(260) 356-2312

UB.orgUBGlobal.orgChurch Search

13 Dec

December 13, 2013 |

A recent ruling by a US District Court has raised questions about the status of housing allowance for ministers. Some UB ministers have called the national office, wondering, “How does this affect me? Do I need to do anything different?”

The short answer is: continue what you’ve been doing. Nothing will take affect until all appeals have been exhausted. That could take a couple years.

Ministers of all religious groups are allowed housing allowance to pay expenses related to their home—rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance, repairs, furnishings, property taxes, etc. The church must state in advance (preferably in board minutes) the amount of salary designated as housing allowance. That amount, then, is not taxable. For instance, if a pastor makes $40,000 and $15,000 is designated as housing allowance, the minister will be taxed on just $25,000 of income. (Here’s suggested wording for a board resolution.)

On November 22, 2013, a US District Court in Wisconsin ruled that the housing exemption violates the Constitution’s “establishment of religion” clause. The judge said it unnecessarily “provides a benefit to religious persons and no one else.” She felt that housing allowance provides an unconstitutional preference for religion, and that denying housing allowance wouldn’t infringe on freedom of religion.

You can read much more about housing allowance in this article on UBCentral.org.

10 Dec

December 10, 2013 |

Gary Gates (right), director of Ministerial Licensing, will represent the United Brethren denomination in January at a meeting of the Denominational Prayer Leaders Network. He’ll report on the prayer emphases in the United Brethren Church.

Gary prepared a simple survey. He would greatly appreciate it if you’d take a few minutes to give some of your feedback. You can use this survey form.

Thanks!

09 Dec

December 9, 2013 |
A parade, with the various district youth groups represented, is part of the annual youth camp in Sierra Leone.

A parade, with the various district youth groups represented, is part of the annual youth camp in Sierra Leone.

bo-banner800

Once a year, Sierra Leone Conference holds a large camp for all United Brethren youth in Sierra Leone. Over 400 young people attended the 2013 youth camp, which was held in Bo, the country’s second-largest city (and the location of the conference headquarters).

The camps use workshops to train the youth in various areas. They also do in-the-field training. Bishop John Pessima (right) says, “We take them out two times during the camp to reach out to the community. They use tracts and the Bible. We also present the Jesus film to the community, wherever the camp is held. Then, after the film, the youth move around and talk to the people, and then bring for follow-up the names of people who accepted Christ.”

In 2014, says Bishop John Pessima, they’ll probably hold the camp in Mattru. “We tax the various churches to contribute to the youth camp,” says Bishop Pessima. “That is the only funding we have.”

Bishop Pessima says Sierra Leone Conference is working with AWANA, the Christian children’s program popular in the United States. In fact, Bishop Pessima is AWANA’s national chairman for all of Sierra Leone.

This fall, Bishop Pessima met with the regional African director, who has visiting Sierra Leone. “He has visited us three times now, and is working directly with us,” says Bishop Pessima. “AWANA is working very well for us. If we teach these young children and bring them up in the way of the Lord, it will change all of Siera Leone.”

He says there is also interest in reviving Christian Endeavor, which was once widely used in Sierra Leone. “Through it, some of us came to the Lord,” he says.

06 Dec

December 6, 2013 |
The group on an old Roman road.

The group on an old Roman road. (click to enlarge)

In the Ephesus amphitheater.

In the Ephesus amphitheater.

Steve Dennie, UB Director of Communications

A group of nearly 20 persons from the United States, most of them United Brethren pastors and wives, spent ten days in Turkey November 4-13, 2013. This “Seven Churches of Revelation Tour” was sponsored by Global Ministries, the international arm of the United Brethren churches in the US and Canada.

Several years ago, Global Ministries began pursuing ministry opportunities in Turkey—the first predominantly Muslim nation into which the UB church has ventured. They organized this trip not only as an educational experience for UB pastors, but to introduce UB leaders to ministry opportunities in Turkey. Global Ministries is partnering with IN Network, a mission agency which works in Turkey.

The United Brethren participants were:

  • Bishop Phil Whipple.
  • Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries.
  • Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, and her husband, Jason.
  • Gary Dilley, pastor of College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.), and his wife, Rhonda.
  • Mike Caley, pastor of Banner of Christ UB church (Byron Center, Mich.).
  • John Erwin, pastor of Hopewell UB church (Auburn, Ind.).
  • Patrick Daugherty, associate pastor of Atlantic Avenue UB church (New Castle, Pa.).
  • Micheal Dean, pastor of Sabetha UB church (Sabetha, Kansas).
  • Mark Ralph, pastor of Mt. Zion UB church (Wayne, Ohio).
  • Steve Henry, pastor of Victory Heights UB church (Franklin, Pa.), and his wife, Amanda.

Three ministers from other denominations tagged along at the invitation of IN Network.

