THE BRETHREN CHURCH

Every year, churches from all over prepare and send teams out into the world to engage communities, learn from new friends, develop relationships, make disciples, and serve in unique ways. This October, the Mount Olive Brethren Church (McGaheysville, VA) sent a team to Peru. They had several objectives, including helping construct the new building in Puerto Maldonado and refurbishing the building in Lima. What a blessing they were and what a time they had! Read on to hear from Chyann Mackey, Youth Pastor at Mount Olive and Global Partners Team Member, about what she observed and how God used the team’s time in Peru for the people there and the team. “Seven Members from Mount Olive traveled to Peru at the beginning of October to spend some time working in Puerto Maldonado and Lima. Our trip began in the jungle as we reunited with our friends, Pastor Segundo and his wife Vilma, and David Abuid. When we arrived on Tuesday at the work site, they already had the foundation and columns, so we worked to level out the floors. As we shoveled the dirt, we sprinkled down pieces of paper with Bible verses written on them that our church back home prayed over this new Brethren Church. Tuesday afternoon, many kids from the church came to join us, and we were able to fellowship and share a meal with them, as well as share some hygiene kits and t-shirts we brought. We mixed, wheelbarrowed, poured, and spread concrete over the floors on Thursday. The way the Peruvian team and the American team worked together was remarkable. Everyone had their own job and worked smoothly to set the floors. We worked for five long hours before running out of concrete, but we could see that the floors were 90% finished. We shared a meal with the team of workers, and it was so good to get to know all of them! We headed to Lima on Friday and spent the evening with Pastor Luis Angel and his youth group. We folded pamphlets with the church's information, times, address and an encouraging message. Then we went out and walked through the community, sharing and praying for people. On Saturday, we went to Ticlio Chico and had field day activities and games with the kids, which was so much fun. Despite the language barrier, their joy and laughter was unmistakable. On Sunday, we met with the congregation for a beautiful service led by Pastor Luis Angel. He spoke about the honor and sacrifice of serving the Lord. After church, we painted the room where the church is held. Again, it was a beautiful time to reconnect with friends and work together as a body of believers. This entire trip felt like a big, warm hug and a blessing to be a part of. I am deeply encouraged by the stewardship I witnessed by Pastor Segundo, Pastor Luis Angel, and their congregations. They both have extraordinary dreams and are called by God. They lead so humbly as faithful servants in a very inspiring way.” Chyann Mackey Is your church taking a team into the field? Let us know because we want to tell your story! Contact me at scott@brethrenchurch.org today, and let’s help your church tell the story of how God continues to use the Brethren Church to advance the kingdom!

Over 40 people from the North Central Region met Saturday, October 19, 2024, for their annual regional gathering. They represented nine of the region’s congregations. Gretna Brethren Church, Bellefontaine, Ohio, hosted the event. Jack Radcliffe, Radial Church lead staff and adjunct professor at Malone University, presented two training sessions: “Starting [Small] Kingdom Works” and “Mission and Discipleship in the Rhythms of Everyday Life.” He shared principles to help churches and individuals shift their focus toward their communities and answer the question, “What is our posture toward the world today?” In the first session he addressed leading congregations through a transformational process in their relationship with their communities. He used examples from his experience of helping a traditional church transition into a network of house churches. He emphasized, however, that the principles can be used in any model of church organization and size. In his second session, Radcliffe focused on how we, individually and in small missional groups, can implement engagement in mission that enhances our personal growth in discipleship. He also involved participants in table discussions on the principles he had shared and how they might implement them in their own lives and churches. Drew Meziere, Regional Resource Coordinator, served as the MC. Cory Smith (Smoky Row) and Amber LeMaster (Five Stones/Garber) led the group in worship. Reports on regional activities were shared by Sarah Wells (Park Street), Regional Leadership Team chair; Cory Smith (Smoky Row) and Ken Van Duyne (Park Street), Camp Bethany; and Lynn Mercer (West Alexandria), regional golf outing. The morning’s activities concluded with a catered box lunch and fellowship. Ron Waters Donor Care Team The Brethren Church