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Multi-Denominational Bible Study Thrives in Ashland

There are amazing things happening in the life of the community in Ashland, Ohio, across several churches and denominations in the area. Two unique groups have formed, a Bible study for women as well as a Bible study for youth. Both groups meet regularly and neither is connected with one single church; they are both led by leadership teams with members of multiple churches, including two local Brethren churches as well as one of the local Lutheran churches. Both the women’s Bible study and the youth Bible study have been born out of a desire to have a deeper connection with God’s word and the community around them.


Since 2019, Anne ‘Stoffer’ Williams, has been a part of an international ministry called, “Bible Study Fellowship” or BSF, in which people from the local community come together and study and discuss the same passage of scripture together. Anne explains that this really helped her come alive because it was simple and deep, and she grew in her faith and fell deeper in love with the Lord through studying His Word. She speaks of the time when her kids were home from school during Covid in 2020, and how it was a sweet time for her as their mother, having an opportunity to teach them what she was learning through BSF. Anne shared, “I think I started to feel this conviction that I was probably subconsciously copping out because the kids were learning about Jesus at Sunday School; we would read little kid's devotionals here and there, but we weren’t actively in the Word with our kids. That year, BSF was going through Genesis, so the kids and I, while they were home from school and had the time and space, had a big paper spread across the wall and we’d read the stories together and the kids would take turns drawing snapshots of the stories we read.” She said it was so cool to see them so interested and engaged in the Bible in that way.


Anne’s time with BSF has been wonderful for her, and while she started just participating for the first two years, she now serves as a group leader. She sees God moving and changing hearts and sees that it's true that you can’t read God’s Word without being changed for the better.


After the year at home and learning more about God’s Word, Anne’s daughter Josie (6th grade) came home from Camp Bethany that year on fire to learn more. Encouraged by another friend of hers who was starting a boy’s Bible study, she decided she wanted to start a girl’s Bible study as well. Anne loved the idea and loved to see her daughter’s passion, so she gathered some mothers of Josie’s friends, and they organically started to create this girl’s Bible study. Meeting weekly and rotating homes, this group quickly grew from 5 or 6 girls to 17 between the beginning of September and the end of October, just two short months. It was at this time that they moved from meeting in living rooms to meeting at Trinity Lutheran Church, which also hosts the women’s BSF group.


At that time, a number of the women leading the girl’s Bible study were also a part of the BSF group, so they tended to study similar parts of the scripture. Many of the women also had 4th and 5th grade children as well, so they decided to start a Bible study for them as well, in addition to the 6th and 7th grade groups. With about 20 kids in each age group, their number for this youth Bible study had grown to close to 40 in a very short time. Anne explained that this group is different from youth group, which is still very good and very important but this was simply Bible study. “It’s just studying God’s Word, it wasn’t like we had games or anything; there’s still a place for that, we’re not trying to take away from youth group, we just feel like this is an important component as well.”


Not only has this group of kids grown and gotten into God’s Word, but the leadership team, with representatives of Five Stones, Park Street Brethren, and Trinity Lutheran, meets weekly to pray and go over the lesson with intentionality. Last year when the group was still smaller, some of the older kids in the group took turns leading the study as well. Now there is a larger leadership team of adults that teaches week to week, and a little over two years since its start, the group continues to grow and sees about 50-60 kids each week, spanning from 4th grade to high school. Anne says, “It feels like with this youth Bible study, it was just something that started very small, and then God took it and we’re just holding on wondering where He’s taking us next.”


Anne loves the way she can see how strengthening the community’s youth together in God’s Word is shaping things, even as they interact with the rest of the world around them. She sees how Josie and her friends especially are able to stand together against things like gossip at school. She has even been encouraged to show patience in difficult situations at home by her youngest daughter, Esther. When their pipes froze and their washer flooded over, she shared, “Esther was like, ‘Mom, maybe God has something good for you in this!’ You know, she’s starting to have kingdom eyes, I can see it shape who she’s becoming in Jesus.”


