05 Dec Congratulations to Tom and Evelyn Mahas!

Silas ready to go home.

Tom and Evelyn Mahas are the parents of a new baby boy. Silas Thomas George Mahas arrived at 10:25 pm on December 1, at 6lbs 1 oz, and 19.75 inches. Tom is youth pastor of Bethel UB church in Elmore, Ohio.

28 Nov Doug Birdsall Moving to the American Bible Society

S. Douglas Birdsall, a United Brethren preacher’s kid, has been selected as the next president of the American Bible Society. He starts March 1.

In 2004, Birdsall became CEO and Executive Chair of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (now called the Lausanne Movement). He anticipates that his replacement as CEO will be chosen in early 2013. He will continue as Executive Chair unti June 2013.

Birdsall’s roots go deep in the United Brethren church. His parents, Roger and Mary Lou Birdsall, served in the United Brethren pastorate for many years. His brother Brent is a former UB pastor and missionary, and his brother Brian is part of the Global Ministries overseas staff (serving with Campus Crusade in Ukraine).

Doug will be the second United Brethren to helm the American Bible Society. Dr. Eugene Habecker left his post as President of Huntington University in 1991 to become president of the ABS, serving in that role until 2005.

The stated mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message.The ABS, headquartered in New York City on Manhattan, produces and distributes Scripture around the world, working with numerous national Bible societies. They are involved in Bible translation projects, and are well-known for spearheading two modern English translations, the Good News Bible and the more recent Contemporary English Version.

09 Nov Ordination of Stephen Smith

Bishop Phil Whipple (left) present an ordination certificate to Stephen Smith, as Pam Smith looks on.

Stephen Smith, senior pastor of Lake View UB church (Camden, Mich.) was ordained by Bishop Philip Whipple on Sunday, October 28, 2012.

Rev. Smith has served in ministry since 1977, and came to the United Brethren church in 1986 as program director of Camp Michindoh (Hillsdale, Mich.), a role he held for three years. In 1989 he became an associate pastor at Hillsdale UB church, and in 1998 became senior pastor of South Scipio UB church in Harlan, Ind. He has pastored Lake View since 2003.

Steve and his wife, Pam, were married in 1976 and have three children.

06 Nov Ricky Hull Appointed to Mt. Hermon

Ricky Hull was appointed senior pastor of Mt. Hermon UB church (Pomeroy, Ohio) effective November 1, 2012. He holds a certificate in Biblical Survey/Pastoral Foundations from the Pastoral Leadership Institute (Missionary Church), and plans to graduate in 2014 from Winebrenner Theological Seminary (Findlay, Ohio) with a Master of Divinity.

15 Oct Tanya Hardaway Diagnosed with Cancer

Scott and Tanya Hardaway

Tanya Hardaway, 38, was diagnosed last week with a uterine sarcoma, which is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Tanya is the wife of Scott Hardaway, senior pastor since 2001 of Pathway Community Church in Jackson, Mich.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic are working to identify the exact cell type of the cancer, and their findings will determine what kind of chemotherapy Tanya will receive. Pray that these results will come back quickly, that chemo can start soon, and that she will respond well to the treatment.

Scott and Tanya have two sons–Jared, 6, and Caleb, 2.

Cards can be sent to:

Tanya Hardaway
5225 Clinton Road
Jackson, MI 49201

08 Oct Obit: Silas Ward, Infant Son of Sam and Sarah Ward

Silas

Sam and Sarah Ward are mourning the death of their two-year-old son, Silas. Silas passed away Friday, October 5, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. Sam is pastor of Creative Worship & Drama at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne. For those of you who attended the 2011 US National Conference, Sam was the worship leader throughout the conference.

Viewing: Monday, October 8, 2012, 3-5 and 6-8 pm.
Viewing location: D.O. McComb’s Funeral Home, 8325 Covington Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind.
Funeral: 11 am Tuesday, October 9. Viewing one hour beforehand.
Funeral location: Emmanuel Community Church, 12222 U.S. Highway 24 W., Fort Wayne, Ind.

Many people have left notes on Sam’s Facebook page. Cards can be sent to the Wards via the church address:

Sam and Sarah Ward
12222 W Jefferson Blvd
Fort Wayne, IN 46814

08 Oct Ordination of Keith Elliott

Bishop Phil Whipple (right) with Keith and Nicole Elliott.

On September 30, 2012, Bishop Phil Whipple conducted the ordination of Keith Elliott, senior pastor of Criders UB church in Chambersburg, Pa.