the brethren evangelist - january/february 2015

Jan/Feb 2015

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Dear Friends,

While most of you organize your work and your life according to a “calendar year,” those of us here at the National Office organize such things according to the “Conference year.” And so with this issue we not only turn the page on 2014, but also turn the corner and begin our emphasis on our annual gathering. This year we’ll convene in Winchester, Virginia as the guests of Grace Community Church. Southeast District folk will have a short drive, and we’re looking forward to meeting new friends from that part of our extended family.

In this issue you’ll also see some great news of new ministry cropping up all over the world. God is graciously at work through us all to extend the Kingdom in new ways.

Also in this issue we will celebrate the lives of leaders who have impacted the church in such significant ways, and are now part of the cloud of saints who eagerly await our reunion. As we remember these faithful ones, let us commit to follow in their faithfulness.

There’s a lot to remember, a lot to celebrate. God is at work in us and through us. Read on. Pray. Consider what your part will be going forward, in the stories you read here. Make plans according to the commitment that the Spirit stirs up within you. I look forward with you to a year of exciting possibilities in the Brethren Church!

Blessings,

Ken Hunn Executive Director

contents

stay connected

524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805

419.289.1708

www.brethrenchurch.org

[email protected]

THE BIBLE SPEAKS // Article from 1947 by Rev. Charles E. Johnson with a reflection by Jason Barnhart MOBILIZE // Passing the Pastoral Baton

WMS // Gloria Radcliff Becoming Like THE Rabbi // Ron W. Waters

MISSOCHURCH// New Year, New Life!

BITS & PIECES

ENGAGE // Ryan Smith

The Brethren Evangelist Jan/Feb 20152

From a February 1947 cover of The Brethren Evangelist.

Jan/Feb 2015 The Brethren Evangelist 3

OF THE VARIOUS ORDINANCES of the church, the one dealing with The Lord’s Supper is the least understood, and one which many Christians of today do not know exists. In our discussion of this subject, I want first to look into the writings of Paul. He is the only New Testament writer who mentions the ordinance by name. You will find this in the 20th verse of 1 Corinthians, chapter 11. I wish to begin my investigation with Paul because he comes upon the scene after the resurrection of Christ. Many times those too close to the scheme of action get false concepts of what is actually taking place. Paul is

miraculously converted, and after his conversion spends at least three years in Arabia, receiving his instructions for his missionary work.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 we read: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and KEEP THE ORDINANCES as I delivered them to you.” In verse 23 we read: “FOR I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD THAT WHICH ALSO I DELIVERED UNTO YOU…”

Paul was not carried away by the wonderful l ife and work of Christ, but in the quiet

moment of meditation and instruction came to know and to understand the ordinances which Christ has given. With this understanding he goes forth to organize new churches and to fully instruct them. He has so instructed the church at Corinth, but false teachers had brought about a misunderstanding of the teaching. Instead of being a means of help to the church it had become a scandal. He finds it necessary to correct the abuse. He does not do away with the teaching, but corrects it that it may become the means of strength and help that Christ intended.

EACH WEEK we search through the Brethren archives to find an interesting #TBT (Throw Back Thursday) post to share on our Facebook page. In our quest we discovered a series that was published in the 1947 issue of the then weekly publication, The Brethren Evangelist. We’ve chosen five topics that were of significance in 1947 and we challenged a Brethren Elder to share how we are living-out each topic in 2015. What fun it was to discover what our denomination thought and shared back then and how relevant these topics still are to us today, sixty eight years later. We hope you will enjoy these articles and find them as enlightening as we did.


If we had no other evidence than that which is given by Paul, that should be sufficient. But let us now look in the Gospels and see the teaching as given by Christ to His disciples.

The time of the giving of the ordinance is in the closing moments of Christ’s life. In a few hours the Jewish Passover will be held. The disciples ask for instruction. They were told where to go to find the necessary room. We next find them gathered together in the upper room, but know they did not eat the Passover, because the time for eating had not yet fully come. Nevertheless in Matt. 26: 26 we find them eating a meal. At that meal Jesus took the bread and the cup and gave them to His disciples. In Mark 14: 22 we read: “And as they did eat.” In Luke 22: 20 we read: “Likewise also the cup AFTER SUPPER.” Again in John 13: 2; revised addition, we read: “And during supper.” Here in each of the four gospels we find the writers mentioning the instituting of the Communion Serve.

