BMH Editor's Blog

This article about Grace Brethren International Missions appointees Kirk and Kay Carver (pictured)--and how Kirk's parents are responding to their son's mission commitment--appeared in today's The Villages Daily Sun from The Villages, Florida. Article and photo from the Sun.

THE VILLAGES — This Christmas season has been a whirlwind of activity for Bill and Fran Carver. They’ve visited relatives and spent time their son, Kirk and daughter-in-law, Kay.

The Village of Springdale couple know they need to make memories with their only child and his wife — the younger Carvers are planning to leave the country to train to become missionaries in Cameroon later this year.

“We’re very proud, but apprehensive, about them being so far away,” Fran said. “This is their choice, and we are with them 100 percent.”

“We have asked if they can’t be missionaries in the United States,” Bill said, “but Kirk’s answer is that most people in the U.S. have the opportunity to know God. How can you go against teaching the word of God?”

Fran is concerned for Kirk’s health. He’s had a heart valve replaced, and must take daily medication.

“That bothers me,” Fran said. “Sometimes packages do not arrive there.”

Kirk, a chiropractor, and Kay, a massage therapist and former office manager for Kirk’s practice, have been involved with mission work for the past three years, first going on short-term missions to Czechoslovakia.

“We thought we were being called to Czechoslovakia,” Kirk said. “But we went on a short-term mission to Chad. It broke our hearts for the African people. They have no opportunity to hear the word of God.”

The couple returned to their Chesapeake Beach, Md., home and have been methodically preparing for a return to Africa. The first order of business was to sell the chiropractic practice and their ocean-view home. The couple is selling everything, and except for a retirement account, giving all to Grace Brethren International Missions. The couple will receive a living stipend from GBIM.

“We had all the stuff Americans aspire to have,” Kirk said, “and it was completely unfulfilling and unrewarding.”

“It’s been very liberating to get rid of stuff,” Kay said. “The only thing that has me freaked is finding a home for our kitty cat.” Jack the Cat is a 7-year-old neutered brown tabby with a white chest and paws. Kay describes him as “very friendly.”

The couple will receive cross-cultural training in North Carolina, and will attend a missionary language school in Albertville, France, in order to learn enough French to get by in Cameroon, a former French colony. The Carvers are also looking for partners who can offer spiritual and financial assistance. They plan to keep those partners up to date with regular e-mails.

“Some people need to pray,” Kirk said, “some need to give and some need to go.”

Becoming missionaries was the last thing on the minds of Kirk and Kay.

“When we were in college, there were those “born-again Jesus freaks,” Kay said. “I didn’t want anything to do with them. Now I’m one of them.”

“We were saved at a small church with a missionary focus in 1998,” Kirk said. “Right away, we had the experience of a church involved in a mission.”

“That was important, Kay said. “You have the idea that a missionary is some sort of super-spiritual person. Instead, a missionary is a regular person, doing God’s work in another country.”

After their conversion, Kirk began attending classes at Capital Bible Seminary, with an eye toward becoming a pastor.

“I’m glad we’re becoming missionaries,” Kay said with a smile. “I’m not cut out to be a pastor’s wife.”

While in Africa, Kay expects to be involved with a women’s ministry, emphasizing literacy, orphan care and “True Love Waits,” an abstinence program for young women.

Kirk says his duties will involve evaluating and training pastors to spread the word in a mentorship and discipleship program.

“The idea is to train Africans to lead their own church,” Kay said.

While some may feel that becoming full-time missionaries is a big change, it’s natural to Kay.

“People think we’re sacrificing, being noble,” Kay said. “That’s not true. This feels right. It’s easy following God’s will.”

From today's Dayton (OH) Daily News:

Search intensifies for Wenners
Couple's black Labrador retriever found along property that abuts the Stillwater River.

By Ryan Justin Fox

BUTLER TWP., Montgomery County — Ever since the Christmas Day drowning of Craig and Patricia Wenner, Amy Eber had avoided even looking at the backyard of her Meeker Road home, which abuts the Stillwater River.

"The idea of looking out there and seeing someone is disturbing." Eber said. "It's just a horrible thing that happened."

On Friday morning, the body of the Wenners' black Labrador retriever, Shadow, washed up on an embankment on Eber's property. The Wenners died after the dog jumped into the river. Patricia Wenner tried to save the dog, and then Craig Wenner jumped in to try to save his wife.

The search for their bodies intensified on Friday after a break in the weather and river conditions. Over 40 rescue officers from Englewood, Butler Twp., Huber Heights, Trotwood and Five Rivers MetroParks converged on the Stillwater.

Park rangers led the coordinated rescue effort that included cadaver-finding dogs, sonar equipment and dragging operations. Boat and dog teams combed both sides of the dam Friday while ground crews patrolled the banks along the river.

"It's been difficult for sure," said Five Rivers MetroParks Chief Ranger Larry Jones. "We just want to get them out of the water."

Jones said park rangers and personnel have been extra determined to find Craig Wenner, a longtime employee at Englewood MetroPark, and his wife, both 50. Several rangers have canceled vacations to assist in the search effort.

"There is a sense of determination (among the park rangers) to help their own," Englewood Assistant Fire Chief Ron Fletcher said. "But we're all maintaining a high level of caution. We don't want to have to rescue anybody else."

The search continues today.

A trust fund was established for the couple's teen-age daughters. Checks can be made to Carolyn and Sara Wenner College Fund and mailed to Montgomery County Credit Union, 409 E. Monument Ave., Suite 105, Dayton, OH 45402.

There will also be a memorial service for Craig and Patricia Wenner on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Brookville Grace Brethren Church on 665 W. Westbrooke Road. For more information, call (937) 833-5562 or brookvillegrace.org

This article from yesterday's West Milton (OH)Times newspaper refers to Grace Community Grace Brethren Church (Steve Peters, pastor), the sponsoring church for the Good News Club. For further background on the "chicken church" name, see the posting on this blog in archives for 13 September, 2006.

By JOYELL NEVINS
Staff Writer

The "chicken church", a.k.a. Community Grace Brethren, has taken up residency at Milton-Union Elementary School.

Five years ago, they started holding Good News Clubs after school in the Physical Education room with the sanctioning of administration.

"The principal and administration is really supportive," praises Jennifer Brumbaugh, Good News coordinator.

