Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. Read about the groundbreaking and other stories of interest about Grace Brethren churches and people in the May/June issue of FGBC World, now available. Take a copy today or read it online at www.fgbcworld.com.



A Wild Game Dinner can be an effective outreach to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Read how one Grace Brethren church did it in the May/June issue of FGBC World, now available. Get your free subscription today, pick up a copy, or read it online at www.fgbcworld.com.

All classes are cancelled today at the Fort Wayne and Upland, IN, campuses of Taylor University after a horrific van crash on I69 near Marion, IN, took the lives of five Taylor students and employees Wednesday evening. A prayer vigil on the Taylor campus was scheduled for 9 a.m. today with a memorial service at 10 a.m. in Rediger Chapel on the Upland campus.

Four of the victims were students, ages 18 to 22, and the fifth was an employee they worked with in the university’s dining services. Four others who had been in the van were hospitalized, including a 22-year-old student listed in critical condition Thursday morning.

The van was about 10 miles north of Taylor’s Upland campus Wednesday night when it was hit by a tractor-trailer that crashed through a median on Interstate 69.

As word of the deaths spread across the campus of 1,900 students, friends and classmates gathered in the campus chapel to pray.

Investigators were trying to determine why the semi crashed through the median about 8 p.m., peeling open the side of the van. The truck driver, identified by police as Robert F. Spencer, 27, of Canton, Mich., was hospitalized in fair condition Thursday.

“It was one of the most horrific crashes I’ve ever seen,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Rod Russell.

The students and staff had been in Fort Wayne preparing for a scholarship banquet that was to be part of new school President Eugene Habecker’s inauguration festivities planned for the weekend.

Another Taylor van was following the one involved in the crash, but it had pulled off the highway to refuel and came up on the accident scene soon after it happened, Garringer said.

Police identified the victims as Elizabeth A. Smith, 22, of Mount Zion, Ill.; Bradley J. Larson, 22, of Elm Grove, Wis.; Whitney E. Cerak, 18, of Gaylord, Mich.; Laurel E. Erb, 20, of St. Charles, Ill.; and Taylor University employee Monica Felver, 53, of Hartford City. Larson and Smith were seniors at the college.

The university employee driving the van, Vickie L. Rhodes, 54, of Fairmount; employees Connie Magers, 50, of Gas City, and Michele M. Miller, 43, of Marion; and student Laura J. Vanryn, 22, of Caledonia, Mich., were hospitalized. Vanryn was in critical condition after being airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Indiana State Police News Release with further details.

President George Bush and the governors of all 50 states have proclaimed Thursday, May 4 to be the 55th Annual National Day of Prayer in the U.S. Millions will answer the call to prayer that day by flocking to observances held in public venues to pray for the nation, governmental leaders, media, churches, families and schools.

This year's theme is "America, Honor God" and is based on 1 Samuel 2:30 NIV - "Those who honor me, I will honor" National Day of Prayer Chairman Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder and chairman Dr. James Dobson, said "at a time when so many principles found in Scripture have been rejected by society, it's all the more vital that God's people stand firmly in defense of the precepts He's laid out in His Word. As we wage this cultural battle, however, none of our efforts are assured success without consistent, fervent prayer for God's intervention."

Noted author and Pastor Dr. Henry Blackaby is the 2006 Honorary Chairman and will address the national event in Washington, D.C. In addition to his appearance at the national observance, Dr. Blackaby has released, Experiencing Prayer with Jesus, which is this year's theme book. Grammy award winning artist Rebecca St. James will sing the theme song, America, Honor God.

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America when the Continental Congress issued a proclamation setting aside a day of prayer in 1775. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

For information on attending an event, sponsoring an event, or just to get information on more of the national observations planned, log onto http://www.ndptf.org/home/index.cfm
 

ASHLAND, Ohio -Ashland University has named Dr. John Shultz as the president of Ashland Theological Seminary. Dr. Shultz will begin his duties as ATS president on July 1, replacing Dr. Frederick Finks, who will at that time begin serving as president of Ashland University.

Shultz has served as professor of pastoral counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary since 1981 and served as academic dean for the seminary from 1985 to 1988. He also is founder, president and CEO of Cornerstone Psychological Affiliates Inc., a Christian counseling center with offices in six northern Ohio locations.

His achievements and assignments during his years at the Seminary include serving as the seminary's representative to the Executive Board of the Brethren Church; serving as the seminary's representative to the National Ordination Council of the Brethren Church; and serving on five seminary committees including the Personal and Professional Committee, Sandberg Leadership Center Advisory Team, Curriculum Redesign Committee, Prayer Committee and the Centennial Celebration Committee.

Other accomplishments include teaching ministry skills to students in the areas of counseling, pastoral care and preaching; chairing the Practical Theology and Pastoral Counseling departments for 15 years; and serving as faculty representative to the Board of Trustees for nine years.

Shultz also is founder and president of JSNJS Inc., a real estate holding company located in Ashland, Ohio. Prior to joining the Seminary, he served as consultant and seminar leader for Dow Leadership Development Center at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich., from 1987 to 1992; interim pastor at Smithville Brethren Church from 1982 to 1983; and psychology intern at the Ohio State University Counseling and Consultation Service from 1980 to 1981.

An ordained elder in The Brethren Church, Shultz is very involved in the community, serving as a past board member of the Brethren Care Board of Directors and the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and serving as chair of the Chamber in 2000. He is a member and past president of the Rotary Club and board chair at Five Stones Community Church.

He has a doctor of counseling psychology from Purdue University in 1980 and a master of divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1975. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Ashland University in 1972. 

This prayer request just received from Roger Mayes:

Daughters Sharon White and Ruth Ann Mayes request prayer for their father, retired Pastor Victor S. Rogers, who fell off the bottom step of a step ladder on Sunday afternoon at his home. He has been diagnosed with a broken neck.

He is in the Menifee Hospital in California in ICU in critical condition. Pray that a hospital will take him and that the necessary neck surgery will be able to be performed.

This photo, taken moments ago by Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey, is of the Grace College student body holding an open-air prayer meeting at the Hillside Amphitheater in Winona Lake, IN, under the direction of campus chaplain James Joyner. The open grassy field in the background is the former site of the Billy Sunday Tabernacle. 

Clive Craigen, who has been a career missionary in Chicago with Grace Brethren North American Missions (GBNAM), has been appointed to the full-time position of Assistant Professor of World Missions in Urban Ministry at Moody Bible Institute effective July 1, 2006.

Craigen has served full-time with GBNAM since May 2000, leading the world-class city initiative in Chicago. He will continue in a part-time capacity with GBNAM, focusing on mobilizing students for urban church planting in North America.

Craigen and his wife, Randi, have been involved in urban ministry for more than 16 years and have worked with numerous students from Moody and other colleges. They currently lead a student house church and are involved in training and mentoring students in hands-on, cross-cultural urban ministry via evangelistic and discipleship Bible studies, community service, tutoring in public schools and ESL programs.

The Craigens have two biological children and two adopted children and live as a multi-racial family on the south side of Chicago in a predominantly African-American community. They are committed to ongoing, hands-on, cross-cultural ministry with their neighbors, friends and contacts.  

Baptist Press News today carried this report of an outreach conducted by Shadow Mountain Community Church, pastored by Grace Seminary alumnus David Jeremiah:

EL CAJON, Calif. (BP)--Carrying a gift, 1,700 members of Shadow Mountain Community Church fanned out across the city of El Cajon two by two on a mission to distribute a Bible to each of the San Diego-area city's 30,000 homes.

