In the Spotlight

Camp Gideon Leadership Announced

Camp Gideon is pleased to announce the leadership staff for the 2000 summer camp season - all returning staff members! For the Summer Camp Schedule as well as news from the Camp Leadership check out the Camp Gideon website, www.efcer.org/gideon/.

Betsie Hughes
Summer Program Director

Peter Fowler:
Summer Camp Director

Mandy Warrick:
Summer Activities Coordinator

Justin Carpenter:
Head Counselor

Friend Organizes Aid for Flood Victims

Randy Boone, a member of PlNorth Carolina following Hurricane Floyd.

A semi-truck furnished by Allen Morgan of Rock Hill Friends Church was brought to the parking lot at Pleasant View to be loaded with some 6220 pounds of supplies, which were taken to the Salvation Army in Greenville, NC.

Pleasant View, Rock Hill, Putnam, and Pine Mountain Friends Churches along with some of the people of the community, all brought materials. When the truck arrived in Greenville, there were people lined up 3 abreast to receive supplies. We were glad to help out people in Eastern North Carolina who lost so much.

Submitted by Don Luellen, Pastor
Pleasant View Evangelical Friends

Souls are Harvested!

It was over a year ago that Billy Kuhn, a member of Gilead Friends Church in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, had been to a county fair and seen a soul winning ministry.

Billy has a gift of evangelism and was drawn by that ministry. He shared, "I have a heart for lost souls and felt that God was calling me to do this about a year before it actually became a reality." He caught a vision for the local Morrow County Fair and began to share the idea with the church leadership.

The vision was received quickly and God began to unfold His master plan. The church body began to pray. A tent was secured at the fair, and Gilead began soul winning classes. About ten percent of the congregation became involved in the training classes and in working at the fair.

Fifty-two people made decisions to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior for the first time! Ninety "Jesus" videos were distributed along with 5000 pieces of literature. Many of the people working the tent discovered that they could share their faith with strangers and be effective. Follow-up in the form of letters and personal home visits were made to those who visited the tent.

Billy summarized the outreach, "The key was that our body was focused on Jesus and not on pushing church." May God be glorified for giving one layman a vision to harvest souls!

Submitted by Lora McMillan
Gilead Friends Church

Pelham Celebrates 200th Anniversary in Big Way!

"A Heritage Honored and A Future Embraced" was the theme for the Anniversary Celebration at Pelham Friends Church in Ontario Canada.

Former Pastors gathered for dinner. L to R: Marr Chesnes (current pastor), John Young, Dave Peter, Lyn Shreve, Dan Frost, Mervin Kelmer.

"The church historically was instrumental in the freeing of slaves as part of the Underground railway. Many of them reached Pelham as their first major stop before settling throughout Ontario," Pastor Matt Chesnes says. "Now the church considers who needs assistance today. Is it teenagers? Single parents? We want to celebrate the past but we also want to look to the future."

Pelham organized a weekend of celebration for October 23 - 24th including an open house on the Saturday with a free lunch, video of historic sites, photo displays, and old-fashioned soap-making. The open house was followed by catered supper at which former pastors shared.

Sunday, Dr. John P. Williams, Jr., spoke with an emphasis on "Embracing the Future."

Recent Ground Breaking Ceremonies across Eastern Region

Those pictured include the original steering committee, architect, contractor, senior pastor, general superintendent and others.

Canton First Friends broke ground for their new facility on 40 acres. The building plans call for a 75,000 sq. ft. layout. "It's exciting!" remarked Mark Engel, Sr. Pastor. "This is the beginning of the fruition of many years of prayer, planning, giving, and work on behalf of so many! The original steering committee was formed around 10 years ago and so many have remained faithful in this project. We're excited to see it getting started."

Longview Friends also celebrated the beginning of their new Christian Education wing with thanksgiving, a congregational luncheon, and time of praise.

IN MEMORIAM

LIPELY - Cathy, age 69, died February 17, 1999. Cathy served as secretary at the Eastern Region office for many years.

KUEHNEL - Mary, age 94, died October 3, 1999. Mary was the widow of the late Friends pastor Edward Kuehnel.

BRIDENSTINE - Hiram, age 84, died November 11, 1999. Hiram was a retired Friends pastor, serving as elder for Canton Friends Church.

WAGNER - John, age 57, died December 3, 1999. John served as founder of "Tell It Like It Is" Prison Ministries. John is survived by his wife, Shirley and son, Jeremiah. Please remember them in your prayers.

STROUP - Robert M., age 58, died December 10, 1999. Robert was the pastor of Calvary Friends Worship Center and is survived by his wife, Donna, and their three adult children and three grandchildren. Please remember the Stroup family and Calvary Friends Church in your prayers during their time of grief.