Brethren Mission Fund Newsletter Volume 17, Winter 2015

BMF’s MISSION STATEMENT

With the salvation of souls around the world as its chief aim, the Brethren Mission Fund provides a channel through the Brethren Revival Fellowship to help resource sound Brethren mission work or Brethren workers wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is being presented.

Brandon Wenger
Brandon Wenger is a member of the Midway Congregation, Lebanon, PA (ANE District). He is a recent graduate of Penn State University and has decided to serve with Disciple Makers, a ministry to college students. His goal is to begin serving at the end of 2014. He would like to raise $4,200 of monthly support, of which $2,100 will go toward his salary. The BMF committee has agreed to support Brandon at a rate of $3,000 over the next year.

Holly (Long) Martin
Holly (Long) Martin is a member of the Welsh Run Church of the Brethren (Mid-Atlantic District). She and her husband Ben have (4) children. They have been serving in El Chal, Guatemala through Mennonite Air Missions. Ben does machinery repair and preaches regularly at the local Mennonite Church. They receive monthly support from the mission and are accountable both to the mission and to the Mennonite Church. The BMF committee approved a one-time gift of $3,000 to help cover their monthly living expenses.

David and Veola Bucher
David Bucher, from the Heidelberg Congregation (ANE District), and his wife Veola, have been serving in prison ministry in Alabama through the “We Care Program” since January of 2003. The BMF committee recently agreed to continue the support of the Buchers at a rate of $8,000 for 2015.

Linc and Kaye Myers
Linc and Kaye Myers are from the Pleasant View congregation (South-ern PA District) and are serving in Budapest, Hungary through SEND International. Linc is teaching missionary children. Recently the BMF committee agreed to support Linc and Kaye at a rate of $6,000 in 2015.

Blaine and Sheila Copenhaver
Blaine Copenhaver, from the White Oak Congregation (ANE District), and his wife Sheila, are serving in prison ministry with the “We Care Program” in Atmore, Alabama. Blaine is the assistant chaplain at the Atmore Prison. The BMF committee has again agreed to support the Copenhavers in 2015 in the amount of $5,000.

Haiti Worship “Centers”
In recent years, the BMF had pledged to contribute $40,000 toward the construction of Worship Shelters in Haiti. As of the Fall of 2013, about $20,000 had already been given. And at the August 2013 BMF meeting, the committee decided to contribute another $20,000 to the project over the next year. However, because of a surplus of funds, only about $5,000 of the $20,000 was actually sent. The committee has been made aware that although the Worship Shelters are useful and appreciated, the Haitians are often looking for more permanent structures, which include concrete floors and masonry walls.

The Church of the Brethren in Haiti recently held their general assembly where it was decided that rather than building smaller worship shelters, they would like to focus on (3) congregations, where they would build more substantial buildings. They have requested that the money designated for the “worship shelters” be expanded to include these larger buildings.

Therefore, the BMF committee has agreed to change its designation from “worship shelters” to “worship centers,” so that the funds which have already been given could be used to build the larger buildings. The BMF committee also agreed to release another $5,000 payment of the $20,000 that had been previously committed.

Mission Work in the “Horn of Africa”
Over the past year, the BMF committee has been supporting a local medical worker from Pennsylvania who is serving as a doctor in the Horn of Africa. At a recent meeting, the committee decided to increase next year’s support to $4,000.

Appeal for Funds
As we enter 2015, please consider contributing, individually or as a church, to the Brethren Mission Fund (BMF). We are committed to supporting members of the Church of the Brethren (CoB) who are working in soul-saving mission endeavors. Our goal is to stimulate mission activity in the CoB, something which has been too dormant for far too long. We are regularly dispensing funds to try to accomplish this.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. That the Church of the Brethren would seek to obey Christ and fulfill the Great Commission.
2. For the missionaries that the Brethren Mission Fund is supporting.
3. That new mission requests and financial resources would be generated.
4. That the BMF committee will have wisdom in responding to requests.
5. For those people who are serving Christ in areas where there is open opposition to the Gospel. Pray for their safety and effectiveness.