This was a threefold service and one part of it was the eating of a supper. Paul calls it the LORD’S SUPPER. In Jude 12 we read: ”These are spots in your feasts of charity.” In other words, your love feasts, or your Communion services. The Greek is very emphatic on the word “charity.” It is the very highest type of love. The supper which the writers of the gospels mention is the “Lord’s Supper” or “Love Feast,” in which is expressed the very highest type of Christian Love.

Let us now look at the value of the ordinance. It is for the Lord’s people. Unbelievers had no part in it. In 1 Corinthians 11 we are clearly taught that it is a unifying service. Rightly understood, rich and poor, strong and weak, gather together on a common level, and waiting one for the other, ate together. It is not a meal for the satisfying of hunger. It is a preparatory meal for that which is to follow. A unifying in brotherly love and equality of all God’s children. There must be complete harmony before the bread and the cup could be distributed. We need that lesson today.

Then there is the teaching of the Great Marriage Feast in Heaven. The Lord’s Supper is but a type or foretaste of the great event. Each time as we surround the table of the Lord we look forward to that day. What a wonderful time that will be when all God’s people gather together in eternity.

But how can we enjoy the blessings of heaven until we have first learned the lessons of love on earth? If the service would have been of no value certainly Christ never would have given it as one of His closing teachings and then perpetuate it in the teaching of Paul.

As we go into early Church History we find that the Lord’s Supper was understood and practiced as an ordinance by the early church. In fact it had a very important part in their church worship. Let us continue it, for in it we receive a blessing such as can come from no other source.

Rev. Charles E. Johnson (1886-1954)


WHEN JESUS GATHERS HIS DISCIPLES in the upper room, there is something powerfully ordinary about the event. Those two words may sound like they do not go together – but allow the tension to rest in your minds.

Jesus is simply sharing a meal with his followers. They’re not taking the Mass or the Eucharist or even the Lord’s Supper. They are simply sharing a common meal together. We are are told over and over that the disciples really struggled with the true identity of Jesus – they don’t even get the idea that this is the “last” supper they’ll even have with him.

The meal Jesus blessed that evening and claimed as his ‘memorial’ was their ordinary meal. The ordinary becomes extraordinary as the Lord’s Supper creates a peculiar and particular type of people in the most of common of places.

The reality of Christ’s presence in our midst becomes our common.

This common meal understanding of the Lord’s Supper had huge implications for the Jerusalem Church. Acts 2 writes that they were “devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (v. 42, NRSV). As they do these ordinary acts we read, “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people” (vv. 43-47, NRSV).

The Lord’s Supper, or “the breaking of bread,” mentioned twice in this passage, is a key part of the larger gathering and the more intimate gatherings inside our homes. For the Jerusalem Church, the “breaking of bread” was an economic act of selling all

property and possessions and giving to “anyone who had need.”

This is why the Apostle Paul rebuked the churches in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 11 by writing, “In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good” (vv. 17-22, NIV).

The rebuke is an economic issue. In first century Corinth if you were wealthy you could afford to pay hired hands to take care of the job site and have them remain there so you could arrive to the service of the Lord’s Supper early.

In 1 Corinthians 11, wealthier individuals arrived early, drank too much wine, and ate most (or all) of the food before any others could arrive. The common meal was ruined because of their greed. Paul argues that if the meal cannot overcome the socio-economic division of first century Corinth, then the Corinthian church would be celebrating their own condemnation (1 Cor. 11:29).

As they broke bread, ate a common meal, and washed feet, they were to testify to the presence of the kingdom of God, often pictured as a banquet, in the present and reveal their collective hope of the future wedding feast of the lamb pictured in Revelation.

In the church and at home their table fellowship revealed their common hope.

We in the present continue to be a witness to the world. The Lord’s Supper proclaims the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ Jesus. And as we wash one another’s feet, break bread, and share a love feast together we proclaim that future wedding feast of the Lamb.

As you gather around the Lord’s table, at church and at home, remember your new common hope in Jesus as a new family from various backgrounds gathers together to proclaim in unison, “The bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ; the cup which we bless is the communion of the blood of Christ.”

Rev. ChaRles e. Johnson’s "The BiBle speaks" RefleCTion on

By Jason BaRnhaRT


MOBILIZE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2014, was a transition Sunday. That was the day the Bryan First Brethren congregation officially transitioned from Interim Pastor Wayne Gropp to new Lead Pastor Brent Sloan.

