Gary Austins Relocate to Winona Lake

Gary Austin, who has been the pastor at the Grace Brethren Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sends along a note that, "Jean and I are now 'officially retired,' whatever that means. Cedar Rapids Grace gave us a very nice 'send-off' on Sunday, recognizing 36 years of ministry.

"Our new address is 990 S. 250 E., Warsaw, IN 46580. Cell phone has not changed yet.

"Jean and I are still in the 'recovery' mode of intense prep for moving and we are slowly trying to move into the unpacking mode."

Prayer Requested for Kentucky Accident Victims

Chris Jacobson, wife of John Jacobson, who is associate pastor at The Happy Church in Jackson, Kentucky, has been in a serious accident. Here is the prayer request from Happy Church pastor Mike Tabor:

Chris Jacobson, pastor John’s wife, and a 13 y.o. girl with Chris were in a head-on collision on hwy 15 near Jackson. The girl is in the air as I type being transported by helicopter to U.K. Chris will be going to the ER shortly but appears pretty well at present. There were two more vehicles involved with very serious injuries.

Please pray for all involved.

Pastor Mike Tabor

Happy Church

UPDATE:

The latest as I know it @ 1:32 a.m.

Just got home from the E.R. where Chris Jacobson had a cat scan and x-rays. She is battered and bruised but no apparent life threatening injuries or broken bones.

The 13 y.o . girl that was with her is in surgery at U.K. in critical condition but I will not release more info until I speak with the parents. She is by far the worst injured of all involved.

The driver at fault is a middle aged lady that was virtually unscathed though her car was utterly destroyed (this car and Chris’ van are crushed from the high speed head on). This lady was apparently driving impaired and is to be charged with DUI 4th offense and reckless endangerment (as I understand the situation at present) as her 8y.o. child was with her. The child was in the back seat in a seat belt and thankfully was not seriously injured.

From what we “know” at the present is that the DUI lady apparently was travelling at a high rate of speed around a corner and went left of center side swiping the car in front of Chris (the DUI lady was heading south and the other cars north). Chris swerved left to miss it but the DUI lady swung back toward her own lane and the cars collided head on.

Plan to Be Photographed at Conference!

The Association of Grace Brethren Ministers has arranged for an pastors to be photographed while at national conference in Cincinnati. Professional photographers will be available all day Friday, July 16 and in the morning, Saturday, July 17 ONLY. There is no charge to be photographed and everyone who sits for a portrait will receive a free 8x10-inch color portrait and a complimentary pictorial directory of Grace Brethren pastors.

Gerald Polman in Surgery After Fall

Prayer is requested for retired Grace Brethren pastor Gerald Polman, who lives at Grace Village Retirement Center in Winona Lake, Ind.

According to initial reports, Polman fell and broke both legs and is having surgery this morning at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Church Planter Jeff Reifsnyder With the Lord

Jeffrey Lynn "Sep" Reifsnyder went home to His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. He died at home under the care of his family and hospice after battling Hepatitis C and cancer.

Jeff was born June 8, 1958, in Ephrata¸Pa. Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Sandi Lynn and three cherished children Laurel Lynn, Emelia Lynn and Sawyer Lynn, all living at home. Jeff and Sandi would have celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on June 18.

Jeff loved his family and being involved in ministry. He led Bible studies, taught Sunday School, worked with youth and was a Church Plant Pastor at Cocalico Creek Fellowship.

He was always open to talk about his past drug and alcohol abuse and how, through a relationship with Jesus Christ his life was turned around. Jeff was given the nickname "Sep" early in life and is still remembered by that name by local friends and Ephrata classmates.

He enjoyed playing basketball, hiking and being outside by a campfire with friends. He also helped coach girls and boys basketball for a local basketball program.

Jeff was known for his sense of humor, athletic ability and boldness for the Lord.

Surviving in addition to his wife and children are his parents Jean and Jack Miller of Ephrata; two sisters, Amy Reifsnyder of Scotland, Connecticut; Bonnie Noll, wife of Doug Noll of Ephrata; one brother, Doug Heister of Marshville, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Reifsnyder. Anthony was married to Dee Reifsnyder of Lancaster. Her children, Jeff's step-siblings, are Tammy, George, and Wendy.

Jeff eagerly promoted organ and tissue donation. In 2008 he received a liver transplant at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Donations in Jeff's memory may be sent to: Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia PA 19123. Checks made payable to: Transplant House Attn. Michael Ludwig. The Transplant House provides a home away from home for up to thirty transplant patients and families who need to travel to the University of Penn and other Philadelphia medical centers.

A viewing will be held on Monday evening, June 21 from 6 to 8 PM and Tuesday morning, June 22 from 10 to 11 AM at the Reamstown Church of God, 400 Pfautz Hill Road, Stevens. The funeral service will be at 11 AM on Tuesday at the church with Rev. Stephen E. Hollinger officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Ephrata.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Akron/Ephrata.

Louisville Institute Invites Applications for Pastoral Study Project Program

From the Philanthropy News Digest:

The Louisville Institute is accepting applications for its Pastoral Study Project Program.

The program offers pastoral leaders the opportunity to engage in thoughtful study and inquiry about issues related to Christian faith and practice, religious institutions, and/or the practice of ministry. The program seeks to create opportunities for pastoral leaders to develop and share their wisdom on important issues for Christian life and practice today, and thus extend their leadership in ways that can benefit both church and society.

