The Grace Brethren church-planting initiative in Canada has announced the formation of a new U.S. charity, GBCanada USA. The existing Canadian board and new U.S. board will be working together to plant Grace Brethren churches across Canada.
Members of the new board include:
Kurt A. Miller — Formerly National Director of Church Planting and Development with Grace Brethren North American Missions is now the lead pastor at Martinsburg, PA, GBC. Kurt brings over three decades of experience in church planting to the team, which he helped form in 1996. Kurt received his education at Bob Jones University, Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary and has been married to his wife, Anecia, for 38 years. They have three married children and six grandchildren.
Dave Clearwater is a former trustee with Total Mobilization Support Ministries and has attended Waldorf, Maryland, GBC since it began 22 years ago. Dave is an engineer at SMECO, a Maryland power company. He has been involved in many ministries leading small groups and several youth trips to Canada and Europe. Dave is also on the church council and still enjoys working with the youth on Sunday mornings and co-leading the youth praise band. He and his wife, Patti have three children, Clint, Sierra, and Zach.
Ricky Goad has been a long time supporter of GBCanada and an 18-year member of the Waldorf, MD, GBC where he has served as trustee, Sunday school teacher, AWANA leader and council member. He is vice-president of Goad Lumber Company. Ricky and his wife, Midgie, have been married 27 years and have three married children: Amber, Ashley and Brent who have blessed them with two grandchildren.
David Gummere has made multiple trips to Canada and is a long-time attender of the Canadian summer team ministry. David is the Building & Grounds Superintendent at Waldorf, MD, GBC and School. He and his wife, Helene, have been married 23 years and have attended the Waldorf GBC since 1996. Both are excited about their new roles for the ministry. Helene, who owns an insurance agency, will be acting as the new board’s U.S. Administrator. David and Helene have two children, Ben and Madalyn.
“We’re so fortunate to have such dedicated people with varied ministry experience on our new team,” said Nathan Bryant, Executive Director. As a faith-based ministry, GBCanada is totally funded through charitable gifts of which 95 percent come from U.S. churches and individual supporters.
“Now that we have GBCanada USA, we can offer tax-deductible receipts to all of our donors, which is the best way to steward God’s resources,” echoed Ted Adomanis, Director of Finance and Administration.
As a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS, GBCanada USA can support the church-planting efforts in Canada through the help of U.S. donors.
Director of West Coast Operations and current church-planting pastor of Community of Hope Church, Pastor Philip Bryant added, “These are exciting times for sure as we are faced with more obstacles every day. It’s great once again to have our financial needs met through our supporters back home so we can focus on where God wants to plant the next GB Canadian church.”
Nathan Bryant concluded, “While we are excited about the formation of GBCanada USA, the ministry here has been hurt in three different ways. Due to the confusion over the rapid dissolution of GBNAM, our current support is about 50 percent of what was previously budgeted. Second, the U.S. dollar is at a 25-year low against the Canadian dollar so we must now raise additional monies to make up for that loss in funds.
“And because of the loss of our sponsoring agency, we now must bear the additional expense of administrating two organizations on both sides of the border. We pray not only that our faithful supporters will respond to the establishment of GBCanada USA but that new supporters will join our team as a result.”
All U.S. supporters of GBCanada can now send their tax-deductible financial support directly to:
GBCanada USA, P.O. Box 836, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622.
Nathan Bryant said, “Look for more exciting news how you can participate in what God is doing in Canada, our neighbour to the North.”
