10 Nov The Alligator Outside Pathway UB Church

Pathway UB church in Jackson, Mich., made the national news on Monday, November 7.

A pastor from another church, while driving by just before noon, spotted a six-foot alligator roaming the church property. He turned the car around, telling his two young daughters in the back seat, “I think I just saw an alligator.” The girls, ages 7 and 9, didn’t believe him. But he stopped the car, got out, and threw small stones at the alligator to make sure it was real.

He called 911. The dispatcher sounded skeptical about someone seeing an alligator, but the police were dispatched. They slipped a noose around the alligator’s head, and then duct-taped its jaws shut.

The alligator will be sent to a sanctuary. It probably wouldn’t have survived long in a Michigan winter. Considering its size and good health, zoo officials suggest that the reptile was just recently released into the wild.

You can watch a video of the alligator being caught on the WLNS-TV Facebook page. You can see Pathway Community Church in the background.

The report was picked up by a number of news outlets, including the Associated Press, MSNBC, and the Huffington Post.

01 Nov 40 Days of Community in Shippensburg, Pa.

Rocky Spear (right), Senior Pastor, Mongul UB Church (Shippensburg, Pa.)

On September 11, 2011, Mongul Church began 40 Days of Community. During the next 40 days, 10 home groups met, along with two Sunday school classes and one Wednesday night small group. Over 110 individuals participated in small groups, with each group making plans to serve their community in a meaningful way.

Celebration Sunday was held October 23. Our volunteers prepared a breakfast held between the two morning services. The total morning attendance was 242, with 20 first-time guests.

Excitement is building for reaching into our community. God is working in Shippensburg, Pa.

31 Oct Pastor Appreciation at Morocco UB

On Sunday, October 30, Morocco Church (Temperance, Mich.) surprised Pastor Todd Greenman (right) and his wife Eva by honoring them for Pastor Appreciation Month. There was a reading in their honor, and a fun skit was performed by several church members.

The church presented Eva with flowers and a gift card to both of them. After the service a special cake was served to all who stayed for fellowship. Morocco prays for God’s blessing on Eva and Pastor Todd!

29 Oct 300 Visitors to Findlay Halloween Event

Passing out Bibles.

Sitting in car trunk.

Over 400 visitors came to the annual “Trunk and Treat” outreach at Findlay First UB (Findlay, Ohio). The church passed out 300 Bibles.

Six years earlier, it was noticed that the community was using the parking lot of Findlay First UB as a parking area for the trick or treat night. The church decided to provide coffee, a restroom break, and entertainment for the visitors.

Every year it has grown to one of the major outreach events for the community. This year, 13 trunks passed out candy, tracts, and Bibles to the participants.

18 Oct Colwood Baptized 18 People

On Sunday, October 16, Colwood UB (Caro, Mich.) baptized 18 people. Interim pastor Jason Garwood described two of these as “spontaneous” baptisms.

We LOVE getting stories about conversions and baptisms.

Here’s a video from the service.

14 Oct Are You Doing an After School Program?

Phil Whipple, bishop

A pastor contacted me, wanting to know what other churches might be doing in the way of an after-school program. Here is the inquiry:

“We are hoping and praying that our vision for an after-school tutoring program in parternship with our local school system will come to fruition shortly. However, I want to make sure I have as much information about such a ministry as I can. Do you know of any UBers or churches that are currently doing or have done such a ministry? I would like to pick their brains as it were.”

If you’re doing something along this line, please send me a note. I’ll put the pastor in contact with you.

12 Oct Revival Meetings in Fostoria, Ohio

Sam Suman (right), pastor of Trinity UB in Fostoria, Ohio, writes:

“Trinity UB continues to enjoy spiritual renewal. The church just experienced another powerful move of God’s Spirit in a revival setting. After six weeks of concentrated prayer in preparation for the meeting, God answered in His promised power. Rev Gary Bond delivered his heart in music and in word, with God’s people responding in obedience. God’s people were faithful in inviting their families and friends and neighbors. Several have returned in the following weeks. We are trusting God to empower us to be a redemptive people in a city that needs Jesus so much!”

10 Oct Calvary UB Shows How to BE the Church

Ted Doolittle (right), senior pastor, Calvary Community Church (Saginaw, Mich.)

Calvary Community Church (Saginaw, Mich.) celebrated Faith in Action Sunday on October 9 by going out to various locations in the community to provide service to others. Our theme is “Don’t Just GO to church. BE the church.”

Several groups went into the community. We had groups that:

• Distributed 9 volt batteries to every unit in an area mobile home park, along with a reminder to change the battery in their smoke alarms.
• Did yard work and cut down a tree for an elderly man.
• Picked up litter at the high school, middle school, elementary school, and township park.
• Handed out free popcorn from a local service station.
• Grilled hotdogs and handed them out for free at the local outside mall.
• Visited the pediatric floor of an area hospital to hand out coloring books with crayons and puzzle books with pens, and entertain people with a clown.
• Led a local nursing home in a singspiration. One couple led worship at another nursing home, which they already have been doing every Sunday.
• Led worship in the community room of an apartment complex for senior citizens.

We also had groups which stayed at the church. One group prayed for and wrote thank you notes to 75 area physicians’ offices. Another group wrapped plates of homemade cookies for distribution to various community leaders. Another group made quilts for use by the Pregnancy Counseling Center.

05 Oct Two Needs at Columbus First Church

Pastor Al Carter (right) of First UB (Columbus, Ohio) writes:

“The entire roof of First UB must be repalaced. We have a tentative estimate concerning this of about $40,000. There has been water damage to the facility both inside and outside. We are seeking a loan to finance this project. In addition, we are purchasing the lot just to the south of the complex for a mere $5,000 plus back taxes. We invite anyone who can assist us in using these oportunities to enhance the facility and reach the community for Christ to contact: First United Brethren Church, 496 South Wheatland Ave., Columbus, OH 43204.”

05 Oct “Meet the Elders” at The Well

Pastor Josh Kesler (right) and two other men from The Well.

The elders wore fluorescent orange hats.

The Well in Huntington, Ind., held a “Meet the Elders” hog roast and picnic from 5-8 pm on Sunday, October 2, at the home of Mark and Peggy Sell outside of Huntington. The various elders wore fluorescent orange baseball caps.

The Well, a restart of the former Good Shepherd church in Huntington, holds Sunday morning services at the Huntington YMCA.