FGBC World has been published by The Brethren Missionary Herald Company (BMH) since 2004. Begun in a newspaper format, in 2010, its format was changed to a 16-page magazine. It is designed to nurture Great Commission teamwork by connecting people and churches of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
The Brethren Missionary Herald Company has been the communication/publishing arm of what is now the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, since 1940. Historically it published denominational news (most recently the Brethren Missionary Herald magazine, which ceased publication in 1996), supplied church resources through retail outlets, and published, often in 13-chapter formats and used widely by Grace Brethren churches as adult Sunday School curriculum.
As the needs and complexion of the Fellowship changed, BMH essentially ceased operations during the late 1990s.
As the new century dawned, a new board, operating with the vision and leadership of its chair, Dan Thornton, then the pastor of Peninsula Grace Brethren Churchof Soldotna, Alaska, generated new activity as a re-birthing vision grew.
A new mission developed — “To nurture Great Commission teamwork among the people and churches of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches by building bridges of communication” as the board began working with the help of experienced consultant/pastor Jesse Deloe.
Deloe was engaged in May of 2003 as full-time director of operations for the rebirthed company, and in July of 2003 the board engaged Terry White, an experienced publisher, pastor and former Grace College journalism professor, as executive director. (Deloe is now editorial consultant for FGBC World.)
Liz Cutler Gates, an experienced journalist and communicator with deep roots in the Grace Brethren movement, was brought on board in January of 2007 as editorial director to edit FGBC World and other periodicals for BMH.
In 2010, Gates assumed the role of executive director, while White began to serve in a part-time capacity as publisher of BMH Books.
Two websites, www.fgbcworld.com and www.bmhbooks.com were brought live, as well as a weblog at www.fgbc-world.blogspot.com.
Now occupying newly-renovated offices in the BMH Building at 1104A Kings Highway in Winona Lake, Indiana, BMH is forging ahead to link churches and people in the FGBC as well as aiding and assisting the ministries of the FGBC’s national organizations when possible. The former Herald Bookstore space is leased to Tree of Life Bookstore, which continues to function as the campus bookstore for Grace College.
Along with board chair Barb Wooler, board members include Bob Arenobine (secretary), Bruce Barlow (treasurer), Paul Twichell (member-at-large), Rick Fairman, John Rowe, Daron Butler, and Tim Sprankle.