Fall/Winter 2013
Year in Review
IT’S AMAZING how little time we spend reflecting on our lives. I wonder if there is a correlation between our lack of reflection and the ability of immediate frustration to trump all other thoughts as the determiner of how we decide whether a day was “good” or not? Life is a gift from God and the beauty of this issue of the Evangelist is that it deserves more reflection and celebration. Life is not just our individual experience but also the corporate expressions we call family, church, and denomination. The stories laid out over the following pages are your stories. They are your life. We hope these stories from all ministry areas of the Brethren Church warm your heart and inspire you as 2014 begins. We thank God for his faithfulness in 2013. The following stories lay a great foundation for 2014!
Blessings & Peace, Jason Barnhart
Feature Stories
In Every Issue...
OF THE WEEK 3 STORY The Door Youth Centre in
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RESOURCE PAGE A Brethren Witness for the 21st Century
Costa Rica
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Uniquely 4 “Developing ‘Brethren’ Leaders”
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by Ryan Smith
WMS OUTLOOK BITS & PIECES
New Day for Beacon of 16 “AHope” by Gary Diehl DEVOTIONAL 22 CLOSING “Nibbling at the Table of the World,” by Jason Barnhart The Evangelist Fall/Winter 2013
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Above photo: The Door Youth from Ontario, Canada serving in Costa Rica (see opposite page for story)
by James Hunt
Project Serve: The Door Youth Centre in Costa Rica
Urban Youth Missionary & Youth Pastor of Muskoka Community Church
Working as an urban youth missionary, while continuing to lead the youth ministry of Muskoka Community Church, has been an incredible journey for me as it clearly combines all that God has been building in in me over the past few years while continuing to place me in a position of prayer, trust, obedience and faith. I am especially grateful to the support and encouragement of my Brethren family, particularly through the prayer warriors of Missioprayer and the wealth of training and resources provided me through Missiochurch as I seek to expand our ministry reach throughout my region.
LAST DECEMBER I was hired into full time ministry as the Director of The Door Youth Centre, our local Youth For Christ ministry. At The Door we offer a variety of programs and services (Bible study groups, lunchtime and afterschool drop ins, in-school support, street ministry) all with the aim of reaching out to the broken youth of our community and offering them the embrace of our loving Father, often in practical ways. One of the programs we offer at The Door is Project Serve, a series of three mission trips over the course of several months. Each trip is preceded by several weeks of Bible based training lessons, and increases in the level of commitment. Recently we completed the third trip, a 10-day trip to Costa Rica where we partnered with a rural church in filling some of their maintenance needs. One of the coolest things about this trip was hearing how this group of mostly unchurched youth (12 in total from around central Ontario) was seeing God at work in very real ways. They all reported seeing him at work through prayers answered, team unity, relationships built, supernatural energy and patience, illnesses healed, and work blockages cleared away!
James is responsible for fundraising 100% of his salary! You can help by donating here: www.canadahelps.org , then type HIGHLANDS YOUTH FOR CHRIST in the search box.
SIGN UP! The story of the week is a weekly e-publication of the Brethren Church highlighting a quick story of kingdom movement and impact amongst the Brethren. If you’re not receiving these weekly stories and would like to, sign up at brethren@brethrenchurch.org.
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Fall/Winter 2013 The Evangelist
Developing Uniquely “Brethren” Leaders WRITTEN SOMEWHERE INTO THE PARENT’S HANDBOOK is the rule that states, “New parents must take an over abundance of pictures of their newborn child.” The rule further states that, “New parents then must be steadfast in presenting these pictures to anyone and everyone that they meet till the child is well into their forties, being certain to share every detail of the story that is represented by said picture.” When something is new, especially when that something is a someone, we get all caught up in and enraptured with it. Quickly, it becomes the thing that captures all of our attention, and we want others to know about it too. This truth of life is no less true for our Tribe’s newest child, Brethren Leadership Development. First announced from the stage at this past summer’s General Conference, Brethren Leadership Development (BLD) already has a few pictures hanging on the wall in the family room, so to speak. Two exciting stories coming out of BLD would include the book project, A Brethren Witness for the 21st Century. More than a simple coffee
The Evangelist Fall/Winter 2013
table book, the Brethren Witness captures the story of the Brethren, as told by Brethren, and retells the story in light of our current times. Rich in our tradition and steeped in our values, this book captures well what it means to be Brethren and helps to point the way forward for a new generation to join our Tribe and engage with God and his mission of love and restoration for the world. Information about how to purchase this book can be found on our website.
and more practically implement these values into their lives and ministries. Archived webinar videos can be found by visiting the website, and are free for anyone to access and learn from. Also, information on how to join the live, monthly webinar sessions can be found there as well.
The other opportunity BLD is focused on and excited about is the monthly webinar series which launched this fall and will conclude summer of 2014. This is a ten month series of online, real time web conversations that have invited Jonathan Reitz, of CoachNet Global and Jason Barnhart to speak about and break down the conversation revolving around our eight unique Brethren values. The information Jonathan and Jason are sharing allows our pastoral leaders especially to better understand
Ryan Smith is the National Leadership Development Coordinator. Contact Ryan at ryan@brethrenchurch.org.