We love to see that the Kingdom of God is working in our midst, sometimes starting with 6th graders coming home from church camp with a passion. We pray that there are more and more of these organic examples of the Lord working in the hearts and minds of our people popping up all through our denomination and across the world!


If you are interested in more information about the Women’s Bible Study Fellowship in Ashland or looking to have this international ministry come to your town, check it out here: https://www.bsfinternational.org


If you’re in the Ashland area and want more information about the youth Bible study, check it out here: https://youthbiblestudy.co

Baptisms in Chile - A Day for Celebration and Transformation!

By Scott Soden • March 19, 2025
Sunday, March 2, 2025, was a very special day at Bet-El Church (Brethren Church) in Santiago, Chile! Your partners celebrated together the act of faith and renewal in baptisms, where six brothers and sisters took an essential step in their Christian walk. It was a time of joy, excitement, and spiritual fulfillment as we saw Jesus’ mandate, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” fulfilled. The day of transformation continued through the afternoon as the congregation celebrated all that God is doing in their community through the love and sacrifice of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Follow this link to see the video recap of the event, which relives the most significant moments of this special day. Thank you for being a part of this community of faith and the Brethren movement worldwide! We especially thank and pray for Pastor Carlos Quiroga and Pastor Zulema Zagal, who shared the blessings of this amazing moment in the church with us! Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

Praise, Prayer, and Provision in India!

By Scott Soden • February 26, 2025
Praise, Prayer, and Provision in India! The Brethren Church in India has been very busy these last few months with the ongoing work of the ministry. Although it doesn’t snow in India, this time of year brings rainy weather and cooler temperatures. Thanks to your generosity, Nirmala was able to purchase blankets, towels, and other necessities for the children at the orphanage. These gifts mean more than you can imagine to those who possess very little. Now, the children can feel assured of staying warm and dry during the cooler months. Sudhir has been making trips around the region to meet with many Brethren, pastors, and congregations. He and his wife, Latha, often bring words of encouragement and love during their visits. In Rajahmundry, Nirmala and the leaders held a special day of praise and prayer on January 26th. Many from the community joined in the event, singing and worshiping the Lord for His provision, mercy, and grace. Prayer filled the church throughout the day, with many people on their knees. These prayers were not only for the church and the local community but also for you! They prayed for the awakening of the church worldwide, for repentance, and that everyone would find hope and life in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. What a testimony to all that God continues to do with and through His people around the world! Scott C. Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

Camp Kairos Winter Retreat

By Laura Waldron, Chyann Mackey • February 19, 2025
The first annual Camp Kairos Winter Camp, held at Potomac Park in Falling Waters, WV, from January 17th to 19th, was a resounding success. Attendance exceeded expectations, with over 120 attendees in 3rd through 12th grades representing six different churches (Compass, The Gathering, Oak Hill, St. James, Liberty, and Mt. Olive). New friends were made, old friends reconnected, and everyone looked forward to a wonderful weekend together.  Camp Kairos’s theme was "ONE," based on Philippians 1:27, how we are one mind, body, and spirit in Christ. This theme was the thread that tied the weekend's activities and worship services together. Amanda Carriere and Brandon Hartle (both of St. James) shared messages with the campers, and Lee Reams (Compass) and the Compass Youth Praise band led the camp in worship. Afterward, our elementary campers would dig deeper into the message with a Bible video and discussion. Campers were divided into small groups for hands-on activities and games that reinforced the Bible lessons. The weekend was jam-packed with fun and fellowship. Camp kicked off with a pizza party, worship, and brownie sundaes. The weekend was filled with fun activities including a marshmallow snowball fight, snow globe craft, gingerbread contest, snowman building contest, and an ultimate small group competition. Other favorites from the weekend included tubing down Slippery Slopes, playing basketball and soccer in the indoor gym, enjoying ice cream at PERKS Coffee Shop, a campfire with smores, and a glow dance party. Meals were great and special accommodations were made by the Potomac Parks chef for those with allergies. Chyann Mackey and Laura Waldron, both of Mt. Olive, organized the camp and served as its Co-Directors. They led a small army of volunteers who made the Southeast Region’s winter camp possible. They included Morgan Sterling (The Gathering), Avery Zimmerman, Nancy Zimmerman, Marty Dearing, and Lucy Johnson (all of Mt Olive); Drew Fox, Ronnie Helton, Kelly Helton, Kim Butner, and Tricia Haynes (all from Oak Hill). A big, big THANK YOU to all of the folks who made Camp Kairos 2025 a huge success! It was an amazing weekend, and we are excited and expectant to see the Lord move in huge ways as we continue planning summer camp. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! Chyann Mackey and Laura Waldron