The club is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowships (CEF), a non-denominational, Bible-based international missions agency that reached nearly 4.9 million children in over 150 countries last year. CEF provides the curriculum for the Good News Club, and Community Grace gives the crucial financial, prayer, and work support.

The work support is extremely important. Good News started with a core group of about 25, and now can get up to 40 students at once. Brumbaugh noted that the more children come, the more volunteers they seem to get.

"God has brought a lot of workers out of the woodwork," she smiles.

There are over 1,300 CEF school-related clubs in the United States. Milton-Union's club is an offshoot of a CEF group in Dayton. They meet for three different six-week sessions through the year.

Children play games, sing songs, have snacks, and learn a Bible lesson.

"It's really fun with the hand motions and songs," shares fifth grader Amanda Black.

The activities are often related to the Bible lesson.

"It's like miniature Vacation Bible school," explains Brumbaugh, "They really seem to like it."

She notes that a lot of children who come don't attend church on Sundays, so the Good News club is able to be their "spiritual training".

"Our main goal is to teach the children about the love of God, and the saving work of Jesus Christ, and also to provide them with strong moral training, which will hopefully steer them away from harmful influences they may face both now and in the future," details Brumbaugh.

Parent volunteer Angie Ditmer agrees, "They're learning something that can help them through the rest of their life."

Volunteers also share that they have had several kids make a decision to come to Christ.

"I think it's a good thing," smiles Ditmer.

For information about attending or volunteering at a Good News Club, contact Jennifer at 698-3625.

Uriah James Rodeman was born December 27 to 412 Commission coordinators Ryan and Lori Rodeman.

Ryan and Lori Rodeman (pictured), 412 Commission coordinators at the Norton (OH) north campus, are the parents of a newborn son. This e-mail from Ryan gives more detail:

Lori and I wanted to let you all know that Uriah James Rodeman was born on Dec 27th at 9:41pm. After 17 grueling hours of natural labor, the doctors discovered the baby was not turned in the right position. They recommended a C-Section so we followed the doctors’ advice.

Thankfully, everything went great. Lori and I are overwhelmed with the gift of our son. Uriah is a very healthy little guy. He weighs 8 pounds 1.5 ounces and is 21 inches long, he has a full head of hair and looks like both of us.

We are so thankful that God has provided strength and health and victory to our new little man! It has truly been an amazing thing to watch the miracle of birth -- please pray for our new son and for a speedy recovery for Lori.

BMH Books is currently editing a manuscript on worship submitted by Bruce Triplehorn, a missionary to Brazil with Grace Brethren International Missions. BMH senior editor Jesse Deloe spotted these paragraphs in the manuscript--it seems timely to reproduce them here in light of the recent death of President Gerald Ford, pictured at right. Bruce Triplehorn writes:

"My great-uncle, Howard Triplehorn, played football for the University of Michigan together with the late Gerald Ford.

"After Ford became vice president of the United States, I found an old program from a football game in 1927 with a picture of my great-uncle and Gerald Ford.

"I sent a letter asking if Mr. Ford would be willing to autograph the picture. To our surprise, we were given an appointment with him. As we entered his office, there was a great deal of formal procedure and security.

"A receptionist personally presented us to the vice president. I was utterly in awe and at a loss for words at being introduced to the second-most powerful man in our country in his own office.

"That is the kind of introduction we have with our Heavenly Father. We can personally come to our Heavenly Father."

From today's Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette (see previous December 19 posting for background):

Auctioneer sings at White House

By Emma Downs
The Journal Gazette

Anyone who knows Dane Bailey will tell you: The man never gets nervous. Never.

For the past 30 years, the Fort Wayne resident – known to music lovers as “The Singing Auctioneer” – has spent an average of 175 days a year on the road, performing for audiences large and small at festivals, churches and concerts.

He’s an old hand at performing, he says. But standing on the Ellipse south of the White House, preparing to sing at the annual Pageant of Peace, Bailey’s anticipation was almost overwhelming.

“Knowing I had been invited to sing at the White House, that was something that gave me pause,” he says. “To be there and see the buildings, the memorials. This is where it’s happening for the whole country. But once the music starts and you’re performing, you’re home.”

From the stage in President’s Park, Bailey could see the lights of the White House. Behind him was the National Christmas Tree, a 40-foot Colorado blue spruce, decorated with thousands of blue lights, stars and red sparkling garlands.

And more than 50 trees – each one representing a U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia – lined the Ellipse, illuminating a pathway toward the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Bailey was honored to be a part of it, he says.

“In the midst of all of this,” he says, “I was really struck with the majesty of the city. I was singing in front of the White House. It was incredible.”

Bailey was one of dozens of musical acts chosen to perform at the Pageant of Peace in Washington, the monthlong annual Christmas event hosted by the National Park Service.

On Dec. 19, he sang a collection of traditional Christmas songs including “Winter Wonderland” and “The Christmas Song” in his bass-baritone to a milling crowd who split its time between listening to music and admiring the holiday decorations.

“The Christmas tree is live, so it grows every year,” Bailey says. “And it’s totally decorated. Inside the fence that surrounds the tree, they’ve got model trains set up. And it’s really quite extensive. And there’s a great big permanent pit with a burning Yule log.”

As a Christian performer, Bailey was impressed with the large Nativity scene in the park, he says.

“That surprised me,” he said. “Because everything has to be so politically correct these days. But I was very glad to see it. Also, because of my heritage as a Christian, it was neat to realize that our nation was celebrating the birth of Christ, which can get overshadowed.”

To be considered to perform at the Pageant of Peace, Bailey submitted an application, a DVD and a 30-minute program featuring music selections. The selections later became the basis for his latest album “Live at Christmas.” (The album is currently available to buy on his Web site, www.singingauctioneer.com.)

In October, he received the phone call telling him he had been chosen.

“I was at a restaurant in Rockville, Ind.,” he says. “And I’m afraid everyone around me knew I’d gotten good news. My voice went up a little bit. That’s been one of the neat things. Sharing with people the fact that I got the opportunity to go to D.C. and sing. They’re pleased. Some people have expressed the fact that they’re proud to know me. It’s a little embarrassing. But nonetheless wonderful, too.”

From today's Dayton (OH) Daily News:

ENGLEWOOD — A second full day of searching failed to turn up any sign of a Clay Twp. couple who were swept away in the Stillwater River on Christmas Day.

