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17 Oct

October 17, 2025 |

On Friday, October 17, at 3:00 p.m., the Huntington University community will gather to celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Robert Pepper, elected in January 2025, as the University’s 14th president. For the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, which founded Huntington University in 1897, this event represents the continuation of a cherished legacy and the beginning of a new, hope-filled chapter.

The inauguration ceremony will take place at the Merillat Center for the Arts on the Huntington University campus. Bishop Todd Fetters, will speak on behalf of the denomination, offering words of encouragement for the University’s next season of ministry and academic excellence. 

“This University was born from a dream our church held tightly: to create a space where Christ, scholarship, and service come together to shape lives for Kingdom impact,” said Bishop Fetters in an address to Dr. Pepper. “And now, it’s your turn to lead… We believe in you. And, we believe in the God who called you here.”

The ceremony will be streamed live on Huntington University’s YouTube Channel.

Dr. Pepper steps into this role at a pivotal time in the life of both the University and the broader church. As higher education faces new challenges and opportunities, his leadership brings renewed energy and innovative thought to HU’s mission of “impacting the world for Christ through scholarship and service.” 

As the University community gathers to celebrate this historic moment, the UB Church does so with deep gratitude and great expectation. Indeed, this inauguration marks not just a change in leadership—but a renewed commitment to the timeless mission that has guided both the Church and the University for more than a century.

08 Oct

October 8, 2025 |

It is with great joy that we recognize nine individuals who have recently answered God’s call to serve the Church of the United Brethren in Christ as ordained elders. This commitment is a profound step, and we celebrate the spiritual maturity, passion, and commitment these leaders bring to their churches and our denomination.

Six of these individuals (pictured above) were ordained during the Friday morning service at National Conference this summer. That day we celebrated the ordinations of Frank Yang, Colin Raab, Jay Leadley, Tiffany Rhine, Philip Kandeh, and Dawn Sundstrom. Since the conference, three others have been ordained during services held with their local congregations: Jason Carter, Robert Rose, and Aminata Conteh.

Please keep all nine of these ministers in your prayers. We thank God for their willingness to serve and for the gifts they continue to share as they guide, teach, and minister within the body of Christ.

08 Oct

October 8, 2025 |

We’re excited to share a few books recently published by folks right here in our United Brethren family. It’s inspiring to see the diverse gifts God has given us, and I encourage you to check out these titles that span fiction, spiritual encouragement, and history.

           

First up is Sunrise Mountain, a novel by David Kisamore, Senior Pastor at Mill Chapel UB Church in Reedsville, WV. In this young adult fiction novel, David tells the story of a young man’s journey with Jesus in a world of drama and dysfunction.

Next up is Companions in the Darkness: Seven Saints Who Struggled with Depression and Doubt by Diana Gruver. Diana, a board member at Otterbein Church in Greencastle, PA, offers a powerful look at historical figures who wrestled with the very real issues of depression and doubt, reminding us we aren’t alone in our struggles.

Finally, if you want to deepen your understanding of where we come from, pick up Essentials of United Brethren History: 10 Events, 10 Bishops, and 10 Issues You Should Know About by Steve Dennie. In this book, Steve, our former communications director and a dedicated UB historian, has compiled a concise and essential look at the history of the United Brethren in Christ denomination.

If any of these books pique your interest, you can find the links to each of them in the article above. Supporting these authors is a wonderful way to celebrate the talent within our denomination. Happy reading!