Kudos
Jordan Bakker and Danny Lee, of the Simi Valley, Calif., Grace Brethren Church, were recently examined for the ministry by the Southern California/Arizona District Ministerial Examining Board. Appropriate confirmation was sent to the church leaders as only local churches license and ordain. Bakker was recently installed as senior pastor of the Simi Valley church in a planned transition following the retirement of former senior pastor, John McIntosh. Lee is pastor of junior and senior high student ministries.
Bob Fetterhoff, pastor of the Wooster, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, was recognized by The Pregnancy Care Center of Wayne County, Ohio, for his work as a founding member of the organization and for his work in protecting the unborn. Fetterhoff, who is also the current moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, was given the award at the organization’s 21st annual “Friends for Life” banquet held in October 2011.
Mark G. Holbrook, a leader and Sunday school teacher in Grace Church of Orange, a Grace Brethren church in Orange, Calif. (Mike Sciarra, pastor), has been recognized by the California Credit Union League for his long-time dedication and commitment to his credit union, its members, and the industry, with the 2011 Unsung Hero Award. The award honors deserving individuals within the credit union industry with at least 20 years of service who also have made significant contributions in the community. Mark is the CEO of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union in Orange.
Jim Kessler, long-time basketball coach at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind., saw his 650th career win as a coach when the Grace Lancers scored a 75-66 victory over Spring Arbor University on January 31.
On Wednesday, November 30, Grace College President Dr. Ron Manahan testified before the Congressional Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training in Washington, D.C. Invited to join a small panel of pioneering educators, Dr. Manahan advised the subcommittee on Grace’s innovative campaign to make college affordable during a hearing entitled Keeping College within Reach: Discussing Ways Institutions Can Streamline Costs and Reduce Tuition.
On the Move
James Burke, who has been pastor of the Riner, Va., Grace Brethren Church, is leaving the Riner church to start a Grace Brethren church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Menominee Grace Brethren Church will begin meeting in June.
Jay Fretz is the pastor of Calvary Grace Brethren Church, Hagerstown, Md., effective February 2012. He previously pastored the Grace Brethren Church, Brookville, Ohio; Maranatha Brethren Church in Hagerstown; and the Grace Brethren Church in Sebring, Fla.
On Sunday, January 8, Donald Shoemaker preached his final sermon as senior pastor for Grace Community Church, a Grace Brethren congregation in Seal Beach, Calif. He has held the position since 1984. He now holds the position of pastor emeritus.
Steve Williams has been named senior pastor of Grace Community Church, Seal Beach, Calif.
In Memoriam
Lois N. DeArmey, 96, Mishawaka, Ind., died December 25, 2011. She was the widow of long-time Grace Brethren pastor, Dick DeArmey.
Jim Jackson, 57, former Grace Brethren pastor and son of church planters Ed and Polly Jackson, died December 12, 2011.
Sylvia F. Jentes, 68, Hemet, Calif., died January 18, 2012. She was the wife of former Grace Brethren pastor, Don Jentes.
Phyllis Marie Kantenwein, 78, Warsaw, Ind., died December 16, 2011. She was the switchboard operator at Grace College for 25 years and the wife of retired Grace Seminary professor, Lee L. Kantenwein.
Gerald B. Polman, 89, Winona Lake, Ind., died February 8, 2012. He was a former Grace Brethren pastor and served on the board of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company from 1964 to 1993.
R. Paul Miller, retired Grace Brethren pastor, died December 17, 2011, in Florida.
Ralph F. Miller, 78, of Roanoke, Va., died November 27, 2011. He was a retired Grace Brethren pastor.
Norma Jeanne Stech, 71, Winona Lake, Ind., died January 9, 2012. She taught at Warsaw (Ind.) Christian School for 44 years and was a member of Community Grace Brethren Church, Warsaw.
See complete obituaries.
