(260) 356-2312

UB.orgUBGlobal.orgChurch Search

28 Aug

August 28, 2024 |

We have received word that Ted Doolittle passed away on August 23, 2024 at the age of 67 in the comfort of his home in Toledo, Ohio. Doolittle served for 41 years as a United Brethren minister in six churches including Main Street Church (1980-82), Steubenville Church (1982-86), Oak Harbor Church (1986-94), First UB Findlay (1995-00), Mount Zion (2000-08), and Calvary Community Church (2008-2021). 

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, September 14 at 11 am at Mount Zion UB Church in Wayne, Ohio, with visitation hours on Friday, September 13 from 3 pm to 7 pm and again at 10 am Saturday.

Read more about Ted, his family and his ministry service here in his obituary.

27 Aug

August 27, 2024 |

Reverend Lee Roy Palmer passed away in his home in Carson City, Michigan on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the age of 86. Palmer was a long-time minister in the United Brethren church serving in 4 churches from 1964 to 2011 including Kalamazoo (1964-67), Pleasant Valley (1967-81), Harrison (1983-03), and East Washington (2004-11). He also spent time on the mission field in Sierra Leone from 1981-83.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. at East Washington United Brethren Church in Ashley, Michigan. Additional times of visitation and sharing will take place on Friday, September 6, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. 

You can read more about Lee, his family, his ministry and the service details in his obituary.


16 Aug

August 16, 2024 |

Dr. Sherilyn Emberton will preside over Huntington University as the institution’s 13th president for one final academic year. She recently announced her plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 spring semester.  

Dr. Emberton came to Huntington University in 2013 from East Texas Baptist University where she served as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Under her leadership, Huntington University expanded its reach and academic offerings to two additional campuses in Fort Wayne, Indiana (2014) and Peoria, Arizona (2016). Annual enrollment also increased from approximately 1,100 students in 2013 to 1504 students in 2023. 

Bishop Todd Fetters has worked closely with Dr. Emberton for the last nine years and has developed, not just an ongoing institutional partnership, but a cherished friendship. When asked for comment, he had this to say,

“The Church of the United Brethren in Christ is grateful for Dr. Emberton’s leadership at Huntington University. She has led our denominational college through continual growth and innovation, making it stronger than ever. I admire the way she has led with vision, collaboration, humility and a deep faith. 

I admire the way Sherilyn has always connected to people, especially her love for students. Her pride in them has been abundantly clear. She wants the best for them! And then there is her humble Christian spirit, which is always present. 

Although I’m sad to see Sherilyn leave, I’m grateful for her service to our University and denomination and I’m confident that God has exciting things in store for her.”

You can find the official press release here to learn more about her time at Huntington University.



15 Aug

August 15, 2024 |

College Park Church in Huntington, Indiana has an opening for a Pastor of Student Ministries. The ideal candidate will be a high-capacity and self-directing individual, with a pastoral calling and deep passion for ministry to students and families. This individual will help to foster a team approach to leading the ministries they oversee as well as contribute to the overall leadership and direction of the church.

College Park Church is a congregation of approximately 275 people and sits on the edge of the campus of Huntington University. Their mission is to reach, teach and equip families to passionately follow Jesus.

To learn more about the church and read a more detailed job description, click here.

06 Aug

August 6, 2024 |
Byron Center, Michigan
Banner Church is a multi-generational, family-oriented congregation located just south of Grand Rapids, Michigan. One of the primary goals of Banner Church is to be an equipping and sending church. Throughout its history, Banner has seen a number of individuals go into vocational ministry, both at home and abroad. Moving forward, we want to double down on that commitment by creating avenues for believers to find their God-given gifts, connecting them with opportunities to use those gifts, equipping them for effective ministry, then unleashing them for Kingdom impact.

Banner Church is seeking a passionate developer to lead our Youth & Worship ministries. Rather than a professional that can do it all themselves, we want someone who is willing to take what they know and pass it on. If this sounds like you, please check out the following role description or email byron@bannerchurch.org.

