By Nathan Grant

Jesus taught many of his lessons by telling stories and parables.  It is how we learn.

Growing up there were many times when Bruce Boyer was encouraged to go into the ministry.  He did so, but through a different path than becoming a pastor.  For the first 34 years of his adult life, Bruce’s ministry was as a YMCA director. YMCA is an acronym for “Young Men’s Christian Association.”  The YMCA was initially a Bible study organization to guide young men away from the temptations of the big city during the time of the Industrial Revolution.  Over time, the YMCA has developed into a comprehensive organization with extensive facilities; however, their universal Christian values have always been at the core of what the YMCA is all about.  The Y today emphasizes the equal development of a person in spirit, mind, and body.

In retirement, Bruce’s ministry has been expressed through writing Christian devotional books.  To date, he has published two books.  A book signing for his most recent book, “Touchpoints of Faith – God’s Word in Daily Life,” will be held Monday, November 7 at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church from 5-7 p.m.  A previous book signing was held at the Kernersville YMCA on October 27.  

The Kernersville Family YMCA and Fountain of Life Lutheran Church are two foundations of Bruce’s faith, journey, and service to the local community.  For over 12 years Bruce was the Executive Director of the local Kernersville YMCA.  The cover photo of the most recent book was taken during a summer camp prayer at the Y’s outdoor chapel, and the back cover photo is of the Y’s indoor chapel.  Bruce has dedicated “Touchpoints of Faith” to the ‘Christian mission of the YMCA’—something Bruce is passionate about.  Most of the stories were written by Bruce, but he also includes 11 guest stories from YMCA directors from around the country.  Two of the guest authors are former Kernersville YMCA Executive Director Rosemary Suess and former Camp Hanes Director Bob Kahle.  Overall, the 281-page book includes 87 stories and a 12-page scriptural reference section.

The feature story of the newest devotional book is about when Bruce Boyer turned the leadership of the Kernersville YMCA over to God, and how God has blessed the YMCA ever since.  Many of the stories in the book are based on actual events and people from Kernersville.

The writing style of the book makes it appropriate for personal inspiration or as a motivational story for the beginning of community meetings.  Each story begins with a recent or familiar event and then develops a faith lesson around it.  The faith lessons reflect universal values of any Christian church.  “The format illustrates God’s hand in our everyday lives, and the message is easy to understand because of their practical application in the stories,” said Bruce.  

One of the stories is about Kernersville area resident Doc Long, who was severely wounded during World War II.  As you will read in the true story, Doc Long’s faith literally saved his life.  Another story refers to the dramatic story “Let’s Roll,” which chronicles the power and comfort faith provided to Lisa Beamer, wife of Todd Beamer, the man who helped thwart the efforts of 9/11 hijackers on the airplane that crashed in a Pennsylvania field.  Each story in the book addresses a key Christian theme, such as worry, fear, forgiveness, handling adversity, love, service, and others.  Some of the stories are themed to holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, and Mother’s Day.

Also available at the book signing is the first devotional book, “24/7 – Stories of Faith from Everyday Life.”  The feature chapters of the first book tell about Bruce’s son, Dave Boyer, being lost for six days in the Amazon rainforest.  This near tragedy has been re-enacted nationally on two-hour long Discovery Channel shows, a Reader’s Digest article, and an appearance on the Oprah show.  The miracle of surviving this experience was the catalyst that motivated Bruce to publish devotional stories and to encourage others in faith.

Bruce Boyer has lived in Kernersville for the past 25 years, directing the Kernersville Family YMCA for over 12 years, and the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce for a decade.  He is a lay leader at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church.  Bruce has been an advisor for YMCA Christian Leadership Conferences nationwide for over 35 years.  He continues to write, publishing new devotional stories each week on his website www.ChristianFaithStories.com.

The public is invited to the book signing or you may contact Bruce directly to purchase a book at BruceBoyer@triad.rr.com.  Both books are published by Alabaster Book Publishing, a Kernersville-based publishing company.