Brent and Teresa Miller: Serving Together in Unity

Brent and Teresa Miller: Serving Together in UnityBy Andrea Brown

When I sat down to talk

to Brent and Teresa Miller, we had the unexpected pleasure of being joined by their youngest children, Matt and Meghan along with Meghan’s husband, Jordan, and newborn son, Jeremiah. At first, I was worried that this would make the whole thing a lot more distracting and difficult to get through seeing as we needed to stay on topic. But as we began to talk, I realized that it was actually more of a blessing than a hindrance. Sitting in their family room with the sounds of the new baby, the absolutely joyful expression on Teresa’s face as she held the child in her arms, and the knowing smiles and genuine laughter that came from each family member brought a feeling of warmth and gave me a wonderful glimpse of what this family is all about. This is a family that loves to be together. Like many families at FBC, the Miller family exhibits a great cohesiveness and desire for fellowship in their home. This sense of unity and love that the Lord has placed in their hearts spills out into other areas in their lives as well, which is how they have come to be such a great blessing to the body of FBC. I greatly enjoyed my time with them as I had the privilege to hear their story unfold.

Brent grew up in a small Mennonite-Amish community in Ohio along with three brothers. He came to Christ through the teachings he received in Sunday school and was baptized when he was fourteen years old. Brent enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, and playing baseball. In his early teens, he and his older brother started playing golf together. He went on to play on both his high school team and See “Millers” page 3.

Foothill Bible Church: Recap

On January 14, 2012, the body of FBC gathered together to celebrate the beginning of some key aspects of Vision

20/20 for Foothill Bible Church. The meeting represented the culmination of many days’ intense work, in which the focus was on developing, launching, and managing a Strategic Operating Plan for FBC. However, this planning was not done in a vacuum; we wanted to bring our best thinking to prayerfully and thoughtfully discern God’s direction for FBC.

In October 2011, the Elder Board, Staff and some key volunteers at FBC gathered together with Adiel Brasov, a facilitator who helped us to work through the Paterson Strategic Operating Process (StratOps). This process, designed by Tom Paterson in 1972, helps a church get perspective on its entire work, both internally and externally, and blends the strategic (planning for tomorrow, today), the operational (taking care of today, today) and the financial (all of it must be funded) into a working plan.

The Paterson Process is not an event but a system. Foundational to the first phase, the Perspective Phase, is that before we set in motion any action plans we needed to gain absolute clarity on who we are and where we are going. We used a variety of tools to arrive at clarity and perspective regarding where we

are now—on all the critical strategic and operational issues facing FBC. We focused on our current reality, on our past turning points, and on our core identity.

Once perspective was gained, we asked “Where are we going?” as a guide for putting together a Core Plan, See “Vision 2020” page 2.

FBCConnect ionVolume 4 .Issue 2March . April 2012

Banner photo taken by Vonnie Perez.

IN THIS ISSUE:Birthdays,Mystery Member 2Military Update,Anniversaries 4Snapshot ofWinter Events 5New Members 8

Mr. & Mrs. Brent Miller,June 18, 1983.

Volume 4 • Issue 1January• February 2012

FBC Connection Page 2

Vision 2020

to get further clarity on FBC’s core assumptions, purpose, vision, mission, core values, strategies, and growth/health indicators.

In the Action Phase, we asked “How will we get there?” This helped us identify and prioritize our W.I.N.s (What’s Important Now), the key issues needing our attention now and to pick the cross-functional action initiative teams that would work on each issue, their specific objectives, their strategic stepping stones in achieving that objective, and the time-line. We then released each team to work in detail through a specific Action Initiative Plan (AIP) for each initiative. As the individual teams have met over the past few months, we have sought to bring greater focus and clarity, as well as a sense of urgency and momentum to the changes afoot at FBC. Each team has been working on developing its plan, on recruiting the right team-members, and on getting their work started.

The following areas of focus have a designated team to work out the AIP for that Initiative:

1. Develop a culture of “Strong and Effective Communication. 2. Connecting people to each other as well as ministry opportunities by which they may use their spiritual gifts and grow in the likeness of Christ.

3. Align FBC around one process to become and make disciples.4. Determine alignment approach for ministry partnerships and establish those partnerships (on and off campus).5. Complete Church Plant #3.

Over the next few weeks, months, and years, we will engage in the other phases of the Paterson Process. In the Structure Phase, we will adjust and design a structure that FBC cannot outrun. More frequently, we will revisit the Management Phase, where we seek to learn together how to manage the components of FBC’s StratOps Plan. Finally, on a yearly basis, we will engage in the Renewal Phase, where our focus will be on what needs to change so that we are renewing the annual plan, adapting our work to the current realities facing FBC.

