The Brethren Evangelist - May/June 2016

E v a n g e l i s tthe Brethren

may/june 2016

youth edition

contents

connect

Note from Executive Director .............................4

The Brethren Evangelist Asks ..............................5

A Look at our Youth .............................................6

AU Interns ..............................................................7

Once Upon A Time ...............................................9Bill Ludwig

Why Missions .....................................................10Luke Dowdy

General Conference Details ...........................12General Conference Schedule .......................13

Brethren Peace Initiative ..................................15Phil Lersch

One at a Time ...................................................16Nancy Diehl

Cheyenne Brethren Church Missions ..............17written by students

Bits & Pieces .......................................................19

Culture is moving fast. As human beings get older, it seems that the culture makes the jump to light speed. I believe part of that is because as we get older, we learn to pay attention to the things that matter most and set aside those things that seem to matter less. That means that we will know less about the new technology that is around. It could mean that your four-year-old grandchild can operate your phone better than you can! But it also means that we have an obligation to teach the gen-erations behind us that there are things that are worth paying attention to and we might want to slow down in order to see people, places, opportunities, etc. in the way that Jesus intended them to be seen. I hope you are able to do that. No mat-ter how old you are when you are read-ing this, there is an opportunity for you to help someone else see Jesus. We all can call the “Jesus” out of someone else and encourage them to do the same. It is simple discipleship!

In this edition of the Evangelist you will read stories about the younger genera-tions in our Church. We are excited to see just how God has created them to serve Him. As you are reading I hope you will be encouraged to engage with Jesus where He is working in your com-munity. I hope you will be encouraged to get involved with someone as a mentor, I hope you are encouraged to pray for our Church and pray for this generation’s capacity to enact change in the world around us. Be encouraged. Jesus is always making things new!

Grace and Peace,Steven

Brethren Church

@BrethrenChurch1

The Brethren Church National Office

Brethren Church

Brethren Church1

419.289.1708

www.brethrenchurch.org

[email protected]

The Brethren Church 524 College Ave.Ashland, OH 44805

4 May/June 2016

Brethrenchurch1

fTHE BRETHREN EVANGELIST ASKS...

B.E. Tell us about yourself and your family. JH: My wife, Kim, and I have been married for 25 years and we have two grown children. Kaity will be completing her sophomore year at Southeastern Uni-versity this spring and Caleb will be graduating from Northridge High School. I grew up in North Canton, Ohio where I attended Trinity Brethren Church and Kim grew up in Elkhart, Indiana where she attended First Brethren Church of Elkhart.

B.E. When did you begin working in youth ministry?JH: My first youth ministry job was at Trinity Breth-ren Church in Canton, Ohio in 1990. Kim and I led the Junior High ministry on Wednesday nights.

B.E. What is your favorite part of ministry?JH: I absolutely love it when students are able to take their walk with Christ to the next level. It is incredible to witness a first-time decision to accept Christ as Lord and Savior or when someone receives a unique revela-tion from Him.

B.E. What has been the hardest part of ministry for you or your family? (Maybe Kim can answer the sec-ond half of that.)JH: I can see the God-given potential in the students I have ministered to over the years. Most youth or young adults also sense that potential. Yet the hardest part is that there are students who never believe they are loved by God and that He desires to be with them.

B.E. No matter what church you’ve worked at you’ve always brought kids to youth conference (Engage). Why is this an important part of your ministry? How do you continue to encourage kids to attend?JH: I think it is important for them to see that they

are part of this community that we call Brethren. Engage has always offered dynamic worship, qual-ity speakers, and great fellowship with other students across the country. Year after year, the entire youth group sells the idea of going to Youth Conference. So I really do not have to encourage others to go, but I know that each one will get something out of those five days that will encourage their walk with God.

