11 Aug VBS in Traverse City, Mich.

John Cole, pastor of Northland UB (Traverse City, Mich.)
Last year we set a goal to have 40 children attend VBS, and we met that goal. This year we wanted to reach 50-60 children and their families. We held VBS on Friday evening, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, and on Sunday morning during the worship service. Not only did we serve a total of 55 children, but we had probably a dozen visitors, including one who told John that she felt the Holy Spirit’s presence at our church.

At the conclusion of the VBS, which had a service theme, we took the children to an assisted living facility just down the road from the church. The children sang a couple of songs to the residents and gave them each a sun catcher they had made during the weekend. Even the smallest children willingly gave gifts and hugs to the residents. We wanted to give the children and their families an immediate opportunity to serve their community, and they did.

One parent sincerely thanked us for having VBS on the weekend because, as a parent who works fulltime, her child had previously been unable to participate. She also expressed a desire to begin attending Northland.

All of these things are great, but the best part of the weekend was when ten children, three from our own congregation, accepted Christ. We were so excited last year when three children made commitments. We have been asking God to show us needs in our community that we could meet and through this He has shown us lonely people who need companionship, parents who crave safe activities for their children, and many children and families who need hope. We got to share that hope with so many this weekend. We praise God for showing up in such a powerful way.

09 Aug With Dalton Jenkins in Yonkers

In June, Pam and I spent some time with Dalton Jenkins, pastor of our small Jamaican church in Yonkers, N.Y. We had supper with Dalton and his wife, Jacqueline (right), and then they showed us the 600-square-foot building where the congregation–about 22 people–hold services.

Dalton’s mother-in-law is Mrs. Larimer. She and her husband served in ministry in Jamaica. She’s very much a prayer warrior and preaches some. When I attended Jamaica Conference two years ago, she was invited to pray at the installation of Winston Smith as General Superintendent and the members of the Conference Council. They live with Dalton and Jacqueline.

The city of Yonkers is being upgraded. It is totally different from the Bronx, where we have another Jamaican church. Yonkers has a more upscale feel. They have a whole waterfront area that looks pretty upscale. Within a few blocks of the church are people from five or six nationalities–Mexican, Polish, Jamaican, and others. They are trying to figure out the best way to reach people in this type of community.

07 Aug Video from Imagine This UB church

Here’s a short video from Imagine This, our new church plant in Grand Ledge, Mich. Gordon Kettel, the pastor (and narrator), explains, “Our team put this video together to compare some of the “big” moments in life with THE big moment. We really don’t give it much thought when advertisers tell us what is really important. They will pick and prioritize the stuff in this world. Then we take their stuff and try to make it our stuff. This video is meant to get our eyes off of what we could have and remind us what we already have.”

15 Jul Trying to Lessen the Isolation

Pastor Rubenia Bomatay was surprised, during my June 11 visit, when I told her they are the only United Brethren church in Massachusetts.

They feel very isolated in Jamaica Plain. The last visitor connected with the denomination was Billy Simbo, who was the cluster leader for that region. He visited Jamaica Plain three years ago. Finances prevented anyone from Iglesia Reformada Emanuel from coming to last year’s national conference.

They told me they needed help obtaining materials to teach their children. I sent an email to Jeff Bleijerveld, who found some materials to send. She also needed pastor’s card to prove that she is a licensed minister. I emailed Cathy Reich, our administrative assistant, and she took care of sending that to Rubenia. I hope these services helped them feel part of the larger church.

The most helpful thing we could do for them, they said, is to keep the connection going. That would be a big benefit to the people, showing that they are part of something bigger. I committed to them that Bishop Ron Ramsey or I will visit a couple times a year just to touch base with them. 

14 Jul God at Work in Lewis Center, Ohio

A few days ago I received this note from Dan Kopp (right), senior pastor and church planter of NorthPointe Community Church in Lewis Center, Ohio, on the outskirts of Columbus.

Just thought you would be encouraged by a note from one of our core gals, Michelle. She and her husband, Craig (along with her mother, sister, and his parents), were both brought to Christ and baptized at NorthPointe Community Church and have risen to quite faithful leadership. Craig had attended church maybe a half-dozen times in his life.Michelle directs a flourishing women’s group, made up of mostly new believers, and helps coordinate our children’s ministries.

Michelle wrote:

“I sense that there is a bubbling up of something exciting happening. Many folks are currently seeking God and looking to be part of the solution. I find it very interesting that within the last week, at least three times I heard folks refer to the current state of our church body in comparison to Gideon’s army. We may be small, but if we all trust God, He can make us strong! I’m excited to be part of the solution and to see what God has in store!!”