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Fall/Winter 2013 The Evangelist
Youth Advisors @ Simply Youth Ministry CONFERENCE Another leadership development story from this past year that deserves some attention is the Simply Youth Ministry Conference which saw twenty-five Brethren youth advisors gather together in Indianapolis for four days of ministry training and fellowship. Outside of Engage Conference, which is a yearly highlight, there is little opportunity for our youth advisors to connect together and be resourced. Over the course of four days advisors were refreshed in their It’s uplifting to think about ministries and in otheir personal lives. Additionally, our youth advisors were ushered into intimate all that’s been experienced times of worship. (Any time you can be a part of a this past year...together. worship experience you didn’t have to help plan or be concerned with running, it’s deeply refreshing.) Besides great teaching and worship, new ideas and lots of free t-shirts, they were able to join together - just the twentyfive of them - and share their lives together. I recall one night everyone was together following the evening session, eating and sharing around the table. James Hunt of Muskoka Community Church commented, “I didn’t drive eleven hours (one way) to hear
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the speakers, but I came to be with my family.” Such a beautiful snapshot of why we got together there in Indy, and why we’re looking forward to doing it again this year. It’s uplifting to think about all that’s been experienced this past year, and it’s always valuable when we are able to share in the experiences together. It’s hard not to get overly excited thinking about all that will be experienced this next year. Regardless of where we find ourselves, and what we find oursleves doing, I’m confident that there will be a fair amount of snapshots for us to look back on and continue celebrating all that God is doing in and through Brethren Leadership Development and our tribe over all.
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Fall/Winter 2013 The Evangelist
Plants, Pipelines & Partners with this effort coming to a close. I have worked closely with the Hous over the past four plus years. In that time I have seen them engage in effective ministry, numerous times, in ways that have made a lasting impact in the local Cambodian community. Therefore, while I agree that God seems to be taking us and GPC in different directions, I honestly believe that our labor has not been in vain and that we will see the results of our effort in the future amongst the local Cambodian community.
It has been another remarkable year in the Brethren Church as our church planting efforts continue to build momentum from sea to shining sea! Officially two more churches were adopted and deployed in Ohio while many other projects moved from the beginning of a dream towards becoming reality from California to Virginia and all the way up to Ontario, Canada! Jesus continues to bless us! While it is exciting to be a part of something that Jesus is so clearly blessing, we also need to share with you that we have discontinued our work amongst the Cambodian American population in Northern California. As of January 1, 2014, God’s Purpose Church (GPC) will cease to be a Brethren Church plant. Paul Stanley, pastor of Carson Oaks Community Church which was the Mother Church of GPC, recently reflected on this development:
The name attached will not matter as we all know the only thing that matters is that God is glorified through Kingdom work by people
“As one who has perhaps been closest to this movement, I feel a great deal of mixed emotions about our connection
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Amazingly, throughout these events, Jesus awakened visions for church planting in some who had never considered it before! We have been using the word “movement” for a while but we are just now beginning to realize what a movement is like. When we listen and yield to him, he has great things in store for us! being introduced to Jesus Christ. And if we have played some small part in that, then we thank God for allowing it to be so. I will miss working with the Hous, but also look forward as to what God will do next in and through their lives.”
Currently there are more than 60 projects in our pipeline tracking process! These are anywhere from just beginning to dream to on the ground operating and even in the process of reproducing!
The difficult truth is that not every North American church plant will thrive and establish its presence in a community. Although God’s Purpose Church has not established itself, our journey with them has taught us much and has encouraged us to sow even more generously so that his kingdom can become more of a reality in the communities in which we live.
As MissioChurch, we are so honored to be a part of a tribe of people that God is choosing to bless in these ways. As we look out into the coming year and beyond, we see not only these 60+ moving forward but many more as the number changes almost weekly. Please continue to pray for this growing movement in our Brethren Church. Also, consider how you might financially partner with us!
As a tribe we have sown generously this year! There has been so much movement and interest Thank you for your faithfulness and partnership… in church planting this year that we had to Jesus is listening and answering your prayers host three separate orientation events in three and blessing your faithfulness! separate areas. Between Northern California, the Southeastern, and Indiana districts, we saw more than four dozen people, including planter candidates, mother church leaders and district leaders, gather to listen and discern together what Jesus wants for them in Bill Ludwig is MissioChurch National Coordinator. Contact Bill at the area of church planting. bill@brethrenchurch.org.
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Fall/Winter 2013 The Evangelist
A Brethren Witness for the 21st Century
ECOMMENDED
The resource of the week highlights a reinforcing resource for further reflection and application for kingdom movement.
