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26 Jul

July 26, 2006 |

zezulaDr. Patricia Zezula has decided to retire after 37 years on the Huntington University faculty. She began as an instructor in the Department of Physical Education in 1969 and moved up through the ranks, becoming a full professor in 1990. Zezula earned her doctorate in educational administration from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind.

Upon her graduation from Huntington University in 1969, the University hired Zezula as an instructor, assistant athletic director and coach. At various times during her first 15 years on staff, Zezula assumed head-coaching responsibilities of every woman’s sport the college offered. In 1982, she was promoted to athletic director, giving her the distinction of becoming the first female intercollegiate athletic director in Indiana.

“It has been a privilege to work at Huntington, and I look forward to continue teaching on a part- time basis,” says Dr. Zezula.

26 Jul

July 26, 2006 |

Tom Blaylock, Director of Church Multiplication

I had breakfast the other day with three UB pastors. One was pastoring a large church that is well established, and the other two were pastoring smaller congregations that were planted 5 – 8 years ago. All three pastors live within about a half-hour of each other.

Another thing you need to know about these churches–they all want to bless people beyond the four walls of the buildings they meet in. These leaders honestly want to move their congregations to a greater level of engagement in a lost and dying world, both around the corner and in the far corners of the world. And, to their credit, they are taking deliberate steps in that direction.

But on this particular morning, as we waded through the Cracker Barrel menu and feasted on oatmeal (this ordered by one of our senior members) and pancakes, the question was not, “What is your church doing these days to be and bring the Good News to people?” (which is a very good question), but rather, “What can our three congregations do together to ‘go and make disciples’ that we can’t do on our own?”

And that is a very different question.

We talk a lot about the “Body of Christ” at the local church level. Most of us would agree that helping the members of our congregations discover and engage their giftedness and calling is one of the most important things we do. I remember my days as a church planter and senior pastor. For me the concept of an interdependent body–with each member doing what the Holy Spirit had equipped them to do – was a matter of survival. There was no large, red “S” imprinted on my chest. After a short period of time I learned that I desperately needed others to step forward and live out their giftedness if our church was going to be healthy and fruitful.

Could these same principles be true on a regional level? Is it possible that our local churches were meant to function with other local churches in an interdependent way as we focus on the unfinished mission of making disciples?

Those of you who have spent a lot of time in the book of Acts might have some good insights on this. How many churches were there in Corinth? Were there many churches, or one church of Corinth with many members spread over the region? And if there is only one church of Detroit, or Fort Wayne, or Lancaster, then how do we function together to accomplish the mission that Christ initiated and promised to fulfill?

Can we plant more churches that make disciples of more people by taking joint ownership of our region and intentionally working together for something far greater than the “success” of our own, individual churches?
I would love to get some feedback on this!

24 Jul

July 24, 2006 |

On April 30, 1989, Rev. Robert Pelley didn’t show up for church. Eventually, two men went over to the parsonage, where a grisly scene awaited them. Robert Pelley (38), wife Dawn (32), and two of Dawn’s daughters from a previous marriage, Janel (8) and Jolene (6), were found dead. They have been killed with a shotgun. Jeff’s sister Jacqueline and stepsister Jessica were not home at the time.

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Jeff Pelley (center) with sister Jacqueline and private investigator Scott Campbell

Seventeen years later, Jeff Pelley was convicted of the murders. The case was reopened four years ago, and after a six-day trial which included nearly 40 witnesses, jurors returned a guilty verdict after deliberating for 34 hours. Jeff, the son of Robert Pelley, is now 34 and has been living in Florida with his wife.

The evidence was mostly circumstantial. No murder weapon has been found, and no fingerprints linked Pelley to the crime itself. Rather, the prosecution relied on a carefully constructed timelime which put Jeff Pelley at the parsonage during a particular 20 minute period. After murdering his parents and stepsisters, the prosecution contended, Pelley went to high school prom with his girlfriend. The motive, argued the prosecution, concerned arguments with his father over weekend restrictions which would allow Jeff to go to the prom, but to no other activities. Police located him at the Great America theme part with friends the day after the murders.

After spending a few minutes with his wife and sister, Jacqueline, Pelley was led away in handcuffs. Sentencing is set for September 15.

21 Jul

July 21, 2006 |

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Marilyn Reeck with her four daughters and granddaughter. L-r: Chrysti (Reeck) Andino and daughter, Amanda, Elisa, Marilyn, and Teresa.

Roger and Marilyn Reeck are endorsed UB missionaries serving with Wycliffe in La Ceiba, Honduras. The entire Reeck family was present for the May 10 graduation of Elisa, the youngest of the four Reeck children. She, like her three older sisters, graduated from Pensacola Christian College in Florida. A Honduran flag was placed on the platform, alongside other flags, to represent Elisa.

