BIC U.S. World Missions is excited to announce the launch of a new project to support young musicians in Thai BIC congregations. All around the world, Christians use music to glorify God, to repeat his promises, and to remind ourselves of his goodness. And BIC house churches in urban Thailand are training up the next […] The post New Project Supports Thai House Church Worship appeared first on Brethren in Christ U.S ..read more

As the Brethren in Christ U.S family, we value making decisions together. This year, delegates representing our collective family of congregations gathered in Sharonville, Ohio, July 12-15 to form our General Assembly. This 2024 General Assembly together made the following decisions: Recommendation 1 The 2024 General Assembly adopted the General Conference Board’s decision to approve […] The post Business Wrap-Up: General Assembly 2024 appeared first on Brethren in Christ U.S ..read more

A new project – Medical Collaboration: Zambia and Zimbabwe – hopes to relieve the pains of staffing shortages at Mtshabezi Mission Hospital and Phumula Mission Hospital in rural Zimbabwe. The project is the most recent addition to BIC U.S.’s Partnership Handbook and was closely developed with BIC Church leaders and hospital staff in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Phumula Hospital Mtshabezi and Phumula (both owned and operated by the Zimbabwean BIC Church) serve large rural areas, with the nearest district hospitals one to two hours away. Between the remote location of the mission hospitals and the gov ..read more

We invite the whole Brethren in Christ family to pray for General Assembly 2024, July 12-15, in Cincinnati, Ohio. General Assembly brings together the broader BIC family to fellowship together, learn from each other, and make important decisions that will guide the denomination’s future. Starting July 3, follow this ten-day prayer guide and invite God’s blessing and presence in every component of the gathering. (A printable version can be downloaded at the bottom of this article.) Day 1, July 3 – Unity & Community Over 500 people will attend General Assembly this year. Some are new to the ..read more

Amid their own church building project, Revolution Church in Salina, Kansas, chose to support another congregation’s building project. When I asked Pastor Jeff Piepho what prompted Revolution to do such a project, he shared: Pastor Jeff signs paperwork at the site of their new building. We were doing a sermon series through 1 Corinthians. On October 1, the sermon was about sharing with the Saints in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4: “Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum ..read more

“Does God call us to engage in the work of racial reconciliation, and what is our role in that work as a predominantly white congregation?” This question was posed by a typically reserved and quiet member of our congregation who felt compelled to speak up on this issue. It kick-started a conversation that has challenged and grown many of us at Marsh Creek Community Church. This work is relational and messy and there are no formulas. However... Marsh Creek (Exton, Pa.), as stated in the question, is predominantly white and inexperienced in racial justice. But this congregant’s question prompted ..read more

A worldwide pandemic, dynamic social shifts, the ongoing decline of the Western church, vast advances in technology – much has changed in the twenty years since Brethren in Christ U.S. first identified its ten core values. Considering such shifts, are these values merely slogans, or do they constitute guiding and orienting lights? Global leaders reflect on these questions in Compelling Convictions: Finding our Future in a Modern World (Herald Press, 2024). “Our core values can help us clarify who we are and what we will embody to the world,” the book posits. “While never using them as boundari ..read more

“Brethren in Christ communications exist to declare our vision, promote our mission, teach our values, encourage our dialogue, and strengthen our bonds of trust.” This statement, adopted by Leadership Council in July 1998, still encapsulates the purpose of the BIC U.S. communications team. Recently, the team received three awards from the Evangelical Press Association celebrating their efforts and accomplishments. Blog: Website – First Place, Higher Goals in Christian Journalism. The judge said, “This blog for Brethren in Christ U.S. offers a great mix of feature content…. The inclusion of co ..read more

A large wooden emblem was a staple on the front wall of my childhood church’s sanctuary. It is prominent in my young memories: the cross, the basin and towel, and the dove. This emblem was not unique to my congregation but can be found in Brethren in Christ spaces around the world. This crest will be familiar to many of you for the same reason. While the crest’s history has been documented in the past, this research has not been published for several years. Understanding our history and the significance of the elements used in this crest is important, especially as we approach 250 years of bei ..read more

We are thrilled to announce the members in Cohort A of the Thriving Congregations Initiative. Over the next three years, twenty-one congregations from four conferences (listed below) will address the changing context of congregational life and develop clear values and mission unique to their assets and community needs. “I’m thankful for these 21 congregations and look forward to the learning process that will take place over the next three years,” says Jennifer Lancaster, Thriving Congregations program director. “As these congregations examine their values, mission, and community need, they ca ..read more