Ed Lewis, Howard Mayes, and Robert Wagner were honored by the Association of Grace Brethren Ministers (AGBM) at the recent Equip05 national conference for Excellence in Ministry (Lewis), Lifetime Achievement (Mayes), and Pastor of the Year (Wagner).

Pastor Bud Olszewski, a board member for CE National, presented the tribute for Lewis, who was unable to attend the meeting because of an allergic reaction. Lewis is the executive director of CE National, the Christian Education and church ministries office serving the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Raised in a Grace Brethren pastor’s home, Lewis is a graduate of Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary, and was ordained to the ministry in 1971. He joined the staff of CE National in 1972, and became executive director in 1985.

Under Lewis’ leadership, a wide variety of ministries has developed, including Operation Barnabas, the National Institute of the Development of Ministries to Youth, Urban Hope Training Center, the 4:12 Commission, and a variety of cabinets which lead ministries to senior adults, youth, half-timers, children, and more. The Brethren National Youth Conference, held this year at Cedarville University in Ohio the week prior to Equip05, annually attracts more than 2,500 teens to a week of spiritual challenge and service.

In addition to his responsibilities at CE National, Lewis served four years as an associate pastor at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church and served four years as director of candidate personnel with Grace Brethren International Missions. He was moderator of the FGBC in 1995, and was honored by Grace College as “Alumnus of the Year.”

 

Dr. Howard Mayes, honored with AGBM’s Lifetime Achievement Award, has been pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Clinton, MD, since 1992. Earlier this year he spent significant time in the hospital with a mysterious life-threatening illness, and in his response he thanked his colleagues for their care and prayers for him and his family during that time.

 

The presenter for Mayes’ award was Dave Knight, who is pastor of Christian Education and Children at the Clinton church. Raised in a pastor’s home as the son of Charles W. Mayes, Howard is a graduate of Brethren High School in Long Beach, CA; Grace College; Grace Theological Seminary; and his doctorate is from Western Graduate School of Theology.

Mayes’ previous pastorates include the Grace Brethren Churches of Yakima, WA; Norwalk, CA; and Ripon, CA. He served as CE National Director in Winona Lake in the early 1970s, and also served at Lakeland Christian Academy in Warsaw, IN; Black Hawk Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, IN; and Grace Community Church in Huber Heights, OH. He received the CE National Award in 2003.

Robert W. Wagner, recognized as Pastor of the Year, has been pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Calvert County, MD, since its inception in 1982. The presenter for Wagner was R. Greene, pastor of the Frederick, MD, Grace Brethren Church.

Wagner is a graduate of Gordon College in Massachusetts and attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois. He taught junior high in southern Maryland for seven years, and served on the staff of the Grace Brethren Church of Temple Hills, MD, for eleven years prior to beginning the Calvert County church.

He was ordained in 1979 and began the Calvert County church as a Bible study under the direction and urging of the late Grace Brethren pastor and mentor James Dixon. Calvert County’s first worship services were in 1984 and its current worship center was dedicated in 1988.

The AGBM, which is currently restructuring for the future, held its annual business meeting the first day of conference. Pastor Tim Boal of Penn Valley Grace Brethren Church in Telford, PA, continues as president of the group, and Dr. Jerry Young continues his part-time employment with AGBM in research and development.

The Brethren Missionary Herald Co. is now assisting AGBM with its communication programs, including producing the newsletter Sharpening One Another and maintaining the AGBM website at www.agbm.org. Mail for AGBM should be sent to P.O. Box 694, Winona Lake, IN 46590.

Ten Years Ago – September, 1995
Among the new churches received into the Fellowship at the National Conference in San Diego were ValleyLife GBC, Peoria, Arizona (Ed Waken, pastor), Brethren Bible Church, Hemet, California (William Kitchell), and Iglesia Evangelica de los Hermanos, Yakima, Washington (Abner Solano).

Twenty-five Years Ago – September, 1980
The Pleasant Grove GBC in North English, Iowa, celebrated its 100th anniversary; it is the oldest Brethren church in the state. From it came Miss Estella Myers, pioneer missionary to Africa; Don Miller, also a missionary to Africa; and his brother, J. Paul Miller, long time pastor in Modesto, California. All three are now with the Lord. At the C. E. Convention, the Lititz, Penna., church was named as having the “Sunday School of the Year.” Janice Thornton, Sunnyside, Wash., was honored as “Educator of the Year.”

