BMH Editor's Blog

Peter Touhey, pastor of the Harrah (Washington) Grace Brethren Church, is having the opportunity to minister to a neighbor who was a shooting victim (pictured) in a robbery attempt. Here is a short excerpt of an article from the Yakima Herald--to read the entire article, click on http://www.yakima-herald.com:80/stories/4434

Because deputies were busy looking for the suspect, Libbrecht spent about 15 minutes using hand pressure to prevent himself from bleeding out through the groin artery, severed at the vein's Y-junction down the leg. Once the suspect was arrested, an ambulance crew rushed Libbrecht to the hospital, where he spent about a week.

He's grateful that those around him that day -- a church school caretaker threatened by the suspect, as well as the medics, firefighters, deputies and the the pastor who lives next door -- were there to help him and his children.

Peter Touhey, the neighbor and pastor at Harrah Grace Brethren Church, prayed with Libbrecht at the hospital. His 15-year-old son has mowed the lawn for him since the shooting.

Touhey said Libbrecht is moving forward. The pastor is grateful that everyone ended up alive.

"I was very impressed with the way things came together. Certainly the Lord was looking out for that," Touhey said.

In the northern area of the Central African Republic, 150 Grace Brethren pastors have lost everything when rebels and bandits burned down their villages.

The retired missionaries to CAR have a project to help these pastors. They are asking $100 for each pastor to provide him with a Bible, a songbook, a machete, a shovel, and clothing for his family and himself.

Checks should be made to RAB (Relief Agency Brethren) with a note in the lower left hand corner saying,"For African Pastors." Thank you for whatever you can do as quickly as possible. Please send to Grace Brethren International Missions, Box #588, Winona Lake, IN 46590

From today's Ventura (CA) County Star. FGBC incoming moderator John McIntosh is pastor of the Simi Valley church, which sponsors the school.

Students and faculty from Grace Brethren Elementary School, with Principal Howard Lee at far right, accept a $2,500 check as the top finisher in Simi Valley Town Center's third-annual Shopping for Students program.

Students and faculty from Grace Brethren Elementary School in Simi Valley were awarded a $2,500 check May 20 from Simi Valley Town Center, as the top participant in the regional shopping center's third-annual Shopping for Students program.

Vista Fundamental School placed second and earned a $2,000 prize, while Hollow Hills Fundamental School claimed third and $1,500.

"Students, parents, teachers and school volunteers have taken the program very seriously for three years now," said Leticia Wilson, director of marketing for Simi Valley Town Center. "It's rewarding to generate excitement and school spirit on local campuses, and then reward them."

All told, Simi Valley Town Center donated $40,500 to 25 schools from Simi Valley and Moorpark in a contest that began at the start of the school year.

Schools receive five points for every dollar spent according to receipts submitted through April 30, and every school received at least $250. Grace Brethren earned 1,812,940 points; it also won the contest in 2007.

Two new books on Grace Brethren history, including an important new volume by Dr. Todd Scoles of the Marysville, Ohio, Grace Brethren Church (pictured) are nearing publication by BMH Books.

Because they are special-interest books with little outside commercial appeal, the Brethren Missionary Herald Co. recently invited friends and supporters to contribute tax-deductible gifts so that the two books could be produced and distributed without cost to any Grace Brethren churches or missionary units who requested them.

With a goal of $14,000, the fund drive is now at $11,780, with 66 giving units having contributed so far. Anyone giving a gift of $25 or more who is also affiliated with a Grace Brethren Church will also become a corporation member of the Brethren Missionary Herald Co., and therefore qualify to vote in upcoming board elections.

The other book is Heroes No. 3, a book for upper-grade school children, written by Viki Rife and her father, Robert Cover, Sr., which focuses on character traits and anecdotes from the lives of a number of Grace Brethren "heroes" from the past. Those featured include Bernie Schneider, Angie Garber, Margaret Dunning, Keith Altig, Walter Fretz, James Boyer, and many others.

The Scoles book is now in typesetting and the Heroes book is nearly through the editing process. Both are expected to be ready for introduction at the BMH corporation meeting during the Grace Brethren national conference in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, July 27.

Both will also be featured as part of the 300th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Brethren movement, to be held in Schwarzenau, Germany, and elsewhere the first week of August.

