10 Oct The Continuing Ministry of Laurel Mission

Members of the Board of Directors of Laurel Mission. In the front, l-r, are Debbie, Nathan, and Lindsey Boggs.

Ben Gladhill (right), Pastor of Christian Education, Lake View Church (Camden, Mich.).

On October 3-4, the Board of Directors for Laurel Mission met at Laurel Mission in Big Laurel, Kent. The board consists of 11 members from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

Nathan Boggs, with his wife Lindsey, has been the Director of Laurel Mission since 2011, following his father Titus in directorship. Nathan also serves as the youth pastor of Rock House Youth Ministries and pastor of Little Laurel Bible Church. Debbie Boggs, wife of the late Titus Boggs, serves as the associate director of Laurel Mission.

Laurel Mission exists for this purpose: to minister primarily to the residents of Harlan, Leslie, and Letcher Counties of Kentucky by effectively communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed, to the end that all shall know Him as Savior and Lord, adore and praise Him through worship, grow in spiritual maturity, and experience the more abundant life through expressions of Christian social concern.

Laurel Mission also provides opportunities for mission outreach and ministry to people as they undergird the mission with prayer, finances, labor, and share in spiritual retreats.

For more information about the ministry or how to support Laurel Mission, check them out online at LaurelMission.com.

08 Oct Mongul Church Launches Saturday Night Service

Roxton Spear (right), senior pastor, Mongul UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.)

On Saturday, October 4, Mongul Church began a new worship experienced called Journey.

Many months ago, our staff and leadership team began exploring what our next steps should be as we attempt to reach effectively into our community.

“Have you thought about a Saturday evening service?” was a question we heard on more than one occasion. After praying and considering what would be necessary to do this, we concluded that offering our community a Saturday evening worship experience would be the next phase of Mongul Church’s life.

After a few months of planning, October 4 arrived, along with 76 individuals (14 children and 62 adults). God is good! There was a buzz of excitement, as people gathered. In attendance were people of all ages, from infant to 80+.

We give God praise for His leadership and blessing.

07 Oct Mt. Zion UB: Three Baby Dedications and Four Baptisms

Mark Ralph, senior pastor of Mount Zion UB, preparing to perform a baptism.

Pastor Mark Ralph leading in three baby dedications.

Gayle Thorn, Mt. Zion UB (Wayne, Ohio)

Sunday, September 21, was a special day at Mt. Zion UB church in Wayne, Ohio. First, we celebrated the dedication of three little ones to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, following our time of worship and the message by Pastor Mark Ralph, we rejoiced as four individuals proclaimed their faith in Jesus by being baptized.

07 Oct Praise Point Baptizes Nine People

Marcus Flood (left) and Brad Kittle (right), senior pastor of Praise Point, baptizing a youth.

Marcus Flood, Associate of Youth and Family Life, Praise Point Church (Willshire, Ohio)

Praise Point church held several special ceremonies during the October 5 worship service. The service included accepting new members, dedicating infants, and baptizing believers. Nine persons were baptized. Seven of them are in the Four Twelve Youth Ministry. It was a great service, and we are excited with all the things God is doing at Praise Point.

22 Sep Prince Street Family Day at Rhodes Grove Camp

Pastor Jim Bolich (left) conducts one of the day’s five baptisms.

Meal time during the Prince Street Family Day at Rhodes Grove Camp.

Jim Bolich (right), senior pastor, Prince Street UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.)

Each year, on the third Sunday of August, Prince Street Church steps away from the hectic pace of our ordinary lives to get away for a day of worship, fellowship, and fun. It’s a way to celebrate old friendships and make a few new ones. This year, more than 160 people gathered outside Chambersburg on the grounds of Rhodes Grove Camp for Family Day.

The first 30 minutes of the day were devoted to mingling, giving people who typically attend different worship services opportunity to get acquainted. It also provided time to get to know some new friends who joined us for the day. With the room buzzing with conversation, our worship continued with a time of singing, prayer, and God’s Word. As the service drew to a close, we shared communion together.

