Randi Walle

The BBC this afternoon in reporting that a ceasefire has been signed in the Central African Republic. Since December 10, the Seleka rebel force took control of northern and eastern CAR and began a trek toward the capital of Bangui. Missionary staff with Encompass World Partners (formerly Grace Brethren International Missions) were evacuated where necessary. (See

Registration for the Women’s Leadership Summit to be held next weekend is nearly full, according to Chery Boehm, coordinator of leadership development for Women of Grace USA.  She says that 46 women will be attending the weekend, which will focus on “A Wardrobe of Gracious Influence” and be led by Margie Brubaker, a pastor’s wife

GraceConnect and the Brethren Missionary Herald Company welcomes intern Andrea Skowronski to the staff. A Michigan native, Andrea recently graduated from Grace College with a B.A. degree in English. She previously interned with Encompass World Partners in Winona Lake, Ind., and was involved in writing for the Sounding Board newspaper and Scribblous literary magazine at

The political situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to be strained. Here is a recent media report about peace-keeping efforts. Continue to pray for the Grace Brethren ministries in this country. A portion of the story appears below. Read the complete story here. Central African Republic ceasefire urged as talks begin (Reuters) –

The Southern California-Arizona ministerium met today at the Bellflower Brethren Church (Tom Hocking, pastor). Don Shoemaker, pastor emeritus at Grace Community Church in Seal Beach, Calif., led a discussion on immigration and the responsibility of the Church to “aliens.” Thanks, Bob Hetzler, for the photos.

Continue to pray for the political situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), a point of missionary efforts by the Grace Brethren movement for nearly 100 years. Here are several stories that appeared this morning. C. African Republic leader faces rebel threat BANGUI, Central African Republic (AP) — After troops under Francois Bozize seized the

Below is a round-up of news from several sources regarding the situation in the Central African Republic. Opposition rebels have been working their way across the country. Continue to pray for this situation. American missionaries have been evacuated, but African Christians remain. BBC News Central African Republic crisis: Bozize offer rejected Rebels in Central African

As 2013 winds down, the staff of GraceConnect would like to wish you a Happy New Year. As we do, we give a nod to our predecessor publication, the Brethren Missionary Herald magazine. Written in a very different era, this editorial by Dr. Louis S. Bauman, from the January 6, 1945 issue, still rings true. “Thanks be

Reports this week from the Central African Republic (CAR) detail how rebels have been making their way across the country in opposition to the current government. According to posts on Facebook and the Encompass World Partners web page, Grace Brethren missionaries in Bangui have been evacuated to Cameroon. (See Details on CAR Evacuation.) Another posting