24 Feb Steve Smith Undergoes Heart Procedure

Steve Smith (right), pastor of Lake View UB church (Camden, Mich.), had a scare last Friday (February 21) when he underwent a heart-related procedure. His wife, Pam, sent this email on February 20, explaining the situation and asking for prayer:

“Before we left for vacation, we asked for prayer for Steve as it was discovered when he went in to the doctor because of the flu that his heart was beating out of rhythm, called Atrial Fibrillation. He was to go to the cardiologist the day before we left for vacation, but with the large snowfall the night before, were unable to do so. The appointment was rescheduled for Tuesday, February 18.

“After consulting with the doctor, Steve will be going into the Hillsdale Hospital this Friday morning at 8:30 AM to have a procedure called cardio version. The goal is to give his heart enough of a shock to put it back into rhythm. Because his heart is out of rhythm, it is weakening his heart function. Please pray this will do what the doctor believes will restore his heart rhythm.”

God is good. Afterwards, Pam sent out this email: “Things went well. His heart is back in rhythm. Keeping him over night for observation. Thanks for your prayers!”

19 Feb Three New Ministerial Licenses Granted

The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team has approved these ministerial licenses:

• Kevin Poole has been granted a Specialized Ministry license. He is Children’s Pastor at Fowlerville UB church (Fowlerville, Mich.).
• Jeremiah Ketchum has been granted a Provisional ministerial license. He is lead pastor at Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.).
• Mitchell Owens has been granted a National Conference ministerial license. He is executive pastor at New Hope Community Church (Bryan, Ohio).

17 Feb Update on Kyle McQuillen

Kyle McQuillen served as director of Global Ministries 1993-2001. He then semi-retired with his wife, Marlouise, in Florida. Two years ago, Kyle was diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. On February 13, he gave an update on Facebook.

Kyle writes:

I am presently in the Oncology outpatient department of the Bert Fish hospital in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., getting my monthly post-cancer infusion treatment. It has been two years since I was diagnosed with stage four Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. I thought this would be a good time for an update while I wait for this five-hour procedure to complete.

My cancer went into remission in April 2012, but I went through a very trying time for the next six months since the chemo nearly destroyed my immune system. I did begin to recover in August 2012, and have been gaining strength ever since. While I am still taking these monthly post-cancer treatments (Retuxin and IVIG), I am working all the time.

I work a day or two a week at our local church (visitation and pastoral care), but my main work is at the Tomoka Correctional Institution (State Prison) where I work for the Florida Department of Corrections overseeing a reentry program for 292 inmates. I work 55 hours a week at the prison and LOVE my work among so many inmates on whom others have given up hope.

Thank you for your prayers and concerns over these past two years! I am so grateful that the Lord has given me this “extra” time to invest my remaining years in the lives of those men who have taught me so much about what it means to really trust the Lord in difficult times.

13 Feb New Ministerial Licenses and Ordinations Approved

L-r (top): Gary Hitz, Kim Fish, Jason Haupert, Jeff Propps, Ted Rankin. Bottom: Adam Will, Stephanie Farman, Andy Sikorra, Michelle Blocher, Steve Henry.

The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team has approved these licenses and ordinations.

Provisional Ministerial License

• Gary Hitz, from Strinestown UB church (Manchester, Pa.).
• Matt Graham, current an intern at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).
• Kim Fish, Women’s Ministries Director at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).
• Jason Haupert, from New Hope Church (Huntington, Ind.).
• Jeff Propps, from Franklintown UB church (Franklintown, Pa.).
• Ted Rankin, youth pastor at Atlantic Avenue UB church (Franklin, Pa.).
• Adam Will, associate pastor of Mt. Hermon UB church (Pomeroy, Ohio).

Specialized Ministry License

• Stephanie Farman, Children’s Coordinator at Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).

Ordinations Approved
Ordinations for these persons will be conducted by Bishop Phil Whipple at a later date.

• Andy Sikorra, senior pastor of Renew Communities (Berea, Ohio).
• Eric Self, senior pastor of Mount Zion UB church (Junction City, Ohio).
• Michelle Blocher, Pastor of Early Childhood Ministries at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).
• Randy Marketich, senior pastor of Barton Road UB church (Meadville, Pa.).
• Steve Henry, senior pastor of Victory Heights UB Church (Franklin, Pa.).

23 Jan Prayer Need: Michael Dean Suffers a Stroke

On Tuesday, January 21, Michael Dean (right), a UB pastor in Virginia, was taken to his local hospital and diagnosed with a stroke. Presently, he is in the Critical Care Unit. His daughter, Briana, wrote on January 23, “He has lost his ability to fully communicate and has confusion. As you can imagine, this is pretty devastating.”

Mike is senior pastor of two churches: Living Water UB Church in Winchester, Va., and a church plant in Berryville called Emmaus Church.

Please keep Mike and his wife, Jeanne, in your prayers.