Nappanee Brethren Repair Hurricane Damage

By David Stone • February 19, 2025
Hurricane Milton roared out of the Gulf of Mexico at 8:30 P.M. Wednesday night, October 9, and slammed directly into Sarasota, Florida, causing widespread damage, including severe damage to the buildings of First Brethren Church of Sarasota. When it made landfall, Milton was a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of about 120 mph. Most of Sarasota experienced hours of wind ranging from 90 to 120 miles per hour. When the wind and rain calmed down, Sarasotans came out to survey the damage. Countless trees were down. Electric power lines were strewn over houses and roads. The majority of roofs sustained damage, ranging from a few missing shingles to complete losses. The electricity took days to restore. Thirty-five people died in the storm. The property damage was estimated at $34 billion. At First Brethren Church of Sarasota, at least six huge pine trees were blown down. One fell on the east side of the fellowship hall. It barely scraped the roof but fell right on three air conditioner compressor units. Amazingly, although they were dented severely, they could be straightened out and run. Another fell on the church shed. It was completely demolished down to the ground. Again, the riding lawn mower was parked in the only corner that was untouched by the tree. The most damage was caused by another tree. It fell on the west side of the fellowship hall. There it damaged a covered walkway and a large overhanging eave from the gable end of the fellowship hall. It looked at first as if the building would need extensive reconstruction. The roots of the tree had also ripped up the pipes supplying water to the buildings. All the buildings had lost many shingles. What made matters worse is that the church insurance excludes windstorm damage. No insurance company had been willing to cover this hazard. The church people got to work on recovering from this devastating damage. A tree company was hired to remove the trees, which was very expensive. The fellowship hall roof damage was mostly confined to the eaves with only a few branches puncturing the roof over the inside of the building. The members of the church put a tarp over that area. They also fixed the air conditioner units and removed the ruins of the shed and its contents. They also picked up all of the yard debris. Meanwhile, many around the country saw the need and decided to help with generous gifts to the church. These gifts came from congregations, individuals, and the Brethren Church national office. The recently retired pastor of the Nappanee Brethren Church, Tom Schiefer, heard about the damage and asked the church for volunteers who would go to Sarasota and help in recovery efforts. Nate Yoder and two young men who work for him in construction, Travis Yoder and Ryan Mullet, agreed to go down. They only had five days but they accomplished so much. They rebuilt the large eave overhang that had been damaged. They fixed all the damage to the roof from the tree. They replaced all of the missing shingles on the church sanctuary and the fellowship hall. They also repaired a concrete lintel on the walkway canopy that had been cracked by chipping out the concrete, forming a mold, and pouring new concrete around the existing rebar. Then they replaced the destroyed canopy boards and re-roofed the canopy as well. The damage turned out to not be as extensive as it appeared. The fellowship hall was constructed with massive I-beams as its main structure. The tree hit one of those I-beams and stopped without further damage. Even the large plate glass gable was undamaged. Sarasota Brethren have gone on short-term mission trips to help others, both in the United States and abroad, but it was a new experience to be on the receiving end of a mission trip. They are grateful to their brothers at Nappanee Brethren for their wonderful work. David Stone Pastor, First Brethren Church of Sarasota, Florida

