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02 Dec

December 2, 2021 |

Former Bishop Paul E. Hirschy, 75, passed away December 1, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. Funeral arrangements are being made through the Myers Funeral Home in Huntington.

Paul graduated from Huntington University in 1968, and that year began ten years of pastoral ministry–initially in Convoy, Ohio, followed by nine years at Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind. He managed the denominational printshop 1978-1981, and then was elected by General Conference to the first of five terms as Director of Church Services at the UB national office.

In 2001, Paul was elected bishop of the US National Conference. He served in that role until 2005. He worked the next seven years as a development officer at Huntington University, and since 2012 has been associate pastor at College Park UB church in Huntington.

On October 1, 2021, Huntington University awarded Paul the Distinguished Alumni Citation, which recognizes exceptional service over an extended period of time. “Service” is, indeed, what Paul is most known for—a man with a true servant’s heart.

Condolences can be sent to Paul’s wife, Barbara, at:

Barbara Hirschy
5493 N Goshen Road
Huntington, IN 46750-8940

16 Nov

November 16, 2021 |


Both volumes of All for Christ are now available as epubs for $6.99 each on Amazon. These books, published in 2017, focus on UB history 1981-2017, but go back to the beginning to tell the complete story of our various mission fields, and of our evolving stands on various issues (alcohol, women in ministry, abortion, assigning pastors, and more). Now you can read them on your tablet or smartphone.

Go here to order either the print or epub versions: All for Christ 1 | All for Christ 2.

16 Nov

November 16, 2021 |

Thursday, November 18, is the annual Huntington University Day of Giving. Every gift goes toward student scholarships. Day of Giving is all about helping current and future students experience HU. They’ve arranged a variety of matching grants to make your gift go further. For more information and to donate, go to www.huntington.edu/DayOfGiving.

15 Nov

November 15, 2021 |

Randy and Toni Fennig

Randy Fennig, 67, passed away November 11, 2021, at his home in Portland, Ind. He had served as a UB pastor for ten years, as a UB missionary in Sierra Leone for three years, and as a member of the UB Global Leadership Team.

Visitation: 4-7 pm Monday, November 15, at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland, Ind.
Funeral: 11:00 am Tuesday, November 16.
Funeral location: Westchester United Methodist Church, 4487 E. 400 N. Portland, Ind.

Randy grew up on a farm in Indiana and earned a degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. He and Toni had served for a time with Africa Inland Mission in Mozambique.

Randy was senior pastor of Prince of Peace UB church (Springfield, Ohio) from 1998-2008. He was ordained as a United Brethren minister in 2002.

In 2008, Randy and his wife, Toni, moved to Sierra Leone. Randy taught at Evangelical College of Theology in the Freetown area, a seminary which trains many of the UB pastors in Sierra Leone Conference, and also engaged in agricultural development.

The Fennigs concluded their ministry in Sierra Leone in 2011, and returned to the States in August of that year.

11 Nov

November 11, 2021 |

Rev. Thomas L. Brodbeck, 85, passed away on November 9, 2021. He served 19 years in United Brethren ministry in Indiana, Ohio, and Idaho.

Viewing: 9:00 am Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Funeral: 10:30 am Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Location: Glancy-H.Brown & Son Funeral Home, Warren, Ind.

Brodbeck graduated from high school in 1953 in his hometown of St. Mary’s, Ohio, served in Korea with the US Army, and worked for the city of St. Mary’s until sensing God’s call to the ministry. He was 35 when he moved his family to Huntington, Ind., so he could enter college. He graduated from Huntington University with a bachelor’s degree, and in 1975 received the Master of Christian Ministries. He was ordained in 1975.

Brodbeck served 19 years in United Brethren ministry: 1972-1979 at the UB church in Van Buren, Ind.; 1979-1983 as director of Camp Cotubic in Bellefontaine, Ohio; 1985-1988 as pastor of Log Cabin UB church in Boise, Idaho; and 1988-1993 as pastor of Third Street (now Anchor) UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind. He then served a Wesleyan congregation in Waldron, Mich., until 2017.

At the time of his death, Brodbeck was living with his wife Cathy in Van Buren, Ind. (609 E 3rd St, Warren, IN 46792-9410). He is the father of Rev. Thomas M. Brodbeck, who served 27 years in United Brethren ministry, including as fulltime superintendent of Central Conference.

Memorial contributions should be directed to Camp Cotubic, 2158 Road 25 North, Bellefontaine, OH 43311.

You can read the online obituary here.

09 Nov

November 9, 2021 |

The “UB Year in Review,” published every January since 2012, is now in the works. You are invited to submit news about your church from 2021–events, ministries, mission trips, or anything else of interest. If you have any relevant photos, those would be great. Of particular interest: information about how your church has adjusted in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, or any continuing effects of the pandemic on your church.

Send to steve@ub.org, or use the form on this page.

05 Oct

October 5, 2021 |

Congratulations to Bishop Paul Hirschy! On October 1, Huntington University awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Citation, a “lifetime achievement” award which recognizes exceptional service over an extended period of time.

Paul graduated from HU in 1968, where he served on the student senate for four years and was study body president. He then went on to a lifetime of ministry in the United Brethren church, which included:

  • 9 years as pastor of Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind.
  • 4 years (1978-1981) managing the denominational printshop in Huntington, Ind.
  • 20 years (1981-2001) as the elected Director of Church Services at the UB national office.
  • 4 years (2001-2005) as bishop of the US National Conference.
  • 7 years (2005-2012) working as a development officer at Huntington University.

Since 2012, Paul has served as an associate pastor of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

The award was presented on Friday night, October 1, as part of the 2021 Huntington University Homecoming.

28 Sep

September 28, 2021 |

Registration is open for the next “Idea to Action” symposium, sponsored by the denomination and Huntington University. It will be offered online-only. The event is free to everyone, but you must register.

Date: Monday, October 25 (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)

Topic: “Discipling Youth and Families.”

There will be three keynote sessions.

  • 10:00 am. “Generation Z and Spiritual Maturity: Challenges & Opportunities,” by Dr. Tom Bergler, Professor of Christian Thought and Practice at Huntington University.
  • 11:00 am. “Making Disciples in the Home: Practices and Problems,” by Dr. Becky Benjamin, Associate Professor of Psychology and Department Chair at Huntington University.
  • 12:00 noon. “Ministering to GenZ within Today’s Context.” A panel discussion with United Brethren ministers Chris Augustat, Brian Kramer, and Mark Vincenti.

For complete information and to register, go to this address on the UB website.

28 Sep

September 28, 2021 |

During October, you’re invited to participate in “A Different Kind of Thailand Experience.” There will be four one-hour Zoom sessions. You can register for all sessions, but join those you are most interested in.

You will hear from a number of key UB leaders who influence the efforts of the Good Soil Community Center. You’ll also follow Steve Fish and Isa Rivera as they travel to Honduras to meet with the Nunez family, who are preparing to serve with the UB team in Thailand.

There is no cost, but you need to sign up.

28 Sep

September 28, 2021 |

The next UB History course will be held November 1-2. That’s a Monday and Tuesday, 9am – 4pm each day. Rev. Bob Bruce is the instructor.

The UB History Course will be held November 1-2, 2021. That’s a Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 4pm each day. Rev. Bob Bruce will teach the course via Zoom, so you can take it from the comfort of your own home.

This course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the UB church, but anyone may attend. For complete information and to register, go to: ub.org/ubhistory