Brethren Mission Fund Newsletter Volume 13, Summer 2011

BRF’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.

Pat and Karen Myers

Pat and Karen Myers from the Pleasant View Congregation (Southern PA District), have been serving for a number of years at the Missionary Training College in New Zealand. They are serving through World Evangelization for Christ (WEC). The mission organization asks their missionaries not to solicit financial support, believing that God’s people will provide. The BMF committee has again agreed to contribute $6,000 toward their support for the coming year.

Jeff and Jean Graham

Jeff and Jean Graham returned home in June of 2009 after serving as missionaries in Haiti through Christian Service International. Jeff began pastoring the Pleasant View Church of the Brethren (South/ Central Indiana District). However, since the major earthquake in Haiti in January of 2010, Jeff and Jean have returned to Haiti in August of 2010. They are again serving through Christian Service International. The BMF committee has decided to continue support of $6,000 for the Graham’s in the coming year.

Ken and Janet Winebark

Ken and Janet Winebark are members of the Richland Church of the Brethren (Atlantic Northeast District) and have been serving with Mercy Ships for a number of years. Ken is the Director of Agricultural Programs in the countries where Mercy Ships serves, and Janet also works for Mercy Ships in Donor Services. The BMF committee has agreed to contribute $1,000 toward the Winebark’s support in the coming year and will further review their support in May of 2012.

Alpha and Omega

The Alpha and Omega Fellowship (ANE District) and the Laurel Street Mennonite Church serve the Latino community in the city of Lancaster, PA. Together they are sponsoring their Sixth Annual Vacation Bible School and Day Camp this summer. The BMF committee has again agreed to support this work and is contributing $1,500 toward this outreach effort, being sent directly to Alpha and Omega.

Thomas Martson

Tom Marston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Marston and a member of the Lewiston, Maine Congregation (Atlantic Northeast District), will again be working at Camp Good News this summer under the auspices of Child Evangelism Fellowship. Tom needs to raise $2,200 for the six-week program. The BMF committee has again agreed to contribute a one-time gift of $500 toward this work, with the funds being sent directly to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maine.

Becky Bollinger

Becky Bollinger, daughter of Bruce and Bev Bollinger and a member of the Heidelberg Church of the Brethren (Atlantic Northeast District), is planning to leave this August for a two-year term of service. She will be serving among Native Americans in Cherry Creek, South Dakota, through the Olive Branch Mission. Becky will be teaching kindergarten, first grade and also Sunday School while there. The BMF committee has decided to contribute $2,000 toward her support for the first year, and will review continued support in May of 2012.

Brethren Theological Training Academy in Spain

The Church of the Brethren has had a presence in the country of Spain for at least ten years. Last year several delegations of U.S. Brethren visited Spain to meet with the Brethren there. The church leaders in Spain have formally requested to be recognized by the Church of the Brethren in the United States. Earlier this spring, pastors Fausto Carrasco and Daniel D’Oleo submitted a proposal for theological training to Jay Wittmeyer. Although formal recognition of the church in Spain has not yet occurred, Jay Wittmeyer has given permission to begin this training program. However, because formal recog­nition of these churches has not yet occurred, no funds were permitted to be designated to the training program. Therefore, Jeff Boshart has contacted both Brethren World Missions and Brethren Mission Fund to see if they would consider jointly sponsoring the first year of theological training for Spain. The expenses for this training for 2011 (for two people) would be $4,200. The BMF committee agreed to contribute a one-time gift of $2,100 toward this work, with the monies being channeled through Jay Wittmeyer’s office in Elgin.

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.

Missionary Names and Addresses

Isai & Kristalene Bautista
Apdo Post 4-28/
Oaxaca, Oax. MEXICO 68051
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
Altmore, AL 36502
Phone: 251-259-6310
e-mail: [email protected]

 

John & Shirley Kurtz
We Care Program
3493 Highway 21
Atmore, AL 36502
e-mail: [email protected]

 

Jeff & Jean Graham
Christian Service International
Serving in Haiti
1714 W. Royale Drive
Muncie, IN 47304

 

Linc & Kay Myers
2049 Diosd
Radnoti utca 1
HUNGARY
e-mail: LincnKaye@inteqritycom

 

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

Committee Members and Addresses

Chairman – C. Earl Eby, 6327 Wayne Highway, Waynesboro,  PA 17268
Director – James F. Myer, 234 Keener Rd., Lititz, PA 17543
Vice Chairman – J. Eric Brubaker, 859 Rettew Mill Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522
Secretary – Paul W. Brubaker, 954 Lincoln Heights Ave., Ephrata, PA 17522
Treasurer – Carl L. Brubaker, 1425 Furnace Hill Pike, Lititz, PA 17543
Other Members –
David R. Wenger, 390 Sleepy Hollow Rd., Lititz, PA 17432
Susan M. Wenger, 304 Chestnut Street, Richland, PA 17087

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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

Brethren Mission Fund

BRF Website:

http://www.brfwitness.org/

(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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