The Brethren Church

A major role of the National Office is to maintain communication with our denomination. To keep all of our ministries up to date on what is going on in the Brethren Church, this “National Office Update” is a bi-weekly letter to inform pastors and leaders of the current events in our denomination.

It is our hope that by offering these updates, we will strengthen our communication as well as join together, so we may move forward in the mission of the Brethren Church. Please feel free to pass along this information to all of those in your church who are interested in staying up to date with the ministry of the Brethren Church.

2007 Credentials

Please note that all credentials were due on June 1. If you have not sent yours in yet, please do so as soon as possible to assist us in preparation for General Conference.

2007 Bridge Festival & BYIC Convention Registration

It is not too late to register students for BYIC Convention or young adults for Bridge Festival. Registrations and full payment for these conferences is July 1.

300th Brethren Anniversary

Anniversary resources will be available at 2007 General Conference. Even though the official celebration is in 2008, many of the resources are designed to be used before our 2008 celebrations.

1. Brethren Historical Calendars - 16 month calendar of timeless historical information. We would like to have one calendar in every Brethren home by 2008. Individual calendar=$5.00; 25=$95.00; and cases of 50=$190.00. Incentive prizes for those who purchase cases early in the week.
2. Fresh from the Word - 365 day perpetual daily devotional with authors from
   different branches of the Brethren family tree. Designed to start Jan. 1, 2008 but can be used on any schedule. Retail=$20.00 Conference special= $15.00, while supplies last.
3. Anniversary Memorabilia will be available at various prices.
4. Information about opening celebration in Germantown, PA Sept. 15-16, 2007, information on European Brethren Historical Tour ending in Schwarzenau, Germany for 8/3/08 joint celebration.

Delegate Business Session Packets

Last week all voting members of the 119th General Conference were sent a packet updating or making them acquainted with two business session agenda items.

1. An initial presentation and report of the NEW DAY Brethren Church Vision by Executive Director Ken Hunn.
2. An initial proposal of new support system for denomination giving which will be presented by Stan Gentle, Director of Financial Services.

These items have been presented to each district and will also be presented on the floor of General Conference. With a full business agenda this year at General Conference, we strongly encourage delegates to read through the initial documents carefully and prepare themselves for the discussion as a delegate.

If you did not receive this packet it is because you have not registered for General Conference by either sending in a registration form to the National Office or registering online. Sending in your credential is not registering for Conference.

A Call to Peacemaking

Our historic emphasis in peacemaking has been lying dormant for some time. We desire that this aspect of our faith become an ongoing and living part of our witness in this world. Click here to read the “A Call to Peacemaking” document. Please consider yourself invited to an exploratory session at General Conference to begin thinking with others about what our future could look like in this area. The date is Tuesday July 17, at 3:15 pm in the Student Center Auditorium. Not able to attend conference this year? Be sure to contact us here at the National Office so we can begin to compile a list of those who should be included in the discussion and in future mailings. Call 1-877-289-1708, or email brethren@brethrenchurch.org Thanks so much for working together for an important component to our ministry at a critical time in our world.

Chaplain Matthew Incorvaia

Congratulations to Brethren Elder Matthew Incorvaia who was recently endorsed for reserve duty as a Chaplain in the United States Air National Guard. You can send messages of encouragement and congratulations to 5425 Southmoor Drive, Abilene, TX 79606. Congratulations Matt!

New Riverside Christian School Opportunities

The Lord has blessed Riverside with an increase in enrollment of almost double over the past two years. Riverside also has a couple of our senior teachers who desire to slow down or help in different areas of the ministry. Anyone who might be interested may contact Daniel Van Skyhawk at 606-666-2359 ext 248 or e-mail reachinkids@hotmail.com

Would You Like to Move to Sunny Florida???

Here’s part of the request we recently received from Crossroads Community Church in Bradenton, Florida. “We are in dire need of a young couple to move here, find employment, and donate their service of love to young people. Can you please advertise in some way to help us find someone to fill this need? We are praying. Thank you.” This plea is in response to a good number of youth showing interest in the Lord and serving through the church there in Bradenton. Ministry opportunities abound all over the US. Is there someone out there praying through God’s direction for their lives? This might be the answer! Contact the BCNO for more info.

