Dr. Duke Heller, author of the BMH book How to Start a Kingdom Conversation, was recently interviewed on “Bob Burney Live,” a Columbus, Ohio, radio talk show on WFRD. In the interview, he mentioned one of the themes of the book—if you cannot name the time and place you received Christ, perhaps you are not really a Christian and should make that commitment immediately.

A mother, listening to him, asked her 21-year-old son if he could name his “time and place.” He could not. The host of the show reported, “Well . . . she had a talk with her 21-year-old son about ‘time and place’ and that night about midnight he gave his heart to Christ with Mom kneeling by his side!”

Can you name the time and place where you gave your heart to Christ? You are a sinner (all of us are) and we cannot have our sins forgiven apart from the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. If you repent of your sin and ask Him to forgive you, you can then name the “time and place” and be assured you will spend eternity with Christ. Pray something like this:

Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I understand that Jesus paid the penalty for my sins, so I repent of my sins and ask Your forgiveness. Please give me your gift of eternal life and give me the assurance I will spend eternity with you. Amen.

If you have prayed that prayer, please seek further growth-help from a Bible believing church or contact FGBC World. God wants us to know—for sure—that our eternities are secure with Him.

Events of general interest among Grace Brethren churches. Details and registration information are available from sponsoring organizations or through www.fgbc.org.
Nov. 3-5 – Grace Homecoming (GC&S)
Nov. 5-6 – VisionOhio Church Planting Leadership Summit (GBNAM)
Nov. 10-11 -- Dedication of the CE National Training Center (CEN)
Nov. 13 – VIP Campus Visit Day (GC&S)
Dec. 14 – Fall Semester Ends (GC&S)
Jan. 9 – Spring Semester Classes Begin (GC&S)
Jan. 15 – VIP Campus Visit Day (GC&S)
Jan. 18-20 – Northeast Church Planting Assessment Center (GBNAM)
Jan. 26 – Fellowship Council, So. California (FGBC)
Jan. 28 -- So. California Celebration, Community GBC, Long Beach, California (CEN)
Jan. 29-31 – Southwest Focus Retreat (FGBC)
Feb. 26-28 – South Focus Retreat (FGBC)
March 3-11 – Spring Break (GC&S)
March 5-9 – MI700 Course on Church Planting in Dublin, OH (GBNAM & GTS)
March 18-19 – VIP Campus Visit Days (GC&S)
April 18 – VIP Campus Visit Day (GC&S)
May 5 – Commencement (GC&S)
May 11 – 412 Classes End, Internships Begin (CEN)
May 21-23 – Northwest Focus Retreat (FGBC)
June 11-15 -- ACTS training (GBIM)
June 21-24 – DRIVEN07, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio (CEN)
July 10-14 – GBIM Missionary Family Reunion
July 21-27 -- BNYC 2007, University of Southern Mississippi
(CEN) July 29-August 3, 2007 – Equip07, Winona Lake, IN (FGBC)
Aug. 21 – Fall Semester Begins (GC&S)

GBNAM = Grace Brethren North American Missions
GBIM = Grace Brethren International Missions
CEN = CE National
FGBC = Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
GC&S = Grace College and Seminary

Harry (Bud) Barger of Hagerstown, Maryland, joined CE National’s staff beginning October 1, 2006, part-time in the area of financial and estate planning.

Since 1998 Bud has led the Grace Brethren Financial and Estate Planning Ministry. He will continue to work from his home in Hagerstown.

Barger’s experience includes being business administrator and director of development for The Salvation Army Corps in Hagerstown, and 30 years with the IBM Corporation during which he was branch administration manager in Hagerstown, Bethesda, Rockville, and Baltimore. During his six years in the US Navy he worked in naval intelligence.

For 10 years Barger was on the board of Grace Brethren North American Missions and chaired the chaplaincy committee.

Bud and his wife, Rose, attend the Calvary Grace Brethren Church in Hagerstown, Maryland, where Bud is a teacher in the Adult Bible Fellowships, vice–moderator of the church council, and serves as church treasurer, a member of the deacon board, and a member of the executive and administrative oversight committee.

His community involvement ranges from mentoring at an elementary school to writing grant proposals for a local Christian school, to being involved with the local Kiwanis Club. The Bargers have two sons and six grandchildren.
 

A new vocal recording by the Sam Baer family of the Victory Mountain Grace Brethren Chapel in Dryhill, Kentucky, presents purchasers with a great opportunity to help that church.

