31 May Conference Update: 692 Registrations
We’re on the verge of passing the 700 mark in registrations for this summer’s US National Conference. We’re at 692 registrations, of which 128 are children and youth.
29 May General Conference Begins in Ontario
Brian Magnus opening the General Conference meeting.
Bishops John Pessima (Sierra Leone, left) and Isaac Nugent (Jamaica).
The General Conference delegates.
The 2013 General Conference got underway at 9 am Wednesday, May 29, at Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario. General Conference is an international meeting held every three years. Each national conference can send two delegates.
Seven of the ten national conferences are represented.
- United States (Bishop Phil Whipple and Jeff Bleijerveld are the delegates).
- Canada (Bishop Brian Magnus and Paul Plato, a layperson, are the delegates).
- Jamaica (Bishop Isaac Nugent and Pastor Winston Smith)
- Honduras (Superintendent Juanita Chavez and Ms. Iveth Raudales)
- Hong Kong (Superintendent Yiu Kin Keung and Mr. Daniel Ko).
- Sierra Leone (Bishop John Pessima).
- Mexico (Bishop Denis Casco).
Bishop Brian Magnus of Canada, chairman of the 51st General Conference
Three national conferences are not attending: Nicaragua, the Guatemala, and the Philippines.
Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, is serving as secretary.
Two persons representing mission districts are also attending. A mission district consists of UB churches in a country which have not yet organized as a national conference, and are under the supervision of an existing national conference. We have mission districts in Haiti, India, Germany, Thailand, Macau, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. Attending are:
- Rev. Gonzalo Alas, a Honduras pastor now serving in El Salvador and overseeing the churches there.
- Rev. Oliam Richard, superintendent of the UB churches in Haiti. He won’t arrive until Wednesday night (a plane crash at the Port Au Prince airport in Haiti threw everything off and caused his delay).
Rev. Alas’s visa was initially rejected by the Canadian embassy, but Brian Magnus’s Parliamentary representative stepped in and got him cleared. The delegates from Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Costa Rica were not so fortunate–either they were denied entry visas, or they started the process too late.
Bishop Brian Magnus of Canada is chairman of the international executive committee, a position to which he was elected in 2001 when the United Brethren denomination first reorganized with an international structure. He is chairing the General Conference, as he did in 2005 (in Huntington, Ind.) and in 2010 (in Honduras).
Magnus began the meeting with a devotional on “Growing Spiritually in Life.” He addressed leadership issues such as responsibility, finances, difficult relationships,
The General Conference meetings last Wednesday through Friday. However, most persons will be in Canada through Sunday. Here’s what the schedule looks like:
Mornings: business sessions of the General Conference.
Afternoons: an excursion of some kind (Thursday is Niagara Falls).
Evenings: a service in one of the Canadian UB churches.
Saturday: a big missions conference for the UB churches in Canada.
Sunday: delegates will be dispersed to speak in various Canadian UB churches.
The business session agenda for the three days looks like this:
- National conference reports and updates (15-20 minutes per country).
- National conference mission efforts reports (outreach efforts within and outside of their own borders).
- Approval of any changes made to national conference governing document. This is mostly an accountability check to make sure national conferences haven’t taken actions which might violate the international Confession of Faith, Core Values, Constitution, and By-Laws.
- Miscellaneous issues.
26 May The Story of Jill Van Deusen
Jill Van Deusen
Jill Van Deusen, 70, a former missionary in Sierra Leone, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at the University of Toledo Medical Center.
Jill, a native of Hillsdale, Mich., served as a teacher in Sierra Leone for nine years. After returning from Sierra Leone, Jill worked two years in Washington DC with Angel Tree Prison Fellowship, and then moved to Archbold, Ohio, where she taught school at Four County Career Center, near Archbold, and also worked at the Archbold Library. She was a member of the Archbold Evangelical Church.
Jill Van Deusen almost died in Africa, back in August 1979. Here is that story.
