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03 Oct

October 3, 2019 |

You’re invited and encouraged to attend the first “Idea to Action” symposium at Huntington University. It is sponsored by both Huntington University and the denomination.

Date: Monday, October 28, 2019
Time: 9:30 am to 2 pm
Subject: Special Needs Ministry

You can register using this link.

The symposium is free for United Brethren pastors, staff, and members. Huntington University undergraduate and graduate ministry students are also free to attend. Others who wish to join are welcome but will be charged a fee of $125. If attending the live event, an optional lunch is available for a cost of $15.

Keynote speakers include:

  • Dr. Kent Eiler will share his expertise from an academic perspective.
  • Pastor Mike Elkins and Dennis Myers will share how their special needs ministry at New Hope Community Church in Bryan, Ohio, is working to meet the needs of families in their community.
  • Kimi Archer, with Joni and Friends, will share resources that are available to churches and ministries, and give ideas to help support the local church in serving and being the church to families with special needs.

Learn more about the Idea to Action series here.

25 Sep

September 25, 2019 |

Abdul Mustapha

by Michelle Harris, Associate Director of UB Global

Abdul Karim Mustapha is the Administrator of UB Mattru Hospital and of UBC Hospital Enterprises. He talked recently about his story with Michelle Harris, associate director of UB Global.

Sierra Leone United Brethren in Christ

Abdul grew up in a Muslim family and began studies at Bumpe UB school in 1980. There he became friends with many believing students and started following them to church. One year at the church’s New Year’s Celebration, his friend James Barnett stood, and instead of giving his own testimony, presented Abdul as his gift, calling him up to the altar. Initially, Abdul didn’t know if he was joking, but he went to the altar, where John Jusu (current dean of Education and Social Sciences at African International University) prayed and Abdul gave his life to Jesus.

UB missionaries June Brown and Shirley Fritz served at Bumpe during those years. Abdul attended weekly evening Bible classes with them and worked through monthly Bible correspondence classes.

Currently, Abdul serves in leadership in the Sierra Leone Conference as an Executive Member of the UB Masters International Conference and is a member of Kissy UB Church in Freetown.

Family

Abdul met Hawanatu Mary when she was doing an internship in the company he worked for. They married and have two children: Gloria, who is fifteen years old, and Natacha, who is 12. Both are doing well in school.

Abdul’s family has stayed in Freetown as he works in Mattru. Abdul takes long weekends in Freetown, and Hawanatu comes for longer stays in Mattru.

The Work in Mattru

Abdul was working at another job when he heard of the urgent need for a business manager for the solar and water project. His previous experience in logistics and administration led to his applying and being hired by the conference.

As business manager, he has brought order and clear direction to the projects. The solar and water projects not only provide electricity and clean water, but are a source of regular income to support hospital salaries. Thanks to a gift from the Huntington Rotary (Huntington, Ind.), 60 customers are now metered. The next steps of care and expansion for the system will involve a back-up generator to produce cash flow and dependable electricity during the rainy season, and additional meters for larger customers.

In May of 2019, Pamela McKee, who served as hospital administrator, needed to leave earlier than expected to receive medical attention in the US. Abdul stepped in to help, much as he did in 2018 when the need for a business manager was urgent. Pamela recuperated and traveled to Mattru in August to pass the baton, pack up, and celebrate with hospital staff her time there before returning to a new position in Ohio. God has been faithful in opening a door for her to travel twice a year to the hospital to continue her work of training and encouraging staff.

Abdul is taking his time to understand the hospital staff and learn the situation of the hospital. He likes the job. He says, “Let us all work together. We need prayers for all who are working, that we will be as one. When we have a problem, in good faith, that we will find a solution together.”

Abdul asks for prayers for unity for the staff.

We are thankful for Abdul and the many others who serve at Mattru Hospital.

