BMH Editor's Blog

Randy R. Maxson, a 1974 graduate of Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana, has been named Executive Dean of Ivy Tech Community College, Warsaw, Indiana, campus. He had been serving as Interim Executive Dean since September, 2005.

Maxson has been associate professor of English at Ivy Tech. His previous experience includes service on the pastoral staffs of Grace Brethren churches in Indiana and Pennsylvania. He has been full-time on the Ivy Tech faculty since 1993.

The Warsaw Ivy Tech campus serves over 1,000 students annually, many of whom are older than traditional college students and have greater demands on their time and financial resources. The median age of students is 26; two out of three are female, and nearly 90 percent attend on a part-time basis to accommodate work and family schedules.

In addition to his degree from Grace College, Maxson holds a master of education degree from Millersville University in Pennsylvania and is currently completing a doctorate in educational leadership at Indiana State University.

Randy and his wife, Lois, who is assistant to Ed Lewis at CE National, have three children and three grandchildren. Randy also teaches part-time at Grace College and serves as choir director at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.

Pastor Scott Distler of the Grace Brethren Church of Lititz, PA, gave the following fire-incident report today in his regular e-mail update to his congregation:

We did have some excitement of a different kind at the church Wednesday evening.

About 10 minutes prior to the Wednesday evening ministries beginning, the alarms went off inside the building. Usually, alarms going off means that we are having another safety drill or that there has been some type of system malfunction.

However, last night the cause was due to a small fire in a large garbage can down in the Tech Ed room of the school.

Jay Hall, who is our Maintenance Director here at Grace, was here at the time and was able to quickly read the alarm panel, find the fire and put it out with a dry chemical fire extinguisher. Due to the smoke and smell that lingered in the building afterwards, we had to cancel all regular Wednesday ministries.

The fire company did respond and help to decipher that the building was safe to return into and a restoration company was called in to ensure that the Tech Ed and all other rooms would be ready to go for school on Thursday.

The fire chief commended us on our response to the incident in the fact that are alarms worked properly; we were able to get everyone cleared out of the building; and he highly commended Jay Hall for his quick action in containing the fire.

We praise the Lord for His safety and watchful eye over our ministry and for the lessons we have learned that will make our facility and our ministry even safer.

This blog requested prayer for Laura VanRyn, cousin of a member at Winona Lake, (IN) Grace Brethren Church, believed to be in a coma after the tragic accident. The following notice from the website of Taylor University gives details:

"All of us know the pain we have experienced over the past five weeks since that tragic evening during which we lost five members of our community – four students and one staff member – in an accident on I-69. As deeply as we have grieved these respective losses, the feelings of pain and sorrow we have experienced pale in comparison to the pain experienced by their respective families and loved ones.

"This morning, we learned from the Grant County Coroner's Office that there has been a case of mistaken identity involving two of the young women involved in the accident. We had believed that Laura VanRyn was airlifted to Parkview Hospital and has recently begun to emerge from the coma she was in since the night of the accident. The Coroner's office has notified us that Laura was instead one of the five people who died that evening and that it was Whitney Cerak who was airlifted to Parkview and is today convalescing at a hospital in Grand Rapids, MI.

"One can only imagine what impact this new development has had upon the VanRyn and Cerak families as they process this information. Taylor University is cooperating fully with the Coroner's Office.

"We ask that prayers be offered for the VanRyn and Cerak families, and also for the families of Laurel Erb, Monica Felver, Brad Larson, Betsy Smith, as well as the Taylor Community including students, faculty, staff and administrators deeply affected by this development."

David Guiles, executive director of Grace Brethren International Missions in Winona Lake, Indiana, was the main speaker for today's GBIM-sponsored "Retiree & Volunteer Luncheon" held at the 2517 Restaurant in Warsaw, Indiana, at noon.

Guiles, who has just returned from several weeks in Africa, gave updates from various fields where Grace Brethren missionaries are working. In beginning his remarks, he displayed a missionary contract from the early 1900's with pioneer missionaries to Argentina, who at that time made a seven-year commitment to stay on the field and were paid $90 a month.

A number of volunteers and retired missionaries were honored before the approximately 100 people who attended. Among those honored were members of a Global Prayer Group from the Winona Lake, IN, Grace Brethren Church, who have been meeting every Wednesday night for a number of years to pray for Grace Brethren missionaries. Several missionary recruits currently attending orientation sessions were also present.

Dr. and Mrs. Bill Walker (center) and Mrs. Harold Mason (second from left) were honored at today's luncheon for their many years of bringing medical missionary expertise to the Central African Republic.

Dr. Walker and the late Dr. Mason for many years did a two-year alternating medical practice with one managing the practice while the other was in Africa, and then they would switch.

GBIM's Ted Rondeau, at right, made the award, along with GBIM board member Miriam Pacheco, at left. Miriam and GBIM missionary Barb Wooler will be leaving tomorrow for the Central African Republic where Miriam will remain for a month, working with literacy, orphan care, and other ministries.

Veteran missionary to Africa Roy Snyder (center, blue shirt) was honored today, along with his wife, Ruth, for their many years of missionary service and particularly for the "Veterans of Foreign Fields" newsletter which he produces monthly to keep abreast of the travels and lives of GBIM personnel.

Making the award at the "Retiree and Volunteer Luncheon" today at noon was Pastor John Teevan (right), GBIM board member.

Phyllis Dunlap, right, was honored today for the 12 years she and her late husband, Russell, traveled among churches doing stewardship and estate planning.

Awarding the plaque (left) is Ted Rondeau, chief development officer for Grace Brethren International Missions. Phyllis continues to serve GBIM as a part-time front-desk receptionist.

Longtime Grace Brethren pastor and Assistant Fellowship Coordinator Charles Ashman was feted today in the FGBC offices in honor of his 82nd birthday.

Ashman, who continues his ministry of consulting with churches that are in difficulty or are in pastoral transition, has consulted with some 30 churches through the Paraclete Ministry which is coordinated through the Fellowship Coordinator's office of the FGBC.

The Grace College (Winona Lake, Indiana) Athletic Department has announced a two-year partnership with Stretch Internet to broadcast Lancer athletics over the web beginning this fall.

The Athletic Department is conservatively estimating that it will broadcast 50 athletic contests during the first year of the agreement. Grace fans will be able to tune into Lancer broadcasts through the Grace Web site at www.grace.edu.

Grace will announce the bulk of the men’s and women’s basketball games, as well as select volleyball, soccer, baseball, and softball contests. Also, plans are in the works to develop a weekly wrap-up show featuring coach/player comments, as well as highlights of Lancer games. A more concrete schedule will be available on the web this summer.

Fans will be able to listen to all games for free via their computer. No high speed internet needed as a 56k modem will work fine. In addition, all broadcasts will be archived.

Fans who sign up for eScore Instant Fan Messaging will be able to get text messages to their cell phone or e-mail with scores and highlights as soon as the game is over.

The Athletic Department will be looking for fans, students, and alumni with an interest in radio broadcasting to donate time to making this endeavor a success. If you are interested in broadcasting a game or games, please e-mail Sports Information Director Jason Knavel at knaveljm@grace.edu.

Or, if you would be interested in purchasing advertising time, please contact Knavel. For more information, please view the Grace website at http:/ /www.grace.edu/athletics or the Stretch Internet website at http://www.stretchinternet.com.

Lakeland Christian Academy, Winona Lake, Indiana, has named Jordan Byers (center, with Brent and Brenda Byers) as salutatorian for the Class of 2006 and has also named her as one of two Timothian Award recipients.

