White Fields Foundation

White Fields Foundation sponsored two missions groups March 2-9 and 9-16 in the Dominican Republic.  We stayed at the beautiful mission compound of Meeting God in Missions in Hato Mayor, which was our base of operations for the week.  Week 1 was comprised of 25 medical students (Led by Liz Atnip) from Penn State Hershey, a team of five doctors, and a group from Crossroads Church in Greenville, Pennsylvania (Led by their pastor Todd Jaussen), over 60 in all. Throughout both weeks, Pastor Ney, Pastor Jocobo, Kim, and the pastoral team directed us into different villages where they are serving the Haitian children and families who labor there in extreme poverty. The bateys (Haitian sugar cane villages) are being reached through the pastoral leadership of a team of men being trained through the White Fields Dominican Division.  Mr. Kim Costanza is leading this effort along with Justin Crocker, a full-time missionary in the Dominican. Pastor Todd did a terrific job as trip leader and a team of men (including Stefen Wisniewski) shared devotions throughout the week. The medical team averaged over 100 patients each day, praying for them individually and administering meds. Many other ministries supported their efforts (See below). The medical students who led our daily worship were a great blessing as well as our baptism with three of the students was a great finish to the week!

Week 2 involved several of our men and family members along with two groups of college students from the University of Pittsburgh (Led by Andy Moore) and Waynesburg University (Led by Dave Calvario), over 30 students in total.  It was a very diverse group, each stone being fitted together for his glory.  We had many options for our daily trips to the sugar cane villages (both weeks) including: dental treatment, vacation bible school for the children, sports outreach, and evangelism/prayer walking. A week long construction project at the new coffeehouse (Café Del Rey) was led by Matt Helbling and a painting project on Ney’s addition was done. Many people commented on the leadership of the long term missions’ team with our short term presence supporting them being very helpful for them. The strong team of leaders present allowed ministry to flourish. A worship and prayer of dedication time for Café Del Rey in Hato Mayor was a highlight for the week as well.

To purchase 1 pound bags of Café Del Rey coffee at $8 per bag stop by our White Fields Foundation office at 8225 Peebles Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15237.  For questions concerning larger orders contact Brennan at (412) 364-4463.

March 25, 2013 at 10:10 am , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

Over 350 people gathered at the Omni William Penn Hotel in the beautiful Grand Ballroom for our 4^thAnnual White Fields Night of Inspiration. It was a blessed night and the overwhelming support that was expressed to us throughout the evening was fantastic. Once again our great God made up for our weakness. We received many encouraging comments regarding PSU Coach John Butler’s presentation who stepped in for Coach O’Brien who was hospitalized earlier that day.  He opened his talk in great vulnerability, referring to Mike Lipinski’s story from earlier that night to overcome drug addiction, thanking him and expressing his broken heart over a family member’s long time battle with addiction.

Many of you have been with us over the last four years and your loyal support to our ministry has been a bedrock for us. Whether new friends or old partners we are grateful for you all! May the Lord bless you, your families, your churches, and your business as you labor building his Kingdom!

Brennan Gaerner, President of White Fields Foundation

Leo Wisniewski, Director of Men's Ministry

Presentation of the Joshua-Courage Award to Denise McNearny

Presentation of the Tunch & Sharon Ilkin Award to Bob & Debbie Gilbert

Laurence and Reed Gaertner's presentation on marriage

Ricko Christian received the Sportsmanship Award

Mr. Kim Costanza, Director of White Fields Dominican Division

March 21, 2013 at 10:32 am , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

Nearly 100 men got their Christmas season jumped into 4thgear with music, fellowship and a great word from Rev. Ron Moore in the beautiful Grand Hall at the Priory Hotel. It was fully adorned in Christmas decoration. We enjoyed a full breakfast buffet and two selections from our saxophonist Mr. Kim Costanza, including the theme from “Charlie Brown.” We belted out a few Christmas carols led by Matt Helbling. Ron is the senior pastor at South Hills Bible Chapel and featured in the daily broadcasts of the Journey Radio Ministries around the country on many stations like Word FM. They can be heard around the world on their website at www.oneplace.com. Many men expressed that Ron opened up the servant’s heart of Mary in a challenging way from Luke 1:38. In her words to the angel… “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” May it be so in our hearts before our great King!