19 Sep

September 19, 2019 |

As you examine health insurance plans for your church staff, you might want to consider three plans offered through the United Brethren Association for Church Development, based at Rhodes Grove Camp in Chambersburg, Pa. This is our denomination’s voluntary insurance program. About 35 UB people, including the staff of the UB National Office in Indiana, are enrolled in the plan.

The UB Association offers three programs with Capital Blue Cross. The policies are effective December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020. Open enrollment for new subscribers is during the month of October.

Please visit our website for more information.

Also, feel free to contact the office with any questions about open enrollment or eligibility.

16 Sep

September 16, 2019 |

Rev. Milan and Margaret Maybee

Rev. Milan Maybee, 86, a longtime United Brethren minister, passed away September 14, 2019.

Visitation: 4-8 pm Friday, September 20, 2019
Funeral: 11 am Saturday, September 21, 2019.
Visitation and funeral location: Heart O’ the Lakes UB church, 7301 Jefferson Road, Brooklyn, MI 49230.

Rev. Maybee pastored three United Brethren churches in Michigan. He served two years at the church in Caledonia (1958-1960), followed by 12 years at the Eden church in Mason (1960-1972). He was ordained in 1968.

In 1972, Rev. Maybee started the Heart O’ the Lakes church in Brooklyn, and remained its pastor until 1991. He was then elected fulltime superintendent of Michigan Conference, and served in that role until 1998.

Margaret, to whom he was married for 65 years, passed away July 26, 2019.

For more information, view the listing on the funeral home site.

16 Sep

September 16, 2019 |

Rev. Milan Maybee, a longtime United Brethren pastor and fulltime superintendent in Michigan, passed away September 14, 2019. Visitation and funeral information will be posted when available.

10 Sep

September 10, 2019 |

Stephen Clymer was appointed senior pastor of Victory Chapel (Liberty Center, Ohio) on August 4, 2019. He replaced Don Ross, who retired after serving as senior pastor of Victory Chapel since 2009. Clymer graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1982 with a degree in Bible/Theology, and received a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries in 2002 from the Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1982, including 1991-2000 as pastor of the former Harvest Lane UB church (Toledo, Ohio), and two previous stints at Victory Chapel: 2001-2005 and 2007-2009.

Dr. Jody Fleming was appointed senior pastor of Strinestown UB church (Strinestown, Pa.), effective September 8, 2019. She holds a Master of Divinity from Evangelical Seminary (Myerstown, Pa.), and a Ph.D. in Theological Studies/Global Christianity from Regent University School of Divinity. She takes the place of Rev. Dawn Spangler, who had pastored the church since 2012.

10 Sep

September 10, 2019 |

Alan DeCristoforo, an ordained United Brethren minister, passed away September 9, 2019. He was the former senior pastor of Highland Heights UB church, and later Pastor of Spiritual Care at First UB Church; both churches are located in New Castle, Pa).

Viewing: 4-6pm Thursday, September 11, and 9:30-10:30 am Thursday, September 12.
Funeral: 11am Thursday, September 12.
Viewing and Funeral Location: First UB Church, 1900 Eastbrook Road, New Castle, PA 16101,

03 Sep

September 3, 2019 |

Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center (Chambersburg, Pa.) is seeking an Executive Director for the camp. RGC is in covenant with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and has a long history of partnership and ministry with the denomination. Those interested in the position can email RGC Board Chair Keith Elliott at criderspastor@comcast.net. To find out more about the camp, go to rhodesgrove.com. We will be receiving resumes through October 3, 2019.

Position Description
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide overall creative vision and empowering leadership for the operations, promotion, and fundraising of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center. This position will lead a full-time, part-time, seasonal and volunteer staff necessary to fulfill the mission of Rhodes Grove. The Executive Director will empower and encourage the creation, development, and ongoing effectiveness of all programs and activities. All functions will be performed within the stated mission and core values of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center.

