BMH Editor's Blog

Dr. Choong-Woong Jin and 17 students from the HolyWay Institute of Theology in South Korea arrived two days ago to the campus of Grace Theological Seminary for three weeks of classes. This picture shows them studying Cultural Anthropology with Dr. Tom Stallter and his translator. (photo courtesy Ken Bickel)

Dr. Ken Bickel of the seminary faculty says, "These are men of great giftedness and some prominence among the Christian community of South Korea.

"This program represents a partnership with the HolyWay Institute for the completion of Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Missiology degrees at Grace Seminary. The HolyWay partnership is in its 11th year with Grace.”

Prof. Art Davis passed away peacefully at 1:55 p.m. this afternoon from cancer.

There will be viewing-visitation on Friday, May 2, from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, Indiana. There will be a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church. There will be a private family internment.

Continue to pray for Laura, Brian and Kevin and other family members during this time of loss.

A statement from Grace College and Seminary further includes this information:

The campus received word this afternoon that Professor Art Davis, 61, chair of the Grace College Art Department, passed away peacefully at 1:55 p.m. this afternoon from cancer.

Prof. Davis had been diagnosed with bladder cancer in February and had surgery on March 20. Last week his condition worsened and tests showed that there was a new cancer in several other areas. He was taken to the IU Medical Center in Indianapolis, where he passed away today.

Prof. Davis joined the Grace faculty as a part-time instructor in art in the spring of 1974, working with Department Chair Jean Coverstone. He became a full-time instructor that fall and in 1991 became the department chair.

He was instrumental in establishing the college's graphic design computer laboratory and instituting the college's graphic design degree program in 1987. It was one of the first graphic design programs offered in the U.S. by a private college and has been one of the leading programs in the nation. More than 250 students have earned the graphic design degree at Grace.

He is the brother of Dr. John Davis, president and professor emeritus of Grace.

Your prayers are requested for the current health needs of Grace College Art Department Chairman Arthur Davis (pictured), as he is currently hospitalized in Indianapolis.

Prof. Davis, who is the brother of former Grace College and Seminary president John Davis, was diagnosed with cancer some months ago and was recovering from bladder reconstruction surgery last week when tests revealed additional cancer in his spine and several organs.

Davis joined the Grace College faculty in 1974. He is a talented and experienced designer, illustrator, animator, and photographer. He and his graphic design students for several years have had a close working relationship with the Brethren Missionary Herald Company, with his art students providing typesetting, design, and illustration services for a number of BMH books.

Last Wednesday, April 23, 2008, Brighton Brethren Chapel, 5445 N. S.R. 3, Howe, Indiana, voted unanimously as a congregation to apply for membership in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Brighton Chapel is a healthy church of around 200 members and attenders. It's located six miles east of Howe, Indiana on U.S. 120, about six miles south of the Michigan line.

Dr. Ken Bickel, faculty member at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana, and director of the seminary's Doctor of Ministry program, says, "Brighton Chapel is the church my wife and I have been serving since 2005. For some 50 years she has been associated with the Ashland Brethren Church group. The church now intends to dissolve her association with the Ashland group and join the FGBC.

"As part of the procedure of being accepted by the National Fellowship, Brighton Chapel intends to seek membership in the Heartland District as well."

Bickel says, "In both theology and practice the church aligns very well with the Grace Brethren, thus the decision to take this step."

In a message to pastors of the Heartland district, Bickel continued, "The people of Brighton look forward to getting to know you better in the days to come and hope to become better known by you as well."

Church-planter Kirt Henman in Maitland, Florida, sends this encouraging report:

We just want to share the birth of our new church. God has chosen to honor a handful of people who have prayed, fasted, and planned for two years with His favor.

We started the church on Easter. And by God's favor, He has helped us capture the attention of our community. A newscast played locally for two days. It then went national. Our website hits and sermon downloads have spiked dramatically. We are receiving e-mails from all over the nation.

Go God!

Kirt Henman, Lead Pastor
New Spring Church
PO Box 941507
Maitland, FL 32974-1507
(407) 628-8816

www.newspring.us

The article and video which attracted all the attention may be seen by clicking here.
Sunday services are held every Sunday of the month, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location: Lake Howell High School, 4200 Dike Road Winter Park, FL US 32792

Ohio units of Grace Brethren Boys, a ministry of men mentoring boys, held their Spring Outpost over the weekend at Atwood Lake Park with Millersburg Unit 152 hosting the event.

There were 76 boys and 44 men at the Outpost. Saturday started with a service project. The boys picked up trash and flood debris from several parts of the park, including the dam and launch areas. After lunch at their campsites, they participated in afternoon events, with groups of rotating through basketball/volleyball, kickball, ultimate Frisbee, and a two mile nature hike.

Gary Nussbaum, of Transport for Christ, a ministry for truck drivers, spoke on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

The 2008 Honor Unit Award went to Unit 20, Trinity - Northwood.

In the photo above, are members of Unit 165, which meets weekly at the Homerville (Ohio) Grace Brethren Church. For more information and photos, click here.

The Grace Brethren Church of Fort Wayne, Indiana (Bob Arenobine, pastor) yesterday celebrated the completion and dedication of a new addition to the church's facility on Stellhorn road in northeast Fort Wayne.

Present for the dedication was Ken Seyfert, who represented the lending institution, Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, and many guests and former members. Dave McComas was chair of the building committee.

Following the morning worship and dedication service, the approximately 150 attenders enjoyed a fellowship meal together followed by a two-keyboard program by Terry and Sharon White from Winona Lake, Indiana.

Former pastor Gene Witzky was the speaker for the dedication of the new addition. Witzky, who now serves with the Woodville Grace Brethren Church in Mansfield, Ohio, recalled that more than 25 years ago the church had a dream to enlarge the building but was stymied by interest rates that were more than 20 percent at the time.

The "Grace 4" men's quartet from the Fort Wayne church provided several southern gospel numbers during the morning worship and dedication service. The group is led by associate pastor Dave Rosner (second from right).

Tanna Wright is pictured with Adrian Mora (L) and Jovan Mora (R) at the Wright’s home in Winona Lake. Wright will run in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon May 3 in Indianapolis in memory of Lisa Mora. Photo by Daniel Riordan, Times-Union

This story from the Warsaw (IN) Times-Union features Tanna Wright, wife of the Grace College golf coach. Here is an excerpt--to read the entire story click here.

Winona Lake Woman To Run Mini-Marathon In Honor Of Lisa Mora

Daniel Riordan
Times-Union Staff Writer

When Tanna Wright runs, she never does so alone.

When she runs, she prays to God.

When she runs, she remembers a friend gone too soon.

Wright and Lisa Mora's friendship began as many friendships do - through their children.

Wright's oldest son, Noah, and Mora's oldest son, Jovan, both now 8, became friends at Warsaw Christian School.

Mickelson, Wright's second child, and Adrian, Mora's youngest, also are friends.

The two women also forged a bond through their community Bible study at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.

Wright said Mora was quiet and very private, but open about her love for her two children.

"She was a dedicated, devoted and loving mother," said Wright, recalling Mora also had Adrian "on her hip".

Wright and Mora spent a lot of time together. Watching their children play sports, going to movies and even doing pottery together.

Over time the women formed a close bond.

Wright is admittedly outgoing and said she "wore down" the more reserved and quiet Mora into being friends with her.

Everything changed May 23, 2007, when Mora's life was cut short at the age of 32. Her husband, Omar Mora is being sought in her death but hasn't been seen since that day.

The following article appears in today's Mansfield (OH) News Journal. To read the entire article and sidebar, click here.

Expansion gives Mansfield church room to grow

By ANGEL N. TAYLOR
News Journal

MANSFIELD -- Members and visitors to Cornerstone Grace Brethren Church will soon have more room for fellowship.

