Melanie Wylie Installed as Pastor of Liberty Brethren (VA)

Melanie Wylie installed as Pastor of Liberty Brethren Church, September 13, 2020, Quicksburg, Virginia

From Liberty Brethren Church: "God answers prayers! This has always been the cornerstone of belief at Liberty Brethren Church. The church had been searching for a pastor since June 2020. Previous attempts to find a permanent pastor in the past had been daunting. Pastor Lee Reams, Regional Resource Coordinator for the Southeast Region, noted that Melanie was interested in leading her own church. In meeting with her, the trustees felt that she was a perfect fit for our little church. On August 2, 2020, she was invited to be a guest speaker so the congregation could meet her and hear her speak. She was offered the position of Interim Pastor at that time. On September 13, 2020, the congregation voted unanimously to offer her the position of Pastor which she accepted. God has given us a very capable individual to lead our flock. Her religious conviction is undeniable. Her love for the Lord is contagious. She talks the talk and walks the walk. She is an excellent role model for what a good Christian should be. She is enthusiastic about sharing the gospel and how it applies to everyday lives. We are blessed to have Pastor Melanie and her family join our congregation. They have been a blessing. Again, our prayers were answered!"


Melanie's story, in her own words…


“For 21 years I was a member of Mt Olive Brethren Church. It’s where I grew up and learned about Jesus. As a teen I never thought I would grow up and be a Pastor but God had plans for me that I could not even imagine. As far as I remember, I would preach to my friends and tell them all about Jesus, often the topic was the message Pastor Fred had shared the week before. His teachings were imprinted on my heart and still are today. I love sharing the love of Jesus with all who will listen to me.


When I was in my early 20’s, I heard God calling me into the ministry.  God opened the door for me to take Pastor Fred’s Ordination class, “The next Step.”  Through Pastor Fred’s guidance and teaching, I finished the Ordination process for the Brethren Church. I was also enrolled at Liberty University and received my Bachelor’s degree in Theological Studies and my board certification in Chaplaincy. Throughout this time, I volunteered for 15 years in the children’s ministry, worked as the visitation pastor and the young adult pastor for Mt Olive. I was working in the hospital as a Chaplain as well. God was shaping me and preparing me to become the head Pastor for Liberty Brethren Church.


In the summer of 2020 when the world looked a little dim, I received a call from Pastor Gail Heiston from Mt Olive. She told me that Liberty Brethren was looking for a pastor. My heart was filled with joy.  As the weeks passed, I was offered the head pastor position with a unanimous vote from Liberty’s congregation.  My family and I accepted this offer with great appreciation. As we move forward with our new church family we will always hold a special place in our hearts for the ones who helped make this possible. We are so thankful to God and his faithfulness through this journey.”


The preparation for ordination came through her call, studies and experience came through Pastor Fred Miller at Mt. Olive Brethren Church and through the reading program, he offered at MOBC. Here is how that all began: “Melanie Wylie started attending the Mount Olive Brethren Church in 1998. She always displayed a vibrant love for Jesus in her life and actions. As she began to sense the Lord calling her into ministry as a hospital chaplain, she began to take classes at Liberty University. A hunger for further education and the pursuit of ordination in the Brethren Church led her to attend the Brethren Reading Program classes I was offering for members at Mount Olive. She sailed through the classes and appeared before the National Ordination Council (now NBO) in 2017. As the representative of the Southeast District (now Region), it was a delight to listen to Melanie talk about her call and mission in life. I am not sure I had ever heard so much laughter at an ordination examination. Melanie served for several years at Mount Olive as part-time pastor of visitation. She kept busy with her work as a part-time chaplain at the hospital and working with the Weekday Religious Education Program at a local school. It was my honor to be a part of her baptism and that of her family. Now it is my honor to see her serving as pastor at another Brethren Church in the Southeast Region”.


Making the connection between Liberty Brethren Church and Pastor Melanie Wylie was through Lee Reams, the Southeast Regional Coordinator. As he learned that Liberty had lost their pastor through retirement, the suggestion of Melanie Wylie seemed to be the perfect fit!


The following part of this article is from Pastor Lee Reams. “I met Melanie a few years ago as a fellow candidate for ordination in the Brethren Church. We were taking our online Brethren Cohort classes offered through the National Office. It didn't take long for me to realize that Melanie was filled to the top of her being with a passion for others. It was never enough for her to merely discuss the issues of evangelism and discipleship. Melanie wanted to take action to see that people experience the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. She inspired me and I know she inspired others in the classes to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. 


