| Connecting People and Churches of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches | Wednesday, February 22 2012 |
Site Menu
FGBC World on
  |
News (11)
Friday, 06 January 2012 15:52
‘Take a Risk on Young Guys—It’s What Jesus Did’
Pastor David Kennedy of Community of Grace Church, a Grace Brethren congregation whose facility is located just west of downtown Richmond, Va., is currently serving as a mentor to his associate pastor for family ministries, Brad Gromis. Kennedy, 59, has pastored for nearly three decades and has been at the Richmond church for 12 years. Gromis, 32, is in his first full-time ministry position. Recently, the two sat down to talk about their relationship. “We knew it was a unique opportunity for us to be able to input into his life for longevity in ministry,” says Kennedy. Gromis has now been with the Richmond congregation for about three years. Gromis describes the experience as, “wonderful . . . because it’s not just Dave but others within the church who have been part of the process of discipling and mentoring.” He says, “Pastor Dave really invests time into developing me as he says, not just for this particular ministry, but for the longevity of ministry.”
One of the keys to the relationship working well, Kennedy says, is that “in a mentoring relationship it’s so valuable that both of the individuals are teachable. And Brad is very teachable. And yet, at the same time, he has a lot to offer.” Reflecting on his own ministry experience, Kennedy says, “I know what mentoring has meant in my life, and that’s what I want for Brad. I know that he and his wife really feel God has called them into ministry. We read so many statistics of individuals who leave the ministry…I’m thankful that I have been entrusted by God to be able to encourage this guy.” For his part, Gromis says he feels “blessed to be in the kind of relationship we have.” He recalls being in the presence of a number of other associate pastors and youth pastors where the majority were complaining about the senior pastors they work with. Gromis recalls, “When it got to be my turn, I said what Pastor Dave and I have is a relationship that I see modeled in Scripture. He treats me like Paul treated Titus, ‘my true son of the common faith.’”
Pointing out that in most gatherings of pastors he’s one of the youngest present, Gromis says, “I love the Fellowship [of Grace Brethren Churches]—the Lord used the Fellowship in my life in profound ways, and I want to see it move forward.” “If we’re going to do that,” he says, “It will be through taking risks with young guys. We need to have more guys like Pastor Dave who are willing to say, ‘This is going to be work for me, to add this extra person, but it’s Jesus’ principle—it’s what He did to advance His kingdom.’”
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:37
Restoring the Household: Spanish Edition Planned
Generous donations afforded the initial printing of Restoring the Household and provided a complimentary copy to congregations in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. It was Scoles’ desire to see the book used around the world. Before he died in 2010, he dreamed of providing a Spanish edition to Hispanic Grace Brethren pastors and missionaries. “Grace Brethren churches are growing all through Latin America, but most of our Latin brothers do not know much about our heritage,” says Jesus Munoz, pastor of Iglesia Comunal la Esperanza, a Grace Brethren congregation in Valrico, Fla. Scoles was the president of the BMH board of directors. His influence is seen throughout the organization, even more than a year after his untimely death. BMH plans to honor him by publishing the Spanish edition of his book. The work has already been translated, thanks to a generous gift from the Grace Brethren Investment Foundation. But an additional $5,000 is needed to cover design, typesetting, and printing. Would you join us in making this landmark book available to our Hispanic brothers and sisters? Your tax deductible gift will cover the production costs that will allow BMH to provide the material in their native language. Simply complete the form below and return it, with your donation, to the Brethren Missionary Herald, Box 544, If you’d like to make an online donation, go to bmhbooks.com and click on the “Donate Now!” banner.
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:31
New Name, Same Mission: GBIM Becomes Encompass World PartnersGrace Brethren International Missions (GBIM) has announced that the organization, founded in 1900, is now Encompass World Partners. While the name change is effective immediately, other elements of the new brand will be transitioned in phases over the next year.
GBIM’s global leadership team and board of directors prayerfully sought input from pastors, staff, and groups of potential missionaries during the year-long discovery phase that led to the change. The research supported the conviction that a name change would position the organization more effectively to serve future generations while removing unnecessary barriers in ministries on resistant spiritual soils.