It's not too late to contribute to the project. Send your tax-deductible gift (check made out to Brethren Missionary Herald Co.) to BMH, P.O. Box 576, Winona Lake, IN 46590 and when the books are available you, also, will receive a complimentary copy of each.

BMH is deeply grateful to all who are supportive of this project to help the Grace Brethren better understand their historical and theological roots, and the context for what today is the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Grace College currently has approximately 275 students in its prison extension program in various institutions throughout the state of Indiana. The program will be featured in the next issue of FGBC World periodical.

Dr. John Teevan, who directs the program, has called to our attention a YouTube link of a song by the prisoner praise team at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, which features a number of the Grace students.

Teevan says, "This [video clip] was produced by Dr. Terry Harman, who teaches for us at Michigan City prison and has plenty of our guys in it. It gives a view of what is bad (visually) and almost great (listen!) about life at ISP.

"The Grace grads who appear in the video are Anthony Coe, Martin Thomas, Wayne Taylor, Danny Means, and Vince Butler."

To view the video, click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsHNCXtvgqo

There is a lengthy and interesting feature article in today's newspaper from Lititz, Pennsylvania, on Jeffery Vance (pictured), who is from the Grace Brethren Church in Lititz (Scott Distler, pastor) and his return from Iraq. Here is a short excerpt--the entire article may be read by clicking here.

Just returned from Iraq after his second deployment, U.S. Army Reserves Command Sergeant Major Jeffery Vance doesn't mind the cool spring weather.

While he was in Iraq, temperatures got as hot as 147 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet, the hardy Lititz Army reservist insists that, "Your body acclimates to the heat."

In fact, while he was there, the base where he was stationed in nearby Kuwait often held 5K runs for soldiers as a exercise activity and morale booster. Temperatures of a mere 95 degrees were considered downright refreshing.

Vance, 40, is home on leave with his family in Lititz until June, and may or may not be returning to Iraq. First, he will be having surgery for a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder at Fort Bragg. He was injured while unloading a supply vehicle in Iraq.

His family includes his wife Julie, who is a nurse with the National Guard, both stationed out of Fort Indiantown Gap. They have five children, including Jordan, 18; Cydney, 15; Noah, 10; Abigail, 8; and Luke, 6. All of the children, except Cydney, attend Lititz Christian School, where Jordan will be graduating in June. Cydney is a freshman at Warwick High School.

From the blog of Pastor Scott Distler, Grace Brethren Church, Lititz, PA:

Philadelphia is in crisis and the violence in the city is escalating with an average of one murder per day – 392 total in 2007. The people of Philadelphia have had enough and are searching for answers. The local government attempts to decrease the violence have been ineffective and things keep getting worse.

Through this crisis God has been motivating His Church to unite together for prayer and to proclaim the Gospel to the lost in this great city. As believers, we know that the only One who can bring real and lasting change is Jesus!

For about nine months our First Grace Brethren Church in Philadelphia with Pastor Shawn Kidder has joined together with other churches to put together an evangelistic outreach called Hope Crusade. This event will be held May 31, 2008, at a high school football stadium – Northeast High.

Gates open at 5 pm for a pre-event concert with the event officially starting at 6 pm and running until 8:30 pm. There will be three Christian bands performing, two praise dance teams, two poets, a local politician, and Pastor Shawn will be presenting the Gospel message with an invitation. Another local pastor will emcee the event and will also be having the involvement of the city’s police and fire departments, as well as many local businesses.

God has blessed us greatly here at Grace Church and we want to encourage and partner with Pastor Shawn and these churches to impact the city Philadelphia. As a result, I am thrilled to let you know that Grace Church will be providing the cost of the stadium rental for this event ($2,500.00). Please be praying fervently for this event. Pastor Shawn has given us specific requests to lift up to the Lord knowing that nothing of eternal importance happens apart from prayer. Please pray this way:


Ø Pray that God might be glorified in all things of Hope Crusade.

Ø Pray that God would supply the remaining financial expenses.

Ø Pray for free media advertisement and coverage.

Ø Pray for God to break down all the spiritual strongholds Satan has in the city

Ø Pray for the stadium to be packed full with unsaved people

Ø Pray that many would come to Christ and get involved in a Bible-believing Church.

Ø Pray for God to use Shawn as he preaches the Gospel message and gives the invitation.

Ø Pray for all volunteers working the event.