Brethren in Missions

We are excited about all the places that Brethren have been this summer (trips that have already gone, some that are currently gone and others that will be leaving soon). The following are a few of the places; Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, California, South Dakota, Tennessee and Chicago.

Please let us know if there are any specific ministries that you would like to know more about, that we could feature in future updates.

The National Office Update is a publication sent out to the pastor’s mail group and
also published on our website: www.brethrenchurch.org under “About.”

A major role of the National Office is to maintain communication with our denomination. To keep all of our ministries up to date on what is going on in the Brethren Church, this “National Office Update” is a bi-weekly letter to inform pastors and leaders of the current events in our denomination.

It is our hope that by offering these updates, we will strengthen our communication as well as join together, so we may move forward in the mission of the Brethren Church. Please feel free to pass along this information to all of those in your church who are interested in staying up to date with the ministry of the Brethren Church.

Updates Extended to Elders

The Brethren Church National Office Updates have gone over so well with the pastors that we are now extending this to the Elders of the Brethren Church as well. This is the second memo that is going out to all pastors and elders.

2007 General Conference Reminder

Please remember if you plan to attend General Conference, a registration form must be completed. Some individuals have turned in their credential but not a registration form. YOUR CREDENTIAL IS NOT YOUR REGISTRATION. If you have not received a confirmation form in the mail or through email, then you are not registered for General Conference.

2007 Bridge Festival & BYIC Convention Registration

Registrations for Bridge Festival & BYIC Convention are going well. It is not too late to register students for BYIC Convention or young adults for Bridge Festival. A Church Summary is being mailed out to update churches on which students and young adults are signed up and any remaining balance that is due.

Brethren Mints

Just a reminder that orders for the Brethren mints are due tomorrow Friday, June 15. This gives us time to order them and have them ready for pick up at General Conference. These are great freebies for your congregation and can be a great tool for outreach in your community. Last year the mints were spearmint, but we will also be ordering peppermint this year. Each box costs $85.00 and includes 1,000 mints. We will only be selling these mints by the box, but feel free to contact another church about sharing a box.

Camp Berea Trip

Interested in helping serve in a practical way? Camp Berea is the next denominational trip schedule for the first two weeks in August. This camp sits in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range in California and has proven itself to be an inspiring place to build the kingdom! If interested, please contact Bill Ludwig by Monday, July 23, 2007.

Approximate cost of trip: $500 including airfare.
Dates: First two weeks in August
More info: Watch for an article in the next issue of the Evangelist (July/August) or contact
Bill Ludwig at the National Office – (877) 289.1708

Ken Hunn Travel

Ken has returned to the office after a two week trip to Malaysia with Larry and Bev Baker from South Bend, IN. We appreciate your prayers as they have traveled; please continue to pray for rest as they return to their usual schedule.

District Conferences

Midwest Conference met last weekend at Fort Scott, KS and the final District Conference will be this weekend in Johnstown, PA. Please be in prayer for this District Conference.

Pam McQuade joins ministry at Meadow Crest

We are excited to announce that Pam McQuade, a 2007 graduate from Ashland Theological Seminary has accepted the call to Meadow Crest Brethren Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her first Sunday will be July 15, 2007.

Riverside Christian School

Riverside Christian School is in need of teachers in various areas. The Lord has blessed them with an increase in enrollment of almost double over the past two years. They also have a couple of their senior teachers who are desiring to slow down or help in different areas of the ministry. Anyone who might be interested may contact Daniel VanSkyhawk, principal, at 606-666-2359 ext 248 or e-mail at reachinkids@hotmail.com.

Churches Looking for Pastors

Please be in prayer for these churches as they seek new pastors.

Mathias Brethren, WV                            Lanark First Brethren, IL
Wabash First Brethren, IN                    Northgate Community Church, CA
Roann First Brethren Church, IN         Brethren Church at Sergeantsville, NJ
Falls City First Brethren, NE                 Elkhart First Brethren Church, IN

Please let us know if there are any specific ministries that you would like to know more about, that we could feature in a future updates.

The National Office Update is a publication sent out to the pastor and elder’s mail group.

Todd and Tracy Ruggles are our June highlight as our missionaries in Mexico. Please be patient as the video loads.

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