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13 Nov

November 13, 2008 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop

Lots of people finding Christ–that’s what I like to hear about. Please be encouraged by this report from Les Smith, pastor of Hillsdale UB church in Hillsdale, Mich.

In October, our church hosted the Power Team for five nights. It resulted in the conversions of 150 kids and teens and of over 20 adults! They were among 400 decisions for Christ of one form or another.

The attendance grew larger every night with a standing room only crowd of over 700 on the final night, the largest gathering at one time in our church’s history.

The Power Team held assemblies at 11 high schools in Hillsdale County during the day and invited everyone to the Hillsdale UB church for the evening event, where the gospel was presented at the conclusion each night. It had such an impact on our community and beyond, a TV camera crew drove down up from Toledo, Ohio, for interviews of church members, etc.

In exchange for two Power Team T-shirts on the last night, the senior pastor is supposed to lie on a bed of nails with a block of ice put on his chest, which a Power Team member then breaks and the the kids go crazy. Fortunately for me, the team forgot the bed of nails at the previous church in another state, and there wasn’t time to ship it here, so I escaped. But, they still gave me the free t-shirts since it wasn’t my fault.

You can watch the TV news report here.

12 Nov

November 12, 2008 |

Steve Dennie, Communications Director

Huntington University is plunging into the world of online learning. They got their feet wet during the last several years with a Masters in Youth Ministry Leadership. Now, various other courses are being added through the EXCEL adult education program.

goetz_julie_150.jpg

Julie Goetz (right) oversees Huntington University’s online classes. She spent three years working part-time with the online youth program. In June, she came aboard fulltime as the Coordinator of Online Programs. Which means she:

  • Manages and reviews course content.
  • Helps faculty transition their syllabus to an online course (which can be easy or difficult, depending on the course).
  • Trains faculty on how to conduct an online course.
  • Does strategic planning to advance the online programs.
  • Works with LearningHouse.com, which hosts HU’s online classes.
  • And does other stuff. Don’t we all.

Julie is a learner, too. Currently, she’s pursuing a Master of Education with a specialization in “instructional design for online learning.” Sounds relevant, don’t you think? So when online students contact her with questions or problems, she can respond with empathy, since she encounters some of the same issues.
(more…)

11 Nov

November 11, 2008 |

Huntington University has launched into online education by offering a variety of courses through the EXCEL adult education program.

The EXCEL courses are designed to fit the busy schedules of working students. No driving to campus. Instead, take classes in the comfort of your own home. Since the classroom is open 24/7, you “attend” class and participate in class activities and discussions when it’s most convenient for you.

Some details:

  • Courses are 100% online, and typically last 7 weeks.
  • Tuition is $310 per credit hour, plus a $150 technology fee for online courses.
  • Students must participate in class activities each week.
  • Classes “meet” at a website. Students receive a login and password to access the site, where they can find assignments, discussions, quizzes, and other classroom activities.
  • Students do the work at their convenience.
  • Instructors are available during office hours or by email. There’s a 24/7/365 help desk to answer technical questions.
  • Some scholarship money is available to adult students. You might also qualify for government grant money.
  • Books are mailed to your home two weeks before the class starts.
  • Homework averages 8-10 hours per week.
  • Your diploma is the same as the diploma traditional students receive (nothing indicates it was online education).
  • You can finish an Associate of Science degree in 2.5 years, even with no previous college credits.

Two classes are in progress right now: “Introduction to Psychology” and “Life Science.” More classes will start in January, all worth 3 credit hours.

Online Classes January 27 – March 16

  • Introduction to Computer Applications
  • Introduction to Literature
  • Biblical Covenants

Online Classes March 16 – May 4

  • American History since 1945
  • Introduction to Writing
  • Social Problems
  • Professional Presentations

Huntington also offers a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry Leadership, which is mostly online. The course includes a three-day meeting at one of four locations around the country.

11 Nov

November 11, 2008 |

A second child has blessed the home of David and Melissa Kline, UB missionaries in Macau. Brandt Allen arrived on November 5, weighing 7 lbs, 2 oz, and nearly 21 inches long. He joins his big sister, Mia, who was born in September 2006.

11 Nov

November 11, 2008 |

Rev. Al Carter, pastor of West Pleasant Hill UB church in Stockport, Ohio, reported that his grandson, Robbie Humphreys, had been involved in a serious car accident. He was life-flighted to Toledo Children’s Hospital with possible bleeding around the brain.