Leading the trip was Dr. Mark Fairchild, who chairs the Bible & Religion department at Huntington University. His numerous trips to Turkey include two from last summer—one with the Biblical Archaeology Society, the other as a consultant, at the invitation of the Turkish government, to a committee writing curriculum for a Christianity course to be taught in public schools. He knows his stuff, and is recognized for knowing it.

(more…)

06 Dec

December 6, 2013 |
The group on an old Roman road.

The group on an old Roman road. (click to enlarge)

In the Ephesus amphitheater.

In the Ephesus amphitheater.

Dr. Mark Fairchild (right) with Macit, the guide.

Dr. Mark Fairchild (right) with Macit, the guide.

Walking among the ruins.

Walking among the ruins.

Steve Dennie, UB Director of Communications

A group of nearly 20 persons from the United States, most of them United Brethren pastors and wives, spent ten days in Turkey November 4-13, 2013. This “Seven Churches of Revelation Tour” was sponsored by Global Ministries, the international arm of the United Brethren churches in the US and Canada.

Several years ago, Global Ministries began pursuing ministry opportunities in Turkey—the first predominantly Muslim nation into which the UB church has ventured. They organized this trip not only as an educational experience for UB pastors, but to introduce UB leaders to ministry opportunities in Turkey. Global Ministries is partnering with IN Network, a mission agency which works in Turkey.

The United Brethren participants were:

  • Bishop Phil Whipple.
  • Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries.
  • Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, and her husband, Jason.
  • Gary Dilley, pastor of College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.), and his wife, Rhonda.
  • Mike Caley, pastor of Banner of Christ UB church (Byron Center, Mich.).
  • John Erwin, pastor of Hopewell UB church (Auburn, Ind.).
  • Patrick Daugherty, associate pastor of Atlantic Avenue UB church (New Castle, Pa.).
  • Micheal Dean, pastor of Sabetha UB church (Sabetha, Kansas).
  • Mark Ralph, pastor of Mt. Zion UB church (Wayne, Ohio).
  • Steve Henry, pastor of Victory Heights UB church (Franklin, Pa.), and his wife, Amanda.

Three ministers from other denominations tagged along at the invitation of IN Network.

Leading the trip was Dr. Mark Fairchild, who chairs the Bible & Religion department at Huntington University. His numerous trips to Turkey include two from last summer—one with the Biblical Archaeology Society, the other as a consultant, at the invitation of the Turkish government, to a committee writing curriculum for a Christianity course to be taught in public schools. He knows his stuff, and is recognized for knowing it.

(more…)

02 Dec

December 2, 2013 |
The new Gator for Camp Living Waters

The new Gator for Camp Living Waters

The Sunfield congregation has been busy for the past several months working on a huge secret–buying a John Deere Gator for Camp Living Waters in Luther, Mich. The Gator will be used to transport campers and supplies, give tours, etc.

Sunfield held a potluck/hot dog bar this past Sunday, November 24, to present the Gator to the CLW director and board members. They were overwhelmed and very excited. Tears were flowing.

Camp Living Waters is a year-round camp in northern Michigan. It was one of two camps operated by the former Michigan Conference until 2005, when the conferences disbanded and the denomination’s various camps were spun off as independent entities.

02 Dec

December 2, 2013 |

During a January-term trip, Dr. David Alexander discovered a passion for India and overseas missions. So, when an opportunity arose last summer, he jumped at the chance to return.

Alexander, associate professor of philosophy, spent two months in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, in mid-2013 serving as a visiting professor of philosophy at Madras Christian College. He presented research, gave lectures, and participated in debates pertaining to religion and philosophy.

“India is a fascinating place,” Alexander said. “It is, in a real sense, a land full of tension or contradiction. It is beautiful. And yet, the land and the people are neglected and abused. Food is scarce all over the place. Radical wealth and radical poverty exist side-by-side. Devotion to Jesus and devotion to idols exist side-by-side. Love and hate exist side-by-side. Beauty and ugly, angels and demons, heaven and hell. It is simply shocking. And for that reason it draws me.”

Alexander’s passion for India developed after he took his first mission trip in January 2013 to the Home of Love orphanage. The experience shook him to the core.

“I became vulnerable to others in ways I have never been,” he shared. “Being in India with the girls at the home and the students from Huntington University helped me to see how much I need to love and to be loved. Tears poured down my face as I looked at 100 girls that love so much and so authentically.”

02 Dec

December 2, 2013 |

Doug Stull (right), senior pastor of Shepherd of the Valley UB church (Logan, Ohio), informed us of the death of his mother. Lillian Stull Hudson passed away on November 17. She lived in Glencoe, Ohio. The funeral was held November 20.

Doug Stull has pastored the Shepherd of the Valley church since 1995. Condolences can be sent to him at 5445 Swartz Mill Road, Sugar Grove, OH 43155.