Ø Pray for the entertainment: Frenzel Lens, Compelled, DA Union, Dance teams, Poets.

Ø Pray for all equipment to work well with no problems – sound and multi-media.

Ø Pray for local Philadelphia churches to do follow-up after the event.

Ø Pray for good weather.

The Dallas Center (Iowa) Grace Brethren Church, under the leadership of Lead Pastor Randy Todd, hosted a Spiritual Warfare Conference with GBIM staff members Jay and Jan Bell (pictured) as facilitators last weekend.

On Saturday May 17 the Bells led five 45-minute sessions addressing the truth regarding our identity, position, and freedom we possess in Christ. The conference concluded with "The Steps To Freedom" based upon Neil Anderson's book, The Bondage Breaker.

Other subjects addressed during the conference were angels as well as a Q&A time that the Holy Spirit used to illuminate God's Word. A meal was catered in and enjoyed by all.

Sunday morning the conference concluded with Jay Bell in the pulpit speaking on the subject "Arming Each Other For Spiritual Warfare" using Ephesians 6 as his text, which can be heard at www.dallascentergrace.com.

In preparation for this conference the elders and their wives read three books suggested by Jay including Neil Anderson's books The Bondage Breaker, Victory Over The Darkness, and Three Crucial Questions About Spiritual Warfare by Clinton Arnold. Several from within the Dallas Center congregation have participated in reading The Bondage Breaker and found strength in utilizing the Steps To Freedom In Christ.

Pastor Randy Todd says he would recommend the Bells ministry to all churches who desire a deeper understanding of the spiritual and who need to experience freedom in Christ.

The leadership of the Grace Brethren national organizations met today in Winona Lake, Indiana,as they do about semi-annually, for updates, fellowship, and long-range strategy discussions about the people, churches and organizations of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches.

Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey convened the meeting, which began with a meal catered by Sandy Barrett of the FGBC office. Participants included (beginning with left foreground) Dave Guiles of Grace Brethren International Missions; Janet Minnix of Women of Grace USA, Ken Seyfert of Grace Brethren Investment Foundation; Larry Chamberlain of Grace Brethren Investment Foundation; Ron Manahan of Grace College and Seminary; Ed Lewis of CE National, and Tom Avey from the FGBC.

Also participating were Terry White of Brethren Missionary Herald Co. (taking the photo) and Tim Boal of GO2 Church Planting, who had to join the meeting by Internet/Skype because of being fogged in at the Philadelphia airport.

From Dan Grabill's Caring Bridge website:

Dear friends, the Grabills are so thankful for your kindness, the notes on Caring Bridge, and especially for your prayers on their behalf. The Lord is sustaining them daily by His grace.

There will be a private funeral and burial towards the end of this week. We are all invited to attend a Memorial Service next Tuesday night, May 27, 7:00 pm in the Banquet Center in Xenia, Ohio.

Cards may be mailed, if you wish, to:

Mrs. Joan Grabill
1260 Crosby Circle
Xenia, OH 45385

Dan's obituary follows:

Grabill, Dr. Daniel, 72, of Xenia, Ohio, passed away May 19, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, Indiana.

He was born on April 22, 1936 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Joan Grabill, of Xenia; two adult sons, Dr. Stephen (Rebecca) Grabill of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Douglas Grabill of Dayton, Ohio; two older brothers, Roy Grabill of Shreve, Ohio, and Bob Grabill of Port Matilda, Pennsylvania; and four grandchildren, Austin Denny of Xenia, Nicholas Grabill, Sebastian Grabill, and Magdalene Grabill all of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Dr. Grabill is a graduate of Philadelphia Bible Institute, Grace College; Grace Theological Seminary, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Grabill faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ in several capacities throughout his rich and varied lifetime.

He was ordained in the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, and, over the course of his ministry, pastored several congregations in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, and New Mexico.

He has also been active in Christian education where he has served Dayton Christian Schools for four decades in the roles of Bible teacher, chaplain for the school system, principal and assistant principal. He helped to set Christ-inspired vision and direction for the school’s future and has served as a spiritual mentor to countless students, parents, and staff.

Yet most notably, his life through all his service embodied the generosity, mercy, and servant leadership of his Lord. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, in the Schindler Banquet Center on the campus of Legacy Ministries International in Xenia (1183 Tyndale Lane).

