Connect with us

Noteworthy News

Bringing You the Latest Updates, Stories, and Milestones from our Open Bible Family

NATIONAL OFFICE EMPLOYEE TRANSITIONS

We are excited to share some recent updates regarding our National Office team:

Krystal Hammer

Appointed as the Secretary/Treasurer of Open Bible Churches

Annie Sanford

Hired as the new Receptionist/Data Entry Assistant

NEW CREDENTIALS & ORDINATION

We celebrate the following individuals who have recently received new credentials and ordinations, marking a significant milestone in their ministry journey: 

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
June 2026
  • Timothy S. Bachleitner (Ripon, WI) – Ministerial License
  • Benjamin L. Boeck (Ottumwa, IA) – Ministerial License
  • Douglas Bryce (Hopkinton, IA) – Certified Ministerial License
  • Jose Diaz (Granite City, IL) – Ministerial License
  • Benton Ganske (Waverly, IA) – Ministerial License
  • Emily Ganske (Waverly, IA) – Ministerial License
  • Daniel Martol (Waukee, IA)– Ministerial License
  • Arika McGallian (Mason City, IA) – Ministerial License
  • Yatsuney Perez (Ocala, FL) – Ministerial License
  • LeeAnn Taylor (Spokane, WA) – Certified Ministerial License
  • Timothy James (TJ) Vasquez (Des Moines, IA) – Ministerial License
  • Angelleat Vickers (Woodruff, SC) – Certified Ministerial License
  • Darla Salas (Houston, TX) – Certified Ministerial License reinstated
August 2026
  • William (Bill) Allison (Maple Valley, WA) – Certified Ministerial License
  • Elias Bradley (Springfield, OR) – Ministerial License
  • David Gregg (Florissant, MO) – Ministerial License
  • Shellee Thorson (San Bernardino, CA) – Ministerial License
  • Marlon J. Acuna (Miami, FL) – Certified Ministerial License reinstated
September 2026
  • Brendan M. DeJonge (Ft Collins, CO) – Ministerial License
  • Shawn (Mic) Rhoads (Bismarck, ND) – Certified Ministerial License
  • Hayden M. Woods (Rapid City, SD) – Ministerial License
  • Donald E. Ferron (Portales, NM) – Certified Ministerial License 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
  • Synergize Church Network (Davie, FL)
    Established in 2026 and pastored by Kwabea Francis
  • Oasis del Amor de Dios (Kissimmee, FL)
    Established in 2026 and pastored by José Morocoima
  • Iglesia Biblia Abierta Esperanza (Ocala, FL)
    Established in August 2026 and pastored by Reverend Otoniel Guevara

RECENT DEATHS

We honor the lives of the following individuals who have recently passed and were faithful ministers of Open Bible:

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.

Carol Hazen passed away on July 20, 2026, at age 73. Carol had been an Open Bible credentialed minister since 1998.

Samuel G. Davis passed away peacefully on July 28, 2026, at age 88. He had been an Open Bible credentialed minister since 1996.

Jordan Lumbard passed away on July 28, 2026, at age 42. He spent twenty-one years in ministry, with his last pastorate being at First Church of The Open Bible in Dayton, Ohio.

George R. McCord passed away on June 7, 2026, at age 72. He had been an Open Bible credentialed minister since 1985.

NEW PUBLICATIONS

We celebrate the following new publications from Open Bible ministers, who are using their gifts and experiences to encourage, equip, and inspire others:

Teach Them to Listen
by Rev. D. Adam Fox

Explores spiritual formation through a Pentecostal lens, emphasizing dependence on the Holy Spirit and offering practical resources for small groups and ministry settings.

Purchase HERE

An Audience with the King: Learning to Speak Truth, Receive Correction and Walk in Authority
by Bill Francavilla

Explores 41 biblical encounters that challenge believers to speak truth with courage, receive correction with humility, and respond faithfully to God’s direction.

Purchase HERE

Free to Fly
by Jessica Francavilla

A Scripture-based devotional coloring book featuring 50 designs, reflections, and questions created to help readers slow down, hear from God, and find greater freedom from fear, shame, and past wounds.

Purchase HERE

Weight Shift: Navigating Your First Few Steps of Faith in Jesus
by Brandon Berg

Offers new believers practical, easy-to-understand guidance on foundational Christian beliefs and practices as they take their first steps of faith in Jesus.

Purchase HERE

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 & ORDINATION

We celebrate the following individuals who have recently received new credentials and ordinations, marking a significant milestone in their ministry journey: 

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
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 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

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.

NEW CHURCH PLANTS

We celebrate the growth of the Open Bible family with the following new church plants:

  • Ignite Christian Ministries (Sanford, FL)
    Established in September 2025 and pastored by Reverend Jeff Bermudez
  • College Street Church (Newberg, OR)
    Established in September 2025 and pastored by Jordan and Hannah Bemis

RECENT DEATHS

We honor the lives of the following individuals who have recently passed and were faithful ministers of Open Bible:

Ruth Douglas
September 10, 1929 – January 14, 2025
Was a 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
Was a credentialed minister of Open Bible for thirty-eight years

Viola (Polly) Wood
April 10, 1931 – March 23, 2025
Was a credentialed minister of Open Bible for over fifty years

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.

NEW CREDENTIALS & ORDINATION

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

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
Was a 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
Was a credentialed minister of Open Bible for sixty-nine years

Follow Us

Subscribe to the Message