Joe Slater (chi 1978) is in his fourth year of work with the Lord's church in Justin, TX (NW of Ft. Worth). He recently completed writing a 36-lesson Bible Correspondence Course on the book of Exodus. It is designed primarily for use in jail/prison ministry, where students often need study material that goes beyond the basics. The course would also be appropriate, however, for use with teens or adults in a classroom setting. It is available from www.unboundword.com Joe's 26-lesson course on Genesis can also be ordered there. He is currently preparing a series on the Beatitudes which he hopes to complete in the next several months.
Filtering by Author: Jon Warnes
Doug Hall passes away (Alpha Class)
Paul Douglas Hall, 81, formerly of Vernon, passed away in Lubbock Friday, February 15, 2013. He was born August 19, 1931 in County Line, Oklahoma to Edward “Fat Daddy” and Florence “Granny” Hall; soon after the family moved to Vernon. Doug, at the time of his death, was a member of South Plains Church of Christ in Lubbock. He served as minister of the Lockett Highway Church of Christ for eighteen years; and previously for congregations in Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, California and Texas. In 1965 he enrolled as a student in the Alpha class of the Bear Valley School of Preaching in Denver and later attended graduate classes at Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock. Various times of his life he worked for the Post Office. Doug enjoyed life, and dearly loved his Lord, his wife and his family.
He married Helen Brown in Vernon on December 25, 1950, and recently celebrated 62 years of marriage.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister Violet Madison of Phoenix, Arizona; three brothers J.T. of Lubbock, Texas, Edward of Grand Prairie, Texas and Roy Van of Vernon, Texas; one son Andrew of Denver, Colorado; and son-in-law Don Maxey of Lubbock, Texas.
He will be missed by his wife; one sister Cathryne Priest of Kyle, Texas and one brother Herbert and his wife Betty of Midland, Texas; two daughters Paula Maxey of Lubbock, Texas and Keli Stewart and her husband Murray of Kearney, Missouri; two sons Mike and his wife Lynn of Maryville, Tennessee, Timothy and his wife Brenda of Rockwall, Texas; one daughter-in-law Rita of Denver, Colorado; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren; and countless friends and family all over the world.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Deone LaFollette of Seymour, Tennessee, Jason Hall of Maryville, Tennessee, Kayla Wimberley of Lubbock, Texas, Cody Hall of Denver, Colorado, Valari Skinness of Louisville, Kentucky, and Brittany Stewart of Kearney, Missouri, and their spouses.
Shane Belanger update (New Hampshire)
Dear Brethren,
I am happy to announce that on February 4th at 8:00 pm Raymond Keel was buried in the waters of baptism! This was not an easy task due to the fact that Ray is burdened with many unique and challenging health issues. Ray suffers from cellulitis as well as advanced diabetes, and is almost completely housebound except for his necessary routine trips to the doctor in order to receive his medical treatments. Ray carries an oxygen tank with him at all times and his legs are tightly wrapped with ace bandages
that absolutely cannot get wet. After studying with Ray for some time in his apartment, he became fully committed to the Gospel call. With the help of Pete Farley, we wrapped him up in blankets and warm clothes, with oxygen tank in hand, and drove him the ¼ mile it took to get to the building, where a warm baptistery awaited him. Ray’s eyes were aglow as he emerged from his water burial completely sin free. All praise and glory to God for the amazing gift that He offers through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Alan & Ree Nalley (Brazil Update)
REJOICING IN HEAVEN CONTINUES
Tatiane was baptized December 27! She is the teenager daughter of Ademir and Marcia, graduates from the Bible Institute of Southern Brazil. Pray for this family as they are helping to lead the church plant in Fazenda Rio Grande.
CURITIBA CHURCH
During the month of January the church leadership here asked me to outline four sermons for the church from the Book of Matthew concerning evangelism. I preached two of the lessons and two other brothers finished the series. My help gave a little relief to the regular preachers during the summer so they can take a break. One of the lessons I did was concerning the call of Matthew and his first action as a follower of Jesus. He prepared a meal in his home then invited his friends from work and also Jesus and the other disciples to eat together. By having a meal he made the first connection between sinners and the saved that would lead to knowledge about how to follow the Master and eternal life. I was amazed at the application by the members. Right after worship a sister came up and said, “Today is my birthday and I am having many family members over for a meal and dessert. Can you and your family come? I have also invited other Christians to come and meet my family.” New contacts were made for possible Bible studies. During the week another brother called and said they he was hosting a meal at the building. He invited about ten of his neighbors to worship and to the meal and also invited about ten members of the church to eat together with them. More contacts were made for possible Bible studies. The next Sunday another member invited our family to go to a birthday party for her granddaughter and since there would be lots of non-Christians there, she invited brothers and sisters in Christ to participate in the fellowship as a first step to leading someone to Christ. Pray for fruit to come from these “Matthew Meals.”