The church at 1905 Lexington-Springmill Road started an addition to its existing church in August 2007, building a fellowship room, a bigger kitchen, restrooms and storage space.

"That's the main thing we were looking for -- a fellowship room," said the Rev. Les Vnasdale, pastor of the church, "so we could actually set up for meals and other activities."

The original church was 40 feet by 80 feet and "very basic," Vnasdale said.
The addition is 40 feet by 100 feet -- more than doubling the space of the original church.

"People got excited to have room to do stuff," he said. "If we're going to grow, then we have to have room to grow."

Two larger, handicapped restrooms were installed in the fellowship room, along with a kitchen and huge food pantry. Two Sunday school rooms were installed, and a room for children and young adults was filled with ping-pong, foosball and air hockey tables.

"The ladies of the church are thrilled to have room in the pantry for extra food, roasters and the bigger things we couldn't fit," Vnasdale said. "We have two refrigerators, and now we can actually keep food cold."

The new room also will be used for the church's quarterly three-fold communion, including washing of feet, a love feast and the bread and cup.

In the final stages of preparation, the new fellowship room will be completed by the church's dedication and open house from 3 to 5 p.m. May 4.

The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Gene Witzky, founding pastor of the church.

Cornerstone Grace Brethren Church began meeting at Mansfield Christian School in 1989. Witzky retired in 1999. The existing church was built and the congregation moved in August 1994 debt-free, Vnasdale said.

On June 24, 2007, the Agape and Cornerstone Grace Brethren churches voted to merge congregations.

Vnasdale said before Easter, the congregation was at 65 people.

"On Easter we had 143 people," he said. "It seems the visitors are coming back.

"The Lord's at work but the addition has attracted people."

Eight young couples, friends from days at Grace College, rent a house in Madison, Indiana, for the weekend.

They talk.

They read scripture.

They fast and pray.

They take walks.

They listen for the Holy Spirit's leading.

They analyze their own resources, interests, abilities, desires.

And three of the couples commit to working with the urban poor in Spanish-speaking countries in South America. The others will be their prayer and financial support.

View an eight-minute video, made by John and Kate Ward of GBIM, of the couples talking about their journeys by clicking on http://praydreamgo.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/the-madison-meeting-one-heart-one-mind-one-family/

The Grace Brethren church-planting initiative in Canada has announced the formation of a new U.S. charity, GBCanada USA. The existing Canadian board and new U.S. board will be working together to plant Grace Brethren churches across Canada.

Members of the new board include:

Kurt A. Miller -- Formerly National Director of Church Planting and Development with Grace Brethren North American Missions is now the lead pastor at Martinsburg, PA, GBC. Kurt brings over three decades of experience in church planting to the team, which he helped form in 1996. Kurt received his education at Bob Jones University, Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary and has been married to his wife, Anecia, for 38 years. They have three married children and six grandchildren.

Dave Clearwater is a former trustee with Total Mobilization Support Ministries and has attended Waldorf, Maryland, GBC since it began 22 years ago. Dave is an engineer at SMECO, a Maryland power company. He has been involved in many ministries leading small groups and several youth trips to Canada and Europe. Dave is also on the church council and still enjoys working with the youth on Sunday mornings and co-leading the youth praise band. He and his wife, Patti have three children, Clint, Sierra, and Zach.

Ricky Goad has been a long time supporter of GBCanada and an 18-year member of the Waldorf, MD, GBC where he has served as trustee, Sunday school teacher, AWANA leader and council member. He is vice-president of Goad Lumber Company. Ricky and his wife, Midgie, have been married 27 years and have three married children: Amber, Ashley and Brent who have blessed them with two grandchildren.

David Gummere has made multiple trips to Canada and is a long-time attender of the Canadian summer team ministry. David is the Building & Grounds Superintendent at Waldorf, MD, GBC and School. He and his wife, Helene, have been married 23 years and have attended the Waldorf GBC since 1996. Both are excited about their new roles for the ministry. Helene, who owns an insurance agency, will be acting as the new board's U.S. Administrator. David and Helene have two children, Ben and Madalyn.

"We're so fortunate to have such dedicated people with varied ministry experience on our new team," said Nathan Bryant, Executive Director. As a faith-based ministry, GBCanada is totally funded through charitable gifts of which 95 percent come from U.S. churches and individual supporters.

"Now that we have GBCanada USA, we can offer tax-deductible receipts to all of our donors, which is the best way to steward God's resources," echoed Ted Adomanis, Director of Finance and Administration.

As a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS, GBCanada USA can support the church-planting efforts in Canada through the help of U.S. donors.

Director of West Coast Operations and current church-planting pastor of Community of Hope Church, Pastor Philip Bryant added, "These are exciting times for sure as we are faced with more obstacles every day. It's great once again to have our financial needs met through our supporters back home so we can focus on where God wants to plant the next GB Canadian church."

Nathan Bryant concluded, "While we are excited about the formation of GBCanada USA, the ministry here has been hurt in three different ways. Due to the confusion over the rapid dissolution of GBNAM, our current support is about 50 percent of what was previously budgeted. Second, the U.S. dollar is at a 25-year low against the Canadian dollar so we must now raise additional monies to make up for that loss in funds.

"And because of the loss of our sponsoring agency, we now must bear the additional expense of administrating two organizations on both sides of the border. We pray not only that our faithful supporters will respond to the establishment of GBCanada USA but that new supporters will join our team as a result."

All U.S. supporters of GBCanada can now send their tax-deductible financial support directly to:

GBCanada USA, P.O. Box 836, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622.

Nathan Bryant said, "Look for more exciting news how you can participate in what God is doing in Canada, our neighbour to the North."

According to this week's "Grace Connections" e-newsletter, Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, will soon welcome Dr. Choong-Woong Jin and 20 students from the HolyWay Institute of Theology in South Korea, who arrive on campus on April 28 for three weeks of classes.

This represents a partnership with HolyWay for the completion of Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Missiology degrees at Grace Seminary. The HolyWay partnership is in its 11th year with Grace.

Next year it will be joined by students from a second partnership that Grace now has with the Grace Graduate School of Intercultural Studies. Korean students from this additional partnership will come from mission fields in Russia, China, Mongolia, and Indonesia.

For more information on Grace Seminary's Center for Korean Studies (Dr. Tom Stallter, Chairman), go to http://gts.grace.edu/Korean-Program/index.html.

As the various branches of the Brethren church movement plan to gather this coming August 2 and 3 in Schwarzenau, Germany, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the movement, it may be helpful to know more of the context and current configuration of the various Brethren groups. Here is a capsule summary, as prepared by Dr. Dale Ulrich of the Brethren Encyclopedia board.

The Brethren movement began with the gathering of Pietists in Schwarzenau, Germany, from other parts of Germany and Europe in the early 18th century. By this time the Bible was available for common people to study and to formulate their own opinions about how a follower of Jesus should live and what the nature of the Christian church should be.

In the early 1700s, the tolerant Count Heinrich Albrecht, ruler of the Wittgenstein province, invited Pietists to settle in Schwarzenau. Alexander Mack and many others settled there, studied together, and decided to form a new church. Five men and three women went to the Eder River one morning in August 1708. One of them baptized Alexander Mack by immersion three times forward, and he likewise baptized the others, thus forming a new church and, by doing so, committing an act of civil disobedience.

For fear of persecution, in 1720 a group of some 200 Brethren walked from Schwarzenau to the Netherlands and nine years later immigrated to America to join a small group of Brethren who had immigrated earlier from Krefeld, Germany. In America, the German Baptist Brethren spread out from Eastern Pennsylvania moving west to Ohio and beyond and also south to Maryland, Virginia, and beyond in that direction.