At the national conference, C. E. National sponsored an Open House at their new facilities. A “meeting under the trees” in Winona Park was held to recognize the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Foreign Missionary Society (now GBIM). Home Missions announced that Larry Chamberlain had been named as administrative coordinator.

Gerald Polman assumed the pastorate of the GBC in Lansing, Michigan.

Fifty Years Ago – September, 1955
“Hundreds were on their knees until midnight in prayer and confession.” “The Holy Spirit gave us a refreshing not seen in any conference or fellowship meeting in the Brethren church within the last fifty years.” These were descriptions of the national conference of 1955 in Portland, Oregon. The foundation walls were poured and joists were ready to be laid at the new Brethren denominational building in Winona Lake (now the Brethren Missionary Herald building).

The Whittier Calif. First Brethren Church dedicated its new youth center.

Charles Ashman preached his last sermon at the Rittman, Ohio, FBC before moving to pastor the church in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Ashland, Ohio, FBC purchased four acres to establish a second church in the southern part of the city. Tom Julien, seminary middler, was called to serve as assistant to Pastor Mark Malles at the Ft. Wayne, Indiana, FBC.

Bill Byers, a Bob Jones University graduate, was called to be assistant pastor and director of music at the Kittanning, Pennsylvania, FBC.
 

Grace Brethren are Oldest Twins

Twins Days in Twinsburg, OH, is the world's largest annual gathering of twins. Every August since 1976, twins from around the world descend on this small town about 30 miles south of Cleveland for a weekend of socializing, celebration, and fun. Twins Days this year took place August 5, 6, and 7, with about 2,500 to 3,000 sets of twins participating.

This photo is of the youngest and oldest twins at the 30th festival this year. The oldest twins are Alice Garber Peer, wife of the late Grace Brethren pastor Earle Peer, and Angie Garber, Grace Brethren missionary to the Navajos for 47 years. They are 93 years old. (Mary Peer photo)

Enthusiastic Evangelists

BMH author Duke Heller and motivational expert Zig Ziglar played golf together recently in New Mexico. Both men are enthusiastic evangelists, seeking to lead to Christ anyone who is open to a hearing of the gospel. Ziglar's foreword to Heller's new book, How to Start a Kingdom Conversation, says "I believe there is a critical need for this book." Copies of Heller's book on personal witnessing may be obtained from www.bmhbooks.com or by calling 1-800-348-2756. Heller is dentist from the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, OH. (photo courtesy Duke Heller)
 
Kriegbaum Returns to BMH, Winona
Arnold Kriegbaum recently visited Winona Lake, Indiana, after a 20-year absence. Kriegbaum, 91, was editor and business manager of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company from September 1953 to August of 1961, when he left to become Dean of Students at Grace College and Seminary. The current Herald building, at 1104 Kings Highway in Winona Lake, was built under his direction in 1956 and it housed all the Grace Brethren national organizations for some years.

Kriegbaum and his wife, Laura, now live with their daughter, Karen, and her husband near Indianapolis, Indiana. Accompanying Kriegbaum were his two sons. Richard, at left, director of United Way in Fresno, California, and Ward, right, an administrator at Wheaton College in Illinois. Earlier in his career, Kriegbaum pastored the Grace Brethren Church of Waterloo, IA, and planted the Cedar Rapids church.

Women of Grace Produce Magazine
Women of Grace USA has just released the first 40-page issue of its new annual resource publication entitled Women's Spectrum. According to the group's president, Janet Minnix, the annual publication has a two-fold purpose. The first is to inform and challenge individual readers, and the second is to serve as a versatile tool and resource that can be used in any women's ministry in the local church. Linda Michael is editor of the publication, and Viki Rife is the managing editor. Contributing editors include Kathleen Hohl, Harriet Zook, and Ruth Poupart. Copies are available for $7.50 each. For more information e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or log onto the Women of Grace website at www.womenofgraceusa.org.