February 12, 2013 at 1:06 pm , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

About 200 men gathered at the Rivers Club on October 4^th to be inspired and deeply challenged by Joe Ehrmann as he presented insights from his book, “Inside Out Coaching.”  Joe began his presentation discussing a few key events and relationships that were formative in his life. He talked about the degradation and shame he experienced as an abused child, his party lifestyle and search for validation as an NFL star. He explained how he developed a coherent narrative to understand his life journey which led him as a coach championing a powerful masculinity developing  the virtues of inclusion, empathy, justice, and friendship in young men. Joe has been  a national leader confronting racism and marginalization of the poor, and most recently a powerful voice transforming the coaching landscape in America. Many of the men commented on how moved they were by Joe’s message of a different manhood path and their desire to become an Inside Out coach! The Rivers Club buffet was a big hit and several former Steelers were in attendance to join us including: Aaron Smith, Jeff Hartings, Jereme Tuman and Tunch Ilkin. Tunch introduced Joe and gave a nice challenge regarding our need as brothers to “lock arms” in a huddle. For it is the place of equipping and healing for us in our faith journey together. Special thanks to our table sponsors and our corporate sponsors: the Hartings Family Foundation, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and the Journey Radio Ministries.

October 15, 2012 at 11:08 am , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

On Sept. 14^th almost 100 golfers teed it up at Shannopin C.C. for our 4^th Annual Golf Outing. Each year has been a continued blessing with new golfers and sponsors joining us. This year, Thrivent Financial For Lutherans joined us as our title sponsor and Journey Radio Ministries became our lunch sponsor. Many new Team sponsors also came on board to help make 2012 our best year, far exceeding the 2011 net amount. Special thanks to our foursome and Team sponsors who have been faithfully supporting us over the past 4 years including Colussy Chevrolet, our Hole-In-One Sponsor.

We had a beautiful day of golf in the warm autumn sunshine and the course was in superb condition. Players loved the course and the lunch buffet that followed. Men commented on how enjoyable the speed of play was as well. Most groups finished in 4:30 hours. Tom Kendrick shared about why the “huddle group” experience meeting weekly with men was so important to his journey of faith. He told the group that the vulnerability of sharing our failures and letting our guard down as men in a trusted community leads to a deep experience of grace. Brennan Gaertner shared about the symbol of the acorn and its’ relevance to the gospel message. While passing them out to men, he said, “The forest is contained in a single acorn if it falls to the ground and dies!” He compared this to Jesus words in John 12:23-25.

Special thanks to our entire team of volunteers who served at the outing, especially to our Golf Chairman Fred Morelli and Rachel Jorgensen.

Title Sponsor - Thrivent Financial

Lunch Sponsor – Doug Niesen with Journey Radio Ministries

Hole in One Sponsors - Colussy Chevrolet , and Henne Jewelers 

Team Sponsors - Kevin Bode, Bill Krahe, Conon McManus – C-Mac International, Fred Morelli, Doug Shaffer, Karl Kunkle  - Schneider Downs, Matt McDaniel  - Packaging Specialists, Eric McMahon – Integrity Financial Advisors, LLC, Jon Perry – Rosen, Louik & Perry, P.C., Al Silko, John McCullough & Eric Gregory, Jack Ouellette, Doug McNelis – Dollar Bank, Chris Stanton – Philadelphia Mixing Solutions, Jay Simon – Simon Financial Group of Hefren-Tillotson

Tee Sponsors – Mike McAndrews – ReMax Select Realty, John Cullen – Cullen & Associates, Henderson Brothers , Mike Fiffik – Welch, Gold, Siegel, & Fiffik, P.C., Chuck Fusina – A.D.Starr, Ascension Lutheran Church , Chuck Baily – Baily Insurance Agency , Grant Franjione, First National Bank, Jim Mager - Mager Chiropractic, Ross Fazio – FMS Construction Inc., Fazio Mechanical Services , Phil Scisciani – Specialty Coatings & Consulting Inc.