There is tremendous motivation at FBC to see this StratOps be a reflection of God’s work among us, as well as a guide to discerning His guidance for our future. But this is not a static report; it is a working document, an ongoing, living plan, frequently refreshed by the various teams and guided by the Elders. It will require all of our focus and dedication. It will take work. The results will be rewarding. We look forward to the journey.

Mystery Member Can you guess this issue’s featured mystery couple?

•They graduated from the same college, on the same day, with the same degree; and then got married the very next day!•They learned to speak English by watching American TV shows such as Gunsmoke and Get Smart and covering the

subtitles on the television screen with tape.•She crocheted her own wedding gown.•He can play music with his hands like a wind instrument and twirl his arms (like a cheerleader twirls pompoms) in

opposite directions at the same time. (You have to see it to believe it …!) The answer can be found on page 7!

AprilMarch 1 - Sharon Betsch,

Art Nakamura2 - Wally Howard (88)

4 - Matt Bugbee5 - Billy Smith

7 - Janice Collins,Kristie Kercheval,

Ryan Tanksley8 - Kwun Yang

9 - Michael Caldwell10 - Melody Navarro11 - Gabrielle Nicotra

14 - Donald Granger15 - Robert Tingle

16 - Connie Kielsmeier,Michael Wine

17 - Michael Robbins24 - Jimmy Andrews

Adena Harstad25 - Jim Deaton

26 - Tom Rios27 - Lorraine Kipfer,

Lenora Marker30 - Elaine Howard (85),

Sandy Anderson

4 - Kenny Allison5 - Gerald Kennedy

Eileen Ruiz6 - Edna Sudduth (86)

7 - Dolores Marshall (87)8 - Carol Brandt

9 - Nancy McMahan (89)11 - Linda Mawby

Aaron Wine

12 - Kathy Johnson,Cliff Bates

13 - Alfred Sy14 - Jason Pince18 - Gabriel Ruiz

22 - Jim Kercheval,Sheryl Shwetz

29 - Beth Tanksley30 - Donna Schelling31 - Margie Durrell

Image: Dynamite Imagery / FreeDigitalPhotos.net



Millers

college team. To this day, he still enjoys the game. After high school, Brent attended Goshen College, a private Mennonite college in Goshen, Indiana.

Teresa also grew up in Ohio. In fact, her family lived about an hour away from Brent’s family, but the two did not meet until they were past their childhood years. Teresa is the middle of three girls. When she was younger, her father worked in construction and started doing many projects for missionaries. Eventually, he felt called to full-time missions. When Teresa was ten years old, her family moved to the mission field in Brazil, where she found herself enjoying things like swinging from vines, shooting pellet guns, and riding motorcycles. She came to the Lord during her time on the mission field when she was not quite a teenager. Teresa’s days of playing in the jungle came to a close when her father took a job working in a missions office in Orange, California, placing her in this sunny state for her high school years.

So, it seems that Brent and Teresa were headed in totally different directions, but we know that the Lord is the ultimate arranger. When Teresa was in high school, she took a summer to visit a close friend, Bonnie, back in Ohio. Bonnie was a part of the same church as Brent’s family. While Teresa was there, she saw Brent from a distance and was instantly attracted to him, but did not get to meet him at that time. A few years later, while Teresa was attending Goshen College (sound familiar?), her friend Bonnie came to visit. As the two of them walked into the cafeteria, Brent spotted Bonnie, a familiar face from home, and came up to greet them. So, Brent and Teresa were introduced by this mutual friend and, within a few weeks, started dating. One Thanksgiving, Brent brought Teresa home to meet his family. When she met his grandmother, she asked Teresa who her grandparents were (living in a small, Mennonite Community, everyone knows everyone and/or is related somehow). They then found out that Teresa’s grandfather is Brent’s grandmother’s first cousin. The two of them sort of freaked out, having realized that they are distantly related, but their panic soon ended when they found out that being third cousins is distant enough for their union to be acceptable. Less than two years after they met, Brent graduated with his accounting degree and the two got married back home in Ohio. After having trouble finding jobs, they decided to move to California, where they stayed with Teresa’s parents in Anaheim until they both found jobs (which, as the Lord would have it, only took them three weeks!). They had planned on eventually moving back to Ohio, but the Lord had other plans; they have stayed in California ever since.