Church members were treated to a breakfast the Saturday before Easter, prayed over and sent out to deliver gift bags with an invitation to church and a custom-designed Bible.

The primary goal was "to sow the seed," said John Gillette Jr., the church's chief operations officer and men's ministry pastor. "We did have people pray with people and lead them to Christ but we just wanted to sow the seed and let God do the rest."

More than 33,000 Bibles were distributed to homes, apartments and trailers.

Attendance at the church increased by about 2,000 on Easter Sunday, bringing their attendance to 12,000.

"We know God worked amazingly through that outreach. We saw people all over church carrying the Bibles we gave away," Gillette recounted.

The yellow Bibles couldn't be missed. Published at a cost of about $2 each, the Bibles relayed the plan of salvation on the front page, directions and service times on the back cover and answers to tough questions inside.

"At one time or other, people may look at this Bible and need the answers," said Gillette, who spearheaded the outreach.

Shadow Mountain's staff began making plans for Easter several months ago as senior pastor David Jeremiah was winding down a "Route 66" series on the 66 books of the Bible.

"We decided since we just did a series on the Bible that would be the best gift we could give anyone," Gillette said.

Before the outreach, Gillette took a helicopter ride over El Cajon with a videographer to show as a promotion to church members underscoring the city as their mission field.

Members who signed up to distribute the Bibles were assigned a section of 35-50 houses. Each participant was sent a letter noting who their partner would be and how to access a website, based on a post office database, where they could find out what streets they would cover. Members without computers could use computers set up on campus after church services to get their streets.

"We did this to let people go ahead and prayerwalk over their area," Gillette said. "We paired men with men and had couples, families go together."

The church also offered three different evangelism training sessions before the outreach.

The volunteers were sent out in two waves after breakfast at the church, at 8 a.m. and at 9:15 a.m., and a command center was set up to deal with any problems.

Busloads of junior high students and high school students were sent to apartment complexes with adults. "We wanted to make sure everyone was safe so we made sure it was daylight and everyone was supervised," Gillette said.

"We never told anyone to go over a locked fence or trespass," he added.

Some streets were not identified correctly or couldn't be found, so volunteers were reassigned.

"Everyone was energized when they returned," Gillette said.

But not everyone was able to personally give a Bible to somebody.

About half of the residents did not answer the door and some refused to receive the Bible.

"It was a good experience for our members to see that Jesus was not always accepted," Gillette said, adding, "... [T]hey will grow from it. I told them not everyone is waiting at home for Shadow Mountain to knock on their door on a Saturday morning to give them a free Bible."

The Osceola, IN, Grace Brethren Church will be hosting a simulcast “Maximum Impact Seminar” on Friday, May 5, and Pastor Greg Serafino invites all to attend.

Serafino describes the event as “a LIVE international simulcast called Maximum Impact: 360° The Measure of a Leader: Inspirational giants like Dave Ramsey, Tim Sanders, Patrick Lencioni, Kathy Ireland, John Maxwell, Mark Sanborn, J.C. Watts, as well as Archie and Peyton Manning will gather together for this unforgettable leadership training event, focusing on the distinct qualities that all great leaders share.”

He says, “You can check it out at www.maximumimpact.com/mis. OR you can sign your team up at www.ogbc.net and pay online today. I would love for you to attend with me.

”We are hosting it on our Apple Road campus in Osceola and I am excited about the possibilities. It costs $99 per person unless you are bringing five or more people - then it drops to $89 per person. In fact, for an even better discount - call me personally and we can talk about how you can attend for FREE!

”Don't wait - there is only room for 45 more people at this time.”

Serafino’s work phone number is (574) 674-5918.

Todd Scoles (center), senior associate pastor at Northwest Chapel Grace Brethren Fellowship in Dublin, OH, yesterday successfully defended his dissertation for the Doctor of Ministry degree at Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, OH. At left is Pastor Jim Custer and at right is Dr. David Plaster, members of the examining team.

Scoles' dissertation is entitled "The Power of Ordinances to Strengthen a Common Identity and Mission for the FGBC." It focuses on the historical, sociological, theological, and unity-building aspects of the two primary ordinances of the Grace Brethren movement--believer's baptism by trine immersion and the threefold communion service (feetwashing, Love Feast, and bread and cup).

Dr. Lee Solomon of the Ashland Seminary faculty, director of the D.Min. program, moderated the exam. Also participating was Dr. Dale Stoffer, Scoles' advisor and the dean of the seminary.

Additional members of the exam team included Terry Hofecker, pastor of Northwest Chapel; James Custer, field consultant for Scoles and pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, OH; Dr. David Plaster, vice president of academic affairs for Grace College and Seminary; and Terry White, executive director and publisher of Brethren Missionary Herald Co.

Scoles is a member and incoming chair of the board of Brethren Missionary Herald Co., which will be publishing a version of the dissertation for the general Christian market. Members of the committee had high praise for Scoles' scholarship and writing and voted unanimously to approve the dissertation and award him the degree.

Another Grace Brethren pastor, Kary Oberbrunner from the Powell, OH, church, will be defending his D.Min. dissertation in the same room this Friday. 

Best-selling Christian suspense novelist and avid surfer T. Davis Bunn was seriously injured when a shark bit both his feet in an attack off the coast of Melbourne, FL, this past week.

Bunn swam back to shore and was aided by surfers in the area. His injuries required more than 120 stitches. He's expected to make a full recovery, and he plans to continue surfing, but says he will never go alone again.

Davis, an award-winning novelist, is an extraordinarily creative wordsmith whose talents move between high drama such as THE GREAT DIVIDE to heartwarming stories like THE QUILT. His collaboration with Janette Oke on THE MEETING PLACE, the first novel in the SONG OF ACADIA series, was honored with a Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, 1999.

Bunn's most recent thriller is THE LAZARUS TRAP (WestBow/Nelson).
 

Kim Cooke (pictured here with her husband, Kelvin), pastor's wife from the Grace Brethren Church of Waterloo, Iowa, recently had major heart surgery. Here are edited excerpts from updates sent out by her mother, Sherrie Clingenpeel. (photo at Grace Homecoming05 by Ruth Clingenpeel Williams)

Kim spoke with the surgeon, who informed her that the aneurysm on the aortic root was much worse than test results had shown, and he also said that the aortic wall was very weak. Please raise your voices in praise to our Awesome Father and thank Him for keeping Kim safe until the time of surgery.

We also feel very strongly that God's hand orchestrated the circumstances so that the right surgeon repaired her heart. I want to weep with gratitude when I see how God has worked and will continue to work in all of our lives as we yield to His plan.

Kim is home!

The trip was uneventful, albeit very long for Kim. Thank you for praying. She is now in the process of trying to discover a way to sleep that will be as comfortable as possible--not as easy as you might think.

We came home to wonderful news. Some know that Kim has been ministering to, witnessing to, and praying for her neighbor, Christy, for more than a year now. Today, Christy made the decision to allow Christ to be the Lord of her life. Kim is praising God for this new child of His (as we all are), knowing that God has used her for His glory to bring this precious soul to Him.

Praise Him with us for His faithfulness and for using Kim to bring glory and honor to His name. What a homecoming gift! 

Today's Altoona, PA, Mirror newspaper carries a wrapup article of people and organizations in the Altoona region who have helped with hurricane relief efforts. One of the churches cited is the Martinsburg (PA) Grace Brethren Church (Jim Laird, pastor). Here is a short excerpt--to see the entire article click here.