September 21, 2012 at 11:22 am , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

Sixteen couples celebrated their love and friendship with wine-tasting, live music, fellowship, and a fantastic meal in the charming atmosphere of The Priory Courtyard on a beautiful summer evening. Mr. Kim Costanza led our time playing several selections on the saxophone while weaving a message that focused on the need for husbands and wives to be nourished daily in their personal devotional life with Christ. “We cannot love one another in the deep and unconditional way that we need apart from the love of Christ. He is the stream of living water that flows from each of us when we are rooted in Him.”

August 1, 2012 at 9:25 am , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

FCA in partnership with White Fields Foundation held a youth football camp for 45 young men ages 10-18 at Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School that brought a new dimension to football. The emphasis was on teaching great fundamentals, life lessons (i.e. alcohol, sexual purity, peer pressure), and how to have a personal faith relationship with God. The two day camp was received with tremendous enthusiasm who appreciated the “up-close” approach of the current NFL guys (Aaron Smith-Steelers & Stefen Wisniewski-Raiders) and college players like Andrew Taglianetti from Pitt.  They also enjoyed the older vets like Jon Kolb (4X Steelers SB Champ). Mike Conway from Cal U. was our coaching coordinator who did a great job of showing us the power of the “huddle” through unity, love, and accountability in each session. Many short messages were sprinkled in throughout our 2 days from our staff of men. The young players appreciated the high quality instruction, the fun, and the personal encouragement from men who have achieved at the highest level. Lunch was provided on both days by Chick-Fil-A with Power Ade. All campers received a FCA Bible and T-shirt. Special thanks to Denny Hyland from FCA, Geno DeMarco from Geneva College and our entire staff of coaches. Shout out to Coach Mike Bosnic who brought 15 of his players from Washington High School! God moved in a big way during our time together with many young men making commitments to Christ.  Several testimonies from the weekend are below:

“Thank you very much for allowing me and my son to be spectators during  FCA’s Football Camp this past Saturday, June 23 at Central Catholic High School.  This was the first FCA camp that I have visited, and it had a lasting impression on me and my son.  It was so encouraging to see the athletes training hard at their sport and hearing the adult coaches/guest speakers giving positive messages to the younger athletes.   
I have partnered with FCA for two years now, and after seeing what takes place at an FCA camp, I could not be more proud of the FCA staff and FCA volunteers that work so hard to have a positive impact on our younger athletes.   
Webster’s defines Impact as, “To Hit With Force.”  Because of the impact that this FCA camp had on me and my son on Saturday as spectators, we are now thinking how we can participate in future FCA camps in our area.  I plan to talk coaches and parents that I know about helping to organize and participate in possible soccer and hockey camps in the future. 
I thank you and the other FCA staff and volunteers for helping to minister to our young athletes in love and in truth.” -Michael, FCA Volunter Character Coach

“Thanks for including me in this, although I could only make Saturday, it was great! What a tremendous group of men – young and old.  Can’t wait for the next event.” -Joe

FCA & White Fields Football Camp Video

July 30, 2012 at 10:24 am , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

Over 90 men enjoyed a great morning at the Priory Hotel’s Grand Hall with our speaker, Jeff Niklaus.  The breakfast buffet was excellent as always and the fellowship was strong.  We honored our military veterans through Jimmy McCarthy (Former Army helicopter pilot) who joined us along with Tunch Ilkin from the South Hills Bible Chapel men’s ministry.  Jeff gave a riveting account of the firefight in Somalia and applied the three things he learned from that experience to our Christian life.  These lessons: never underestimate your enemy’s capacity to defeat you, know your S.O.P. manual thoroughly, and always have a contingency plan (plan of escape), have great parallels in our faith journey.  Jeff shared a testimony of how he was broken through several business failures to see his great need for Christ and the Cross.  He gave a clear invitation to the Gospel and offered a prayer of faith commitment to all present.

Jeff was a helicopter pilot with the 160th SOAR Liaison to Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta, otherwise known as “Delta Force” at Fort Bragg, NC.  In August 1993, he deployed to Somalia as part of Task Force Ranger.  On October 3rd of that year, he was Pilot in Command of Call Sign Super 67, a Blackhawk used for the Ranger blocking force during the operation.  It was this mission that inspired the book and movie “Black Hawk Down”.

