Many Pastors 'On Their Own' for Health Insurance

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Many pastors in America are left to figure out their own health coverage with little or no help from their church or denomination, found a survey released this week.

“Thousands of pastors and churches are among the millions of Americans without health insurance,” said Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, based on responses to the May Evangelical Leaders Survey.

The monthly survey asks the NAE board of directors questions based on relevant issues in society. The NAE board of directors includes the CEO’s of 60 church denominations, and representatives of a broad array of evangelical organizations including missions, universities, publishers and churches.

In the latest survey, the majority of respondents expressed that they had little or no help from their national denominations when it comes to securing health insurance.

Many pastors replied that they either received health insurance benefits through their spouse’s employer, a second job, or go without insurance.

“Well over 80 percent of our pastors get health insurance outside the life of the church,” reported one unnamed denominational CEO, according to NAE.

Gregorys to Celebrate 50th With Open House

John and Betty Gregory (pictured) will celebrate 50 years of marriage in June.

John Gregory was a Grace Brethren pastor for 31 1/2 years in Leamersville PA, and the Gregorys now live in Columbia City, Indiana, where their son, Dan, pastors the Community of Hope Grace Brethren Church and John assists him. Betty has experienced poor health this past year.

Their children are going to give them an open house on Saturday, June 21 from 1-4 p.m. at the Columbia City church, and they want to invite all pastors who may know John from his time as a pastor, and also to give opportunity to send cards and wishes to John and Betty Gregory for their anniversary.

Here are some facts about the Gregorys:

- served 31 1/2 years at the Leamersville Grace Brethren Church
- John has served on the Grace College and Seminary board for some years
- Was director of week of camp for most of those 30 years in the West Penn
- Betty worked at Home Missions Council during their time in Winona Lake IN
- She then served as secretary of Community of Hope before her illness brought that to an end
- John currently serves as facility coordinator, small group leader, and pathway leader at the Columbia City church

Their son, Dan, says, " Their lives and ministry are characterized by humble and faithful service for Jesus!"

Cards may be sent to John and Betty Gregory c/o Daniel Gregory, 104 Mulberry Street, Columbia City, IN 46725.

Kenn Cosgrove Injured in Accident

The following e-mail was received this morning:

Kenn Cosgrove, pastor of Grace Church, Limerick,Pennsylvania, is recovering from an accident on May 8. The accident totaled the car in which he was driving.

After three days in the hospital and multiple tests, no major injuries were found. However, there is massive bruising and discomfort.

Please pray for physical and emotional healing as Kenn waits for more test results in order to drive again. Also, pray for his passenger, a client of his second job, who sustained minor injuries in the accident.

Matt McCoy New Pastor at Summit Mills

Matt McCoy, pictured here on Easter Sunday, his first Sunday in his new position, is now pastor at the Summit Mills Grace Brethren Church in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania.

McCoy was previously associate pastor with Greg Howell at the Grace Brethren Church in Goldendale, Washington.

Sacramento Seeks Associate Pastor

River City Grace Community Church of Sacramento, California, is currently seeking a
full-time Associate Pastor.

The church has an average Sunday morning worship attendance of 170 people, with an actual membership of just over 100.

Interested men can learn more about the church by visiting the church's website at www.rivercitygrace.org. Those who desire to be prayerfully considered for the position should submit a resume, recent photo, testimony, statement of faith, and philosophy of ministry to Greg Stoever (Pastor-Teacher), 4261 Whitney Ave., Sacramento, CA, 95821.

Grace Seminary Awards Given

Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, announced the recipients of its annual awards at the President’s Luncheon on May 2.

Seminary dean Dr. Jeff Gill recognized the following students and 2008 graduates for their outstanding work:

Jeffrey J. Pictor (M.A. 08) - The Alva J. McClain Award in Systematic Theology.

Josh A. Topel (M.Div. 08) - The John J. Davis Award in Old Testament.

J. Michael McKay (M.A. 08) - The Homer A. Kent Award in New Testament.

J. Carlos Tellez (M.A. 08) - The Russell D. Barnard Award in World Missions.

Kevin R. Becker - Award in Expository Preaching.

Andrew A. Koetsier (M.Div. 08) - Faculty Award.

Norma Matthes With the Lord

Norma N. Matthes, 68, wife of retired Grace Brethren pastor Quentin Matthes, passed away at 9:20 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2008, at Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake, Indiana.

She was born on April 5, 1940, in Red Wing, Minnesota to Paul Torrey Hancock (deceased), and Grace Angeline (Hamlin) Hancock, who survives.

On August 12, 1961 she was married to Quentin Leon Matthes, who survives. She was a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, and a pastor’s wife as members of the Grace Brethren Church.

She was a 1958 graduate of Pine Island High School, Pine Island, Minnesota. She was a resident of Kosciusko County, Indiana, since August 15, 2005. She also had resided in Peoria and Sun City West, Arizona. Norma attended Grace Village Chapel at Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, Indiana.

She is survived by her Husband: Quentin L. Matthes (Winona Lake, Indiana) Daughter: Deborah (husband Jim) Stoops (Columbus, Ohio) Son: Mark (wife Glenda) Matthes (Goshen, Indiana) Four Grandchildren Mother: Grace Angeline Hancock (Pine Island, Minnesota) Sister: Marjorie (husband Charles) Bolles (Boise, Idaho) Preceded in death by her father and one sister.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Village Chapel at Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, Indiana on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Jim Custer officiating.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana for a memorial plaque to be placed in Norma’s memory.

Arrangements are entrusted with Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Rd., Warsaw, Indiana

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s Web Site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com .

Reifsnyder Recoving from Liver Transplant

Jeff Reifsnyder, church planter with Cocalico Creek Fellowship, a Grace Brethren church in Denver, Pennsylvania, is "doing extremely well" following a liver transplant on Sunday morning, April 27.

According to Jim Snavely, Northeast U.S. church planting director with Go2 Church Planting Ministries, Jeff has been in declining health for several months and not given long to live. Over the weekend, he was taken to a Philadelphia hospital for other treatment. While he was there, a liver became available and Jeff was a match to receive it.

Notes of encouragement may be sent to Jeff's home at Box 99, Reamstown, PA 17567 or via e-mail at webesaved@dejazzd.com.