B.E. Several of our churches have kids with no one really leading the youth. Can you tell them the best way to get organized?JH: It’s my hope that local youth groups in the community would welcome them and allow them to participate or tag along in whatever special activity is occurring at the time. In addition, district camps often have special events for youth; also there are weekend conferences for advisors and students that are held around the nation.

B.E. Do you have a favorite Bible Study or curricu-lum you always reuse? (i.e. Everyone in 8th grade has done this specific study even if they were in your group eight years ago.)JH: One of my favorites is called “Life Hurts God Heals” (a youth version of “Celebrate Recovery”). I have learned that we all have some sort of hurt, hang-up, or habit that we want to get rid of. Time and time again, this has been that one study our group often refers to when we experience some of those things.

B.E. Tell us your favorite road-trip memory with youth.JH: I really don’t have a favorite road trip story…just horror stories. LOL

B.E. Now that almost every kid is snapchatting or texting 24/7, how do you engage them during a youth gathering? JH: One way is to keep them moving with games or some sort of hands-on activity. The other is to know the lesson so well that you don’t have to read it to them because you know it from the heart. They also love to be captivated in a story. So share your per-sonal experiences.

B.E. Is there one thing you want kids to walk away with when they leave for college?JH: I want them to have a secure relationship with Christ and to always remember that once they were my youth kid–they will always be my youth kid. I’m available to them if they are 14, 24, or 34.

JOHN HOWENSTINE

John has been involved in youth ministry since col-lege. He is currently the youth pastor at Nappanee First Brethren Church. We hope you enjoy learning more about John and his heart for youth.

The Brethren Evangelist 5

6 May/June 2016

a look at our youth

jjThe Brethren Evangelist 7

m e e t t h e i n t e r n sWe are extremely grateful and excited for the opportunity to begin connecting a new generation of

leaders to phenomenal ministry leaders within our denomination as we reclaim our distinctive values. Brethren Connections and The Brethren Church are proud to be partnering to allow AU student

internships each summer at local Brethren churches in practical ministry opportunities. This summer we were able to place 4 student interns at local churches.

The following page introduces the rest of our tribe to the interns serving in practical ways with our Brethren Church families. They will also be attending General Conference at the end of their

commitment period, so make sure to keep them in your prayers this summer, and ask how it went!

Email Paula ([email protected]) or send the following information and we’ll assign you an Intern to be in prayer for this summer.

Name: ________________________________

Address: ______________________________

City, State, Zip: _________________________

Email: ________________________________

You’ll hear from your intern throughout the summer. If you’re planning to attend General

Conference later this summer, you’ll even have an opportunity to meet the students and get to

know them more!

Attention Prayer

Warriors!

SIGN uP NoW to pray specifically for one of the Summer Interns

that will be serving at a Brethren Church this summer.

8 May/June 2016

Tyler HenryTyler Henry, 20 years old, is a sophomore double major in Sport Communi-cations and Religion at AU. He is involved with the Well and is currently a member of ELI (Emerging Leaders Incubator) in preparation for Well lead-ership next year. Tyler is gifted in entrepreneurship, teaching, and leading, and he hopes to learn more about church planting and ministry leadership. This summer he will be serving with Radial Church in Canton, Ohio.

Lydia SmithLydia Smith, 20 years old, is currently a junior at AU with a double major in Religion and Psychology. She also has a passion for working with youth and has served with Epiphany, a ministry for youth in juvenile correction facilities. This summer she hopes to grow in a more rounded understand-ing of what it means to be in ministry and what role ministry will play in her future. She will be serving as an intern at Smoky Row Brethren Church in Columbus, Ohio.

Ruth ChilcoteRuth Chilcote, 22 years old, is a senior Early Childhood Education major with a minor in Spanish at AU. She has been very involved with Well Leader-ship on campus specifically focusing on different aspects of Worship. She has a love for singing and feels the Well has helped her to develop and grow leadership skills in many different ways. This summer she hopes to continue to grow in these leadership skills through serving as the Children's Ministry Intern with Park Street Brethren Church and Children’s ministry at General Conference.