In time as experiences evolved in America, the German Baptist Brethren divided. Today the six largest Brethren bodies function as separate entities. They are Church of the Brethren, Old German Baptist Brethren, The Brethren Church, Dunkard Brethren Church, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, and Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International. Each of the Brethren bodies continues to baptize new converts as adults, as did the small group of first members in 1708. Following is a brief description of each one.

Church of the Brethren

After two major divisions in the 1880s, the German Baptist Brethren, the largest body, retained that name until it was changed in 1908 to Church of the Brethren (135,000 members in 2000). In the early 20th century, as church members increasingly related to the world, distinctive dress diminished. Colleges were founded in the late 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries. Bethany Theological Seminary was started in 1905 to prepare professional ministers for the church. In 1958 the Church of the Brethren authorized ordaining women for the ministry.

In the 20th century, the Church of the Brethren developed international missions principally in China, India, and Nigeria followed by missions in Brazil and the Dominican Republic at the close of the century. The Brethren Press began as the Brethren Publishing House in 1897. The current periodical of the Church of the Brethren, Messenger, traces its formation from The Gospel Messenger and the earlier The Gospel Visitor (founded in 1851).

The Church of the Brethren developed a large and effective Brethren Service program during World War II which enabled many conscientious objectors to serve in constructive programs operated by the church. After WWII, clothing and food were collected and sent to needy persons around the world, and Heifer International, Brethren Student Exchange, SERRV International (A Greater Gift), and Brethren Volunteer Service were initiated. The Church of the Brethren is a member of the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Traditional Brethren practices in addition to adult immersion baptism include three-fold love feast (feet washing, meal, and bread and cup) and anointing of the sick are very much part of the Church of the Brethren. The church’s motto is Continuing the Work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.

Old German Baptist Brethren

The Old Order Baptist Brethren organized in 1881. Members of this conservative body tend to be somewhat separated from society while maintaining strong spiritual and social ties among themselves. An emphasis on being faithful to their heritage over the years has led “Old Orders” to retain distinctive dress and to being cautious about adopting technological innovations. Today, there are 55 congregations existing in 16 states with about 6,000 members in 2000.

Typically, several ministers serve an Old German Baptist Brethren congregation without pay. They support their families by farming or other employment. Most members are high school graduates with a few pursuing higher education and professions such as medicine. Many families have adopted home schooling for their children.

The Vindicator, started in 1870, is an uninterrupted publication that serves the Old German Baptist Brethren under a committee appointed by the church. In 1882 a collection of hymns and songs was published. Annual Meeting is held each year at the time of Pentecost. Each congregation holds a two-day love feast yearly—twice a year in some congregations.

The Brethren Church

The Brethren Church (about 13,100 members in 2000) was formed in 1883 after many “progressives” were disfellowshipped by the German Baptist Church because of their aggressive advocacy of Sunday schools, Brethren higher education, world missions, and a salaried ministry. Thus, The Progressives established The Brethren Church to move forward on these issues.

Most of the administrative structures of The Brethren Church have been combined under an Executive Board with two ministries: USA and International. Communication is facilitated by the periodical The Brethren Evangelist, the successor of The Progressive Christian, begun in 1878.

Core principles of The Brethren Church include limited congregational government, reliance on the Scripture and the Spirit for direction, and the responsibility for evangelism at home and abroad. The ordinances of trine immersion baptism, the three-fold love feast, and anointing of the sick continue to be practiced.

Ashland College was established in 1878 and was controlled by The Brethren Church. In 1906 the Theological Department at Ashland College reorganized, thus laying the foundation for Ashland Theological Seminary which is now one of the largest seminaries in the United States.

In 1900 the Foreign Missionary Society was formed, and early mission work was conducted in Argentina and Africa. These works came under the control of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches in 1939. Missions now include work in Argentina including South American Theological Seminary, Malaysia, India, Mexico, Colombia, and more recently Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Spain, and Canada. The Brethren Church supports World Relief, an agency of the National Association of Evangelicals.

Dunkard Brethren

The Dunkard Brethren Church is a small body of conservative Christians (about 1,000 members in 2000) originating from the Church of the Brethren in 1926. Their goal was to preserve the “old ways” at a time when changes were occurring in the church. The nature of the church, Christian doctrine, the salaried ministry, plain dress, and attitude toward divorce were all issues of concern. Publication of The Bible Monitor began in 1922 and today is published by a committee within the Dunkard Brethren.

Dunkard Brethren meetinghouses are functional, simple structures. Deacons, ministers, and elders are elected by each local congregation and serve without salary. In large congregations, there are several ministers. Love feast consisting of washing of feet, a meal, and communion is celebrated semi-annually in each congregation. General Conference is the final authority on issues brought before it. Mission work among the Navajos of New Mexico began in 1956, and in 1995 an Africa Mission began in Kenya.

Setting an example for Christian living is viewed by Dunkard Brethren as their mission. They emphasized fulfillment of the Great Commission through mission work and diligent study of the Bible.

Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches

In the 1930s, strong differences of opinion arose among faculty members at Ashland Theological Seminary that resulted in some leaving in 1937 and forming Grace Theological Seminary. Each congregation in The Brethren Church then needed to decide which seminary it supported. The congregations affiliating with Grace Theological Seminary formally became the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches 1939 (about 28,400 members in 2000).

In the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, each congregation is autonomous and retains membership in the Fellowship by paying annual dues. The Fellowship organization includes Grace Brethren International Missions, Grace Brethren College and Seminary, Brethren Missionary Herald Co. (BMH), and Grace Brethren Investment Foundation.

A Fellowship Coordinator is employed to provide logistics for conferences and to provide a central point of focus. With an emphasis upon fulfilling the Great Commission by each congregation starting another one, the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches is establishing affiliate congregations in many parts of the world, including central Africa where more than more than 1,500 Grace Brethren churches now minister.

The Brethren Missionary Herald Magazine facilitated communication among Grace Brethren Churches from 1940 to 1996. In 2004 publication of FGBC World began, and BMH was revitalized as an independent book publisher.

Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International

Growing out of concern for the loosening of standards for membership in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, a group of members formed the Conservative Grace Brethren Association. When the petition for recognition of the Association was denied by the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, a new Brethren body was formed with the name Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International. Local congregations are autonomous, and membership in the denomination can be held only by congregations.

Twenty-four congregations and 70 pastors originally established the Fellowship. There were approximately 2,200 members in 2000, and currently there are about 50 congregations. International missions have begun in Africa and Germany. Training for new pastors is through local Theological Practica endorsed by Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International. Annual Conference, normally held during the weekend of July 4, conducts necessary business and celebrates the full love feast and communion.

Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc.

In 1973 M. R. Zigler called a meeting of representatives of the Brethren bodies “just to shake hands.” That meeting led to other meetings, and in 1977 the decision was made to publish The Brethren Encyclopedia with Donald F. Durnbaugh as editor. A Board of Directors was formed with one member of each of the Brethren bodies with the understanding that no action would be taken unless it was a unanimous decision to do so.

Over the years a magnificent spirit has developed among Board members as they have overseen publication of four volumes of The Brethren Encyclopedia, an outstanding Monograph Series of seven volumes with William R. Eberly as editor, and other publications. The most recent monograph is The Origin of the Schwarzenau Brethren by Marcus Meier to be published in German and English in 2008.

Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc. has also conducted three Brethren World Assemblies. The Brethren Encyclopedia Board of Directors is pleased to represent the Brethren bodies in sponsoring the 300th Anniversary Celebration / 2008 Brethren World Assembly in Schwarzenau, Germany, on August 2-3, 2008.

Sources:
The Brethren Encyclopedia, Volumes 1-2 (1983), Volume 3 (1984), Volume 4 (2005).
Calendar, Celebrating 300 Years of God’s Faithfulness to Brethren, 1708-2008 (2007).