Strategic Vision and Direction

  • Works with the Board to prepare a long-range vision and strategic plan for Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center. The strategic plan includes programming, human resources, facility, financial and fundraising. Thus, the Executive Director serves as an ex-officio member of all Board committees.
  • Reports regularly to the Board the progress toward and measurement of organizational objectives, financial status of the organization and other issues of concern.

Operational Leadership and Administration

  • Develops an annual operating plan, consistent with the Rhodes Grove mission, strategic plan goals, objectives, and approved budget.
  • Provides fiscal responsibility of the camp stewardship.
  • Develops and fosters a cooperative and cohesive team environment.
  • Serves as an effective coach and mentor for the Ministry Director and the Operations Director.
  • Initiates and prepares the development of organizational policies for Board approval.
  • Oversees the overall staffing structures and processes having final authority in hiring and firing.
  • Provides written and verbal reports related to finances, facilities, programming, and so forth at scheduled Board meetings or as needed.

Promotion and Development

  • Serves as a key communicator of the mission of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center to various constituencies and stakeholders including individuals, churches, local organizations, local government, and other organizations.
  • Serves as a liaison between Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center and all regulatory bodies and accrediting agencies.
  • Develops, modifies and implements Rhodes Grove’s overall marketing and camper/conference retention plans consistent with approved policies and standards.
  • Takes leadership in developing and implementing Rhodes Grove’s annual fundraising plans by initiating and maintaining positive relations with donors and supportive community organizations and churches.

Position Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Camping and Recreation or related field preferred; or equivalent education and work experience.
  • Minimum of five years’ experience in a related organization working at the Director level. Must have supervisory experience along with programmatic and budgetary planning and control.
  • Experience in resource development and fundraising is preferred.
  • Must have advanced computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
  • Must possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with staff members, Advisory Board members, regulatory agencies, donors, conference leaders, and campers of all ages.
  • Possess a passion for God’s Word and prayer.
  • Must be in agreement with Rhodes Grove’s mission, core values, and Christian beliefs.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Must pass and maintain Criminal Background Checks and Child Abuse Clearances.

31 Aug

August 31, 2019 |

Faith UB church in Port Orange, Fla., is boarded up in preparation for the hurricane.

Faith UB church in Port Orange, Fla., is all boarded up as they await the arrival of Hurricane Dorian, which is expected to hit the Port Orange/Daytona area on Tuesday. First UB church of Holly Hill, located just up the road, will be making similar preparations. Pray for Pastor Josh McKeown and the Faith UB congregation, and for his father, Pastor Chuck McKeown, and the congregation at First UB.

28 Aug

August 28, 2019 |

Evan Towne

Evan T. Towne, 94, a former United Brethren missionary in Sierra Leone, passed away August 26, 2019, at his residence in Van Buren, Ind. He was the son of Rev. Jerry and Nella Town, who pastored UB churches in California, Ontario, and North Ohio Conference (which spanned southern Michigan, northern Indiana, and northwest Ohio).

Visitation :: 5-8 pm on Friday, August 30, 2019.
Funeral: 11:00 am on Saturday, August 31, 2019. Visitation one hour beforehand.
Visitation and funeral location: Myers Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, Ind. 46750.

Evan graduated from high school in Huntington, Ind., in 1946. After a tour of service as a sergeant with the US Army Corp, he attended Huntington University and went on to earn a masters in education from Ball State University.

He and his family served two terms in Sierra Leone. Their first term, 1953-1956, was spent at the boys home in Ggangbaia. Their first child, Linda Gail, was born there. Back in the States, another daughter was born, Leora Komeh. During their second term, 1964-1967, Evan started an Industrial Arts department at Centennial High School in Mattru.

For 27 years, Evan taught junior high industrial arts in Huntington County. He retired in 1989. He was a member of College Park UB church in Huntington, where he taught Sunday school and served in leadership.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, and daughters Linda Schweikhardt and Komeh Zilka.

Memorial donations should be made out to United Brethren Missions in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.

Complete obituary information is located here.