June 1, 2012 at 12:34 pm , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

The Grand Hall at the Priory

We were packed to capacity at the Grand Hall at the Priory for our White Fields Foundation 3rd Annual ”Night of Inspiration.” This year we honored Aaron Smith, 13 year veteran of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many of his teammates (Brett Kiesel, Doug Legursky, Jeff Hartings) were on hand to celebrate his great career, his faith, and his family commitment. Tunch Ilkin was our Master of Ceremonies, playing the role of interviewer with his Steeler guys to great applause. Aaron was an NFL All-Pro and 2-time Super Bowl champ earning great praise for his fierce play from his peers, coaching staff and fans. Sports Illustrated senior writer, Peter King, named Aaron a member of the 2000 All-Decade Team. His greatest struggle has not been on the gridiron; it has been his son’s battle with Leukemia which he shared with us. Fred Morelli shared a powerful personal testimony of how he overcame a long battle with clinical depression through the love of God’s people and the men of White Fields leading him to a personal relationship with Christ. We enjoyed our best event financially due to strong corporate sponsorship, table sponsors and a matching gift pledge from key donors.

Tunch interviews Legursky, Kiesel, and Hartings.

This year we began a new recognition, a Marriage Award, in honor of Sharon Ilkin. Sharon was a beautiful servant of the Lord who was taken home at the age of 55 this past February after a long battle with cancer. Jesus won that battle and she is with him now! She left a legacy of compassionate service to others, a strong faith in Christ her Savior, and a deep imprint of love in her husband Tunch, and their three children: Tanner, Natalie, and Clay. They were all on-hand with us.

Dean Ivory was our Joshua Courage Award recipient. Dean will be graduating in June from Seton LaSalle High School with honors in part due to the generosity of some key White Fields donors. Over the past 5 years we have been involved in his life he has overcome many difficult setbacks including his father’s homicide. We are proud to celebrate God’s work of grace in him and his growth as a young man of God.

Tunch with Aaron and Jaimie Smith

Thanks especially to our corporate sponsors who have been with us over the last three years: Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Thorp Reed & Armstrong, Colussy Chevrolet, and ADT.  Thanks also to our first year sponsors Dollar Bank and Hefren- Tillotson. Special thanks as well to our table sponsors who have generously supported us. Once again the Priory’s service and food was outstanding! Over the past three years, we’ve had 300- 400 people enjoy a great meal, music, and an inspirational evening with us. Past celebrities include Joe Erhman (“America’s Most Important Coach” per Parade Magazine), Matt Millen, and Todd Blackledge (ESPN).

May 1, 2012 at 3:06 pm , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »

White Field’s 4th annual men’s retreat at Jumonville Retreat Center was a powerful blessing,  “locking arms” with brothers from ages 13 to 65. Rick Wiater and the men of Good Shepherd Church were again with us this year. The worship, fellowship, torchlight march to the cross and teaching were all a blessing.  Brother Charles Simpson was our main speaker, bringing over 50 years of teaching and pastoral ministry as he challenged us with “The Journey” from Genesis 12 and Exodus 17-18.  Hiking down at the Yough River, getting to go deeper with the brothers, and our evening Communion Service were a highlight for many men. Men loved the challenging word from the life of Abraham and then applied to us to get out of our tent and to look up at the stars in the heavens. The roof in our “tent” represents the smallness of our present reality that He wants to expand to a God-size vision. The stars represented to Abraham his promise of the great nation of Israel that would be established through his offspring. It represented God’s prophetic future for him if he would believe and follow him in faith. As Christ followers we are on a prophetic journey too and our participation in God’s kingdom plan requires action. It requires that we journey with him as Abraham did leaving all that was comfortable for him in Ur of the Chaldees. Just as the Israelites ate the Passover meal in haste, dressed for a journey we must live by faith as sojourners in a foreign land to be pleasing to God.  Special thanks to Rick and John who led us in worship as well as Matt Helbling!

April 9, 2012 at 12:42 pm , by White Fields Foundation | No Comments »