The first step was to see if she would be interested in filling in as an interim pastor. Then we could go from there. That's when good plans began to become great realizations. Melanie agreed to serve as the interim pastor. It didn't take long for Melanie and the Liberty Brethren Church to connect and see that God was up to something very special. When I heard the news the Liberty Church wanted to make her their permanent pastor it gave me hope that 2020, in all its challenges, was going to be the year that Liberty Brethren Church would find their Shepherd and begin to grow into what God had ordained for them to be. So, as we head into the holiday season we can take confidence in that God is actively pursuing and fulfilling His promises and plans for His Church. We look forward to the future and the amazing reports of God's blessings that will accompany Melanie and her leadership at the Liberty Brethren Church. Thank you Melanie for answering the call to pastoral ministry and thank you to the Liberty Brethren Church for receiving the blessing of a person who loves others as God loves them”.

Tucson First Brethren Celebrates Retirement of Roger Stogsdill

By Dan Acker • April 15, 2025
A Legacy of Faith and a New Chapter: First Brethren Church Celebrates Pastor Roger Stogsdill's Retirement and Welcomes New Leadership

Pasadena Centro Crista Celebrates Baptism

By Dan Acker • April 15, 2025
Joyful Celebration as Pasadena Centro Crista Welcomes Daniela Escobar Through Baptism

Cay Pombo Brethren Church in the Philippines Celebrates First Anniversary

By Scott Soden • April 9, 2025
On Sunday, March 23, the Brethren Church in Cay Pombo, Philippines gathered as usual to lift their hearts and hands in praise and worship to God, their Father. Yet that day was far more than a typical Sunday; it was a joyous celebration of God’s goodness and all He has accomplished in the church during its first full year of ministry. “As we celebrated our 1st anniversary, we're reminded that God has a plan to prosper us and give us a hope and a future. We're excited to see how He will continue to work in the lives of many through the JOFF (Jesus Our Firm Foundation) Cay Pombo Church. We've seen God move in amazing ways. We've witnessed lives transformed, relationships built, and how Jesus moves in everyone's lives, and yet, we know that this is just the beginning. We're trusting God to guide and direct us always. To God be all the glory! Happy anniversary, JOFF Cay Pombo!  As we celebrate this first year of ministry and Kingdom growth, may this moment inspire the church here in the United States and around the world to boldly witness for Jesus in our neighborhoods, communities, and nations. Amen!!! Scott Soden Coordinator, Brethren Global Partners

Relaunch of ChristCore Brethren Church

By Paul Lattimer • April 9, 2025
Hey everybody! It's been a couple years since ChristCore Brethren Church went on hiatus, and I wanted to share a brief but exciting update. I've felt the Lord stirring in my heart over the past year to try starting it again. ChristCore went on hiatus and we downshifted heavily after Alexander Stillion, one of our members, passed away in a motorcycle accident. Quite honestly, I was depressed and didn't want to keep doing this plant without my friend. During this time, Terry Hofecker and Josh Coffee, pastors of Agora Church in Columbus, Ohio, were gracious and gave Micaela and I a "landing place" while ChristCore paused. Now, we sense the Lord is calling us to pilot the ship once again, and I am excited to both share and ask for your prayer support as we relaunch ChristCore! We held our first new gathering on Friday, March 2 and hosted 7 adults and 2 kids (OTHER than Micaela, myself, and our kids). During our time, we had a Bible study on part of Matthew 5, lyric discussion of the Christian Metalcore song “Immortal” by War of Ages, and shared prayer requests and praises and prayed with each other. Thank you for your prayer support!!! Praise the Lord! Paul Lattimer Pastor, ChristCore Brethren Church 

Brethren Church in Lima Peru Celebrate Four Baptisms

By Scott Soden • April 1, 2025
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the small congregation at the church in Lima went to a local beach for a very special time of transformation and celebration. Here is what Pastor Luis Angel has to say about the day's events: “Our church recently celebrated the baptism of four members. Franz and Bertha, who have been part of our congregation for several years, had not previously been baptized due to various circumstances. Leslie, Franz's girlfriend, and Luca, a young leader in our church, are newer members who decided to take the step of faith during their discipleship journey. Initially, Luca's baptism was scheduled for July 2024, but due to my motorcycle accident we had to postpone the ceremony. We decided to reschedule for the summer when the weather is more conducive. Franz and Leslie joined the discipleship program during the waiting period, followed by sister Bertha a month ago. All four will continue their discipleship classes, deepening their spiritual roots and developing their gifts for service.” Let us joyfully celebrate the incredible work God is doing through our partners in Peru and across the globe!  Scott Soden Coordinator; Brethren Global Partners

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 
More Posts