By Paige Butzlaff Since high school I knew I would join Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS). Little did I know that it would shape me for the rest of my life. But what I’ve come to discover throughout this whole experience, from switching projects, from being hospitalized due to depression, from continuously doubting my capabilities to
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Stewardship in the small church
A reflection by H. Fred Bernhard “Tell those rich in this world’s goods to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money: which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping
Strengthening relationships
By Jay Wittmeyer, executive director of Global Mission and Service As executive director of Global Mission and Service, my responsibilities include strengthening relationships with our sister churches in other parts of the world. I recently returned from a trip to be with the Nigerian Brethren as they convened their 70th Majalisa (annual conference). This conference
Unplug, refresh, and change perspective
By Traci Rabenstein, congregational support representative Every spring, with summer just around the corner, I dream about the beach! Squishing sand between my toes, sitting in a beach chair with a good book, people watching, and all around enjoying the majesty of the ocean—the mighty work of God. A couple of years ago, I went
Investigating a Brethren myth: A connection to the Peace Corps
By Bill Kostlevy, director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives As is fitting for a people who gather around Scripture, Brethren also gather around stories of heroes in the faith. Unfortunately, given the lack of documentary evidence, early Brethren history is often shrouded in mystery. Documentation is sparse and the room for conjecture large. This
Anticipating Annual Conference
By Chris Douglas, conference director I have looked forward to Annual Conference each and every summer since I became a member of the Church of the Brethren in the 1970s. I remember so vividly an Annual Conference more than twenty years ago in which we saw story after story in David Sollenberger’s videos in the
Can these bones live?
By Matt DeBall, coordinator of Donor Communications “The hand of the LORD came upon me, and… set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones…. [God] said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, you know.’ Then [God] said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones,
Seeking the welfare of the city
By Josh Brockway, director of Spiritual Life and Discipleship I attended worship on New Year’s Eve with close friends at their congregation. The sermon that night emerged from the pastor’s study of Jeremiah 29. For that time of the year, his sermon was appropriately focused on verse 11: “For surely I know the plans I
Communicating God’s love
By Deanna Beckner, assistant workcamp coordinator The way we communicate is extremely important. For example: do you know why you can only “ran” in a campground? This is because it’s past tents (past tense). As exemplified by this joke, language is complex and can be understood or misunderstood. Think about the importance of talking with
You are here
By Laura Jean Torgerson “Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me”(Matthew 25:40). Paul reminds us that as members of the church, we are so closely connected that we may consider ourselves as parts of one body. The New Testament