25 Sep Bluffton Participates in Fair Prayer Tent

Park UB (Bluffton, Ind.) participated with 17 other churches in a Prayer Tent at the Bluffton Street Fair, held September 16-20. Each church was responsible for two time segments during the week. They wore t-shirts that said “Thirsty? Whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst again.” The back of the shirts read, ” Churches cooperating for a changed community.”

Each team greeted the people as they passed by, offered them a cup of water, and received any prayer requests that were given. They gave away 50-70 gallons of water each day. And each day, they emailed a list of prayer requests to the participating churches.

During August, 12 people from Park traveled to Vermont to work at a local church. While there, they built a handicapped ramp, replanted new landscaping, and led the children in VBS. The team members raised their own money throughout the summer in order to make this event possible.

25 Sep Pa. Youth Tour Ohio and Michigan UB Churches

Pleasant Hill (Greencastle, Pa.) UB’s student ministry is called WHAT–Weary Hearts Acquiring Truth (based on Matthew 11:28). This summer, they participated in the “Ultimate Van Tour.” The participants included 20 students, 6 adults, and 2 children.

They left after church on July 27, traveled to the UB church in Oak Harbor, Ohio, and stayed there Monday and Tuesday nights. The youth were challenged to show Christ in a practical way while at the Cedar Point amusement park. Youth came back with many stories of how they showed Christ to others–from holding doors for people, to asking strangers about Christ.

Oak Harbor’s youth pastor, Don Gentry, led the group with devotions Monday night after the Cedar Point experience. Then on Tuesday, they traveled to Adrian, Mich., where they spent time using the pool, gym, and bowling alley at the Christian Family Center.

Then it was on to Mason, Mich., where they spent Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the Eden UB church. They had a bonfire on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, it was on to the UB church in Fowlerville, where the youth were involved in a prayer walk with Youth Pastor Bill Blue.

Say Ray Dutcher, youth pastor at Pleasant Hill, “A trip like this allows students to experience other UB churches and other states”

25 Sep Anchor Marking Fifth Anniversary

Fort Wayne, Ind. Here are several items from Anchor UB (Fort Wayne, Ind.), which on October 19 celebrates its fifth anniversary.

• About a dozen youth from Anchor UB, along with several adult sponsors, attended the DC/LA youth conference in Cincinnati. Some of the neighborhood youth made decisions for Christ during the event.
• Soon after returning, the youth headed off again, this time for the Cornerstone music festival in Bushnell, Ill.
• Jamie Knuth, a member of the youth group, led this year’s VBS program during June. She incorporated high-school, college, and adult volunteers. A great example of youth ministry leadership. Jamie, who has also been a youth leader with Campus Life, is now a freshman at Taylor University’s Fort Wayne campus.
• Every year, Anchor holds a baptismal service/picnic/worship service at the Stillwater retreat just south of Fort Wayne. This year, five people were baptized. They included a mother and adult daughter; the daughter had led her mom to the Lord during the previous month.
• Over fifty kids showed up for our fifth annual Neighborhood Carnival. Many of them came for the first time.

25 Sep News from College Park UB

The youth of College Park UB (Huntington, Ind.) embarked on a missions effort to help Honduras Conference get its church camp ready for ministry. Twenty-two people, including 16 youth and 6 adult staff, went on one of several short-term mission trips, working in partnership with Honduras Conference.

College Park is starting its second year with the Upward basketball and cheerleading program. Thus far, 27 kids have accepted Christ as a result of the ministry. They anticipate well over 200 students being involved during the second year.

25 Sep Summer Events in Waynesboro, Pa.

Here are several items about summer events at Otterbein UB in Waynesboro, Pa.

On July 8-10, over 20 players and coaches met for 3 days of High Flyer basketball camp. The camp offered players a chance to develop physically, socially, and spiritually. Players learned both basketball and life skills in a fun and competitive environment. Each player left the camp with a t-shirt, a ball, a pizza, and a great learning experience.

On July 11, 34 men and women participated in the Annual Otterbein Golf Scramble. The winning team shot a 65. Gift certificates were awarded to the top teams of each flight as well as the longest drive and closest to the hole. One person commented, “It was a great opportunity for me to spend some time with my son and get to know the others on my team in a fun environment.”

Twelve men from Otterbein attended the Promise Keeper event held in Pittsburgh July 11-12. The men had a great time together and were challenged spiritually to be men of God. They arrived Friday and attended the opening session, then stayed overnight and attended the sessions on Saturday with 11,000 other men.

Over 40 players and coaches met for this year’s Golden Goal soccer camp, held July 21-25. Players learned several soccer skills and a life skill on each of the five nights of camp. They also played games against other teams in the camp. Each player received a t-shirt, soccer ball, pizza, and a week of camp experience.

Otterbein held a “Group Connect” night on September 7, from 6:30-8:00. It was designed as a non-threatening environment where people could connect with others who share common interests, life stages, or geographic location. These starter small groups will meet for a total of four weeks at the church’s ministry center before going out on there own. This will provide the groups with a safe and comfortable environment to see if their starter group wants to continue beyond these four weeks. Fifty people showed up for the Group Connect night–potentially, another 3-5 small groups. The church already has 22 LIFE small group.

25 Sep Church Hosts Soccer Camp

Vicky Lorencen, Director of Discipleship and Assimilation at Gethsemane UB (Jackson, Mich.), reports, “Nearly 100 children participated in this summer’s Building Champions Soccer Camp July 21-25). Our theme was ‘Soul Survivor–Only the Strong Survive.’

“It included a drama and reality show format based on an unlikely combination of the NBC show Survivor and the verse Joshua 1:9, ‘Be strong and courageous.’ Kids learned soccer skills, made crafts, and enjoyed a lively teaching time each night. Sixteen children responded to the gospel message at the end of the week.”

18 Sep Hispanic Congregation Outgrows Its Building

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.

26 Aug Virginia Youth Learn “Kindness” in Florida

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.”

26 Aug Zion UB Hold Final Service

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.

26 Aug Mark Beers Assigned to Decatur UB

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.