The Grace Brethren International Missions website carries the notice today of the death of former GBIM missionary Lynn Schrock on Saturday, April 19, 2008. Lynn and Lois Schrock were missionaries to Argentina with GBIM from 1945-1970.

Lynn graduated from the missionary course at Moody Bible Institute in April, 1942. It was while at MBI he felt the calling to the mission field. During Founders Week in 1942 in January he met the love of his life, Lois Evelyn Buikema.

In September of 1942 he entered Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, and on September 4, 1943 Lynn and Lois were married. On March 22, 1945 he was graduated cum laude and gave the Baccalaureate Address for the seminary graduation. He also was the class president his senior year.

In 1945 Lynn and Lois were accepted by the Grace Brethren Foreign Missionary Society as missionaries to Argentina where they served for 25 years. Twins, Norman Edward and Rebecca Ann (Becky), were born to them in 1946, and seven years later Mark Stephen was born.

While in Rio Cuarto, Lynn started the Bible Institute and the radio program. During his twenty-five years he served 15 of them as field superintendent. He spent his last 11 years in Argentina in Corhe establishing a new church and continuing his teaching at the Bible Institute and directing the mission field.

In order to avoid the government military regulation of mandatory military service for all young men at age 18, the Schrock family left Argentina in 1969.

In July of 1970 they were called to pastor the Grace Brethren church in San Diego, California. They were there for 15 years, after which they retired and lived at the Missionary Village of Bradenton in Bradenton, Florida. During this time they helped in the starting of a new Grace Brethren Church in Bradenton.

While in Bradenton Lynn wrote a commentary on the Book of Galatians in Spanish which was published by CLIE. He also wrote a commentary on the remaining Pauline epistles as well as on the book of Hebrews.

They moved to California in August of 2006, for health reasons, in order to be near their children.

Lynn is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lois; his twins, Norman (& wife, Claudia) & Becky (widow), and his youngest son, Mark (& wife, Debby), seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A number of Grace Brethren leaders and pastors are attending the "Exponential" conference this week in Orlando, Florida (Tom Avey cellphone photo).

Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey reports, "Jesus told them to make disciple 'as they go.' But they had to wait on the Holy Spirit. Then the Spirit came, they spoke and thousands came to faith in Christ.

"In obedience to Jesus' commission and the work of the Spirit, local churches were formed. Church planting is tied to the Great Commission. The FGBC has always valued church planting.

"The next decade will see an even greater emphasis on new churches of new believers. More than 30 church planters and pastors are attending 'Exponential Church Planting Conference' in Orlando Florida this week. Pray as they seek God for this new decade of church multiplication in the FGBC."

Pastor Ed Waken from the Phoenix area also notes "Thanks for encouraging and informing all about Exponential '08. I just wanted you to know that Neil Cole will be doing two workshops.

"Not only do we have a large group going to learn more about exponential growth, one of our own is a leader of exponential thinking (and the workshops are sold out!).

Here is the link to where Neil's workshops are listed (workshops #6 & 7)"
http://www.exponentialconference.org/missional-church-track/."

Dr. Larry Chamberlain (pictured), President of Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, is speaking this week at the National Conference of Christian Leadership Alliance (formerly, Christian Management Association and Christian Stewardship Association) in Dallas, Texas.

He is presenting a 90-minute workshop entitled “Trust: The Foundation for Effective Christian Leadership.” His presentation is the result of an extensive opinion survey of 75 church and organizational leaders within the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, as well as research in the leadership literature on the subject of trust.

The 2008 CLA National Conference has 1,800 registrants.

“The presentation,” Chamberlain notes, “outlines the key building blocks of trust, the wrecking balls of trust, and how damaged trust can be rebuilt. The comments received from my many friends in the Fellowship offer a treasure trove of insights and advice for this strategic area of leadership effectiveness. Please pray that the presentation will bless the hearts and minds of those in attendance and will affect in positive ways the many evangelical ministries they represent.”

From today's Lebanon, Pa., News...

South Londonderry Township supervisors have approved a police-chaplain policy and accepted the volunteer services of a local minister.

The Rev. Dan Travis, pastor of Palmyra Grace Brethren Church, Airport Road, offered his services to the police department.

Township manager Thomas Ernharth said last year the police department sent a letter to residents looking for volunteers to help with some police functions. The 55-year-old Travis was the only one who responded.

To read the complete story, click here.

Dr. Jim Swanson describes the characteristics of current college students, often called "millennials" during the first session of the Alumni Advisory Council at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana.

The council is a group of alumni who help connect and reconnect Grace College and Seminary graduates to their classmates and to the institution. Grads have come from as far away as Arizona, North Carolina, New York, Minnesota, Texas, and Pennsylvania to participate.

The council meets the rest of today (Thursday) and tomorrow morning (Friday). They are hearing from Grace staff about various issues. In addition to Dr. Swanson, others to take the platform are: Tom Dunn (master plan), Dr. Bill Katip (academic update), Dr. Mark Norris (Grace history project), John Boal (advancement), Bill Gordon (Institute for Enterprise Development), and Dr. Ron Manahan (president). In addition, they attended chapel this morning and will interact with students throughout the two days.

The session is hosted by the Grace Alumni Services office and its director, Tim Ziebarth.

More than 60 Grace Brethren plan to attend the “Exponential” conference in Orlando, Florida, next week, according to FGBC Coordinator Tom Avey.

Avey says, “Biblical Mission is a core value of the FGBC and many are working hard to advance an exciting movement of church planting through our churches. This three-day conference will provide a great opportunity to hear the stories of leaders in various church-planting movements and listen to God in His Word for His principles and passion to reach people for Jesus through new churches."

Avey encourages all to pray for those who plan to attend and stay tuned for reports from the conference.

From the Tristate Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches web site:

The Centerville Grace Brethren Church (Steve Makofka, pastor), 410 E Social Row Rd., Dayton, Ohio, is hosting an Old Fashioned Hymn Sing on Sunday evening May 4, at 6 o’clock.

Special musical guests will be Bruce and Brenda Jackson and their family (pictured at right). There will be opportunity to make requests, and share testimonies.

Following the service will be an ice cream social.

All are invited!

(Click for map)

Dr. Jeff Gill, Dean of the School of Ministry Studies at Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, is pleased to announce that beginning this fall Grace Theological Seminary will expand the Sparks Endowment Fund scholarship program to both online and distance education students enrolled in either the MA Local Church Ministry or MA Intercultural Studies programs.

This program, also known as the GTS Scholarship, presently provides a generous benefit of $65 per hour for Grace Brethren Church members, or $50 for non-Grace Brethren students.

To inquire about the criteria for this scholarship program or to apply for it by submitting an online form please visit the following web page at the Grace Theological Seminary:

http://www.gts.grace.edu/GTS-scholarship-application.htm

The program applies to both current students as well as new students, but students have to reapply each year to received the benefit as well as meeting other criteria. If you have questions, please contact Jim Hill at 1-800-544-7223 x-6435 or drop him an email at hilljm@grace.edu.

Pastor Larry Weber and Nancy Weber (center) greet worshipers at the 100th Anniversary Renascence of the Waynesboro, Pa., Grace Brethren Church this past weekend. Pastor Larry Orme, Renascence guest speaker, is on the right.

The Grace Brethren Church of Waynesboro, Pa., celebrated its 100th Anniversary Renascence April 11-13, 2008. Pastor Larry Orme, Executive Pastor of the Penn Valley Grace Brethren Church, Telford, PA, was the conference speaker.

A Saturday Evening concert by Seasoned Grace, a ten-member musical ensemble founded and directed by Pastor Larry Weber of Waynesboro, involved the audience in singing as they listened to beloved and familiar hymns.