Carlie FreemanCarlie Freeman, 20 years old, is a sophomore Business Management major at AU. She is currently a member of ELI (Emerging Leaders Incubator) in preparation for Well leadership next year. She also serves as Worship Intern with the Well and has played a central role in the creation of a women’s min-istry within the Well community called Wide Open. This summer she will be serving at Compass Community Church in Winchester, VA.

m e e t t h e i n t e r n s

I love stories that begin with the phrase “Once upon a time…” They instantly make me think of stories that I was told when I was young. Stories of villains and heroes. Stories of noble quests and of breathtaking victories. Stories that begin with “Once upon a time…” also make me think about the beginning of an adven-ture and a time when even the seemingly “magical” is possible. I love stories that begin “Once upon a time…”

Almost every new church begins as a “Once upon a time” story. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself.

…Once upon a time, in a town like any other town, there were people who lived their lives based only on what they could see with their own eyes, touch with their own hands, hear with their own ears. For these people, life had its good moments. People were married. Babies were born. Children grew. Life also had its hard moments. When life got hard, the people, who only knew what they could experience with their senses, became fearful and helpless. They lived as those who had no hope because all of the ways that they tried to make sense of things ended up cold and empty. Every church that anyone has ever been a part of began “Once upon a time…” in a community just like this with people like this.

Once upon a time, the church you gather within your commu-nity didn’t exist. In your town, there were people who simply reacted to the world around them. When their attempts to steer themselves through the complexities of life came up short, there “they” were…the heroes, the ones bound together in noble

Once Upon a Time...

by Bill Ludwig

quest…not to save an imaginary king-dom but to reveal a real one. The king-dom they revealed was rich in commu-nity and acceptance. It called the people to become their best selves and to bring out the best in others. In this kingdom, life makes sense. In this kingdom, strangers become friends and friends become family. Here your friends and family can find what they are looking for. This humble fellowship of heroes passionately invited the people to join them as people of the kingdom and your church was born.

To this day, in the town where you live, in the town next door, and in towns everywhere there are still many who have never experienced what life can be like in the kingdom. You are the heroes of their story. Yes. You. Because you live in the kingdom, you know things, see things, feel things that they don’t…that they can’t. You hold the keys to that kingdom and you can let them in. When you do, they will let you in…into their lives, into their fight. When they do, join them. Heroes always pick a fight, a quest, a side to be on. As you read this, Jesus is calling you to pick a fight. Not a fight against people but a fight for people. That fight is why we plant churches.

As I write this, know that we believe that this fight is yours…all of yours. Within you is the substance of the kingdom, a weapon against which not even Hell has defense. Unlike in a bedtime story or adventure book, this magic is real. You and I, all of us, are called to not only live in this kingdom but also to carry the magic of its love to your family and friends. When you do this and people are drawn together, you have planted a church. We believe in the Jesus in you. Do you believe in Him too? If so, in the kingdom, your “Once upon a time…” begins now.


Why Missions by Luke Dowdy

10 May/June 2016

The Uncommon Life Student Ministries will be taking 21 students and 4 leaders on a mission trip to Belize this sum-mer from June 25-July 1. This will be the first international student-focused mission trip our church has ever done. We’ve taken a step of faith in believing that this experience will not only benefit the people we minister to in Belize, but will also change the trajectory of our student ministry mov-ing forward and will stretch and strengthen our students in their walk with Jesus. We want to share some of that thought process with you, and why, ultimately, short-term missions has value in youth ministry.