Raystown Brethren Celebrates Baptisms

By Al Chamberlain • February 12, 2025
Titus 3:4-7 says, “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” This past year, our church (Raystown Brethren Church, Raystown, PA) had the privilege of celebrating the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit with two individuals as they were baptized. We also had the immense privilege of taking in seven new members into our growing church family. We celebrate these incredible moments with joy, knowing how fleeting life can be as we have also seen four church members move on to be with the Lord in Heaven. We celebrated their lives and mourned their loss here on earth, knowing that they have finished their race and are now in Glory. We have also seen new life be born as we celebrate the birth of new family members to our congregants. We have had many reasons to celebrate as a church family throughout this past year. We hold fast to the hope we have in Jesus and to each other through all of life’s moments; praying for one another and cheering each other on. We look forward to all that the upcoming year has in store for us! Al Chamberlain Pastor, Raystown Brethren Church 

Philippine Brethren Celebrate Another New Church Plant

By Scott Soden • February 12, 2025
The past year has presented significant challenges for our partners in the Philippines, including six powerful typhoons and devastating flooding. Yet, even amidst these trials, the light of hope and joy has shined brightly, revealing remarkable reasons for celebration. In March 2024, a vibrant new church was established in Cay Pombo, a rapidly developing neighborhood outside Manila. This journey started with a humble gathering in Pastor Rolly Gubala's garage alongside his devoted friend and ministry partner, Pastor Efren Corido. By God’s grace, the church has begun to flourish, reflecting His love and purpose. One new church would be reason enough to celebrate; there’s so much more to this story! In the aftermath of the floods, the churches came together, inspired by Christ’s command to love our neighbors. They reached out to assist those who had lost everything, helping them relocate to a new neighborhood outside Bocaue. In their service, they addressed urgent needs for food and shelter while also ministering to the spiritual hunger within the community. This compassionate outreach led to the formation of a thriving Bible study that engaged hearts and transformed lives. On Sunday, November 24th, the first service of JOFF Brethren Church in Pandi was joyfully celebrated. Since that day, the church has continued to grow, filled with worship services, Bible studies, and outreach efforts that reflect the heart of Jesus. This is a powerful testament to what God is doing through the Brethren in the Philippines, showing that even in adversity, His light and love can shine through us.  Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

Brethren in Puerto Maldonado, Peru Celebrate 8 Years of Ministry, New Facility

By Scott Soden • February 5, 2025
The Brethren Church in Puerto Maldonado celebrated its 8th anniversary on Sunday, January 26th! This milestone was incredibly inspiring for the congregation as they gathered in their new, still-under-construction facility. The day-long event featured two worship services, guest speakers, special dances, a meal, and new worship center's first wedding. It is genuinely an extraordinary testimony to the work that Jesus is accomplishing through the power of His Holy Spirit! We extend special thanks to Mount Olive Brethren Church, Smithville Brethren Church, and Brethren Church Global Partners, who generously contributed much of the funding for this building project. The new location has already become a blessing for the community, situated in an area many had previously chosen to avoid. Everything has changed now. This beautiful structure has transformed the landscape of what was once a neglected place, attracting people from all over to engage in worship and foster hope. Join us in celebrating with Pastor Segundo, his wife Vilma, and the entire congregation for eight years of meaningful ministry in Puerto Maldonado. We look forward to many more years of service from this new location, which the church proudly owns. This place will become the center for numerous church ministries and new congregations in the region. Praise God! Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

Summit Ridge Team Assists in Spokane Fire Recovery

By Dan Acker • January 29, 2025
In mid-January, a team from Summit Ridge Community Church (Tucson, AZ) consisting of Randall Hartman, Tom Oberin, Bryan Bentz, and Dan Acker traveled to Spokane, Washington, to assist in the recovery efforts following the devastating summer 2023 wildfires. Partnering with Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS), the team joined other volunteers from the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. Over the course of a week, they contributed to the rebuilding process by drywalling, installing cabinets, and adding insulation to three homes. While working, the team had the opportunity to speak with the homeowners and hear their firsthand accounts of the fires. These homeowners shared distressing stories and even showed videos capturing the terrifying speed and destructive power of the flames, which left them with little more than the clothes on their backs. The work was physically demanding, but the team found deep reward in contributing to the rebuilding process and, most importantly, offering hope to these residents that recovery is possible, even after such devastating losses. Dan Acker Pastor, Summit Ridge Community Church West Regional Resource Coordinator