Since last October, teams of volunteers from the Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church have been going to Gulfport, Miss., to help. Less than two weeks ago, Kristin Russell, her husband, Rusty, and others from the church left for Gulfport as part of the church’s fourth volunteer team.

Kristin Russell said the church hopes to send a volunteer team down every month and her team planned to stay a week and try to do whatever work requests hurricane victims placed with the Crosspoint Church in Gulfport.

“We just were so really touched by the complete loss of everything,” she said before the team left. “We’re going out of love and compassion for our fellow man and here’s a chance to help people within our own borders who really need our help.”

The blogosphere is now 60 times larger than it was three years ago. Technorati.com now tracks 35 million blogs, with a new blog being created every second of every day.

The Boston Globe currently has an article on the eight great career benefits of blogging. Here is a short excerpt—to read the entire article click here.

Blogging is good for your career. A well-executed blog sets you apart as an expert in your field.

Ben Day blogged his way into a career as a high-earning software consultant while maintaining the freedom to schedule frequent jam sessions and performances as a keyboard player.

Blogging gave him the opportunity to stand out enough to support the life he envisioned for himself. ''For your career, a blog is essential," says Phil van Allen, a faculty member of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

''It's the new public relations and it's the new home page. Instead of a static home page, you have your blog," he said. It's a way to let people know what you are thinking about the field that interests you.

Employers regularly Google prospective employees to learn more about them. Blogging gives you a way to control what employers see, because Google's system works in such a way that blogs that are heavily networked with others come up high in Google searches.

And coming up high is good: ''People who are more visible and have a reputation and stand for something do better than people who are invisible," says Catherine Kaputa, branding consultant and author of ''Blogging for Business Success."

But pick your topics carefully and have a purpose. ''The most interesting blogs are focused and have a certain attitude," says van Allen. ''You need to have a guiding philosophy that you stick to.”

Grace Theological Seminary announced this week that Dr. Christy Morr (pictured) will join the school's full-time faculty, effective this fall, as Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation and Women's Ministries.

Originally from the Ashland, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, Dr. Morr is a graduate of Wheaton College (B.A.), Talbot School of Theology (M.A.) and her Ph.D. is also from Talbot, in the area of Spiritual Formation. She will be teaching in the areas of spiritual formation, interpersonal communication, and women's ministries.

Dr. Morr's research interests include personal and interpersonal development with empirical work conducted in the area of adult attachment styles and relationship with God variables. She taught at Biola University and Talbot School of Theology before coming to Grace. Dr. Morr has also been on the staff of Fullerton Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, CA, serving in the area of women's ministries.

While she focuses primarily in women's ministries, she has also served in a variety of leadership roles cross-culturally, in the local church and in the parachurch context. She has developed a number of Bible study materials, has been published in the Christian Education Journal, and has presented research findings at the North American Professors of Christian Education Conference, a society of which she is a member.

This fall she will be teaching a new course at Grace College entitled, "Women and Scripture." Students will explore the various roles women played in the Old Testament against the backdrop of the ancient world. They will investigate ways Jesus elevated the status of women and how New Testament passages describe the function of women within the Christian community.

Using modern theories on the role of women--hierarchical, complementarian, and egalitarian--students will seek to define a biblical approach to contemporary questions about the role of women. The three-credit course will be offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00-1:50 pm. For information about auditing the course or taking it for credit, call the Grace Registrar's Office at (574)372-5100, ext 6414 or 6415. 

Rodeheaver Auditorium in Winona Lake, Indiana, was packed Thursday evening, April 20, to hear Michael Reagan, eldest son of the President Ronald Reagan.

His presentation is the latest in the American Lyceum Lecture Series sponsored by Grace College, Grace Theological Seminary, and The Village at Winona.

Michael Reagan is host of his own nationally syndicated talk radio program and is the author of several books, the latest of which is Twice Adopted. He also raises funds for several charities, including the Cystic Fibrosis and Juvenile Diabetes foundations. Reagan serves on the board for The John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation.
 

Pastor Scott Distler (second from left, blue shirt) and Dr. Jerry Young participated in a ceremonial "mortgage burning" in both the morning worship services today at the Grace Brethren Church of Lititz, PA.

Distler is current pastor of the Lititz church and Jerry Young is the previous pastor, having retired after 30 years at the Lititz church. FGBC Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey, former administrative pastor at the Lititz church, also participated in the ceremony.

The actual mortgage, marked "paid in full" will be displayed in the church lobby as a testimony to God's faithfulness and the stewardship response of the Lititz congregation. 

Pastor Robert Fetterhoff of the Wooster, OH, Grace Brethren Church welcomed the approximately 215 seniors who attended today's "North of 55" conference at the Wooster church.

Sponsored by CE National, the day featured lectures, workshops, singing, challenges, fellowship and much more. It is one of a series of "North of 55" days CE is sponsoring around the country.

Ed Lewis and Bud Olszewski were emcees for the day and program arrangements were by Pastor George Johnson of the Wooster church staff. 

Dr. Randy Smith, pastor of the Sebring, FL, Grace Brethren Church and an expert on Israel and the Middle East, gave the two main talks of the day. One focused on the Book of Ezekiel and the other, based on Romans, included an update and a question-and-answer session on current developments in Middle Eastern countries as compared with biblical prophecies. 

Dr. Duke Heller, a dentist from the Worthington, OH, Grace Brethren church and the author of BMH Books' How to Start a Kingdom Conversation, gave two workshops on personal witnessing based on the principles in the book. 

Nancy Messner, pianist and recording artist with deep roots in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (her father was Pastor Russell Weber), played piano for the conference, presented several special numbers, and gave a workshop on dealing with grief after having suddenly become a widow. 

Lois Maxson, of the CE National staff, gave a workshop for women on the subject of mentoring girls. 

Bud Barger, of the Brethren Financial Planning services and a member of Calvary Grace Brethren Church of Hagerstown, MD, presented a workshop on estate planning and long-range financial management according to biblical principles. 

The combined choirs from Wooster Christian School gave a short concert in the afternoon session at today's "North of 55" conference in Wooster, Ohio. 

Dr. Paul R. Corts has been named the fifth president of the 30-year-old Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).

The selection of Corts, who has served as Assistant Attorney General for Administration for the U.S. Department of Justice since 2002, was announced at the CCCU International Forum on Christian Higher Education in Dallas, Texas, on March 31. Succeeding current CCCU President Bob Andringa, who announced his upcoming retirement in April 2005, Corts will assume the office of president in the CCCU headquarters in Washington, D.C. in June 2006.

"I have known Dr. Corts for more than 15 years and have observed with admiration his excellent leadership abilities," says David S. Dockery, president of Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and chair of the CCCU Board of Directors. "He is a man of much wisdom and godly character, a devoted churchman and a brilliant leader."

In his role as Assistant Attorney General for Administration, Corts serves on the President's Management Council, Council of Chief Financial Officers, the Enduring Constitutional Government Coordinating Council, the Executive Board of the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services (Department of State), and various other federal organizations. President Bush has also appointed Dr. Corts to serve on the Board of Directors of the Federal Prisons Industries.

Prior to his work at the Department of Justice, Corts served as president of CCCU member institution Palm Beach Atlantic University for nearly 12 years. He also served as president of Wingate University in North Carolina, and he has held administrative and teaching positions at Oklahoma Baptist University and Western Kentucky University.

Corts served many professional organizations in higher education, including a term as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities, an advisory policy board member for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, as well as chair of the board of directors of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.