As odd as it may seem, our transition began long before our former pastor left, when Pastor Sam Shultz encouraged the leadership to critically look at where God was leading us. The challenge was to discern how God had uniquely prepared and lead us for impact in our community. We began looking at the street God had prepared for us to travel, a street with curbs. There are many good things God has His people do, but not all of them are what He wanted for our specific church. We needed to learn how

to stay between the curbs as we served God.

When Pastor Sam resigned in June 2012, our leadership team, now called the Administrative Board, was at a loss about what to do next. This was completely new to all of us. We were overwhelmed and more than a little scared by what lay ahead of us. Two calls were made that set in motion the next steps of our transition journey. We talked to Gary Diehl from the Brethren denominational office in Ashland, and Tim Garner of the Indiana District.

Early in this process, the Ad Board was encouraged by Gary and Tim that this was not the end of one ministry and the beginning of the next but rather, get this, a TRANSITION in

Passing the Pastoral Baton

Written by: Dave Shairbaum


ministry. We were encouraged to discover what God had prepared us to do. What were our church’s strengths and weakness? This was the same theme we had heard from our former pastor. How were we to do this? Gary and Tim offered help.

Tim supplied us with a resource notebook through the Indiana District that had been prepared to assist churches with the nuts and bolts of a pastor search. It included suggested reading material that gave us reassurance we were not alone, but we still needed to fill the pulpit each week during our transition. Gary connected us with Interim Pastor Ministries (IPM), an organization our denomination had been developing a partnership with. We contacted IPM and, after interviewing several qualified individuals, hired Pastor Wayne Gropp to be our intentional interim pastor.

We knew our transition was to be more than just taking appl icat ions , p r a y i n g and doing interviews to issue a call to someone to be our next pastor. This journey was to be more than that. Pastor Wayne u n d e r s t o o d

the benefits and the process of transition and began guiding us in narrowing our focus to seeing the big picture of God’s leading vision. Our monthly transition team meetings focused on many different activities that helped us refine where we were going. These activities revolved around three questions: Why are we here? Who are we here for? How does that impact our ministry?

The rest of the church body became restless with the process. Naturally, they wanted to know what was taking so long. In hindsight, our communication with them could have been better, but we knew the process could not move fast. There were a number of issues we had to work through to regain our confidence. Each step of the way our transition prayer team lifted the process up to God. As each area was resolved, the congregation was informed. When the time came to evaluate

applications, we again reviewed with the entire congregation the process and results in a power point presentation. This whole intentional transition process took almost 18 months.

Once applications were received, the process of review and interview, while stressful, was not difficult. God had obviously been working not only with us, but with and through the candidates. Since we knew more clearly where God wanted us to go, the final selection was much easier and less stressful.

Here is an afterward to our story. Brent had previously been our part-time youth ministries leader. When our senior pastor resigned, he was approached to determine his interest in assuming the lead pastor role. He was not at all interested and less than a year later resigned from his youth ministry position. Not only was our congregation not ready for Brent, he was not ready for us. He needed to undergo his own personal, intentional transition journey. If you want to learn the rest of the story, contact our new Lead Pastor, Brent Sloan. We know you will be encouraged by how God works in people’s lives to bring us to the right place in His time!


LEGACY. Such a powerful word. Many of us, to one degree or another get to a place in our lives, where we begin to ponder the legacy we'll leave. What sort of imprint will we leave behind when we're gone? Will our impact be felt? Will it spur others on to greater things? Legacy.

Anyone who had the opportunity to know Marty Haskins knew that he certainly left a legacy. He left an imprint, larger than himself on so many, including the BYIC family. Marty had a deep passion for the youth of the BYIC, and especially for the youth of his church and community.

I had an opportunity recently to talk with Marty's oldest daughter, Carla, and asked her to reflect on her father's legacy. In our conversation Carla captured so well Marty's love for the youth of his church and neighborhood.

"Working with youth was a big part of my dad's life. He loved talking to kids who needed someone to listen, he enjoyed spending time teaching them, laughing with them, he loved helping them learn their importance in life and encouraging them to follow after God. He took time to help them develop into what God wanted them to be, he pointed out their gifts and helped them utilize them in the church and in life. His love for the youth didn't just stop with the kids in the church, he was always reaching out to the kids in the neighborhoods around the churches and in his own backyard. No kid was ever a stranger to him, he made friends instantly."