As always, Sunday dinner was delicious. From the fried chicken to the mac and cheese to the ham and green beans, there was something for every taste. But even sweeter than the cupcakes for dessert were the conversations I heard around the tables as we ate together.

The skies cleared just in time for us to enjoy the afternoon playing together. Some took advantage of the swings under the shade trees. Others climbed the zip-line for an adrenaline-pumping ride. Some waded in the pool, while others found ways to slip beyond the normal boundaries of the water slide. Some enjoyed a game of corn hole, while others simply enjoyed a conversation in lawn chairs.

But for me, the highlight of the day was yet to come.

Each year, we offer baptism as the final activity of Family Day. This year, five people gave testimony to their faith through the baptism as their family and friends gathered around the pool. What a celebration!

15 Sep 550 Attend Annual Event at Hillsdale UB

The crowed at the Michindoh Conference Center

Pastor Lester Smith as the Apostle Paul.

Hillsdale UB church (Hillsdale, Mich.) held its 16th annual Friends and Family Day on Sunday, August 24.

The event began with an indoor service at the church, followed by an outdoor service at the Fireside Memorial Chapel at Michindoh Conference Center. Pastor Lester Smith, playing the role of the Apostle Paul, delivered the book of 1 Thessalonians in both services.

There were a large number of visitors, with a combined record attendance for this event of over 550. After a potluck lunch, everyone enjoyed the camp water slide, swimming, and a cardboard-with-duct-tape boat race.

09 Sep 25 Persons Baptized at Atlantic Avenue UB

At the Atlantic Avenue baptismal service.

On August 24, Atlantic Avenue UB church (Franklin, Pa.) baptized 25 persons. The service was held at a county park. After a tureen dinner, everyone headed down to the beach for a worship time, communion, and the baptism. About 230 people attended.

09 Sep 3 Baptized, 4 Dedicated at Shoreline’s Back 2 School Bash

Pastor Bill Blue with four children being dedicated, along with their families.

Pastor Bill Blue (right) and Chris Soltis, pastor of children and youth ministries (left) with baptism candidates.

Pastor Bill Blue and Chris Soltis with baptism candidates.

Chris Soltis, Pastor of Children & Youth Ministries, Shoreline Church (Oak Harbor, Ohio)

Pastor Bill Blue preaching.

On August 17, Shoreline Church (Oak Harbor, Ohio) held its annual Back 2 School Bash at Camp Sabroske. About 150 people attended attended this wonderful evening of fun, food, and fellowship! Families gathered and enjoyed volleyball, soccer, basketball, horseshoes, swimming, cornhole… there was something for everyone!

After a time of worship, Pastor Bill Blue delivered the message. Four children were dedicated. Then the three baptism candidates shared their testimony and why they were getting baptized. From there, the service moved towards the pond and baptisms were performed.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed fantastic food and fellowship and a time of just being together. This event helps celebrate all that God has been doing in our lives and serves as a springboard for our church as we transition into our fall ministry season!

09 Sep Mt. Zion Baptizes 10 New Believers

Pastor Russ Wagner preaching from a boat.

The Mt. Zion congregation at the outdoor worship service.

Pastor Wagner completes one of the baptisms.

On August 24, Mt. Zion UB church (Decatur, Ind.) held and outdoor worship service with 72 in attendance. Pastor Russ Wagner preached his sermon from a rowboat out in the pond. Afterwards, he baptized ten new believers.

The service and baptism were followed by a picnic carry-in lunch and an afternoon of games, swimming, and fellowship, with much thanksgiving to the Lord for the new brothers and sisters and the awesome weather.

03 Sep 73 UB Churches Now on Facebook

More and more United Brethren churches are climbing aboard the Facebook bandwagon. Since so many parishioners and friends are on Facebook, it’s a great way to get information out. Currently, 73 UB churches have Facebook pages. Some aren’t very active. Others are very active.