About ten people came forward during and extended worship/seeking/invitation time Sunday. They also had a surprise “roast” for their now half-century elderly pastor following the service, during which they raised nearly $1000 for a vitally needed laptop for him. Now if he can just see the screen….

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09 Jul God Moves in Harrisburg, Pa.

I love getting emails that describe the movement of God in our churches. I received one this past week that warmed my heart. It came from Todd Fetters (right), pastor of Devonshire Church in Harrisburg, Pa. The email arrived July 3, and told about a wonderful service they had the Sunday before.

Our One Prayer emphasis ended Sunday with a climactic altar experience. The prayer I preached on was, “Lord, Make Us Thirsty.” Nearly 20 people came and knelt at the altar for an anointing service. Some came for physical healing. Others came for emotional and relational healing. Two couples came forward to have our four “elders” lay hands on them and pray for them to become “one.” When I invited others from the congregation to come up around those kneeling to support them in their anointing, those who came stood 3-4 deep.

Most dramatic was the man who came forward for physical healing. Before he would let me anoint him, he was adamant saying, “Before you anoint me, I must ask my brother ‘Milton’ (not his real name) to forgive me for my angry words and feelings towards him over the past several years.” And, then he looked at “Milton” who was beside me. There I was, on my knees, intertwined with these two men as they were on their knees embracing and speaking words of authentic sin-admission and eager forgiveness. I could actually feel their reconciliation. WOW!

When you have good stories to tell, please send them to me. I’m always thrilled to hear what God is doing in our churches.

05 Jul With Iglesia Reformada Emanuel

As I wrote on earlier, Pam and I spent an evening with Pastor Rubenia Bomatay and her Hispanic congregation in Jamaica Plain, Mass. We went out to eat with Rubenia, her husband Gerardo, and son Moses at a local pizza place. Then we returned to the church for the midweek service.

It was supposed to start at 7:00, but actually started around 7:30 with some singing and a prayer time. About 8:15, while the people were greeting each other, Moses told me that his mother wanted me to preach. I wasn’t expecting that, but I said I would be honored. I asked how long I should preach. I was initially told an hour, but they backed it down to 45 minutes, which is how long I preached. Moses translated for me.

I was able to say to them in Spanish, “We are United Brethren in Christ.” They clapped for me. It was a great breakthrough that I was speaking their language. That was a fun interaction.

The people at Iglesia Reformada Emanuel are very gracious, and full of life and vigor. They’re trying to reach their community. There’s a oneness of purpose in what they do. I sensed a great spirit among the people, warm fellowship, and heart-felt praying.

After the service, Rubenia’s family led us out to the road we needed. I said, “I think I know how to get there. Just point me in the right direction.” But Gerardo said, “We’ll take you.” It was night, and he wanted to make sure we made it safely out of that not-so-nice neighborhood. So he turned on his blinkers and said, “Follow me.”

03 Jul With Pastor Rubenia Bomatay

In early June, after spending some time with our brethren in Canada, I swung down for a visit with our churches in New York City. Then, on Wednesday, June 11, Pam and I arrived in Jamaica Plain, a suburb of Boston, to visit Rubenia Bomatay and her Hispanic congregation. I wrote about that visit earlier, but I’d like to say more about this isolated church.

Pastor Bomatay formerly served with our Honduras Conference. She came to the States about 13 years ago, but still has a house in Honduras. It is used to teach women the craft of sewing, so they can earn money to provide for their families. A pastor oversees that work and does spiritual development with the ladies.

The congregation in Boston is called Iglesia Reformada Emanuel. It consists mostly of Hondurans, but includes Hispanics from several other countries, too. They meet in a store-front. It is fixed up well, a warm place, They have a worship area, and some storage space.

While Rubenia is the senior pastor, her husband Gerardo and son Moses preach occasionally, and a daughter helps lead worship. It’s very much a family thing.

When Pam and I walked into the building, worship music was playing, and there was Rubenia on her knees, praying. That sight deeply moved me and taught me a lot about her.

02 Jul Death of Marilyn Yocum

Many people in the former Central Conference are familiar with Dean and Marilyn Yocum, who were very active in the conference and, in Marilyn’s case, Women’s Missionary Fellowship. Marilyn passed away on Monday, June 30.

There will be celebration of her life in Jesus Christ on Monday, July 7, at 3 p.m. The service will be at Dublin Baptist Church, 7195 Coffman Rd, Dublin, OH 43017.

Dean has directed that memorials be divided among her three favorite ministries: Global Ministries, Better Way Ministries, and Precept Bible Study.