How Pokémon Cards are Leading Youth to Jesus

By Zac Yonko • January 29, 2025
At Vinco Brethren Church (Mineral Point, PA), we believe ministry happens when we listen to the people in our congregation—especially the youngest among us. That belief sparked the creation of a new youth ministry gathering called Proverbs & Pokémon , which has become a blessing not only to the kids but to the entire church. The idea for Proverbs & Pokémon began during a simple conversation with three of our youth after a Sunday service. They were chatting about their love for Pokémon cards—collecting, trading, and battling. Their excitement was contagious, and as we talked, the idea began to form: what if the church could provide a space where kids could gather, trade cards, and engage in fun Pokémon-themed activities? But beyond that, what if we could use this shared hobby as a way to teach the wisdom of Jesus? With that vision in mind, Proverbs & Pokémon was born. Every month and a half, kids come to the church to enjoy trading cards, participating in Pokémon-themed events, and sharing their enthusiasm for the cards with other fans. But the heart of the gathering is our time in scripture. We take these moments to teach timeless truths from the Bible, connecting the wisdom of Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus to their everyday lives—even to their hobbies. Every kid who comes leaves a gatherer, gathering more kids each time we meet. So far, we’ve hosted three gatherings, and the response has been incredible. Each event has brought in a few more kids, and the best part is their parents often stay, too. As they listen to the joy and laughter filling the room, they also hear the scriptures being taught and see how the gospel is influencing their children. It’s a powerful reminder of how faith can transform any space. We’ve also learned an important lesson: sometimes ministry starts with simply listening. When we take the time to hear what kids are excited about, we can find the crossroads where their interests meet the opportunity to make faith real. What might seem unrelated to religion—like Pokémon cards—can actually be the bridge that connects them to Jesus. Beyond the cards and games, the gatherings provide fellowship and food. It’s hard to beat the combination of pizza, friends, and fun, and many of the kids have expressed how much they look forward to coming back. Our hope is that this ministry encourages others to think creatively about reaching the younger generation. Listen to the kids in your church. What are their hobbies? What brings them joy? How can you create a space where their interests intersect with the gospel? Ministry doesn’t always have to look traditional—it just has to be intentional. Proverbs & Pokémon has been a gift to our church and community, reminding us that God can use even the smallest things—like a Pokémon card—to teach wisdom, build relationships, and reveal His love. We can’t wait to see how this ministry continues to grow and bless the lives of everyone involved. Pastor Zac Yonko Vinco Brethren Church

Bethlehem Brethren (Harrisonburg, VA) Celebrates Baptisms

By Gail Heiston • January 8, 2025
On November 3, 2024, three more people were baptized at Bethlehem Brethren Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Two adults who have been regularly attending for several months joined our church through the waters of baptism, along with one of our youth! As Pastor Gail’s mentor, Pastor Fred Miller of Mount Olive Brethren Church likes to say, “Your baptism is your first sermon.” Indeed it was! The baptisms were greeted with praise to God and a couple of questions about future baptisms! We have seven children attending Bethlehem right now and some of them have also expressed an interest in baptism. Our baptisms included a mother and daughter along with Pastor Gail’s granddaughter. Each person baptized was presented with a white beach towel, with their initials and date of baptism embroidered in blue on the towel. We held two baptisms earlier in the year and each of those received a towel as well. It was a suggestion from Susan Kidd in our church and one that we intend to continue as a wonderful reminder of a precious day. Bethlehem holds Fellowship Sunday on the first Sunday of each month, and we celebrate with coffee, donuts, or some other treat. This Sunday, we held it in the fellowship hall to add to the celebration of the baptisms in sweet fellowship with one another. Another thank you to the Southeast Regional Leadership Team for approving the purchase of a portable baptismal since ours is not in working condition. We give all thanks and glory to God for all He is doing in our midst. Gail Heiston Pastor, Bethlehem Brethren Church Southeast Regional Resource Coordinator
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