Lakeland Christian Academy’s faculty awards a Timothian Award to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the spiritual exhortation found in I Timothy 4:12: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Jordan Byers is the daughter of Brent and Brenda Byers and Laurie Waid, Warsaw, Indiana. She earned a grade point average of 3.9533 on a 4.0-point scale. Byers was a member of the National Honor Society and was on the all-A honor roll all four years.

She is planning to attend Moody Bible Institute in the fall with a major in international missions. Byers attends Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.

She attended Lakeland Christian for six years and her activities and accomplishments include homecoming queen, two high school plays, basketball, soccer, choir, KEYS (Kosciusko Endowment Youth Services), and the Outstanding Senior in Art.

Just because he "hates pink," the staff and students at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, surprised Grace Seminary Academic Dean Jeff Gill today with a "pink party" to celebrate his 50th birthday. (Tom Avey photo)

Gill was the senior pastor of the Delaware, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church for 20 years (1982-2002). He began at the church when it was little more than a church plant. He assumed the role of dean of the seminary in July, 2002.

Gill also currently serves on the board of directors of Grace Brethren North American Missions and was the National Moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches in 2002.

John Haller, of our Columbus, Ohio, church, sends along the following information about two interesting events that will occur in Southern California just as the FGBC Celebrate06 is ending. Last event of the conference will conclude in late morning Thursday, August 3.

If you are going to be in California for national conference, you might be interested in the following events right after the end of conference:



· GodBlogCon – THE convention for Christian bloggers. At Biola, August 3-5.



· 2006 Israel and Bible Prophecy Conference

Location: Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

4201 Eucalyptus Ave.

Chino, CA

When: August 4-6

Speakers: Chuck Smith, Dave Hunt, Ed Hindson, Randall Price, Jacob Prasch, Thomas Ice, Jack Hibbs, David Hocking

Even on a foggy, rainy May morning, the view from Camp Clear Lake in Washington State is stunning. The Grace Brethren Campgrounds is the site of the fifth and final Focus Retreat to be held this year. The retreat concluded Wednesday morning.

Pastor Greg Stamm of the Toppenish, Washington, Grace Brethren Church, began Tuesday’s Focus Retreat sessions with introductory material to a section of Psalm 119.

Juan Marenco (left), pastor of the Iglesia De Los Hermanos Hispanic congregation at the Mabton, Washington, Grace Brethren Church, gave introductory remarks to Psalm 119 in the Tuesday afternoon session of the Northwest Focus Retreat. Pastor Marenco spoke in Spanish—his translator, at right, is Byron Boswell from the Mabton church, a retired Spanish teacher.

[ED NOTE -- We've had a malfunction in the software used to upload photos into the blog that has frustrated us for several days. This is a workaround which we'll use until we can figure out the software problem.]

Beginning fall 2006, Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana, will offer to new students an unlimited number of 412 Commission Scholarships ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 ($1,000 to $3,000 per year) to all 412 Commission graduates with a least a 3.0 cumulative GPA or unmet financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

These scholarships are in addition to other Grace College merit-based scholarships and are renewable based on academic good standing at the end of each academic year.

To receive the 412 Commission Scholarship, graduates must apply for admission, be accepted and meet the requirements above (FAFSA required for need-based consideration).

The 412 Commission, a ministry of CE National, is an intensive one-year training program that focuses on Bible study, service to the local church, and some travel-related educational experiences.

The first two classes of the first year of 412 have just graduated and the students are now in their internship phase serving in the following:
· 2 are on Operation Barnabas Leadership
· 1 is a missionary in Costa Rica
· 2 are in GBNAM church planting
· 1 is at Urban Hope Training Center
· 1 is working with a new church plant in Ohio
· 1 is starting a college-age ministry
· 1 is working with abused children
· 1 is working with a day-care
· 1 is in Hawaii as a youth pastor
· 1 is running a recreation program
· 1 is developing a junior high ministry
· 1 is in Alaska working as a children's intern
· 1 is assisting in a church plant before heading to Israel for worship training
· Several are working with children and youth in their local church ministry

This fall, in addition to the existing 412 sites in Akron, Ohio, and Sebring, Florida, there will be two new sites operating at Goshen, Indiana, and Lititz, Pennsylvania. For more information log onto www.cenational.org.

John and Jane Teevan will be honored this Sunday, May 28, in the 10 a.m. worship service as John concludes 16 years as pastor of the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church.

In addition, there will be a come-and-go Farewell Reception from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the courtyard of the church, to which all are invited. The church building is located at 1200 Kings Highway in Winona Lake, IN.

Teevan was previously pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Ashland, Ohio, and recently served as Moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

He has accepted a position with Grace College overseeing the school's growing prison extension program. The following item from this week's "Grace Connection" e-mail newsletter distributed by Judy Daniels explains more about Teevan's new responsibilities.

May 19 was a special day for Grace's Prison Extension Program at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. Not only did 31 students receive their diplomas (17 associate degrees; 13 bachelor's degrees) from Grace College at the graduation ceremony, but it was the 20th anniversary of Grace's program at ISP.

Thirty representatives from Grace attended the celebration and they were joined by former Grace Professor Ken Taylor, who started the program in 1986.

Spokesmen for the inmate students expressed their profound appreciation to Grace as they presented a plaque to the school, and a plaque and a gold shovel (in honor of his famous "Dig Deeper" admonition) to Prison Extension Director Frank Benyousky.

The students also presented an artistic reproduction of Robert and Frances Gordon (taken from a Grace Magazine cover) to their son, Professor Bill Gordon, who has taught in the program for many years. Michael Houghton was also given a plaque as he retires from teaching in the program due to health issues. The students (on their meager prison allocation) pooled their monies to purchase the plaques.

Three former inmates - one in law school, one working in a home for delinquent boys, and one teaching for Grace in another prison - were also present. Ken Taylor was given a standing ovation after Benyousky introduced him as the founder of the program.

Benyousky also introduced John Teevan, who is the incoming director of the program.

Benyousky has directed Grace's Prison Extension Program since 1991, and through his capable leadership, the program has grown from 20 students at one prison to more than 250 students at four sites. He will continue teaching and serving in an advisory capacity to the prison program while continuing his role in Grace's Communication Department on campus.

Pastor Vic Young of the Fountain of Life Bible Church, a Grace Brethren church in Johnson City, Tennessee, recently sent along the following note regarding an upcoming opportunity:

Two months ago I was contacted by the University Of Oxford, and informed that the "Round Table" has selected me to return for the 2006 session.

You may recall that 40 are selected by the committee to participate on the "Round Table." They are comprised of Academia, Religious, and Government, and all 40 are to
submit an abstract regarding a possible presentation of their research and paper. Only ten out of the 40 are chosen to be presenters. Once again, my abstract was selected and I will be one of the 40 to present a paper to world leaders.

Last time on the "Round Table" there were some very influential people ranging from professors of Ivy League universities, government leaders, and pastors of some of the most influential churches in the world.

My defense of the paper will be at the University of Oxford from July 27th to August 7th.

Please pray for me as I have the opportunity once again to present historic, biblical Christianity, to many who have never been taught this perspective.

The following article appeared in Maryland Online this morning. The Waldorf, MD, Grace Brethren Church (Jeff Thornley, pastor) is the sponsoring church for the school.

On May 24 at 9:45 a.m., a male suspect called Grace Brethren School, located at 13000 Zekiah Drive in Hughesville, and announced a bomb threat.

School officials evacuated the building and Charles County Sheriff's officers responded to the scene. K9 units responded and conducted a search but did not locate any explosives or suspicious items.

Juvenile resource officers also responded to the scene to conduct an investigation. No suspects have been identified.

The school resumed normal activity by noon. Officer P. Hood is investigating.

