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A few items of possible interest:
“How many churches do we have in Massachusetts?” Rubenia Bomatay asked me. She pastors a primarily Honduran congregation near Boston, Massachusetts.
Pam and I visited yesterday to connect with Rubenia and her congregation at Iglesia Reformada Emanuel. “Uno,” was my response. “You are the only one.”
No wonder they feel isolated. A six-hour train ride from the nearest cluster and few other Spanish-speaking congregations within our tribe make it tough to sustain a sense of belonging. But they are Hermanos Unitos en Christo (United Brethren in Christ.)
It was a joy to share a meal with Rubenia, her husband Gerardo, and son Moses prior to the Wednesday night service on June 11. Moses was our translator, as his folks speak limited English and I speak very limited Spanish. Pam and I were blessed by their heart for the Lord and for ministry.
Gerardo, Moses, and another man from their church recently completed a three-year Bible Institute provided by a local Assemblies of God congregation. They work closely with the local police to make a true difference in a gang-oriented neighborhood. I had the privilege of speaking to a very warm and engaged congregation. Our conversation on the way back to the hotel was focused on how we can be a greater support and encouragement to them.< Pam and I look forward to returning to Boston soon. We have brothers and sisters who share our heart to reach the lost. I pray you have the privilege of meeting them sometime soon as well.
The UB church in Chanute, Kansas, recently changed their name from Highland Avenue to New Life. This church, under the leadership of Michael Longfellow (below), is about to take a major step. 
They bought an elementary school for $25,000, though it’s valued at several million dollars. They’re trying to sell their present church, but already have the money needed to buy the school, which is less than two miles away.
The school is in the process of moving out, but will leave behind a sound system and a lot of other equipment. It’s a good deal for them. They’ll need to do some refurbishing, but hope to begin holding services there by September.
The New Life Church has grown to two services reaching over 135 people. Their current sanctuary is small and parking is very limited. Their new facility will help them more effectively reach their community. Their goal is to see over 40 people come to Christ this year.
During a recent trip I made to Chanute, Michael and some of the lay people ministered to a young lady who was struggling with drugs and walked into the building seeking help. They led her to the Lord in the kitchen while I was preaching in the sanctuary. It is a great place of faith.
It’s always thrilling to hear encouraging reports from our churches. I recently received this email from Chris Little (right, below), senior pastor of Mount Pleasant UB church in Chambersburg, Pa. That is one of the churches we’ve been working with in the year-long consultation process, which we’ll wrap up with a service on June 22. Here is what Chris wrote:
“Just wanted to pass on a God moment from Sunday. The scripture was the stoning of Stephen. I used it as a time of forgiving and being forgiven. Ron Cook, months ago, gave me the idea of using a paper shredder with the congregation and it seemed appropriate, so out on a limb I went.
“When the sermon ran to its conclusion I told everyone they had a choice to make. Either hold on to your rocks and be in bondage to bitterness, or throw away your rocks and find the freedom of forgiveness. I placed an insert in the bulletin and had them write either names of individuals they needed to forgive, their own name if they were struggling with forgiving themselves, or even particular sins of which they are guilty. I invited people to come forward and find forgiveness by shredding the “stones” and throwing them away.
“Then I went to find a seat and pray, wondering if anyone was getting it. I was overwhelmed by the response. During our traditional service we shredded stones for the entire duration of “Amazing Grace,” plus. When I finally got up the courage to take a peak at what was happening, there was a line down the center of the church waiting for a chance to get to the shredder.
“During the second service (our smallest), it did not take nearly as long but the participation was wonderful. One woman was completely broken before God, sobbing at the altar in that middle service.
“Third service was abundantly beautiful. Young and old participated. Who knew the kids were even listening? Lines down both sides of the church as well as the center isle. Jesus was so clearly dealing with men and women, boys and girls, helping them not only to experience forgiveness but freedom.
“Jesus was so clearly working in the lives of the people in church this Sunday. When I stood up to address the congregation with words of assurance of Christ’s forgiveness, I saw the brokenness of the people. The tears in people’s eyes nearly took me to tears. I am once again reminded that God is ever faithful. He is engaged in our lives in ways that we can see and sense, and ways that are beyond our normal realm of thinking. What a blessing to see the Spirit of God make such a tremendous difference in people’s lives.”
Last weekend, Pat Jones and I traveled to Kansas to examine Micheal Dean, a young man applying for a local license. He is pastor of the UB church in Sabetha, Kansas. (Yes, “Micheal” is the correct spelling.)
Micheal is actually a former prison convict, and he and his wife met in an alcohol recovery program at another church. The Lord gloriously saved and redeemed them. Micheal has such a fine spirit. Over dinner, he almost wore me out explaining all of the plans he has for reaching the community, including going back into prisons. Micheal is the real deal.
Michael Longfellow, the cluster leader, and I interviewed Micheal while Pat met with the board downstairs. Then we came together to sing and have prayer. It was a privilege to grant a local license to Micheal.
At one point, Sabetha had lowered its ceiling. They took it out and refurbished the tin roof. It’s now one of the neatest, cleanest small churches we have. I told him as soon as I walked in, “This doesn’t smell like a church.”
Jennifer Blandin sent these updates from Macau on June 3.
For change to occur in your church, you need to leave some things behind. That is hard. If you’re not willing to leave some things behind, you’ll never experience change. That’s true for us personally, for our families, and for our churches.
A lot of times, churches become layered: in the 1960s you did this, in the 1970s you added this, in the 1980s you began doing these things. You get all these layers operating, because nobody wants to leave anything behind.
It’s interesting the things we’re not willing to leave behind:
So ask yourself: What am I willing to leave behind? And then make sure it’s the right things.
How about it? What are some things you’ve seen that churches have difficulty leaving behind?
Carlson and Naomi Becker returned to the States on May 30, having served a three-year term in Macau. Carlson worked in the national office for about 25 years (1977-1993) in several different roles, including associate director of Missions, before accepting a pastorate in 1993. We appreciate their continued ministry during their “retirement” years, and their valuable contributions to the work in Macau. They now live in Cedar, Mich., which is northwest of Traverse City, where they previously pastored.
Indiana is getting its chance to host a “Hang with the Bishop” event. This is for pastors and laypersons from churches within driving distance of Huntington, Ind.
This is an agenda-less, informal meeting. Come with your questions, and Bishop Ron Ramsey and Pat Jones will do their best to answer them. Bring your staff or any interested persons from your congregation.
And by the way: lunch will be provided.
We need to know how many people are coming. So please RSVP to Cathy Reich, my administrative assistant, by June 19.
We previously held Hang with the Bishop meetings in southern Ohio, Chambersburg, Pa., and Ashley, Mich.
Micheal E. Dean has been appointed senior pastor of Sabetha UB church in Sabetha, Kansas. He holds a local conference license.