Project awards are granted in amounts of up to $15,000. The study period may vary according to the needs and availability of the applicant. Possible options include an extended period fully away from work, designated days each week or month away from work (in addition to regular days off), designated part-days off, or periodic blocks of time off. Grant monies may be used in many ways, such as purchase of books, research material and equipment, room and board, salary replacement, convening collaborators, supply ministry, and travel. Grant funds may not be used for tuition or other costs incurred in any degree program.

All pastoral leaders — currently employed in ecclesiastically validated ministries, and ordained ministers not currently employed in ministry — who wish to pursue a project of relevance to the ongoing life of the church and practice of ministry are eligible to apply. Grants are restricted to pastoral leaders of Christian institutions in North America.

Click here for details.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, GBC Calls Pastor

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Grace Brethren Church announces that David Carrick has accepted the Senior Pastor position. He, his wife, Laurie, and their boys Stephen (12), Johathan (7) and James (5) will begin their work in Cedar Rapids August 1.

David and Laurie have been part of a team helping Clearview Grace Brethren church in the Columbus Ohio area.

Gary Austin, who has been pastor of the Cedar Rapids church, is retiring this month and will be moving to Winona Lake, Indiana.

Herman Hein With the Lord

Longtime Grace Brethren pastor Herman Hein has gone to be with the Lord. This obituary is from the South Bend (IN) Tribune. More information will be posted as it is available.

Herman H. Hein Jr.

April 7, 1918 - June 6, 2010

UNION - Herman H. Hein Jr., 92, died Sunday in Center for Hospice, Elkhart. Survivors include his wife, Luella B.; daughters, Linda Clements and Beverly (James) Welborn; son, Raymond Hein; sister, Carolyn Hein. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Mottville Bible Church, where friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. Farrand Funeral Home, White Pigeon, is handling arrangements.

OBITUARY:

Herman H. Hein Jr., 92, Union, Mich., died Sunday, June 6, 2010, at Center for Hospice in Elkhart, Indiana. Hein was born April 7, 1918, in Bellaire, Ohio, to Herman H. Sr. and Anna L. (Bowen) Hein.

Living in Niles, Mich., and Union, Mich., since 1990, coming from Yakima, Wash., he was a WWII veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army Company B 637th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

He received a bachelor’s degree in theology from Grace College and Seminary in 1954. After his graduation, he served with Grace Brethren Home Mission Ministries, establishing and pastoring churches in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Alaska.

He was a member of Grace Brethren Church in New Troy, Mich., CGBC Ministerial Association, and Senior Bowling League in Niles, Mich. He was also a life member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

He was married July 14, 1945, in Washington, D.C., to Luella B. Whitmill. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters and one son-in-law, Linda Clements, Boynton Beach, Fla., and Beverly and James Welborn, Ninilchik, Alaska; one son, Raymond Hein, LaGrange; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Carolyn Hein, Shadyside, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one son, Arthur McCrum, one brother, Jack Hein, and two sisters, Ruth A. Whitmill and Wilma Sommer.

Services were held Saturday, June 12, at the Mottville Bible Church.

Pastor Ron Weimer's Father With the Lord

James W. “Jim” Weimer, 86, the father of Ron Weimer of the Waterloo, Iowa, Grace Brethren Church, died at Friendship Village in Waterloo Thursday, June 3, 2010.

Jim was born August 5, 1923 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, son of Ira J. and Maude S. Steinman Weimer.

He married Geraldine M. Brenneman on September 29, 1945 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Jim graduated from high school in Lancaster and from the Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia.

He worked at Rohm and Haas Chemical Company for over 40 years, retiring as Project Engineer.

He served in the U.S. Army 27th Armored Battalion in North Africa and Italy during WW II.

Jim is survived by his wife Geraldine of Waterloo; son J. Ron (Vivian) Weimer of Waterloo; son Gregory Weimer of Telford, PA; daughter Karen (Tom) Boross of Thousand Oaks, CA; seven grandchildren: Ian (Allie) Reid, Eric Weimer, Heidi Oates, Wendy (Corey) Ort, Jim (Erin) Weimer, Jason (Doni) Weimer and Amy (Scott) Blakesley; and twelve great grandchildren: Asia Weimer, Coleman Weimer, Lauren Weimer, Treyton Weimer, Eli Weimer, Noah Blakesley, Gabby Blakesley, Zachary Ort, Gavin Ort, Devon Reid, Sierra Reid and Mia Reid.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Everett Weimer.

Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12, 2010, at Locke Funeral Home, with visitation 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2010 at Locke Funeral Home, 1519 West Fourth Street, Waterloo, Iowa 50702.

Terry Daniels' Father With the Lord

John Daniels, father of Terry Daniels, who pastors the Grace Brethren Church of South Pasadena, California, went to be with the Lord at about 7:20 this morning in Ohio. He was surrounded by family and cared for by his own family medical team, according to Terry.

Terry says, "Thank you for your prayers. Like a true Buckeye, Dad gave his body to Ohio State for research on Parkinson's Disease."

The Daniels family will appreciate your prayers during this time of grieving and adjustment.