Connect Newsletter
October 2024
Dear Friends,
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul compares the Church to a body: a single creature but with many integrated parts. Each has its own gifts that strengthen the whole, and when one is weak, others support it. This scripture feels especially relevant this month as we celebrate new board and staff members. Read on to meet them!
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Welcome New Board Members
Over the past few months, we have welcomed four new people to serve on various BIC boards. Georgia Myers and Ray Chung joined our General Conference Board as members-at-large; Twila Glenn and Kevin Noll joined the board of the BIC Foundation. We are thankful for their willingness to serve in this way and look forward to their leadership.
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El Roi: Caring for People Away from Home | |
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In Hebrew, El Roi means “the God who sees.” It’s a name first given to God in Genesis 16 by Hagar as she fled into the desert. Just as he saw Hagar, God today sees the millions of people who – by choice or by force – are far from home and often overlooked. This new project aims to serve refugees overseas, refugees resettling in the U.S., and international students at American universities. | |
Deadline for the 2024 Songwriting Initiative
Submissions for the Songwriting Initiative are due November 1! Songwriters of all levels of ability are invited; the goal is not to spotlight a few people, but to cultivate a culture of creativity. Join us, even if you will be writing your very first song!
Learn more»
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Videos: Myers in New Mexico
Brian and Rochelle Myers serve with World Missions in Bloomfield, New Mexico, ministering to former inmates transitioning to life outside of prison. In two new videos, they provide updates on their ministry and demystifying the role of missions in the broader Church. Watch ministry update»
Watch demystifying missions»
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The Journey of White Oak Lodge | |
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Tucked away in a picturesque corner of Central Pennsylvania, Christian Retreat Center (CRC) offers an atmosphere of peace and hope. Christian Retreat Center is expanding this mission beyond children and youth to the entire family – despite a few financial bumps in the road.
The BIC Foundation has been pleased to walk with CRC through this growth over the past decade.
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Resource Corner: Upcoming Webinars | |
Email Newsletter 101: Impactful connection with your congregation.
October 16, 1 PM Eastern
Email newsletters are the most impactful and effective way pastors and church leaders have to communicate with their congregations. However, they are also the most under used. In this free webinar, BIC U.S. content editor Salynda “Lindy” Hogsett will make the case for why your congregation should have an email newsletter and walk you through four steps to start your own. Register now»
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Grant Writing 101: Skills and tools for securing new ministry funding
November 20, 1 PM Eastern
Utilizing grant funds can be a great way to offset ministry costs. However, finding and applying for grants takes time and effort. In this free webinar led by experienced grant writer Jennifer Lancaster, you will learn how to answer four important questions for every grant opportunity.
Register now»
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Blog: 5 Principles for Twenty-First Century Worship
Worship is not about the songs we sing or the feelings we experience in worship gatherings. It is instead about practicing something as individuals and as a community that points us to God and reminds us of our calling as followers of Jesus. But how do we, the Brethren in Christ of 2024, best do that? In this excerpt from Compelling Convictions, Alan Claassen Thrush offers five principles to guide our worship in the twenty-first century. Read on»
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Meet Our New Staff Members
This summer, we were excited to welcome Becky Owen and Stephen Badiger to our World Missions staff. Becky serves as our Member Care Assistant, supporting the emotional and spiritual health of our global workers and their children. Stephen serves as our Global Ministry Systems Coordinator, assisting with finance and ministry-related services.
Read their bios»
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SHALOM: Singleness in the Church
There are many variations of singles in the church: widows and widowers, never-married men and women (by choice or not), not-yet-married men and women, divorced men and women, single parents, and married people who attend church as singles. The latest edition of Shalom! explores how the Church can be more inclusive and welcoming to the single people among us. Read more»
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We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.
1 Corinthians 12:13-14
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