“I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” ~Romans 1:8, NIV
Celebrating faith in Christ and passion for ministry that is growing in South Sudan, a generous donor has committed to contribute matched funds for a special campaign. To provide for the cost of program expenses and a nine percent ministry enablement contribution that ensures the purpose of these gifts is carried out, our goal is to raise $18,000 from donors like you by November 30.
Your gift to this matching gift campaign will support agriculture, community development, theological training, and equipment for ministry that will provide our sisters and brothers in South Sudan with a stable foundation for the next chapter of ministry.
Thank you for prayerfully considering this special opportunity!
With gratitude,
Traci Rabenstein Executive Director of Mission Advancement MA@brethren.org
Jenn Dorsch-Messler at the Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children’s Disaster Services volunteer and supporter breakfast at Annual Conference 2024. Photo by Donna Parcell
By Jenn Dorsch-Messler, director of Brethren Disaster Ministries
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ~Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV
This passage always reminds me of the movie Remember the Titans when they put it to song. The words can be a comfort and reminder to Christians in any generation, year, day, or even moment when there are tough times and situations happening.
The original audience was the Israelites who were in exile. They were not doing well. At this point they had rebelled, seen the destruction of Jerusalem, and fled their homes. They were weary and feeling abandoned by God with no hope for their future. If you can imagine being that far in despair, it was likely hard to look to any kind of new future or even to have the energy to dream of how it might look. And it was even harder to think about moving ahead with joy and having the strength to travel and rebuild.
Earlier in the book of Isaiah, they had heard some hard words. But now in Chapters 40-66, the theme of consolation and salvation brings promise. Isaiah knew to balance warning and instruction with comfort as our Lord does.
The first part of that consolation and comfort in these difficult times is a reminder of the greatness of God in Isaiah 40:28. Our God is eternal and everlasting, so not only will God not go anywhere, God will reign forever. The Lord is Almighty Creator who formed the whole earth from the beginning and everything in it. In verse 22 of that chapter it is even referenced that God is still sitting “enthroned above the circle of the earth.”
God is untiring. God never grows weary or tired even in all that God does and is. And the Lord has all knowledge that we as humans cannot even try to understand. Sometimes just remembering and naming these truths about our God can shift our perspective from our current reality. These foundational reminders of God’s eternal, untiring greatness and knowledge set the stage for the second theme in the remaining verses of Isaiah 40.
The comfort to us humans in verses 29-31 is that since God is so great, there is promise for our renewal through His strength. Because the Lord knows all, is eternal, and never tires, we can trust that God will support us and renew us even in what seem to be impossible circumstances.
We cannot weather the storms in our lives without help or by relying on our own power or knowledge. God knows this and knows exactly what we need—not just to lift us up when we fall, but to give us the strength to soar like eagles. And this can often happen in ways we never imagined or through provisions we never saw coming.
Have you ever been in a position at your wits ends? Where hope seemed lost, and you could not find a way out? In a situation where the storms of life came and overwhelmed your ability to cope or even dream of a life after despair? When it didn’t seem possible for you to be strong and make it through your situation? And then. God got creative and showed you a glimmer of hope in just the way you individually needed it? Something that opened your eyes to a new possibility and that helped to boost you and your outlook.
There are families and individuals all over the country who are in this situation right now because of disasters. Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and fires have displaced them from their homes. They may feel hopeless. They may feel weary. They may feel like there is no way out of the place they are in right now and they don’t have the strength to look at traveling and rebuilding, much like the Israelites. But God is creative and can bring a renewed strength and power in many forms.
This can happen for a family who lost their home and parts of their community. They have been searching for help in the form of essentials like food, and shelter. and laundry services, and are just trying to hold it together. And then God provides an unexpected childcare center staffed with Children’s Disaster Services volunteers who came to help in a way they never thought they needed. The kids can just play and work through their trauma to build up their strength and resilience. For the weary parents, they can rest and maybe even just have a moment of space to themselves to regain strength while they know their children are safe. Sometimes the volunteers practice the ministry of presence with the parents too, who need a listening ear to work through their experience.
For others it might be a year since the storm, which makes it hard to stay positive when they are still displaced. Or the damaged home they are still living in needs repairs and is not safe, and they are on edge every time it rains, and their roof still leaks. God sees them and their situation and sends volunteer teams and leaders to step in and bring hope in ways they never knew were possible.