MISSIONARY NAMES AND ADDRESSES

Sharon Bruckhart
5 Brookside Drive
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone: (334) 478-4824
e-mail: [email protected]

David & Veola Bucher
5704 Iceland Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35224
Phone: (205) 786-6165
e-mail: [email protected]

Blaine & Sheila Copenhaver
821 Meadow Drive
Atmore, AL 36502
Phone: (251) 259-6310
e-mail: [email protected]

Linc & Kay Myers
2049 Diosd
Radnoti utca 1
Hungary
e-mail: [email protected]

Pat & Karen Myers
21 College Drive RD#1
Taupiri, New Zealand
e-mail: [email protected]

Ken & Janet Winebark
Mercy Ships
P.O. Box 2020
Lindale, TX 75771-2020
e-mail: [email protected]

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BMF’s MISSION STATEMENT
With the salvation of souls around the world as its chief aim, the Brethren Mission Fund provides a channel through the Brethren Revival Fellowship to help resource sound Brethren mission work or Brethren workers wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is being presented.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS & ADDRESSES
Chairman – C. Earl Eby, 6327 Wayne Highway, Waynesboro, PA 17268
Director – James F. Myer, 234 Keener Rd., Lititz, PA 17543
Vice Chairman – Paul E. Schildt, P.O. Box 20, East Berlin, PA 17316
Secretary – J. Eric Brubaker, 859 Rettew Mill Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522
Treasurer – Carl L. Brubaker, 1425 Furnace Hill Pike, Lititz, PA 17543
Other Members –
Susan M. Wenger, 304 Chestnut Street, Richland, PA 17087
Dale Wolgemuth, 2180 Hossler Road, Manheim, PA 17545
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James F. Myer, Director
234 Keener Road
Lititz, PA 17543
(717) 626-5555

Eric & Linda Brubaker, Editors

The Brethren Mission Fund is a ministry of the Brethren Revival Fellowship.

BMF Webpage

http://www.brfwitness.org/?page_id=9

BRF Website:

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(This newsletter may be copied and distributed freely within congregations and beyond.)

Contributions may be sent to:

Brethren Mission Fund
P.O. Box 543
Ephrata, PA 17522-0543

In 2023, Brethren Maine Missions (BMM) purchased the Building Materials Exchange.  The Last Sheaf Building Materials Exchange provides exposure and connection with the community of Lisbon while offering a variety of new, used, and salvaged building materials, tools, and supplies at greatly reduced prices.

Why “The Last Sheaf?”

The Last Sheaf is a reference from the Bible where God says:

When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 24:19 (NKJV)

Links:

  • https://lastsheafbme.org/

Highlights:

   GOD is faithful! The sun shines and GOD is with us, the rain comes down and GOD is with us.

 

   Since we’ve taken ownership of the Last Sheaf BME, we’ve made roof repairs, insulated the ceiling, repaired walls, etc. There were times it felt like every step we took there was another thing to fix. 

 

   We have two people on staff (Craig Keeney and Peter Bucher) assisted by a tremendous team of volunteers. We work together to make repairs, do pricing and inventory work, assist customers and more.  Interacting with and helping customers is the highlight of our day. People come with material needs; they need product to build or repair their home. People come with spiritual and emotional needs, as well. We purpose to get to know the individuals who come through our doors in order to share hope, truth, and love.

 

   One individual who had visited the Last Sheaf a couple of times was loud, large, and in charge. He had a “Goliath” personality. He made me quake in my boots a little (maybe a lot). His language was at times not appropriate anywhere, but especially not in a public place. One day he was standing right beside me and was about to speak that which I did not want to hear.  In a very quiet voice, I called him by name and before I could say any more, he apologized and said, “You are right. I shouldn’t be talking like that.”  Then he launched into a spiritual conversation with me. I was totally taken off guard by the change. He has been a different person ever since. Now he is more like a “David” personality. I now look forward to opportunities to speak with him.

 

   Donations of products/materials as well as finances are always appreciated, but the prayers of the saints are as vital a need to the work at the Last Sheaf, as anything.

Just as in biblical times the last sheaves of grain from a harvest were to be left behind to benefit the needy, we are taking leftover building materials, tools, and supplies and making them available at greatly reduced prices to those in need.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to benefit low-income homeowners, and to reduce waste in the environment by repurposing surplus building materials, enabling low income homeowners to better maintain their homes.

Register Now

BBI Registration Now Open!

Come explore God’s Word with us!. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17”
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INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGY

Every Christian thinks about God, so every Christian is a theologian. Theology is the study of God. This course will encourage us to think about God in a biblical manner, from the information provided in the Scriptures. We will seek to further understand some major theological ideas from the Anabaptist-Pietist viewpoint and explain those ideas.