“There is an awakening in the tribe of We would like to God’s people called the Brethren Church.” invite you to consider purchasing This sums up well the message of A Brethren this resource for Witness for the 21st Century. yourself, a friend, A Brethren Witness for the 21st Century is a family member, book about the Brethren, written by Brethren, small group or to capture the story that is the Brethren. It is church. Visit the written to share our story afresh for a modern Brethren Church audience. This work is rich in heritage and website contribusteeped in the unique Brethren values that tions page to orserve to define who we are as a people who der copies of the book. Proceeds from the are called to live on mission for God. A Breth- sale of the book go toward the ministry efren Witness is a book we each must have on forts of Brethren Leadership Development our shelves, in our homes, and in our offices. which is striving to develop uniquely Brethren leaders. A Brethren Witness is more than a textbook and more than a coffee table book. It is our Thank you for your continued partnership story recaptured and retold for a new gen- with the Brethren Church and for helping us eration of Jesus followers. We believe this retell our story for a new day! Writers include: book will be an valuable tool for churches Arden Gilmer, Dianna Teusch, Fred Miller, and leaders to help illustrate who the Breth- Dale Stoffer, Brenda Colijn, Dustin White, Briren are and who we are becoming. Together an Moore, Nate Bebout, Jerry Flora, Wende we can foster the next generation of Brethren Lance, Rich Hagopian, Mike Woods, Jason to join the rich heritage that weaves together Barnhart and Bill Ludwig. our past, present and future. HOW TO ORDER:
For more information on other ways to purchase, please email office@brethrenchurch.org.
Please send a check for $10 with “Brethren Witness book” in the memo line to The Brethren Church National Office, 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805
The Evangelist Fall/Winter 2013
For bulk orders we offer the following discounts: $8 each [50 -199 copies], $6 each [200 or more copies].
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Fall/Winter 2013
A Publication of the Women’s Missonary Society
Reflections by Gloria Radcliffe, President
I find it hard to walk past a mirror without looking. Most often I am looking with a critical eye and don’t like what I see. Maybe I have put on a few pounds, or my hair doesn’t quite look the way I want it to look, I look tired (my mom says occasionally, “you look so tired around your eyes”) or I see more grey hair. Not long ago two people commented to me regarding my appearance on the very same day. One told me I looked really tired and the other one told me how good I looked and how I just never seem to age. I will take the last one! Things are not always as they appear. So, maybe when it comes to evaluating myself, the mirror is not the best tool to use. I want to spend a little time visiting (as my husband would say) with you about a different kind of reflecting. We have just experienced another conference and it was wonderful. The Executive WMS Board was able to award two $500 scholarships to two Brethren young ladies who will be seniors in the fall at Ashland University. We were also thrilled to be able to award WMS Grants to
3 local WMS societies to be used as seed money to start outreach ministries in their local communities. These grants are funded by the interest from the Legacy Gift Fund. We heard from Executive Director Ken Hunn about our work in Columbia and India and voted to accept as our new two year project the “Mission Partner Pathway Fund” which is a wonderful way to invest in future missions, leadership development and building God’s kingdom. We also had opportunity to hear from Sheri Searles, who made us very aware of the sex trafficking and child slavery that is going on in other countries as well as our own. Through a “Freedom Party” following one of the WMS business sessions at conference we had opportunity to buy items made by these women. All of the money from the sale of these items goes directly to the women in order for them to support themselves and keep them from this alternative way of life.
a national WMS organization, support these ministries. I am so excited and encouraged about all of that.
To reflect means to look back and to evaluate where we have been and what we have done. In a way it is kind of like looking in that mirror I was talking about earlier. We can look at ourselves and all that we have done and have been about and be satisfied. But, lest I sound like a broken record, we dare not do that. We need to know what God has to say about where we have been and where we are going. God’s word is the map and measuring stick and he will tell us what we are to be about and if we are on the right track if we earnestly ask him. We are beginning to “think outside the box” and do things in a different way to try to reach a different society. I encourage you as women of prayer, faith and action to continue to “press on”. Keep trying new things, don’t become discouraged or weary In addition, we as WMS societ- in well doing. As societies, set ies continue to support Ashland some new goals and define or Theological Seminary, World and perhaps redefine your purpose. Home missions, Ashland Univer- He doesn’t want us to “kick sity Campus Ministry, Riverside back” and bask in our accomChristian Training Center and plishments. He wants us to put Ashland Theological Seminary on our sneakers and pick up the Brethren Student Aid. You, as pace as we continue to run with individual societies have given perseverance the race he has set sacrificially so that we could, as before us.
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Sue Ramsey Shares with Joy Circle WMS by Corky Fisher, Editor
say that did not mean her family was wealthy, but they sacrificed in order to give their children the best. Sue told us her mother had a thrift store, and she remembered they always had first choice when new clothes came in. She talked about wearing a “new” sweater to school, and one of her class mates commented, “I used to have a sweater like that.” Sue responded, “This is probably it!” Humility was a part of Sue, even then.
