Report of the
Pinebrook Bible Conference
This is the ninth and final annual report of the Pinebrook Bible Conference that I have had the privilege to submit to the Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church. On October 1, 1989 I accepted the call of the Conference Board to become the Director and that tenure will end when I officially resign that position and become Director in Retirement on May 1, 1998.
During these eight years and seven months I have had 70 different persons working with me on the full-time staff and 25 of them are presently employed at Pinebrook. Several hundred other adults and teens have helped us during the summer conference and the retreat season. Under the hand of God we were able to greatly improve the facilities and the program to meet the growing demands of the BFC and the greater Christian community. Joan and I have created many cherished and lasting friendships with the members of our staff, summer staff and the thousands of guests that we have met.
Major improvements to the facilities have been accomplished during the time of my directorship including the building of Meadowbrook, Stoneybrook, two staff houses, several staff apartments and a new garage. All the roads have been surfaced and a few new parking areas and roads were built and blacktopped. The lake was dredged and a new dam was built. In recent years there has been major development of the facility through the Pinnacle Project to the chapels, meeting rooms, restrooms and motel bathrooms. Our kitchen was greatly upgraded and much new equipment installed.
The Pinebrook Conference Board has placed a temporary halt on all major capital improvements until it is determined whether or not we will be able to purchase the adjoining property. Several offers have been made in line with the appraised value but as of this date it appears that the property will go to foreclosure because of liens against the property.
The greatest thrill of my years of ministry here at Pinebrook, second only to the many souls that were saved and lives that were changed, is the fact that on October 1, 1997, Pinebrook became debt-free for the first time since it was purchased back in 1968. The mortgage of $150,000, which was used to pay Pinebrook Junior College when it moved to Coopersburg in 1976 and the private loans which were made to build staff housing, were paid in full with four checks cut on October 1, 1997. The Finance Committee and the congregation gathered at Pinebrook for the Annual Christmas Concert/Banquet on December 13, 1997 joined in celebration and praise to God in a formal mortgage-burning ceremony. Mr. Lee Boyles, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr. John Moran, Board Treasurer and Bert N. Brosius, Director of Pinebrook all participated in leading the congregation in this celebration of praise and thanks.
We ask for your continued support in prayer and finances for this great ministry entrusted to the BFC. Nathan B. Brosius, son of Bert and Joan has been appointed to serve as Interim Director for a period of one year, beginning May 1, 1998. Nate has been a member of the Pinebrook staff for nearly eleven years. Nate will work with the Board and the help of his dad during this time of transition to determine and establish a format of leadership and administration to meet the exciting opportunities of the spiritual ministry here at Pinebrook as we approach the 21st Century.
Resolved that the Board of Directors of Pinebrook Bible Conference requests the 115th Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church revise and change the Faith & Order 512-8.1 as follows:
(1) eight Elderschanged from laymen
(2.)Elderschanged from laymen
Class I three Elders from laymen
Class II three Elders from laymen
Class III two Elders from laymen
and further,
Resolved, that the Pinebrook Bible Conference be permitted to continue to use one present member of the board who is not an Elder. We ask that this man who has served on the Pinebrook board from its beginning and has been of great benefit be allowed to serve for as long as he desires or until he is not reelected.
Board of Directors of Pinebrook Bible Conference: Bert N. Brosius, Director; Alva C. Cassel, President and Chairman; Harold L. Snyder, Jr., Vice President and Vice Chairman; John F. Moran, Treasurer; Daniel P. Allen, Secretary; Carl Ackerman, Lee E. Boyles, Kermit K. Gehman, Leroy O. Herb, Robert F. Johnson, Calvin T. Reed, John M. Stengele, Gerald L. Schlonecker, James A. Wickstead