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Dirk Small, pastor of the Idaville UB church (Idaville, Pa.), is still having serious difficulties with injuries sustained over five weeks ago in a motorcycle accident. He has a serious infection in the 14-inch incision from the surgery. He is in a lot of pain and would appreciate our prayers.
Sam Quinn, superintendent of California Conference, sent this note: “Please be in prayer for the Canyon Country church, as they are making decisions as far as having to move to a new and larger location. The cost could be as much as $10,000 per month–a large commitment.” This Hispanic congregation of about 400 people was recently told that they could not continue using the Lutheran facility where they have been meeting for many years. Edwin Recinos is the pastor.
Sue Cherry has been the “voice of the UB Headquarters” for 24 years. It was in 1979 that she began serving as receptionist. So when people called, her voice was usually the first voice they heard.
Sue concluded her service at the UB Headquarters at the end of August. She has been greatly appreciated, and will be missed.
Sue is the husband of Dr. Howard Cherry. They pastored several UB churches before Dr. Cherry joined the staff of the Huntington College Graduate School of Christian Ministries in 1979. They will remain active in various types of ministry.
Jim Ellifritt, the Northwest Conference superintendent, is a major in the National Guard. He reports that beginning in mid-October, he will be ordered to active duty for language training in Dari, the majority language for Afghanistan. He writes:
“Our unit will be officially activated on November 30 and sent to Fort Bragg, N. C., and certified for deployment. We will arrive in Afghanistan around the first week of January. I will be in a town called Bagram. The deployment is schedule for 12 months beginning November 30. Prayerfully it will only be 12 months in country.”
Jim says he’s grateful that his children are older–Kori is 15, Stacy 18, and Jim 23. “I am cautiously excited about opportunities of ministry to soldiers and civilians. All of this, like everything else with the military, is subject to change. It will be more real to me when I finally step onto the tarmac in Bagram.”
Joshua Kesler is the new senior pastor of Bethel UB in Elmore, Ohio, effective September 1.
Marion Hall is the new senior pastor of Harrison UB (Harrison, Mich.) effective August 17.
The Michindoh Conference held a Mini Missions Conference for Children on June 21. It was led by Troy Hendricks, missionary to Spain, and Pastor Steve Smith of Lakeview UB (Camden, Mich.). It was held at Lakeview.
Rhonda Dilley challenged the children to participate in missions. They made mission-oriented crafts, and learned to play a new game called Soccette, which was likened to needing to learn a new culture. They also assembled nearly 100 shoeboxes to be given out by the Lakeview youth as they conduct a VBS at Laurel Mission. They were served lunch and then were treated to a concert by the 7th Street five-member band that combines rock, folk, and country sounds. The band is from First UB church in Blissfield, Mich.
The high school group at Jerusalem Chapel UB (Churchville, Va.) went on a missions trip to Holly Hill, Fla. They participated in various “Conspiracy of Kindness” projects within the Holly Hill and Daytona Beach communities. They worked through Matt McKeown, youth pastor at First UB in Dayton.
Stan Becker, associate pastor at Jerusalem Chapel, reports, “The youth performed exceptionally well doing tasks for the Holly Hill Municipal Building, the Boys and Girls Club, the UB church, and the church thrift store.
“The highlight of the trip was a ‘drink giveaway’ on Daytona Beach. We drove in three vans up and down the beach giving cold water and juice drinks to over 400 people. As we were giving out the drinks, we would give them a small card explaining what we were doing and would say ‘This is from our youth group to show you God’s love in a practical way.’ We reached many people with God’s love that day.”
Chuck Causey has been named as interim pastor at Faith Church in Port Orange.
Zion UB church in Willshire, Ohio, held a celebration service on August 24 to formally conclude its ministry. Zion and the Willshire churches have merged, and are preparing to build a new worship facility in Willshire. The Zion building has sold and the new owners will take possession September 1.
Mark Beers has been named senior pastor of Decatur UB church (Decatur, Ind.). He had been pastor of Gaines UB in Caledonia, Mich. Mark is originally from Emmanuel UB in Fort Wayne, Ind. He will start at Decatur in mid-September.
Jim Sturgeon, the current pastor at Decatur, will officially retire on Sunday, August 31. Dr. Paul Fetters will serve as Minister of the Word for the Decatur church until Mark’s arrival.