The search halted around 5 p.m. Wednesday and will resume today.

Craig and Patricia Wenner, both 50, were walking with their two teenage daughters and the family's black Labrador puppy in Englewood MetroPark when the puppy apparently fell in the fast-flowing river. Park officials said Patricia Wenner attempted to rescue the dog, and her husband, a longtime Five Rivers MetroParks employee, jumped in to help.

The couple and the dog were swept downstream, apparently into the two large chutes at the base of the Englewood Dam.

One of the daughters ran up the side of the 110-foot-high earthen dam to get help.

At the time, the park was closed for the holiday.

A memorial service for the Wenners will be held Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. at Brookville Grace Brethren Church, 665 W. Westbrook Road, in Brookville. The public is welcome to attend.

From this morning's Mahoning Valley (OH) Tribune Chronicle:

Family awaits rescue efforts

By RON SELAK JR. Tribune Chronicle

WARREN — Seeing in person Wednesday the swift moving water that swept away his sister and brother-in-law on Christmas Day, Kevin Cordner says he’s come to this conclusion: Patricia and Craig Wenner couldn’t survive the treacherous water of Stillwater River.

Cordner of Southington said from his sister’s Dayton-area home that rescue crews still were unable to get into the river at Englewood MetroPark to search for the couple due to high water.

‘‘This is such a shock to all of us,’’ Cordner said. ‘‘They were very beloved, two of the most super people you want to meet, and to have them snuffed, snuffed like you would a candle, and plus in front of the girls. They saw it, that just adds to the pain.’’

Former Champion resident Patricia Wenner, 50, her husband, Craig, 50, and their black Labrador retriever, Shadow, disappeared Monday in the river between a low-head dam and the Englewood Dam, about 10 miles northwest of Dayton. The couple was taking a Christmas Day walk with their daughters, Carolyn, 15, and Sara, 13.

The family has scheduled a memorial service for 2 p.m. Sunday at Brookville Grace Brethren Church in Brookville, northwest of Dayton. In the meantime, they wait for recovery of the bodies.

Cordner said family members will be taking responsibility for the girls and are working on arrangements.

Police said the apparent drownings began when the family dog wandered into a part of the river between the dams where the water is described as treacherous and apparently began struggling.

Patricia — a nurse for 25 years at Good Samaritan Hospital — waded into the turbulent water in an attempt to save the dog. Her husband, past director of the park, then went to her rescue.

One of the daughters remained on the bank while the other ran up the side to flag down a motorist on a nearby highway to call for help. Emergency calls went out about 2:30 p.m.

The teen who stayed on the bank told authorities she saw her parents in the water for several minutes before they disappeared. Cordner said it’s hoped water levels will begin receding soon, allowing rescue crews to get in and scour the river, which isn’t a large body of water, but one that flows significantly.

‘‘It’s not odd they haven’t been found yet, but it’s very undetermined as to when,’’ Cordner said.

Cordner said after visiting the river on Wednesday that its water remained high and the undertow heading toward the tubes at the base of the earthen dam was powerful.

‘‘We saw it with our own eyes,’’ Cordner said of river’s pace.

From today's Warsaw (IN) Times-Union:

BY JENNIFER PERYAM, Times-Union Staff Writer

WINONA LAKE – The Billy Sunday Historic Museum is working with an Elkhart-based video production company to produce a documentary film about Billy Sunday.

Sunday was a professional baseball player during the 1800s who converted to Christianity in the 1880s. He became an evangelist and spoke to more than 100 million people, according to Bill Firstenberger, museum curator.

Sunday moved to Winona Lake in 1910 and died in 1935. The home where he lived is now the Billy Sunday Museum.

Firstenberger is partnering with Jeremy Pinckert, writer and producer for Explore Media, who will assist in shooting and producing a film based on the life of Sunday.

Firstenberger wrote a book titled “In Rare Form: A Pictorial History of the Baseball Evangelist Billy Sunday” that was published in October 2005.

The book is a pictorial biography with artifacts and images of the life of Sunday that was published by University of Iowa Press. It is available for purchase at the Billy Sunday Museum.

Firstenberger said since the book was written, the museum has been working with production companies to produce a documentary film.

He said the video will be a one-hour production targeted at both secular and Christian audiences.

The film will be shot in Winona Lake with footage of the town and museum as well as interviews with people who live in the town.

Firstenberger said other possibilities where the film also could be shot include Ames, Iowa, where Sunday was born, Billy Sunday tabernacles where Sunday preached, and possibly could include interviews with Billy Sunday scholars and authors across the country.

Pledges have been attained from television stations to air the production from several regional PBS affiliates including WNIT (Elkhart-South Bend), WFWA (Fort Wayne) and WIPB (Muncie).

Firstenberger said several other regional stations are considering airing the documentary.

He said getting commitments from these regional stations will help the museum reach its goal of airing the program nationally on PBS, The History Channel, A&E, Biography, TBN or Angel Network.

He said the budget for the project is $154,000.

Firstenberger said the museum is opening up a private pledge drive to the public to support the film project.

The museum has sent a letter out to museum volunteers and visitors requesting people make pledges to fund the project.

Firstenberger is requesting people not send money at this point, but make pledges that will be used as private sector cash contributions in his grant application.

People have the opportunity to make pledges of any amount they wish to contribute toward the project.

A Sunday scholar from New Jersey who collects Sunday post cards and photographs has already pledged $4,000 to use as money to get the production started.

To be included in the public pledge drive, people may submit their pledge by Jan. 15 to the museum at 1101 Park Avenue, Winona Lake; call 574-268-0600; or e-mail billysundaymuseum@juno.com

Funeral services were held today, Wednesday, December 27, at the New Troy (MI) Grace Brethren Church for Minnie Elizabeth Mensinger, the mother of Grace Brethren International Missions missionary Eddie Mensinger. Mrs. Mensinger went to be with the Lord in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Friday, December 22.

Pastor Arthur McCrum officiated, and GBIM’s Africa regional director, Mike Taylor and his wife, Myra, represented GBIM at the service. Eddie Mensinger and his wife, Linda, recently retired from a lifetime of service as GBIM missionaries in the Central African Republic.