Our Brethren Disaster Ministries Rebuilding program served a homeowner in Bayboro, N.C., whose home had been damaged by Hurricane Florence. She had raised her family in that home but was living there alone at the time. When our volunteers were working to repair her bedroom, they found a list of goals on the back of her closet door. The beginning included things like that her children would accept Jesus and graduate from high school. But farther down on the list they saw “get all the repairs on my house completed.” It took a hurricane that caused more damage, and some BDM volunteers from across the country, but almost 10 years later that item could be checked off the list. And I can almost guarantee that she did not imagine that was the way God was going to provide for her and lift her up after the weary journey she had been on.
Our Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the Earth who never grows tired. Because of this we are promised that God will lift us up when we are weary on our journey and bring us renewal in amazing and creative ways. How can you help be part of that renewal for someone else when they are going through a storm? While that can be done by volunteering or supporting Brethren Disaster Ministries and Children’s Disaster Services, there are many others who need this help too. Is there a neighbor, or friend, or someone else on your heart lately who needs God to send you to help them back up when they have fallen? How are we actively looking to bring strength to others in any context—and not on our own or because of our works, but by being God’s creative answer for their time of need?
May we all be humble enough to be the Sustainer’s vehicle to help others to soar, to run, and to not grow faint.
Let us pray: Great and powerful Lord, We bring you honor today that you are the great creator of all things and that your power is limitless. We praise you and thank you that, with this power, you can renew us even when we struggle or we lose hope or we lose sight of your promises. We are humbled by the opportunities you provide for us to help boost the strength of your people, all in your name. Amen.
Jenn Dorsch-Messler shared this reflection originally at a weekly Zoom meeting of the staff of the Church of the Brethren. Learn more about how Brethren Disaster Ministries walks alongside survivors of disaster and hardship at www.brethren.org/bdm or support its ministry today at www.brethren.org/givebdm.
Grace Elliott (far left) with women at Goshen Church of the Brethren in Kenya. Photo by Chris Elliott
By Grace Elliott, Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit #331
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepest, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” ~Psalm 126:5-6, KJV
One evening, not too long ago, I was sitting in my bedroom. I listened to the hum of the fan blowing away the scorching dry season heat of the day as it came to a close, along with the occasional buzz of a pesky blood-thirsty mosquito on my sun-browned neck. Sounds of my housemates were heard in the background, a lively mixture of English and the sweet musical quality of Kinyarwanda. Residing with a mixed-culture family means that a minimum of two or three languages can be spoken, perhaps even by the same person in one sentence! Sounds of the household died down as the various humans went to their rooms retiring for the night.
I continued to sit in a state of deep reflection, joined by one of the resident felines climbing uninvited through the window, which was left open to let in the crisp night-time highland breeze. An occasional scent of eucalyptus smoke mixed with tropical flowers in bloom reached my nostrils and the cry of a baby and the cackles emitting from the neighborhood bar in my ears.
I reflected on many things. My two-year volunteer teaching term amongst the Abayarwanda (People of Rwanda) is quickly coming to a close. A wonderful ceremony and celebration of Top Class graduation has passed into the realm of memory.
Memories, so many memories. I smile fondly on the many joyous and lovely events. I look upon the painful and traumatic memories as one viewing the sunrise of a new day after a dark, dark night. Tears run down my face as I think of those memories still in the dark of night. I think of the days of the past when God has given me strength to rise well from the darkness of nights of the past and how one day He will do the same again.
I smile through the tears as I think of soon seeing my family and dear friends again in the US. Excitement and trepidation when thinking of returning later this year to the Land of Eternal Spring with the start of a new project. A new day is dawning. One chapter has come to a close. Another is beginning to unfold in the misty light of the dawn in the shadow of Nyargongo.
A chapter of life sown in tears may very well be a chapter concluding in rejoicing. The One who writes that story is the same yesterday, today, and the days that are to come. He will never leave us or forsake us. Let all the earth rejoice!
Grace Elliott concluded service through BVS at Brethren Nursery School in Ginsenyi, Rwanda, in July. Learn more about this core ministry of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/bvs or support its ministry today at www.brethren.org/givebvs.
A theme interpretation for the 2024 Mission Offering by Matt DeBall, coordinator of Mission Advancement Communications
“Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” ~Romans 14:19, NRSVUE
Our houses of worship are wonders to behold. Whether constructed recently or long ago, our congregations were built—brick by brick, panel by panel, glass pane by glass pane—with purpose and beauty.
Our church buildings may differ from one to another for the Church of the Brethren in the US, but greater differences are realized as we consider churches around the world. And while all of our churches are unique, the people who worship, serve, and are served within them are even more diverse. Even while differences and distinctions exist, we are all united in our mission to love and serve one another, making room for what God is building in us and around us.