Pastor Scott Distler of the Lititz Grace Brethren Church in Pennsylvania (deep in Amish country) recently posted this photo and caption on his blog:

You won't see this picture every day! Saturday was our youth car wash here at Grace Church as a fund-raiser toward Youth Conference this summer in Ohio. It looks to me like our youth will wash anything for a buck!

Andy Wirt, a Grace Brethren church planter who is working to plant the new "ClearView" church in northeastern Franklin County, Ohio, reports on his blog that ClearView participated in the New Albany Founder's Day celebration by marching in the parade and running a booth at the festival. Highlights included:

-Many good conversations. We were able to share about who we are and what we are doing with several curious/seeking families. We were able to make good connections with other believers that could be sources for referrals.

-We put smiles on many faces. Our objective was simple--put smiles on faces and associate the smiles with ClearView Church. I believe Jesus was pleased today as we ministered to hundreds, maybe more than a thousand, people.

-We gave away all 750 of our ClearView logo Frisbees before the parade was two-thirds over. We should have brought about 1200! It was fun to see kids scrambling all over the parade route to grab one! We had something everyone wanted! There was only one casualty (woman getting hit...by one of our ADULTS tossing one after telling the kids not to!).

-We had GREAT ownership from our team and friends in helping during the parade and at our both. Friends drove all the way from PA and Cleveland to help paint faces. Two ladies sat in a chair for five hours and painted hundreds of faces. The line for face painting was almost always about 15 kids deep.

Friends also came from Northwest Chapel and Polaris GBC to help during the parade. And, our teammates showed up big-time and pitched in to help with smiles. My sister and mom helped with our kids so Trish and I could serve during the day. I was pleased.

-We painted hundreds of faces and gave away hundreds of balloons.

-We were able to make many repeat contacts (seeing people we've initiated relationships with from other venues like festivals, pre-school, etc.) and further conversations.

-All in all Saturday was a great day. Praise God. Please pray that these contacts would translate into 1) people we can minister to and/0r 2) teammates. Thanks for praying.

To top it off, Sunday we had our highest ever attendance at our home for our worship gathering (24). We're excited to see new faces and praying we can gain another family or two for our next milestone moving towards public launch this fall--getting out of our house and into a rented facility. Praise God for movement!

You can track the progress of the ClearView church plant by logging onto Andy's blog at http://wirt-prayer-team.blogspot.com

James Joiner (pictured) has resigned as chaplain at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana, and will be completing his work this summer. After 3 1/2 years in the chaplain's post at Grace, he will begin doctoral studies this fall in the Ph.D. program at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Joiner is the recipient of a full doctoral fellowship and will pursue studies in Philosophical and Moral Theology. Calvin has been one of the premier centers for Christian philosophy in the 20th century. It has a rich heritage in the Augustinian tradition of “faith seeking understanding” and has been the home of notable Christian scholars such as Alvin Plantinga, Richard Mouw, and Nicholas Wolterstorff.

Calvin Theological Seminary was founded in 1876 and is currently presided over by Cornelius Plantinga, Charles W. Colson Professor of Systematic Theology.

Dr. Rik Lovelady (pictured), professor emeritus at Grace College, Winona Lake, Indiana, was recently presented with the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award by Tyndale University College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (photo courtesy Judy Daniels)

Dr. Lovelady, a 1958 graduate of the college, was given the award at Tyndale’s 2008 graduation ceremony on May 10.

Dr. Lovelady was recognized for his 36 years of teaching at Grace College in the areas of English, Greek, and linguistics, for his chairmanships of the English Department, the Department of Biblical and Classical Languages, the Division of Languages and Literature, and the teaching of 30 courses during his tenure.

In 1974, Dr. Lovelady received the Alva J. McClain Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award from Grace College. He also taught classical guitar for 25 years at Grace.

At the ceremony, Dr. Lovelady was cited for his degrees: B.A., Grace College; M.Div., summa cum laude, Grace Seminary; M.A., the University of St. Francis; Ph.D., Purdue University; and Th.M., Grace Theological Seminary.

Sunday's Aiken, S.C. Standard carried a story about Grace Taylor, the daughter of Dan and Lynn Taylor, all members of the Grace Brethren Church of Aiken. Grace is a member of the University of Georgia women's gymnastics team that recently took home the 2008 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships. Grace is also the 2008 NCAA balance beam champion.