Park Street’s Joy Circle WMS kicked off the new ministry year by inviting all ladies of the church to a Soup Supper. More than thirty ladies enjoyed an evening of good food and good fellowship. The officers provided the soup, and other members provided salads and dessert. The special guest speaker for the evening was Sue Ramsey, coach of Ashland University’s Sue’s college and early coaching years were championship woman’s basketball team. filled with ups and downs. Sue said things turned Karen Little introduced Sue by sharing her around when she fell on her knees before Christ memories of when Sue was hired by the and totally surrendered. Although her record as university. Karen recalled that Sue came into her office to introduce herself, and after visiting for a while, Sue said, “Today is Thursday. Thursday will be the day I pray for you.” That gave us an insight into what Sue is about. Sue shared her journey with us. She grew up in Bexley, Ohio, an upscale suburb of Columbus, but was quick to
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a coach is impressive—324-199 at AU, and two trips to the NCAA Division II finals, winning one of them—it is her faith in Christ that defines her. She talked about the importance of Scripture, citing Hebrews 12 as the Scripture the girls chose to guide them this year. Her team meets together for Bible study, and they can often be seen huddling together in prayer before taking the court. Two-time NCAA Division II player of the year, Kari Daugherty transferred to Ashland her sophomore year because she wanted to play where she could be free to live her faith. The effects Sue’s faith has on those around her can readily be seen in the commitment statement of the coaches: Working within the framework of Ashland University’s “Accent on the Individual,” our commitment is to the total development of the individuals in our program. Through the avenue of basketball, we will give of ourselves to assist in the growth of our student-athletes in all aspects of their lives:physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually.
anything half-way and the way she works with her team and fellow coaches is a true testament about the standards and expectations she has for herself and her team and ultimately about who is she in Christ. I am SO, SO glad I came to that event. I guess this is what I would say about Sue: Her life is an all-encompassing living model of Jesus. There is no question, (absoluteness) about who she is and who she serves.”
Further proof can be found in the goals the players set for themselves during the past season. Note that ALL their goals were met! Sue laughed with us. She challenged us, and encouraged us. Mel Plank summed the evening up like this: “Wow! Sue is just an extraordinary woman! She is so real and you can see the joy that shines out of her in what she does. She doesn’t do
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by Tammy Thompson
together on the purses. Although we don’t know the ladies that received the purses or how they felt about them, we know that we received a huge blessing while trying to be a blessing.
Wow, what a year! The Oak Hill ladies desired to put more effort into serving our local community and that is just what we did. We continued work with two local ministries, expanded on our most recent ministries, and tried a new outreach project.
Our year has been a busy one for sure, but there is still a lot of work to do and new ideas to try in our efforts to be a more active WMS. We want to continue to serve our missionaries and our community as we strive to be a group of Women Meant to Serve.
Oak Hill WMS Active In Serving the Community
The Backpack Ministry and the Ministerial Association Food Pantry are the two local ministries we have supported for quite some time. The Backpack Ministry provides healthy, easy to prepare snacks for local school children, who may not otherwise get a good meal until they return to school, to take home over long weekends and holidays. We support them financially by taking up a special offering once a month. This has allowed the organization to expand their outreach. We also have a few volunteers that help fill the backpacks. The food pantry has been a part of our community for many years. We have renewed our commitment to this ministry by bringing in canned food items to our monthly WMS meetings. Once we get a trunk load, one of our ladies sees that it all gets delivered. We worked on expanding our Free Community Meal Ministry. So far this year we have held four free community meals. While everyone is welcome, we tried to target those within walking distance of our church. This year we included “give-a-ways” of new or gently used coats and shoes as well as new socks and underwear for school age children. We see some familiar faces and get a few new ones each time. Last month we had a gentlemen that we didn’t know show up with two big crockpots of soup because he saw our sign and wanted to help. We felt blessed before we even got the day started. We have included some smaller projects in our efforts to be a presence in our community. We opened up our Fellowship Center during the town’s annual Christmas parade so the parade goers could sit down and warm up while we served them some cookies and hot chocolate. We provided volunteers as well as sandwiches for our county’s middle school career day. We will be visiting two local nursing homes this month to sing, pray and socialize with the residents, some of which were active members of our WMS group. This year we tried a new idea that we picked up from our district WMS meeting. It was simply entitled The Purse Project. We spent several months collecting good used purses and new personal care items such as soap, shampoo, lotion, hair accessories, socks, makeup and lipstick. Donations came in slowly and we were not sure if we were going to have enough to fill the purses. After one of our WMS meetings, we separated and organized the donations, formed an assembly line, and began filling the purses. As it turns out, the purses were overflowing. We filled a total of 27 purses which were then prayed over and delivered to the women’s shelter. We had such a good time working
Ladies of the Southeast District showing their "Apple of God's Eye" favors.