Steve Dennie, Communications Director
On Tuesday afternoon, August 21, 1979, Jill Van Deusen told Dr. Ron Baker that she had experienced weakness in her right hand since that morning. The next morning, Jill couldn’t get out of bed; she was almost completely paralyzed.
The quick paralysis shocked Dr. Baker, and he wondered what they could do in a minimally equipped bush hospital. How would they keep her breathing if her respiratory muscles became paralyzed? If they tried to evacuate her from the country, could she survive the trip? He consulted, by radio, doctors in Freetown and at the Wesleyan hospital at Kamakwie, and a doctor from the Catholic hospital in Serabu came to Mattru. They all agreed that Jill probably had Guillain-Barre Syndrom, a rare disease of the spinal cord, and that she needed to leave for Freetown right away.
All the missionaries pitched in. Judy Hoath ran the outpatient clinic. Sharon Frank took the Catholic doctor back to Serabu. Sharon Birdsall gathered the necessary drugs and medical equipment. Dennis Burkholder and Scott Taylor ran lab tests on Jill. Tina Wilkins helped care for Jill. Phil Fiedler made last-minute mechanical repairs on the hospital van for the trip. Cathy Jordan packed Jill’s things, and Jane Baker packed for Ron. Throughout the day, many Africans came to show their concern.
They removed the middle seat from the hospital van to accommodate a stretcher. Then, after a prayer time, Dr. Baker and Sharon Birdsall, along with an African driver, began the long journey to Freetown. Cathy Jordan and another African, Joseph Jaiah, followed behind in a Suzuki jeep. The bumpy dirt road jostled the stretcher, so they stopped several times to readjust it.
After two-and-a-half hours, they arrived in Bumpe, where Jerry Datema and June Brown were waiting. June Brown brought another blanket, Jerry Datema offered a prayer, and they continued the remaining 150 miles to Freetown. They arrived at Connaught Government Hospital in Freetown at 1:30 Thursday morning. Jill was doing well, but was glad the trip was over.
The paralysis didn’t spread much that night. “As always, Jill was courageous and calm, a quality that gave strength to all of us,” Dr. Baker later wrote in the November 1979 United Brethren magazine. “Her attitude in the face of near death and almost total paralysis revealed an underlying faith that we will never forget.” (more…)
23 May G. Blair Dowden: Exit Interview
Communications Director Steve Dennie conducted an “exit interview” with Dr. G. Blair Dowden, who at the end of May 2013 concludes 22 years as Huntington University president. Dr. Dowden responded to questions about his early years at HU, student life, changes in the world of academia, the denomination, and his successor, Dr. Sherilyn Emberton. The interview was sent out as an edition of the Connect e-letter. You can also read it online here.
21 May National Conference: Headed Toward 700
Registrations have now climbed to 658, including 120 children and youth.
Some new information is available on the conference website (UB2013.org). It includes:
- Schedule. The schedule has been updated with youth activities and other events. One addition: a luncheon on Friday for retired UB ministers, spouses, and widows.
- Teen Track. We currently have 34 teens signed up for the teen track, which Huntington University will lead. It includes a pizza party on the opening night, a full day of fun on Thursday, and two workshops on Friday morning.
- Floorplan. The floorplan of the Grand Wayne Center has been published, with the locations for various events mapped out–workshops, children and nursery, women’s track, youth room, exhibits, business and main sessions, etc.
- Workshops. Nearly all of the Friday morning workshops have been posted.
21 May Another School Year Ends at Huntington U
Dr. G. Blair Dowden and wife Chris walking in their last HU Commencement.
At HU Commencement.
2013 Nursing graduates
Huntington University honored 317 graduates and four honorary degree recipients on Saturday, May 18, during Commencement ceremonies. The degrees included:
- 23 Master of Arts degrees.
- 11 Master of Education degrees.
- 72 Bachelor of Arts degrees.
- 1 Bachelor of Music degree.
- 171 Bachelor of Science degrees.