During the summer month of January, instead of having our regular weekly small group meetings around the city, the groups take a break and there is a Wednesday evening prayer service at the building.
On January 25-26 there was a Men’s Retreat for small group leaders and those we want to influence to participate. A family in the congregation purchased part of a Bible camp and it is a great place for retreats. About forty men came for the weekend meeting. We prayed, praised and played together. Two of our evangelists, Mauro and Ramos, gave several motivational lessons. One of the highlights was the experience given to everyone on how to write small group lessons. The forty men were divided into groups of four or five. Each group had a small group leader involved with inexperienced brothers. Each group was given a text to study, talk about and produce a small group lesson. We had about three to four hours to work on the lesson together. The men learned about context, asking the right questions about the original meaning of the text, then moving on to how to apply the text. The final step was putting this Bible study into question format ready for small group use. By the end of the retreat, the men had produced a new series with eight lessons about the difference Jesus makes in our lives. It was emotional at the end, as each inexperienced brother was asked to stand and share one thought about how he felt with this experience. Men that had never stood to speak in public rose with encouragement and courage and shared thoughts beyond our imagination. God is so good!
GUARAPUVA CHURCH
The small congregation in Guarapuava has been saddened and has rejoiced. Last month a young teenage sister passed away suddenly. The day before one of the member’s non-Christian mother passed away. This month another sister in the congregation lost her non-Christian sister to death. Then another woman that the congregation was evangelizing suddenly died. Pray for their comfort!
The good news is that these new converts in Guarapuava have been sowing the seed. They have set up studies with seven people in the past year. One finished the lessons and stopped, but the seed is in her heart. Three others started and quit. Another studied through the lessons and is counting the cost. Pray for him, Tuca struggles with alcohol. Two others they taught were baptized January 19. Brandinor and his teenage daughter Sabrina are now citizens of the Kingdom. Sabrina’s mother was counting the cost when she had to go to the hospital for a treatment and died there. A member of the congregation called me with the good news about their decision to follow Jesus and asked if I would go and baptize them. I told them I could come, but that they could do the baptisms. They had never baptized anyone before and were unsure of themselves. When Ree and I arrived (January 18-21) we met at Brandinor’s house, had a Bible study about perseverance in following Jesus as a disciple, then I explained to the men what to do and say. We walked down a dirt road, pushed back vegetation and tree limbs that took us down a little trail to a creek that flows into the Jordan River near their house (yes that is the name of the river . . . Rio Jordao). Jhonatan baptized Brandinor and Antonio baptized Sabrina. What a great day for the Guarapauva chuch! Antonio will now teach them a series of lessons to help them grow in Christ.
Where did these contacts come from? Antonio and his wife Viridiana always have “Matthew Meals” for family and friends in their home. While we visited in Guarapuava we visited in five non-Christian homes to make new contacts for Bible studies. Pray for the families of Josemar e Mara, Josenilson e Meri, Celso, Juarez e Sabastiana as the Christian Family influences them with the Word. I also preached on Sunday during worship.
NALLEY NEWS
I have been swamped writing new material. I will be teaching homiletics to the Curitiba men next month and also an intensive study on Spiritual Leadership in the northeast of Brazil. My calendar also has four to five more intensive studies at three preacher training schools planned. This past month I also celebrated another year of life. Thank you for all those cool birthday cards! Ree and I have been taking our walks for exercise a few times a week and I have even begun to run again. I had to stop running for three years because of my lower back, but it seems to be fine now. Naiane is enjoying the break during the summer. She has been inviting and helping to pick up her friend and her friend’s grandmother to go with us to Wednesday evening prayer night. In March Naiane finally begins her cooking school in Curitiba.