UPDATE November 13: Robbie underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain caused by bleeding, and is doing better.

11 Nov

November 11, 2008 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
I received this email from George Rhodifer, one of our ministers who has been battling leukemia. We’ve mentioned George several times on this blog, and have asked you to pray for him. Read George’s latest report and be encouraged, as well as reminded of the power of prayer.

I saw my Oncologist Thursday (November 6) and she had a good report on my leukemia. I sat in her examining room while she looked at my records on the computer. She was all smiles and saying mostly to herself, “Yes, that is good.”

Then she said, “Mr. Rhodifer, you won’t believe what I am reading on your progress. You have come a long way. Your Leukemia is now under control–not in remission, but under control.”

She said that she was only going to schedule one more series of chemo, and then see how things look after that. I started a series on Friday, and if everything goes okay, she said she won’t need to see me until December 2 to evaluate my progress.

Bishop, I am so excited about this report. It has to be the prayers that are going up for me, and the confidence that my doctor has encouraged me and my family to have. I know there is no known cure for this, but it could go into remission as God intervenes.

I read on the BishopBlog the really dark place I was in. That I only had a few months to live. Now my new doctor tells me my Leukemia is under control after only one series of chemo. PRAISE THE LORD! I hope  you can put this on your blog as a testimony to the power of God and the good doctors that I have. Yes, I still have a way to go, but the picture is not as bleek. I feel good and have had no side affects to the first series of chemo shots (two a day for ten days). Keep me in prayer.

Yours in His service,
George Rhodifer

10 Nov

November 10, 2008 |

A work group from Prince Street UB (Shippensburg, Pa.) spent October 8-12 at the Laurel Mission in Kentucky. They worked with mission director Titus Boggs in constructing a handicapped ramp for a lady who is a member of his church. The lady found it very difficult to enter her home due to so many steps. The members of the team were: Wayne Hawkins, Anita Brenize, Jack Diehl, Robert Vaughn, Joseph Hawkins,Tanner Hamman, and Patricia Hawkins.

10 Nov

November 10, 2008 |

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries
Billy Simbo has returned to Sierra Leone after an extended stay in the States. He had been attending a month-long training event in South Dakota which focused on multiplying disciples in a missions context. About 32 other leaders from around the world were there, too. The organization conducting the conference covered all of the costs.

I met with Billy and his wife, Mamei, for a few days in Philadelphia. Mamei is dealing with a blood disorder which limits her ability to live in Sierra Leone. She plans to go for a number of months beginning in January. 

Billy has been doing a great job of mentoring young leaders and preparing for real solid transition two years from now. He set up five regions for Sierra Leone Conference and is developing a new leadership structure as well.

06 Nov

November 6, 2008 |

Rhodes Grove Camp (Chambersburg, Pa.) has designated November 19 as a Day of Prayer. Mark Story, director, explains:

“Collectively our board, staff, key constituents, and hopefully you will unite with us in spirit as we prayerfully seek direction and wisdom from the Lord. The format for the day will be simple, yet specific. This is not an event that we are asking you to come to Rhodes Grove to attend. Rather, I am asking that you intentionally plan to set aside a specific amount of time on that day to pray for us, wherever you may be.

“On that day, at Rhodes Grove, I will lead our staff and available board members in a time that will include:

  • prayers of confession for any areas where we have fallen short.
  • prayers for wisdom in decision-making regarding the future.
  • prayers of praise and adoration for the changed lives we see.
  • prayers for the freeing of available financial resources.
  • prayers for unity and love among our staff.
  • prayers for safety and protection for campers and guests.

“In recent conversation with Bob Kobielush, the president of the national Christian Camp and Conference Association, he shared with me that these are the most difficult days for leaders of the nation’s Christian camps that he has ever seen. These are unprecedented times of unbelievable challenge but also incredible opportunity.

“We are under budget in income. We are over budget in expenses. We are experiencing the ill effects of what is perceived to be a horrid economy. We are feeling the painful pinch of trying to figure out how to make ends meet–just like many other nonprofits, and like many of you.

“We are also seeing kids come to Christ, relationships strengthened, and biblical truth declared as a result of our ministry and mission.

“We are also asking for churches that claim a relationship with us to embrace this Day of Prayer by praying for us on November 16 corporately during the Sunday morning worship time and by encouraging individuals to set aside some time on the Wednesday to follow to pray for Rhodes Grove.”