InterSection: Alliance Family News

Items of interest to the Alliance Family—Personnel changes, missionary information and obituaries.
(Last updated 4-30-08)

To the Field

To Balkans: Petula S. Myers, in February. Petula is involved with leadership development, English as a second language and evangelism.
To Cambodia: Christopher L. and Julee A. Bellar, with Aiden in February with CAMA.
To Cameroon: Timothy S. and Huyen V. Bartholomew, in February with CAMA.
To Indonesia: Judy A. Gaskin, in February. Judy is involved with church and youth ministries.

New Workers

Jeffrey G. Avery, pastor/church planter, Higher Life Fellowship, Tulsa, Okla.
Patrick S. Cannon, pastor/children’s ministries, Westgate Chapel, Toledo, Ohio
Charles D. Collier, assistant pastor, Grace Church-Old Brooklyn Campus, Cleveland, Ohio
Rodolfo I. Dumapias, assistant pastor/church planter, Rock Pointe Church, San Antonio, Tex.
Ellie Y. Fung, director for children’s ministries, Seattle (Wash.) Chinese Alliance Church
Timothy B. Kong, pastor, Carman Road Alliance Church, Schenectady, N.Y.
David J. Lawson, pastor, May Valley Alliance Church, Renton, Wash.
Henock T. Menebo, pastor/church planter, Ethiopian Evangelical Alliance Church, Tampa, Fla.
Keith D. Morrison, pastor/church planter, Discover Church, Bentonville, Ariz.
Gary Roberston, director for worship ministries, East Park Community Church, Vancouver, Wash.
Irvin Stahlnecker, associate pastor, Journey Community, Tacoma, Wash.
Phil Tucker, assistant pastor, Filipino American Christian Fellowship Church, Ft. Worth, Tex.

Retired

James D. Hovorka, Western Great Lakes District
Rev. Dante Vicens, Southeastern District
Rev. Hiram B. Westover, Western Pennsylvania District

Personnel Changes

Dr. Warren Bird, college personnel/regularly contributing faculty, Alliance Theological Seminary, Nyack, N.Y.
Andrew L. Collins, assistant pastor/worship ministries, Aurora (Colo.) Alliance Church
Paul R. Haworth, assistant pastor/worship ministries, Community Alliance Church, Butler, Pa.
Rev. Brian K. Patterson, assistant professor of intercultural studies, Crown College, St. Bonifacius, Minn.
Jeffrey M. Rollins, assistant pastor, Grace, San Diego, Calif.
Rev. Brian W. Scott, pastor, Alliance Community Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Romualdo M. Sente Jr., pastor, Community Bible Fellowship C&MA, Lynnwood, Wash.
Rev. Chad M. Smith, pastor, Hope Church of the C&MA, Indianapolis, Ind.
Rev. Jerry Y. Soung, pastor, St. Paul (Minn.) Hmong Alliance Church
Rev. Jon A. Stoltzfus, pastor, Chapel Hill Church, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Ernesto N. Ticona, assistant pastor, Citywide Community Church, Chicago, Ill.
Rev. Paul G. Worley, associate pastor, North-Mar Church, Warren, Ohio
Rev. David J. Zimmerman, associate pastor/children’s ministries, Calvary Chapel, Cincinnati, Ohio

With the Lord

Louise A. Ost died January 13 in Washington. She was 90. Louise was born August 2, 1917, in Bristol, Conn., to Philip and Jerusha Hitchcock. Louise received a degree in missions from the Missionary Training Institute (now Nyack College, Nyack, N.Y.) in 1946 and married Rev. Joseph F. Ost (d.1992) in September 1948. Together they were missionaries in Côte d’Ivoire from 1947–1986. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph. She is survived by her brother, Ray; sisters Beverly and Marvel; many nieces and nephews around the world; and numerous people who affectionately called her “Grandma Louise.” A memorial service was held January 17 at Tacoma Alliance Church with Rev. Matt Howell officiating.

Rev. Lowell Glenn Halbert died February 25 in Lilburn, Ga. He was 74. Lowell was born September 12, 1933. He married Ruth September 28, 1957, and in 1965 he was ordained by the C&MA. Together, Lowell and Ruth served the C&MA for 43 years in churches in Lumberton, Kinston and Winston-Salem, N.C.; North Caldwell, N.J.; Birmingham, Ala.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Spring Hill, Fla. Lowell andhis wife sang and played for many district conferences, camps, churches and annual councils with the C&MA. In March 2000, the Halberts retired from full-time ministry and moved to Daytona Beach, Fla., where they lived and served the Lord through Sunday school and musical ministries for the next seven years. Lowell was also a member of the “Wire Choir,” a Southern gospel male trio and instrumental group. In 2006, due to Lowell’s declining health, they moved to Lilburn, Ga. Lowell was a true and sincere servant of the Lord. Lowell is survived by Ruth, his wife of 50 years; and a son, Stephen. A memorial service was held February 28 at Lilburn First Baptist Church.

