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27 Apr

April 27, 2010 |

Jim Woodward receiving the "Outstanding Service Award."

From Darwin Dunten, pastor of Findlay First UB (Findlay, Ohio)

Jim “the Barber” Woodward, a member of Findlay First UB (Findlay, Ohio), received the Northwest Ohio Community Spirit Award for Outstanding Community Service for his volunteer work at the Hancock County Jail. Nominations from all over Northwest Ohio were considered. Awards were given to the outstanding fireman, Police, EMS, and other individuals for their work in the community in the area of emergency services and law enforcement.

In 2005, Findlay First UB Church went on a 40-day adventure studying the “Purpose Driven Life.” One of the last lessons was for Christians to leave their comfort zone and start impacting their world for Christ.

An opportunity came to Jim when he was cutting hair in the county jail. Inmates were complaining about the worship services and the lack of worship services that they were or were not receiving. He then started a monthly motivational session with all the inmates where community leaders came in and shared their stories.  Eventually this turned into a weekly worship service on Thursday nights with community church members from the Episcopal, Methodist, and United Brethren churches. They have become “the church” for the inmates.

Because of Jim’s weekly “bribing” of the guards with pizza and cupcakes, Jim has been able to hold special events such as picnics for the inmates. Jim has also been able obtain special releases for the inmates to attend special services at Findlay First UB.

Jim has been called before clergy to help the guards with inmates that are emotionally out of control. How does he calm them down?  He makes them recite, “It’s not about me; it’s about Thee.”

Because of Jim’s work, Findlay First UB and Pastor “D” Dunten, we have been able to introduce Christ to alcoholics, drug addicts, drug dealers, sexual predictors, and murderers. Some consider Pastor “D” to be their pastor. Some are even attending First UB.

At times, Jim apologizes to the inmates. He states, “On behalf of the church, I want to apologize. The church has not been doing its job. Jesus tells us to go to the widows, orphans, sick, and the prisoners. We have not done that. Some of you are in here because the church has never told you about Jesus.”

That gets their attention. He drills in the heads of the inmates, “Life is not about me; it’s about Thee.”  And “God is good all the time.”

Jim has such respect among the inmates that I pity the fool that ever holds up his barber shop. No one messes with Jim “the Barber.”

The citation says:

“Woodward’s impact on the Findlay-Hancock County community and those incarcerated is indescribable. He frequently receives letters from inmates thanking him for believing in and encouraging them, and for being an uplifting presence in their lives. Once they are released from the Justice Center, the first stop for former inmates is not that of trouble, but that of the local barber’s chair for more conversation and thankfulness for Jim “The Barber” Woodward.

26 Apr

April 26, 2010 |

Barbara Osgood passed away Sunday evening, April 25, 2010, at home surrounded by family and friends. She was a retired nurse, a former missionary to Sierra Leone, and a lifelong member of McCallum United Brethren church (Delton, Mich.).

Funeral details:

Viewing: Tuesday, April 27, 5-8 pm, at Williams-Gores Funeral Home, Delton, Mich.
Funeral: Wednesday, April 28, 2 pm, at McCallum UB Church, 5505 Otis Lake Road, Delton, Mich.

26 Apr

April 26, 2010 |

The new 2D studio art center building.

The interior of the new studio art center building.

The Studio Art Center. The 3D facility is on the left, the new 2D building on the right.

The Huntington University art students now have a place to call their own, as the Studio Art Center was formally dedicated on April 22. The new building was fully funded through gifts to the university.

The Studio Art Center consists of two facilities for 2D and 3D art. A new 3,000-square-foot building completed this spring adjacent to the existing annex is used for ceramics, sculpture, and 3D design. It also houses the woodshop. The new building features a large studio space for drawing and painting, and a photography light studio.

23 Apr

April 23, 2010 |

Robert Shellhouse was discharged from the hospital this afternoon. The MRI performed today showed he suffered a TIA, not a stroke.  He also had a throat Xray which showed weakness in swallowing. He will be on a mechanical soft diet until he can build up some strength on the left side of his face and in his throat.  He has an appointment for speech therapy in Whitehall next Wednesday and will also follow up with his family doctor next week.