Serving Jesus Our Master,
Alan, Ree and Naiane Nalley
Josh & Divine Austin (Mission Update)
Dear brethren,
Welcome to 2013! We pray your year has begun in a great way. We are looking forward to what lies ahead and the plans that the Lord has in store.
This is our first newsletter for the new work in Phoenix. Even though we are not in Phoenix yet, we are making preparations in every way to get us ready for the opportunities ahead. We hope that over the years there will be many great stories demonstrating the mighty works of God in the lives of many people.
Now that I am no longer the coordinator for Cameroon, I have been spending a lot of time researching Phoenix and the Native Americans who live there. We are also gathering information about church planting in a metro area verses a rural community. There is a lot to learn and we are making some good progress. We have been able to narrow Phoenix down to two or three main areas where there are more Native American people than others. We are now trying to decide where to locate our home and meeting places.
We have also been working on raising the rest of our support. We are at 75% of our needed budget. We are thankful for all of you who are helping us through this transition period into Phoenix. We appreciate your confidence in us in taking on this work. We are still planning on moving the first week of June, Lord willing.
The work here in Morenci continues to be blessed. We have been working in getting ready to find the next preacher upon my departure. There have been a couple of home Bible studies that are going good. The congregation is really a pleasure to work with, as there are so many who are doing the work of a Christian.
Unfortunately, our children all came down with colds. Fevers, coughs and runny noses take a lot of attention to help them through it. We are thankful they are on the up and up; nothing too serious so we praise God. The kids are enjoying all their sports classes and they are also taking a community Science class that they really liked. My parents and our family went to Phoenix to watch Disney On Ice. The Community had a special pricing for those that live here, which made it much more affordable to go. Everyone really enjoyed the show as well as getting some time with cousins in Phoenix.
We are especially praying for wisdom as we make decisions that affect the future of many souls. We are trying to do what is best for the future of our children, we are trying to do our best to reach people that we love and care about and we are trying to help congregations be a part of a work that brings glory to God. Please know you are in our continued prayers.
Fred Coulter (1972 Grad) passes away
Prayers for The Fred Coulter family. Fred graduated in 1972 from Bear Valley and served the community as a counselor.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/obits/2012/09/13/fredrick-coulter
Terry Sanderfur passed away
This is to inform you of the death of a former Bear Valley student: Terry Sandefur. I think he was a student there in the late 70s. Terry died suddenly Friday morning while working as a substitute teacher in Forbes Middle School, Georgetown, TX.
You can go to the following address and read his obituary and see a recent picture:
http://gabrielsfuneral.com/fh/print.cfm?type=obituary&o_id=1574673&fh_id=11011
Terry was a faithful Christian, lover of the Lord and the Scriptures. Though he had not been preaching for several years, he was deeply respected among members of our congregation.
As I reviewed the people on your staff, I don't think there is anyone who was teaching at BV when he was a student. That would have been folks like Monroe Tharp, Warren Wilcox, Norman Gipson, and I can't recall what year Roy Lanier, Sr. died. The only one on your staff whom I know [and might remember me] is Dr. Dennis Petrillo - whom I knew as Denny when he was in high school and SYD. At the time I was preaching for the University congregation [1968 to 1976 (that may have been the year Denny graduated from high school)]. Give him my greetings!
Unfortunately our loss of Terry while still a young man was difficult not only for his family, but for the congregation. Thanks for the training you provided for him; he used it all the time.
Yours in the Lord,
Max Hughes
Baker Family to Foristell, Missouri
Congratulations are in order for Aaron and Cindy Baker (2004 Grads) and their family! Aaron has accepted the pulpit position with the Foristell church of Christ in Foristell, Missouri starting July 1st. Aaron, Cindy and children have spent the past 6+ years in mission work in the country of Vanauatu. If you are ever in the St. Louis area, drop by and see them! Foristell is about 45 minutes west of St. Louis and just 5 minutes south of I-70.
It's a Girl! (Walker Family)
Congratulations are in order for Wesley and Amanda Walker. Amanda gave birth to Presley Jannelle on Monday, November 14th in Nashville, TN. Their beautiful baby girl weighed in at 7lbs., 11 oz. and 18 1/2" long. Wes is the full time minister at the Woodson Chapel church of Christ in Nashville and a 2005 BVBID graduate.
Congratulations, Justin Blevins!
