A scriptural exegesis of Isaiah 12 written by Emmett Witkovsky-Eldred, youth and young adult ministry assistant, for the 2018 Advent Offering We’ve all been told “patience is a virtue.” And we’ve all heard that “good things come to those who wait.” Waiting isn’t always pleasant, but we often regard waiting as the price we pay for
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Decoding your community
By Christina Singh, pastor of Freeport (Ill.) Church of the Brethren and member of the Mission and Ministry Board When I first heard about the Church Planting Conference of our denomination, it did not sound like something that would interest me. But two words in its tagline caught my attention: Revitalize and Grow! Fixated on
Blooming in Rwanda
By Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission and Service My flower garden in full bloom is a wonderful sight to see this time of year. The days are hot but the evenings are cooler, and each night dew forms on flower petals. When dawn breaks, bumblebees bounce about, as do hummingbirds, and the morning
Living your passion
By Dan McFadden, director of Brethren Volunteer Service My BVS colleagues laugh at me when we start talking about BVS themes. Any time we are looking for a theme about how BVS has impacted your life, what is important about BVS, or an anniversary year, I seem to come back to the 50th anniversary theme,
United: Pursuing peace together
A scriptural exegesis written by Joshua Brockway, director of Spiritual Life and Discipleship, for the 2018 Mission Offering. “Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Romans 14:19). The early Brethren were part of the Pietist movement within the German Reformed church of their time. Pietists were those folks who sought
New and renew
By Stan Dueck, director of Organizational Leadership “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). I am on the highest of highs after the New and Renew Church
Another way of living
By David Steele, General Secretary Greetings to you in the name of Christ our Savior! Once again, I want to express my gratitude for the many ways you and your congregation faithfully strive to live out the gospel—to simply try to do what Jesus did. The vital ministries of our Church of the Brethren congregations,
The ministry of calling
By Nancy Sollenberger Heishman, director of the Office of Ministry “And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47b). Every year I look forward to the celebration of the Pentecost season. It is an opportunity to marvel anew at the awesome power of the Holy Spirit at
Caring for the vulnerable
By Tori Bateman, associate with the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy “God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish” (Psalm 9:18, NIV). The Church of the Brethren’s identity as a historic peace church means that we are committed to nonviolence and peacebuilding around the world. During my time as a Brethren
Living into the kingdom of God
By Dan McFadden, director of Brethren Volunteer Service “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’… But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31, 33). In our culture,