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:28
Vision 2020: Seeing Needs
I developed an eye problem recently. The symptons could have been a migraine headache, but I made a precautionary trip to the ophthalmologist, and he diagnosed the problem. There were three small tears in the retina of my left eye which caused the visual abnormalities I was experiencing. A specialist identified further details of the problem, per¬formed laser surgery to prevent more damage, and recom¬mended I not read for a week. Now that was a problem! He did say I could watch all the television I wanted… which lasted about ten minutes. The episode taught me some valuable lessons: I take my eyesight for granted. It reminded me just how much I use my eyes every day. I also have an “I” problem. This didn’t just develop recently; I’ve had it all my life. The symptoms are similar: 1. I take for granted the gifts God has given me in life. 2. I easily focus on my needs and preferences rather than the needs of others. 3. I need the work of the Great Physician to perform spiritual surgery to help correct my vision. Jesus reminded us that an eye can offend us (Matthew 5:29). So can an “I” problem. We can easily become consumed by our own needs rather than the needs of others. It’s no wonder Jesus said, “Open your eyes and look on the fields. They are ripe to harvest” (John 4:35). People around us desperately need to know God. Would you pray that the “I” problem we all battle doesn’t keep us from seeing the real needs of those people? Bob Fetterhoff is the first multi-year moderator of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches (FGBC). He is the pastor of the Grace Brethren Church, Wooster, Ohio.
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:26
Five Churches Receive GBIF LoansThe Grace Brethren Investment Foundation (GBIF) recently approved new loans totaling $786,000 to the following ministries in the Fellowship of Grace
“GBIF is very pleased to assist these FGBC ministries in seeking to grow and expand for Christ by improving their facilities,” shares Ken Seyfert of GBIF. “They represent a diversity of locations throughout the USA, but alike in their common mission of reaching their communities and beyond for our Lord. It is a privilege to partner with them.”
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:18
CPR 3 Sees Great Opportunities for Help and Hope
O’Deens was pastor of the Gateway Grace Community Church in Parkesburg, Pa., at the time. Before arriving there in 1997 as a church planter/founding pastor, he had served as a youth pastor in Osceola, Ind., and as a Christian school administrator. Along the way, he developed a passion for people who were overlooked and struggling. “I grew up in Cleveland,” O’Deens said. “So I’ve always rooted for the underdog.” It was that mindset that motivated him to volunteer at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He worked first with the Salvation Army and then switched to the Red Cross, taking basic courses so he would be ready to help during a crisis.
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:14
Partnership Allows New Academic DegreesUndergraduate and graduate engineering degrees are now available on the campus of Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. They are available in cooperation with Trine University in a program that allows students to earn an engineering degree through Trine while attending and receiving all the on-campus benefits of Grace. Degrees available include Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology and a Bachelor of Engineering with stems in Biomedical Engineering Management, Civil Engineering Management, and Mechanical Engineering Management. Students will simultaneously earn both an engineering degree from Trine and an applied physics degree from Grace. All four undergraduate degrees will provide engineering students with the latest resources to meet the tough demands of the global workplace. Engineering students will be prepared to enter a fast-changing world where their education will enable them to be on the cutting edge of their fields. Thanks to their time at Grace, these students will also be equipped to deal with relational and spiritual challenges. The partnership between the two schools allows students to enjoy Grace’s Christian campus experience, including dorm life, chapel, and growth groups, while they learn from Trine’s academically rigorous and widely-respected engineering classes. Engineering students will be able to keep their financial aid package all four years and will be eligible to participate in collegiate sports. Students will meet with a faculty advisor from Grace College and a student support specialist from Trine University, which operates a 400-acre main campus in Angola, Ind., and has regional learning centers spread across north and central Indiana.
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:11
Next Brethren World Assembly to Examine SpiritualityPlans have already begun for the next Brethren World Assembly. It will be held July 18-21, 2013, at the Brethren Heritage Center, Brookville. Ohio, and will follow the theme Robert Alley of the Church of the Brethren is chairing the planning committee. Other members are: Tom Julien, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches; Gary Kocheiser, Conservative Grace Brethren; Milton Cook, Dunkard Brethren; Jeff Bach, Church of the Brethren; Mike Miller, Old German Baptist Brethren-New Conference; and Brenda Colijn, The Brethren Church. Several members of the Grace Brethren family have been invited to participate in the Assembly, treating both historic and present aspects of Brethren spirituality. Throughout our history, the Grace Brethren have sought to express their spirituality in a three-fold commitment: to biblical truth in the Scriptures, to biblical relationships in the Church, and to biblical mission to the world. The Brethren World Assembly, held every five years, is a function of the Brethren Encyclopedia Committee. In 2008, The Brethren World Assembly was held in Schwarzenau, Germany, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Brethren movement.