”Constantly Abiding: Hymns and Songs of Simple Faith” is the title of the album, which includes 14 songs. Vocals are by Sam, Betty, Sophia, and Sonya Baer. Piano accompaniment is by Betty Baer.

Repertoire ranges from old public-domain favorites such as “It Could Happen at Any Moment” to southern gospel songs by Mosie Lister and Ray Boltz to ”There is a Redeemer” by Keith Green. Included is a “bonus track” original composition by Sonya Baer entitled “Living for God’s Smile Alone.”

Victory Mountain Grace Brethren Chapel is nestled in the rural hills of southeastern Kentucky. Victory currently serves a congregation of 35 and provides a number of programs to meet their needs as well as those of the surrounding community.

In August of 1950, Evelyn Fuqua came to Dryhill, Kentucky. The Brethren Home Missions Council (now Grace Brethren North American Missions) helped Evelyn buy property for $500. A dedication ceremony was held on Oct. 4, 1953, for the newly-built church building.

Evelyn Fuqua started many ministries, including a Friday night boys club. She served until 1965, when Pastor Marvin and Dixie Lowery came to serve. The story of Evelyn Fuqua is available in Heroes Who Live On, Vol. 2, by Robert Cover, Sr. and Viki Rife, published by BMH Books.

The Lowerys served faithfully for 11 years. John and Jenny Sholley came in 1976 and served four years. John, a good doctrinal Bible teacher, created the “Brethren Bunch,” a traveling youth singing group. Pastor Sam and Betty Baer arrived March 15, 1979. The Baers have six children who helped extensively with the church work.

Pastor Sam Baer is a graduate of Lancaster Bible College and Grace College, and also attended Grace Seminary. His wife, Betty, is a graduate of Harrisburg Hospital School of Nursing and she also attended Lancaster Bible College. They have been married for 36 years.

Bambie, their eldest, is married to Mark Getz. They have five children and currently live in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Sam, the second-born, is married to Jessica, and they live in Wheaton, Illinois. Mike, child number three, is married to Lisa. They have three children and live in Ohio where Mike works for Mike Cheeseman Builders. They attend Powell Grace Brethren Church.

Sophia and Sonya, fourth-born, are identical twins. Sophia lives in Dryhill with Sam and Betty, but leaves frequently for ministries in Michigan where she works with Hispanic migrant workers. Sonya is a graduate of Southland Bible Institute, currently training with New Tribes Mission. Caleb, the youngest of the children, is married to Jill and they live in Wheaton, Illinois, where Caleb owns a construction business.

Pastor Steve Makofka from the Centerville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church, was executive producer for the album. He says, ”Few decisions are harder to make than the decision to discontinue funding for a church. GBNAM had already discontinued their financial support for Victory Mountain GBC and we were facing the same decision at the district level.

“The principles of good stewardship wouldn't allow us to continue using church-planting funds for a 50-year-old church, and we didn't have a mechanism for providing ongoing support to a mission church with special needs.

”Mark Saunders, pastor of First Grace Brethren Church of Dayton, and I went to Dryhill to discuss these things with the Baers. We loved them and loved their work. We realized it would always be dependent on others for financial support, but where would the money come from?

”We shared a pleasant morning of prayer and conversation, and then sat down with the Baer family for lunch. Before we ate, Sam asked if his family could sing the blessing for us, like they usually do. I remembered that years ago I had heard the girls sing, but that memory did not prepare me for the sheer joy of listening to God's name being praised by the strong, clear voices and simple mountain harmonies the Baer family lifted to God that day. As soon as they sang, ‘Amen,’ my mind started racing.

”‘Sam,’ I said, ‘You have to record this. People will want to hear it and you could sell the CD's to help raise funds for the ministry.’

”It’s taken about two years and lots of work, but I think the final product is well worth the effort. I think everybody in the entire FGBC family should purchase a copy. The musical style has the same feel as the Grammy-winning ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ soundtrack. The songs are both old and new. The production is elegant in its simplicity. The family's joy and the depth of their faith is unmistakable.

”I find that listening to the CD is soothing, inspiring, and uplifting, partially because the music is just plain good, and partially because I know the family, their faith, and their ministry. Anytime I can buy good music and support a cause at the same time, I'll do it. I encourage everyone I know to do the same.”

The CD is available for purchase by mail at $12 each plus $3 for shipping (total of $15). Make checks payable to Sam and Betty Baer and mail the checks and orders to Sam and Betty Baer, 9131 Dryhill Road, Hyden, KY 41749. The phone number is (606) 672-2520. E-mail inquiries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . More information about the Baers and Victory Mountain Chapel is available at www.victorymountaingbc.com.
 

With the Lord

Joyce Elaine Ashman, 67, of Winona Lake, Indiana, died September 19, 2006, in Warsaw, Indiana. She was the daughter of Rev. Robert Allen and Bernice Eyleen Miller Ashman and the family moved to Winona Lake when Joyce was 12. She worked in the Grace College and Seminary business office from 1961 to 1990, worked for Dr. William Remington’s office, and at Jefferson School in Winona Lake.

A member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, she sang in the choir for more than 45 years, was in local and national leadership in the SMM Girls Club program, was Sunday School secretary at WLGBC for 55 years, and was a member of Women of Grace USA for more than 45 years, having served as national and local treasurer.

Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Dan (Miriam) Pacheco of Winona Lake; a niece, Mrs. John (Maria) Tucker of Warsaw; two nephews, Dan (and wife Marna) Pacheco, Winona Lake, and David (and wife Esther) Pacheco, Naperville, Illinois; two grand-nephews and three grand-nieces. She was preceded in death by her father, who died in 1997; her mother, who died in 2002; and a nephew. A memorial service was held at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church with pastors Bruce Barlow and Charles Ashman officiating.

Joseph Ross, 19, a freshman at Grace College, died in an auto accident September 22, 2006, near Wapakoneta, Ohio. He was from Locust Grove, Virginia, and had enrolled at Grace College in August, 2006, to study information technology.

Memorial services were held in Virginia and in Ashland, Ohio, at Ashland Grace Brethren Church. He is survived by his parents, Randy and Linnea Ross, two brothers, Scott and Matt, a sister, Heather Gross, a brother-in-law, Pete Gross, a nephew, Jon Gross, as well as his grandparents, Don and Mary Ross, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

George R. Platt, Sr., 74, of East Earl, Pa., died Thursday, August 17, 2006. He is survived by his wife Florence E. (Huey) Platt with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. George was a retired First Sergeant of the U.S. Army, having served in Korea, Vietnam, Japan, France, and Germany. Following retirement from the Army, George earned a bachelor’s degree at Lancaster Bible College. He was employed with Victor Weaver and Tyson Chicken from 1970 to 1994 as a master plumber and maintenance worker.

Platt was a member of New Holland Grace Brethren Church where he served as deacon, Sunday School teacher and food service coordinator. He was a cook at the Camp Conquest (church camp). Surviving in addition to his wife, are three daughters, two sons, six grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. Services were held at the New Holland Grace Brethren Church with the Rev. Tim Hodge officiating.

Pastor Richard D. Sellers, 81, of Goshen, Indiana, died Sunday, August 13, 2006. Born in Warsaw, Indiana, he married Virginia Rose Flora in Dayton, Ohio. She died February 19, 2000. Sellers coached and taught at New Paris High School for three years and was a Grace Brethren pastor for 45 years. He was a member of the Calvary Grace Brethren Church of Alto, Michigan.

He is survived by three daughters, two sons, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Joan Wilcoxson of Winona Lake, Indiana and a brother, Charles (Bonnie) Sellers of Mishawaka, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, a sister, Dorcas Isham, and a brother, Donald Sellers. Rev. Bob Moeller, retired Grace Brethren minister; Rev. Mick Funderburg of the Calvary Grace Brethren Church, Alto, Michigan, and Rev. Chris Hinshaw of the Elkhart Grace Brethren Church officiated at his memorial service.

Pastor Victor Sewell Rogers, 82, passed away Thursday, August 10, 2006, in Sun City, California. Vic had fallen in his backyard on April 23, breaking his neck. He was making a good recovery and was to come home soon. On July 25, he told family he was ready to be with the Lord. The next day he suffered a massive stroke.

His wife, Vivien Jane Rogers from Sun City, survives him. They were married for 61 years. He is survived by two daughters, Ruth Ann Rogers Mayes and Sharon Louise White, both of California, and by eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, two siblings, Catherine Lingenfelter (wife of Galen Lingenfelter) from Pasadena, California, and Levi Ellis Rogers from Sun City Center, Florida.

Rogers attended Practical Bible Training School in Binghamton, New York, from 1942-1945. After marriage to Vivien Laux from Lorain, Ohio, he attended Biola College from 1945-1948 receiving a Bachelor of Theology degree. Victor pastored the North English, Iowa, church 1948-1952; Jenners, Pennsylvania 1952-1959; Leamersville, Pennsylvania 1959-1969; Albuquerque, New Mexico 1969-1979; Chico, California 1979-1985; Yucca Valley, California 1986-1987; and Dolan Springs, Arizona 1987-February 29, 2004 when he retired from full-time ministry. He was in the ministry for almost fifty-six years.

Rogers led Pastor Shimer Darr to the Lord and Pastor Roy Glass was often encouraged by his cousin Vic in his ministry. He was always involved in district camps. He sang in a quartet for ten years at Leamersville and had a radio broadcast for years. A memorial service was held at Grace Community Church in Yucca Valley, California.

Pastoral Staff Changes
Rhett Edwards began Sunday, August 20, 2006, as the new full-time youth director at the Delaware, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church (Gary Underwood, pastor). Rhett is a recent graduate of Grace College, where he served as Student Body President during the 2005-06 School year. He is from Wooster, Ohio.

Rick Horner is now the associate pastor at the Grace Brethren Church of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania (James Laird, Sr., pastor). Horner formerly pastored the Grace Brethren Church of Kokomo, Indiana.

Bruce Warrington, who has been pastor of counseling and pastoral care at the Grace Brethren Church of Waldorf, Maryland (Jeff Thornley, pastor) since 2002, has announced his retirement from the Waldorf church, effective upon the sale of his house and subsequent move to Yorktown, Virginia, to be nearer other family members. Warrington has served in several pastoral positions and for eleven years was senior pastor of the Manteo Baptist Church of Manteo, North Carolina, which included the building of a sanctuary to seat 500.

Paul Hutchinson, who until May, 2006, was the manager of the Herald Bookstore in Winona Lake, Indiana, is now the pastor of Living Water Community Church, the Grace Brethren church in Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

Curtis Miller of Winona Lake, Indiana, has accepted a call to pastor the Bowling Green, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church. Miller and his wife, Jessica, were wheat farmers in Kansas when they sold their operation and moved to Winona Lake several years ago to enter Grace Seminary. The Millers are in the process of selling their Winona Lake home.

Eric Eickhoff concluded his ministry as pastor of the Portis, Kansas, Grace Brethren Church at the end of September. He and his wife, Becky, are currently living in Winona Lake, Indiana.

Dan Grabill is serving as the interim pastor at the Brookville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church.

Conference Based on BMH Book
An international conference for those engaged in cross-cultural ministry partnerships will be held at the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton, Illinois, June 11-13, 2007. The conference title and theme will be built around the recently-published BMH book Breaking Tradition to Accomplish Vision. The sponsoring organization is COSIM, the Coalition on the Support of Indigenous Ministries.

Plenary speakers for the conference will include the co-authors of the book, Dr. Paul R. Gupta, president of Hindustan Bible Institute in Chennai, India; and Dr. Sherwood G. Lingenfelter, provost at Fuller Theological Seminary. Dr. Lingenfelter is also chairman of the board of Grace Brethren International Missions.

The vision is to conduct a conference for practical training, creative dialogue, case study analysis, and strategic thinking to equip and encourage Christian leaders who are engaged in cross-cultural ministry partnerships. Breaking Tradition to Accomplish Vision, the insightful story of Hindustan Bible Institute, is the fascinating record of the dismantling and rebuilding of HBI to fulfill the vision of planting one million churches in one million Indian villages.

The book, which retails for $14.99, is available by logging onto www.bmhbooks.com or by calling (toll-free) 1-800-348-2756. The ISBN number is 978-088469-305-5. For information on the COSIM conference contact Werner Mischke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Mary Lederleitner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (630) 986-3909        .

Grace’s FGBC Enrollment Increases
Grace College’s fall enrollment has shown a 39 percent increase in new students from Grace Brethren churches, according to figures released by Grace’s dean of enrollment, Ken Moyer. Moyer says that in the fall of 2005 Grace enrolled 49 new FGBC students. By contrast, the fall, 2006, enrollment included 68 new FGBC students. Grace College has welcomed a record number of new students this fall with more than 300 new full-time students.