23 Jul

July 23, 2024 |

Many of you are likely familiar with the film Wayfaring Stranger that was written and directed by Matt Webb and produced by Lance Clark and Matt Webb in conjunction with Forester Films and Huntington University. This movie is the inspiring true story of a United Brethren pastor and his family who set out to build a new UB church in 1970s rural Michigan. Along the way, they face challenges that threaten to unravel everything when an afflicted carpenter becomes their unlikely source of hope, proving that faith in God is the true path to redemption, even in the most tragic circumstances.

The title of this film has since been changed to A Carpenter’s Prayer, and it is soon being released to a limited number of theaters nationwide. So far, the distributors have secured 40 theaters and hope to get it up to 200 in the next few weeks. We are sharing this information with you now because you have an opportunity to bring this movie to a theater near you by visiting their website and expressing interest. Just follow the instructions below within the next week, as the next few days are crucial to determining interest in order to secure theater locations. And even if you opt not to fill out the theater demand form, you can watch the movie trailer and read more about this film on their website.

And be looking for A Carpenter’s Prayer to perhaps be coming to a theater near you beginning in September 2024!

19 Jul

July 19, 2024 |

Fowlerville United Brethren Church seeks to hire a full time Student Ministry Pastor to provide vision and leadership for junior high and high school ministries. The student ministry pastor will be resposibile for leading teams to engage with students in discipling relationships to promote spiritual growth. In addition to having a spiritually vibrant relationship with Jesus, ideal candidates will have a minimum of 5 years in youth/student ministries, a working understanding of technology in ministry, and good verbal and written communication skills.

The student ministry pastor will also serve on the staff leadership team to collaboratively lead the church staff, coordinate worship services, and provide pastoral care for the congregation.

A more complete job description can be found here.

If you are interested in this role, please contact Josh Willard.

01 Jul

July 1, 2024 |

The United Brethren National Office is pleased to welcome Stacie Betterly to the team. She joined us on Monday, June 24, 2024, in her new role as finance assistant and will be working closely with Marci Hammel. Before joining our team, Stacie was the Assistant to the Registrar at Huntington University and served as a teller at Bippus State Bank. Stacie and her husband, Aaron, live in their hometown of Huntington, Indiana along with their son, Colin (23), and daughter Morgan (18). 

If you get a chance to connect with Stacie, here are a few fun facts you should know about her:

Favorite pastime: Camping and cross-stitching
Favorite place to visit: Antique malls with her husband
Favorite candy: Hershey’s chocolate kisses and cherry Starbursts
Favorite book/movie/TV series: Movies based on Jane Austin books

 

18 Jun

June 18, 2024 |

Orrstown United Brethren Church, located in the beautiful rural community of Orrstown, Pennsylvania, is searching for their next senior pastor who will lead them in their mission “to walk with God and make disciples for Christ.” This person will be a compassionate leader who desires to connect with members of the church and the local community. They will be an effective communicator, always encouraging people to relate their faith to their daily lives.

Orrstown UB is a church of 75 members and an average worship service attendance of approximately 35 people. Situated in a town of 2,400 people, there is room to grow and great potential to do so. There is a strong core of lay leadership at Orrstown UB who are engaged in leading worship services, Sunday school classes, and hospitality ministries. They have cultivated a friendly environment and they are ready to welcome their next pastor.

The senior pastor role is a full time position at Orrstown. If you are interested in exploring this opportunity further, please send a copy of your resume, a cover letter, and a recent photo to bishop@ub.org.

24 May

May 24, 2024 |

Idaville Church of the United Brethren in Christ is a rural congregation located in south central Pennsylvania and is searching for their next senior pastor. This person will be an effective communicator who is committed to evangelism. They will be responsible for helping to create vision, building a sense of fellowship in the congregation and helping people develop their spiritual life.

Idaville is a church of approximately 100 people and is poised for growth. While the children and youth activities have seen a dip in attendance in recent years, there are a number of young families who are beginning to attend. It is a church characterized by its prayerful people, its focus on mission, and the way the people care for one another. These strengths, among others, have laid a solid foundation for the growth they seek.

If this sounds like something for which God has been preparing you, please send a copy of your resume, a cover letter, and a current photo to bishop@ub.org.