"I have known Dr. Corts for several years and am excited to pass the baton of CCCU leadership to such a highly qualified leader," says Andringa. "I began with far less relevant experience than Dr. Corts is bringing. He will help us move Christian higher education to the next level."

Corts holds degrees from Georgetown College and Indiana University. He and his wife, Diane, are the parents of three grown children.

The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of more than 170 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world, including Grace College in Winona Lake, IN. There are now 105 member campuses in North America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences.

Three Grace College students have been accepted into CCCU (Council of Christian Colleges and Universities) programs for study during the fall term of 2006. Junior Nathanael Smith from Delaware, OH, a biblical studies major, was accepted into The Scholars' Semester in Oxford.

Senior Tammy Sackett from Waterloo, IA, a double-major in graphic design and illustration, was accepted into the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. Kate Marshall, a sophomore English major, will also study at Oxford under the CCCU program.


In addition, 71 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU. The Council's mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.  

Jewish Christian preacher Zola Levitt died yesterday after battling cancer, according to his ministry website.

Levitt, known for the tagline, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," had a television program seen on several Christian networks, "Zola Levitt Presents."

He died at home in Dallas, where he led the non-profit Zola Levitt Ministries, Inc.

Levitt was diagnosed with cancer Feb. 10, which had spread from his left lung to his liver and brain, according to his son, Mark Levitt, who posted updates on the ministry website.

Mark Levitt said in a recent post that that in response to the illness, his father was "doubling his efforts to produce extra TV programs and create more informative and outspoken newsletters than ever."  

Grace Brethren North American Missions (GBNAM) today announced the appointment of Nelson L. Peters, of the Grace Brethren Church of Lititz, PA, as the senior advancement officer for GBNAM. Peters will work in the areas of fundraising and donor relations, building and strengthening partnerships for establishing churches throughout North America.

His work experience spans a period of 37 years, and includes corporate employment with a Fortune 250 company, consulting service with a major manufacturer, and a CRM consulting business. He served in leadership roles for strategic projects and operational effectiveness processes, both on the manufacturing and operational levels. This included the oversight of projects for multi-million dollar capital investments and process improvement plans both in North America and Europe.

Peters' experience enabled him to interact with people in various cultures and leadership levels to build relationships and to achieve success in their business goals and to serve the Lord as a tentmaker in Europe. The tentmaking employment opportunity in England allowed him to further develop a global perspective, a biblical worldview, and a growing passion to serve the Lord and to share His good news.

Peters served as an Elder of the Lititz Grace Brethren Church (1983 - 1987) and after returning from Europe, as chairman of the Missions Committee (1993 -1998). He was a member of Grace Brethren International Missions Board of Trustees (1997 - 2000) and a board member and officer of the Northern Atlantic Missions, Inc. Board (1998 - 2005).

He served with GBNAM's Northeast Region Coordinator to develop and serve as a member of the Strategic Steering Advisory Board for the church planting initiatives (2000-2005), and was president of the Northern Atlantic Missions, Inc. (2005 - 2006).

He served on the Warwick School District Strategic Planning Team as the co-chair for the Industry and Community Team (1998), served as a community representative on the Warwick School Board's Education Committee (2003 - 2005), and he currently serves as strategic consultant to the Development Director for the Lititz Community Center, Major Donors (2006).

During his leadership of the mission committee at the Lititz Grace Brethren Church, Peters was significantly involved in the assistance of raising financial support for European mission team members and vision-casting of missions for North America and GBIM. He also assisted in fundraisers for both local not-for-profit organizations and statewide political campaigns.

Peters' wife, Janet, is a Supervisor, Account Service with Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc. Both enjoy the ministry of service at Grace Church Lititz and with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. They have a married daughter, Michele, two granddaughters, and two grandsons. 

The sign on the door of the Herald Bookstore in Winona Lake, Indiana, says "Our final day of business will be Friday, April 21. Thank you. The staff of the Herald Bookstore."

A Christian bookstore has been operated continuously in this location (1104 Kings Highway) since 1956, when the Herald building was built under the direction of then-general manager Arnold Kriegbaum.

The store will be closed for several months. After extensive renovation and re-stocking a new Tree of Life Christian bookstore and cafe is anticipated to open in late August, shortly before the beginning of the fall semester for Grace College and Seminary.

More information on Tree of Life is available at www.tolbookstores.com.  

Dr. Francois Ngoumape (pictured), who directs the Bible schools and seminary for the Grace Brethren churches in the Central African Republic, has been asking for prayer for safety during these difficult times in the CAR. Here is a slightly-edited version of his latest report, which indicates that God has been answering those prayers.

Yes Jesus is living. We have just celebrated His resurrection. Since March 23 we were on Easter vacation, with the opportunity for some of our students to travel to visit their parents and their churches.

Those who went toward the west have been caught by bandits who beat them up, but their life was safe. A village toward the west of the country, named Kaita toward Bocaranga, has been fired on by the bandits. The churches of the Brethren were to meet in this village for their district conference. Fortunately, the damage arrived before the date of the conference. More than 150 houses were burned, and a deacon has been killed.

A student went northbound in Markounda to see his parents. He made the trip by bicycle, 600 kilometers. When he arrived he met a few of his relatives. They were astonished to see him, because all said since the war in this part since last September, he is the first person to make this road.

Praise the Lord all of us came back safely to the campus. Since April 3 until April 16 the bandits were within 150 metres of the campus, but God stopped them from doing anything to us. Thanks to your prayers, since April 17 they moved away from us.

It is true that Jesus lives, and that He watches over His beloved. As Psalm 23 says, �even though I walk in the shade of the valley of the death, I don't fear any pain.� That is what encourages us and motivates us in the ministry for His glory.

I thank you very sincerely for your unceasing prayers and your letters of encouragement to us in the ministry here at Bata. Please pray that one day we will be able to have a fence around the campus for safety. May God's grace and peace dwell with you!
 

From today's Maryland Gazette online:

The director of Grace Brethren Christian School in Clinton said that the destruction by fire of one of his school’s buses, apparently by vandals, knocked out vital transportation for students to and from athletic events and field trips.

‘‘Until we get another bus, it will be a major inconvenience,” said George Hornickel, head of the school. ‘‘We’ll have to purchase a new bus real soon... this brought down our capacity [for transporting students] by about one-third.”

About 800 students from kindergarten through 12th grade attend Grace Brethren Christian School. Parents are responsible for transporting them to class, but the school provides transportation to and from sporting events and on field trips.

The buses carry about 50 to 60 students. The fire was set the night of April 17.

Hornickel said he might have security cameras and lights installed around the bus lot to prevent further acts of vandalism.

Hornickel said that a new bus would cost about $90,000 so the school would likely try to purchase a used model in the $10,000 to $20,000 range.

Prince George’s County Fire⁄EMS Department investigators have not determined what actually caused the fire.

‘‘All they’ve said is that it’s under investigation,” said Mark Brady, fire⁄EMS spokesman. ‘‘Nothing has been ruled out.”

But Hornickel remains convinced that it was an act of vandalism and points to other acts on the campus that he believed occurred at the same time. He said a storage shed on the campus grounds had been broken into and paint cans were opened and their contents tossed about. A trash can there was also set on fire, Hornickel said.

Parents of preschoolers attending an evening church function found the bus on fire and contacted police and fire units, Hornickel said.

‘‘It’s fortunate they were here or else the other bus [next to the torched unit] could’ve caught on fire,” Hornickel said. ‘‘Fortunately no one was hurt.”