Southeast District Gatherings by Tammy Thompson
The Southeast District WMS ladies met two times this past year like we have been doing for many years. Our first meeting was in April at the close of the Southeast District Conference at the Mathias Brethren Church in beautiful Mathias, WV. Our meeting began after the close of the conference. We conducted our district WMS business then had a short devotional entitled “Prayer Power”. Our second meeting was our Fall Retreat. This year’s theme was Apples. We met on a Friday evening at Camp Shenandoah Meadows. We spent the evening in the chalet catching up with our district friends, meeting new ones, talking, laughing, and playing games. When we couldn’t hold our heads up any longer, we turned in for the night. We began the morning with a buffet style breakfast and ice breaker activities like “pick an apple trivia” and “chat pack”. We learned a little and laughed a lot. We ended our morning with a business session and a devotional based on Psalm 17:8-9. The afternoon was spent participating with others from the Southeast District in the Camp Shenandoah Fun Day Fundraiser activities. When we get together, we make it a point to hold our own “year in review” and share what our individual societies are doing in hopes of finding a new project or a better way of doing an old project. We always enjoy getting together, wish we could do it more often, and look forward to another opportunity to continue the work of the WMS.
Planned GIVING
Planned giving provides you the opportunity to provide for your family, your local church, different charities and your denomination. You are passionate about all of them and, more than likely, the passion is probably in that order.
It’s natural to want to provide for our loved
ones towards the end of our lives. There is a desire to leave the world a better place than we inherited. Love is leaving an impact, a legacy, which will long outlive our years.
Would you consider contacting us to discuss planned giving opportunities? We all have but one life to live. And, in a similar vein, we all have the chance to leave one legacy. Let us help you create it!
Interested in planned giving? Contact Jason Barnhart, Brethren Advancement Coordinator, at 877-289-1708 or jason@brethrenchurch.org for more information.
A New Day for Beacon of Hope WE LIKE A GOOD STORY OF REDEMPTION; of something getting renewed purpose and focus. We all realize,though, that living out that story is another…well, story. Below is a conversation with one of our churches that is quite the redemptive journey. Beacon of Hope Community Church in Louisville, Ohio is wrestling and discovering what it looks like for them to be “church” in a new day in new ways. They are on a Mobilize pathway known as Transform One. Transform One is a four-phased pathway to help any congregation become more faithful and fruitful at obeying Jesus’ Great Commandment and Great Commission. Using an “I – We – They – All of Us” approach, Transform One develops a healthy selfawareness that begins with individual leaders and then helps the entire congregation understand their collective story. Eventually the process moves outward to help the church see their neighbors afresh through the eyes of Jesus.
Doug Shook (DS): I was very excited. I knew that God had much more in store for Beacon of Hope than what we were doing. I also felt apprehensive about what we were getting into! Ralph Gibson (RG): My initial thoughts were excitement and optimism, apprehension and uncertainty, fear and hope. My feelings were all over the place. What was I going to learn about myself? What challenges would lay ahead that would need to be faced? My comfort zone was being shaken again. GD: What have been some joys and frustrations of the journey so far? DS: The joys have been working toward something that is beyond what we have imagined before, actually getting to know others better as we work together, and casting a vision where God would have to bless it to be successful. The frustrations have mostly been impatience on my part.
Beacon of Hope has moved from the “I” phase, RG: The primary joys are seeing the leaders of where leaders learned more about their own strengths and weaknesses and how that shapes the team, and is now learning about their collective story as a congregation in the “We” phase. Ralph Gibson and Doug Shook, Beacon of Hope’s pastor and moderator, sat down with Gary Diehl, Mobilize National Coordinator for some Q&A on their journey: Gary Diehl (GD): How did you initially feel about beginning the Transform One journey?
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I
WE
THEY
the church take a new level of ownership for the direction of the church, having a team work together to examine areas of the church that need to be strengthened, and a spirit of support for one another. The frustrations have been few. I would not call them frustrations, but the challenge of accomplishing the optimistic goals as the team raises the bar of effective ministry for today. GD: What is your greatest hope for this journey? DS: My hope is that God will use Beacon of Hope as a church where our community would really miss us if we were not here. I hope that those who enter our doors find meaningful worship, grow in learning more about our Lord, and that we will become Christ-like servants. Also, I hope to connect those who do not know salvation to the One who provides it. RG: My greatest hope is that the people of the congregation will fall more in love with Jesus and as a result will be more effective in reaching the families of our community for Jesus. We need to start thinking more about being faithful followers of Jesus and touching those we know with the message of Jesus. Can you sense both the anticipation and fear Ralph and Doug had about asking for guidance? Beacon of Hope is still in the midst of the Transform One journey, but the feelings and tensions are common to all transitions. We applaud Beacon of Hope for wrestling with
ALL OF US
what it means to be the “church” for the new day in which they find themselves. Taking the first steps forward are often the most difficult, but they are on their way. This is just one story of 70 plus that are occurring through our denomination within the Mobilize Network. The Mobilize Network focuses on ministry vitality (How can we help your ministry be more alive, vibrant, fruitful?) and ministry transitions (How can we help your ministry navigate a change in pastors, or learn and implement new ways of leading?). The goal is to assist in ways that help us all “make more disciples” and “raise up new leaders” for the work God has given us. If this story sparks a desire to begin a similar journey in your own church, contact the Mobilize Coordinator in your region, or email Gary Diehl, Mobilize National Coordinator, at the Brethren National Office today.
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Gary Diehl is Mobilize National Coordinator. Contact Gary at gary@brethrenchurch.org.