With the Lord

Keith Altig, retired Grace Brethren International Missions missionary to Brazil, died Wednesday, July 27, at the age of 94. Altig had pastored Grace Brethren churches prior to his 25 years of service in Brazil. At age 65 he completed work for his doctoral degree in missions at Grace Seminary West. He had traveled extensively, while continuing as Pastor Emeritus of the Grace Brethren Church of Whittier, CA, where he was a member. Memorial services were held in Santa Ana, CA. His wife Vivian preceded him in death. He is survived by two daughters and a son, his twin brother, Kenneth Altig, eight grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Dorothy Arenobine, 79, long-time member of the Valley Grace Brethren Church in Hagerstown, MD, and the mother of Fort Wayne (IN) Grace Brethren Church Pastor Bob Arenobine, went to be with the Lord Monday, July 18, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Joseph Arenobine, in 1992. She is survived by two sons, the Rev. Robert D. Arenobine of Fort Wayne, IN, and Thomas J. Arenobine of Hagerstown; and two grandchildren, Jodi Arenobine of Fort Wayne and Jill Jennings of Auburn, IN.

Bill Hoffman, a member of the Grace College and Seminary board for 12 years, went to be with the Lord Friday, July 8, 2005. A CPA, he was a member and elder at the Ashland, OH, Grace Brethren Church (Dan Allan, pastor). In addition to his wife, Phyllis, he is survived by four children and six grandchildren.

Martha Brickel, 84, went to be with the Lord Sunday, August 7, 2005, in Richmond, IN, following a brief illness. A charter member of the Brookville, OH, Grace Brethren Church, she was preceded in death by her husband and former Brookville pastor, the Rev. Clair Brickel. Surviving children include Ann Davis, Tarpon Springs, FL; David and Janice Brickel of Lewisburg, OH; Barbara and Paul Klink of Greenfield, IN; Jon and Joyce Brickel of Brookville, OH; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services were held in Brookville, OH.

Pastoral Changes
Drew Waggoner has left his young adults pastoral position at the Grace Brethren Church of Columbus, OH, to become the youth pastor at the Chico, CA, Grace Brethren Church (Rick Boswell, pastor).

Philip Bryant is leaving the Mississauga, Ontario, area to begin Grace Brethren church-planting on the west coast of Canada in Vancouver, B.C.

Ivanildo Trindade is moving to become Associate Pastor of Outreach Ministries at the Wooster, OH, Grace Brethren Church. Internationals USA, which Trindade formerly directed, will restructure to a closer alignment with Grace Brethren International Missions. GBIM’s Jay Bell will take a leadership role in reaching internationals.

Dale Harris, recent Grace Seminary grad, is the new pastor at Conococheague Grace Brethren Church in Greencastle, PA.

Paul Mutchler has accepted the pastorate of the Lanham, MD, Grace Brethren Church, beginning September 1.

Congratulations to Dan Pierce, pastor of the Greenville, OH, Grace Brethren Church, on his recent ordination.

Ross Dunk of Willow Valley Grace Brethren Church has accepted the offer of Community Cornerstone church in York, PA, to become their pastor, beginning in September.

Andy Royer left his position of Associate Pastor at Rittman, OH, Grace Brethren Church on July 31. He will be working with a church in Warsaw, IN, in preparation for ministry in Cambodia.

Scott Barger is the new pastor of New Horizon Community Church, Winona Lake, IN, as of the last Sunday in August. Originally from Altoona, PA, Barger has been pastoring an independent church in Churubusco, IN, while continuing studies at Grace Theological Seminary.

Scott Klausfelder has moved from New Life Community Grace Brethren Church in Souderton, PA, where he served as youth pastor, to begin the Immanuel Grace Brethren Church in Quakertown, PA.

GBNAM Initiates Quarterly Newsletter
Grace Brethren North American Missions is in the process of changing its newsletter from the bi-monthly Missions Today to a beautiful full-color version which will be printed quarterly. In place of the 2005 summer issue, churches are receiving copies of the GBNAM Annual Report, which features each of GBNAM’s church-planting ministries. The first issue of the new newsletter will be printed and distributed for the final quarter of 2005. Master copies of “Prayer & Praise” will be sent to churches monthly. The new GBNAM website is now online at www.gbnam.org.