Sunday afternoon, April 13, a special service of worship and celebration featured a message by Pastor Orme, with inspired singing led by a brass choir, organist Nancy Messner (sister of Pastor Larry Weber) from Fairlawn, OH, and soprano soloist Judy Chenoweth, of Hartville, OH, both of whom are members of Seasoned Grace.

Messages of congratulations from Tom Avey, Fellowship Coordinator of FGBC, and Ed Lewis, Executive Director of CENational, were read to the congregation. Messages from local political leaders, missionaries, and other churches were read, as well.

The Waynesboro church is committed to a growing ministry. It has purchased ten acres, and is actively in negotiations for the sale of the current church property which will enable the church to relocate to a strategic position just west of the community.

Pray for the details of the sale and eventual construction of a new church building for the glory of Jesus Christ. All praise is to Him for His blessing and leading the Waynesboro church into a second century of ministry.

The oldest living member of the Waynesboro Grace Brethren Church, Kenneth Heefner, 92, spoke at the 100th Anniversary Celebration and Worship at Waynesboro, PA, Grace Brethren Church.

The Brass Choir played in the service of Worship and Celebration at the Waynesboro church.

Members from the GBB (Grace Brethren Boys) National Board and members from the National SMM (Serving My Master) Cabinet met on in Rittman, Ohio on Saturday, April 12 to discuss their respective ministries. Their purpose was to educate each other about the ministries and to discuss the reasons they believe in gender-specific ministries.

GBB is a ministry of men mentoring boys, while SMM is a ministry of women mentoring girls. Both organizations are affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Rob Gable, director of boys’ ministry for GBB, and Viki Rife, director of girls’ ministries for Women of Grace USA, arranged the meeting because they realized their ministries had common challenges and opportunities. By exchanging information and ideas, they hope to strengthen both ministries.

For more information on these ministries, please contact:

Rob Gable
GBB National
Phone (330) 464-8185
Rgable1357@neo.rr.com

Viki Rife
National SMM
Phone (574) 267-4252
smm@wgusa.org

Driven is the conference that strives to gather a generation to become catalysts for Christ within church and culture. It will be held this year at Otterbein College from June 26-29. Otterbein is located in Westerville, Ohio, just outside the I-270 outerbelt of Columbus, Ohio.

Driven was set in motion by the vision of several young adult pastors and leaders in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC) with a common passion to gather a generation to become catalysts for Christ within church and culture. Others in the fellowship have caught the vision and were asked to respond to "What is Driven?"

A catalytic experience for renewal, networking, and envisioning. A conversation among leaders whose passion and stewardship will give shape to coming decades of ministry. A gathering that stimulates passion for God’s work. A place to be and become. Driven is all of this and more. Grace College and Seminary believes in this experience. – Ron Manahan, president, Grace College and Seminary

Driven is a Greenhouse for future generation leaders. If you are in your "twenties" and want to make significant difference then come to Driven. We endorse the Driven Movement with great confidence knowing it is a super venue to catapult future leaders. – Jim Brown, moderator, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches

Driven provides a great opportunity for young men and women to connect more closely to God, to one another and to the needs of others. Grace Brethren International Missions is very pleased to endorse these encounters because they encourage twenty-somethings to integrate more fully into God’s passion for his world. – Dave Guiles, executive director, Grace Brethren International Missions.

Thanks for the work on Driven each year. I know any young adults will enjoy the opportunity to learn, share and be challenged. The leaders of Driven do a great job in their planning! – Ed Lewis, executive director, CE National

I wish that Driven had existed when I was working with college students almost twenty years ago. It’s a great venue for gathering, encouraging, and equipping the next generation of leaders in our Fellowship of churches. We need these people on the FGBC team as we go on mission in the 21st century. – Todd Scoles, Grace Brethren pastor, Marysville, Ohio, and president, Brethren Missionary Herald Company board of directors

If the FGBC is to thrive in the future we must recruit and empower a new generation of leaders. My hope is that through Driven some of these future leaders will build relationships that span the fellowship. Driven is designed to challenge them right where they are at in life. There is no other place in the FGBC where this can effectively happen. – Dave Plaster, senior pastor, Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio

To register for the conference, click here. To learn more about the event, see the Driven blog.

Larry and Vicki DeArmey (seated) were honored this Sunday, April 13, at the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church for 37 years in European missions service with Grace Brethren International Missions. The first 32 years were in France, and the final five were in Madrid, Spain.

A reception and ceremony were emceed by former GBIM missionary Kip Cone. A number of tributes were given, including a video tribute from the DeArmeys' European missionary colleagues.

Gifts were presented from the Winona Lake church and from the Women of Grace organization, and those attending had opportunity to express their thanks and appreciation to the DeArmeys. In addition to church friends and family, there were also representatives from the Grace Brethren Church in Columbus, Ohio, where the DeArmeys will be moving to continue their recruitment and encouragement ministry with Grace Brethren International Missions.

Participating in the prayer of commitment for the DeArmeys were (from left) Bruce Barlow, lead pastor of the Winona Lake Church; Jay Bell, outreach pastor of the Winona Lake church; Dave Guiles (with microphone), executive director of Grace Brethren International Missions; and Donna and Tom Miller of Winona Lake, who have served as the prayer partners and church liaisons for the DeArmeys over the past 15 years.

Billy and Florence (Moeller) Figert of Winona Lake, Indiana, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house for friends this past Saturday, April 12.

The Figerts were married in the Grace Seminary chapel in Winona Lake, with Dr. W. A. Ogden performing the ceremony.

Billy was employed at Endicott Church Furniture Company and Da-Lite Screen Company, Inc. Florence was employed by the Johnstown Bank & Trust Company in Johnstown, Pa., and upon moving to Winona Lake worked for many years at the Grace Brethren Home Missions Council, Inc., and at the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, Inc.

The couple has one daughter, Mrs. Debra Kay Beam of Warsaw. They also have two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They are planning a second honeymoon this summer.

Updates have been made to the Grace Brethren Boys website, including information about the Ohio District Spring Outpost, to be held April 25, 26, and 27 at Atwood Lake Park, and results of the March 15 Indiana District Pinewood Regatta Race at the Bethel Brethren Church in Berne and Indiana's own Spring Outpost, May 16-18, 2008, at Salamonie Lake.

There is also information on the page about the 2008 GBB National Rendezvous, which is scheduled for June 22-28 at Hueston Woods State Park in southwest Ohio.

Grace Brethren Boys mission is to reach boys for Christ, instill Godly character through discipleship and mold them into Godly leaders in their family, their church and their community while encouraging men in their discipleship responsibilities.

Representatives and friends of Brethren groups from all over the world will converge on the little village of Schwarzenau, Germany, about forty minutes north of Marburg, on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2008, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Brethren movement, and you are invited to participate! This celebration will be the 2008 Brethren World Assembly.

It was early August 1708 that Alexander Mack and his seven believer-friends gathered at the Eder River at Schwarzenau. One of them baptized Mack, and he baptized the others, thus beginning what we know today as the Brethren movement.

Tour buses, individuals, and international delegates will convene at Schwarzenau this year to worship together, to be challenged from God’s Word, to fellowship with other Brethren, and to hear from one of the pre-eminent historians whose specialty is the Schwarzenau Brethren.

The festivities will begin Saturday with registration at the Gasthof Feige in Schwarzenau. Guests may visit the Alexander Mack Museum, the former Alexander Mack Schule, the old mill, the church, and the castle in Bad Berleburg and the Berleburg Bible.

Walking tours of Marburg are also available. Exhibits of crafts will be available, and movies depicting the history of the Brethren will be shown on the grounds of the Manor House and at the Alexander Mack Schule.

A lunch in a large tent on the grounds will be available for 6 Euros, as well as a supper at the tent for 9 Euros (not included in registration fee). At 7 p.m. a musical concert will be given by the McPherson (Kansas) College Choir; and several local German ensembles.

