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Brethren Mission Fund Newsletter
Volume 15, Winter 2013
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.
Report on the 2012 Church of the Brethren Missions Conference
A Church of the Brethren Missions Conference was held at the Lititz Church of the Brethren (ANE District) from November 16-18, 2012. The theme of the conference was from 2 Corinthians 5:19-20, where we are called to be “reconcilers” and “ambassadors” for God. About 200 people attended the conference. There were various speakers and workshops throughout the weekend. Attendees were challenged to commit themselves to mission outreach. Jay Wittmeyer (executive director of the CoB’s Global Mission Partnerships) announced that he would like to double the number of missionary personnel around the world in the years to come. Overall there was a good response to the conference except that there could have been better representation from the youth.
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 2013.
Linc and Kaye Myers
Linc and Kaye Myers are from the Pleasant View congregation (Southern 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 2013.
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 recently agreed to support the Copenhavers at a rate of $5,000 for 2013.
Spain: Brethren Theological Training Academy
The Brethren Mission Fund has been contacted again by Jeff Boshart (manager of the Church of the Brethren’s Emerging Global Mission Fund) about helping to support another Theological Training Academy in Spain. It is scheduled for February 20-27, 2013. The BMF has helped to support other Theological Training Academies in Spain in the past, and has again agreed to contribute a one-time gift of $5,000 toward this work.
Haiti: Pastoral Leadership Training
The BMF committee has been made aware of a need in Haiti where four Church of the Brethren pastors are seeking financial help in paying for some advanced pastoral training. They in turn would then train younger pastors. The BMF committee has agreed to make a one-time gift of $3,000 for this advanced training. The funds will be channeled through Jay Wittmeyer’s office in Elgin.
Sarah Kovacs, Teacher in Ghana
Sarah Kovacs, a member of the York First Church of the Brethren (Southern PA District), began teaching school in the village of Taha in northern Ghana in the summer of 2012. She teaches about 50 disadvantaged students, ages 3-11. Some are orphaned and all experience extreme poverty. She is requesting help with housing and supplies for the students. The BMF committee approved a one-time gift of $1,000 to help Sarah in her work in Ghana.
Update: New Covenant School in Haiti
In our last newsletter it was reported that the New Covenant School in Haiti has an opportunity to purchase some adjoining land for $20,000. On it they would like to build a church and an orphanage. Jeff Boshart did confirm the legitimacy of the request and the BMF committee agreed to contribute $5,000 toward the purchase of the land if the opportunity materializes. However, since then the committee has learned that although the project is legitimate, it is not on the Atlantic Southeast District’s “front burner.” The BMF committee is checking with Martha Beach, the Atlantic Southeast District Executive, for some guidance in moving forward with this project. We will continue to keep you informed with the progress.
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
Becky Bollinger
c/o Olive Branch Mennonite Missions
P.O. Box 156
Cherry Creek, SD 57622-0156
Phone: 605-538-4317
e-mail: beckybollinger92@juno.com
Sharon Bruckhart
5 Brookside Drive
Wetumpka, AL 36092
Phone: 334-478-4824
e-mail: sharonlbruckhart@gmail.com
David & Veola Bucher
5704 Iceland Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35224
Phone: 205-786-6165
e-mail: davidbucher@juno.com
Blaine & Sheila Copenhaver
821 Meadow Drive
Altmore, AL 36502
Phone: 251-259-6310
e-mail: blainensheila@yahoo.com
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: pkmyers@wave.co.nz
Lorinda Newcomer
P.O. Box 171
International Falls, MN 56649
e-mail: lorikaye@mainebrethren.org
Ken & Janet Winebark
Mercy Ships
P.O. Box 2020
Lindale, TX 75771-2020
e-mail: winebark@mercyships.org
COMMITTEE MEMBERS & ADDRESSES
Chairman – C. Earl Eby, 6327 Wayne Highway, Waynesboro, PA 17268 (Trinity Fellowship)
Director – James F. Myer, 234 Keener Rd., Lititz, PA 17543 (White Oak Congregation)
Vice Chairman – J. Eric Brubaker, 859 Rettew Mill Rd., Ephrata, PA 17522 (Middle Creek Congregation)
Secretary – Paul W. Brubaker, 954 Lincoln Heights Ave., Ephrata, PA 17522 (Middle Creek Congregation)
Treasurer – Carl L. Brubaker, 1425 Furnace Hill Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 (Mohler Congregation)
Other Members -
Pauk E. Schildt, P.O. Box 20, East Berlin, PA 17316 (Upper Conewago Congregation)
Susan M. Wenger, 304 Chestnut Street, Richland, PA 17087 (Heidelberg Congregation)
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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:
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 251
Lititz, PA 17543