After Marty's passing in 2009, the family created a scholarship in Marty's memory, aimed at helping to relieve the financial stress for those unable to completely afford the cost of attending Engage Conference. There was something in Marty that

wouldn't allow him to rest until he'd done

everything possible to make a way for his youth to attend Engage each year.

"He (Marty) wanted every kid to get a chance to attend National

Conference. It was like an annual

family reunion to him. He wanted to share the

excitement of the powerful worship, the speakers and the

whole uplifting experience with his youth group. He would work all year to raise monies

for the youth to be able to attend. There were times when he paid for an airline ticket or conference fee just so someone didn't miss out. National Youth Conference was the highlight of his year."

Thanks to the Marty Haskins Memorial Scholarship, close to 80 youth have been able to attend Engage Conference. Once again, we are pleased to be able to offer the Marty Scholarship to those youth needing an extra financial boost to be able to be a part of Engage this summer. Youth leaders you can visit our website (byic.org) to fill out the online scholarship application on behalf of a youth in need. The date to submit an application is May 11, 2015.

Questions about the Marty Scholarship can be directed toward YAC ([email protected]). On behalf of every youth who have been blessed by the Marty Scholarship, we say thank you to the

Haskins family. Thanks for sharing Marty with us and allowing him to leave the impact of his legacy on the BYIC and Engage Conference.

MARTY HASKINS M E MOR I AL SCHOLARSHIP


WMSGloria RadcliffWMS President

“We See From Where We Stand”Taken from thoughts shared in a message

by Chelsea Radcliff.

I am amazed at how often the Lord speaks to me through my children. Yesterday, I had the privilege of listening to my daughter-in-law, Chelsea, bring the morning message to a local congregation near me. This congregation is without a pastor, as their pastor died suddenly of a heart attack a few months back. What I want to share with you comes from her story, but maybe you will see some of it to be a part of your story, as well.

Chelsea began to share that she had been raised in a Christian home. Her father was a pastor and she had been in church all of her life. She was the compliant child who excelled in school, was very loving and outgoing, making wise choices, loving and serving the Lord in her church. A few years ago she accepted a part time position with an organization that works to bridge communities, schools and churches through programming that feeds, tutors and mentors “at risk” youth. These are not the kind of kids that are easy to work with. They are oppositional, defiant, and “mouthy” (that is the way our humanness sees them). But they are very broken, needy children and young people that desperately need love and good role models (that is the way God sees them). Chelsea took the job because she needed the hours, not because she really wanted to work with these kids. The

job was working with middle school aged children. If you have children or grandchildren this age or have worked with them, you know what a challenge it can be. Soon after starting the job, she really thought she had made a big mistake. The Lord knew differently. She began working with these kids and realized just how judgmental she had been in the past with people unlike herself. She had no trouble loving people who loved her, but with people who were homeless, dirty, hungry, in trouble, etc. well that was a different story. She often would assume that they were in the situations they were in because of making poor choices, or that it was their own fault. As she continued to work at Bridges, building relationships with these kids, the Lord began to change her heart. She was standing in a different place and she was beginning to see people they way Jesus sees people. As I listened to her share her story, I realized the Lord was saying to me. “You are like that too”. I know this is a heart issue for me. Could it be a heart issue for you, as well? It is not up to us to determine why people are in the places they are, it is just up to us to love them. What keeps us from loving others? I think it is our desire to hold on to what we have, our resources and comfort. Maybe it is fear of what others will think of us or the fear of rejection. What if we fail? Maybe we just are not sure we want to change what we are comfortable with in order to invite people into a relationship with us and the Lord. We do not want to stand in a different place. We like where

we are! In Luke 18 we find the story of the rich young ruler. Jesus knew this man could not follow Him completely, because he was not willing to give up his treasure on earth. Our desires should not be a barrier between us and God’s mission for us. The second barrier to loving others is a hardened heart. That sounds a little harsh, doesn’t it? But when we are not willing to stand in a different place so that we can see people from God’s perspective, then God can’t soften our hearts to the hurts, wants and needs of his people. Care and influence is our mission. We are called to respond to need, regardless of the reason. Remember the story of Jonah? Jonah obeyed God, going to Ninevah, telling the people to repent. But when they did and God saved them, Jonah was really angry. (Jonah 4:1) Jonah’s hard heart prevented him from seeing people the way Jesus does. Jesus treated people as if they were his own, which of course, they are. We need to do the same; to treat people as though they are our own, part of our family. Because, of course, they are.