Fall/Winter 2013 The Evangelist
Four Seasons of Global Partnerships THIS PAST YEAR has been a flurry of activity for all of the connections that the Brethren Church enjoys with Partners all over the world. Life in these United States is changing! In the same way our Partners face changes in their culture, local economy, government, and as a result, in their churches as well.
Haiyan disaster in the Philippines through Brethren Relief contributions. Churches are encouraged to continue in their response as the relief efforts there are ongoing.
SPRING
WINTER
Early this year God began to impress upon our hearts the desire and need for a more comprehensive and shared focus on Global Partnerships. The maturing of our relationships with churches around the world and their resulting increase of ownership meant that our historic cross cultural missional efforts were emerging into a different kind of relationship. This new way of relating to one another is characterized by a shared partnership of equals, focused on the ongoing effort to see lives changed by the gospel in each country.
Early in 2013 we joined with Jesus Our Firm Foundation (JOFF) Brethren Church Philippines to celebrate TEN YEARS of ministry to the people in and around the capital city of Manila! This partnership was launched through the natural friendships and family relationships in the Carson Oaks Community Church in Stockton, California, under the leadership of Pastor Paul Stanley. This connection has been embraced by the whole Northern California District and has benefitted from the ongoing help of Rev. Steven Cole at Northgate Community Church in Manteca. Today Pastor Gary Castro leads a dedicated staff of pastors who have developed three churches in Bocaue, Deparo, and Pulilan. There is a clear vision to expand this ministry through church planting to other cities as well. More recently Brethren congregations throughout the United States have responded to the typhoon
It became clear that the stewardship of these ongoing and treasured relationships called for a more shared renewed sense of leadership here in the United States. Executive Director Ken Hunn called upon several Executive Board members, each of whom had ample experience in traveling among our Partners and a passion for cross-cultural relationships. The first-ever Global Partners Team gathering was held over several days in May. Our team members are Steven Cole, Pastor of Northgate Community Church in Manteca, California; Tim Garner, Indiana District Pastor; Scott Soden, Associate Pastor of Cheyenne Brethren Church in Wyoming; and Kurt Stout, lead pastor of North Manchester, Indiana Brethren Church. Plans were made this spring to develop accessible information about emerging Global Partner Paradigms, and how those new patterns shape our relationships with
While we adjust locally, we are also adjusting to all of the changes in the lives and ministries of those all over the world with whom we share a common and historic mission. Much of this change is related to the progress of our Partnership. Other changes represent our efforts to creatively adapt to all of the inevitabilities of our evolving world, continuing the mission with innovation and impact. Here are some of the highlights‌
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existing churches, and how they shape our efforts to establish new church multiplication worldwide. The excitement and enthusiasm of this refocused effort was shared at General Conference. And the work continues! We want to hear from those who might have interests, gifts, and passions that would be helpful to the Global Partner Team. If you are one of those individuals, please let us know of your interest through email to brethrenchurch.org, and someone will be glad to share the opportunities with you. Continue to pray for the progress of Global Partnerships existing and new!
SUMMER Summer of course means General Conference! We were pleased to celebrate the retirement of Rev. Dr. K. Prasanth Kumar as director of the Brethren Mission in India. Joining us for this event was Dr. Kumar’s son Sudhir, who works as a part of the Kumar family shouldering leadership and administrative responsibilities. Though retired now, Dr. Kumar will always be recognized as the founder of the Brethren Mission in India. Assuming many of his leadership responsibilities is his wife, Nirmala, who continues in a role very similar to her ongoing activities that she has been providing for many years. Thank you, Prasanth for your faithful and ongoing presence in our India partnership!
FALL An intriguing and exciting development in our stewardship of Global Partner relationships began
to take form recently. Based on previous trips and experience, Pastor Tom Schiefer of the Nappanee, Indiana First Brethren Church planned for a shortterm trip to Argentina, accompanied by five other members of his church. Knowing of this upcoming event, Executive Director Ken Hunn on behalf of the Global Partner Team began to pray and dream with Pastor Schiefer about the possibilities of equipping his team for deeper conversations with our Argentine leaders concerning strategic next steps in our Argentine partnership and resulting projects. A daylong training opportunity at the Brethren Church National Office gave the Nappanee team deeper insight into our own needs and strengths. This equipped them to speak with greater clarity about how our partnership could result in a more shared ministry to one another. Having just returned, the Nappanee team is excited to report back and also be a part of the shaping of this relationship into the future.
THE NEW YEAR A review of this past year tells the story of God’s hand on a people that are asking the deeper questions that lead to deeper cross-cultural relationships and a more effective mission overall. Thank you for celebrating the success of this journey over this past year! Your prayers and financial support make it possible! Where do you see yourself and your congregation in this story? Let us hear from you so that we can pray and plan for next steps in your Global Partner journey!