- 21 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.
- 11 Bachelor of Social Work degrees.
- 2 Associate of Arts.
- 9 Associate of Science degrees.
Commencement speaker Mike Packnett, Parkview Health president and CEO, challenged students to use “Your Secret Weapon” by having the mind of Christ in all things.
Four individuals were also awarded honorary doctorates.
- An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters was awarded to commencement speaker Packnett.
- An honorary Doctor of Commercial Science was presented to Dale Haupert, a 25-year HU Board of Trustees member.
- An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters was presented to Dr. Emmett Lippe, an 18-year board member.
- An honorary Doctor of Commercial Science was presented to Edward Souers, past president of the board and a 15-year board member.
-
- 2013 HU Grads
-
- Dr. Dave Rahn (standing in back) with recipients of the Masters in Youth Ministry Leadership.
-
- Pinning ceremony for the nursing graduates.
-
- Recipients of the Master of Education degree.
-
- Recipients of the Masters in Counseling.
-
- 2013 graduates in counseling.
-
- Commissioning service for counseling grads.
20 May Dr. G. Blair Dowden: Exit Interview
Dr. G. Blair and Chris Dowden walking in their final Huntington University Commencement on May 18, 2013.
by Steve Dennie (left), Communications Director
Dr. G. Blair Dowden is retiring at the end of May 2013 after 22 years as president of Huntington University. It’s been a great run. Under his leadership, enrollment has doubled and the endowment has tripled. A number of buildings have been renovated or built from scratch. Exciting programs have been launched, including Digital Media Arts, Nursing, and several master’s programs. There is a branch campus in Fort Wayne, and an upcoming one in Peoria, Ariz. Huntington’s stature as a quality institution has soared.
Dr. Dowden has led the university far, and has led it well. In the process, our denominational college has remained solidly evangelical. I’ve noticed over the years that people scrutinize Christian colleges for signs of “going liberal.” I have no concerns about that with Huntington. A university, with its emphasis on academic freedom and investigating the full range of ideas and theories (and satisfying accreditation needs), will inevitably encounter tension living in partnership with a church organization that values absolute truth. But Dr. Dowden has served the needs of both the college and the denomination with integrity and the best of intentions, and from a heart devoted to Jesus Christ.
We have been privileged to have Dr. Dowden, and his wife Chris, leading our college for all of these years.
On May 15, I sat down with Dr. Dowden for an exit interview of sorts.
What is in the immediate future for you and Chris?
We were given good advice to take a sabbatical. We’ll spend six months at our lake cottage in Indiana, and do some traveling. We’re going to the Holy Land in October with Denny Miller, and will probably do some other traveling. We’re thinking of taking two weeks on Route 66 and see where it leads. We’ve rented a place in Venice, Fla., for three months, starting in mid-January of 2014.
And then it’s a matter of discerning where God can use our experience and gifts. I’ve received some inquiries about various things, but I respond, “Why don’t you contact me in December, and then we can talk.” So that’s where we’re headed.
Bishop C. Ray Miller (left) conducting the inauguration of Dr. Dowden in 1991 (kneeling, with wife Chris).
You followed Dr. Eugene Habecker, a very successful president who transformed the college. Did following in those footsteps intimidate you?
It was intimidating to some extent, knowing how successful Eugene was. He was a very good president, and he really changed the course of Huntington, as did the contributions of Orville and Ruth Merillat. I was fortunate to inherit all of that. But it was a little scary to think I’m following a very successful leader.
I knew Gene Habecker before I became president. He actually contacted me and asked me to consider coming. The year before, Gene came to Houghton College, where I had been serving, and did a presentation on the future of higher education. I was part of a faculty panel that responded to his address. Little did I know that he would call me and suggest I apply.
What interactions did you have with your predecessors?