Mrs. Mensinger was 94. Survivors include five children: Edward (Linda) Mensinger of Portland, Oregon, Judy (Gregory) Schei of Gobles, Robert (Lila) Mensinger of New Troy, David (Mary Ann) Mensinger of Three Oaks, and Wayne (Abby) Mensinger of Cumberland, Maryland; eight grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin Mensinger, who died in 1974; by one daughter, Carol Mensinger in 1994; one grandson; four brothers, and one sister.

Urban Hope, a ministry of CE National, on December 21 distributed more than 300 meals to residents of the Kensington section of Philadelphia.

In an e-mail, Jason Holt reports, "There was great joy and many happy smiles as we distributed 325 meals to families in our community. The majority of the meals were given to families who have been involved in any of our programs over the past year at Urban Hope.

"Other meals were given to families in need. Forty adults, teens, and children from the church here at Urban Hope helped pass out the food, which had a combined weight of over two tons!

"Most of the families who agreed to watch the Hope video, which clearly presents the Gospel message, and to allow someone from Urban Hope to discuss it with them. Pray that everyone who received the Hope video would watch it and know the hope that Christ brings.

"We are tremendously grateful to all who gave in order to make this outreach possible - thank you for giving and praying."

More information, ministry reports, and photos are available at www.urbanhope.net.

For a delightful country-by-country and date-by-date roundup of the many creative ways in which Grace Brethren missionaries in various European countries have been using Christmas to touch their communities with the message of Christ, click on Dr. Paul Klawitter's blog at http://gbimeurope.blogspot.com/2006/12/european-christmas-list.html

The January/February 2007 issue of FGBC World, the only all-Fellowship publication for the FGBC, is now online and available for viewing at www.fgbcworld.com.

The paper version of the periodical will arrive in homes and churches this week. The January/February 2007 edition is the 19th issue of the bi-monthly periodical, published by the Brethren Missionary Herald Co., which has been connecting people and churches of the FGBC since January, 2004.

The current issue features articles on creative outreach by southern Ohio church planters, an innovative educational Grace Institute being conducted by two Columbus, Ohio, churches, registration information on the upcoming Equip07 conference, a feature on longtime Navajo missionary the late Angie Garber, and much more.

The online version includes some longer stories and richer information than the paper version.

The paper is available free to any individuals or churches of the FGBC. Click "subscribe" on the paper's website if you wish to receive it regularly.

Jim Hocking, missionary to Africa and director of Integrated Community Development International, will be speaking this week at the “Open for Business” segment of the Urbana 06 missions conference being held in St. Louis, Missouri.

Urbana06 is Intervarsity’s 21st student missions convention, and this year is being held in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis the dates of December 27-31.

For more information on Urbana06 log onto http://www.urbana.org/_today.cfm. For more information on Hocking and ICDI, log onto http://www.icdinternational.org/index.html.

Well-known author and speaker Dr. Jerry Bridges (pictured) will be a keynote speaker, along with Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, for the second annual Grace Discipleship Conference to be held at the Grace Brethren Church of Worthington (Columbus), Ohio, on February 9 and 10.

The theme of this year's conference is "The Power of the Cross" and Bridges and Ferguson will focus on the theological and practical nature of the power of the cross in relation to everyday life issues.

More information on the conference is available on the church's website at www.gracebrethren.org or by contacting Dr. Glenn McElhinney or Ruth Poupart at the Columbus church.

The January edition of "Grace News," the publication of the Grace Brethren Church of Worthington, Ohio, carries a cover photo and story of the Worthington Christian School's boys soccer team, which recently won the state Division III championship.

A pdf version of the magazine may be accessed through the church's website at www.gracebrethren.org

MARY MEYER
October 9, 1918-December 14, 2006

Mary Anna Meyer, 88, entered into the presence of the Lord on Thursday, December 14, 2006, after a brain hemorrhage.

She loved music and enjoyed singing in the Worthington, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church choir. The preceding week she had sung in five Living Christmas Tree concerts, and has now graduated to singing in heaven. She delighted in being with her extended family, and had a special bond with her great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Nathan M. Meyer, three siblings, and two great grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Joan Keane, son Paul (Sharon) Meyer; six grandchildren: Heather Keane, Shauna (Alfie) Crim, Lauren (Brian) Lance, Nathan Meyer, Nicholas Meyer, Joshua Meyer; seven great grandchildren, and special friends Chris and Jeanine Zearfoss from Virginia.

Burial was Monday, December 18, 2006, at the Mt. Laurel Church of God Cemetery in Piketown, PA, where she grew up, and where her parents, husband and siblings are buried.

A memorial service was held at the Grace Brethren Worship Center in Westerville, OH, on Wednesday, December 20, 2006. Because she prayed daily for special missionary friends, her family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent to Shenandoah Baptist Church, Attn: Pastor Robert Mullen, 6520 Williamson Rd, Roanoke VA 24019 in Mary’s memory.

Mary was working on memorizing the first passage that follows, and the others were marked in her Bible.

For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. II Peter 1:3-4

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. I Thessalonians 4:16-18

Today’s Roanoke (VA) Times newspaper carries an article on how parents can teach their children to have a giving spirit during the holidays and throughout the year. The following excerpt features children from two families at the Ghent Grace Brethren Church in Roanoke. To read the entire article, click here.

Ten-year-olds Ashmine Minnix and Cary-Grace Clark annually join other members of Roanoke's Ghent Grace Brethren Church to prepare gift bags and Christmas cards for people who can no longer go to church. They delivered this year's gifts Sunday, while singing Christmas carols.

"We want to make sure they're OK, because it's a nice thing to do," explained Ashmine, shortly before setting off with the others on her errand.

"It's a lot of fun," added Cary-Grace. "Sometimes we get hugs."

"For us, it's teaching by example," said her mom, Sandra Clark, of taking the kids caroling. The Clarks are no strangers to charity work; Clark's husband, Lee Clark, is development director at the Rescue Mission. "As a family, we do a lot of volunteer work."

"We want the kids to think about all the people who don't have families, who are less fortunate," said another caroler, Tracy Minnix -- Ashmine's mother.

Besides, said Minnix, the kids add a certain something. "We're not half as cute as they are."

Grace College invites applications and nominations for the position of Provost. The Provost reports directly to the President and has chief administrative oversight of all undergraduate and graduate academic programs and faculties, and additional corollary duties, providing strategic leadership and oversight of planning, resources, and personnel for programs and services in these areas.