YIB (Your Intrepid Blogger) has been trying to upload some photos of the Northwest Focus Retreat both yesterday and today, but "no-go." It will have to wait until our return to civilization!

There is one phone line here into the camp high in the Cascades, and when you can connect with dialup (at 24K!), it's a short hookup because the line needs to be kept free for incoming and outgoing calls (including the payphone--cellphones are useless here). I think the photo files are too big and "choking" the tenuous connection.

So....the Northwest Focus Retreat at Camp Clear Lake has gone very well. Some 25 pastors and church leaders in all have been gathering for three days to study Psalm 119 and to share joys and struggles of being in ministry together.

Pastors Greg Stamm (Toppenish), Juan Marenco (Mabton, Hispanic) and others have done a good job of "setting up" the study sections. Doug Lee from California has been leading us in music and worship. The retreat concludes late this morning (Wednesday).

Rain we have a-plenty. It pretty much has rained nonstop, so that makes for a lot of around-the-coffee conversations.

The most major "incident" is that the luggage of GBNAM executive director Tim Boal never made it (if US Air finds it they're sending it all back to Philadelphia) so he'll be on a clothes-shopping trip when he leaves here to complete other stops on the west coast.

As always, some churches are struggling, and others are enjoying a "growth curve" and it's exciting to hear how God is working in both the good times and the difficult. God is doing some wonderful things through the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Photos when we get back to civilization!

Keith Shearer, pastor of New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church in Myerstown, PA, and current moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, led off the Northwest Focus Retreat Monday evening with introductory remarks to the three-day study of Psalm 119.

Approximately 20 church leaders and pastors are attending the retreat at Camp Clear Lake near White Pass, Washington, close to Mt. Rainier. Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey is the organizer and implementer of the series of five Focus Retreats throughout the year, and Doug Lee from Fountain Community Church in Fontana, CA, is the worship leader.

The retreat will conclude late Wednesday morning with a group summary of insights gained from the study of Psalm 119. 

As part of the trip to participate in the African youth conference, some Americans also ventured into the Rain Forest to visit Grace Brethren work among the Pygmy people.

Calling that visit a "highlight of the trip," Pastor Dan O'Deens sent along this photo of a Pygmy band performing. 

The historic youth conference in the Central African Republic is now completed and organizers are calling it an unqualified success.

Some 500 African youths attended from various parts of the country. Dr. Francois Ngoumape was the primary organizer and speaker, but teams of young people and pastors from USA and France also participated.

Dan O'Deens, pastor of Gateway church in Parkesburg, PA, sent this photo of the youths holding up copies of excerpts from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life book which had been translated into the Sango language.

O'Deens said, "It was a pleasure to partner with GBIM and the National Pastors in the CAR in getting the Purpose Driven Life Book translated into Sango.

"What a thrill it was to hear Dr. Ngoumape teach through this material. The most amazing thing to me was that each conference theme and objective was able to spread through the entire Country of CAR. There were 23 districts represented and each district chose 15 youth to attend the conference." 

Dr. John and Norma Whitcomb (pictured) have entered an agreement with BMH Books of Winona Lake, Indiana, to distribute and market Whitcomb books, charts, and written materials in the general Christian marketplace.

Dr. John C. Whitcomb is president of Whitcomb Ministries, Inc., and founder and professor of Christian Workman Schools of Theology. He has taught Old Testament and theology for more than 50 years,was on the faculty of Grace Theological Seminary for much of his teaching career, and is widely recognized as a leading biblical scholar.

His books have had a tremendous ministry and they include The Genesis Flood (co-written with Henry Morris), Early Earth, The World that Perished, and many more.

Norma Whitcomb has also written a number of works, including materials for children and material specifically ministering to women.

Until the new "Whitcomb Ministries" section of the BMH Books website is open, Whitcomb products may be viewed on the Whitcomb Ministries website at www.whitcombministries.org and they may be ordered by calling (toll-free) 1-800-348-2756.
 

Workers completed the transfer this morning of the inventory of Dr. John and Norma Whitcomb's books, charts, and materials to the BMH Books warehouse and shipping facility in Winona Lake, Indiana. (Jesse Deloe photo)

As the culmination of an agreement that has been a number of months in the making, BMH will now be the distributor for printed products for the Whitcombs.

A revised website will soon make online purchase of the Whitcomb materials available over the internet. In the meantime, all Whitcomb products may be viewed online at the Whitcomb Ministries website at www.whitcombministries.org/ .

To order, call John Leonard, BMH Books division manager (tollfree) at 1-800-348-2756 or e-mail him at mailorderjohn@earthlink.net . 

# posted by Terry White @ 11:38 AM 0 comments

Gateway Church of Parkesburg, Pennsylvania, a Grace Brethren church pastored by Dan O'Deens, is among 46 congregations from 18 American states and 13 other nations who will receive Church Health Awards during an upcoming Purpose Driven Church Conference at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. O'Deens (lower right in photo) is pictured with Rick Warren (center) at a recent conference.

Pastor Dan O'Deens, founding pastor of Gateway Church, says he "counts it a privilege to receive such an important honor. Health is the predictor of growth and multiplication. It has been a great experience to be mentored by Rick Warren. He has taught us and coached us on being balanced and purposeful in reaching our world for Jesus."

"These awards emphasize church health -- balance and strength -- over size," said Rick Warren, Saddleback's pastor and founder of Purpose Driven Ministries. "There is no correlation between the size of a church and its strength.

"These congregations understand that the healthy church maintains a balance between the five biblical purposes -- worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and mission," Warren said. "These congregations have embraced purpose driven principles to grow not only in numbers but -- more importantly -- to grow in health."

This year's list of award winners demonstrates that the Purpose Driven model is used by congregations around the world, including those large and small, denominational and non-denominational, charismatic and non-charismatic, new plant and well-established, urban and rural.

Congregations in the United States that are being recognized this year range from Eastlake Community Church in Redmond, Wash., to First Brazilian Baptist Church of South Florida in Pompano Beach, Fla., and Penn Friends Community Church in Cassopolis, Mich. to Gateway Church in Parkesburg, PA.

The international congregations include Kwai Shing Baptist Church in Hong Kong, China; New Hope Community Church in Aukland, New Zealand; Asociaacio Misionera Sendero de Luz in San Jose, Costa Rica; and Lira Pentecostal Church in Kampala, Uganda.

Each year since 1999, Purpose Driven has honored congregations that demonstrated excellence in adapting the Purpose Driven paradigm to their church life. Thousands of congregations worldwide have adopted the Purpose Driven model. More than 400,000 church leaders in every country of the world have been trained in the Purpose Driven principles.

For more information on the characteristics of a purpose driven church, visit www.PurposeDriven.com. To learn more about Dan O'Deens and the Parkesburg Church, visit http://www.gcwired.com/. 

It was a pleasure today to worship with the Grace Brethren Church of Sunnyside, Washington (Nathan Zakahi, pastor).

We had opportunity to present the work of Brethren Missionary Herald Co. in the morning service, and then participate for most of the afternoon in a fellowship dinner for Sunday School teachers and Christian education staff at the beautiful Prosser mountaintop home of the Ron Curfmans.

The Sunnyside church has a particular historical relevance to the Grace Brethren movement. It was in this town that Alva J. McClain was raised to manhood--he later became the wellspring theologian and founding president of Grace College and Seminary.

Dr. McClain committed his life to Christ in an earlier building that stands exactly where the current church building stands on Franklin Ave. when he heard L.S. Bauman preach. Bauman, who was pastoring the Fifth and Cherry church in Long Beach, California, was the visiting revival preacher.

For the next several days our online access may be limited as we will be in White Pass, out in the shadow of Mt. Rainier, with a group of about 25 pastors and church leaders for the Northwest Focus Retreat.