Part of why short-term mis-sions are valuable and impor-tant is because it produces well-rounded Christians (yes, even students) that understand the Church outside of the walls of a building in their com-munity. As we read scripture, it is impossible for disciples of Jesus to not be missional. Why wait until you are an adult to have these faith stretching experiences?! We believe stu-dents are called to reach oth-ers the same as any adult. We want to give students a heart for the world because God has a heart for the world. Even if they never step foot out of the country again, they will under-stand the calling of missions

that Jesus has charged us with because they understand the value and importance of shar-ing the Good News with people that need to hear it. Simply put, missions are a part of the Christian DNA. That same DNA can give essential life-blood to any student ministry willing to step out of their comfort zone and put faith in a God-dependent experience.

For many of us, times of intense growth in our faith often came through struggles or uncertainty. It is hard to create an at-mosphere for that kind of growth within the bounds of normalcy, but when students go way out of their element, they are forced to rely less on their own strength and abilities and they begin seeing things that only God can do. Such a God-dependent experience changes them, giving them a different perspective when they return to what was normal.

One of the things we encoun-tered from parents right away was the belief that their chil-dren should go on a mission trip to truly appreciate what they have here in America. That is okay and often a by-product of visiting other places around the world. But our primary goal is for students to see that Jesus is limitlessly

beautiful and worthy of sharing with others. Jesus is diverse and often did and does surpris-ing things. When we see him at work outside of the bounds of our normal lives, we see just a little more of who he is and we are drawn deeper in love with him.

We believe the church is a mo-saic, made up of every corner of the world. When students get to experience another part of the church in a different part of the world, they see them-selves as part of something grander, bigger than them-selves. It explodes their view of who Jesus is, and in turn, their worship and lifestyles follow. They become lifelong partici-pants in God’s mission around the world. As one of our fa-vorite quotes from John Piper says, “to belong to Jesus is to embrace the nations with him.”

“We want to give students a heart for the world because

God has a heart for the world.”


12 May/June 2016

Registration will take place in The AU Upper Convocation Center from 12pm-3:45pm. There is still plenty of time to register for General Conference, visit our website to register.

PLEASE NOTE:

NO TICKETS for meals will be available at General Conference, please order all meal tickets before July 1 in order to attend the meals.

KIDS CONFERENCE for those under 5 th grade will be happening at Park St. Brethren Church. Parents who sign their kids up for this fun week of events will receive more information

closer to conference. Cost information is on the adult registration form.

The Eagle’s Nest (in the Student Center) will be open for lunch each day from 10-2pm.

ALL of the WMS (Women Meant to Serve) gatherings will happen on Monday.

The first worship service to kick off the 128 th General Conference of The Brethren Church will begin Monday July 18 at 4pm.

Wednesday will be a free afternoon to explore the greater Ashland area. There will be maps available to local attractions (Cedar Point is just 50 minutes away),

canoeing, hiking, shopping and a local splash park for the kids are options during this day to see the sights. More details will be

available at General Conference Headquarters during conference.

The youth of The Brethren Church are returning to Ashland University this year. We plan to have a couple different opportunities for new worship experiences while on campus together this year!

Radial Worship Band will be leading all of our worship gatherings this year. We look forward to them

joining us again this year.

GENERALCONFERENCEDETAILSTO KNOW


MONDAY JULY 18

12-4 pm Check In (Upper Convo Lobby)

1:30-3:30 pm NABCE Mtg (Upper Covo)

2-3:45pm WMS Mtg (Park St gym)

4-6 pm Opening Session (Upper Convo)

6:30 pm Welcome Dinner hosted by WMS (PSBC gym)

8-9 pm WMS business mtg (PSBC)

TUESDAY JULY 19

7:30-8:30am Breakfast available in convo

9-10am Conference Worship (Upper Convo)

10:15-12 pm Worship Session (Upper Convo)

1-2 pm ATS hosted Lunch (on ATS campus)

2-4 pm Break Out sessions (locations vary, consult program book)

4-6 pm Worship Session

6:30 pm Dinner

8 pm MissioChurch gathering (PSBC gym)

WEDNESDAY JULY 20

7:30-8:30 am Breakfast available in convo

9-10 am Conference Worship (Upper Convo)