The purpose of the Brethren Missionary Herald Co. (and of this blog) is to “nurture Great Commission teamwork among the people and churches of the FGBC by building bridges of communication.” It delights our hearts to get positive ministry reports from Grace Brethren churches, both large and small.

The November/December FGBC World announced that Howard and June Immel had moved to Garwin, Iowa, for Howard to assume the pastorate of the Carlton Brethren Church there. Here, used by permission, is an update on what God is doing in and through the Garwin church.

Our first Sunday here--Oct. 2, 2005--there were 35 in attendance. We have been steadily growing--this Sunday, April 16, 2006, there were 111. Yes, one hundred and eleven people attended the worship service!

I (June) directed my first adult choir this previous Sunday--quite a scary thing for me! We serve an awesome God. At our communion service last Wednesday evening, several gave testimony as to the spiritual growth they saw happening in the church body and in their own lives. Again--due to the faithfulness of our God.

When we arrived, we did not meet on a weekly basis for prayer meeting. However, the first of the year we began SPRYNT--Special Prayer Reunion with Your Neighborhood Team. We encouraged people in their neighborhood getting together to pray--anytime, anyday, anywhere.

At present we have three such meetings during the week--one in Marshalltown (usually on a Tues. PM), one here at the parsonage (6 PM on Wednesdays.) and one in Garwin (2 PM on Thursdays) God is answering prayer.

Ladies Bible Study (Tuesday mornings) has grown from 4-5 to 14 in regular attendance. At present we are studying the Book of I John. Please continue to pray for us and the church. A small country church on a very dirt(y) road but we are seeing God answer. Praise Him!

When you are asked to pray for someone in need, it is always good to get a report on how God has answered those prayers. You were asked to pray for the heart surgery Tuesday on Kim Cooke, wife of pastor Kelvin Cooke of the Waterloo, Iowa, Grace Brethren church. Here are updates as of Tuesday Wednesday morning from Kim’s mother, Sherrie Clingenpeel:

We are praising God for His faithfulness. Bill and I have been the caretakers today of Isabel and Carson. We began the day by arriving at the hospital around 6:30 a.m. where we were able to spend some time with Kim before surgery. Leaving the hospital was difficult, but Kim's wish for her children today was that they spend the day in activities that would occupy their minds and keep them from worry. That we have done.

Kelvin called us just about two hours ago and said that he had seen Kim in the ICU and that her vitals were good. The surgery was a success, and all signs are very encouraging. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for all the prayers that have gone to the throne of God on behalf of Kim and her family. She said on more than one occasion that the knowledge of that support has been her rock, and we as her family all concur.

Bill and I paused at the side of an ice skating rink with Isabel and Carson and with tears of joy praised God for the good news following surgery. What a sweet blessing that the next generation is already seeing that our strength comes from above. Even Isabel and Carson have been impressed with the generosity of many and the scope of the prayer circle that has surrounded their family. Thank you all again for all you have done.

LATE-BREAKING NEWS -- 5:40 p.m. Tuesday -- Kelvin just came out of the ICU. Kim is awake and responded to him by squeezing his hand. If she continues to be alert and responsive, the ventilator will be removed.

Kelvin was with Kim at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, and she was asking for Seven-Up because the Sprite being offered was too sweet. Less than three hours later she was back in the OR because of internal bleeding. We received the call from the hospital, and Kelvin left immediately to be there.

It is now approximately 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and Kelvin has just returned from the hospital. The original surgeon, Dr. Everett, was called in to reopen her and discover the cause of the bleeding. He found a small vein, not even associated with the surgery, that had popped (details are sketchy at this point) and was able to repair it with ONE stitch. He said that she is resting comfortably now and that this will not set back her recovery significantly.

As you rise to begin your day we ask that you continue to remember Kim and her family in your prayers, praising God for His faithfulness and mercy and asking for His continued graciousness to this family. The children slept through the crisis; the rest of us will now lie down and rest in the arms of Jesus.

Thanking you again for your concern and love, Sherrie for the entire family

The following article appeared in yesterday's Maryland Gazette online. The school is affiliated with the Clinton Grace Brethren Church, Howard Mayes, pastor.
Prince George’s County Fire⁄EMS investigators are looking for answers in the case of a private school bus that they found burning in Clinton last night.

Fire⁄EMS personnel arrived at the 6700 block of Surratts Road at about 8:20 p.m. at Grace Brethren Christian School and extinguished the blaze.

Investigators have not yet determined a cause of the fire, officials said.

‘‘All they’ve said about this is that it’s under investigation,” said department spokesman Mark Brady. ‘‘Nothing has been ruled out ... The damage was significant.”

School officials say they believe the fire was an act of vandalism and point to a broken-in storage shed, tossed paint and a torched trash can as further evidence.

‘‘How does a bus just catch on fire at 8 p.m. at night?” asked school Director George Hornickel.

The Sebring, Florida, Grace Brethren Church (Randy Smith, pastor) put on a carnival this past Saturday under the leadership of Hunter Brewer and other 412 students (Florida 412 team pictured) at the Sebring campus.

Many people saw "Spiderman" (Beniah Kirbwny) on the news or in ads in the paper inviting the community, and about 420 people attended, including about 80 percent of the Sebring Church Day Care people.

The event was considered a huge success, as the community was made aware of the ministries at the church. Several people came to the Easter Sunday services at the church as a result of the carnival.

The 412 Commission, a ministry of CENational, is a one-year post-high-school intensive program of Bible learning, local-church internship and ministry travel. In its initial year there were two sites--Akron, OH and Sebring, FL--but two additional sites (Lititz, PA and Goshen, IN) are projected to open in the fall. For information click here.
 

The CE National website currently carries the following brief report about a recent outreach effort on the part of our Norwalk, CA, church (Pastor Wayne Ayer).

Norwalk, California, Grace Brethren Church had "Old Time Revival" meetings last week. Guest speaker and illusionist Hubert Conway and guest musician/recording artist Charles Graham comprised the "Gospel Team" God used to challenge the church and the community.

In the first two nights alone, 13 people received Christ and 19 rededicated their lives. Pastor Wayne Ayer reports they had to set up extra chairs on the platform because the church was so full.
 

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--Robert E. Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, announced his resignation April 17 from the Southern Baptist entity he has led since its creation nine years ago.

Speaking to nearly 200 NAMB staff members at NAMB's Atlanta-area offices, Reccord said he made the decision, which was effective immediately, with "mixed emotions."

"I am thankful for the countless numbers of people we have seen come to Christ and the thousands of churches we have seen planted and nurtured," he said. "On the other hand, I regret we were not able to complete a number of things we have started or dreamed about. I regret that events of recent weeks have created an environment which makes it difficult to lead the organization and to stay on mission."

The events Reccord referred to resulted from a lengthy article two months ago in The Christian Index, newsjournal of the Georgia Baptist Convention. The article, which was critical of the entity's accomplishments and Reccord's leadership, led to an investigation by NAMB's board of trustees which also was critical of some of NAMB's more innovative initiatives and decisions under Reccord's leadership.

During his announcement, Reccord told employees he has found it increasingly difficult to be an entrepreneurial leader within a denominational structure.

Barry Holcomb, chairman of NAMB's board of trustees, read a statement to the mission board's employees, acknowledging Reccord's accomplishments, integrity and visionary leadership style.