The next day, Sunday, August 3, a worship service at 10 a.m. will take place in a retrofitted equine arena in Schwarzenau. Speakers will include the Rev. Frederic Miller, Jr., pastor of the Mount Olive Brethren Church in Virginia, and the 2008 Moderator of the Church of the Brethren, James M. Beckwith, who pastors a church in Annville, Pennsylvania.

Following a noon lunch at the tent (6 Euros for guests not paying the registration fee) a 2 p.m. anniversary program will feature more choral music and an address by Dr. Marcus Meier, author of The Schwarzenau Brethren, a monograph now being published in English by Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc.

The worldwide assembly will conclude with a gathering at the Eder River where there will be hymn singing, remarks, and a closing prayer, and benediction.

All events will be translated simultaneously into German or English, with individual translation headsets available to all who need them.

The preceding day, Friday, August 1, an optional “Peace Fest” will be held in nearby Marburg with a number of speakers including Dr. Ken Rogers, Dr. Ken Kreider, and others.

Registration for the 2008 Brethren World Assembly is $85 USD and registration forms are available by contacting Dr. Dale Ulrich at 26 College Woods Drive, Bridgewater, VA 22812, or by e-mailing daulrich@comcast.net or phoning (540) 828-6548.

Additional literature is available including lodging suggestions and a road map of the area around Schwarzenau.

This 2008 Brethren World Assembly is being planned and conducted, in conjunction with a committee of Germans, by the board of Brethren Encyclopedia, Inc. The Encyclopedia board is comprised of representatives of six Brethren bodies descended from the little group in 1708 led by Alexander Mack.

Board members include Robert S. Lehigh, President, Dunkard Brethren; Dale R. Stoffer, Vice-President, The Brethren Church; Dale V. Ulrich, Secretary, Church of the Brethren; Terry D. White, Treasurer, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches; C Michael Miller, Board Member, Old German Baptist Brethren; and Daniel Moeller, Board Member, Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International.

The annual Northern Atlantic Fellowship Celebration 2008 will be held Friday and Saturday, May 9-10, at Refreshing Mountain Camp in Stevens, Pennsylvania. This event is open to everyone, not just pastors or church leaders.

This year the emphasis is a sense of community and focusing time on the Word of God and its practical application. The theme is “Discipling the Nations 2: Exalting, Equipping and Evangelizing.”

Refreshing Mountain Camp, 455 Camp Road, Stevens, has hotel-type rooms for families and couples and bunkhouses for singles and youth. The cost is $25 per person with a maximum of $10 per family. The cost includes lodging and meals for the Celebration Conference.

There will be three worship sessions including special music and updates on various ministries.

Free time activities such as ropes course, zip lines for adults and children, gym, paintball, pool, etc. are all included in the cost.

Schedule for the weekend:

Friday, May 9

6:30 pm – Registration & Check In

7:30 pm – Session with Dan Travis – Exalting
10:00 pm – Late Night Fellowship Time



Saturday, May 10

7:00-8:15 am – Breakfast

8:30 am – Session with Steve Galegor - Equipping
10:00 am - Free time & Quiz Off

12:00 pm – Lunch

1:00-3:00 pm – Zip Lines, Ropes Course, Paintball, Swimming

5:00-6:00 pm – Dinner

6:30 pm – Session with Scott Distler - Evangelizing

For more information, or to register, log onto http://www.gbnaf.org/08registration.html

The new church-planting website of GO2 Church Planting ministries is now live and online for browsing.

Executive Director Tim Boal (pictured) indicates that more web development is coming, but currently a number of church planters and their work are featured, including Chad Presley, Fort Worth, Texas; George Stagg, Twin Cities Church, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Jonathan Herron, Catalyst Church, Kent, Ohio; Gerardo Leiton, Iglesia Comunal Cristiana, Tampa, Florida; Flavio and Rosa Niehues, Brazilian Bible Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Mike Silliman, Elk Creek Church, West Grove, Pennsylvania.

You're encouraged to log on to http://www.go2churchplanting.org/ and explore how God is working through His people to raise up church planters and churches.

BMH volunteers (from left) Jim Morrison, Jim and Rosalie Niederhouser, and Esther Morrison worked today in the BMH conference room to prepare a mailing that presents a special opportunity to friends and supporters of the Grace Brethren history and literature ministry. (Natalie Rummel photo)

Two new books on Brethren history are being readied for national conference in this 300th anniversary year of the Brethren movement, and all are welcome to participate by helping to finance their production.

BMH Books publisher Terry White explained that BMH hopes to raise a total of $14,000 in gifts -- or $7,000 per book -- to finance the editing, typesetting, graphics, printing, and distribution of the books to Grace Brethren churches and missionary personnel free of charge.

The first is Heroes Who Live On, Volume 3 by Viki Rife and Robert Cover, Sr. This is the third book in the “Heroes” series, and the personalities featured in this volume include Christopher Sauer, Amy Greenlun, Elizabeth Tyson, Floyd Taber, Herman Koontz, Bernard Schneider, James Boyer, Keith Altig, Angie Garber, Marguerite Dunning, Walter Fretz, and Raimundo Cardoso.

The other book, which originates from a doctoral dissertation written by Pastor Todd Scoles (Marysville, Ohio), is tentatively entitled Restoring the Household: The Heritage and Quest of the Grace Brethren Church. It is an insightful work that gives the historical context to the founding of the Brethren movement and of the Grace Brethren (1939 and following). It also includes excellent teaching on Brethren ordinances (trine immersion baptism, threefold communion).

All individuals who receive FGBC World will be receiving the participation letter. Anyone wishing to contribute toward the effort should send checks for their tax-deductible gift (made payable to Brethren Missionary Herald Co.) to BMH, P.O. Box 576, Winona Lake, IN 46590. A copy of each book will be sent to donors as a thank-you for participating along with a receipt, less actual cost of the book.

A gift of $25 or more (and affiliation with a Grace Brethren church) will make the donor a member of the BMH corporation, thus qualifying to participate in the annual corporation meeting that will be held during national conference in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, July 27, 2008.

Questions about the project, or about BMH in general should be sent to tdwhite@bmhbooks.com. All BMH books products may be browsed and purchased online at www.bmhbooks.com or by calling 1-800-348-2756.

Kary Oberbrunner, one of the speakers for Driven '08, talks about his session at this year's conference, in this video clip. The conference will be held June 26-29 in Westerville, Ohio.

Grace in Action, a new non-profit group which has applied for cooperating organization status with the FGBC and which will be represented at this year's national conference, has begun a new blog.

Check out today's post at http://www.giablog.org/

Foreign missions in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches was birthed as the result of “enthusiasts who refused to have their ardor cooled” one warm day in August 1900. To learn more, see Moments in Grace Brethren History in the March-April issue of FGBC World.

In the photo, Yohan Y. Auraham (second from right), the first Brethren missionary in Persia (modern-day Iran) in 1903.

FGBC World is the bi-monthly newspaper for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Printed copies of the March-April issue have been shipped to each church in the Fellowship and may be obtained there at no charge.

To read the complete issue online, click here.

If you'd like a free subscription to FGBC World (mailed to your home), click here.

A fund raising event to build homes for poor families in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Mozambique and the Philippines is being organized and promoted by a parishioner from a northern Ohio Grace Brethren Church. Here is an excerpt of an article in today's Akron (OH) Beacon-Journal. To read the entire article, click here.

''The folks working directly with the people in the communities, giving their time and talent every day, are the real heroes,'' said Paul Noonan, a co-chairman of the local fundraising event. ''You either have a giving heart and appreciate the plights of the poor or you don't. I'm committed to Cross because it is more than a humanitarian organization. It spreads the Gospel and is doing good deeds in the name of Christ.''