Gene was a fantastic former president, and a great encouragement to me. One of the best practices for a former president is to get away. Gene and Mary Lou were that way. He sent me notes of congratulations, and was always there if I had questions or needed something, but he was never intrusive. He did not hold on to relationships. When he came back to campus, he always called first to let me know he was here. He has been a good friend over the years.
Dewitt and Evelyn Baker were super. When I first came, Dewitt was president emeritus, and he was still involved in contacting alumni. He contacted alumni in Florida during the winter and generated a large group, 70-100, for gatherings there. DeWitt always had a kind word, never a criticism. Since his death in 2000, Evelyn has been so gracious and kind.
I’m sure you came to Huntington with certain priorities and agendas. Were you able to stick to them, or did you get distracted into other urgent needs?
17 May National Conference: Hyatt Place Taking Reservations
The two main hotels for this summer’s US National Conference, the Hilton and Courtyard by Marriott, are mostly filled up. But we just (as of May 16) secured a block of rooms at the Hyatt Place. It’s nice hotel located 4.6 miles (13 minutes) from the Grand Wayne Center, our meeting place.
Cost: $102 per night.
This rate is good for June 26-30, 2013.
You can register in two ways:
Call 800-833-1516. Mention the code “G-CHUR”
Go online at: fortwayne.place.hyatt.com. In the box “corporate/group #,” type “G-CHUR”
16 May 23 Baptisms at Banner Church!
A crowded sanctuary at Banner of Christ for the baptisms on May 5.
Pastor Mike Caley (right) performing one of the day’s 23 baptisms.
J. Michael Caley, senior pastor, Banner of Christ Church (Byron Center, Mich.)
This past 7 months, Banner of Christ Church walked as a congregation through a unique experience using “The Story” by Randy Frazee and Max Lucado. We started in October and built the schedule to hit Passion week with the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The teaching covers 31 lessons of overview through the Old and New Testament account of God’s Upper story plan and how he set out to reconnect with us in our lower story.
It was a full church involvement from the youngest kids through every level of adults. All small groups and Sunday school classes followed along, so the message teaching was a reinforcement or expansion on their group discussion. We wondered if everyone would stay with it for the entire 7 months…and they did!
Throughout the Story, we gave opportunity for new commitments to Christ or for recommitments as people began to see God’s whole story unfold in rich details. Over the past three months we had 7 individuals make those professions of faith. On May 5 we culminated our Story experience with a baptism day.
Twenty-three individuals, ages 9 to 80, were baptized in the service!
It was a record day with 265 people in attendance, including many guests who were invited to witness their friends or family members celebrate their new life in Christ. Each had recorded a video testimony that was played as they stepped into the tank.
15 May Obit: Death of Ruth Snider
Charlie and Ruth Snider on her 90th birthday.
Ruth Snider, an ordained UB minister and former UB pastor and mission executive from Toronto, passed away on Tuesday, May 14. She was 93. Ruth had successful hip surgery a little over a week ago and was coming along very well.
Ruth’s full life included pastoring UB churches in Ontario, membership on the denominational Board of Missions, serving as president of the Women’s Missionary Association, and working as director of Food for the Hungry Canada.
Visitation time: Friday, May 17, 2-4pm and 6-8 pm
Funeral time: 1 pm Saturday, May 18
Visitation and funeral location: McDougall & Brown Funeral Home – Eglinton Chapel, 1812 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 2H6
Funeral details are also on the funeral home’s website.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Charlie. They celebrated their 70th anniversary in August 2012. They knew each other as children, and were married in 1942 just two weeks before he went off to serve in the military. Charlie’s address is:
Charlie Snider
Lakeshore Lodge
Rm. 411 – 3197 Lakeshore Blvd. W.,
Toronto, Ontario M8V 3X5
Joan Sider, from the UB church in Toronto, writes, “Thanks for your prayers for the entire family. Stan [son] says everyone is doing well, and because of Ruth’s recent surgery, everyone had been in to see her in recent days, including some cousins from a distance away. Please continue to pray for God’s comfort and strength for each one.”