Holcomb said, "Contrary to some opinions, Dr. Reccord is in no way being asked to resign, let alone forced to resign. He is taking this step for what he feels is best for Christ's Kingdom.... I believe that this is one of the strongest evidences of his personal character and integrity."

Reccord told employees he doesn't know what he is going to do but has already received several calls asking him to consider various ministry opportunities.

"We will follow God's leadership to do what is best for the Kingdom," he said.

Holcomb announced that Reccord will serve as a liaison between NAMB and Promise Keepers as he speaks at 19 PK events across the country from June through October.

"NAMB and Promise Keepers entered into an agreement earlier this year to work together to mobilize workers for the rebuild that continues along the Gulf Coast following last year's hurricanes," Holcomb said. "I'm thankful that Dr. Reccord has the opportunity and the desire to challenge Christian men across America to invest their time and talents alongside Southern Baptists."

Holcomb announced NAMB's trustees will consider naming an interim president at its upcoming May 2 meeting as well as begin the search process for a new president.

In the meantime, Carlos Ferrer, NAMB's chief financial officer, who was named the previous week as the interim chief operating officer, would assume all executive leadership responsibilities, Holcomb said.

"Carlos is a man of great giftedness and integrity, and he will provide outstanding leadership during this time." Ferrer, a native of Cuba, joined the former Home Mission Board in 1992 as controller. 

This feature story on the grave of A.W. Tozer appears in today's Akron (OH) Beacon-Journal newspaper, and quotes Jonathan Carey, pastor of the Ellet Grace Brethren Church. One of this blogger's favorite memories was a weekend Christian journalism conference at Grace College and Seminary-sponsored by the Brethren Missionary Herald Co.-featuring guest speaker A.W. Tozer. As best we can remember, that was in about 1962, one year before the great Christian journalist's death.

Tozer's publishing house, Christian Publications Inc., has recently gone out of business and the Tozer intellectual properties will be preserved and perpetuated under the corporate umbrella of Zur, Inc., with the publishing house being WingSpread, of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. (Beacon-Journal photo)

They pray at the grave of a man they never met. Out-of-town visitors make a special pilgrimage to Ellet Cemetery to honor a 20th-century prophet whose writings inspire them.

Evangelical author Aiden Wilson Tozer, pastor of a Chicago church for more than 30 years, wrote nearly 40 books about faith. Two of his titles -- The Pursuit of God (1948) and The Knowledge of the Holy (1961) -- are considered classics in evangelical Protestant theology.

Many Akron residents may not know that the minister is buried in Ellet, but the word has spread beyond Summit County. Almost every month, small groups of Tozer's admirers wander into the historic cemetery behind North Springfield Presbyterian Church at Canton Road and Albrecht Avenue.

``There's probably a hundred people, I'd say, that have been there to see that grave since about a year ago,'' said Robert Dishman, the church's custodian for 33 years.

At the cemetery, Dishman digs graves, mows grass, trims trees and handles other duties. When he works outside, he occasionally runs into visitors.

``I'll see people up here walking around, and I'll ask if I can help them,'' he said.

Quite often, they're looking for Tozer. He guides them to the back corner of the cemetery -- Tier 23, Lot 57, Grave 4 -- to a rose-colored granite marker with a simple inscription:

A.W. TOZER
A MAN OF GOD
1897-1963

``The people that come here are ardent readers of his books,'' said Jerry Schrop, Ellet Cemetery superintendent. ``They really respect his theology.''
Some bring flowers. Some take pictures.

``A few of them have stayed by his grave for several hours and prayed,'' Schrop said. Nearly a century ago, Tozer found his calling in Akron.

He was born April 21, 1897, in La Jose, Pa., and moved with his family to the Rubber City in 1912. Jacob and Prudence Tozer and their six children -- Zene, Essie, Aiden, Mildred, Margaret and Hugh -- lived in a crowded house at 108 Roger Ave. in Middlebury.

Aiden enrolled briefly at Akron High School but left at age 15 to support his family. He found jobs in the rubber shops at Goodrich, Goodyear and Mohawk.

According to biographer James L. Snyder, the defining moment of Tozer's life arrived in 1915 as he walked home from work one day. A crowd had gathered around a street preacher, and Tozer stopped to listen.

``If you don't know how to be saved, just call on God, saying, `God, be merciful to me, a sinner,' and God will hear you,'' the old preacher said.

The words resonated with the teen. When he got home, he climbed to the attic and prayed. In his mind, a light clicked on.

Tozer started paying closer attention to sermons at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church on East Market Street. He studied the Bible, memorized passages and practiced preaching.

He discovered something else at church, too: Ada Pfautz, a 16-year-old parishioner. He asked to walk her home to 1458 Malasia Road in Goodyear Heights.

The afternoon stroll led to a courtship, and the courtship led to marriage April 26, 1918. By then, Tozer knew he wanted to be a full-time preacher.

Aiden and Ada Tozer joined the Christian and Missionary Alliance church on Locust Street. Tozer worked to save souls on Akron street corners and traveled with his brother-in-law to preach in West Virginia.

The young evangelist left Akron in 1919 to serve as pastor of Alliance Church in Nutter Fort, W.Va. Over the next decade, he led churches in Morgantown, W.Va., Toledo and Indianapolis -- each congregation a little bigger than the previous.

His immediate family kept growing, too. The Tozers welcomed six sons and a daughter. By the time Tozer arrived at Chicago's Southside Alliance Church in 1928, he was one of the most influential U.S. evangelists.

Tozer's sermons were simple, yet powerful. Despite having little formal education, Tozer crafted beautiful prose that stirred audiences.

``A.W. Tozer had the gift of taking a spiritual truth and holding it up to the light so that, like a diamond, every facet was seen and admired,'' Chicago author Warren Wiersbe once noted.

In 1943, the evangelist wrote his first book, Wingspread, a biography of Christian and Missionary Alliance founder Albert Benjamin Simpson. He drafted his most famous work, The Pursuit of God (1948), during an overnight train trip to Texas.

``I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea it is not only a book which was once spoken, but a book which is now speaking,'' he writes in the best-seller.

Other Tozer titles include Let My People Go (1947), The Divine Conquest (1950), The Root of the Righteous (1955), Keys to the Deeper Life (1957), Of God and Men (1960) and Paths to Power (1964). Tozer's sermons, letters, radio addresses and newspaper columns have been collected in dozens of other books.

``Secularism, materialism, and the intrusive presence of things have put out the light in our souls and turned us into a generation of zombies,'' Tozer warns in The Knowledge of the Holy (1961).

``We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper `mystery.' ''

Tozer retired from the Chicago church in 1959 and accepted a pastorship at the Avenue Road Church in Toronto, Ontario. His final years were spent in Canada.

A.W. Tozer died of a heart attack May 12, 1963, in Toronto. He was 66 years old.

The author was buried in Chicago, but his widow had second thoughts. In 1976, she had the remains disinterred and moved to Ellet Cemetery in Akron, the town where they met.

Ada joined her husband in 1987. She was 87 years old.

Robert Dishman, custodian at North Springfield Presbyterian Church, dug both graves. Within the last two years, religious pilgrims began to ask about Tozer at the cemetery.

``I had never heard of him,'' said the Rev. Janet Lowery, church pastor since 1999. Tozer's writings aren't as well known in the Presbyterian Church, but she set out to learn more.

The grave's location was disclosed in James L. Snyder's 1991 biography In Pursuit of God: The Life of A.W. Tozer. The Ellet inquiries multiplied after excerpts appeared on the Internet.