After 700 graduates received their diplomas, the culminating Presidential Citation of Merit was announced. This award is given to one male and one female student for their Christian leadership and for exemplifying the ideals of the college. They were all excited when Elisa’s name was called out to receive the award.

After seven weeks in the States, Roger and Marilyn were headed back to Honduras when a major delay occurred. Marilyn was turned back at the airport because her passport expired in one month. A new law declares that passports must be valid for at least three months prior to entry into any Central American country. Marilyn sent off to Canada for a new passport and was able to travel three weeks later–just in time for a trip to Nicaragua. In the meantime, she waited in San Antonio, Texas, while Roger continued to Honduras. Daughter Chrysti, along with two little ones, live in San Antonio.

The Reecks were instrumental in translating the Bible into the Garifuna language, spoken in several Central American countries. During this trip to the US, they attended a Garifuna church in Houston which started three years ago. “As we listened to all of the singing and preaching in Garifuna, it seemed like we were back in Honduras. It was a very exciting time getting reacquainted with many we already knew and to meet others for the first time. It was fun to hear which town each person was from in Honduras.They were excited to receive news from back home and especially to hear our report of what God is doing in Honduras.”

21 Jul

July 21, 2006 |

Gary Dilley, director of Global Ministries, is currently on an extended trip through Asia. He will be spending time visiting United Brethren ministries in Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, the Philippines, and India. He and his wife, Rhonda, left the US on July 19 and will return August 14.

21 Jul

July 21, 2006 |

During a recent trip to Sierra Leone, Rev. Joe Abu delivered four lawnmowers to the Centennial Secondary School in Mattru. The mowers were purchased with donations from former Centennial students now living in North American and Europe. Joe Abu is pastor of Mount Zion United African Church, a UB church in Philadelphia, Pa.

21 Jul

July 21, 2006 |

Rev. Bob Conway, a retired United Brethren minister, has published a book called Decoding Daniel, a commentary on the book of Daniel. If you are interesting in obtaining a copy, you can order one for $15 (which includes tax and postage), from: Robert Conway, 597 Houser Road, Fayetteville, PA 17222.

After 17 years as pastor of the Orrstown (Pa.) UB church, Conway retired to write, speak, and teach. He has taught biblical studies to laypersons and pastors for continuing education units for the past ten years.

Bishop Ron Ramsey has granted him permission to continue teaching courses for credit. Some of the studies include:

1. Bible Prophecy.
2. Unsealing Revelation
3. Isaiah
4. Decoding Daniel
5. Probing the Parables
6. The Believer and the Law
7. The Life of Paul and His Teachings
8. The Life of Christ
9. The Passion Week of Christ
10. Biblical Theology.

Each course lasts ten hours, and is usually taught over five evenings or two days. For information, contact Rev. Conway at the above address.

21 Jul

July 21, 2006 |

Arek and Donna Delik are UB endorsed missionaries serving with Operation Mobilization in Kutno, Poland. Here are excerpts from a recent newsletter.

When you are in the mission field, sometimes you are forced into a position which you may feel inadequate and not comfortable with. This is how we feel this year. We are so thankful that the team has expanded from two of us to six adults altogether in the last eight months. And we realize that instead of being leaders with no members to lead, we now have four co-workers with us. We had been working alone for the last five years, and so used to do everything by ourselves and sometimes even wearing ourselves out. Then we had to learn to work differently when there are others in the team. We don’t feel very comfortable with this shift in responsibility and we know that our inadequacy may disqualify us as leaders.
(more…)

21 Jul

July 21, 2006 |

Dave and Cathie Datema are endorsed UB missionaries serving with the US Center for World Mission in Pasadena, Calif. They sent this update on July 7.

“For the past year, we have been considering our ability to care for Cuyler’s needs while living in the rented house we currently occupy. We have considered moving to a different part of the country where housing is more affordable. We’re still not sure what the final solution is, but as we seek God’s guidance it doesn’t seem that we should leave the work here in Pasadena, for now. In the meantime, we have peace about Dave continuing on with the INSIGHT program.

“For INSIGHT’s first four years Dave was the Program Director (August 2001 to May 2005). During this past year, Dave served as INSIGHT Coordinator, helping to facilitate other INSIGHT programs beginning elsewhere. One will begin in Minneapolis this fall and another is slated to begin in Detroit in the fall of 2007.

“Beginning in mid-June, Dave once again resumed the position of Program Director for the site here in Pasadena. Dave missed the daily interaction with students and is looking forward to taking on this role again.  There is much work to be done in the next seven weeks to be ready.”