The Brethren Church

Brethren Church National Office Updates

February 20, 2008

Pastors and Leaders,

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.

Executive Director Ken Hunn

Please be praying for Executive Director Ken Hunn and Director of Pumphouse Ministries Bruce Wilkinson as the will be traveling to Mexico City, Mexico Thursday Feb. 21 – 26, 2008. Ken will also be traveling to Central District Conference Feb. 28 – Mar. 2.

Mark and Brenda Ray Update:

Mark and Brenda arrived at our house at 7:45 Sunday evening (Feb. 10^th), totally exhausted. We had a small reception for them (8-9 of us). They are, of course, trying to get their bodies to catch up with their chronos. The church will be giving them a handsome love gift to help them get started. They have independent transportation for now. I will take them to a local bank to open an account. I believe this will be a good scenario as time rolls along. I have intentions of asking him to preach on an occasion or two. - Brian

Sonia Antunez Update:

Miguel Antunez reports that Sonia had a difficult couple of days this past week. They found a minor infection around the port where medication/ Chemo treatments are administered. With her immune system at 0 a simple minor infection becomes more complicated. Due to this set back Sonia’s spirits have been a little low this past week.

Brethren, Sonia does have a request, she would like to see her son Carlos who is now in Lima, Peru. Carlos was in Ashland studying almost two years ago and returned to Peru. Last year Carlos applied for the renewal of his student visa and was denied by the American Embassy in Peru. I have spoken to the Lawyers about their situation and they seem to believe that Carlos could get a tourist visa with special circumstances based on Sonia’s health condition. I am working on the details now. The Lawyer fees are going to be about $1,915.00 plus Carlos’ travel costs to/from Peru. Would you also help Sonia and Miguel pray for the financing of this and to get Carlos to Florida to visit his Mom? We also anticipate that there will be a need for financial support even though the Antunez’s have insurance. Would you or your church please consider a gift at this time for these foreseen and unforeseen expenses? -Blessings,Jenn Pinto

Mark your contribution “Antunez,” and send your gift to:

The Brethren church National Office

c/o Antunez Assistance

524 College Ave.

Ashland, OH 44805

If you would like to send words of encouragement to Miguel and Sonia you can email them at: mscantunez@verizon.net

Cards and Letters for Sonia Antunez can be sent directly to:

NO FLOWERS PLEASE!! (Due to the procedure flowers/ plants are not accepted thank you!)

Sonia Huaman-Vega Antunez

Manatee Memorial Hospital

Room 511

206 Second Street East

Bradenton, FL 34208

 

Directory Updates: There have been several updates made to the directory. We now have it available on line http://brethrenchurch.org/about/2008-brethren-church-directory

It is password protected. User Name: directory

Password: brethrenchurch1708

Address Updates:

Eduardo Rodriguez: New E-mail address for the Seminario Teológico Sudamericano STS

is sts@wiscom.com.ar

Mitch Funkhouser: New address, phone number and E-mail are:

330 Valley Rd.

Salem, OH 44460

330-537-2176

mwfunk@embarqmail.com

Executive Board and Council Meetings March 5^th & 6^th Please be in prayer for our up coming Executive Board, US & International Ministries Council meetings. They will be March 5^th and 6^th at the Brethren Church National Office in Ashland, OH.

Keep praying for NEW DAY activities in local congregations, in districts, among pastoral and leadership and around the denomination:

Brethren Pastors Conference REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 1

• “Color Your World” is set for March 25-27, 2008 in Belleville, OH, just down the road from Ashland. A Natural Church Development/NEW DAY agenda is planned. The cost is very reasonable; the topic is essential and transformational. Spouses are encouraged to attend if possible. Pastors, be sure to get this on your calendar now and seek congregational support for your attendance. We expect that all Brethren pastors will be there. For more information visit www.brethrenchurch.org

• Worship will be lead by James Pinto Christian Recording Artist who is married to former Mexico City Missionary Jennifer (Thomas) Pinto. James is originally from Venezuela and was a Missionary in South Florida for ten years. Now a US Citizen, James is attending Ashland Theological Seminary studying his MA in Clinical Counseling. James has recently released his second CD “H2O-Holy, Humble and Obedient”. James states, “I believe all I am doing is to deliver the prophetic message God imparted to me five years ago: It’s time to be Holy, Humble and Obedient. His (God’s) desire is to see His people united, praying together and interceding for the common problems that exist in the world. It is impossible to be self- sufficient and at the same time to be humble. Jesus is the only source of power, grace and sufficiency. It is time for reconciliation, restoration and revival.”