Noonan, of Copley Township, manages the ministry's donor base through his Akron company, International Data Management. Noonan, a parishioner at Grace Brethren Church in Fairlawn, said his eyes were opened during a trip to the Dominican Republic less than six months ago.

''I was able to see firsthand some of the families that are being supported by the ministry,'' Noonan said. ''I saw seven, eight, nine children living in a mud hut with no clean water, little food and miles and miles and miles from medical care. When it rains, the floor is washed away. I was moved to help do what I can to help provide housing for those families.''

The following obituary appears in today’s Warsaw (IN) Times-Union:

WINONA LAKE, IN – E. Philip Dick, 65, peacefully passed away April 4, 2008, at Goshen Hospital after a very courageous two-year battle with kidney cancer.

He was born March 30, 1943, to Paul E. and Esther Hostetler Dick and grew up in Winchester, Va. On June 19, 1965, he married Rebecca “Becky” Joanne Crawford, who survives.

A resident of Kosciusko County for the past 43 years, he graduated from Handley High School, Winchester, Va., and moved to Warsaw in 1961 to attend Grace College. He graduated from Grace College and married his college sweetheart, Rebecca J. Crawford. He received his master’s degree from St. Francis University.

He began his teaching and coaching career at North Webster Junior/Senior High School in 1965. He taught English and later K-8 physical education. Through the years, he coached baseball, track, basketball and was instrumental in the beginning of the Little League community program in North Webster.

He enjoyed playing and coaching various Warsaw City League softball teams. In 1981, he assumed the position of athletic director at Grace College, where he successfully coached women’s softball, having several nationally-ranked teams.

In the mid 90s, he began his career with Chore Time Brock, Milford, later going with Royal Outdoor Products, Milford. He enjoyed traveling his sales territory, which included the East Coast and southern area where he had grown up.

Being a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, his Christian testimony was evident in his daily walk. His concern for others was very obvious in the creative ways he consistently and quietly reached out to help others. He also enjoyed his classic cars and being a part of the Cruisin’ Hoosiers car club.

Also surviving are a daughter, Michelle R. (and spouse Jerry) Yeager; a son, Matthew P. (and spouse Nicole) Dick, all of Warsaw; five dearly-loved grandchildren: Madison, Kensington, Jeremy, Andrew and Luke; a brother, Richard (and spouse Teresa) Dick, Syracuse; a niece, Ashley (and spouse Josh) Fitzgerald, Warsaw; and two great-nieces, Brooklyn and Avery. He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece, Natalie Marie Dick.

A graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Oakwood Cemetery. A memorial celebration service will be April 14 at 7 p.m. at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, Winona Lake, with Pastor Bruce Barlow officiating.

Calling will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.

Memorials to the E. Philip Dick Memorial Endowment to benefit student athletes in care of Kosciusko County Community Foundation, 102 E. Market Street, Warsaw, IN 46580.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.

After 50 years, Ken Herman (seated, blue shirt and tie) has retired from a fruitful and faithful career in Christian publishing. The staffs of Brethren Missionary Herald Co. and the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches celebrated Ken's retirement today and invited a number of his family members to participate.

Seated to Ken's left is his daughter Judy Daniels, who edits communications and the alumni magazine for Grace College and Seminary. Her husband, Denny Daniels, in red shirt, is standing behind. To Ken's right is his wife, Kathy. Seated immediately behind Kathy is the Hermans' other daughter, Cindi, with her husband, Don Fluke, and their daughter Bethany.

Ken Herman was working as the managing editor of the Dayton (OH) Shopping News (one of his co-workers was the humorist Erma Bombeck) when he was called to Winona Lake, Indiana, to join the staff of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company as assistant to the editor, Arnold Kriegbaum, in June of 1958.

Later, in 1961, Herman was named business manager of BMH. During those years a BMH Quartet traveled and sang in churches accompanied by Kriegbaum and Kriegbaum's wife, Laura. Members of the quartet included Herman, Leland Larmon, Sherwood Durkee, and Wayne Guthrie.

Herman served with BMH for 33 years. When BMH's print operation was sold to Evangel Press of Nappanee, Indiana, in 1991, Herman went with Evangel in the area of print sales and served there until retiring this March 31. Evangel has leased office space for Herman in the BMH building, enabling daily contact with BMH and FGBC staff.

Ken and Kathy Herman, their two daughters and families are all longtime members of the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.

BMH salutes Ken's many years of faithful and congenial service and wishes him well in retirement.

Former Grace College coach and athletic director Phil Dick, son of the late Paul Dick who pastored the Grace Brethren church in Winchester, Virginia, for more than three decades, died this morning in Goshen, Indiana, after a two-year battle with cancer.

More details will be released as they are available, but a memorial service at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church has been scheduled for on Monday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m.

To read the many comments and tributes to Phil's life and ministry, log onto http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/phildick

Here is a note from Phil's daughter, Michelle:

Arrangements are as follows:

Calling at Redpath Funeral Home in Warsaw, Indiana, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 on Sunday. We are having a private graveside service and burial on Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will be Monday, April 14th at 7:00 p.m. at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.

My heart is hurting, but it is so full with the love that has been poured in to our lives over these past few days (and years). My dad fought a very courageous battle with cancer, but ultimately he has found healing in Heaven. We are promised that Heaven is without sadness, without sickness, and full of love, praise and yes, even dancing. I am overwhelmed with gratitude that my dad is in Heaven and that he served his Lord and Savior so well. Thank you for sharing in this journey with us. We are honored.

Here is the announcement as distributed by Grace College and Seminary:

Phil Dick (BA 65), who served Grace as athletic director, coach, and professor in the Physical Education Department from 1981-1995, went to be with the Lord on April 4, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Calling will take place on Sunday, April 6, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home in Warsaw, Indiana. A private graveside service and burial will be held on April 7, and a memorial service is planned for Monday, April 14 at 7 p.m. at the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.

Phil is survived by his wife Becky (Crawford, BS 66), son, Matt (BS 94) and wife Nicole (Ryman, BS 93), daughter Michelle Yeager (BS 93) and husband Jerry, and five grandchildren.

The first-ever building of the Gateway Grace Community Church in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania, is underway. Pastor Dan O'Deens writes:

Construction has begun! Our first building is under way! YEAH! We are certainly excited about that…but…for Gateway Church it has never been nor ever will be about the physical building!

If a church exists and it does little or nothing to change its community then it may as well close its doors! The “church” is God’s people. I get to serve with a great church!

This past Sunday our Blue Crew (service teams) were all over the community. Serving free hot dogs in Coatesville, serving our church plant Elk Creek Church as they hosted Jon and Kate Plus 8, cleaning up the bypass with Penndot, serving in local community endeavors from nursing homes to city missions. I am so proud of my team and family for BEING the Church.

Let’s continue to serve the people of our community! As we serve, like Christ served, we will definitely CHANGEOURCOMMUNITY.com Check out the New Billboard along Business 30!

Ivanildo Trindade (left in photo, with restaurant owner in Paris), associate pastor of outreach ministries at the Grace Brethren Church of Wooster, Ohio, is currently in the Central African Republic with a missions team.

He is blogging about the experience. Here is a short excerpt. You can read his ongoing reports by logging onto http://woostercar.blogspot.com/

Coming back to Africa again has reminded me that my problems are of a complete different nature than the ones faced by people here in this country day in and day out. Everywhere you turn you see people on the streets with not a whole lot to do. Young men hang around market and public places. Several of them this morning were offering any kind of help with our luggage just so they could get a little coin.

The burden of living among abject poverty screams at you wherever you look. In my mind I imagine people walking and everywhere they go they see signs posted: "No outlet." "No exit." The whole world seems to conspire against them.