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Fall/Winter 2013 The Evangelist
PEACE NEEDED EVERYWHERE KRYPTON BRETHREN CHURCH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS! In 1913, the first meetings of the Krypton Brethren Church were held in the small railroad community of Krypton, Kentucky. At the annual homecoming this fall, they celebrated this milestone with music, the sharing of special memories, and a hardcover book highlighting the history and record of those serving during the church's century of existence. A vital piece of the church's long life is the people who have served there over the years. Some of those in leadership included Fred and Mae Kinzie, Lester and Agnes Wuthrich, and Margaret Lowery. Countless people, many of them part of the Crusader program, dedicated time to the people of this community. The church had their celebratory homecoming service on October 4-5 with a meal and music on Saturday, October 5th and a special morning service on Sunday, October 6th. The anniversary book includes 20 pages of historical pictures and a photo CD for a cost of $20. Contact Krypton Brethren Church for more information. We congratulate the following churches on significant milestones. Happy anniversary and thank you for being salt and light to your communities! WABASH - 50 yrs, NAPPANEE 125 yrs, JOHNSTOWN THIRD - 90 yrs, CARSON OAKS - 50 yrs, MUSKOKA COMMUNITY - 5 yrs The Evangelist Fall/Winter 2013
The longer I live and the older I get, the more impressed I am with how appropriate it is to emphasize “peacemaking and nonviolence” in more and more life experiences. There doesn’t seem to be a location or situation where a desire for greater peace is out of place. In the current issue of “Basin & Towel,” a periodical distributed especially for deacons by the Congregational Life Ministries of the Church of the Brethren, editor Donna Kline writes: “The pursuit of peace is a requirement for all Christ-followers, but especially for us as Brethren, as part of an historic — and living — peace church.” We are also a part of that Brethren heritage! The following are reminders from “Basin & Towel” of the great need for sharing a peace-centered presence and message wherever we are. May they challenge and inspire us all: • ”The goal is not an absence of violence, but rather the presence of love. God provides not just a tolerance of our differences, but rather a transcendent unity through God’s loving Spirit.” -Jonathan Shively • ”The goal is not to avoid conflict (in congregations), but to engage it in respectful and helpful ways that strengthen relationships and trust, rather than diminish them....A conflict resolution policy for congregations can create a safe environment for voicing differences.” -Kay Gaier • ”Peaceful homes are healthy homes where everyone participates in the
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decision making process....At the shelter where I work a five year old boy’s prayer included the words, ‘Thank you for safety.’ No child should have to worry about safety from the very people they live with. Peace begins at home.” -Kathy Reid • ”Pastoral care in times of crisis is not about fixing the problem. It is about entering into the crisis, acknowledging the pain and finding paths to wholeness by learning from suffering....It is adding your wisdom to that of the one in crisis, not to show the way but to help broaden the scope of possibilities beyond the tunnel vision that allows one to see only the crisis.” -Marilyn Lerch • ”A church that pursues transformative peacemaking depends on people with a Christcentered, authentic, personal relationship with the living and triune God, one that grows deeper every day. Our desire as a church is about being relevant; because our cities are plagued by violence of different sorts, we are called to engage with issues of peace in creative, transformative ways.” -Samuel Sarpiya • ”It isn’t surprising that I often thought about faith issues related to war and peace. As I became more familiar with the teachings of the Church related to war, peace, and nonviolence and more familiar with the scriptures that support these teachings, it became clear to me that Jesus was teaching his followers to live nonviolently and to live with God’s love, for all, in their heart....At age 68, I am more convinced than ever that active, nonviolent peacemaking is a significant part of being a Christian.” -Bill Kilgore
In Memory
J. WILLIAM SHULTZ, 90, of Berlin, Pennsylvania, died Oct. 26, 2013 at Somerset Hospital. Born March 27, 1923, in Berlin, son of Harry S. and Ruth (Musser) Shultz. Preceded in death by parents; daughter Ellen (Shultz) Clough; sister Jean Lehman; and brothers, Robert and Joseph Shultz. Survived by his wife of 66 years the former Vera Cramer; children: John (Jeanie) Shultz, Ashland, Ohio, and Joan (Dayrl) Merrill, Muncie, Ind.; 10 grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren. He was a 1940 graduate of Berlin Brothersvalley
• “Studying the New Testament in college and seminary made it all come together, spiritually and biblically....Jesus chose to deal with his many adversarial relationships in nonviolent ways, ways that in some cases transformed the person, and in others hardened their hearts against him. As a peacemaker Jesus was concerned about the people around him, all the while never compromising his devotion to God....As Brethren we have chosen to resolve violence in a peaceful way, following the example of Jesus.” -Allen Kahler, who was 10 years old when his brother was paralyzed from the waist down when shot by National Guardsmen at Kent State University in 1970
High School. He attended Ashland College and received his B.S. from Penn State. He served on the Board of Trustees for Ashland University and Ashland Theological Seminary. He was a former chairman of Northeast Brethren Camp Board and was involved in many district and national Brethren Church committees. Bill was a member of Three Seasons Community Church, Berlin. The funeral service was held on Friday, November 1 at Three Seasons Community Church, Berlin. • “However, I draw a very important line with regard to how guns are used. I do believe it is inconsistent for Christians to use a gun to harm a human being. I value human life as sacred and believe that all humans are created in the image of God. I don’t like to see human silhouette targets at gun ranges because that subtly teaches that it is okay to shoot humans. I don’t like to see kids playing with toy guns or pretending to shoot bad guys.” -Martin Hutchinson, a gun-owning pastor who hunts
REV. CHARLES B. LOWMASTER, JR. passed away Tuesday,
Nov. 5, 2013, after a brief hospitalization. Born Jan. 24, 1928, in Yatesboro, Pa. to the late Charles B. and Esther (Tiger) Lowmaster, he was preceded in death by three sisters and three infant children.Charles is survived by his wife of 58 years, Roberta “Bobbie” (Ribblet) Lowmaster; daughters, Rebecca and April Lowmaster; and one sister. Charles was a retired pastor in the Brethren Church, having served congregations in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Ohio. A lifelong passion was Riverside Christian School in Lost Creek, Ky., where he served as president of the executive board for 50 years and participated in multiple work projects. A celebration of his life was held on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at Dueber United Methodist Church in Canton, Ohio.