Coming from moderately large families themselves, Brent and Teresa had always wanted to start a big family. By 1990, they had three boys: Jeremy, Ryan, and Aaron. Their boys were a bit of a handful, being very energetic, so they decided that they would wait a while before trying once more for a girl. But, once again, the Lord took them in an unexpected direction and Teresa became pregnant with twins when Aaron was just ten

months old. The last three months of her pregnancy were tough, as she went into pre-term labor twice and had to be on bed rest. Their church family was a big help in cooking meals and caring for the boys at that time. The Lord was gracious in answering their prayers and the twins were born healthy. Brent and Teresa had known from ultrasounds that one of these babies was a boy (Matthew), but did no know until delivery that the other was a girl (Meghan)! The Miller family has always enjoyed spending time together and, even though most of the kids are out of the house, they still remain a close family unit.

The Millers have been at FBC for quite a long time. Brent and Teresa attended Upland Bible Church and continued with this body after it merged with Foothill Baptist Church to become Foothill Bible Church. Since they both had accounting backgrounds, Brent and Teresa took on those roles in the church--Brent being the treasurer and Teresa doing the accounting at FBC. They are both also part of the Finance Committee. Brent is on the Deacon Board and as such, he focuses a lot on helping those in the body who have financial needs (benevolence). Brent and Teresa also work together to organize food for many of the church events. They both have been gifted by the Lord in similar areas and really enjoy working together and serving the body of Christ in these ways.

It is such a blessing to see how the Lord plans things so intricately to work out for His glory. He planned for Brent and Teresa to meet in His timing and built them up with similar gifts and interests so that they might make a great team and be well-functioning parts of the body of FBC. Praise the Lord for His masterful arranging!

The Miller family...so far. (left ro right) Ryan, Denay, Matt, Aaron, Teresa, Brent, Jeremy, and Meghan & Jordan Bryan

(not pictured: baby Jeremiah). Photo taken by Vonnie Perez.

Andrea Brown studied English at Chaffey College. She loves to write and enjoys finding ways to use her gifts

to serve others and glorify her Creator.



Alfred, Jr. and Aaron Gernon, army(Sons of Al and Karen Gernon)

Following in the footsteps of their father, Alfred, Jr, and his younger brother, Aaron, are serving our country in the United States Army. Alfred enlisted approximately four years ago, at the age of 23. He and his wife, Daniela, live in Hohenfels, Bayern, Germany. At the U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels, U.S. Forces train with foreign allies prior to joining them in combat in the Global War on Terrorism. Alfred, a tank gunner, is serving in the military as a career. He is also pursuing a degree in psychology. Aaron enlisted following high school graduation and has been serving for two and a half years now. He served a seven-month deployment in Iraq last year. He is currently at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where all armor and infantry soldiers receive their initial training. Aaron works as a trainer on tanks for new officers. He has four years remaining in his enlistment. Al and Karen would appreciate prayer for their sons’ safety that they would know and follow God’s plan for them, and they would be witnesses for the Lord wherever they go.

Brandon Collins, Coast Guard(Son of Scott and Janice Collins)

For those who watched Brandon grow up at Foothill, it may be hard to believe that he’s been serving in the Coast Guard for seven years, having joined when he was 19. He was stationed in Alaska, then New York, where he met his wife, Kristen. They married in 2009 and were transferred to New Orleans in 2010.

As a Marine Science Technician, Brandon has received broad training and worked in several capacities; currently, he inspects waterfront facilities for safety and security compliance.

Although New Orleans was quite low on their list of preferred assignments (number 20), Brandon and Kristen have found much to be thankful for in their new location. They have made close friends with other “Coasties” and were blessed to find a nearby church where they are both actively serving.

While in the Coast Guard, Brandon has had opportunities to share Christ with co-workers; he said the most important thing he has learned since joining the military is “to never be ashamed of being a Christian but to use it… to His glory.”

Brandon asks for prayer for his fellow Coasties who are not saved, especially for his friend Billy. Also, please pray for Kristen as she is close to completing her bachelors in nursing, and that God would grant her endurance and peace of mind, enabling her to finish well.