We'll post updates if we can find internet access from Camp Clear Lake--but experience has shown there are far more elk around the camp than there are wi-fis, satellite dishes, or cable hookups! 

Pastor Oscar Chavez, a dear brother in Christ and Hispanic church planter in Lancaster, California, sends the following plea for prayer and help:

Dear brothers, THIS IS A REAL TRAGEDY.

Name of the parents: Juan Moreno & Gabby

Child 's Name: Juanito (Little Juan or Juan jr.) eight years old.

Juan and Gabby were involved in our training school for leaders and church planters. Two or three months ago they received a call from a new church starting in the city of Temecula, San Diego County.

They went to be part-time in ministry with this church with the full support of our elder board from our church La Cosecha in Lancaster.

Juan left his full-time job to help this ministry. He has been working a couple of part-time jobs and part-time in ministry so you can imagine how hard it must be for them. No insurance, no money.

Friday afternoon Juan was moving some cars that belong to the person who owns the property he is renting. He has been nice to the man by helping him.

The car he was moving had a flatbed trailer with a car on it. As he was moving this car he did not realize that Juanito jumped on top of the flatbed trailer. Unfortunately Juanito fell from the trailer into a hole.

At the same time Juan drove in the hole where Juanito had fallen, causing Juanito to be run over by the car pulling the trailer that his dad was driving. Juanito got smashed and went to be with the Lord.

Two petitions.

1. Prayer. Juan feels guilty about this tragedy. We need to pray for him and his wife.

2. They do not have money to bury this little boy. We are asking churches to please collect a love offering to be able to help with these expenses. This is a family who wants to serve Christ and they have been doing it for a long time. They are co-laborers with us. I beg of you to please share this with your congregation and if they give one dollar that will be OK. If they give more, they will be a blessing to this family. Please help us to help them.

Your brother in Christ
Aprendiendo a Amar en Cristo

Pastor Oscar A. Chávez
Cell (818) 633-0695
Casa (661) 948-1250
WWW.iglesialacosecha.org

Grace Brethren have been faithful in prayer during the cancer battles of longtime Grace Brethren pastor Randy Poyner and his wife, Betty (pictured).

Betty says, "I know it is the prayers of many people that God has answered during these last few months even including Randy's remission. His blood and urine tests last week were all great and showed evidence of continued remission. Thanks."

But then she shares the following (reproduced here by permission) and asks for the further prayers of God's people.

"This has been a difficult week to say the least.

"Last Thursday and Friday I had appointments with my oncologist and my surgeon. I told them I was feeling pressure in my pelvis and Dr. Buckley did a pretty thorough exam and said he was feeling something, but didn't know if it was bowel or tumor.

"I had a CT Scan on Wednesday. Yesterday Dr. Warmuth's nurse called and said that he wanted to see me today. Not a good sign.

"We went in today and he told us that the CT Scan revealed two areas of concern. One area is a metastatic tumor about two inches square. The other is an enlarged node. Dr. Buckley was off today, so they couldn't discuss treatment, but it looks like surgery and chemo and/or radiation.

"All of my other abdominal organs were normal, so that is encouraging for me. I don't look forward to the drill. It's really ironic that tonight is the women's banquet at our church. The theme is extraordinary women and I was asked to give my testimony as part of the program. Guess I'm still a little in shock, so think I'll be able to hold it together. It's been a long week to wait for results.

[In a later update, she reports, "The speaking went well. I think I was still a little in shock, but God gave me calmness through it. I have considered anointing and have asked our pastor for it tomorrow morning during the 8:45 service."]

"Obviously whatever they do, it will be quick since this thing seems to grow very quickly. My CT Scan in February was negative." 

Keith Shearer, pastor of New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church in Myerstown, PA, and this year's Moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, is quoted at length in this article excerpted from the Lebanon (PA) Daily News:<br />Viewers: And it's unimpressive

By DAVID MEKEEL
Staff Writer

Could Hollywood really bring about the downfall of the Roman Catholic Church?

If the reaction of local moviegoers is any indication, it's wholly unlikely.

"I think people are kind of blowing it out of proportion," Chase Kramer said as he sat in front of Annville's Allen Theatre on Friday evening, waiting for his chance to see "The Da Vinci Code." "It's a fictional story. It's what you go to the movies for, entertainment. You don't go to a movie to have religious beliefs thrown on you."

With this weekend's release of the much anticipated film version of Dan Brown's best-selling novel, the Catholic church has renewed its efforts to battle the series of controversial claims about Christianity that the blockbuster has introduced to the masses.

"It sensationalizes an ancient heresy," explained the Rev. John Douglas of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Annville. "If people believe what it says, it casts a lot of doubt on our faith."

The biggest problem religious leaders worldwide have with Brown's story are its claims about Jesus--including that he wasn't actually the son of God and that he married and had children with Mary Magdalene--which they see as plainly untrue.

"Jesus was not married, didn't have kids and didn't survive the Crucifixion," Douglas stated bluntly.

The Rev. Keith Shearer of New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church in Myerstown agreed.

"That whole idea is historically irresponsible," he said. "It's just crazy. It's historically and factually insane."

But, Shearer said, while some of the facts are off, there's no reason for Christians to get bent out of shape.

"It is not Dan Brown's intent to teach theology. It is his intent to entertain," he explained, admitting that he had read and enjoyed the book. "I personally found it an interesting read. It was fun."

The idea that "The Da Vinci Code" isn't found in the nonfiction section of bookstores is something that Douglas said he has been working hard to promote.

"People need to remember that it's fiction," he said.

Douglas, whose church adheres to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, said that, while he doesn't like the idea of a book or movie like "The Da Vinci Code" reaching the masses with its message, he plans to take it in stride and use it as a teaching experience.

"We're saying it's not OK, but we can respond to it," he said, explaining that the church will screen a film titled "The Da Vinci Delusion" in the next couple of weeks. "Yes, it's blasphemy and heresy, but that's nothing new. The church has been dealing with that for 2,000 years."

Shearer said he probably doesn't have such strong feelings against "The Da Vinci Code" because his church is not associated with the Catholics.

"The book really goes after the Catholic church with the cover-ups and conspiracies," he said. "I don't feel we're implicated at all."

While Shearer does have a problem with Brown's portrayal of Jesus, he said other parts of the book actually might be beneficial. Among those benefits are its unveiling of Opus Dei, an ultraconservative Catholic sect whose actions and motives have remained cloudy since the group formed early in the 20th century.

"I think the Catholic Church does have a history of cover-ups," he said. "Exposure of Opus Dei, which has been very secretive from the beginning, and Roman Catholic cover-ups are valid questions to raise."
 

Platinum Television Group has announced that Grace Brethren North American Missions (GBNAM) has been selected to be featured on its innovative, educational television series, “Today’s Family.”

The program is expected to air in December of 2006, and GBNAM will be featured in a segment on “Reaching Your World for Christ” in the series “Until The Whole World Hears.” It will be aired on WE, Women’s Entertainment Network, ABC Family Network, and on PAX networks regionally.

Founded in 1939, Grace Brethren North American Missions (GBNAM) is the North American church-planting ministry of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, and is dedicated to reaching those in the U.S. and Canada for Christ. They serve in three areas of Initiatives: Regional, World Class City, and Ethnic American (Hispanics, American Indians, Asians, Albanians, Haitians and Caribbeans).

GBNAM believes that planting new churches is the best way to fulfill the Great Commission, by sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, building communities of faith, and helping them become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Dr. Timothy Boal is executive director of GBNAM.

The segment will tell the story of selected Christian ministries and groups that are sharing the gospel, making disciples and getting people involved; encouraging those people to show their love of Jesus by word and deed; and showing how families and individuals can make a difference in the lives of others through donations of money, time, prayers and in-kind gifts, and much more.