10:15-1 pm Business Session #1 (Upper Convo)

Free afternoon many options available (golf, rec center open, shopping)

7 pm Evening entertainment (Upper Convo)

THURSDAY JULY 21



10:15-12pm Worship Session (Upper Convo)

1-2 pm Lunch break

2-4 pm Break Out sessions (locations vary, consult program book)

4-6 pm Worship Session (Upper Convo)

6:30 pm Global Partner Dinner (PSBC gym)

FRIDAY JULY 22



10:15-1 pm Business Session #2 (Upper Convo)

1 pm Close of General Conference

GENERAL CONFERENCE

SCHEDULE128th General Conference

1 Chronicles 16:24

From intimate close-up magic go a full-blow Las Vegas style production, Tim has spent a lifetime creating and fine-tuning his shows to create an entertainment expe-rience that will have you on the edge of your seat. As a Master Magician, entertain-ment and audience connection is of highest importance.

Tim’s career as a master magician has enabled me to perform for such people as Academy-Award winning actor Matt Damon, members of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. He has also had the privilege of performing for many colleges and universities across the country as well as na-tionally recognized brands such as Coca-Cola and ESPN College GameDay.

At 18, he was invited to perform at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in a show that was sponsored by magicians Sieg-fried and Roy and Lance Burton. As Tim en-tered college, he continued to perform magic for colleges, theaters, and corporations as he worked his way through college earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and his Master of Divinity Degree from Ashland Theological Seminary.

Tim will be sharing his illusion talents at En-gage Conference on Wednesday evening. The show is free and open to anyone from General Conference who would like to attend.

tim kutchjA cutting edge illusionist will be sharing his talents during engage conference

14 May/June 2016

The easiest way to move forward in a body of water, make progress, reach a goal, is to go the same direc-tion as the current. Everyone and everything knows that (boaters, swimmers, loggers, fish)-except salmon, who seem to thrive on occasion by going upstream, “mak-ing amazing journeys, sometimes moving hundreds of miles upstream against strong currents and rapids”-according to my trusty Google research!

Remembering this fact of nature again, reminded me of our journey on occasion as peacemakers. Now don’t get me wrong. It’s ancient history now, but I’ve been known to be fighter and a scrapper-on the Church League Basketball Team for Park Street Brethren in Ashland, Ohio; and later at Ashland High School and Ashland College on football and basketball teams (while Jerry Flora, John Rowsey, and Jean Lindower (Lersch) cheered us on from the band), and when I pole vaulted on those track teams. The object was to win …. and we gave it our all! And that spirit was evident in our country’s strong U.S. military might through World War II, and the skirmishes in Korea, Vietnam, and since then.

But in 1955 Jean and I worked one summer in a refugee camp in Austria, helping to build an apartment building for the refugees ten years after WWII was over. And we attended some impressive Peace Seminars on that trip too. Then in 1957 our Brethren Youth Ambassador Quartet toured Europe (singing at 39 locations in eight weeks)–plus a visit to the Dachau Crematorium and Concentration Prison/Death Camp in Germany, which also impacted my thinking about the world in which we live. Since then I’ve been reminded of the words of Jesus, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so you may be children of your father in heaven.” (Matthew 5) “Love your en-emies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6)

Since then I’ve learned (and shared) much more about my Brethren Church’s nonresistance/nonviolence beliefs and practices from the beginning in 1708. The sufferings and loss of possessions many of the founders experienced because of their strong convictions about the sin of killing--even in self-defense and war--should be a source of information and an inspiration. One of the early statements serves as an example of our found-ers’ beliefs: “War is a violent interference with the rights of others. It imposes unwilling burdens upon people. It is, therefore, wrong, and the church at the outset is logically opposed to war.” One more: “The founders of the (Brethren) took the position that war was contrary to the life, spirit, and teachings of Jesus and that it was wrong for them to fight. They took no part in war.” (Bowman)

Since then I’ve seen these inspirational bits of wisdom displayed on bumper stickers . . . and elsewhere: “There’s no Christian way to kill a man” (or woman). When Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” I think he probably meant don’t kill them.” “War is not the Answer.” “Seek Peace, and Pursue It.” (Psalm 34:14) “May Peace Prevail On Earth.”