Some visitors have tried to convey how much Tozer's work means to them.

``One particular young man was in an accident and had some injuries,'' said Jerry Schrop, the cemetery superintendent. ``He considers himself a disciple of Tozer. He works down in Tijuana, Mexico, passing out tracts.''

The man's last wish is to be buried near the pastor.

``To pacify the guy, I told him if he was cremated and brought his ashes, I'd put him somewhere near there,'' Schrop said.

The Rev. Jonathan Carey, pastor of Ellet Grace Brethren Church near the cemetery, grew up reading Tozer's books and owns several titles. His favorite may be The Pursuit of God.

``He comes across very passionately,'' Carey said. ``A 20th-century prophet is how he's been described. He read the church fathers and the mystics and applied that to the 20th century.''

Carey was surprised when he learned that the author's grave was across the street, but he wasn't surprised by the public's interest. He wanted to look, too.

He joined a visiting Brazilian missionary who had asked about the grave. ``We were moved by the simplicity of it,'' Carey said. ``It's just a ground marker.''

The epitaph ``A Man of God'' couldn't be more precise.

``Something simple, and yet so profound,'' Carey said. ``That seems to be the testimony of his life.'' 

A couple from the Ellet Grace Brethren Church in Akron, Ohio (Jonathan Carey, pastor) have been attracting wide attention from the Akron area. Last week the Akron Beacon-Journal newspaper ran a four-part series on Sue and Chuck Minick and the handicapped little Russian girl they have adopted. Some of the donations that have come in response to the story will be used to make the Ellet church building more handicap-accessible. Here are some excerpts from Kelsey's story and the response (family photo, from the Beacon-Journal).

Kelsey Minick sat beside her mother in their Suffield Township home and tore open an envelope. Kids like getting mail; it makes them feel important. That's why the 5-year-old feels like royalty.

Since a series of Beacon Journal articles about the little girl concluded last Sunday, the Minick family has been showered with cards, gifts and money.

``Ask your mother to buy you a nice outfit for Easter,'' an 83-year-old great-grandmother penned inside a card that accompanied a $100 check. ``You are a brave little girl.''

Kelsey's mother, Sue, shook her head. The generosity of strangers has been overwhelming.

By the final installment of the four-day series, the family had received more than 150 telephone calls at their home, mostly from folks they have never met.

``The mail, the calls, the e-mails -- wow! There are just so many kind people,'' Sue said, staring at the most recent stack of cards from well-wishers.

Kelsey, who was born in Russia, arrived in Akron in January 2002. By the fall of that year, she was a paraplegic. Her first adoptive father, Gerald Hyre, who is serving 16 years in prison, severed her spine. She will never walk again

Last month, doctors at Akron Children's Hospital performed an operation to make Kelsey continent and free of infection of the bowel and bladder. She will have many surgeries in her life as a result of the abuse.

Meanwhile, though, she is doing well. She's back to using her wheelchair to chase her sister, Jamie, and quietly plays with Miranda, a sibling who is deaf.

Sue and Chuck Minick, who are grandparents, have three grown children, a foster child, and four adopted girls who are all victims of child abuse or neglect. Their oldest adopted daughter, Amanda, was left a paraplegic at the hands of her biological father.

Readers have been so moved by the Minick story that they have offered complimentary tickets to the ballet, invited the family to visit an Amish farm with exotic animals, volunteered to buy an electric wheelchair, and left Easter baskets on the porch of the family's Victorian-style home.

Sue and Chuck Minick are grateful for the community's generosity. They will use the money they've received on Kelsey.

But because the little girl isn't in need of major financial assistance, the couple suggest that any future donations be sent, in their daughter's name, to a fund that could benefit many.

The church that the family attends, Ellet Grace Brethren, is 85 years old. Because it has no outside ramp for those in wheelchairs, Amanda is unable to attend, and Kelsey is carried into the building.

Contributions to the church's building fund for a ramp, or to build a new church that would be accessible to handicapped people, should be sent to:

Ellet Grace Brethren Church, 530 Stetler Ave., Akron, OH 44312

Kelsey's story.

It brought tears to some readers, who were shocked at the brutality of the child's abuse but also inspired by the child's spirit and the determination of her new parents.

However, others found the Kelsey coverage too pandering and too soft. For them, human interest stories cannot and should not be featured over what they consider news of more substance and significance.

In case you missed it, the four-part series that ended last Sunday offered a moving and emotional look inside the lives of Sue and Chuck Minick, the Suffield Township couple who took in the little girl. And it gave you the sweetness of Kelsey's sunny spirit, despite the prognosis of never again walking after her spine was broken by the man who adopted her from Russia.

Through the work of reporter Kim Hone-McMahan and photographer Paul Tople, you agonized with Kelsey as she battled terrifying nightmares, and then later as she endured painful medical procedures. You also realized the depth of the love and caring extended by the Minicks, who went to extreme lengths to bring the special child into their home.

Kelsey's story.

One of despair and hope, pain and healing, abuse and love.

More of the Beacon-Journal articles and supporting material are available by clicking here. 

Many Grace Brethren churches are presenting special drama/music Easter outreaches this week. Here is a story about one--at Simi Valley, California--where John McIntosh is pastor. Simi music director Mark Vogel alternates leading worship at Simi with his Nashville-based job as music arranger, conductor, and studio musician.


Imagine three stages, the world premiere of a contemporary worship song and a musical extravaganza celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

All this and a continental breakfast will be offered free to the public Sunday morning at Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley.

The three stages will serve as the backdrop for the retelling of the story of the Resurrection, set to the classic song "They Could Not," first made famous by singer Sandy Patti, known as "the Barbra Streisand of Christian music," said Mark Vogel, music director for Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley.

"We're going to be performing a very high level of music," Vogel said of the production, which will be presented twice on Easter morning. "An earthquake will rumble through the church. It's going to be exciting."

Vogel, who is producing the presentation, also wrote a new Easter song, "He's Alive," that he will premiere during the musical production.

"Easter 2006" is being staged by a cast and crew of 100, including a choir, a praise team and a live band, as well as actors who will re-enact the Easter story.

Visitors are invited to come early to enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast before each service. Breakfast will be served at 8:15 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., with worship services and the musical program following at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

The church is at 2900 Sycamore Drive in Simi Valley. For more information, please call Vogel or Christie Saunders at 582-4300.

Kim Cooke, wife of pastor Kelvin Cooke of the Grace Brethren Church of Waterloo, Iowa, will be having open heart surgery Tuesday, April 18, at 8 a.m. in Iowa City. Your prayers would be appreciated—here is some background information from Kim:

Many of you have known that I have congenital aorticstenosis. I have been followed obviously for years and in December, my doctor here made an appointment for me to see a doctor in Iowa City.

With input from his group of doctors in Iowa City and two nationally-recognized cardiac specialists, it has been determined that I will need open heart surgery to replace my valve and replace my ascending aortic root due to an aneurysm.

As I have looked into God's Word, these verses have just popped off the page..."Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as OUR God? (rhetorical question!) You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples." Psalm 77:13-14. He is a God that we can put our faith and trust in no matter the circumstances. There is no god as great as our God!

Please pray for us! If I may, I would like to ask you to pray for these things specifically:

Kelvin. All of this is coming at a very busy time for him. Pray that God will continue to lift him up and that discouragement will not come.

Our children. For peace and understanding. Patience.

Timing. When is there a good time? Yet God knows the right time.

That God will be glorified and honored through this time in our lives. We want to see Him high and lifted up!