A STUDY OF ABRAHAM

Father of the faithful and a friend of God. His life serves as a profound study in covenant theology, testing the boundaries of faith, sacrifice, trust, and ultimate devotion to the One Creator. In this session we will study the character of Abraham, identify pictures of Jesus Christ, and apply truths and insights into our lives.

THE BOOK OF PSALMS

Within this collection of songs and prayers lie expressions of the deep passions of humanity. The psalmists cry out in despair, pour out his soul in confession, and express exuberant praise for his God. Through the peaks and valleys of human experience, the Psalms guide us to praise our loving Creator.

THE CULTS AND FALSE RELIGIONS

This study will look at the beliefs of a variety of cults and false religions that are prevalent in America today. These false beliefs will be contrasted with Biblical truth along with ways to respond when confronted by followers of these cults.

WOMEN IN THE EARLY CHURCH

You’ve heard about Paul and Silas, Peter and John. But, what about Priscillas? Chloe? Phoebe? and Lydia (a strong woman who “prevailed” on Paul, Silas and Luke in Philippi)? Because of its focus on the ones that others rejected, tax collectors, Samaritans and women, Jesus and later the early church attracted the outcasts into their followers. This class will focus on the women who influenced the early church and the role of women in the church today.

NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY

A general survey of the entire New Testament, which includes a panoramic view of all 27 books. Note will be made of leading characteristics, main ideas of thought, and summary outlines of each book. Each book will be related to the total message of the New Testament.

STUDIES IN JOHN’S LETTERS

A detailed look at epistles that emphasize the relationship of the Christian to the father through the Lord Jesus Christ. The themes of assurance, obedience, love and truth in the Christian life will be drawn from our study.

STATEMENT OF CONDUCT

The Brethren Bible Institute believes in the discipline of the whole person (spirit, soul, and body). We will aim to train students not only about how to study the Bible in a systematic way (2 Timothy 2:15), but also how to live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12). God calls Christians to the highest of character when He commands us to be holy (1 Peter 1:15), and holiness requires discipline.

Indulgence in the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages, drugs, profanity, and gambling are forbidden at BBI. Objectionable literature will be prohibited. Students are asked not to use the college pool during the Institute. Each student must be thoughtful, and respect the rights of others at all times, especially during study and rest periods.

A friendly social group intermingling of students between class periods, and at general school activities is encouraged. Each student should enjoy the friendship of the entire group. At all times, highest standards of social conduct between men and women must be maintained. This means that all forms of unbecoming behavior and unseemly familiarities will be forbidden.

Personal appearance and grooming tell much about one's character. Students are expected to be dressed in good taste. In an attempt to maintain Scriptural expressions of simplicity, modesty, and nonconformity, the following regulations shall be observed while attending BBI.

MEN should be neatly attired and groomed at all times. Fashion extremes and the wearing of jewelry should be avoided on campus. The hair should not fall over the shirt-collar when standing, nor should it cover the ears.

WOMEN should wear skirts cut full enough and of sufficient length to at least come to the knees when standing and sitting. Form-fitting, transparent, low-neckline, or sleeveless clothing will not be acceptable. Slacks and culottes are permitted only for recreation and then only when worn under a skirt of sufficient length. Wearing jewelry should be avoided on campus. Long hair for women is encouraged and all Church of the Brethren girls (and others with like convictions) shall be veiled on campus.

The Institute reserves the right to dismiss any student whose attitude and behavior is not in harmony with the ideals of the School, or whose presence undermines the general welfare of the School, even if there is no specific breach of conduct.

The Brethren Bible Institute is intended to provide sound Bible teaching and wholesome Christian fellowship for all who desire it. The Bible School Committee worked hard and long at the task of arriving at standards, which will be pleasing to the Lord. It is not always easy to know just where the line should be drawn and we do not claim perfection. No doubt certain standards seem too strict for some and too loose for others. If you are one who does not share all these convictions, we hope you will agree to adjust to them for the School period, for the sake of those who do. We are confident that the blessings received will far outweigh any sacrifice you may have to make. If you have a special problem or question, please write to us about it. To be accepted as a student at BBI, you will need to sign a statement indicating that you will cooperate with the standards of the School.

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