• If you would like to order the “Color Your World…” book: Please contact us at the Brethren Church National Office. We have books available here at the BCNO for $12.00 plus $5.00 shipping. Books are normally $18- $20 plus shipping through Amazon.com or ChurchSmart.com

Mississippi Mission Trip Update: Bryan, OH First Brethren Church Pastor Sam Shultz is in the process of planning another Mission Trip to Mississippi – They are considering the first week in March 2008. There also plans for another possible trip the last week in March 2008. For more information on these trips contact Sam Shultz at: sjshultz@cityofbryan.net.

Traveling Display Driver Needed:

Dr. James Hollinger is now in Cheyenne, WY and reports that the Lord has watched over their travels. Dr. Hollinger is in need of a driver for the next Journey from Cheyenne, WY to Derby, KS. If you are interested in helping to drive the display at any point of his trip (listed below) please contact Jim Hollinger at Cheyenne Brethren Church 307-638-6411 As soon as possible.

Traveling 300^th Anniversary Display: Dr. James Hollinger is now traveling across the country with the 300^th Anniversary Traveling Display that will be present in all districts now – May 2008. I have attached mini posters and bulletin inserts designed by Chris Bowman (Midwest district) that can be easily modified by any site to advertise the traveling display. Pastor Roger Stogsdill said, “We had an “awesome” experience with the display last weekend. There was lots of interest and great attendance. People in the area brought in some archival artifacts and a lot of great exchanges took place. This truly was a transforming time for his congregation and other Brethren in the area as they took time to think through all that God has done through the Brethren for the last three hundred years, and what great things he must have in store for our future!”

In addition we want you to pray for Jim Hollinger and Al Grumbling, who are negotiating this journey with the truck and long trailer carrying all of the displays. This is an ambitious schedule, and it would be of tremendous help if we could locate an extra driver or two for the long haul from north central California to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Anyone who might want to consider this venture should contact us directly at brethren@brethrenchurch.org and we’ll get back to you with the particulars.

Dates and locations for the display are:

Dates Location

Feb. 19-20 Cheyenne, WY*

Feb. 23 Derby, KS*

Mar. 1 Waterloo, IA

Mar. 14-16 Middlebury, IN*

Apr. 5 Eagles Nest, IN

Apr. 12 Brethren Heritage Center, OH

Apr. 18-19 Berlin Borough Bldg., PA

Apr. 26 Cross Keys, VA

May 3-4 Sarasota First, FL*

(*) Denotes Historical Display only (District Conferences held separately) Please check with district leaders for exact times and locations.

Opportunity to help Riverside Christian School, KY

Don’t forget to save your canceled stamps and send them to Lost Creek!! This is a GREAT opportunity to get your church, youth, & children’s ministries involved in helping others from home. Thank you for your help!

Mathias Brethren Church welcomes Pastor Jonathan Hedrick

We would like to welcome Jonathan Hedrick as the new pastor of the Mathias Brethren Church in Mathias, WV. Pastor Jonathan comes to us from the United Methodist Church where he was a licensed minister.

St. James Update:

Sunday Feb. 10th the congregation called Ben and Leah Pippen to come as Associate Pastor. He received a 90% vote. They have accepted the call and will arrive in late June, beginning service on July 1. Also, we will employ Leah as Administrative Secretary at that time. So, it is exciting in St. James these days. Thanks for your guidance in both of these couples’ lives and for assisting me in these processes also. ~~Brian

Churches Looking for Pastors

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

Lanark First Brethren, IL
Wabash First Brethren, IN Elkhart First Brethren Church, IN
Roann First Brethren Church, IN Winding Waters Brethren Church, IN
Eagle’s Nest Christian Fellowship, IN Peru First Brethren Church, IN
North Georgetown First Breth., OH Roanoke First Brethren Church, IN
County Line Breth. Ch., Lakeville, IN Sarver Brethren Church, PA

 

Part Time Opportunities:

Park Street Brethren Church, Ashland, OH is seeking a Part Time Director of Children’s Ministry for more information contact svanduyne@parkstreetbrethren.org

New Song Community Church, Union, MI, is seeking a part-time worship director. For further details and a full job description, contact Pastor Steve Ganger at steve.ganger@mma-online.org.

Winding Waters Brethren Church in Elkhart, IN is looking for a short-term interim pastor who will provide Bible teaching on Sundays and perhaps be available one other day of the week to assist with pastoral care. For more information contact District Pastor Tim Garner at 1-877-768-9185

Information on General Conference in Richmond, VA

General Conference registration begins March 7^th. Registration and ALL HOTEL reservations will need to be done on line go to: www.brethrenchurch.org and follow the General Conference registration & Housing links. We are investigating ways you can make your registration by phone/ fax. We should have that information soon. You can find more information in the March/ April Issue of the Evangelist. For more Richmond, Virginia tourist information visit www.visit.richmond.com and www.richmondcenter.com.

2008 BYIC Convention:

Visit our website www.brethrenchurch.org for updated information and registration.

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.”