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The Brethren Tour

It was 8:30 a.m. on a frigid winter’s day. The four cranky kids, who woke up an hour earlier than normal, were packed into our family minivan and eating breakfast on the way to a church that was several hours away. Our snarky 12-year-old, Josiah, shouted to us from the backseat, “Why do we have to go to another church? Can’t we just stay home and relax?”


Let me share a little of the backstory. Sarah and I (David) moved to Indiana six years ago and were so excited to be part of the Midwest Region of the Brethren Church. I had spent a good portion of my life at Oasis Community Church in Gilbert, Arizona, where the closest (and only) nearby Brethren Churches were over two hours away in Tucson. Despite the distance, our three Arizona churches always saw each other as family. We gathered in the summer for church camp near the Mexican border and held a joint church service once a year in addition to other

trips down to Tucson to see these friends.


When we moved to Indiana, we could not believe our good fortune that there were over 30 Brethren churches in our region! A plan started to form that we now jokingly refer to as “The Brethren Tour.” It started with a strong desire to befriend the Brethren (our people!) and connect with Brethren leaders across the region. So, the scene of packing up the minivan early on a Sunday morning has become a normal one for our kids. We are on a mission to visit every Brethren Church in our region and make as many friends along the way as we can.


You might be wondering, as we were at the start, what we would discover on our travels. I am pleased to inform you that God is on the move! Here is just a glimpse of the incredible things He is up to throughout the Brethren communities that we have visited in the past few years.


Huntington First Brethren welcomed us with open arms as we started our tour with the church closest to us. They later hosted a church planting and church renewal gathering led by the Midwest New/Renew team, and 10 Brethren Churches were represented. We were really getting some traction on our goal to befriend Brethren at this point! It was at that event that I first met Cole Westwood, a fellow Army Veteran and pastor of Corinth Brethren Church.


With that connection, we headed north to Corinth Brethren Church one sunny Sunday morning. We got to hear the testimony of Grace who had spent the summer as a counselor at The Brethren Retreat at Shipshewana, someone we’ve continued a friendship with since.


Not too long after I started to meet with the Midwest New/Renew team monthly to talk about church planting and church revitalization, a fellow team member, Fred Youngen, and his church, FBC South Bend, hosted an incredible prayer meeting where Brethren from all over came to pray together and worship God. A very interesting side note: FBC South Bend owns the website that 90% of the churches in our denomination are currently in repentance for coveting their neighbor’s digital property: FirstBrethren.org. Funny enough, we have also met several

people along the way who think the official name of our denomination is “First Brethren.”


Next, I received an invitation to preach at my good friend Cory Smith’s church, Goshen FBC on Veterans Day. I showed up in my Air Force dress blue uniform and shared about the incredible love Jesus has for military members and veterans, as seen in His interaction with the Centurion in Matthew 8. This started a tradition of sorts, and for the past three years, different churches have invited me to preach on Veterans Day weekend, including Warsaw First Brethren (such loving people!) and College Corner Brethren, who have become our good friends. College Corner has invited our family to join them a number of times for worship, and they are such an encouraging and friendly group of people. Before we ever visited this church (that is nowhere near the corner of a college), I had met and become quick friends with Duane and Bonnie Truss who were volunteers at the VA where I work full-time as a Chaplain. They spoke so highly of their church, College Corner, that I knew we had to visit.


Continuing the Brethren tour, we crashed the Sunday morning service at North Manchester FBC. Even though we were ten minutes late, Linda Immel (who would eventually become another good friend) greeted us at the door and made us feel right at home. We loved seeing so many young people gathered together in worship in this congregation and were blessed to be invited over to lunch afterward by Kurt and Heidi Stout, who showed us the mini-farm in their backyard. Since this first encounter, I have grown to love Kurt’s heart for God’s people and his creative ideas for growing the Kingdom.


Somewhere along the way, we saw in the regional newsletter that David Loi was going to be guest preaching at Muncie FBC. We jumped at the chance to join our nearby Brethren for this opportunity of a lifetime! I am filled with joy to report that we were not disappointed. David Loi shared his heart for his two children and our Heavenly Father in such a powerful way, that I was brought to tears. In addition to that, we were blown away by the worship team at Muncie FBC! Because of this, Sarah later suggested to the Big Event planning team that this worship team be invited to lead the Saturday night worship at The Big Event last August. I pray those of you who joined us for The Big Event were as blessed as we were to have them lead us into the presence of God!


By this time, people were starting to notice that the Millers were popping up all over the place like that speedy animal in the Whack A Mole game. Our friends Lee and Stephanie Compson were on to us and invited us to Milford FBC. While there, Lee let us share with their congregation what God has been up to at Unchurch, the house church that Sarah and I co-pastor in Marion. To our daughter Kloey’s delight, they sang her favorite song, Sanctuary. After worship, I got to meet a very friendly fellow military veteran who has been an integral part of the church’s Gatherer-Shepherd-Elder church revitalization team.


In addition to visiting these great churches across the state of Indiana (Illinois, we haven’t forgotten you!), Sarah and I had the opportunity to lead the teen week with Camp Shipshewana called Blaze Camp. We had over 40 kids in attendance from all over the region. We have already had fun seeing some of these teens at different churches we have visited and even a few at Brethren Conference. One of the highlights of the week of conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan was the dinner with the Midwest region on the last night. We ended up sitting at a table with Larry and Bev Baker, who are so full of God’s love and joy that we could not help but become good friends with them. Larry actually turned the tables on me a couple of months ago and attended a service I was leading at the VA hospital.


As you might imagine, The Big Event was a dream come true for our family. With all those Brethren in one place, we didn’t know what to do with ourselves. Sarah was on the planning team and had asked me to emcee the Saturday evening service. I absolutely loved hearing the stories that evening of what God has been up to around the region and the world (thanks to Latha Kumar). It was also wonderful to spend more time with the friends we had made on our travels and build new friendships. Sarah and I hope to see many of you there again next August.


Though we have made some headway in The Brethren Tour, we are far from done. We may move a little slower and with more chaos having four kids in tow, but that is part of the fun. Here is the cool part: if you are in the Midwest Region, you could be our next stop. If you want to invite us to your church, reach out to Sarah and me at DSMiller1@gmail.com. Here is a tip: If you have us over for lunch after your church service, you get bumped up in line. For those across the nation (and world), try visiting a nearby Brethren Church and make some new friends. Hope to see you soon!


David Miller, Pastor

UnChurch

Marion, Indiana

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 

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
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