Dave Jackson at a Christian Endeavor Convention in Germany

Dave Jackson at a Christian Endeavor Convention in Germany

Dave is known for his work with youth over the years:

  • Leader of the “Children of Faith” group at College Park UB in Huntington, Ind.
  • Denominational Youth Director 1966-1973, and led the UB youth conventions.
  • Executive Director of Christian Endeavor International 1979-1998.
  • Executive Director of World’s Christian Endeavor Union 1984-2006.

In addition, Dave worked as Dean of Men at Huntington University (1963-1966) and as Office Administrator/Treasurer for the denomination (1973-1979).

Two Healthy Ministry Resources wayfarers are returning to Huntington, Ind., today.

  • Bishop Phil Whipple flies out of Phoenix this morning after several days in Fountain Hills, Ariz.
  • Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries, flies back after six days in Mexico.

Marc StephensonTwo new persons have joined the denominational Youth Ministry Team:

  • Marc Stephenson (left), Minister of Youth at Cochranton Community Church (Cochranton, Pa.).
  • Mark Vincenti, Associate Pastor of Student Ministries at King Street Church (Chambersburg, Pa.).

They replace Roger Vezeau and Brian Kramer, who served on the youth team during the past four years.

A group of six persons from Mount Pleasant UB (Chambersburg, Pa.) will fly to Mexico tomorrow, December 9. Youth pastor Bobby Culler, his wife, and four other persons will meet up with Bishop Denis Casco of the Mexico National Conference. They are looking for a UB church with which to partner. Mount Pleasant has partnered with one UB church in Mexico for the past five years, but has released those reigns and are looking for a different church.

Judy Fortner, Pastor Greg Voight, and all the shoeboxes

Judy Fortner, Pastor Greg Voight, and all the shoeboxes.

LoadedVan_500

L-r: Pastor Greg Voight with Joe Crawford and John Fortner and the loaded SUV.

Lancaster UB pastor Greg Voight will be wearing his Sunday best, at least during December.

In October, the local WMF president, Judy Fortner, decided to make Operation Christmas Child a high priority. She challenged the congregation to donate 75 shoeboxes for the Franklin Graham organization, Samaritan’s Purse.

Not to be outdone, Pastor Greg Voight opened up his rather considerable mouth and challenged the congregation to double it…150 boxes. In fact, he made a friendly bet with the congregation that if they could do 150 boxes, he would wear a suit and tie every Sunday in December.  If the congregation fell short, they would have to sit up front for the whole month.

Shoeboxes began to pour in. The eventual Grand Total: 185 boxes for kids around the world (including enough postage in a special offering to cover all the shipping). As a result, Pastor Greg got his best duds ready and God is reaching around the world through one local church.

“Our people really rallied around the challenge of putting their faith into action in a real and tangible way,” says Pastor Voight. “As so often happens with God, we have been blessed far more than the blessing we’re sending. It started a renewal and a sense of joy and purpose that is amazing. Praise God!”

Jacob_Hatfield150A teen from Mainstreet Church (Walbridge, Ohio) has been missing since last night.

Jacob Hatfield, 15, was last seen at the church on Sunday night, December 6, around 8:30 p.m. He is the nephew of Tim Sherman, the church’s NextGen pastor. Jacob was wearing a black Coca-Cola stocking cap, a black pullover sweatshirt, a black winter coat, and bluejeans. And he had an iPod.

Anyone with information should call the Lake Township police at 419-666-5500, or the Wood County Sheriff at 419-354-9001.

We are mentioning it here so that UB people across the denomination can be praying for Jacob’s safe return.

UPDATE (9:30 pm Dec. 7): We just received word that Jacob has been found, safe and well. He was found by city police at 7:30 Monday night in Walbridge after a community-wide search by 30-40 volunteers. No other details.

The Hatfield family would like to express their extreme gratitude for your prayers, kindness, and help during the past 24 hours. An additional thanks to the mass of volunteers who were able to gather in support of the family and conduct a foot search for Jacob, to the many police and fire personnel who helped find Jacob, and to the media and other local churches who helped get the word out.

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Phl Whipple speaking to UB students visiting Huntington University

This morning (Friday, Dec. 4), Bishop Phil Whipple spoke briefly to a group of youth from United Brethren churches who were visiting Huntington University. They met in the Longaker Recital Hall in the Merillat Centre for the Arts. The students had come for the Toby Mac Winter Wonder Slam concert, held the night before at Huntington University. They represented these churches:

  • Cochranton Community (Cochranton, Pa.)
  • Pathway Community (Jackson, Mich.)
  • Jerusalem Chapel (Churchville, Va.)
  • Fowlerville UB (Fowlervile, Mich.)
  • Banner of Christ (Byron Center, Mich.)
  • Bethel UB (Elmore, Ohio)

Construction on the Delmas Church and Conference Center in Haiti

United Brethren people in Haiti have been working hard on a new church in Delmas. This facility will also serve as a national conference center. The property, located on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, was purchased by the Haitian church. The building is being constructed through the efforts of church members and local contractors using gifts from Canada and the United States. A team from the UB churches in Canada will travel to Haiti to help with the construction.

On December 13, the Delmas church will celebrate its third anniversary. While the project continues, the local church is increasing in attendance and has been baptizing people.

Last spring, we contributed $8000 through our Self-Denial Offerings. However, an additional push is needed to complete the building before the rainy season comes. Pastor Oliam Richard has been under pressure by the municipality to complete the project. Any assistance toward the total amount needed would be appreciated.