M i l i t a ry U p d a t e

March 4 Joe & Michelle Lane John & Sheila SuttonMarch 6 Alfred & Kaye SyMarch 7 Ken & Margie Durrell (60) Donald & Mindy Granger

March 12 Ivan & Yvonne AndrewsMarch 14 David & Jessica GarciaMarch 17 Mike & Vonnie PerezMarch 20 Rex & Mary BeachMarch 22 Rob & Cid Behnke

March 27 Andy & Judi AstadurianApril 2 Wally & Elaine Howard (57)April 3 Preston & Joan SmithApril 4 K.R. & Marie DennisApril 7 Tim & Rachel Donaldson

April 11 Dan & Lillian HoobyarApril 14 Ray & Jackie Langeloh (57)April 19 Ruben & Eileen Ruiz Mike & Nan CargileApril 21 Mark & Kathleen HetzelApril 22 Ernie & Linda Arroyo

Wedding Anniversaries d

Wine Send-Off

A Snapshot of Winter EventsContributing Photographers: Julie Deaton, Linda Arroyo, Preston Smith, Vonnie Perez and Michelle Lane.

IFCA 2012 Regional Conference with Dr. Peter Jones

Marriage Conference



Mystery Members: Peter and May WangPeter and May have been attending FBC for almost four years. They graduated from the same college in Taiwan, both with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. In addition to their standard coursework, a prerequisite to earning their degree was to pass a swimming test! They both went on to get a Master’s degree—May in Architecture and Peter in Chemical Engineering. They have lived in Upland for nine years, which happens to be the longest period of time that May has lived in one place in her entire life and the longest that Peter has lived in once place since coming to the United States! May and Peter both love to travel, and between the two of them, they have been to, or lived in eight countries—Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Italy, Germany, China, Vietnam and the U.S.The Wangs have two grown daughters; one lives in Seattle and is getting married in April and the other, Heloise King, attends church here at FBC with her husband Steven and their two children—Ivy (18 months) and Steven David (newly born this January)! Peter and May are serving as Hospitality Greeters, so you may have seen, or will likely see, their smiling faces on a Sunday morning welcoming you to the Worship Center. :)

UndividedConference



The purpose of the FBC Connection newsletter is to inform and inspire the FBC body of what God is doing in the life of its members. Please note that the testimonies and articles are written by volunteers and do not necessarily reflect the sentiments or endorsements of the elder

board. The apostle Paul explains in I Corinthians 12 that the local church is one body made up of many members and gifts. FBC Connection recognizes this diversity in the FBC body and seeks to promote community through this form of communication. On behalf of the elder board of FBC, we invite you to proclaim the excellencies of Christ who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Jacquelyn Perez has been attending FBC for seven years. Her favorite book of the Bible is Romans because she likes “the way Paul explains redemption and breaks it down into justification and sanctification; and glorification really allows [her] to get a glimpse of how amazing our God is.” She enjoys the fellowship and being a part of the CnC ministry. Currently, Jackie is a full-time student at Citrus College and though school and church take up much of her time, she does enjoy painting with acrylic and dancing. She likes to watch musicals, plays and professional dancing. The Lord has really been revealing His mercy to her continuously through various trials and circumstances for a while now. He also reminds her through these same trials to wholly lean on Him and not on her own strength.

Alyssa Staiger attended the Undivided Conference last year and has been attending FBC since. She enjoys Romans because she likes how “Paul describes mankind’s fallen nature, how God will judge everyone by what they have done here on earth and how we can be saved from our sins by the blood of Jesus. The whole book is an encouragement.” She serves in AWANA with Cubbies. She writes, “I love to see the kids each week and watch them learn more and more about the Bible and

their Savior.” Currently, Alyssa is in the Paralegal Program at Chaffey College. She enjoys watching college and professional football. She also loves to read when she can find the time. She’s looking forward to summer when she can squeeze in a couple good novels. “The Lord has been drawing [her] closer to Him through Bible study and teaching [her] to be more loving toward others and to always be joyful, even in difficult circumstances.”

Elizabeth Astadurian has been a part of the FBC family since the merger with Upland Bible; she was three at the time. She enjoys Proverbs because it talks about practical wisdom that can easily be applied to everyday life. Her favorite place to serve is in AWANA and the nursery. She and her newlywed husband, Kyle, have recently become the proud parents of two German Shepherd puppies, so they are staying very busy these days. Beth grew up playing soccer and softball. She also enjoys watching baseball and hockey, especially the Angels and the Anaheim Ducks. “[God] has helped me to become a better witness to my employees at work; and He continues to bless my marriage to Kyle each and every day.”

Getting to Know One Another: New Members to FBCSome are new to FBC; others have been around most of their lives, but either way, you may learn something new. The questions were asked and the answers were abundant. Unfortunately, we have only room to present the highlights of a few individuals so be encouraged to use this as a beginning for getting to know our newest members.

Documents

Brent and Teresa Miller: Serving Together in Unity