In the book of Romans, we find a letter to the church from Paul in which he proclaimed that all followers of Jesus—whether Jew or Gentile, man or woman, having weak faith or strong—are equal members of the family of God. Rather than squabbling about earthly differences and preferences, Paul called them to live unto the Lord, to extend helping hands to one another, to work for the good of all.
We build up one another through love and service, and as we do so, we become the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. Through the work of Jesus, we offer a helping hand to one another and all people, pursuing peace and working to build up our neighbors near and far. We do this because Jesus did and because we believe this work is life-giving for each of us as we share love with one another.
The Mission Offering highlights the ministry of our sisters and brothers around the world. It is an opportunity for congregations and individuals to financially and prayerfully uplift the core mission and ministry of the Church of the Brethren that provides support to pastors and leaders in the US but alsoour Global Mission staff in South Sudan (Athanasus Ungang), sister denominations that are members of the Global Church of the Brethren Communion, and partner organizations around the world.
Thank you for offering a helping hand to people in your community. Thank you for allowing the love of God to work through you to encourage others. Although each of our neighborhoods is unique, our efforts to pursue peace and offer mutual encouragement together make a difference wherever we are. May we celebrate what we have to give and receive, and marvel at the wonders that God is building in all the world.
Jennifer Hosler with a 2024 cucumber in the Washington City (DC) church garden. Photo by Nathan Hosler.
By Jennifer Hosler, manager of the Global Food Initiative
I joined the Church of the Brethren as a young adult, inspired by the church’s emphasis on being doers of the word (James 1:22) and on living simply to give generously (James 1:17). A denomination that stressed following Jesus through service and simplicity? Yes, please! I was drawn to this community of faith that teaches a radical discipleship. We model “another way of living” as we are reconciled to God and seek to be reconciled to one another. Part of that reconciliation to one another and to God involves sharing what resources we have, just as God our Father is a generous giver (James 1:17-18). The gospel of Jesus is good news for the poor (Luke 4:18; James 1:9-11).
The Church of the Brethren’s Global Food Initiative (GFI) is a terrific example of how Brethren give generously and how we preach a holistic gospel of Jesus. The Global Food Initiative has been part of the Church of the Brethren’s ministry for more than 40 years, empowering our siblings in Christ to meet their nutritional needs, to farm sustainably, to feed children, and to create livelihoods. Donations to GFI support food security and hunger-related initiatives around the world, in countries like Nigeria, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Honduras, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. We also fund local church projects in the United States, through congregations seeking to make community gardens or to address hunger in their communities.
I bring diverse experiences to my new role, including depth within the Church of the Brethren. My husband Nathan and I served in Nigeria for two years with Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN – the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) doing peacebuilding work.
I am a local church pastor at the Washington City congregation in Washington, D.C., where we received a GFI church garden grant about 10 years ago (our garden is still going!). My current tenure with GFI builds on my experience as a member of the GFI Grant Review Panel, where I served for five years on a volunteer team, assisting the review of large grant applications (greater than $5,000). My travels and ministry have allowed me to see first-hand the ministry of GFI in the United States and around the world: soybean fields and goat projects in northern Nigeria, Capstone 119 urban gardening in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, La., and congregational Growing Projects through Growing Hope Globally. In addition to my ministry training, I am a community psychologist. My expertise focuses on program development, implementation, and evaluation. I work with communities and congregations to address social issues and promote community well-being–which is a great fit for GFI.
I am grateful to be in my new role as Manager of the Global Food Initiative for the Church of the Brethren. This position involves a mission dear to my heart: strengthening bridges between the US church and our siblings in Christ around the world. I envision that we can utilize GFI to strengthen solidarity across national, ethnic, and religious boundaries, by sharing resources, learning from one another, and developing relationships of mutual care. Learning and sharing should be bi-directional, since Brethren everywhere have much to share together. We are doers and givers. I look forward to seeing God’s blessings through this work and I appreciate your prayers for the journey ahead.
This reflection was originally featured in an email update by Global Food Initiative. Learn more about this ministry at www.brethren.org/gfi or support it today at www.brethren.org/givegfi.
“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:11, NRSVUE
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Thank you for giving generously of your time, talent, and treasure to partner in the faith-forming and life-changing work of the Church of the Brethren. We are regularly inspired by the many ways you encourage and build up others, making a difference in places near and far.