Jack Brown, pastor of our Grace Brethren church in the Boston area, had earlier requested prayer for his congregation and others in his area who are so affected by the flooding and recent rains. Tom Avey and the FGBC are investigating whether some disaster-relief funds may be available to help. To donate to this fund, go to http://www.gbnam.org/special-donations/disaster-relief-fund.htm Here is Jack’s followup report:

“Thanks so much for getting folks praying. It was such a blessing to receive e-mails from brothers and sisters in the Fellowship. I know the folks at NSBC were encouraged.

”We are starting to get a better handle on the damages--overall we fared pretty well (PTL)! Folks 40 miles north of us who live along the Merrimack River have had some pretty horrendous situations. Let me share with you some things on a local level.

”The two worst situations involved a handicapped woman from our church who lives in public housing. She is out of her home until June 1. Housing is taking care of the cleanup. This lady is being housed with another lady from the church.

”The other situation involved the Keogh family. They live alongside the Ipswich River, which became a part of their basement. Up until today there seemed to be very little recession of the river, but now this morning the river has begin to flow out of their basement.

”The town has given them open use of the dump through Memorial Day weekend (next week) to bring all their trash from the flood. So, we will need to move quickly and I think we can organize enough folks from our church to get the job done.

”We probably had another 8-10 people with two-plus feet of water in their basements. So pumping out and drying out is in order and then we have to see what is salvageable.

”People will need to replace hot water heaters, major repairs to furnaces, washers and dryers, etc. One family has already spent over $500 for furnace repairs (they have the ability) but some of the other folks do not.

”Also, perhaps we can help some of our neighbors who don't know the Lord.

”In Gloucester there was one street where just about every home had to be evacuated and water rose into the actual living areas of these houses. I'm sure they are weeks and maybe months from getting back into their houses.

”Thanks so much for offers of assistance. Just keep praying and we'll do what we can do. New Englanders are a hardy bunch of people. They say this is the worst flooding here in 70-plus years.”

A "Dads and Daughters Picnic" (held inside because of the rain) this afternoon concluded the year for an SMM program conducted by Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church at nearby Jefferson Elementary School.

The SMM (Serving My Master) is for girls in the lower elementary grades and they have been meeting each Thursday from 3:45 - 5 p.m. throughout the school year.

Led by Miriam Pacheco, the program averages about 20 girls. Approximately 10 women from the Winona Lake church are involved leading programs, helping girls learn the SMM songs and scripture verses, making crafts, and participating with the girls.

This year the girls studied five women of the Bible and at today's picnic they dramatized the stories of biblical women Mary and Martha, Dorcas, And Esther for their dads. They also presented to their dads keepsake personalized mugs.

Each girl has been keeping a notebook with coloring pages, stories of biblical women, and a study of a character trait each could apply to her own life.

 

Dads and daughters together enjoyed a pizza picnic and a program at today's SMM year-end event at Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church. (photos by Sharon White) 

The latest issue of "Women's Infoline," the newsletter of Women of Grace USA arrived today, and it included the announcement that Sarah Dompier (pictured) from Eagle River, Alaska, is the latest Honor Her scholarship recipient.

Honor Her scholarships help young women from Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana, to participate in short-term missions. This gives them an opportunity to explore the possibility that God may be calling them to invest their lives in full-time missionary service.

Funding is provided through offerings given by Grace Brethren women in honor of women who have been an example of investing their lives in God's service.

Sarah is being awarded $1,000 to help her be a part of the Philippines GO team this summer. She is a May, 2006 graduate of Grace College, with a double major in English and Biblical Studies. She has taken several previous trips with Grace Brethren International Missions, including three trips to France. She interned in Paris for a semester with Dennis and Jeannie Martin and Tom and Doris Julien.

She says, "I plan to use this trip as a further catalyst for my personal passion for missions, especially with leading and motivating teams of young people. I hope to help light and stoke the fire for ministry in the hearts and lives of my generation.

"My future plans will always include international missions. I have a heart for cross-cultural ministry that will show up in whatever I'm doing, I'm sure. I hope to pursue a master's degree in the fall, possibly in Apologetics."

The newsletter also announces that the Women of Grace 2006 "Project of the Year" is raising money to renovate the Grace Brethren missionary residence in Winona Lake. The four "Missionaries of the Year" for WGUSA are Beth Bryant in Canada, Becky Good in Cambodia, Ruth Ann Martin in Argentina, and Letitia Yoder in Germany.

The Women of Grace website is currently under repair, but communications may be e-mailed to womenofgraceusa@aol.com or sent to PO Box 711, Winona Lake, IN 46590.
 

[God speaking] "I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

"Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you--never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life." (Gen. 9:13,14)

Pastor Jack Brown and the Brethren in New England may be wondering, with all the rain and flooding in their community, but this was the scene at 7 a.m. today over Heritage Pond back of Winona Lake, Indiana. God's promises are sure!
 

Grace Church of Orange, California, voted unanimously on May 7 to call Mike Sciarra as the church's next senior pastor.

Mike and Angela Sciarra and their five children (pictured) will begin at Grace on Sunday morning, August 6. They will also be attending National Conference, where others in the Fellowship will have opportunity to meet them. (Sciarra is pronounced "share- a.")

Sciarra, 43, has been Associate Pastor at Voyager's Church in Irvine, CA, for 14 years. His primary responsibilities have been facilitating and overseeing the family and adult ministries, most of which he initiated through the leadership of church members. He completed his M.Div and Ph.D. at Talbot Seminary, where he teaches a class in Family Ministries.

Grace Church's current senior pastor, Ed Trenner, who will be stepping back to an associate's role, says, "Mike shares the long-time values of Grace--relationship with God and each other, commitment to the authority of Scriptures in faith and living, nurturing spiritual maturity that reproduces faith, involvement of the Body in the work of ministry, and active involvement in reaching the lost in our community and around the world."

Trenner, who will serve as Associate Shepherding Pastor for the first year. said, "I could not be more pleased with the selection of Mike Sciarra. He's perfect for Grace."
 

On January 26 of this year French Holt (pictured) went home to be with the Lord. He was a dear husband, father, grandfather, friend and brother in Christ. French was an avid runner and finished a marathon at the age of 67.

Through sharing his faith in Christ, French also left a legacy of family and friends who have trusted in Christ as their Savior because of his godly influence.

On June 3, 2006, Bill, Jason, and James Holt will be running the Ridge Runner Marathon in West Virginia in honor of their grandfather, French. They say, "French loved running in the mountains and valleys of West Virginia and we plan to do the same!"

Jason Holt is the coordinator and interim director of Urban Hope, the Grace Brethren work in inner-city Philadelphia. Bill Holt is pastor of student ministries and assimilation at the Grace Brethren Church of Waldorf, Maryland (Jeff Thornley, pastor).

All proceeds raised through this memorial race will go to benefit the work of Urban Hope Training Center in Philadelphia. Urban Hope is very involved in reaching families in their community with the message of Christ--in 2005 nearly 700 children and 250 teenagers participated at least once in programs that Urban Hope offers.

Urban Hope is located in an impoverished area of inner-city Philadelphia and is dependent on the contributions of outside individuals and organizations. Go to www.urbanhope.net to find out more about Urban Hope.
To make an online contribution to the Holts' run, log onto http://www.active.com/donate/holt. 

Roger Mayes sends along this update to his earlier prayer request for Pastor Vic Rogers:

Pastor finally gets his halo!

On April 23 Pastor Victor Rogers fell off the bottom step of a stepstool face-down onto concrete.

