Noteworthy News
Bringing You the Latest Updates, Stories, and Milestones from our Open Bible Family
May 2026
National Office Employee Transitions
We are excited to share some recent updates regarding our National Office team:
- Annie Sanford – Hired as the new Receptionist/Data Entry Assistant
- Krystal Hammer – Appointed as the Secretary/Treasurer of Open Bible Churches
New Credentials & Ordinations
We celebrate the following individuals who have recently received new credentials and ordinations, marking a significant milestone in their ministry journey:
November 2025
- Otoniel Guevara (Ocala, FL) – Certified Ministerial License
- Kasara Guzman (Moore Haven, FL) – Ministerial License
December 2025
- Immanuel (Manny) Gonzalez (Fresno, CA) – Ministerial License
- Jeffrey L. Lockington (Sedalia, MO) – Ministerial License
- Christopher M. Buscher (Gold Bar, WA) – Ministerial License
January 2026
- Jaime R Ditsworth (Rockwell, IA) – Ministerial License
- Taylor M. Empringham (Junction City, OR) – Certified Ministerial License
- Catherine (Cathy) Endriss (Martinez, CA) – Certified Ministerial License
- Eric F. Johnson (Walnut Creek, CA) – Ministerial License
- Alicia M. Caouette (East Wenatchee, WA) – Certified Ministerial License reinstated
- Maurice (Reece) Caouette (East Wenatchee, WA) – Certified Ministerial License reinstated
- Cindy R. Howard (Canyon Country, CA) – Certified Ministerial License reinstated
- Joshua T. May (Dayton, OH) – Ministerial License
- Caleb J. Hardy (Vancouver, WA) – Certified ministerial license reinstated
February 2026
- Renae Hinkel (Canton, OH) – Specialized Ministerial License
March 2026
- Victoria C. Bates (San Bernardino, CA) – Ministerial License
- Stephen K. Bolden (Eugene, OR) – Certified Ministerial License
- Seth L. Caldwell (Caputa, SD) – Ministerial License
- Leonard J. Hill (Colorado Springs, CO) – Ministerial License
- Laura L. Kreger (Monroe, MI) – Ministerial License
- Patrick A. Lee (Shaver Lake, CA) – Ministerial License
- Perry M. Picchi (Martinez, CA) – Ministerial License
- Earl A. Thames (Tamarac, FL) – Certified Ministerial License
- Larry E. Beck (Pasco, WA) – Ordination reinstated
April 2026
- Luz Y. Vanegas (Homestead, FL) – Certified Ministerial License
- Anthony P. Argueta (San Antonio, TX) – Certified Ministerial License
- Julie M. Daum (Grapeview, WA) – Ordination reinstated
New Church Plants
We celebrate the growth of the Open Bible family with the following new church plants:
Salt and Light Church (Burbank, CA)
Established in March 2026 and pastored by Melissa Alvarez
Refuge City Church (Palmdale, CA)
Established in January 2026 and pastored by Manny Gonzalez
Recent Deaths
We honor the lives of the following individuals who have recently passed and were faithful ministers of Open Bible:
Betty Jean Hafford Tyler went home to be with the Lord on November 28, 2025, at age 91. Credentialed minister of Open Bible for forty-two years.
Ronald E. Lambert, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026, at age 92. Credentialed minister of Open Bible for nearly twenty-eight years.
Kirk LaVigne went home to be with his Lord on March 6, 2026, at age 69. Credentialed minister of Open Bible for forty-one years.
November 2025
New Credentials & Ordinations
We celebrate the following individuals who have recently received new credentials and ordinations, marking a significant milestone in their ministry journey:
May 2025
- Micah J. Applegate (Ft Collins, CO) – Ministerial License
- Cory C. Claymon (Deer Park, WA) – Ministerial License
- Brett F. Cox (Des Moines, IA) – Ministerial License
- Cala M. Dickey (New Orleans, LA) – Ministerial License
- Abigail Figueroa (Hialeah, FL) – Ministerial License
- Weston L. Rudiger (Pella, IA) – Ministerial License
July 2025
- Kimberly D. Johnson (Liberty Lake, WA) – Ministerial License
September 2025
- Michael J. Baker (Franklin, OH) – Specialized License
October 2025
- Jeffrey A. Dahlin (Mason City, IA) – Transfer of Ordination
- Tori B. Vencill (Pittsburgh, PA) – Ministerial License
New Church Plants
We celebrate the growth of the Open Bible family with the following new church plants:
College Street Church (Newberg, OR)
Established in September 2025 and pastored by Jordan and Hannah Bemis
New Missionary Appointments
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of new missionaries:
Zac Anderson – Tijuana, Mexico
Zac will be itinerating in the Open Bible East Region in fall of 2025 and plans to move to Tijuana, Mexico, in January 2026. He will be serving alongside the directors and staff of Puente de Amistad.