As Provost, this individual will build and sustain effective relationships so that the institution’s mission, educational values, and strategic plan are progressively realized. In addition the Provost serves on the President’s Cabinet thereby assuming a leading role in the institution’s development.

Grace College is an evangelical Christian Liberal Arts College. Located in the resort community of Winona Lake, near Warsaw, Indiana (36 miles west of Ft. Wayne), Grace College offers 52 academic majors (38 minors) and a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1. Central to the mission is developing character, sharpening competence and preparing for service. Our goal in Christian living and teaching is to make Christ preeminent in all things.

The programs of the college, as well as its community lifestyle, are designed to encourage serious academic inquiry, a biblical worldview, spiritual understanding, and social conscience, all in the context of God's grace.

Since the mid-1990s Grace College and Seminary enrollment has grown from 800 to 1,400, doubled its number of campus facilities, obtained specialized accreditation in teacher education, social work, business, music, and counseling (graduate), and established the Millennial Scholars Academy (honors program), the Orthopaedic Scholars Institute, and the School of Music.

The 165-acre campus enrolls students (37 states; 17 countries) with entering average test scores of 1120 SAT and 24.1 ACT.

Qualifications: The position offers a challenging opportunity to an experienced senior administrator with energy, a liberal arts commitment, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to strategic institutional engagement. The successful candidate will have:

· An earned Ph.D. from an accredited institution of higher learning and a strong academic record of accomplishment.
· At least 10 years of successful and progressively broadening administrative experience in higher education including such positions as dean, vice president, and provost.
· Demonstrated success developing and sustaining new higher education programs and services which are mission-driven.
· Strong interpersonal skills that engage and lead faculty, staff, and students to growth and accomplishment.
· Commitment to the mission and values of an evangelical Christian institution which values the centrality of Jesus Christ and the Holy Scriptures in the purpose and life of the institution.

Application Process: All contact information including a cover letter and vitae should be sent to:

Attn: Scott Sharik, Director of Human Resources
Grace College and Theological Seminary
200 Seminary Drive
Winona Lake, IN 46590

Grace College and Theological Seminary is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks a diverse work environment by encouraging women and minorities to apply.

Church Multiplication Associates, an outgrowth of the missions committee of the Grace Brethren churches in the Southern California district, will sponsor its first annual “Organic Church Movements Conference” at the Long Beach (CA) Event Center January 26-28, 2007.

Speakers for the event will include Alan Hirsch, co-author of The Shaping of Things to Come; Wolfgang Simson, author of Houses That Change The World; Ori Brafman, co-author of The Starfish and The Spider; Neil Cole, author of Organic Church and Executive Director of CMA Ministries; and Felicity Dale, author of An Army of Ordinary People.

Ten workshops will also be offered and Grace Brethren pastors who will be leading workshops include Neil Cole, Phil Helfer, and Ed Waken, along with many others.

Registration is $100 for CMA people (that means someone who has been through a Greenhouse training event and has planted a simple--organic--church afterward) and $150 for non-CMA people (everyone else). Meals are included with the price of admission and registration prices will increase after Jan. 5.

The conference will begin Friday night January 26th at 6 PM with dinner and will end Sunday the 28th at 4 PM.

To register, or to obtain more information, log onto http://cmaresources.org/greenhouse/conference.asp.

The Grace Brethren Church of Norwalk, California, (Wayne Ayer, pastor), will dedicate a special stained glass window this Sunday evening, December 24, in honor of former pastor Nicholas Kurtaneck.

Kurtaneck, who lives in Buena Park, CA, but for health reasons is unable to continue his ministry at the church, was pastor of the Norwalk church for 17 years, and also taught at BIOLA for many years. Speaker for the dedication will be Kurtaneck’s son, Timothy Kurtaneck (TK), Director of Church Relations and Youth Ministries for CE National in Winona Lake, Indiana.

Phyllis Fisher of the Norwalk church has written a dedicatory poem for the occasion, and gives this testimony:

”When I began to attend the Norwalk Brethren Church I had no understanding of the Word although I had been searching a long time.

”As an adult, I found this little church in Norwalk with Dr. Kurtanek teaching every Sunday. This was probably in the early 1970s. I read my little black Bible with the zipper at lunchtime at work and on the bus. I saved all of his notes (which were many) and even rewrote them into a notebook so that I could remember what they taught.

”He invited us to come, and one day I was baptized there by Dr. Kurtaneck in the baptismal water that was where the piano is today.

”I was thinking about the Christmas Eve service this year where there will be a dedication of a stained glass window being placed in the church in Dr. Kurtaneck's honor. So I pulled out some of those notes and reread them some 30 years later and found them to be just as informative and uplifting as the day he taught them.

”I wrote a little poem to remember him as a wonderful teacher of God's Word. He had a very wonderful and lasting impact on me which has given me the ability to understand the written word of God.”

A massive concrete pour was underway this morning for the main floor of the new Orthopaedic Capital Center, now under construction on the campus of Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana

The unseasonably warm weather in November and December has enabled workmen to keep on, or ahead of, construction schedule for the facility, which is slated to be ready for Grace's commencement ceremonies in early May, 2007.

This excerpt from this morning's Yakima (WA) Herald-Republic tells how the Grace Brethren Church of Sunnyside, Washington (Nathan Zakahi, pastor) will be helping a local school:

Outlook classes get new homes in schools, churches

By PAT MUIR
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

SUNNYSIDE -- Outlook Elementary School students will be spread throughout other schools and two churches as they wait for their fire-ravaged building to be reopened Feb. 5.

Sunnyside School District Superintendent Rick Cole and Outlook Principal Robert Bowman laid out the plan Tuesday evening at a meeting for parents with kids at the school.

"Your child is going to be with the same teacher and the same class just like they were at Outlook," Bowman said.

A fire Sunday destroyed the school's commons area and cafeteria, known as the "old gym," while water and smoke damaged other parts of the school. The fire's cause remains unknown.

After missing school Friday because of a power failure and Monday and Tuesday because of the fire, Outlook's 615 students are now on winter break. They will resume classes in new locations Jan. 3.

Kindergarten and first-grade classes will be held at Grace Brethren Church in Sunnyside. Second- and third-grade classes will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sunnyside.

Fourth-graders will move to Chief Kamiakin Elementary School. Fifth-graders will move to the newly constructed Sierra Vista Middle School. Preschool will be held at Pioneer Elementary School, and the Learning Assistance Center will move to Washington School.

