Dedication, open house highlights ministry, showcases new headquarters building, MB Foundation news story
MB Foundation, the stewardship ministry for the Mennonite Brethren church family, hosted several celebrations to mark the dedication of its new headquarters building in Hillsboro, Kansas.
Forty-five board members, former and current staff, USMB personnel, spouses and friends of MB Foundation gathered July 13 for dinner and a sneak peek of the facility to celebrate what God has done and this important milestone for the Foundation.
Approximately 250 guests attended the July 14 celebration that began with a program of dedication at 9:30 a.m., followed by a come and go open house until 1:00 p.m. Folks attending the event with folks came from as far away as California, Washington, Oklahoma, Arizona and North Carolina.
Special guests for the dedication program included Don Morris, national director of USMB, who offered an opening word of prayer. Dan Ray, chair of the MB Foundation Board of Directors, recognized and applauded the spiritually significant work that is done through the Foundation.
Hillsboro mayor Delores Dalke spoke of the transformation that MB Foundation has brought to the Hillsboro community through the new building. “The Hillsboro community is excited for the Foundation and we are privileged to be the home of MB Foundation!” she said.
Randy and Delores Steinert of Bakersfield, California and representing MB Foundation’s constituency, were present for the dinner and Randy spoke at the dedication. “MB Foundation is instrumental in providing support and resources to the Mennonite Brethren family,” said Steinert. “We are excited about the additional ministry that will be able to be done with this new building,” he added.
Reg Boothe, director emeritus of the MB Foundation Board of Directors, closed the program with a few words and prayer. “I was one, maybe the only one, who thought that the headquarters of MB Foundation should be relocated to Wichita, Kansas, and today this building is proof that it belongs in Hillsboro,” said Boothe.
F
ollowing the dedication program, the doors of the new building were opened and everyone was invited inside for tours of the building, refreshments, giveaways and fellowship.
MB Foundation’s theme for the past year has been to build resources for kingdom impact. In keeping with that theme, guests were entered in a drawing for a chance to win $1,000 to give away to their favorite ministry(ies).
Coleen Ball, of Hillsboro, Kansas, was randomly selected for the prize. “I had been dreaming about what I would do with the money if I won,” said Ball when she was notified about winning. She added, “It is more than I usually have in my God Pocket!” The God Pocket is resource provided by MB Foundation based on the book by the same name by Bruce Wilkinson. The book encourages readers to set carry a predetermined amount of money to give to someone you encounter in everyday life as God nudges.
“We were overwhelmed with the love and support that was shown during our grand opening celebration,” says Jon C. Wiebe, president and CEO. “It was such a joy to celebrate this huge milestone with our constituency and the Hillsboro community. We couldn’t have asked for a better day, and we are so thankful to God for all he is doing through MB Foundation.”
Wiebe invites anyone who wasn’t able to attend the Grand Opening to check of the transformation at www.mbfoundation.com/buildingproject or to stop by when you’re in the area.
Photo 1: MB Foundation hosted a Friday morning dedication service in the parking lot of their new headquarters in Hillsboro, Kansas. About 250 people attended the service and open house.
Photo 2: MB Foundation president and CEO Jon Wiebe welcomes the guests to the Foundation’s dedication service.
Photo 3: Guests who signed the guest book were entered in a drawing. The winner, Coleen Ball of Hillsboro, received $1,000 to give to the charity/charities of her choice.
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