benefits from a model or process to follow with competent guidance.... This is especially challenging since our North American dominant culture has taught us to be great speakers, but not good listeners.” -Barbara Date
Phil Lersch, Brethren Peace Initiative
• ”Being willing to take extra time to work through tough situations or relationships with others is a conscious decision, which almost always
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Fall/Winter 2013 The Evangelist
Nibbling at the Table of the World [or Chasing Birds with Salt Shakers] by Jason Barnhart,
W
hen I was a kid I remember sitting on the front porch of my great-grandparent’s home nestled in the center of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. My grandfather was a storyteller and a notorious prankster. It took me years to realize the full extent of his pranks which often came through his stories. At the ripe age of six how was I to know that he didn’t end World War II with just a shotgun and a hand grenade? You mean he didn’t march into President Harry Truman’s office and instruct him how to win the Pacific theatre of the war? [I digress…I know.] I was a scatter-brained “youngun” who would often wander off into my magical land of daydreaming. My grandfather would quickly recognize my aloofness and call me back in with the same doggone project. “Jason,” he’d say as he handed me a salt shaker he kept next to his rocking chair, “take this salt shaker and go out and catch some birds.” [Pause: You have to be wondering what this means… birds and salt shakers? My grandfather had fully convinced me that if you could sprinkle salt on a bird’s tail you could catch it. Looking back I realize that if you’re close enough to sprinkle salt on a bird’s tail then you’re close enough to catch the dang thing. At six years old, I believed salt held magical properties that made even the largest bird The Evangelist Fall/Winter 2013
Ashland, OH
unable to fly. [Give me a break, I was a kid!] As I reflect back on my childhood naiveté I am reminded of how we so often treat our Christian walks as we journey through this world we call home. How often are we chasing after birds with a salt shaker as nothing but a distraction to the great Story that is being told around us (whether it be through a senile great-grandfather, pastor, parent, or friend)? C.S. Lewis wrote in The Weight of Glory: “Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” Why are we so busy making mud pies when we’re promised a holiday (the British word for ‘vacation’) by the sea? Why do we nibble at the table of the world when we’re promised a banquet, an extravagant feast, in the Kingdom which is detailed in Revelation 19? The writer of Revelation even says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”
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Looking old self my life and salt
back on my six-yearI realized that a lot of has been about birds shakers.
If I just follow this bird a little longer, hide behind this shrub, and jump out shaking away my salt shaker I may just get it! In the end my distracted ways just led to bunny trails of distraction, frustration…getting lost! The true magic was the storyteller sitting on the front porch regaling his grandchildren with stories of minnows turning into whales and nautical adventures that faced the greatest sea serpents a young mind could fathom. My “birding” led me away from the story teller. My daily distractions lead me away from the Great Story and the Great Storyteller who continues to invite us into an adventure of not just nibbling at the table of the world but proclaiming and awaiting an extravagant feast at a “holiday by the sea.” As you journey down the hound trails and deer paths of 2014, ponder whether you’re pursuing distractions or seeking to live a life on mission that is telling a great story…THE Story! Sit down your salt shakers and allow your life to be so saturated by the Great Story that those around you sit down their salt shakers and listen to the Story you’re telling!
GENERAL CONFERENCE 2013 IN PICTURES
The Brethren Evangelist (SSN 0747-4288) is published quarterly by The Brethren Church, Inc., 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792 (telephone: 419-289-1708; email: brethren@ brethrenchurch.org; fax: 419-281-0450. Authors’ views are not necessarily those of The Brethren Church. Subscription rates: Sent free to Brethren Church members; $15.00 per year to others. Member, Evangelical Press Association. Postage: Paid at Ashland, Ohio or additional mailing office at Mansfield, Ohio. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Brethren Church, 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792. Fall/Winter 2013, Vol. 135, No. 4
The Brethren Church 524 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805
Please let us know when you are moving. This will save us much-needed funds for ministry.
We
hope you
had a blessed
Christmas
and pray God’s richest
blessings
on a wonderful new year!