In the photo at left, Grace (right) stands with her former coach and friend Draha Kriz, the reigning South Carolina Gymnastics Coach of the Year and an Olympian that competed in the 1976 games.

To read the whole story, click here.

Aiken Gymnastics alum Taylor returns to old gym
A famous Aiken Gymnastics alum graced the AIGY gym Saturday, and whomever said that "you can never go home again" never knew of Grace Taylor.

Taylor, a member of the NCAA gymnastics championship team and the 2008 NCAA balance beam champion, served as a judge for the AIGY May recital Saturday.

Taylor also presented awards to the competitive teams that won at the state and regional meets.

"I have so many memories, but it surprises me ... no matter how much time I've been gone, it's always the same," Taylor said. "Recital day is special because (I've been here) since I was four."It's definitely an evolution," she added. "When I was little, I was (one of) the kids with the trophies ... but now I'm being treated as this special guest ... but I love it."

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Word has been received from Ned Denlinger, coordinator for the Tri-State District, of the death of Dan Grabill, pictured here several years ago at Grace College and Seminary Homecoming.

Dan, a 1959 graduate of Grace College, was well-known throughout the Fellowship for his musical skills and for his ministry in Christian school administration and as a pastor.

Most recently he had been interim pastor of the Grace Brethren Church of Brookville, Ohio. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in January of 2007 and has been battling the disease since that time.

Service details and complete obituary are to follow.

Here is a shortened version of Dan's story, as written by him in February of 2008, taken from his Caring Bridge website:

December of 2006 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which was present in my groin, bone marrow and lungs. After six rounds of chemo and 5 weeks of radiation I was in remission, I thought.

The summer months were spent recuperating awaiting a CT scan in October which would document that I was cancer free. A couple weeks before that scan I began experiencing chest pain and shortness of breath. The scan revealed a tumor on my lungs. The biopsy documented that I had a new kind of lymphoma, Burkitt’s.

This cancer, unlike the previous, was very aggressive and life threatening. Only 30% survive. Three powerful chemo treatments were started immediately. My oncologist recommended a stem cell transplant as the only way to possibly stop this from reoccurring. I was approved for this procedure.

This will be occurring in Indianapolis the first week of April. The transplant will be my own cells which they have frozen now. In the meantime I have been going through two more rounds of a Chemo, that is very effective on Burkitts and provides a shield around my brain in case this cancer returns. There is a 70% chance that it will return regardless of the treatments.

Now as to what the Lord has been sharing with me.

1. The above prognostications are the best estimations of man. His timetable for me could be completely different.

2. I have been following the advice of those whom God has placed in my life for treatment, but my ultimate confidence is in the Lord. How more secure could anyone be than that?

3. During one of my chemo treatments I went through a Isaiah 6 experience. God allowed me to see how my sins look in His sight. I was shaken and, like Isaiah felt “I am lost”, it’s over for me. It was then that Jesus shared that His blood covered that sin and because of grace I stand redeemed in His presence. I will never forget this experience.

4. While I believe that my earthly ministry is not over I have come to some conclusions similar to the Apostle Paul as stated in Philippians. If I get to stay here and serve the Lord, I win , but if God takes me home via the cancer route, I also win. What could compare with going to heaven and being with Jesus forever? So, I can’t lose and therefore I confidently face whatever is in my future.

5. The preciousness of friends who have stood with me in prayer has been overwhelming. So many encouraging notes and acts of kindness. I am humbled by their concern and commitment.

On behalf of Grace Brethren chaplains who serve God and country in the U.S. Armed Forces, remember to pray for the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who defend our liberties and the cause of freedom around the globe.

The present war on terrorism places an incredible strain on the spiritual and emotional strength of our men and women in uniform. Multiple deployments to war zones results in many stressful months of separation from home and family.

Grace Brethren chaplains offer encouragement and hope in this time of need. They desire for us to pray for the brave men and women under their spiritual care. Pray for their safety. Pray for their loved ones back home. Pray for the success of their mission . . . to bring peace to a troubled region of the world and ensure protection of our freedoms at home.

Pictured above right is Chaplain (Colonel, Retired) John Schumacher, who presently serves as the Endorsing Agent for Grace Brethren chaplains in the U.S. Armed Forces. He is remembering a fallen comrade from his time of service in the Viet Nam War.