Justin Blevins, 2011 BVBID Graduate, has been hired on as the full-time preacher at the church in Delta, Utah!
You can reach Justin at cael44@comcast.net and wish him a great big CONGRATULATIONS!!!
It's a Boy! (Robertson Family)
Travis and Carley Robertson (Class of 2006) are the proud parents of Ethan Josiah, born on July 19, 2011 in Englewood, CO. Travis serves as the preacher for the Columbine church of Christ in Littleton, CO. Ethan joins big sisters, Payton and Brooklyn. Congratulations!
Gary & Dottie Anderson (Class of 1975)
Gary & Dottie Anderson (1975 graduate) update:
We have 3 grown children and almost 3 grandchildren. I am busy preaching and teaching for the Kern High School District. I teach older adults and GED classes. My wife works in a county Psychiatric ER. We would love to hear from others. Gary continues to preach in Lamont, California.
It's a Girl! (Samford family)
Carey and Bonnie Samford (Class of 2007) are the proud parents of Kylie Elizabeth. She was born on July 2 at 12:14am in the family’s home in Inringa, Tanzania, East Africa. This little blessing is welcomed by big sister, Aubrey and big brothers, Ayden and Ryan
It's a Boy! (Warnes family)
Anthony and Andria Warnes (Class of 2007) are the proud parents of Owen Ray Warnes, born on June 9th in Englewood, Colorado. Owen’s big sister, Brooke is so glad to have a playmate at home. Congratulations to you all on your blessing!
Ed Linebaugh (Class of '94) Update
Greetings in the Lord from Huntsville, Alabama! I hope and pray you and the BVBID family are well. It's been a long time since we left our BV family and moved to the Tennessee Valley. We miss everyone and look forward to visiting again one day but if not here, then in our eternal home!
Our daughter, Nicole and her Polish husband Lukasz, live in Warsaw, Poland and would be greatly encouraged to receive well-wishes and prayer on their behalf. Their address is:
Lukasz and Nicole Kondracki
ul. Gornoslaska 3/165
00-443 Warszawa, Poland
nicolelukasz@hotmail.com
They are faithful workers for the Lord in Warsaw. Nicole graduated from Freed Hardeman University in 2002 with a double major in World Culture and Vocational Ministry and moved to Poland in 2006.
May the Lord continue to bless your efforts in expanding the Kingdom!
Ed Linebaugh
Ministry Director
U.S. Army (Retired)
GOD'S ARMY STRONG
Military OutReach & Encouragement (M.O.R.E.)
"Strengthen & Encourage" (1 Thessalonians 3:2)
Mayfair Church of Christ
Huntsville, Alabama
It's a Boy! (Castle family)
Eric and Jamye Castle (Class of 2005) are proud parents to Titus Allen Castle. He was born on May 4th at 3:34am. Congratulations to entire family. What a beautiful addition to an already beautiful family!
Ron & Louise Maynard (Class of 1972)
Ron (1972 Graduate) and Louise Maynard's address has changed to 58117 238th Street, Mankato MN 56001. We are moving from the Twin City area back to Mankato where I served as evangelist from 1974 to 1991. We refer to our house as the "storage facility" since we travel six to nine months of the year as a full-time instructor for the Fishers of Men ministry. Louise has retired from school teaching and travels with me, living in an RV, teaching personal evangelism training classes that meet once a week for three months. Last year we taught classes in Tennessee, Alabama, and Minnesota, and this year we plan to be in Texas, Kansas, South Dakota, and Syktyvkar, Russia. If you are interested in a class with your congregation (free of charge) call (612)963-2808 or email fomrlm@aol.com.
It's a Girl! (Ramseur family)
Congratulations to Chuck and Brianna Ramseur with the birth of their beautiful daughter Naomi Ramseur! She came into this world on Sunday, March 6th. She is accompanied by two wonderful big brothers, Malachi and Isaiah, who will protect her for her entire life! :)
I must not forget that this makes Bob and Sheryl Turner proud grandparents for a fourth time!!
Chuck and Brianna are 2010 graduates of Bear Valley and reside in Victorville, CA.
It's a Girl! (Garcia family)
Congratulations to Kenny and Cassie Garcia with the arrival of their beautiful daughter Aranae Marie Garcia. Aranae was born on February 19, 2011. She cane into this world at 8:52pm weighing in at 6lbs. 12oz. Kenny and Cassie reside in Durango, Colorado. Kenny is a 2007 graduate.