The sign of oppression is everywhere, from the visible sights of pickup trucks with submachine guns roaming the streets to the more elusive expression of people's faces denoting fear and perhaps allegiance to a force too strong to conquer, so they think.

Well, part of the reason we are here is to help people see that there is hope. We want so much for them to realize that "greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world."

We desire that they come to the knowledge of this beautiful Messiah we love so much. We want freedom to ring true in their hearts. We long for them to sing for joy at the appearance of Christ.

Retired Grace Brethren pastor and longtime Brethren Missionary Herald Co. board member Russ Ogden (shown here with his wife, Betty -- Joan Snively photo) has completed his Ph.D. degree.

Russ, who lives near Indianapolis, Indiana, says, "I have finally met the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies with emphasis in Philosophy and History. It will be awarded by Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana, and endorsed by Canterbury Christ Church University in the U.K. The graduation ceremony will be on the campus of Trinity in Newburgh, August 2, 2008.

"Trinity courses are in modules for distance learning – the only way I could manage graduate studies at this point in my life. Most courses are taken by listening to cassette tape lectures, submitting papers by email or postal mail, and taking monitored tests. I have attended three accelerated study seminars on campus. All of the instruction was excellent."

To help celebrate this achievement, BMH conducted the following interview with Dr. Ogden:

BMH: How long have you been working on the degree?

RO: I began in April, 2002, and finished in March, 2008. It took about 2½ years to finish the required courses, but 3½ years to finish the dissertation. The seminary during that time made changes in its doctoral program. It took about a year for me to settle on my subject and to determine how it would be developed.

The subject of my dissertation was an analysis of microbiologist Michael Behe’s concept of Irreducible Complexity as presented in his book, Darwin’s Black Box (1998) and extended in his second book, The Edge of Darwinism (2007).

The subject is foundational to the argument for Intelligent Design, the evidence of an intelligent Designer as the source of the universe and life rather than the Darwinian argument of adaptation and Natural Selection with no intelligent guidance, purpose, or meaning.

Behe demonstrates that microbiological cells, which were like a mysterious “black box” to Darwin, are actually microscopic machines beyond the complexity and efficiency of any machine ever designed by mankind. My task was to see whether his concept is able to stand up before his naturalist critics. I think my paper demonstrates that it is eminently able. Intelligent Design is true science; it explains life as we find it, whereas Darwinian evolution does not.


BMH: Why did you want to do this?

RO: I have been working many years on the theme of God’s sovereign delegation of freedom to mankind and our responsibility in the use of that freedom. I believe the Bible indicates that not all destinies are “predestined” by God; we determine our destinies by the way we respond to God. Obviously, the subject is controversial – even more so than Darwinism.

One Christian publisher told me it should be published, but it’s too controversial for their supporters. Another said it was too long for popular reading and should be published as a textbook. I was not qualified to write a textbook. I concluded that to get a publisher to look seriously at my manuscript I would need a Ph.D. God was good to me; I now have it.


BMH: How old are you?

RO: I began my Trinity course at age 77. I have completed it at age 83. I’m really living my career backward. I should have gone after this degree fifty years ago.


BMH: What sacrifices had to be made in order to earn this degree?

RO: Well, I have had no salary since I retired from the pastorate fifteen years ago. My wife taught school for about ten of those years. Our last church, Lanham, MD, pays our medical insurance and we live frugally on Social Security and interest from investments. Still, we own our home, have no debts and have never lacked food, clothing, or anything else we need. We have had to economize on travel. Time-wise, my wife has sacrificed more than I have. She does a lot of knitting and phoning while I am studying books and punching computer keys.


BMH: What kinds of comments/feedback have you had from friends, parishioners and colleagues as you have pursued the degree?

RO: All comments have been encouraging. My church, Lanham GBC, MD, even granted me a year of sabbatical leave at half salary for research on the “Freedom” book. Friends ask, “How is the book coming?” They say they want to read it. This is not yet possible, but may become so in the next year, God willing! We’ll see what opportunities develop.


BMH: Are you looking for a job now? Perhaps as a professor?

RO: Definitely not! I shall pursue publication of a condensed version of my dissertation, try again with my book on Freedom, reprint my Capsule View of the Bible and add a Spanish edition translated by a missionary friend. A Portuguese translation has been used in Brazil for many years.


BMH: What does Betty say about all this?

RO: Betty has been my chief supporter through this entire adventure. I dedicated the dissertation to her. As a retired English teacher, she has proofread all of my manuscripts. Nevertheless, she will be happy to do something else now – like visiting grandkids.


BMH: Background--what other degrees do you have, and where have you pastored? What other leadership roles?

RO: Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Bible, Bob Jones University, 1950

Master of Divinity, Grace Theological Seminary, 1953

Pastorates: First Brethren Church, Johnson City, TN, 1949-1950 (Planter)

First Brethren Church, Findlay, OH, 1951-52 (Planter)

Sunnymede Brethren Church, South Bend, IN, 1952-57 (G.B. Home Missions)

Ellet Grace Brethren Church, Akron, OH, 1957-63

Grace Brethren Church, Denver, CO, 1970-75

Lanham Grace Brethren Church, Lanham, MD, 1975-93

[also Lanham Christian School, 1977-93]

Pastor Emeritus, Lanham GBC, 1993 -



Leadership: President, National Ministerium, FGBC, 1958-59

Vice Moderator, FGBC National Conference, 1959-60

Trustee, Grace Brethren Foreign Missions, 1962-63

President, Akron Bible Institute, Akron, OH, 1963-70

Member, C. S. Lewis Fellowship, Washington, DC, 1977-85

Member, Social Concerns Committee, FGBC. 1984 -

Trustee, Brethren Missionary Herald, Co, 1984-2000

Member, Fellowship Council, FGBC, 1985-91

Leader, Short Term Ministry Teams, Pignon, Haiti, 1985-1990

Trustee, Hosean International Ministries, Pignon, Haiti, 1990-2002



Honors: United Sates Air Force, 2nd Lt., Fighter Pilot, 1943-45

Missionary Aviation Flight Instructor, Bob Jones University, 1947-49

Who’s Who Among College and University Students, BJU. 1949

Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award, Young Republicans of Summit County, OH, 1966

Editor, The Leader’s Edge, monthly newsletter for the FGBC. 1995-98

1998 Jenny Award, Northern Virginia Christian Writer’s Fellowship: First Place in Newsletter Writing, Intermediate Level



Family: Four adult children

Thirty grandchildren – since David married widow Chris Brown, December 29, 2007

Fifteen great-grandchildren – since David married Chris Brown



To God be the Glory! Great things He has done!

Southern California Grace Brethren Churches and Leadership -

The 2008 High Impact Men's Conference is just around the corner. We are 2 1/2 months away from the annual GBC Men's Conference.

HIMC INFO:
May 2-4, 2008

Pine Summit Conference Center, Big Bear, CA

Theme: "You Are Not Alone"

Verse: Hebrews 10:25

Cost: $110 - Regular Housing
OR $150 - Deluxe Style Housing(available on a first come, first serve basis) spots are limited.

Have your men sign up as soon as possible so we can get a headcount prior to going up the hill.

God did great things last year and we look forward to another great year together.

For more information contact Tim Lansing at timothy.lansing@citi.com or conference registrar Dick Winn at dicknjan10@ca.rr.com.

Sandy Barrett (pictured), who works with Tom Avey and Charles Ashman in the Fellowship Coordinator's office, celebrated a birthday today. Staff from BMH, FGBC, and Ken Herman of Evangel Press gathered to celebrate. Happy Birthday, Sandy, and thanks for all your work on behalf of the Fellowship!

Event to Assist Area Churches with Volunteer Ministries

Raleigh, NC – Hope Community Church of Raleigh will host its first XTEND Volunteer Workshop Saturday, April 26, from 12:30 p.m. to 8:30 pm. at the church loca