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04 Nov

November 4, 2009 |

I want to announce the hiring of Denny Miller, senior pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. He will work one day a week for Healthy Ministry Resources. He will oversee the cluster leaders and provide direction to the cluster system.

As I talk with other denominational executives, they all seem to like our cluster structure. I believe this system has great promise, but needs more direction.

Denny is uniquely equipped for this role. Some of our original ideas for clusters came out of the Healthy Church Leadership Team back 8 years ago. Denny was the chairman. I believe we can work on some new ways to help clusters have a greater impact in both training and meeting the needs of pastors.

We hope to roll out an updated strategy with our cluster leaders in January 2010.

We are excited about what is happening in many of our churches. We want to challenge all of our churches to pray hard and follow the direction that God leads us in to more effectively impact the towns and communities where we have churches. It is time to move with all of our energy to accomplish the mission that God has for us.

03 Nov

November 3, 2009 |

Beryl Fix, wife of former United Brethren minister Jack Fix, passed away Sunday, November 1, after suffering a heart attack. She was 94. Jack and Beryl’s ministry included pastoring College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.) and the former Olive View UB church (Sylmar, Calif.). Sons Gerald and Burney also served in the UB ministry. A memorial service will be held November 5 at 11 a.m. at Christ Community Church in Modesto, Calif.

02 Nov

November 2, 2009 |

Dick RaaabDick Raab, a retired United Brethren minister in Michigan, has been diagnosed with cancer and given 3-6 months to live. He learned that October 19 following a visit to the oncologist. Dick began radiation treatments on August 24 (which left him very sick), but a CT scan showed that the sarcoma tumors were growing despite the radiation.

Dick’s wife, Donelle, sent this note:

“The oncologist’s office is contacting hospice. This is tough news for the rest of us, but Dick will be enjoying great things beyond our imagination. Dick’s request for prayer is that he would be able to be a witness for his Lord, that he would maintain his sense of humor, and that he wouldn’t suffer too much pain. Hospice should help with the pain issue, but the rest is more up to him and God. Also, he’d love visits or phone calls.”

You can contact Dick by email at: donelleraab@yahoo.com.

20 Oct

October 20, 2009 |

gibbs_300Robert Gibbs passed away Sunday night, October 18, 2009, at the age of 87. During World War 2, he served in China with the Signal Corp. He went on to become a United Brethren pastor, and was ordained in 1954. He served UB churches in Michigan, and also worked as an electrical engineer.

After retiring, Bob and his wife, Pauline, volunteered as United Brethren missionaries in Macau.

Arrangements:

Visitation: Wednesday, October 21, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Palmer Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home, 6020 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, Mich. 48917. Phone: 517-323-7890.

Funeral: 11 am. Thursday, October 22, at First United Brethren Church, 1330 E. Grand River, Lansing, Mich. Pastor Scott Hergert will officiate.

Burial: Interment with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. October 22 at Holy Corners Cemetery, Caledonia, Mich.

Memorials can be made to the First United Brethren Church of Lansing or to Global Ministries of the United Brethren Church.

15 Oct

October 15, 2009 |

jonamberherron275Jonathan Herron has been named senior pastor of Colwood UB Church (Caro, Mich.) effective September 27, 2009. He takes the place of Phil Whipple, who was elected bishop in June.

On his first Sunday preaching at Colwood, ten persons came to Christ.

Jonathan holds a degree in Theater from Columbia College, and a Masters in Evangelism/Missions from Ashland Theological Seminary (2002). He also studied improv comedy for two years under Tina Fey at the Second City Training Center.

Jonathan’s ministry experience includes being a youth pastor at three churches (including NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC, one of the fastest-growing churches in the country), and speaking at youth conferences since 2002. Most recently, he was founding pastor of Catalyst Church in Kent, Ohio. He writes a blog at: http://www.jonathanherron.typepad.com

Jon and Amber Herron have been married for ten years. Amber holds a Masters in Clinical Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary (2002). They have a two-year-old son, Josiah.

15 Oct

October 15, 2009 |

Rick Pride, pastor of Eagle Quest UB church (Columbia City, Ind.) is mourning the death of his father. Richard C. Pride, 84, died Monday, October 12, at his home in South Bend, Ind. He was a World War 2 vet who served in the European theatre. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maymie, and their three children.

The funeral is today, October 15, in South Bend.

06 Oct

October 6, 2009 |
  • Gordon Kettel has resigned as pastor of Imagine This LLL, the church in Grand Ledge, Mich., which he started several years ago. Roy Atherton is serving as interim pastor.
  • Mark Ralph has resigned as senior pastor of Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.), effective October 1. He had been Sunfield’s senior pastor since 1997. Bishop Phil Whipple is working with cluster leader J. Michael Caley and the congregation to find a new senior pastor. In the meantime, George Speas, a retired UB minister, is serving as interim pastor.

06 Oct

October 6, 2009 |

jonamberherron275.jpgJonathan Herron has been named senior pastor of Colwood UB Church (Caro, Mich.) effective September 27, 2009. He takes the place of Phil Whipple, who was elected bishop in June.

Jonathan holds a degree in Theater from Columbia College, and a Masters in Evangelism/Missions from Ashland Theological Seminary (2002). He also studied improv comedy for two years under Tina Fey at the Second City Training Center.

Jonathan’s ministry experience includes being a youth pastor at three churches (including NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC, one of the fastest-growing churches in the country), and speaking at youth conferences since 2002. Most recently, he was founding pastor of Catalyst Church in Kent, Ohio. He writes a blog at: http://www.jonathanherron.typepad.com

Jon and Amber Herron have been married for ten years. Amber holds a Masters in Clinical Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary (2002). They have a two-year-old son, Josiah.

21 Sep

September 21, 2009 |

Chris Moore has been named senior pastor of Mount Zion (Bobo) UB church near Willshire, Ohio. This church is a part-time position.

Chris previously served on staff at Emmanuel UB (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Good Shepherd UB (Huntington, Ind.). His wife, Brenda, holds a fulltime job in Fort Wayne.