We Brethren do a pretty good job of keeping all the New Testament Ordinances faithfully: We baptize kneeling, head bowed, three times forward. We con-secrate our children to God. We use unleavened Holy Communion bread and break it together. We drink from the Cup. We Anoint with Oil for healing. All as it should be. But perhaps (just as importantly) we also ought to include promoting and practicing all aspects of nonviolence as one of our basic beliefs and activities-uniting in spirit with other denominations who do that. It might have a more positive impact upon the world than anything else we believe in and do!

We hear the rallying cries for military action so often, but how ‘bout joining me for a SWIM UPSTREAM “against the current of popular, pro-military opinion?” As is effective so far in Iran, how about more nego-tiation, reconciliation, compromise, forgiveness, and peaceful efforts?

How about trying to live by the principles of paci-fism–because Jesus was an effective pacifist, not just on Calvary, but daily? JUMP IN! THE WATER’S FINE!!

Swimmin’ UpstreamRev. Phil Lersch, FacilitatorBrethren Peace Initiative


16 May/June 2016

The movement of God to restore lives, neigh-borhoods and communities has always begun when someone develops the heart of God for someone else and begins to live their life on purpose because of it. Movement begins in relationship and it happens through relation-ships. Below is a movement story. It is bigger than all of us yet it couldn’t have happened without the smallest of us.

My name is Nancy Diehl and I am a member of the North Georgetown First Brethren Church. I was asked to participate in a group created from four Brethren churches located within 25 miles of each other. We call ourselves the Huddle, and through our times together friend-ship has happened and our relationships have grown. Through guided discussions we have become more aware of needs, strengths, and ministry opportunities in the larger body. Dustin White, pastor of Radial Church, asked if Jeanne Hlas, from Trinity Brethren, and I would help develop a children’s ministry at Radial. Being a church plant, Radial had been pray-ing for leaders to help disciple their growing amounts of kids. We provided a lesson, music, and activities for children during the sermon with the intent to gradually bring Radial mem-bers alongside us and eventually turn leader-ship over to Radial folks. Fellow Huddle partic-ipants, Doug and Mickey Shook from Beacon of Hope, are currently involved with the children there.

Huddle members agree that the stories of God at work in our communities are extremely en-couraging, so we sent members to each church to share those stories. We were encouraged at the variety of talents, vocations and passions that God has distributed among us to get His message into all our neighborhoods.

Radial members told us about their bike minis-try, where they take a grill and cook hot dogs for homeless people in Canton. Hearing that story prompted the children of North George-town to raise money for that Radial ministry by going bowling and getting sponsors for the total pins knocked down. We called it “Feeding Neighbors one PIN at a time.” Our kids were so excited when they attended a Radial worship service and presented a check for over $1200. We were excited to see how our entire church, especially the kids, could partner with this church plant in our mutual kingdom ministry!

The story Nancy tells above is not a compli-cated one. It begins and continues in rela-tionships. Her story also illustrates that our children are watching us. When we orient our lives towards others, they see it. The children of North Georgetown wanted to orient their lives towards others too and they teach the rest of us that we are never too young to live in the kingdom and to love our neighbor. This story, and others like it, are proof that there is movement in The Brethren Church. Are you experiencing movement where you are? How would your kids answer that question?

One at a Timeby Nancy Diehl


In June our church is sending a group of 15 people to Puerto Rico. We are all different people with different life experiences and ages. Some of our team are older adults and some of us are still in our teens. So what am I hoping for? I am hoping to experience a new side of faith, and to dis-cover how to use what I have learned to help me help other people.