Our mission and ministry often overlap in how they reflect our vision and how they connect to the Mission and Ministry Board’s strategic plan. We have created a print resource and a webpage to help interpret the work carried out by the staff and volunteers of the Church of the Brethren. We have focused on core priorities centered around discipleship, service and mission, extending generosity and witness, and stewarding God’s blessings. Each ministry area has been highlighted under the priority where its core purpose has the strongest alignment.
TOGETHER as the Church of the Brethren, we join Jesus in the neighborhood. Together we grow courageous disciples, love and serve one another, extend generosity and witness, and steward God’s blessings. In all that we do together, we are intentional as we call leaders, connect with our neighbors, cultivate relationships, and encourage stewardship. We are called to passionately live and be the body of Christ TOGETHER to build up one another and our neighbors near and far.
Thanks again for your partnership!
Traci Rabenstein, executive director of Mission Advancement
Ashley Martin, third from right, with Lydia’s House community in Cincinnati, Ohio.
By Ashley Martin, Brethren Volunteer Service Unit #333
Through serving in BVS, I have experienced and learned many things: how to be more independent, how to navigate a city, and the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. But the most impactful thing I have acquired knowledge about is the power of community.
At Lydia’s House, not only do the families who seek shelter with us live in community with one another, but all the staff does, as well. Nightly community dinner and knowing I always have someone to talk to or hang out with within arm’s reach is a wonderful feeling.
This sense of community goes far beyond Lydia’s, as well. Vineyard Central is a local church in the neighborhood that is connected to a pay-what-you-can café, both of which I have become involved in. Everyone in my neighborhood is friendly with one another and never hesitates to offer a helping hand, a characteristic that I truly value. No matter who someone is, everyone is treated with the same amount of care, love, and respect around here.
A loving community is what allows the world to flourish, and I feel so grateful that I have been able to be a part of this community this year.
This reflection was originally featured in the summer issue of The Volunteer, a publication by Brethren Volunteer Service. Learn more about this ministry of the Church of the Brethren at www.brethren.org/bvs or support it today at www.brethren.org/givebvs.
Left: Destruction in Gaza, as seen through binoculars from a hill north of Gaza. Right: Mae Elise Cannon of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), speaking at Bethlehem Bible College. Photos by Nathan Hosler
An article by Nathan Hosler, director of the Peacebuilding and Policy Office, concerning a recent delegation to Israel/Palestine
Over the last eight months, it has felt, at least to me, difficult to imagine constructively and hopefully. While the work of the Peacebuilding and Policy Office continues to cover a range of topics and organizational partners, we have spent considerably more time than usual in relation to Israel and Palestine. Much of this has been in collaboration with and in support of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) and a range of other coalitions such as the Arms Trade Accountability Project and the big-tent Ceasefire Now Coalition.
Much of this joint work has been aimed at bringing an end to what the International Court of Justice has determined is a “plausible case of genocide.” As a US-based organization, our greatest focus is on the actions of the US government and its ongoing insistence on sending more weapons to support mass destruction and death of Palestinian civilians. This work has also focused on the release of hostages and political detainees as well as adequate humanitarian aid.
The lectionary passages for a recent week included 1 Samuel 3:1-20 and the calling of Samuel. The passage opens with setting the context: “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.”
In a time when much action and little progress is made on stopping violence, it is often hard to imagine or envision a future that is different.
Speaking in Bethlehem last month, Lamma Mansour, a Palestinian Christian, powerfully addressed this from a position of vulnerability and grief. She stated, “Hope gives the power to imagine…. We are hope-shaped creatures…. If we fail to imagine, others will fill the gap.” Her words, spoken at the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference at Bethlehem Bible College, were met with great affirmation by both the international attendees as well as Palestinian Christians.
I joined part of this conference and about a week of meetings on behalf of the Church of the Brethren and as part of CMEP. While the Church of the Brethren opposes all war and supports the wellbeing of and peace for all people, we have specifically committed to supporting Christian communities at risk and those that are religious minorities (“Christian Minority Communities: 2015 Church of the Brethren Resolution,” www.brethren.org/ac/statements/2015-resolution-on-christian-minority-communities). In working to fulfill this mandate and in response to Palestinian Christians’ plea for solidarity and support, I traveled to visit, hear from, and advocate with them and on behalf of all victims of violence and injustice.
While in Jerusalem, I met with Yusef Daher, who leads the World Council of Churches liaison office. In our brief meeting, he expressed his distress that representatives of the global church—particularly the churches in the West—have not visited and that some have been silent about the international support for this unfolding unprecedented catastrophe for the Palestinian people—or have even supported the violence.