Rev. Robert Emmett Cody died February 4 in Vestal, N.Y. He was 56. Robert was born February 17, 1951, in Vestal, N.Y. He married Theresa on June 17, 1972. Robert received a bachelor of sacred literature degree from Circleville (Ohio) Bible College in 1973 and a master of social science degree from State University of New York at Binghamton in 1993. He served as a missionary to Papua New Guinea from July 1981 to February 1984 with the Churches of Christ in Christian Union. After returning from the field, Robert worked for many years as a carpenter. He served the C&MA from 2000–2008 doing visitation, youth and disciple making ministries for Valleyview Alliance Church in Vestal, N.Y. He was ordained into the C&MA on November 31, 2007. He enjoyed enjoyed big camp fires and bicycling with friends. Robert encouraged people to love God and each other. He was a strong man with a loving heart. Robert is survived by wife Theresa; sons Robert and Luke; and daughter Anna. A memorial service was held February 9 at Valleyview Alliance Church with Rev. David M. Murphy and Pastor R. Michael Eckstein officiating and many family members participating.

Ordinations

Richard W. Mullinax, Chester Alliance Church, Mont., January 13. Richard and his wife, Jennifer, are missionary appointees to Latin America.
William L. Barwis, Appleton (Wis.) Alliance Church, February 3. Bill is the missions director and works in church administration.
Stephen A. Grusendorf, Appleton (Wis.) Alliance Church, February 3. Stephen is the associate pastor of college and singles.

Consecrations

Barbara Ann Vincent Ettinger, Crossroads Community Church, Vernon, Conn., November 18, 2007.
Gail L. Barwis, Appleton (Wis.) Alliance Church, February 3. Gail is the chaplain at Taycheeday Correctional Institution, Fond du Lac, Wis.

Birthday Honoree

Rev. Harvey Boese, together with family and friends, celebrated his 91st birthday on April 9. He was a C&MA missionary in Thailand for 28 years, including 9 years as a field director. He served more than 20 additional years in various Alliance ministries including a pastorate, district responsibilities and assistance to refugees with interpretation, transportation, bridging cultural gaps and spiritual support. Harvey and his wife, Grace, will celebrate 64 years of marriage this June. They have five children, Joyce, Faith, Timothy, Carol and Melody. Harvey and his wife are retired in Chino Hills, Calif. Alliance Life congratulates Harvey and wishes him God’s blessing in the coming year.

February 2008 Board Summary Letter

Dear Partner in Christ’s Kingdom, The Board of Directors met February 27–28 in Colorado Springs. The following is a summary of some of the items on the business agenda.

Strategic Plan—President Benedict and the vice presidents gave an update on the Strategic Plan.

Great Commission Fund—Praise God for improving cash reserves, which had dropped to a one-day level in November 2007. For the 2007–2008 budget, revenues are projected to be 94 percent of budget. The increasing value of the euro continues to have a negative impact on the budget.

C&MA Manual Changes—Revisions were made to the following sections in the C2, Higher Education Regulations; and E8, Uniform Policy on Discipline, Restoration, and Appeal. Amendments also were approved for the Uniform Constitution for Accredited Churches and Uniform Constitution for Districts and will be brought to General Council for final approval.

C&MA Benefit Board—JoLee K. Bubna (Brazil) was appointed as the missionary member on the C&MA Benefit Board for the term of June 2008–May 2009.

SICG Appointments—Two members were reappointed for a new term (June 1, 2008–June 30, 2010) on the Sensitive Issues Consultative Group (SICG): Bruce Jackson and Donald Lichi (who will serve as chairperson). Other members are Sharon Davis, LeRoy Johnston Jr. and Brent Lindquist.

Minister-at-Large Appointment—Effective July 31, 2008, following his retirement as district superintendent for the Midwest District, Rev. M. Fred Polding will become a licensed minister-at-large.

Missionary Appointments—Missionary appointments were approved for three creative-access countries.

IM Handbook Changes—Revisions were made to the IM Handbook for the following sections: Section B, F4, International Church Ministries; Section M, Disciplinary Procedures and Appeals; Appendix 1, Advocacy Network for Missionary Children; and Appendix 4, Child Abuse Protection and Response Procedures.

Presidential Search Committee Appointed—Three board members were elected to serve on the Presidential Search Committee along with the officers of the Council Nominating Committee for 2009 General Council. This is normal procedure even though the current president may run for another term.

John A. Thomas, chairperson
Jonathan A. Wiggins, vice chairperson
Terry R. Huffman, secretary
Timothy M. Bubna
Terrence L. Nichols
David K. Smith

Supporting Organizations Reporting—The following supporting organizations presented their annual reports to the board:

The Alliance Development Fund, Inc.—Revised bylaws were approved as well as a revised mission statement.

CAMA Services, Inc.—Board members were elected for the March 2008–March 2011 term as follows: Wanda Anderson, Richard E. Lawson and Adriaan C. Overbeeke.

The Orchard Foundation—Board members were elected for the March 2008–March 2011 term as follows: James A. Good and David F. Presher; term expiring March 2009: Howard L. Atkinson. Revised bylaws for Orchard also were approved.

The next meeting will be June 24–26 in Colorado Springs. Please join us in praying for that meeting, for God’s work around the world, and for President Benedict and his team. May we bring glory and honor to His Name!

Serving together for Jesus,

Timothy D. Savaloja
Corporate Secretary

Alliance Life

The Christian and Missionary Alliance
8595 Explorer Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Phone: 719-265-2171
Fax: 719-599-8234
E-mail: alife@cmalliance.org