Since my husband’s home going, I have felt very strongly that the Lord is urging me to “step it up” in relation to the personal ministry he has for me. But to do that, I need to be willing to change where I am standing. As (Women Meant to Serve) WMS groups and individuals, I ask you to be willing to do the same. We see from where we stand. Where are you standing?


“Believe. Receive.”

The Camp Shipshewana 2015 theme scripture reference is John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that whoever BELIEVES in Him will RECEIVE eternal life.”

“DO YOU LOVE TO RECEIVE GIFTS?” There is a gift waiting for all campers attending Camp Shipshewana 2015. To receive this gift, all you have to do is believe that it is yours. We are expecting over 350 youth to join us at Camp Shipshewana 2015 to learn about the greatest gift anyone has ever offered!

This summer campers will learn that the Bible tells us God sent us Jesus, His only son, to provide us the gift of eternal life in Heaven. But the price Jesus paid for our gift was very, very expensive. Our trained college-age summer staff

will challenge campers with these questions:

Do you want to learn about the great gift God has for you?

Would you like to know how much Jesus paid for your gift?

Have you already received this expensive gift?

Will you share this fantastic gift with your family and friends?

A third anniversary event is scheduled for Labor Day, September 7th. At the conclusion of our Labor Day Family Camp, a spectacular 95th Anniversary “EPIC ADVENTURE” will commence about 10:00 am. We plan to serve 300 guests, with a day full of entertainment, concerts, food, games, worship and reflective moments from the past 95 years of effective outdoor ministry.

Brethren Retreat at Shipshewana LakeThe

THE BRETHREN RETREAT at a Shipshewana Lake is celebrating its 95th Anniversary in 2015. We have several events planned to commemorate this epic occasion. We hope many people with join us throughout the year to celebrate this valuable and distinctive ministry’s impact upon their lives.

Our first event is the Indiana District “Camp” Homecoming Bike Ride scheduled for Friday, April 24th. This sixteen mile ride is along the Pumpkinvine Trail from Abshire Park in Goshen to Shipshewana. A Chicken BBQ Dinner with games and entertainment will follow. More details are posted on our website.

Our summer camp schedule will involve a variety of opportunities to celebrate our 95th Anniversary too. The theme for Camp Shipshewana 2015 is

1920 - 2015

I m pacti ng Youth

Refresh i ng Adu lts

Recon n ecti ng Fam i li es


HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN? Two of the Brethren Retreat’s founding pastors, Rev. Arthur T. Wirick and Rev. George W. Rench were good friends. When Rev A. T. Wirick was feeling ill and in need of rest in 1919, Pastor G. W. Wrench took him to a “quiet dell’ on the south side of Shipshewana Lake. While sitting on a log overlooking the waterfront Rev. A. T Wirick glance over his shoulder to view a sand hill to conceive the vision with this statement; “Who knows... maybe someday we could hold camp meetings here.”

The Brethren Evangelist documents a vibrant growth period in the early years for the Brethren Retreat over several decades. Numerous meetings and events for the denomination were held at the Brethren Retreat. In a 1946 Evangelist article, Rev. G.W Rench, New Paris First Brethren Church, stated that constantly improving our camps is vital to the future existence of the church. The Ministry of the Brethren Leadership believes this to be true in 2015, too.

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Winchester in summer is beautiful! TONS of places to see, great local eateries and a quaint downtown area you'll enjoy visiting.

• We will be affirming the Executive Boards choice for the next Executive Director of The Brethren Church.

• We'll see old and new friends from around the country.

Mike Chong Perkinson

is returning as our General Conference speaker. He is embarking on a 1 year journey with our national leaders to lead a discipleship movement. This group of 11 people will meet with him over this year. During General Conference week, Mike will share more details of creating an organic discipleship culture. (See Ron W. Waters’s story for more details). There will also be opportunities to ask Mike questions during workshop times.

• We will be offering a nursery and kids conference during the week.

• NABCE and WMS will meet on Tuesday (2-4pm) and Wednesday (1-3pm) during conference, plan to register early to be on time to attend these meetings.

AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, we should seek to disciple others in the way Jesus did so. Mike Chong Perkinson, our General Conference speaker, says that Jesus’ way is the process followed by rabbis of his day.

Jesus ministered to the crowds (multitudes). Not much chance for relationships there. He had casual relationships with a smaller group, such as the 120 who gathered in the upper room. But Jesus invested the majority of his time with the core: the Twelve (the disciples) and the Three (the inner circle of Peter, James, and John). It was into this small group of leaders that Jesus poured his way of life and teachings. Perkinson says Jesus taught the multitudes about the kingdom of God, but he explained the kingdom to his disciples.

The rabbinical way is based on relationship – the rabbi and the disciples living a shared life together in community, a life-on-life process. Jesus did not have a set curriculum to be mastered. Rather, the disciples received a call to a Person and to a way of life. The disciples learned what the rabbi knew, but equally important, they did what the rabbi did. Ultimately, they became like the rabbi.

If you want to start an organization, you make your focus large, on the crowd. If you want to start a movement, make your focus small, on the disciples or leadership community. The optimum word here is, focus (Mike Chong Perkinson, The Organic Reformation, 68).

To follow the rabbinical way of Jesus requires a culture shift on the part of pastor and congregation. For pastors it means rearranging priorities and time commitments to focus on the core – the leadership community. Instead of investing the majority of our time in the crowd and the casual Christians, we instead invest 80% of our time in developing the leaders.

For the leadership community, it also means rearranging priorities and time commitments. While our culture may not allow leaving jobs and families to live with a rabbi full-time for 3-10 years, it does mean we will rearrange our priorities to spend more extended time with the one discipling us. And we will shift our focus from being agenda driven to kingdom driven.

For congregations, it will require a willingness to serve and be served by one another instead of expecting the pastor to be the primary minister to our needs.

– Summary by Ronald W. Waters

Becoming Like THE Rabbi



OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS our church has responded to what we call the Christmas Challenge. We have encouraged people to add up what they spend on Christmas and give an equal amount of money to the church. I was exposed to the idea for the first time at a General Conference by one of the speakers many years ago. Each year we have issued the Challenge we have designated beforehand where the money will go. In the past we have raised money for our orphanage in Peru, the local Pregnancy Care Center and last year money was put in a Scholarship Fund at Ashland Seminary in honor of Ray and Marilyn Aspinall’s years of ministry in The Brethren Church.

Last year I found out about the new work that Reggie Harvey and United Community Church were planning on the East side of Dayton. The idea of helping men who are leaving prison begin a new life in Christ is exciting! God does not give up on people and we as the church should not give up on people either.

We at Smithville Brethren might visit the east side of Dayton, but we will never have the impact that Reggie and his church are going to have. What we can do is both pray and support the work that God is doing in there. So this year we designated The Transformed Life Center as the recipients of the Christmas Challenge. We knew there was a

$12,000 debt from the purchase of the building, so we hoped to raise enough to cover the debt, any thing above that would go to help with the renovations that need to happen. Reggie and his family along with people involved in the Transformed Life Center came in November to speak about the work on a Sunday morning. At this point the building debt has been covered and nearly $6,000 more will be going to help with building renovations!

-Art Carr, Smithville Brethren Church

New Year. New Life!Many of the seeds that have been sown so generously by you, The Brethren Church, in recent years are bearing fruit! One of the new works that Jesus is doing through us is in Dayton, Ohio. Pastor and Church Planter, Reggie Harvey and his family are leading the efforts to plant United Community Brethren Church’s first daughter congregation on the East side of the city! This work is known as the Transformed Life Center. This urban ministry will be focusing on making the kingdom of heaven real in a hard part of the city where hope is hard to find. One of its key ministries will be providing transitional housing and work re-entry programs for those needing second chances at life.

It is amazing to see the excitement in “the family” when a new baby arrives! The arrival of the TLC is no different. Several Ohio churches have begun to rally around this new life in exciting ways! The following is a note from Pastor Art Carr of the Smithville Brethren Church describing their connection to this work:

MISSIOCHURCH


What an amazing move of God in the hearts of our Brethren! The property is paid off and renovations are underway! Even as renovations continue, however, Pastor Reggie and the folks at TLC still need your help. The projects are planned but additional financial and volunteer support are needed to complete them. If you or people in your church are handy or work in the building trades and Jesus is nudging you to help make the kingdom real in this tough neighborhood, please contact pastor Reggie at [email protected] or (937)-641-1487. If you would like to support this ministry financially or find out more about specific projects at the TLC you may either contact Reggie (info provided above) or Bill Ludwig at the Brethren Church National Office [email protected] or (419)-289-1708.