The week, as such trips go, was full of meetings, and ranged from high-level diplomatic and church leaders to grass-roots activists and survivors. Traveling with CMEP executive director Mae Elise Cannon and the Middle East Partnerships and Communication coordinator Lauren Draper, we met with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Combatants for Peace, the US Ambassador to Israel and the head of the US Office of Palestinian Affairs, local priests, rabbis, Catholic Relief Services, parents of wrongfully detained and abused children such as Shadi Khoury, and others.
In addition to spending considerable time being with and hearing from Palestinians, we also visited three sites of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas. Cannon noted that as followers of Christ working for peace, we can attend to and care for the hurt and trauma on all sides. This does not make all experiences or power the same or equal but acknowledges the real pain and fear.
On Sunday we traveled with a guide to the “Gaza envelope” and visited several of the sites of Oct. 7 attacks. We could also hear Israeli artillery, bombs, and drones, and machine gun fire from Israeli helicopters not far away—and at one point needed to take cover when a “red alert” sounded for an incoming rocket from Hamas. We could see destroyed buildings in Gaza and plumes of smoke and dust caused by the unprecedented bombing and destruction there.
After visiting homes destroyed by Hamas and hearing of those killed, the resident we were meeting said (her remarks here are paraphrased): Hamas keeps developing weapons and Israel keeps developing weapons, and where are we? I know that my safety and wellbeing and my children need them [Palestinians] to also have safety and wellbeing as well.
This did not start on Oct. 7 and will not be over when the bombing stops. The work of justice, peace, rebuilding, and healing will continue for a long time. Despite this, Palestinian pastor Munther Isaac asserted, “In Gaza they have taken almost everything. But they cannot get inside and take our faith in a just and good God.”
The work and ministries of our sisters and brothers in Palestine and Israel are characterized by strength and hope but are severely strained. Families continue to leave due to the hardships. People continue to live in fear and in dire circumstances. Our call and vocation is to proclaim, in word and deed, the Gospel of Peace.
“We are afflicted in every way but not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, struck down but not destroyed, always carrying around in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10, NRSVue).
A theme statement by moderator Madalyn Metzger for the 2024 Annual Conference
In today’s society, we spend a lot of time wondering if we’re worthy. And, whether we admit it or not, we spend a lot of time assessing others based on our own standards. We do this, because we’ve set up so many “rules” for ourselves since before we can remember—rules that have been influenced by our families, neighbors, teachers, and experiences. These rules are how we make sense of the world. They help us interpret and navigate our complex social constructs.
But, when taken to the extreme, they also can limit our understanding of the infinite worth of every human being. They can painfully and disruptively fracture our relationships. And they can run contrary to God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Since the early 18th century beginnings of the Brethren movement, we’ve been a faith family that has chosen another way of living: the way of Christ. We are people called to live and experience our faith together in service to (and with) God and each other. And, every person in our faith community shares in the spiritual direction of the church. All of our spiritual gifts are needed if we are to function together as a healthy Body of Christ. Each of us is called to extend and receive Christ’s love.
In his letter to the church in Rome, the Apostle Paul introduces Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchreae, and tells the Roman Christians to “Welcome her in the Lord in a way that is worthy of God’s people.” As the one and only mention of Phoebe in the Bible, we don’t know much about her. We don’t know if she was a prominent church leader and ordained deacon, or if she was Paul’s informal helper and supporter. We don’t know what she looked like, if she was married, how she earned a living, or what her political views were.
But we do know that Paul viewed Phoebe as a valued sibling in Christ and an integral part of the Body, and he encouraged the Christians in Rome to welcome and build an authentic relationship with her as a child of God.
Like Phoebe, each of us brings our own unique abilities, experiences, and perspectives to this community. And it is through our willingness to share our faith journeys with one another—and to receive one another in the fullness of each person’s being—that we can experience and see God’s vision for us more fully and, therefore, be transformed together by God’s Spirit.
Let’s explore our call to live together in community, abide in Christ and one another, and re-envision how we extend Christ’s love to each other and ourselves in ways that are worthy of God’s people.
The opportunity to register online to participate in the 2024 Annual Conference in-person ends on Monday, June 10. (In-person participants who miss this deadline can register onsite at a higher cost.) Non-delegates who wish to participate virtually can continue to register online after June 10, but at a higher cost. Learn more about Annual Conference or register today at www.brethren.org/ac2024.
