Posts from January, 2009
- 22 Jan
by Ministers
No commentsUpdate on Wilber Sites, Jr.
Bishop Wilber Sites, Jr., was hospitalized January 3 with congestive heart failure. He sent this note yesterday: “I have been home now for a week. My doctor says that recovery will be very slow. However, I can praise God for the progress that is being made. Thanks to all the staff for their prayers. I [...]
- 22 Jan
by Global Ministries
No commentsReadying a New Ministry in Macau
Jeff Kline, Macau A few months ago as we were looking for new direction here in Macau, we felt that God gave us our answer. Though we had never stepped into the doors at TIS, we felt God was directing in this direction by putting two youth in our church that attend there. From that moment [...]
- 21 Jan
by News
No commentsKid’s Shop in Grand Ledge
Imagine This LLC in Grand Ledge, Mich., held its second annual Kid’s Shop for Christmas on Saturday, December 13, from 1-4 p.m. The local paper covered the event both before and after, and the congregation distributed flyers (download a copy) during the town’s Christmas parade. The idea was to help financially-burdened families by underwriting and [...]
- 21 Jan
by Pat Jones
No commentsPlanning Vs. Being Led by the Spirit
When I became pastor of Devonshire UB church (Harrisburg, Pa.) in 1988, I laid out my six-month plan for preaching. A couple ladies approached me. “We don’t think you’re being led by the Spirit.” “Oh?” I said. “Help me understand why you think that.” “How can you be led by the Holy Spirit if you’re [...]
- 20 Jan
by News
No commentsNote from Sierra Leone Medical Group
Donna Hollopeter called from Sierra Leone, where she is part of a medical mission trip at Mattru Hospital. They held their second medical clinic today. Darlene Burkett, who took the call, wrote the following: “Donna said they had a ‘terrific experience’ today! They were way out in the bush and saw at least 150 patients [...]
- 20 Jan
by Jeff Bleijerveld
No commentsReport from Costa Rica
Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries Jeff is in Costa Rica, and sent this report a few minutes ago via his iPhone. We visited Casa de Oracion in Guadelupe, Costa Rica, for an impromptu gathering last night. About half of the usual 75 gathered with us. Pastor Joe Leighton of Junction City, Ohio, shared his [...]
- 19 Jan
by Ron Ramsey
No commentsWe Always Have a Reason to Pray
Ron Ramsey, Bishop I was with a group of guys who were discussing the question something like this: “When was prayer most meaningful and when was it not meaningful.” I’ll never forget what one man said. “Prayer is most meaningful when I have something specific to pray about, and is least meaningful when I don’t [...]
- 17 Jan
by News
No commentsBefore You Talk About Your Spouse….
This is from the Sillly file. Hey, it’s Saturday. Seasoned ministers understand the importance of getting your spouse’s approval before using her in a sermon illustration. Here’s an amusing video about that, a parody of Carrie Underwood’s song “Before He Cheats.”
- 16 Jan
by News
No commentsThe Noise Offering for Mattru Hospital
The “Noise Offering” is an interesting fundraiser for some of the upgrades at Mattru Hospital in Sierra Leone. Once a month, some churches take up the Noise Offering. People drop their loose change into a metal container of some kind–a coffee can, pie tin, cake pan–anything that makes a noise. The idea is “Change cane [...]
- 16 Jan
by News
No commentsJeff Bleijerveld Headed to Costa Rica
Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries, is traveling to Costa Rica today. Here’s where he’s been and where he’ll yet be during this extended trip. Jeff attended Honduras Conference last week. Saturday, January 10: He traveled to Masaya, Nicaragua, to attend Nicaragua Conference. Friday, January 16: Travel to Costa Rica to visit the UB churches [...]