Joanne Roberts Passes away (1947-2011)
Joanne Roberts, wife of Bear Valley alum Ron Roberts, passed from this life on Wednesday, Feb. 16. Ron is still on staff with us at the Vancouver Church of Christ and wished to inform those he and Joanne loved and served with at Bear Valley. Attached is a copy of the memorial program.
Gifts in memory of Joanne can be directed to the Missions Ministry of the Vancouver Church of Christ.
Joanne Marie Roberts
Born in The Dalles, Oregon on November 19, 1947, Joanne was the oldest of four children born to Merle & Rosemary Cimmiyotti. She grew up in Lyle, Washington with stops along the way in Glenwood, Washington and Encino, California, before returning to The Dalles, where Joanne graduated from high school in 1966.
Joanne attended Oregon State University from 1966 to 1968 majoring in home economics and was a member of the Oregon State rifle team. While at Oregon State she met Ron Roberts and they were married on June 21, 1969 in The Dalles.
Ron & Joanne moved to Juneau, Alaska to open a sporting goods store. While in Juneau the Roberts met John & Betty Wyatt at the Juneau Church of Christ where Bob Waldron was ministering and both were soon converted.
In 1971 the Roberts moved to Denver for Ron to attend Bear Valley School of Preaching while Joanne worked as a bank teller. They adopted their first son, Ken, in Denver before moving to Tomball, Texas in 1974.
Two more sons, Jeff and Don, were adopted in Tomball where sons Ben and Tim were also born. Joanne was active in the Mothers’ Day Out program as well as the church Joy Bus ministry, summer camps and Vacation Bible School. Joanne made many dear friends there and left a deep impression on the church community.
Ron & Joanne moved back to Denver for two years in 1981 while Ron completed missions preparation training before relocating in Santiago, Chile. Joanne served faithfully in the church and was loved and respected as a trusted Christian example for the women in the church and on the mission team.
Joanne loved her home in Chile and with her adventurous spirit, traveled on many family trips and served as chauffer and cheerleader to endless school, scouting and sports events for her five sons. She grew proficient in Spanish and her wisdom and teaching in women’s groups there were vital to the mission team effort.
In 1989 the family returned to the States, settling in Vancouver, Washington. Joanne’s empathy and steady composure while the boys transitioned, sometimes roughly, to life back in the States was a pillar for her family. Joanne began work for Clark County Health Department in 1990 and worked there for 21 years. She is remembered as a diligent, dependable, and beloved worker.
Joanne picked up where she left off in Chile with faithful attendance to all her sons’ many sporting activities and school events. She was extremely active as a member of the Vancouver Church of Christ, helping to lead Alpha groups, teach Bible classes, build homes in Mexico, and many other activities. Joanne was a mentor and loved friend to many of the family in Vancouver.
Joanne was preceded in death by her father, Merle Cimmiyotti. She is survived by her mother Rosemary Fiedler of Tacoma, Washington. Joanne leaves behind her husband of 41 years, Ron, and five children: Ken Roberts of Los Angeles, Jeff Roberts of Portland, Oregon, Don Roberts of Campo Grange, Brazil, Ben Roberts of Niteroi, Brazil, and Tim Roberts of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, along with five grandchildren and one more on the way. Joanne is survived by her brothers Robert Cimmiyotti of Mendocino, California, Dean Cimmiyotti of Eagle River, Alaska, sister Norma Bennett of St. Marie’s, Idaho, and five nieces and six nephews.
Joanne’s life was one selflessly lived serving others. She had a passion for Christ and was committed to bringing His love to the world around her. She was steadfast in her belief and commitment that her children know the God she served.
Joanne loved being a mother. She treasured and was very proud of each of her grandchildren. Joanne was a gracious hostess, opening her home and heart to many who eventually became part of her extended family. She loved to garden and hike with Ron. She tolerated the television in her home being tuned to sporting events year-round for over thirty years. As the only woman in a home of six men, Joanne was the rock of the family. She was devoted to Ron and followed his dreams and work literally all over the world. In the midst of a tragic illness Joanne faced her final days with courage and serenity, telling her children that she had been “extraordinarily blessed.”
Joanne blessed the lives of those around her and will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.