On our mission trip I am going to Puerto Rico with some of the best people I know. I am looking forward to meeting new people, to discovering their culture, and how they see Christ. We may have read and heard about Puerto Rico in books, seen it on Google, and heard about it from other missionaries who have been there, but this is when we get to experience for ourselves. I know it sounds dorky and overrated to say, but it’s really about learning, praying, and finding new ways to help people, and gaining experience. I am so excited!

A mission trip is not always going out of the country like we are; but some-times it’s in your own city. My mom taught us to help other people. I have served Thanksgiving dinner in a Salvation Army Church by helping people in

thoughts about the

CHEYENNE Brethren Church’s upcoming Puerto Rico

MISSION TRIP6

6

my own city who can't afford much during the holi-days. I learned that I can in some small way, make a difference. That makes me smile. The truth is, I'm already smiling thinking about what I'm going to be doing and learning in Puerto Rico. Still smiling!!!

I will admit that I am a little nervous. We're going to a new place, where some people speak a differ-ent language. I won't understand some of them, and some of them won't understand me. It’s a huge challenge since I’ve never been out of the country before! To tell the truth, I’m not really that fond of airplanes, but I know it'll be awesome when we get there. God is bigger than all of my fears put

together. And I’m going with 14 others who are awesome. Going to do God’s work in strange places and relying on Him, is a big part of our jobs as Christians.

I'm not sure what I’m going to see down there and how it will affect my faith. I hope mostly that it will strengthen it and challenge me to look into my own community, my college, and my church with new eyes, but I'm still nervous. At the end of the day all I can say is if God is for me… Puerto Rico here we come!!!!

By Katryna Soden - age 18

THE CHALLENGE OF MISSION

What is mission? A mission is going out of one’s way to do something for someone else. It’s stepping out to help out. It’s seeing that when we give up our time and resources to help those who really need it, we are on a mission. When we do it because God loves us and we want to share that with others, we’re on God’s mission. Whether it’s doing big jobs, like rebuilding a house or a smaller thing like helping in a garden or help-ing someone out, a simple thing can easily make someone’s day and can change their perspectives about people, life, and even God.

Missions can be in different places. They can be at home with family, in the town you live or they can be done in far off places--places that have been hit with terrible storms or earthquakes or even with war. God can call us all to new places on His

mission. It’s up to us to hear God’s call and go! Go change a life, go feed people, go and make a differ-ence in the world for Christ.

I am one of three teenagers going on our church’s mission trip this summer to Puerto Rico. I am not certain what is ahead of me on this trip. It will be my first time exploring a place like that. I am excited, I can’t wait to step out in faith to serve others. I know our team can make a difference. We can change the world for God even if it’s just one step at a time. While we are there I am excited to see what God will show me and then when we come home, I can’t wait to show others, through Christ, we CAN make a difference!

By Kaylyn Gess - age 16

18 May/June 2016

bits & pieces

Mr. James Paul Sluss born April 20, 1939 departed this life on Fri-day May 6, 2016 at his residence in Krypton, Kentucky in 1969 he mar-ried Sarah Lois Howard. Jim served faithfully as pastor of the Nappannee (IN)Brethren Church, Dutchtown Brethren Church near Warsaw (IN), Lathrop Brethren Church (CA) Roanoke (IN) Brethren Church and at Krypton (KY) Brethren Church. Jim was honored to serve as National Moderator for The Brethren Church in 1990. While living in Perry County he worked for Hazard-Perry County Community Ministries from 1993-2007 and Hospice of the Blue-grass and also served on the Board of Directors of the Riverside Christian Training School. Jim is survived by his wife, Sarah Lois Sluss of Kryp-ton; Son, Paul Sluss & Jennifer of Krypton; Daughter, Gayl Husband & Troy of Roanoke, IN; Four Grand-children, Madeline, Jack, Avery and Quinn. Services were held at the Kry-ton Brethren Church.