22 Apr

April 22, 2010 |

Robert Shellhouse, a retired UB minister in Michigan, was taken to Mercy Hospital in Shelby, Mich., Wednesday morning (April 21) for what was most likely a stroke. A brain scan performed there determined that he had also suffered a stroke prior to that.

The treating physician at Shelby thought it might just be Bell’s Palsey and was going to treat and discharge him. However, when it came time to leave, he was unable to get up and walk. He was then transferred by ambulance to the ER at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon.

A carotid doppler was performed Wednesday night, with more tests scheduled for Thursday. He did suffer a stroke, but his speech was less slurred on Thursday (April 22), and they had him up walking some. They are working with him in both physical and occupational therapy.

Please keep Rev. Shellhouse in your prayers.

21 Apr

April 21, 2010 |

Global Ministries is working through our two partnering organizations, Samaritan’s Purse and CH Global, to provide relief in Haiti. CH Global distributes relief supplies directly to our UB churches and their communities. To date, Global Ministries has received more than $133,000 for Haiti. Of that:

  • $57,000 has been forwarded to Samaritan’s Purse.
  • $40,000 has been forwarded to CH Global.
  • $58,000 is being reserved for reconstruction efforts among our UB churches and members when the opportunity arises.

In addition, three other national conferences have directed contributions to Haiti:

  • Jamaica: $6,000.
  • Honduras: $900.
  • Canada: $10,000.

Two of our churches destroyed during the earthquake need to be rebuilt. However, we’re uncertain as to when we’ll be able to send teams to assist in the construction, since shelter, supplies, and materials are scarce.

19 Apr

April 19, 2010 |

The main dormitory at Malvern Camp (click to enlarge).

In Jamaica, the Malvern Camp’s main dormitory building was condemned last year due to its poor condition.

Over a period of 8-12 weeks, beginning in January 2011, the dorm will be rebuilt. Global Ministries agreed to cooperate with Jamaica Conference in a 50/50 partnership to provide volunteers and finances.

Raymond Johnston of Golden Springs UB in Kingston, Jamaica, will oversee the project, while Scott Hughes of Mainstreet UB in Walbridge, Ohio, will oversee the teams sent from North America.

Watch for more information in the coming months and get your sunscreen ready!

19 Apr

April 19, 2010 |

Beginning in June, Dr. Michael Cook (right) will transition into his role as associate professor for Huntington University’s graduate counseling program. Cook currently serves as director of the graduate ministry program (the pastoral track), which will be phased out at the end of August.

Prior to coming to Huntington, Cook chaired the Christian ministries department at Taylor University Fort Wayne, where he worked for 12 years. He developed the Bachelor of Science degree in counseling program at TUFW and a number of new courses.

Cook is a licensed marriage and family therapist and internationally board certified professional Christian counselor. He served as the counseling pastor at First Missionary Church in Fort Wayne for four years, and has worked in other churches and counseling centers as a clinic director, staff counselor, research consultant, youth pastor, and associate pastor.

“Mike brings a wealth of theological and clinical training and experience to the program,” said Dr. Jerry Davis (right), director of the graduate counseling program. “In addition to teaching some core courses, Mike will head up our nine credit hours in spiritual formation and direction. We are excited to have him on board.”

18 Apr

April 18, 2010 |

Last week, while in Canada, I met with CH Global, one of the organizations with which we are partnering in Haiti. Here is some information from that meeting.

  • Currently we have 60 at-risk children sponsored by UB members. Our goal for 2010 is 200 children
  • Sponsoring a child is the most effective way to make a difference for the child and their family over the long haul.
  • The program being operated by the Sybert UB church currently has 75-100 disabled or developmentally challenged children enrolled in full-day school programs.
  • An after-school program is ready to begin at the Delmas UB church with the potential to have 200 students enrolled.

On May 13-18, I will be in Haiti with Paul Plato (Canadian missions director), Joan Sider, Jeff Gordon (building contractor) and Ed Sider (CEO of CH Global) to assess current needs. We know the church buildings in Cite Soleil, the most affected area of Port Au Prince, need to be rebuilt if our programming is to take place and ministry is to continue.