Loan Approved for Columbus Church
Moraski Pens Song for “Stand in the Gap 2007”
GBIM Establishes Peru Earthquake Relief Fund
Mike Taylor Assumes New Role with GBIM
DRIVEN Announces Dates, New Location
Equip07 Offering Benefits Community Agency
Pastoral Moves
Milestones
New Churches
Church Closes
Loan Approved for Columbus Church
The Grace Brethren Investment Foundation (GBIF) has recently approved new financing of $2.4 million toward the construction of a $5.1 million Early Childhood Center for the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, Ohio, where David Plaster is the pastor. The new center will consist of 23 classrooms, an indoor playroom space, administrative offices, a dining area, and relocation of an existing bookstore.
“We are privileged at GBIF to be part of helping to win the ‘little ones’ to Christ,” said Ken Seyfert, executive director of operations at the Foundation, which is located in Winona Lake, Ind.
Moraski Pens Song for “Stand in the Gap 2007”
Karl Moraski, the worship leader at Hope Community Church, a Grace Brethren church in Raleigh, N.C., wrote a song for Stand in the Gap 2007, which was held in Washington D.C. on October 6. Stand in the Gap is a once-a-decade gathering of Christian men from across the country.
GBIM Establishes Peru Earthquake Relief Fund
A fund has been established through Relief Agency Brethren (RAB) to help victims of the August 15 earthquake in Peru. Gifts may be sent to Grace Brethren International Missions (GBIM), Box 588 Winona Lake, IN 46590, designated for Peru Earthquake Relief. Because GBIM does not have operations in Peru, these funds will be forwarded to trusted organizations that will see that the monies get to the needed area.
A powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Peru on August 15, killing at least 337 people and injuring hundreds more.
Mike Taylor Assumes New Role with GBIM
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Mike Taylor (pictured at left) has been named director of operations for Grace Brethren International Missions (GBIM). In his new position, he is responsible for overseeing the administrative tasks at the office, freeing David Guiles, executive director, to invest more time with GBIM regional directors, with major donors, and with potential new recruits. Mike and his wife, Myra, first joined the GBIM staff in 1989 when they were deployed as medical missionaries to the Central African Republic. Later Mike became the regional coordinator for Africa, a position that evolved into regional director in 2000. He has also served as personnel director since 2000.
DRIVEN Announces Dates, New Location
DRIVEN, the young adult conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, will be held June 26 to 29, 2008, at a new site — the campus of Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. Confirmed speakers for the week include Keith Minier, Kary Oberbrunner, and Kondo Simfukwe. Watch the Driven website, www.drivenconference.com, for complete information.
Equip07 Offering Benefits Community Agency
During Equip07, the annual conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, an offering was taken to benefit Kosciusko County, Ind. It allowed the Fellowship to give back to the community that hosted the event and an area where many of it its affiliated organizations are headquartered. The offering, which totaled $1,021, was given to Baker Youth Clubs, an organization that has impacted hundreds of young people in the Warsaw community since its founding in 1926. Its comprehensive programs have promoted long-lasting, trusting relationships with caring adults while providing a variety of opportunities for young people to build character and discover their interests.
Pastoral Moves
Pastor Drew Walther has assumed duties as senior pastor at Singer Hill Grace Brethren Church, Vinco, Pa.
Frank Figueroa is the new pastor of the Waipio Grace Brethren Church in Mililani, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu.
At the Columbus, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, David Plaster was installed as senior pastor on September 30. In addition, David Nicodemus is the new youth pastor and Beau Stanley has joined the staff to lead men’s Bible studies, teach an Adult Bible Fellowship, and to assist with pastoral care.
Wayne Ayer has accepted the call to serve as lead pastor at Grace Chapel, Minerva, Ohio. For the last three years he has been senior pastor at the Grace Brethren Church in Norwalk, Calif.
Milestones
The New Beginnings Grace Brethren Church of Myerstown, Pa., (Keith Shearer, pastor) marked its 40th anniversary on September 9.
Bethel Brethren Church in Berne, Indiana (Joe Nass, pastor) celebrated its 116th Homecoming on September 30, with former pastor Larry Edwards as speaker.
Catalyst, a Grace Brethren church plant in Kent, Ohio, (Jonathon Herron, pastor) celebrated its first birthday in September.
New Churches
Community of Hope, the new Grace Brethren church in Vancouver, British Columbia, launched under the leadership of Pastor Philip Bryant on September 9 with 220 present.
Elk Creek Church held its first service on Sunday, September 23 with 121 present. The service was held in a public school near West Grove (Chester County), Pa. Mike Silliman is the pastor.
Church Closes
Grace Community Church, the Grace Brethren church in North Lauderdale, Fla., has closed. Pastor John Nelson is seeking other ministry opportunities.