Evelyn Gilmer, 98 passed away on Friday May 20, 2016. Evelyn was married February 24, 1938 to Herbert Gilmer. Together they pastored Brethren Church-es in Indiana and Ohio. Rev. Gilmer preceded her in death. A homemaker, she also worked in the kitchen at the Brethren Care Facility in Ashland, Ohio from 1979 until 1983 and de-livered Meals on Wheels from 1989 until 1994. Evelyn was a member of County Line Breth-ren Church in Lakeville IN. Surviving relatives include two sons, Rev. Arden (Roberta) Gilmer of Winchester VA and Rev. James (Treasure) Gilmer of Winona Lake; two daughters, Sharon Monroe of Springfield OH and Beth Ellen (Steve) Bar-ber of Plymouth; 10 grandchil-dren; 20 great grandchildren; and six great great grandchil-dren.

*CORRECTIONWe are sorry to say we made an error in the March/April Issue of The Brethren Evan-gelist. We reported the camp schedules for two of our sum-mer camps incorrectly. Below is the correct camp schedule for each camp. Our apologies for causing confusion. As al-

ways please check each camps website for the most current

information.

CAMP SHENANDOAH MEADOWS

Senior Camp Grades 9-12 June 19-25

Middler Camp Grades 6-8 June 26-July 2

Junior Camp Grades 3-5 July 10-16

CAMP PENIELSenior Camp ages 14-18

June 12-19Middler Camp ages 10-13

June 19-26Junior Camp ages 6-9

June 26-19

Do you write or draw? The Brethren Evangelist may be looking for you then! We are looking for additional authors or artists to possibly use for future issues of The Brethren Evangelist. Think you have what it takes to be part of our team? Send us a sample of your work (email: [email protected]). As plans for this continue to unfold, you may be a person we contact. We just may be able to use your submission. Obviously we won’t have the space to use all articles, or the submissions of everyone, however, we love to see your talents and possibly use something you have presented. The Brethren Evangelist 19

The Brethren Evangelist (SSN 0747-4288) is published quarterly by The Brethren Church, Inc., 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792 (telephone: 419-289-1708; email: [email protected]; fax: 419-281-0450. Authors’ views are not necessarily those of The Brethren Church. Subscription rates: Sent free to Brethren Church members; $15.00 per year to others. Member, Evangelical Press Association. Postage: Paid at Ashland, Ohio or additional mailing office at Mansfield, Ohio. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Brethren Church, 524 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805-3792.May/June 2016, Vol.138, No. 3.

Please let us know when you are moving.This will save us much-needed funds for ministry.

Your generous gifts to MissioChurch have helped The Brethren Church grow in kingdom impact!

Jesus is continually bringing new opportunities for us to engage young leaders in the deep questions of “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” We have seen, time and again, how our PathWay discipleship process has helped them answer those questions and move into their purpose.

In the last year we have facilitated:• Church planter assessments• Individual and team trainings• Retreats• Individual and team Coaching• Deployment of another church plant• Completion of a Start-up grant• Several church plants continuing in their Operations

Momentum continues to build and we love helping Brethren churches and leaders follow where Jesus is lead-ing! However, we can’t do it without you. We are looking for 50 more families, ministries and churches to commit to $500 per year in support of starting new churches. As an individual, church group, or congregation, please consider a generous contribution to this vital ministry of The Brethren Church. Please give generously today!

Yes! I’d Like to Help

One Time Gift of: $ ________________

_________________________________Name_________________________________Address_________________________________City, State, Zip_________________________________Phone #________________________________Home Church

Please complete the information above,detach this form, and mail it to the

address below, or call the toll-free number.

Secure contributions may alsobe made online at

www.brethrenchurch.org/contributions.

Thank You for Your Contribution!The Brethren Church

524 College Ave.Ashland, OH 44805

1-877-289-1708

The Brethren Evangelist - May/June 2016

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