Feature story
He joined the General Board’s World Ministries Commission staff in September 1969 as Peace and International Affairs Consultant/Europe and Asia Representative, a position he held until his retirement in March 1997. He was a driving force in Church of the Brethren Agricultural Exchanges with Poland, China, and the former USSR.
In 1989 he carried a half-time role as executive secretary of the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, while continuing his General Board responsibilities on a half-time basis.
He was born in Manheim Township, Pennsylvania (USA) on 25 February 1931. He grew up on the family farm, and attended the White Oak Church of the Brethren. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Heatwole) Gibble, whom he met at the Palmyra Church of the Brethren. They celebrated their 70th anniversary on 17 August.
He was an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren. He earned his B.A. from Elizabethtown College, his B.D. from Bethany Theological Seminary, and his M.A. in International Affairs from American University in Washington, DC. After seminary, he served as a pastor for 15 years.
Upon completion of his master’s degree, he was called by the Church of the Brethren in 1969 to serve as Peace and International Affairs Consultant in its National Office. He quietly built bridges with groups and organizations from diverse backgrounds, putting forth the vision that our different faiths, beliefs, and cultures are gifts to treasure and share. He believed we all have much in common, and strive for the same things: food, health, safety and justice, for ourselves and our loved ones.
A memorial service will take place at Highland Ave. Church of the Brethren; 783 Highland Ave.; Elgin, Illinois on 26 November at 10 am CST.
A livestream will be available here
* The family gratefully declines flowers, but prayers, condolences and memories are gladly accepted and will be shared with the family. You can send those by email to: [email protected].