Initially doctors thought that he had a stroke. There is no paralysis. After more examinations, x-rays showed that he had cracked his C2 vertebra in his neck. Doctors surgically implanted a halo ten days ago. Victor will have to possibly wear the halo for an extended period of time.

His right hand continues to be swollen which makes it hard for him to grasp a walker. He cannot walk without assistance from therapists due to the weight of the halo.

He is back in Riverside County Regional Hospital in Moreno Valley, California, after being in a nursing home for three days. Victor is there due to kidney and bladder complications. At times he is putting scriptures together for sermons. At other times, his speech doesn't make much sense.

Doctors believe that this problem is related to the pain killers given him in the last three weeks. Doctors are now restricting all pain medicines.

Vivien, and daughters, Ruth Ann and Sharon, want to express their thanks to all for their prayers for Vic.

The following commentary by Brian Orme (pictured), associate pastor at Community Grace Brethren Church in West Milton, Ohio (Steve Peters, pastor) appeared in Saturday's Dayton (OH) Daily News:

Church has nothing to fear from 'Da Vinci Code'

By Brian Orme
Contributing Writer

With more than 40 million copies of the book sold in the last few years, a barrage of advertisements and movie hype, The Da Vinci Code is creating quite the buzz.

Does this sure-to-be blockbuster surmount to a devastating assault on the Christian faith or is it harmless entertainment? Should the typical Christian or Catholic feel comfortable delving into their wallets to pay see Ron Howard's film, which opens Friday?

In regard to the church, this movie deals with a subject matter that's sacred: the deity of Jesus, the authority of the four Gospels, the validity of the church. These things are serious business.

Take the deity of Jesus out of the church and you're left with a soft-sided country club of good intentions. Take away the authority of the Gospels and the church is left with a lack of leading and certainty about God's plan. Take away the validity of the church and the people of faith are stranded as isolated individuals to fend for themselves.

In this sense, Dan Brown's book does the church no favors.

But many evangelicals are hoping that the church will use this movie as an opportunity to engage nonbelievers with the truth in the Bible.

Willow Creek Community Church, the famed megachurch in suburban Chicago, released a 4-session DVD, shot on-site in Paris, to use in a small-group setting to help people discover the real Jesus through The Da Vinci Code. Droves of churches are wrapping their preaching series with Code-esque themes to draw people into the conversation, too.

Of course, there are critics--people who would scoff at the idea of using movies for redemptive purposes--but, for the most part, the church seems to be riding out the Code bandwagon and using the props of Dan Brown to conspire for good.

However you look at it, Jesus is a controversial subject in our culture, and He has been for 2,000 years. Whether Jesus is being portrayed too graphically, a la The Passion of Christ, too Hollywood or too human, people will always be talking about who Jesus is.

So how should we react to this particular conspiracy-driven pulp fiction that says Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and started a family with her?

Well, we can start off by nailing down what we believe and why. Those who consider themselves followers of Jesus should be ready to respond with the truth, but it should be overflowing in grace as well. In other words, we don't need to get mean.

Perhaps this is a small wake-up call for the church. Professor Scott McKnight of North Park University in Chicago said, "I hope we use this movie to press the church to learn to be more credible, trustworthy and full of integrity."

No doubt the many controversies and downfalls within the church have made people more suspect to the truth it upholds.

The church needs to be above reproach, so that conspiracy theories aren't even an enticing alternative. When the church is doing what it's supposed to, it's radical enough to quell any conspiracy theory of church suppression, for sure.

Bottom line: The church has no need to be nervous; conspiracy theories will always come and go--even the ones on the best-seller list. In reality, the most scandalous plot will always be the fact that the Bible is the best-selling book of all time, and the story of the Gospel--God sending his son to die on a cross for the sin of mankind--is more subversive than any theory we could ever imagine on our own. It's what the author Dallas Willard calls the "Divine Conspiracy."

In the end, Dan Brown's book and soon-to-be film is proof that people will always thrive on conspiracy, even if it is fiction. But that doesn't mean that the church can't conspire to use a little pop culture to point to authentic biblical truths, either.

Brian Orme is the associate pastor of Community Grace Brethren Church in West Milton. Contact him at (937) 698-4048 or visit www.brianorme.com.
 

Nearly 9,000 copies of the 900+ page one-volume commentary Introduction to the New Testament by D. Edmond Hiebert arrived at the loading dock of BMH Books this morning.

Assisting BMH Books division manager John Leonard in unloading the massive shipment are Heather Barrett (temp help) and Paul Hoard (BMH summer intern). This volume, as well as three companion volumes, were among the publishing rights re-acquired by BMH Books as part of the recent dissolution agreement with STL, Inc.

The Hiebert commentaries are highly respected and quite popular with serious Bible students. Hiebert served on the faculties of Tabor College and Mennonite Brethren Seminary in Fresno, CA. He wrote widely on the New Testament.

His books, along with many other commentaries, are available by clicking on the "commentaries" tab on www.bmhbooks.com. 

Introduction to the New Testament, a three-volume collection which includes commentaries on The Gospels and Acts, the Pauline Epistles, and the Non-Pauline Epistles, is one of the Edmond Hiebert volumes now available through BMH.

In addition, three one-volume commentaries on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 Peter, and James are available, as well.

The 900+ page Introduction retails for $24.99 and the one-volume commentaries retail for $17.99 each at www.bmhbooks.com 

Larry Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, Inc. in Winona Lake, Indiana, received the Doctor of Strategic Leadership from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA, on May 6 at graduation ceremonies in Virginia Beach.

Chamberlain's wife, Sherlene, attended the ceremonies and the Chamberlains visited with Chaplain Mark Penfold and wife, Robin, as well as Chaplain Jack Galle and wife, Judy, while in the area.

Penfold is an instructor in ethics at the Army Transportation School at Ft. Eustis and Galle is a senior chaplain, ministering to terminal patients, at the Norfolk Naval Hospital. Both are planning to attend national conference this year in California. Part of Chamberlain's responsibility is to oversee The Eagle Commission, which helps place and support Grace Brethren chaplains in the military.

The academic program which Chamberlain completed is a 3.5 year course of study with 60 credit hours above the master�s degree. He also holds the MSBA and MBA degrees from Indiana University. Chamberlain finished with a grade point average of 3.92 and his dissertation (final project) was entitled, "Trust: The Foundation for Effective Christian Leadership." The project abstract reads as follows:

"This study examines the strategic importance of trust in the leader-follower relationship in the context of Christian work. An opinion survey of seventy-five Christian leaders was conducted in which key building blocks of trust were identified, including integrity/character, communications, consistency, spiritual maturity, compassion/love, relationships, authenticity/transparency, competence, vision/goals, enablement/empowerment, and others.

"Destructive forces were also identified, along with ways that trust can be repaired in the leader-follower relationship. A review of the leadership literature on the subject of trust is provided, including sections on the definition of trust, the importance of trust, how to gain trust, how trust is diminished, and how trust can be restored."

Chamberlain presented his research at the Midwest Scholars Conference in Indianapolis on February 24, 2006.
 

Betty Hall, wife of long-time Grace Brethren architect Ralph Hall died Monday, May 15 in Berryville, Virginia.

Born in Wood County, West Virginia, on December 5, 1923, Betty attended Philadelphia Bible College for two years before her marriage to Ralph C. Hall on June 28, 1947. They lived in Winona Lake, Indiana, while Ralph attended Grace Seminary, from which he graduated in 1951.

Then she was a pastor's wife and homemaker in Johnstown, Pa; Columbus, Ohio; and Meyersdale, Pa. They moved back to Winona Lake where Ralph served as a national church architect and she was a homemaker and caregiver for their parents.