The First Grace Brethren Church of Dayton, Ohio (Mark Saunders, center, pastor)was asked to sing at the local Butler Township Fire Department Christmas Tree lighting. This photo shows about half the group that sang.

The church has done this for two years now and reports, "they still ask us back." The group sang Christmas carols as the children talked with Santa and enjoyed the food.

Pastor Mark Saunders says, "We are enjoying a healthy relationship with the men and women of the fire department."

Article and photo from today's Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel:

Lifting his voice
Fort Wayne man chosen to sing in Pageant of Peace in Washington, D.C.

By Deanna Krinn
dkrinn@news-sentinel.com

The title “Singing Auctioneer” might seem vague, but for the owner of this interesting nickname, it’s perfect just the way it is.

“It’s a promotional shtick, but it’s also something that works,” said Fort Wayne resident Dane Bailey, 60. “It’s (nondescript) enough to use at a variety of venues.”

Tuesday night, Bailey will be able to add Washington, D.C., to the list of about 120 venues where he’s performed in the past year.

Bailey will be part of the Christmas Pageant of Peace, hosted by the National Park Service, where as many as 10,000 people could hear his booming voice at President’s Park across from the south lawn of the White House.

The pageant started Dec. 7 with the lighting of the National Christmas Tree, and continues through Jan. 1. Visitors can view the 39-foot Colorado blue spruce,; 50 smaller trees representing the states, model trains, a Yule log and live entertainment by musicians from across the country.

How did the Singing Auctioneer land such a gig?

After submitting a video last March to the park service, he went through eight months of recording and submitting songs, as well as doing various photo shoots, before finding out Dec. 7 he would perform this week.

“The fact that I was invited at all is an honor,” he said.

Bailey has been a touring musician for 31 years, with his genre ranging from gospel and country to big band. Before attending Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake in the 1970s, he had not considered a career in music.

However, after touring with a fellow student who played piano, he says he found his passion. In 1990, he went to auctioneer school, and has since combined the two to create his own call name. He has even had it trademarked. He has been touring full-time for five years and is on the road for about 175 days a year.

Gerald and Tanny Jackson, a couple endorsed by the same company as Bailey, Christian Music Presenters, will perform a few songs with him during the show that starts at 7 p.m.

The number of people expected to stop by the pageant on Tuesday is dependent on weather. Bailey realizes people aren’t attending just to see him, and that’s OK with him.

“These people aren’t coming to the White House to hear the ‘Singing Auctioneer,’” he said. “It’s just the privilege of being able to go, to be a part of this.”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Christmas Pageant of Peace

When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily Dec. 7-Jan. 1

Where: President’s Park, Washington, D.C.

What: Musical entertainment, Christmas trees from each of the 50 states, National Christmas Tree and Yule log.

For more information about this annual Washington, D.C., tradition, contact the park service at 1-202-208-1631, Or go to www.nps.gov.

The Grace Brethren Church of Lititz, PA (Scott Distler, pastor) will host a DeLorean Time-Machine car to kick off a five-week Sunday message series for the community, entitled "Back In The Future," on Sunday, December 31, 2006.

The community is invited to view the car during one of two worship services at 9:00am and 10:45am. Viewing and photographing the car will all be free.

The DeLorean is a sports car manufactured by the DeLorean Motor Company from 1981 through 1983. Most commonly known as the DeLorean, it was the only model ever produced by the company. The car features "gull-wing" doors with a brushed stainless steel body. About 6,000 DeLorean Motor Cars are believed to still exist.

The car was a central piece throughout the famous "Back To The Future" movie trilogy designed by the character Dr. Emmett Brown. Brown's rationale for choosing the DeLorean was stated in the first film: "The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style?"

He also indicates that the stainless steel construction of the automobile is advantageous for the "flux dispersal" of a time machine. In addition to elaborate enhancements for time travel, the fictional car was later modified with flying capabilities and a "Mr. Fusion" (a fictional fusion reactor, which came from the year 2015 and was very small - about the size of a coffee maker).

The movie script involved intimate details of the car's functions and showcased its various interior and exterior components. Seven DeLorean cars were used and modified with props after purchase to make them look like time-travel machines throughout the trilogy.

While the car visiting Lititz is not the actual DeLorean from the "Back to the Future" movie, it is a replica that is built to match the original. Both the exterior and interior of the car have been modified, even down to the infamous 'Flux Capacitor' inside and the "nuclear reactor" with coolers on the back.

Universal Studios took the opportunity to interview the current owners and film the vehicle. The time car has since made appearances at DeLorean car shows, parades, tradeshows and convention centers across the country. More information about the car may be found at www.time-car.com.

The following article by Pastor Donald Shoemaker appeared this weekend in the Long Beach (CA) Press-Telegram. Shoemaker is senior pastor of the Grace Community Church of Seal Beach and chairs the Social Concerns Committee for the FGBC.

Christmas is about fathers

The Christmas story doesn't begin in Bethlehem with a manger, the Holy Family, docile animals and adoring shepherds. It begins in Jerusalem's temple with an old priest named Zechariah.

Zechariah was visited by the angel Gabriel, who told him that he would have a son named John (known to us as "John the Baptist"). This would be John's mission:

"He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17, New International Version).

So the Christmas message begins with one of the most politically incorrect things we can say: Fathers are important - not perfect fathers or jerks, but "good enough dads" who are there to nurture their kids and be in a positive relationship with them.

The failure of responsible fatherhood is our society's most fundamental evil. As a result, we have teenage girls with babies and teenage boys with guns and all the attendant consequences.

One recent Christmas season our church took a ministry team to the California Youth Authority facility in Norwalk to bring these boys Christmas cheer in word and song. Take it from one who shook the hand of almost every young man in that facility (for nearly all took the option to come to our service) and who talked to the chaplains who provide spiritual support to these boys, hardly any have a responsible father role model. Many of them don't even know who their biological fathers are.

Our society should be encouraging fathers and reconciliation between fathers and children. Instead, fathers are sometimes treated as superfluous and optional. The Christmas message stands against this way of thinking.

Mark it down - it is great sin and a great social evil to deliberately create new life with the intention of bringing that child into a fatherless home (or a motherless home for that matter, although this is seldom the case).

Instead of discouraging this practice, social forces demand we not judge the merits of people's choices no matter how much they will impact other people.