MISSIOCHURCH

The Rev. G. Bright Hanna, 98 went to be with the Lord on January 26, 2015. Bright was a farmer until he was called into ministry in 1947. He served several churches in Indiana, as well as serving as a director at Camp Shipshewana over the years. He retired in 1990 from the Marion (IN) Mission.

Bright is survived by his son, The Rev. Joseph (Sara) Hanna and daughter, Mary (Ernest) Champ. His wife, Luella preceded him in death in 2005.

Bright was the oldest elder in The Brethren Church.

Charlene C. Rowser, age 83, passed away at her residence on Thursday, January 22, 2015. She was very proud and honored to be the wife of a Brethren Church Pastor. She served for years as a church choir director. Professionally, she was a school psychologist in both Ohio and Indiana.

Charlene is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Donald E. Rowser; grandson, David E. Rowser II; brother-in-law, Richard Crosby; son-in-law, David Slabaugh. She is survived by her loving children, Rev. David E. (Leslie) Rowser, Tracy (Rev. Jeff) Whiteside; grandchildren, Jonathan Rowser, Cara Whiteside, David (Lindsey) Whiteside; sister, Marilyn Crosby.

inMEMORY

inMEMORY

BITS & PIECES

1917- 2015

1931- 2015

Rev. G. Bright Hanna

Charlene C. Rowser


BITS & PIECES

The Rev. Dr. Brian Hugh Moore, 72, of Williamsport, Md., passed away Monday, January 26, 2015, in his home. He was born January 23, 1943, in Marianna, a son of the late Walter Harold and Edith Claire Phillips Moore.

He was a graduate of Bethlehem-Center High School. He was also a graduate of Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, and received a doctorate of ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio. Prior to his retirement in 2012, the Rev. Moore was minister for 29 years at St. James Brethren Church, St. James, Md. Prior to his service at St. James Brethren Church, he served churches in South Bend, Ind., Derby, Kan., and Pittsburgh. He also served as moderator of The Brethren Church on two occasions and served on many board and committees at the district and national level. He enjoyed writing, authoring and publishing five books. The Rev. Moore was a member of St. James Brethren Church, St. James, and also attended St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Williamsport.

Surviving are his wife, Amanda Ross Moore of Williamsport, whom he married June 20, 1964; three sons, Eric R. Moore and wife Cindy of Lancaster, Alan S. Moore and wife Jackie of Chambersburg and Bradley W. Moore and wife Sara of Williamsport; seven grandchildren, Joe, Alaina, Ryan, Sydney, Eli, Evan and Emily; three sisters, Ellen A. Plutch of Marianna, K. Nadine Mitchell of Broadway, Va., and Juanita S. Bradley of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; and two brothers, Bradley A. Moore of Marianna and Harold L. Moore of Broadway.

Rev. Brian Moore


inMEMORY

1943- 2015


I SUPPOSE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH WINTER in Indiana,

but lately I've found myself looking ahead to warmer days; days that

don't involve a snow shovel or frozen car doors. Almost instinctually,

when I think on summer I think about Engage Conference. I suppose

it's only natural really; after all for the past 15 years my summers

have been heavily influenced by Engage Conference. For me, like

so many others, Engage serves as a waypoint in our year. It's a

benchmark, a reference point to which so much else in our year is

aligned. I'm not trying to overstate the impact of Engage, however,

I've personally experienced it and know it to be real.

There are countless fond memories I have when I reflect back on

Engage Conference. I can remember so clearly my first experience

at Engage, then BYIC Convention. It was at Estes Park, in 2000, I was

a brand new, green as green youth pastor in a foreign land. I recall sitting in my very first advisor session, not knowing

anyone, being told to instruct my youth to NOT harass the blind bear that roams about the grounds. What? Don't poke

the bear! Deal. I also vividly recall Brad Whitehead's challenge to the youth that week to tune their ears towards God's call

on their lives and the flood of youth who responded. That night the front of the stage was jammed packed with youth and

advisors deep in tear-filled prayers from the heart for more Jesus. It was the best vista to be had that night.