In 1983 the Halls moved to Bradenton, Florida, where Betty assisted her husband with office work for his private architectural service. In recent years they had moved back to northern Virginia to be near family.

During her life Betty was a children's Sunday School teacher, local church Women's Missionary Council president, a national officer of the National Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches' Women's Missionary Council and SMM Girl's clubs. She served as President of Christian Women's Club in Bradenton, Florida.

She is survived by her husband, Ralph; daughter, Nancy Bell of Winchester, VA; and son, Steve Hall of West Palm Beach, FL; and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601. There will be a graveside service in Lowell, Ohio, on Friday, May 19.

Condolences and messages of comfort may be sent to Ralph Hall at 214 Lilys Way, Winchester, Va 22602. 

Lydia Thoman would have been a sixth grader at Grace Christian School, affiliated with the East Side Grace Brethren Church (Chip Heim, pastor) this year in Columbus, Ohio.

However, last summer her father accepted the pastorate at Central Baptist Mission Center in Akron, Ohio. Since Lydia could not be a student at GCS, her class decided to visit Lydia in Akron. Plans for the visit ended up becoming the Akron Missions Trip.

Dana Richmond, a GCS parent and member at East Side, coordinated the trip. Fifteen GCS sixth-grade students participated. Mike Jobson, also a GCS parent and member at East Side, and Al Keim, the sixth-grade teacher and a member at Delaware (OH) Grace Brethren Church (Gary Underwood, pastor), also went.

The students traveled to Akron on Friday, May 12 and spent most of the afternoon passing out flyers in the neighborhood for a free movie night at the Mission Center, complete with hot dogs and soft drinks.

However, the neighborhood surrounding the Mission Center is quite unlike the neighborhoods where any of the GCS students live. For example, many of the homes near the Mission Center are crack houses, houses of prostitution, or gang houses. In fact, the locals have a name for the corner across from the Mission Center. They call it "Prostitution Corner" because of the people who spend their time there.

As a result of the students' efforts distributing flyers in the community, Friday night 55 people came to watch the movie Left Behind. Some of the people who came into the Mission Center had never set foot in there before last Friday night. Then, things became even more exciting, as after the movie 11 neighborhood children prayed to receive Christ as their personal Savior.

On Saturday, the students unloaded clothing, small furniture, computers, and household goods that they had collected at GCS for distribution to the people who lived near the Mission Center.

As the church doors opened, people began to come in, fill a 30-gallon bag with clothing or a large cardboard box with household items, and then leave and tell their friends about what was happening at the Mission Center. They could not believe that anything they wanted they could have at no cost.

More and more people stopped by, and more and more donated items found their way out the door.

The process continued throughout the afternoon, items were picked up, yet more items seemed to remain. Dana Richmond put it this way, "It was like Jesus and the fish and the bread. We kept passing out things, and they kept taking things, and yet it seemed there was still more left to distribute."

When evening came, there was still clothing and household goods left, with these items being collected and donated to a homeless shelter in Akron.

Although the GCS students left on Saturday, the impact of their ministry continued to be felt the following day. The Sunday morning worship service at Central Baptist Mission Center found 14 local youths associated with gangs and drugs in church. Mrs. Thoman was familiar with many of them as troublemakers, but on Sunday she noted how calm and well-behaved they all were.

As for the 11 children who prayed to receive Christ on Friday night, they were in church along with their parents. Mrs. Richmond received a telephone call from the Thomans to express how much the mission trip had meant to their church. They said that the entire congregation was fired up as a result of seeing the GCS students reach out and minister to the neighborhood. 

Grace College head men's soccer coach Roy Danielian (pictured) will lead the Lancer Soccer Camps, scheduled for June 12-16 on the campus of Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana.

A half-day camp is planned for youngsters in grades K-3, and a full-day camp will be available for those in grades 4-8.

More information on this and other summer soccer camps is available on the Grace Web site at www.grace.edu/athletics/camps/index.php 

A viewing will be held on Thursday evening, May 18, at Titus Funeral Home in Warsaw, IN, with a private family funeral and burial on Friday, May 19, at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw, Indiana, at 10 a.m. for Dr. Roy Lowrie, who died Friday in Xenia, Ohio. 

Dr. D. Brent Sandy, professor of biblical studies at Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, IN, is currently speaking at a three-day seminar on biblical prophecy at the "Blue Church" (Lownes Free Church), 940 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA, a Philadelphia suburb.

Registration began at 10 a.m. today, Tuesday, May 16. On Wednesday and Thursday, sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until midafternoon.

Pastor of the church is Bob Kinzel, a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. Grace Seminary professor Dr. Jim Nesbitt and his wife, Nancy, were members of the Blue Church while living in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Sandy is a graduate of Grace College (B.A.), Grace Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Duke University (Ph.D.) and he has done postdoctoral studies under the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Professor Sandy served on the faculty of Grace College and Seminary from 1978 to 1988 and was recipient of the McClain Award for Excellence in Teaching. He taught at Liberty University from 1988 to 1993 and was an assistant Dean.

He also served as an adjunct professor at Roanoke College in Virginia. From 1988 to 2000 he was on the pastoral staff at Ghent Grace Brethren Church in Roanoke, VA, first as minister of worship and music, then as co-pastor, and then as senior pastor. Currently he is active in his local church, Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church.

As chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Grace College, he oversees a growing program of more than 150 majors. He is active in several professional societies, serving on the executive committee of the Institute for Biblical Research. He regularly presents papers at the meetings of the Evangelical Theological Society and has published articles in American and European journals and several books. 

Please pray for Chery Boehm, wife of Grace Brethren North American Missions Midwest career missionary Ron Boehm. Chery is scheduled for surgery at 2 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday afternoon, May 16, at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield, Ohio.

She is having an overactive parathyroid removed, and expects they will keep her in the hospital overnight.

Ron and Chery travel in their region throughout the year, helping Grace Brethren churches and districts to plant daughter churches and to identify and train new church planters to continue the church-multiplication process.

By establishing parent church networks, FGBC districts provide new churches with additional support and resources the church plants need in order to grow and flourish. The Boehms serve and encourage established churches and new church plants throughout the process, teaching seminars, coaching church-planting teams, meeting with church and district leaders, and helping to assess potential church planters.

For further information and regular health updates, see <<http://web.mac.com/midwest_ron/iWeb/OpeningSite/Welcome.html>> and click on Chery's picture.
 

Dear Friends of the FGBC -

Would you be praying for the folks in MA, NH, and ME as they have faced severe rain over the past seven days? Here on the north shore of Boston we have had over 12 inches of rain since Friday night and are expecting 1-3 inches more tonight.

There are least nine families in our church who faced severe flooding in their homes... with two families being displaced.

Your prayers are appreciated. Also, pray that our church might be able to be a witness to those unbelievers in our community to the glory of God.

In Christ,

Jack Brown, pastor
North Shore Bible Church
Essex MA

Dr. Roy Leon Lowrie, 1959-2006

Dr. Roy Leon Lowrie, went home to be with His Lord after faithfully completing his life goal, “to raise my family for the glory of God and serve well in Christian education.”

After a three-year battle with leukemia and complications from it, Dr. Lowrie died at Miami Valley (Ohio) Hospital at 5:15 a.m.on Friday, May 12, 2006, in the presence of his loving wife of 23 years, Dr. Ruth Lowrie, and his four children, whom he dearly loved, Anne (19), a student at Grace College in Winona Lake, IN, and Grace (17), Roy, Jr. (14), and Karis (12), all students at Xenia Christian. [ED NOTE – Dr. Lowrie’s wife is the daughter of Dr. William Male, former academic dean at Grace College. Roy and Ruth (Male) Lowrie were married in 1983 at Warsaw Community Grace Brethren Church. She is a 1980 graduate of Grace College.]