The only judgment permitted is to condemn and punish the health care providers whose consciences require that they "opt out" of providing the medical service that would guarantee a child be fatherless.

Illegitimacy is almost 40 percent now in America. No society, not even ours, can afford the social price of this problem. The word of the angel Gabriel is drawn from the Prophet Malachi: "He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers ... or else I will come and strike the land with a curse" (Malachi 4:5).

Those are our alternatives - reconciliation between fathers and children, or a curse on our culture. The choice is ours, which pathway to follow.

That's how the Christmas message starts!

A new Starbucks coffee house has opened near the campus of the Grace Brethren Church of Wooster, Ohio (Bob Fetterhoff, pastor). This excerpt from this morning's Wooster Daily-Record tells how the church is already using it. To read the entire article click here.

Fast said she's always liked Starbucks, but distance has made it difficult to enjoy regularly. She said she's particularly fond of the business' drive-thru.

That too was fully operational Sunday, as vehicles snaked around the back of the building, the parking lot in front of which was crowded and a spill over of patrons from inside the store.

Inside, customers gathered, enjoying free samples of coffee drinks and pastries, listening to the crooning of a two-man band in the corner.

In a chorus of praises, several members of a Bible study group from Wooster Grace Brethren Church said they're thrilled at the prospect of a new hang-out place.

"Probably this will be our place to hang many times Sunday night," said Liz Rocha of Wooster, adding sometimes they go out after their meetings, and sometimes they look for different places to hold their meetings.

Rocha, who said she will continue to support other local coffee shops, said the north end location of Starbucks is convenient for the church group.

On the recommendation of her son, she said, she ordered a caramel apple cider on Sunday.

Elizabeth “Liz” Cutler Gates (pictured), an experienced journalist with deep roots in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, will join the staff of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company on January 2 as editorial director.

Since 1996 she has been director of communications for the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Her previous experience includes working in communications with the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, eight years as director of public relations for the Grace Brethren Home Missions Council (now GBNAM), and experience as a newspaper reporter and editor with two publications in the Warsaw, Indiana, area.

In her new position Gates will take primary editorial responsibility for the FGBC World publication to Grace Brethren churches, and will work closely with all additional contract publications and with the general editorial needs of the company and of BMH Books.

Gates and her husband Doug have been members of the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, where she has been a deaconess and worked with several of the church’s ministries.

Columbus Pastor Jim Custer said, “Liz loves people and finds interest in their stories. She delights to find folks doing something worthwhile, then give their story a larger audience. . . They will leave huge holes in our fellowship, but they are eager to respond to a higher calling and give their lives away in a fresh start in a new community. They are some of the best we have ever released from our ministry here.”

BMH Executive Director Terry White, who was Gates’ journalism professor at Grace College in the 1970s, said, “I’m so delighted that Liz has responded to this opportunity to use her gifts to further the work of the Lord through the Fellowship. Her professional expertise, her background in our fellowship of churches, and her heart for ministry will be a tremendous asset in helping BMH fulfill its mission to build bridges of communication among the people and churches of the Fellowship.”

Gates, originally from the Grace Brethren Church of Wooster, Ohio, was a member of the board of directors of BMH prior to joining the staff.

Your prayers will be appreciated by the family of Tom Dunn, Chief Operations Officer for Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.

Tom's mother, Mary Dunn, passed away December 10. A family service will be held on Saturday, December 16, in Philadelphia, PA.

In a recent communication, Tom said, “It was particularly encouraging to thumb through my mother's Bible the other morning. Her underlined passages were almost all about salvation.

“I bought a Bible for one of the nurse's aides who was so good to her and who was with her when she died....we had just been with mom 15 minutes prior to her passing. I underlined many of the passages in the new Bible for the girl, that mom had highlighted.

“We are giving the Bible to this girl as a remembrance of mom...and mom will get to evangelize even in her death!”

Dr. James Chandler, 70, died on December 10. Dr. Chandler taught part-time in Grace College's Music Department from 1990-2001.

He taught clarinet, saxophone, and woodwind methods, started the Grace Community Wind Ensemble, and was chairman of the Grace Community Orchestra board for several years.

The funeral service for Dr. Chandler was held this week in Indianapolis.

Fourteen Grace College students were recently selected for inclusion in the 2007 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

The students were selected as outstanding campus leaders based on academic achievement, service to the campus and community, leadership, and potential for continued success. They were nominated by their peers and then chosen by the faculty.

Those named to Who's Who are listed below, along with their parents' names, hometowns, and majors.

Amanda Bryson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bryson, Carmel, IN. Sociology.

Theresa Clark, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Clark, Delaware, OH. Journalism.

Tyler Egli, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rod Egli, Delavan, IL. Counseling.

Anayeli Juarez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Meliton Juarez, Warsaw, IN. Business Administration and Psychology.

Cho-Long Kim, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee-Gyo Kim, South Korea, and Mrs. and Mrs. Michael Merrick, Springdale, AR. Graphic Design, Illustration, and Drawing/Painting.

Julieanne Linton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Linton, Wooster, OH. English Education.

Jenifer Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Martin, Osceola, IN. Counseling and Sociology.

Joshua Placeway, son of Rev. and Mrs. Tim Placeway, Elizabethtown, PA. Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry.

David Ritter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ritter, Fremont, IN. Biology.

Joshua Smith, son of Richard Smith and the late Mikelann Smith, Delaware, OH. Biblical Studies.

Nathanael Smith, son of Richard Smith and the late Mikelann Smith, Delaware, OH. Biblical Studies.

Tricia Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Walker, Warsaw, IN. Counseling and Criminal Justice.

Betsy Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Williams, Wadsworth, OH. Elementary Education.

Chelsea Wood, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Davis, Rockville, IN. Psychology.

Camp Conquest just purchased an adjacent property and house. The director’s family will be moving at the end December leaving the camp farm house empty.

We are currently looking for a situation that will allow the house to be used temporarily in exchange for work around the camp. Our thoughts are to find either a couple of college students or a missionary family home on furlough.

If you or your church’s missionary committee knows of anyone interested in this possibility please give Mike a call at camp at 717.336.2541 to discuss the options.

Thank you,

Michael R. Gehlert
Camp Conquest
717.336.2541
mike@campconquest.org

After a dinner together and a time of getting reacquainted, 14 leaders of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches got down to business this evening as a three-day leadership retreat started on the campus of Fort Benjamin Harrison near Indianapolis, Indiana.