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 17:08
Prayer Summit: GO2 Ministries Gathers FGBC Representatives
Who wouldn’t want to spend a few gray days in sunny Orlando, Fla., especially when the purpose of the trip is to call people to prayer for the United States? That’s the goal of GO2 Ministries staff as they meet with district representatives from around the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches at the Circles of Grace Prayer Summit, January 9-10, 2012. “The Summit will focus on GO2’s Circles of Grace initiative, the 1,765 Prayer Circles and how individuals, churches, districts, and the entire FGBC will benefit by participating,” says Jim Snavely, GO2 Ministries’ national church-planting director. “We’re hoping everyone leaves energized and excited about Circles of Grace and the opportunity the project presents to allow for concerted, focused prayer on the entire country.” Tim Boal, GO2 executive director, adds, “The Circles of Grace Summit is designed to raise awareness of the Circles of Grace prayer initiative and to generate excitement about the accompanying mobile phone app that’s due to debut very soon. It’s GO2’s desire to see each participant become an advocate of this vital project within his or her own sphere of influence.”
Published in
News
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 16:58
It’s a New Day! Developing a Common Commitment
I would love to have been a mouse under the table in 2008 when representatives of Grace Brethren movements around the world met in Bad Hom¬burg, Germany. They had gathered to discover how they could best move forward together. They had already defined their common values at previous meetings. By then known as Charis, the multinational network of Grace Brethren church planters and developers, they determined they were jointly focused on the pursuit of biblical truth, biblical relationships, and biblical mission. Now in Germany and working in three languages – English, Spanish, and French – they hammered out a document that they presented to Grace Brethren groups worldwide. They asked that it be used as a guiding star during the decade ahead. In particular, they sug¬gested that 2010-2020 be designated as the decade of multiplication in which every church would be mobilized to reproduce itself through planting one or more new churches. The Commitment to Common Mission (CCM) was subsequently adopted by the Fellow¬ship of Grace Brethren Churches in North America and by each of its national ministries. The document affirms that the church is God’s plan for this age and calls for each group of congregations to commit to mobilize their members and resources to plant new churches. It encourages the development of culturally sensitive strategies to train leaders according to their gifting. It empowers those leaders to train others by creating tools that proclaim the gospel, teach the fundamentals of the Christian faith, and encourage a life of wisdom. Finally, it calls upon the church to bless believers, strengthen congregations, and reach the lost by demonstrating works which reflect true faith. Later that year, in October, the BMH board of directors endorsed the recommendations of Charis. In doing so, they made a commitment to provide visibility for the Commitment to Common Mission and help sustain the movement. As a result, BMH has supported Charis through the development of a web site that allows the participants world-wide to interact. It has also meant promoting the activities of the Enduring Visionary Leadership Communities in North America that focus on church planting, leadership development, and integrated ministries. Now I don’t have to be wishing I’d been eavesdropping at an historic meeting. Instead, I’m privileged to bring you the stories of how the CCM is being lived out in Grace Brethren communities in North America. So grab a cup of coffee or soft drink, pull up a chair, and read how God is working in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches through the Commitment to Common Mission.
Published in
News
|
Kennedy, in his sermon preparation, will often ask Gromis for his input. Gromis marvels that, “it was so clear that he valued the input . . . it said ‘you are valuable, and your input matters.’” Kennedy responds, “We have a mutual trust in one another and believe that God has brought Brad to our church for the purpose of helping in the ministry. This means helping individuals, including me as the pastor.”
Kennedy summarizes, “It’s been a great relationship. We would encourage pastors to be involved in mentoring of young pastors like Brad, and do what we can to encourage more people in the greatest ministry—serving the Lord in full-time vocational ministry.”
The new name represents an important part of a global effort to position the organization to better carry out its mission. However, Encompass World Partner’s legal name, “The Grace Trust,” will serve as a constant reminder of the organization’s connection to the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.
When Dan O’Deens volunteered to help at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks, he didn’t realize that God would use that experience to launch a new ministry.