McKendre Veenstra – Japan
McKendre will be teaching English and using his God-given talents to assist our churches in Japan with worship and youth ministries. He will be departing in Fall of 2025.
April 2025
National Office Employee Transitions
We are excited to share some recent updates regarding our National Office team:
- Julie Patten – Retired as Financial Analyst after twenty-eight years with Open Bible
- Jenny Longcor – Hired as the new Financial Analyst
- Emily Yang – Hired as the new Receptionist/Data Entry Assistant
New Credentials & Ordinations
We celebrate the following individuals who have recently received new credentials and ordinations, marking a significant milestone in their ministry journey:
October 2024
- Farris W. Cox (Daytona Beach, FL) – Certified Ministerial License
- Carmen M. McIntyre (McKeesport, PA) – Ministerial License
- Jason M. Minikus (Elk Run Heights, IA) – Ordination
November 2024
- Chance C. Bickel (Eugene, OR) – Ministerial License
- Emily C. Bickel (Eugene, OR) – Ministerial License
- Thomas L. Hood (Spokane, WA) – Ministerial License
- Noah S. Martinez (Oakley, CA) – Ministerial License
- Julie A. Orrin (Aberdeen, WA) – Certified Ministerial License
January 2025
- Jacob R. Ditsworth (Rockwell, IA) – Ministerial License
- Ryan J. Imwalle (Concord, CA) – Ministerial License
- Bay Khanthavixay (Des Moines, IA) – Ministerial License
- James R.G. Lambert (Jenks, OK) – Certified Ministerial License
- Chelsea J. Morton (Centerton, AR) – Certified Ministerial License
- Zane L. Peters (Ackworth, IA) – Ministerial License
- Marina Raquel Sanchez-Alonso (Ankeny, IA) – Certified Ministerial License
- Skyler S. Skinner (Ottumwa, IA) – Ministerial License
- Amanda G. Van Zante (Eddyville, IA) – Ministerial License
- McKendre (Mac) Veenstra (Pleasant Hill, IA) – Certified Ministerial License
February 2025
- Tiana M. Miller (Troy, MO) – Certified Ministerial License
March 2025
- Kelly A. Magoon (Bay Point, CA) – Certified Ministerial License
April 2025
- Emmanuel K. Acheampong (Toledo, OH) – Temporary Ministerial License
- Thomas Carr (Ida, MI) – Specialized License
New Missionary Appointments
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of new missionaries:
Brent and Sara Kelderman – Trinidad and Tobago
Departed on March 12, 2025, and will be assisting missionaries Mike and Pam Lumbard, Directors of the School of Global Leadership in Trinidad and Tobago.
New Church Plants
We celebrate the growth of the Open Bible family with the following new church plants:
- Connections Church (Dyersville, IA)
Established in February 2024 and pastored by Kyle and Katie Palmer - Open Bible Prayer Center (Chicago, IL)
Established in February 2024 and pastored by Lina Morrelli
Recent Deaths
We honor the lives of the following individuals who have recently passed and were faithful ministers of Open Bible:
Warren C. Sully
March 30, 1936 – October 28, 2024
Credentialed minister of Open Bible for twenty-five years
Ruth Bryan
Went home to be with the Lord on November 21, 2024, at age ninety-three.
Credentialed minister of Open Bible for sixty-nine years
Ruth Douglas
September 10, 1929 – January 14, 2025
Credentialed minister of Open Bible for forty-two years
Florence Morehead
Went home to be with the Lord on January 25, 2025, at age eighty-seven.
Credentialed minister of Open Bible for thirty-eight years
Viola (Polly) Wood
April 10, 1931 – March 23, 2025
Credentialed minister of Open Bible for over fifty years