Organized and led by FGBC Coordinator Tom Avey, the retreat includes all four moderators of the Fellowship (Tim Boal, Keith Shearer, Jim Brown and John McIntosh), and leaders of national organizations including GBNAM (Tim Boal), Women of Grace (Janet Minnix and Viki Rife), CE National (Ed Lewis), Brethren Missionary Herald Co. (Terry White), Grace College and Seminary (Ron Manahan), Association of Grace Brethren Ministers (Joel Richards), Grace Brethren International Missions (Dave Guiles), and Grace Brethren Investment Foundation (Larry Chamberlain and Ken Seyfert).

Over the next several days the leaders will be discussing issues and progress in the Fellowship, current developments in each of the organizations, and strategies for the future of the Fellowship and its affiliates. Your prayers for wisdom and direction will be appreciated.

Retired Grace Brethren pastor Gilbert Hawkins has recently re-issued an enlarged and revised edition of his paperback book Marriage Lasts a Lifetime.

The 120-page book is comprised of five chapters: "God's Plan for Marriage," "God's Condemnation of Divorce and Remarriage," "God's Plan for Church Leadership," "Author's Suggestions for Church People and Families," and "Author's Closing Thoughts."

Hawkins, a graduate of Multnomah School of the Bible and of Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary, pastored churches in Oregon, Michigan, Nebraska, and Iowa. He also served as an instructor at New Tribes Bible Institute in Jackson, Michigan, and at Jackson Community College and at Southern Michigan State Prison.

The author says, "The Bible clearly says that those who are older should teach those who are younger--therefore, grandparents and parents should teach these scriptural principles to their children. I just bleed for the things that our kids are being taught in the public schools."

The book retails for $8.95 and is available from Hawkins at Gibros1@localnet.com or by calling (574) 269-4091.

The Powell, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church (Rick Nuzum, pastor), is one of a number of churches in the Columbus area sponsoring medical clinics for low-income clients. Here is a brief excerpt from an article in this morning's Columbus Dispatch. To read the entire article, click here.

The Andrews House, a nonprofit community center in downtown Delaware, soon will host a weekly clinic sponsored by the Grace Brethren Church of Powell. Like the Vineyard clinic, it also will provide simple medical services to those without insurance.

Faith-based groups sponsor about one-third of the state’s free clinics, McGee said. Many, like those in Delaware, offer participants a chance to pray, too. That’s fine, said Andrews House Executive Director Jill Lee, as long as people don’t feel pressured to do so.

Pastor John F. Smith and the Grace Church at Willow Valley in Lancaster, Pennsylvania (church staff pictured) are seeking an additional staff member for the Lancaster church. Here is the message they send:

Grace Church at Willow Valley is seeking an Associate Pastor of Mission and Administration. This position has been created in part to help us to continue to develop and coordinate a growing number of ministry teams.

The person applying for this position should possess solid people skills, a passionate desire to see people grow in their journey of grace, a keen ability to equip others for ministry and the ability to organize and administrate with excellence.

Our church campus sits in the heart of the Willow Valley Resort and Retirement Community located 3 miles south of the city of Lancaster, PA.

To request a full position description which details responsibilities and qualifications, please contact Dr. John F. Smith at jsmith@gracewv.org. All enquires will be handled in strict confidence.

More information on our church can be accessed on our web site at www.gracewv.org.

A team from the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church, comprised primarily of fathers and sons, is currently in the Central African Republic working alongside Africans in construction projects.

For more information and daily updates and photos, log onto the team's blog at
http://wlgbcfatherson.blogspot.com/

Pastor Christian Becker (pictured) of the Grace Brethren church in Buena Vista, Virginia, was published this week in his local newspaper. The article is reproduced here--you can see the original by clicking on http://www.rockbridgeweekly.com/rw_article.php?ndx=5666
Just A Minute...

By Rev. Christian Becker

It’s amazing when you think about it. We live in a secular culture, but even non-Christians seem to go all out to celebrate what is really a religious holiday—Christmas. Go figure.

The frenzy on Black Friday to kick off “Christmas” shopping never ceases to amaze me.

But it’s even more amazing to learn that the details of Christ’s birth, ministry and death were all recorded by Israeli Prophets hundreds of years before it happened! How could that be?

Because Christmas is a God thing.

Our world has succeeded in turning it into a “Me” thing so that you don’t even need to be a Christian to celebrate it. Not at all. What with Santa now stealing the whole show, you can celebrate the season and never see the Savior.

Instead of Jesus, Christmas becomes about “getting what you wanted” and finding the “right” present for each person on your gift list. It’s about family reunions, good food and a celebration of winter—right?

Now those things aren’t bad, they’re just not the main reason for the season. The challenge is for us to enjoy those good things and still keep the focus on Jesus. Christmas should be more enjoyable for Christians than anyone!

Isn’t it about time Christians stood up and said, “Wait a minute! This is OUR holy day and it’s about JESUS. Can I tell you about Him?” Many people know it has something to do with Jesus, but they don’t know Him personally as their Savior and Lord. If you’re a Christian, will you tell them about Jesus? They just might be interested.

Merry CHRISTmas.

Wayne Hannah, of Grace Brethren International Missions, provides the following update on the most recent Philippine typhoon and its effect on Grace Brethren workers there:

As most of you have heard, a huge typhoon (hurricane) has hit the Philippines. I spoke with Ted and Viv Ruiz this morning and the explained that Manila was spared from any damage. So, they are fine.

However, the storm did hit an area called Bicol, the southern tip of the main island of Luzon. This is where we have a number of works and some of our key leadership. The damage there has been severe. You might also remember that it was just in September that another typhoon hit and did a lot of damage to this same area.

Ted Ruiz will be taking the bus down there tomorrow (Saturday, Dec 2) to meet with the leaders and to assess the damage. There will certainly be lots of damage.

Therefore, there will also certainly be an immediate need for food, shelter, clean-up from the storm and repairs. Again, we already know there is extensive damage and loss among our brothers and sisters there, though we do not know yet how much.

GBIM is immediately releasing emergency funds to help our team in Bicol! Thank you to all that give on a regular basis to the Relief Agency Brethren Fund (RAB fund #7832). Without your gifts we would not be able to respond as quickly.

Future updates will outline the extent of damage and if additional funding is needed.