This announcement is from GCI president Joseph Tkach.
Due to ongoing health struggles, Dr. Bernard Schnippert retired on June 27 from his position as GCI’s legal counsel. My prayers are with Bernie, his wife Arlene, their daughters Crystal and Coral and their extended family during this difficult time.
Bernie has had a distinguished, unique and highly responsible career with GCI, serving the church for 42 years in numerous leadership roles. Throughout, he has been a shining example—always growing, studying and learning. His keen intellect has never rested. While employed by the church, Bernie earned a Juris Doctor and a Ph.D. in business administration. He also pursued many hobbies including fishing, ham radio operation and motorcycle restoration.
I express deep gratitude to Bernie personally and also do so on behalf of GCI’s board of directors and worldwide membership. Though most of our members have never seen Bernie in action, they have benefited greatly from his tireless work on behalf of us all.
Thank you Bernie for your unique and outstanding service to the church these many years! Your daily involvement with the church will be greatly missed. We pray that you will be able to rest and in doing so find the peace and healing you need. May God bless and keep you.
Cards of encouragement and appreciation may be sent to:
Bernie and Arlene Schnippert64651 Jan Dr.
Bend, OR 97701
_______________________
If legal issues arise, you may contact Evelyn Dailey in GCI’s legal office in Glendora at legal.office@gci.org or at 626-650-2320. Evelyn will, as needed, coordinate legal needs with outside counsel.
Dear Bernie,
On behalf of the German church and Board I would personally like to thank you for the precious and most helpful legal support and professional advice that you have given us over the many years both visibly and behind the scenes. As you look back to your remarkable career you can be rightly proud of your many significant accomplishments. It is no exaggeration to say that you are leaving “big shoes” behind to be filled. Our love and deep respect go out to you.
Our prayers continue to be with you, Arlene and all of the family. The Lord is good and he will never forsake you.
Santiago Lange
GCI Europe
Dear Dr. Schnippert,
On behalf of our small GCI church in Spain and Board members I would personally like to thank you for the very valuable and greatly helpful legal advise and support you have given us until we got registered the church as a national church.
We will continue bringing your life before God’s throne in prayer asking for His loving and healing intervention and that He might grant you many more years as a retired to continue enjoying life with Arlene and all your family.
Dear Bernie,
I want to express our deep gratitude for your many years of faithful service to our denomination, especially through times of challenge and difficulty. God used you and your unique gifts in a very special way. You have been a help and encouragement to all of us (and as you used to say, helped “keep us out of jail!” You have faced many trials, both personally and corporately, with faith and endurance, and I know some of those trials continue today. We pray for you and your family every day — for courage, encouragement and comfort. May our Father in heaven hold you in the palm of His hand and grant you His strength and grace! With our love, Ray and Carol Meyer
Thank you so much Bernie. You have been and continue to be an inspiration. May God bless and keep you and your family in his loving care.
Thank you so much for all the years of service. I remember reading the many inspiring articles you wrote in one of our magazines even when I was new in the church. Your faithfulness and hardwork in the recent years inspire us. Thank you for your love, Dr. Schnippert.
Dear Bernie,
I join with the others who are expressing gratitude for you and your unique gifts used in serving us. I have personally benefited from your faith and wisdom. Nancy and I express our love and respect for you and Arlene in our prayers for you and your family.
Thank you, Bernie for your years of service and your example of stewardship. Your hard work and continual education has been an inspiration to my family. God’s grace and love will always be with you.
HELLO MR BERNIE SCHNIPPERT , THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SERVICE
TO GODS PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IN THE U S A . AS I MENTIONED
IN MY GET WELL CARD I SENT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY . YOU
ARE BIG MAN IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE . WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY
FOR YOU , YOUR WIFE ARLENE AND THE FAMILY . GOD BLESS FROM
Trevor Coverdale a church member from NORTH LONDON ENGLAND.
Praying for you continually. It is an honour to lift you to our Father’s Throne in Heaven. May the Lord bless you and keep you and be gracious to you…and give you peace.
To you Bernie Schnippert, Arlene, Crystal and Coral, much love in Jesus. An AC Pasadena Alumnus 1974-76, Darlene Hemingway
Dear Bernie,
Truly others can never know the full extent of one’s labors, especially in the service to an organization such as ours. So many of us have been served indirectly by you, while a few would have been served by your labors directly. Thank you for all the service you have done for our fellowship faithfully through the years.
I hope you have a high level of enjoyment and satisfaction from serving all of us in those different ways. Our love is extended to you Bernie, to let you know of our best hopes and wishes for you. We have been praying daily, and our two churches have been praying weekly for as long as we have known of your health issues.
We love you Bernie,
Your brothers and sisters in Christ – Sioux City IA, and Omaha Nebraska churches.
I am thankful I had the opportunity of getting to know you when in Pasadena on sabbatical. Your influence during that year is something I have not forgotten–obviously! Your work for the church has been amazing over the years and I’m sure your example has encouraged many as it did me. My prayers have been with you and your family over these last years during your sickness and they will continue as we seek God’s guiding hand and encouragement. Thank you Bernie for your example and influence.