Inspire, Spring 2007

the Pennsylvania area. They have been encouraged by the decisions for Christ, the baptisms, and the provision of a church building for one of the groups. Jim ’75 and Rachel Mayo Chambers ’78 rejoice in God’s provision and protection while on their “first missionary journey” to a very remote part of Zambia in the fall of 2006. They saw many hearts turn to Jesus and many people excited about what God has done for them. Cheryl Jackson ’75 received her master’s degree in education from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio in July 2006. She is employed by KeyBank. Jon ’76 and Dee Perry Mitchell ’76 are thankful for the renewed unity of seven churches that were started by BMM missionaries but are now under the leadership of national pastors. Pray for Jon as he helps these churches work through special challenges. They are grateful for the continued support toward the Caleb Challenge, the monetary project for their church building. It is such a blessing for them to have this permanent location for their church, and they ask for prayer concerning the remaining provision of $30,000. Marty ’78 and Denise Gawthrop Shaw ’78 are concentrating on the training of new leaders with WorldVenture so that they can continue to see the growth of the church. Mark ’79 and Debbie Hall Seymour ’83 plan to return to Chad (in central Africa) this summer. While in the States, Debbie has been auditing a class on teaching English as a second language with hopes of using an English class as an evangelistic tool in Chad. Mark is attending Baptist Bible Seminary and teaches three Bible studies during the week. 80s Ruth Yocom ’80 shares her excitement about the Memorial Christian Hospital Renewal Project for the hospital in Bangladesh. There has been a need for a new hospital for several years, and she is thankful that the first phase of construction can begin. Nancy Hall DeValve ’81 and her husband, John, returned to Niger in August 2006, where they were disappointed to find that six of their faithful church attendees had been praying at the mosque and not coming to church. Pray that God will give these people the courage to come to church again. Dave ’81 and Carol Sue Cox Merkh ’82 were able to take a mini-furlough this past winter. They were able to visit some supporting churches, help Daniel move, and help Shelly and Ben with wedding plans. They returned to Word of Life Seminary in Brazil where they teach, minister at couples’ retreats, and provide marriage and family counseling. Teresa Heeney Estes ’83 is in her second year teaching elementary music at Cameron Elementary in Greeley, Colorado. She is also involved with the Hispanic church plant team at Christ Community Church. David Whitaker ’83 is the executive director of a Pregnancy Services Clinic in Marquette, Michigan and spends much time speaking in area churches about the value of life, the unborn child, and women and men in crisis. He and his wife, Denise, have a son, Solomon (7), and reside in Marquette. Carolyn Winsor Bitner ’84 and her husband, Pete, will be starting their home assignment in July. Carolyn home-schools their boys, Andrew and Josiah, and taught an English class as a means of outreach. Pete continues to teach at many retreats and seminars and encourages and disciples many individuals. Pray that they will know whom they should teach and what to teach. They are ministering in Togo, West Africa. Gary Brewer ’84 and his wife, Kathy, have been part of a translation ministry for the past 13 years, and they are thankful for their relationship with Bibles International (BI) and Baptist Mid-Missions. Gary manages the financial and office aspect of BI and continues to manage and coordinate the construction of translation centers being built in India, Chad, and Papua New Guinea. Alumnotes 50s Dave Gardner ’56 and his wife, Lois, have moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan and again attend Good News Baptist Church, where Dave has been a member for about 50 years. They plan to continue their short-term ministries this year, but also plan to give updates at their supporting churches. Wendell ’57 and Sandy Carpenter Capron ’60 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 24, 2006. They enjoyed celebrating with their four children and other family members. Wendell has enjoyed many interests over the years, including teacher, pastor, church treasurer, school photographer, courier, and cemetery caretaker. Sandy has spent many years as a schoolteacher and loves gardening. Clifton Miller ’58 is engaged with Canada by ministering to international students in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He also serves as interim pastor in Silver Bay, Minnesota, all the while engaged by hope and aspiration for “a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11). 60s Norm ’64 and Evelyn Thoms Nicklas ’64 are celebrating their 40 th year of serving with ABWE, where they have been directing church planting in North America for 24 of those years. They are thankful for their faithful prayer and financial partners. Please pray that this summer’s Core Ministries Institute will be an excellent preparation for all new ABWE missionaries in the areas of evangelism, discipleship, church planting, and Bible teaching. Joyce Rudduck ’66 had the privilege of helping organize a high school youth program at her church in Bangladesh. She is enjoying getting to know some of the youth better in a culture where youth and adults do not relate closely with one another. They are averaging about 45-50 young people at their meetings. Mark ’67 and Beth Ziegler Trimble ’67 are preparing for a six-month furlough that begins in July 2007. They look forward to visiting and reporting with family, friends, and churches that have loved and supported them on their 40-year journey in Brazil. Chuck Truxton ’67 and his wife, Bev, recently returned to Nigeria after a three-month home assignment. Chuck and Bev have been encouraged by the availability of medicines that can be used to help people who are HIV- positive. They enjoy being able to offer physical help as well as spiritual counseling. 70s Larry ’72 and Nancy Leapline Allen ’70 continue to serve the Lord in Bangladesh. This year they desire to use the Pastors Training Seminary to strengthen churches in a new way by building up more leaders. Nancy teaches at William Carey Academy, and Larry teaches English at Bangladesh Theological Seminary. John Pereira ’72 is the pastor at Central Florida Bible Church in Winter Park, Florida. He is also on the radio with the “Strength for Today” Bible broadcast, which is also scheduled to be aired in Baghdad, Iraq and Liberia (in West Africa). Barb Cooper Klumpp ’74 and her husband, Phil, have enjoyed ministering to a few groups of Filipinos in 28 Spring 2007 Dane Rohm ’71 , founder and president of DK Data Sales, Inc., was featured in the May 2006 cover story of BusinessSolutions magazine. DK Data Sales is a full- service value-added reseller (VAR). Dane offers clients consultation and design services for automated data collection and wireless systems. As author Dan Schell notes, “This VAR may experience its biggest year ever in 2006 by expanding its product line with some technologies you would suspect and some that may surprise you.” The surprising technologies to which he is referring are point-of-sale and telecom technologies, both of which boosted sales and customer confidence in DK Data Sales in 2006. Dane’s wide range of vendors includes AT&T, CipherLab, Cisco, Hand Held Products, Intermec, Symbol Technologies, Syscan, Wavelink, and Zebra Technologies. High Tech Kudos After serving at Moody Broadcasting Network (MBN) for 32 years, Wayne Shepherd ’73 has launched a new business venture, Wayne Shepherd Communications. Wayne’s background as a veteran broadcaster and Christian radio host allows him to provide expertise in areas of voice talent, audio production, and interviewing, as well as broadcast and communications consulting. In addition to serving as MBN’s division manager of broadcast programming for 20 years, he is recognized by audiences as the host of numerous programs, including Open Line, Walk in the Word with James MacDonald, In the Studio with Michael Card, The Winning Walk with Ed Young, and a Strength for the Journey webcast with Joe Stowell. Although Wayne will be missed at MBN, his colleagues are confident that God will bless his new ministry pursuit. Wayne Pederson, vice president of Moody Broadcasting, noted on MBN’s website that “Wayne’s professionalism has brought to Moody Broadcasting the highest standard of excellence in his service here. We will miss him immensely, but are confident God will continue to give him many opportunities to use his talents for Kingdom service.” Wayne’s new focus allows him to also serve as media liaison with WorldServe Ministries, an organization dedicated to equipping and encouraging underground church leaders in places where there is Christian persecution. A New Direction for Ministry