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Last Thursday, Dec. 3, Bishop Phil Whipple was a guest on the popular Mid-Morning show on WBCL, a Christian radio station in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was joined by two Huntington University graduate school professors, Mike Cook and Jerry Davis, along with another Fort Wayne pastor. The topic: “Healthy Church, Healthy Pastor.”
In March 2010, Huntington University’s EXCEL Adult Degree Programs will begin offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) for registered nurses.
Classes will be held on Thursdays from 6 to 10 p.m. on the university’s main campus.
The RN to BSN program seeks to build on the experience and education nurses already have gained in the field, and to teach nursing theory, leadership, and care through a Christian lens.
Students will complete the nursing core in less than two years. The program consists of 17 courses comprising 49 credit hours. These courses include Bible and writing as well as nursing courses such as research, ethics, and current issues in nursing. 
Transcripts from previous educational institutions will determine the amount of transferable coursework and the courses needed for graduation.
“Our program is designed for adult learners who work and have family responsibilities,” said Diana Shenefield (right), an R.N. and instructor in nursing.
She added that the university’s smaller size allows for a more student-centered approach to learning.
“Students have more of an opportunity to speak out in class,” Shenefield said. “They can ask questions as well as engage the professor in dialogue in and outside of class.”
Dave Jackson at a Christian Endeavor Convention in Germany
Dave is known for his work with youth over the years:
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.
Two new persons have joined the denominational Youth Ministry Team:
They replace Roger Vezeau and Brian Kramer, who served on the youth team during the past four years.
We received word that Thelma Sommers, wife of Pastor Walter Sommers, passed away on November 9, 2009.
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.
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!”
A 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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