Dr. Lowrie capably and faithfully served as the assistant superintendent of Dayton Christian Schools, Inc. (which includes Xenia Christian Schools) from August 1, 2002, until July 1, 2003, and as superintendent from July 1, 2003, until December 21, 2004, when a disability resulting from complications from a medical procedure prevented him from continuing to do so.

Roy was born on April 3, 1959, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, to Dr. and Mrs. Roy W. Lowrie, Jr., and graduated from Delaware County Christian School in Newtown Square, PA.

He earned a B.A. in History/Education from Covenant College in Tennessee in 1981, an M.A. in Christian School Administration from Grace Theological Seminary in 1985, and a Ed.D. in School Administration/Elementary Education from Ball State University in 1987.

Having served in North Carolina, Indiana, South Carolina, Arizona, Florida, and the Philippines, Dr. Lowrie is known throughout the United States for his leadership in Christian education, ministering at different times as a teacher and superintendent, as well as a visiting professor at Grace Theological Seminary in Indiana and a professor of graduate studies at Columbia International University in South Carolina.

Dr. Lowrie enjoyed reading, writing, and computers and was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman. He especially loved fishing and rock climbing. He was a scholar-athlete in high school and college, earning a soccer scholarship at Covenant. Dr. Lowrie had been a soccer, basketball, and baseball coach at different times. He really loved watching his daughters play volleyball.

An active and dedicated member of Grace Covenant Church on N. Fairfield Rd. in Beavercreek, OH, where his entire family worshiped, Dr. Lowrie taught Sunday school until he became disabled.

Dr. Lowrie is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Roy W. Lowrie, Jr., and a nephew Christopher Lowrie Black. He is survived by his wife and children, mother Margaret (Smith) Lowrie Rawlings (New Holland, PA), four sisters, Dr. Janet Nason (Manila, Philippines), Winnie King & husband David (Newtown Square, PA), Dr. Ellen Black (Lynchburg, VA), Beth McDowell & husband Dan (Riverside, RI), and eight nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Thursday evening, May 18, at Titus Funeral Home in Warsaw, IN, with a private family funeral and burial on Friday, May 19, at Oakwood Cemetery in Indiana at 10 a.m. Friends, students, and parents in the Miami Valley are invited to attend a visitation with the family on Friday evening, May 19, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Dayton Christian’s Washington Church Road Campus cafeteria at 9391 Washington Church Rd. in Miamisburg, as well as a memorial service on Saturday, May 20, at 2 p.m. at Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene, 1850 N. Fairfield Rd. in Beavercreek.

In lieu of flowers, Dr. Lowrie’s family requests that contributions be made to either Dayton Christian Schools (1075 Wesley Avenue, Xenia, OH 45385) or to the Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit at Miami Valley Hospital (1 Wyoming St., Dayton, OH 45409).

Condolences and cards may be sent to Dr. Ruth Lowrie at 424 1/2 South Detroit St., Xenia, OH 45385.

BMH Books and FGBC World welcome Grace College journalism major Paul Hoard (pictured) as this summer's editorial intern.

Hoard will assist with writing and editing material for FGBC World, working in telephone sales and author publicity for BMH Books, and assisting with editing, proofing, and re-writing manuscripts currently in process by BMH Books.

A journalism major and communications minor, Hoard will be entering his senior year at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana, in the fall. He has been a Growth Group leader this past year and will take on the position of Resident Assistant once school starts again this fall. He has also been involved with Grace's puppet team and played the part of Samuel Savage in the winter play, Curious Savage.

Though raised in Ankara, Turkey, Hoard was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and considers the Aiken Grace Brethren Church (Steve Taylor, pastor) to be his home church. Hoard's parents, Andy and Cathryn, are living in Turkey along with his younger brother, Sam.

Journalism internships at BMH are arranged through Dr. Paulette Sauders of the Grace journalism department. Hoard will be working full-time from May-August. 

Lyle and Christa Marvin sent along this warm photo of Donna and Homer Miller, with whom they spent time in September, 2005. Here is Homer Miller's obituary from the funeral home:

Homer R. Miller - November 7, 1929 to May 11, 2006

Obituary:
Homer R. Miller 76, Retired Sales Manager Ashland Tire Corporation

Homer R. Miller 76, of Ashland, was released from this life into the presence of his Lord and Saviour on Thursday evening May 11, 2006.

He was known by his family, friends and business contacts as a man of integrity, compassion and was very quick to put the needs of others first during his lifetime.

Homer was born on November 7, 1929, a son of C. Percy and Mary M. McCloskey Miller in Blair County, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Morrison Cove High School, Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary.

He pastored Grace Brethren Churches at Lake Odessa, Michigan, and in Ankenytown and Fredericktown in Ohio.

In 1962, he became sales manager for the Ashland Tire Corporation from which he retired in 1990. Following his retirement he and his wife went to Central African Republic to teach. They were quick to learn the Sango language and they became lifelong friends of the African people.

For the past fifteen years, Homer and his wife spent their winters in Arizona City, where he had the privilege of serving his Lord through song and testimony with the pastor and members of the Victory Baptist Church in Casa Grande, Arizona.

He is survived by his wife Donna, they had celebrated fifty-four years of marriage, one daughter, Kathy, sons, Russell and Rodney and his wife Andrea, grandsons, Jacob and Allen Miller, all of Ashland survive him. He is also survived by one sister and three brothers.

A memorial Celebration of Life in Christ will be held on Tuesday May 16, 2006, at 7:00 PM in the Grace Brethren Church Sanctuary with Pastor Norman Johnson officiating. Local friends may call at the church one-hour prior to the services on Tuesday evening. Out of town guests and family will be received in the Circle immediately following the services.

Homer's desire was in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions in his memory may be made to, Grace Brethren Church, 1144 W. Main Street, Ashland, OH. and these monies will be used for a Mission Project with the Central African Mission.

Denbow-Primm-Kemery Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www. dpkfh.com.

Friends may call:
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 from 6-7 p.m. at Grace Brethren Church in Ashland

Burial Service:
Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Grace Brethren Church, Ashland, Ohio.
 

Blogger Reverend Pharaoh (aka pastor of Centerville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church) has posted a fascinating list of Bible mothers on his blog. In addition to the five good ones and the five "merely bad" mothers, here are the REALLY bad ones!!

The Five worst mothers in the Bible (Regardless of how bad you think your mother was, she was not the worst mother in the whole world)

5) Zipporah – Ex. 4:24-26 – She was angry about God’s plan for her husband and children.
4) Jezebel – II Kings 9:4-10 – She corrupted her husband and caused the destruction of her entire family.
3) The murderous mother – I Kings 3:16-27 – She accidentally smothered her own child and then was willing to have her friends child killed.
2) The cannibalistic mother – II Kings 6:24-33 – During the siege of Jerusalem, she cooked and ate her own child.
1) Eve – Genesis 3:16 – One wrong choice affected every mother after her.

Need specialty T-Shirts for your youth group, a kid's club, camp, or VBS?

Consider ordering them from The Happy Ship 'N More in Jackson, KY. The Happy
Ship is a store begun by a Grace Brethren church entitled The Happy Church (Mike Tabor, pastor), in an effort to bring economic development to the area.

The T-shirt business is one of four enterprises being run in The Happy Ship. Others include a coffee shop, a FedEx Depot, and eBay sales. When you order your T-shirts from The Happy Ship, you may help a student attend Brethren National Youth Conference, or maybe put food on someone's table.

For more information, or to order, contact: The Happy Ship and More; (606) 693-0868 or
email happyshipandmore@bellsouth.net  

# posted by Terry White @ 2:54 PM 0 comments