We will be blessed to have you praying for us. Thank you in advance.

Living Loved,

Kim Cooke

Benjamin Boal, son of Grace Brethren North American Missions executive director and Penn Valley (Telford, PA) pastor Tim Boal, was seriously injured in an auto accident on Saturday, April 1. Many have been praying for his recovery and spiritual perspective—Pastor Tim sends this update:

Thank you for your many kind e-mails, cards, and especially the prayers on Ben’s behalf before the throne of grace. I cannot begin to express our appreciation for your friendship and love.

Ben was brought home from the hospital over the weekend and we have a hospital bed, walker, and other physical aids set up in our family room for him. We praise God that aside from weakness in his left leg caused by the fractured hip and pelvis, he has a full range of motion.

Once fully healed, he should be able to resume normal activity. That healing process will be a 12-15 week timeframe with physical rehabilitation for his surgically-repaired back. He starts therapy on Thursday, April 13.

Many of you have prayed for Ben’s spiritual walk through the years. Yesterday I found him listening to a sermon on television. It is our prayer and belief that God is working not only in his body but also, and far more importantly, in his spirit. Much of this, I’m sure, is because of your faithful prayer for him.

Would you please pray for a continued sensitivity to the Lord’s voice in his life? I wish it were possible for me to put into words what our FGBC and Penn Valley Church family have meant to us during this trial. Tammy and I count it a privilege to belong to such a loving and concerned Fellowship of God’s people.

The following excerpt from an article in the Ventura County (CA) Star tells of the academic, as well as athletic, success of the Grace Brethren High teams affiliated with the Grace Brethren Church of Simi Valley, CA (John McIntosh, pastor).

Ventura County teams winners in classroom, too

By Derry Eads,
April 12, 2006

Athletic championships aren't the only CIF-Southern Section awards area student-athletes are bringing home to Ventura County.

They are winners in the classroom as well.

Fifty-three area sports teams qualified for the section's academic awards program.
Oaks Christian and Camarillo had 16 and 15 teams honored, respectively, for their academic performances. Nine of Grace Brethren's 11 sports teams made the grade scholastically.

To qualify for the CIF Academic Awards program, teams must have a minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in college-prep courses in the first semester of the 2005-06 school year. There are divisions for schools with 1,500 or more students and one for 1,499 and below.

The nine team academic awards were the most won by Grace Brethren in a school year, said athletic director Terry Gourley.

"I thought the paperwork might take an hour or two," said Gourley, "but it turned out to take longer because just about everybody was qualifying.

"It is awesome for our school. We have been trying to get the academics as challenging as the athletics."

Grace Brethren was the only Ventura County football team to be honored academically.

A CIF-SS Division XI finalist last fall, the Grace Brethren football players maintained a 3.00 GPA.

"Next year, we have a chance to be the academic champion in football," said Gourley.

'FGBC National Young Adult Emphasis Week' is nearly upon us--click here for the "Three Challenges." 

April 23-30 Declared "FGBC National Young Adult Emphasis Week"

DRIVEN06, the FGBC conference for young adults which is held on the Kenyon College Campus in Gambier, Ohio, will be held June 22-25 this year. The coalition of young adults pastors who plan, organize, and implement DRIVEN06 have released the following:

In light of the dire need to reach the young adult generation for Christ and in view of the fact that eight million of them have left the church, let all readers be made aware: it has been declared that April 23-30 is FGBC National Young Adult Emphasis Week.

What does this mean to you? Hopefully it means a whole bunch, and at the minimum the potential for a sweet free T-shirt. All paid-in-full attendees who register by 11:50 pm EST on April 30th will receive a free, state-of-the-art, sweet T-shirt that bears the highly prized DRIVEN 06 logo (register at driven06.org). Our goal is to have 300 people register in this week alone.

Bottom line: DRIVEN 06 is a tool for FGBC pastors and churches alike to reach out to the young adults connected or disconnected with their church. Wouldn�t it be a bummer, if you missed the opportunity to influence the young adults you know to attend DRIVEN 06? It is a conference whose vision is: To gather a generation to become catalysts for Christ within church and culture.

Read below for more information. Bottom line: No excuses, put all things aside right now (except breathing) and tell at least one young adult in your life about DRIVEN today and have them register. After all, FGBC NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT EMPHASIS WEEK is almost here.

Three Challenges PDF link: <http://thequestcolumbus.com/3%20challenges.pdf>
 

The following update comes from Mike Tabor, pastor of The Happy Church in Jackson, Kentucky:

Saturday April 8, 2006, the Happy Church quiz teams completed the Tri-State district Bible quizzing. This event was held in various locations throughout Ohio and marks the end to an incredible year of competition.

Our teams were successful against some of the brightest and best competition in the Ohio/Indiana/Kentucky area. These children are not only memorizing God's Word, they are learning that with hard work and determination that they can not only compete, they can win!

The junior quiz team includes Vanessa Tabor (1st overall), Mary Beth Feltner (8th over all), Diana Lewis, and Victoria McAllister. They were required to memorize large parts of Bible chapters (Genesis 1-3 Romans 1-9).

Their hard work and effort paid off and won them the first place team trophy! Come and see the trophy at the HAPPY SHIP AND MORE (gourmet coffee shop, FedEx pack and ship, T-shirt design, eBay consignment and more) located on the corner of Highland and Broadway in Jackson, KY.

The senior Bible quiz team includes Philip Tabor (2nd overall), James Feltner (15th overall) and Travis Cornett. As a team they earned a fourth place!

Philip Tabor will quiz again May 6th against the top 14 seniors as seven of these children will compete as a team for the national championship in California July 22-28.
 

NOTE: There are obvious sensitivities with this story, so you will understand that we must be, at this point, necessarily vague about some details. But the incident, as verified by Dr. Tom Stallter of the Grace Seminary faculty, is true. There’s enough here to enable intelligent prayer for what could be a very significant impact. We will share more details as it seems wise to do so.

One of the students in a D.Min. class being taught last week by Dr. Tom Stallter of the Grace Seminary faculty, is from an African country.

At about 4 a.m. Thursday that student received a telephone call from the president of his country back in Africa. The student had officiated last November at the funeral of a relative, who was a high-ranking officer in the country’s military.

The president had attended the funeral and left it pondering the words—the Christian message--he’d heard at the funeral.

Now, he was telling the Grace student, he (the president) had become a Christian and was desirous of having this student have an influential place in his government. They will meet in Washington D.C. to discuss the possibilities in a few months when the president comes to meet with President Bush.

The following article appeared in yesterday's Raleigh, NC, News&Observer. Mike Lee is pastor of this Grace Brethren church.(News&Observer staff photo)

Yonat Shimron, Staff Writer

Most rock 'n' roll bands play at local clubs or bars. Band of Brothers has a more exotic venue: Kyrgyzstan.

This group of six musicians will play Rolling Stones, Thin Lizzy and U2 for residents of the former Soviet republic while spreading the message of Jesus.

The idea is to raise awareness of a new church in the Central Asian country by appealing to the many teens and young adults who crave Western music.

"This kind of youthful approach to our faith is part of who we are," said Brian Blackmore of Cary, who plays bass guitar for the group. Other members include Mark Martyak and Jon Pritchett on guitars and Garold Smith on drums. Group members range in age from 25 to 47, and while most are not full-time musicians, nothing about their riffs is lightweight.

For most of the group's members, the May 2-16 engagement at venues across Kyrgyzstan, including the capital Bishkek, will be