Holbrook Heads CMA
Mark Holbrook, a leading layman and adult Sunday School class teacher at the Grace Brethren Church in Orange, CA (Ed Trenner, pastor) was recently elected chairman of the board of directors of the Christian Management Association. Holbrook, who is president and CEO of the Evangelical Christian Credit Union in Brea, California, succeeds Jerry E. White, president of The Navigators, who recently completed his term as president of CMA. Holbrook was featured in the May/June, 2004 issue of FGBC World (see archived issues at www.fgbcworld.com). Holbrook and his wife, Cindy, have been leaders at the Orange church for many years. The Christian Management Association, headquartered in San Clemente, CA, serves more than 3,500 leaders and managers from 1,500 Christian organizations and growing churches.

Brethren National Youth Conference (BNYC), held this year on the campus of Cedarville University in southern Ohio July 23-29, 2005, saw more than 2,600 teens, youth pastors, and youth leaders experience an energetic and spiritually-impacting week.

 Sponsored by CE National, BNYC’s theme this year was “24/7 – You Do the Math” based on 1 Peter 3:15-18. Most sessions emphasized living for God round the clock, not just on Sundays.

Students were channeled into one of three tracks—The Rock, The Climb, The Edge—depending on their level of spiritual maturity. Non-stop activities included main sessions, workshops, outreach experiences, and creative presentations by many of the Grace Brethren national organizations.

Main session speakers included Francis Chan, Josh McDowell, Ryan Dobson, Toby Travis, Shawn McBride, Dan Gregory, and Jeff Bogue. Music was by Todd Proctor, Joel Engle, and Grace College’s Sound Investment.

The national quizzing championship was won by the North Central Ohio team over the Chesapeake district in a dramatic come-from-behind win. An all-hands Blitz outreach program on Wednesday saw more than 1,900 teens fanning out into Cedarville, Springfield, Dayton, and surrounding Ohio towns to do servant evangelism and to engage people in conversations about Christ.

Hundreds of commitments to Christ were made in the main sessions—some for salvation and others for commitment to the lordship of Christ.

In addition to Ed Lewis, executive director of CE National, the conference was headed by Dave Rank, Bruce Barlow, Matt Mason, and Kirsten Gulick, along with hundreds of volunteers in various areas of responsibility.

BNYC next year will be July 22-28, 2006, on the campus of Biola University in La Mirada, California. Watch www.cenational.org for registration information.

"Faster For the Master" pedal-car races sponsored by Grace College saw teams of teens competing for valuable prizes on Monday afternoon of BNYC. Grace brought a busload of faculty to southern Ohio for the youth conference, seeking to engage many of the teens in conversation about continuing their education at Grace College. Winner of the Grace-sponsored laptop computer drawing was Tim Agnolutto of Calvert County, MD. Hundreds more photos and articles from BNYC are available at www.bnyc.net.

Events of general interest among Grace Brethren Churches. Details and registration information are available from sponsoring organizations or through www.fgbc.org.
Sept. 16-17 – Sibs Weekend (visit days for brothers/sisters), Grace College

Sept. 18 – Mid-Atlantic District CE Celebration, Hagerstown, MD (CEN)

Sept. 19 – Northern Atlantic District CE Celebration, Smoketown, PA (CEN)

Oct. 7-9 – Evangelists’ Gathering, Columbus (GBNAM)

Oct. 14 – A Day Away, Columbus, OH (CEN)

Oct. 15-18 – Fall Break, Grace College & Seminary

Oct. 17-19 – Central Focus Retreat, Pokagon State Park, Angola, IN (FGBC)

Oct. 24-27 – Grace College & Seminary Missions Conference

Oct. 24-26 – East Focus Retreat, Sandy Cove, MD (FGBC)

Oct. 30 – Urban Awareness Sunday (CEN)

Nov. 4-6 – Grace College & Seminary Homecoming

Nov. 10 – Micropolitan Church-Planting Summit, Columbus, OH, SW

Dec. 16-Jan. 9 – Christmas Break, Grace College & Seminary

Jan. 30-Feb. 2 – SW Focus Retreat, San Juan Capistrano, CA (FGBC)

Feb. 27-March 1 – South Focus Retreat, Haines City, FL (FGBC)

GBNAM = Grace Brethren North American Missions
CEN = CE National
FGBC = Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches