A revised, updated, and expanded edition of Dr. John Davis’ Conquest and Crisis: Studies in Joshua, Judges, and Ruth, is scheduled to be released this summer by BMH Books.

The book is a concise analysis of Israel’s conquest and settlement of Canaan. Davis uses recent archaeological discoveries, the Hebrew text, and a thorough understanding of the ancient Near Eastern culture to interpret the history and theology of the Old Testament books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth.

Davis, who is president/professor emeritus at Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Ind., has added to the original text some 60 pages of new material including archaeological findings, maps, photographs, and charts. The book was first published in 1969 and has been updated several times.

Davis is the author of 18 books and numerous articles. He has served as a senior staff member on 12 archaeological expeditions to Israel and Jordan, has participated in the Wheaton Institute of Archaeology, and has served as Executive Dean of the Near East School of Archaeology in Jerusalem.

In addition, he was a translator of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible and contributed to the study edition of that Bible.

The retail price on the 290-page updated paperback is $17.99 and the ISBN number is 978-0-88469-258-4. For more information log onto www.bmhbooks.com or call (toll-free) (800) 348-2756.

This year marks the anniversary year of significant events in the heritage and history of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC).

1708 (300 years ago) – The Brethren Movement began with the baptizing of eight in Schwarzenau, Germany, with a clear separation from the established churches of that time.

1883 (125 years ago) – A “Progressive” group withdrew from the movement, becoming The Brethren Church (later, a further division of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches).

1938 (70 years ago) – Grace Seminary graduated its first class at the Ellet Brethren Church in Akron, Ohio. Receiving degrees were Robert E. A. Miller, Kenneth Ashman, and Russell Williams.

1948 (60 years ago) – Grace Seminary instituted a collegiate division of the school that is known now as Grace College.

1993 (15 years ago) – Focus Retreats were initiated, providing opportunities for FGBC leaders to fellowship in annual regional meetings for revitalization and challenge.

1998 (10 years ago) – Tom Avey was appointed as the FGBC’s first Fellowship Coordinator. (He continues to serve in that capacity.)

Fifteen Years Ago – 1993
Scott Blum, stand-out basketball player at Grace College, was named the National Christian College Athletic Association’s player of the year. (He is the current women’s basketball coach at the college.)

Robert W. Thompson, former executive director of Grace Brethren Home Missions and moderator of the FGBC (1976-77), died on May 4.

Chaplain Orville Lorenz died in late April, having served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, including three years during World War II.

Twenty Years Ago – 1988
The following were ordained to the ministry: David Mitchell in Telford, Tenn., John McIntosh in Mabton, Wash., and Paul Mutchler in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Dr. Robert Collitt, long time FGBC pastor and evangelist, died in April.

Fifty Years Ago – 1958
Tom and Doris Julien and their daughter were to leave in June to begin their missionary service in France, but their departure was delayed while they awaited visas.

William E. Male, pastor in Philadelphia, Pa., was ordained to the ministry on May 8.

Fifty-five Years Ago – 1953
W. Russell Ogden was ordained to the ministry at South Bend, Ind. His father, W.A. Ogden, delivered the message.
Sixty-five Years Ago - 1943
Gerald Polman graduated from Bob Jones College, then located in Cleveland, Tenn.
 

Events of general interest among Grace Brethren Churches. Details and registration information are available from the sponsoring organizations or at www.fgbc.org.

May 1 – Day Away, Rhodes Grove Conference Center, Chambersburg, Pa. (CE)
May 3 – Commencement (GC&S)
May 9-10 -- Northern Atlantic Fellowship District Conference
June 9-13 – ACTS Training, International Missions Center, Winona Lake (GBIM)
June 13 – Operation Barnabas Orientation, Norwalk (Calif.) GBC (CE)
June 23—Operation Barnabas International Orientation Begins (CE)
June 23-28 – Momentum West, Biola University, California (CE)
June 22-27 -- Grace Brethren Boys (GBB) Rendezvous, Hueston Woods State Park, Ohio
June 26-29 – Driven ’08, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio
July 21-27 – Momentum East, Cedarville University, Ohio (CE)
July 26-31 – iGo ’08, the national conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Tampa, Fla.
August 1-9 -- CHARIS International Leadership Gathering, Germany
August 1-14 -- Brethren Heritage Tour of Europe (GBIM)
August 2-3 -- 300th Brethren Anniversary Celebration, Schwarzenau, Germany
August 25 -- Grace Seminary Orientation (GC&S)
August 25-27 -- Grace Online Seminary Colloquial Gathering (GC&S)
August 26 - Fall Classes begin (GC&S)
October 27-28 -- Grace College and Seminary Fall Break - No Classes (GC&S)
October 29 -- 10th Annual Taste of the World, Winona Lake, Ind., 6:30 p.m. (GC&S)
November 21-23 – Bible Quiz Invitational, Winona Lake, Ind. (CE)

BMH = Brethren Missionary Herald
CE = CE National
FGBC = Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches
GBIM = Grace Brethren International Missions
GC&S = Grace College and Seminary
WGUSA = Women of Grace USA

On March 1, young people and adults involved in Student Ministries at the Grace Brethren Church of Aiken, S.C. held a walkathon called M’Baikithon. The purpose was to raise money to build student housing at the M’Baiki Bible Institute in the Central African Republic. Thirty-eight youth and family members raised more than $9,000, enough to build about three houses. Don Soule, pastor of youth and families at the church says that many more houses need to be built (about 40 total). He challenges other Grace Brethren congregations to consider raising funds to construct more houses. 

Andrew Serafini, the moderator of the Maranatha Grace Brethren Church of Hagerstown, Md. (Jay Fretz, pastor), has been chosen from 19 candidates to fill a vacant house seat in Maryland. A businessman in Hagerstown, he is an advocate of traditional marriage and conservative politics, is filling the Maryland House of Delegates seat vacated by Robert A. McKee.

“By God’s grace, and with the support of both my family and the local constituency, I will serve the community to the best of my ability and use my life experiences as a husband, father, businessman and member of our community to provide servant leadership to District 2A,” Serafini told the Herald-Mail. (Herald-Mail photo by Kevin Gilbert)

Susanne Kessler, business manager for the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, has been honored for 15 years of service to the Foundation. “We applaud Susanne for her faithful service in behalf of our investors and borrowing churches,” says Larry Chamberlain, president of the Foundation. “Susanne contributes much to the success of the Foundation and we are very pleased with her passion for excellence and her commitment to this strategic ministry of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and the work of the Great Commission.”

Peggy Owens, (pictured on left) an employee of CE National and a member of the Winona Lake (Ind.) Grace Brethren church (Bruce Barlow, lead pastor) was honored in March as one of the recipients of a 2008 Heart of Gold Award, presented by the Kosciusko County (Ind.) Community Foundation. Recipients were selected based on their service to others, identifying a need and fulfilling it, working to create positive change and inspiring others to volunteer. Peggy has volunteered at the Kosciusko County Jail for the past nine years bringing her joy of music with her keyboard on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings. She also teaches a Bible study to female inmates.

Mark D. Weinstein is the new Dean of Enrollment and Marketing at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. A 1982 Grace College graduate, he also holds an M.S. degree in organizational leadership from Geneva College. In his new position, Mark will lead undergraduate and graduate enrollment and marketing.