I recall the year Engage was kicked off with a lawn full of giant inflatables, and that being a time where youth connected

and reconnected with old and new friends. Then again, what better way to connect with a new friend than with a foam padded

pugil stick to the face? It seems as though the friendships that are established and renewed at Engage year after year are

very much a key component to the success of Engage Conference. It's as though for one week out of the year time stops

and despite the miles that separate, when teens come together for Engage, it's as though they've never been apart.

I have to think one of the many reasons that Engage is like a big family reunion is because through prayer with one

another, deep bonds are formed. It happens about every year, but I can still see it so clearly: last

year during the first evening of worship there were about thirty youth huddled together

in the corner of the auditorium, shedding tears, praying for and over

one another and simply painting a beautiful picture of

looking back WHILE MOVING FORWARDby Ryan Smith


the body of Christ in action. Through

their sobs they were lifting up prayers

for healing, forgiveness, strength and

courage. To me, the beauty of this

scene was that it didn't need adult

guidance. These youth knew exactly

what to do, how to encourage and

support and go before Jesus together.

We may not always get to experience

a picture like this in our churches on

a Sunday morning, but it's becoming

quite the norm at Engage each year.

As a youth pastor for so many years

at Engage I have special memories of

the guys playing Tape Ball throughout

the hallways and stairwells of Clayton

Hall on Ashland's campus. Then of

course there is always the late night

dodgeball game, with Logan Holiday

at the helm. I can't possibly begin

to count the number of calories that

were laughed off over meals, nor the

number of pizza slices I've consumed

over the years. A memory that is

probably most close to my heart is

the year (in the mid 2000's) when

the youth of Nappanee FBC opted

out of the late night fun and games and

instead found a quiet corner for prayer. It

does a youth pastor's heart good to see

something like this. In fact, that one

act has become the staple that those

who have attended Engage the past

couple of years, know as Youth Group

Time. So many of our highlight stories

come out of what happens in YGT.

I could go on and on, reflecting back

over the vast many great memories

I carry from Engage. Time spent

cleaning US 30 Highway alongside

Marty Haskins, worshiping with Aaron

Wardle and the Well, Sing Love Sing, or

most recently The Connection Band.

The adventurous drive to Ridgecrest

North Carolina, or witnessing Brethren

youth's hearts come alive to the

injustice of human trafficking. Late

night conversations with my fellow

youth leaders around a large KD pizza.

Stupid human tricks or remembering

how Howie and I performed Living

Delusions.

Why tell you this? Why share these

memories? It's quite simple really. I

long for everyone to experience what

only seems to happen at Engage. I

long for all the youth of the Brethren

Church to share the experience

of Engage Conference. I want so

desperately for our teens to experience

connection and freedom and the

power of the Holy Spirit in the way that

happens at Engage. Please hear me,

Engage is nothing special. What God

does at Engage certainly is.

I want to invite you to join me and my

fellow YAC members--the team that

plans and pulls off Engage--in prayer.

Since our first planning meeting this

past fall we've been praying that God

would increase our numbers. Our

prayer has been that God would bring

250 youth and advisors to Engage

this summer. We know it's not about

the numbers. Hitting, missing or

exceeding this number isn't our gauge

for success. Our heart, and the reason

we're specifically praying is because each

of us have experienced, first hand, the

life changing power that happens at

Engage and we want that for everyone.

The truth is, for many of us, it’s not just

our teens. We aren't experiencing a

move of the Spirit of God in our churches

like what happens at Engage. But we

can. We will, if we allow it. I believe

that a revival is close at hand, and I

fully believe our youth will help lead

the way into this revival. We believe

Engage Conference 2015 Becoming

is part of God's plan to bring revival

to the Brethren and through us to our

churches and to our communities.

Will you join us in prayer? Will you

pray God increases our numbers?

Will you pray about your role in it all?

Will you pray?

Not-yet-realized memories await at

Engage this summer. Will you or your

youth or your daughters and sons be a

part of them? I pray they will.

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: [email protected]; 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. Jan/Feb 2015, Vol. 137, No. 1

Please let us know when you are moving.This will save us much-needed funds for ministry.

The Brethren Church524 College Ave.Ashland, OH 44805

the brethren evangelist - january/february 2015

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