On this Memorial Day, let us all remember those who bravely serve and who are prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice in our behalf. Pray for their families. And pray for our Grace Brethren chaplains who serve alongside our nation’s sons and daughters, often in harm’s way, to offer the message of God’s love and grace and the gift of His Son.

The Eagle Commission
P.O. Box 587

Peter "Pete" Semple, a professional writing major from Taylor University/Fort Wayne began work today as the summer editorial intern at the Brethren Missionary Herald Company.

Pete, who will be a junior at Taylor/FW in the fall, is a member of the Grace Brethren Church of Worthington, Ohio (Dave Plaster, pastor). His parents, also in the Columbus church, are Kent and Deb Semple.

Pete will be under the direct supervision of BMH's editorial director Liz Cutler Gates, and will be writing articles this summer for FGBC World, assisting with copyediting BMH books, writing/editing for some of BMH's contract publications, and other duties as requested.

He will be working 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the front lobby desk. Welcome, Pete, to the BMH family!

Grace Christian School, sponsored by the Grace Brethren Church of West Kittanning, Pennsylvania (Mark Cornwell, pastor), celebrates its tenth anniversary with its tenth kindergarten graduation at 7 p.m. Thursday at Grace Brethren Church and a reception will be held afterwards in Grace Hall.

All friends, former staff and students of Grace Christian School are welcome to be part of the celebration. Photographs, comments and thoughts about the school are welcome.

Integrated Community Development International has announced that Dan Thornton (pictured) from Soldotna, Alaska, has agreed to become ICDI's new Chief of Operations.

Thornton, who is currently vice-chair of the Brethren Missionary Herald Company board and its previous chairman, recently resigned from a long-term pastorate at the Peninsula Grace Brethren Church in Soldotna.

Most recently Thornton was manager for his brother's construction company which included a cabinet shop and flooring shop. He will be handling the USA operations and helping with various tasks related to keeping the different aspects of the work in the Central African Republic running smoothly.

ICDI's director, Jim Hocking, said, "Welcome aboard Dan! We are excited about what God is going to be doing through you with ICDI!"

For more information log onto http://www.icdinternational.org/

Fellowship Coordinator Tom Avey has announced that the Fellowship Council of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches is pleased to announce that six churches are seeking membership this summer in the FGBC. They are:

Brighton Chapel of Howe, Indiana
Grace Connections Church of Englewood, Ohio
Catalyst Church of Kent, Ohio
Life Spring Church of Brownsburg, Indiana
Spring Valley Grace Brethren Church of Elyria, Ohio
Community of Hope of Surrey, Canada

These churches will be presented at the National Conference of the FGBC at the Innisbrook Resort in Tampa, Florida, during the week of July 26-August 1, 2008, for consideration by the official delegates of member churches. For more information, log onto www.fgbc.org.

Copies of the newly expanded and revised Conquest and Crisis: Studies in Joshua, Judges, and Ruth by former Grace College and Seminary president John J. Davis are now in the BMH Books warehouse and available for shipping.

The book is a concise analysis of Israel's conquest and settlement of Canaan. In the 274-page paperback the author uses recent archaeological discoveries, the Hebrew text, a thorough understanding of the Near Eastern culture, and a number of new charts, graphs, maps and archaeological finds to interpret the history and theology of the three Old Testament books.

Davis is the author of 18 books and numerous articles. He has served as a senior staff member on 12 archaeological expeditions to Israel and Jordan, has participated in the Wheaton Institute of Archaeology, and has served as Executive Dean of the Near East School of Archaeology in Jerusalem.

Retail price on the book is $17.99 and the ISBN number is 978-0-88469-258-4. It is available online from www.bmhbooks.com, by calling (toll-free) 1-800-348-2756, or from other online and bricks-and-mortar Christian retail outlets.

"Dads and Daughters in the Park" concluded the SMM year's program at the Winona Lake (IN) Grace Brethren Church this week (Bruce Barlow, lead pastor).

The SMM program for elementary-age girls is held at Jefferson Public Elementary School, just across the street from the Winona Lake church's facility, every Thursday afternoon during the school year.

This week some 20 girls and their dads enjoyed games, treat, refreshments, and fellowship in the Winona Lake church building, as the final function in the SMM school year. Each girl made and gave a gift to her dad--a keychain featuring a photo of his daughter with the legend "Please Be Patient, God Isn't Finished With Me Yet."