Posts by dene

Dear Reconcilers, I hope you enjoyed the first installment.  in this second installment, you will get to hear from Pastor Albert VanderMeer. Reconciliation and Unity – (Second Installment)The Challenge of Integration, by Rev. Dr. Albert VanderMeer, S.T.M. In January of 2006 the board of First Reformed Church of South Holland held an all-day retreat to…

Dear Reconcilers, I asked our Chapter Leader and retired Pastor Willard High to share his experience about reconciliation and unity. The following will be the first of three installments. Reconciliation and Unity – (First Installment) It is impossible to have unity with another person or group without some level of reconciliation having taken place.  …

I am often asked, “What is reconciliation?”  That question brings me back to the time when I was asked to go to Dallas, Texas to participate in a reconciliation workshop with another pastor and my wife. I, too, asked, “What is reconciliation?” After that weekend, I knew the answer to that question. On the way…

Dear Reconcilers, I asked Neil Earle to share some of the history of ORM as we begin our 25th year of the Ministry. Neil and his wife, Susan were a blessing to have on the team as the doors began to open for ORM. Neil’s writing talent was such a blessing to this Ministry. He…

Dear Reconcilers, In a few days another year will end. We were hoping this year we’d see the end of Covid-19. So far, over 760,000 people have died and the count is still rising. The number that breaks my heart (and we don’t hear much about) is over 140,000 children have been left without a…

Dear Reconcilers, Our country has been going through one crisis or another ever since the pandemic started. We have all been affected in one way or another. Many of us had family members and friends who became ill and some even died due to the COVID virus. Children were in school, then virtually learning at…

Dear Reconcilers, My good friend, Michael Swagerty recently gave an excellent sermon on service. I asked him for a copy of his notes so I could share his message with you, and he kindly agreed. Walking in the Steps of Jesus It was a cold, rainy, fall day. I was 16 years old and had…

Dear Reconcilers, Some of my friends thought I should share this story with you from a few years back. As Christians, we are asked to apply evangelism by reaching out to people anywhere we go. I frequent a few different Starbucks locations in Beaumont, CA. I rotate from one shop to another and meet different…

Dear Reconcilers, From time to time I like to highlight the good work our chapter leaders are doing. This month Tom Pickett will share about his Ministry. When we go back to see how our reconciliation ministry began, we have to find our starting place. This is where we say “yes” to Jesus because it…

Dear Reconcilers, There is a lot of excitement right now as people begin to reconnect with others after a year of being locked down. I’m happy to hear that Covid death rates are decreasing. Many of us have lost family members or know others who have lost loved ones due to this dreaded disease. So…