12 Jun Travel to Turkey in October – Seven Churches Tour

Türkiye Teaser from Benny Krown on Vimeo.

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

There is still time to join us for the Seven Churches Tour in Turkey October 10-20, 2012. Dr. Mark Fairchild, chair of the Bible and Religion Department of Huntington University, will be our guide. Also participating will be Rody Rodeheaver of IN Network, Bishop Phil Whipple and Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries.

The total cost is $3,595 per person. That covers airfare, lodging in 4-5 star hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, an air-conditioned motorcoach, entrance fees and taxes. Time is limited, so act today.

Just as a teaser, you may want to view the video about Turkey above, which produced by a team from Commonwalk Church of Muncie, Ind.

11 Jun Upcoming Wedding of Elisa Reeck

On March 11, Elisa Reeck, the youngest daughter of Wycliffe endorsed staff Roger and Marilyn Reeck (serving in Honduras), became engaged to Matthew Garza. Elisa met Matt at the christian school where they both teach in San Antonio, Texas. The wedding will take place on the beach in Honduras on July 21.

11 Jun Two Young Women We Can’t Tell You About

Global Ministries staff sometimes serve in places where Christianity is not welcomed. As a result, we must avoid mentioning their names on United Brethren websites (because Google works everywhere). In some cases, being identified with a Christian organization may place them in danger. In other cases, it may simply get them kicked out of the country or cause hardship for their ministry.

We can be proud that courageous United Brethren people are venturing into such situations. Currently, eight Global Ministries families and individuals serve in undisclosed countries. But we can’t tell you about them.

Recently Kim, a young woman from a United Brethren church in the Midwest, returned to the States after serving two years in an Asia-Pacific country which is closed to Christian missionary work. Kim senses that the Lord is leading her back to America for the coming few years. Pray for a smooth transition back to the U.S. and God’s guidance as she looks for jobs and considers pursing a Masters degree. Pray also for the persons with whom she shared Christ–that the seeds she planted will produce abundant fruit.

Another United Brethren young woman, Anne, is preparing to leave for an undisclosed country. Pray for Anne and her influence in a country where Christianity is not welcomed.

(Even for publishing this vague information, we first got the approval of Kim and Anne.)

07 Jun Burtnett Family: Investing in the Next Generation of Leaders

Partnering with Wycliffe, SIL International, and related organizations, JAARS provides quality technical support services and resources to speed Bible translation for all people.  Their support , including software development and transportation, gives translators more time and resources to focus on language work, and reduces their costs.  As a result, God’s Word can be translated more quickly for hundreds of language groups around the world.

Mike and Jenny Burtnett are United Brethren members serving at the JAARS Center near Charlotte, NC. Mike is a youth pastor to 100+ missionary kids (MKs) who live near the center.  Jenny designs  JAARS’ quarterly magazine, called Rev. 7.  She also assists in the youth ministry.

The vision of JAARS’ youth ministry is to increase missionary longevity and prepare the next generation of ministers.  Nearly one-third of missionary kids will enter church or missions ministry as adults.  Yet one of the leading causes of missionaries leaving their ministries early is because their children’s needs (educational, emotional, spiritual) are not being met. Many of the MKs living near JAARS have recently returned from living many years overseas and need help adjusting to American culture.  Supporting and nurturing missionary families protects the church’s financial investment in the mission of Bible translation.

07 Jun Get Acquainted With: Erik Rojas, Pastor in Costa Rica

Erik Rojas is pastor of one of our churches in San Jose, Costa Rica. This gifted young man, who represented Costa Rica at the 2010 General Conference, is now attending seminary in Costa Rica at the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas. He expects to finish in 2016. Global Ministries is seeking a total of $100 a month to support Pastor Erik while he pursues a seminary degree. 

Testimony of Erik Rojas

I was born in a Catholic home in 1967. In January 1979, when I was 11 years old, my mother was very ill in hospital when she heard a dear woman of God share the salvation message of Jesus Christ. From then on, we began attending a Pentecostal Evangelical Church. After five years in that church, when I was 16 years old, I walked away from God’s ways. Many years later, when I was working in a restaurant, I met the woman who is now my wife. She invited me to church August 21, 2003. Following such a long time away from God, I was reconciled with the Lord in the same church where I serve as pastor today.

In 2005, I was chosen, along with my wife, Iris, to take charge of a church plant that we call “House of Prayer.” I had no theological training. Moreover, I did not know how to plant a church. I accepted the challenge because it has always been my desire to serve God. In 2006, I received the news that I would be transferred to the church where I now serve as pastor, “His Holiness Worship Center.” I now have over eight years of involvement with the United Brethren in Christ and this year, God willing, I will fulfill seven years in the pastorate. I am very happy and thankful to God to belong to the United Brethren in Christ.

During these years of ministry, I completed my theological studies and earned my Diploma in Pastoral Ministry in the Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance Seminary (a leading school in Costa Rica). To obtain this diploma, I completed 20 courses, a workshop, and a final project. My studies lasted two years. My average grade was 96.5%.

Parallel to these studies, I obtained three credentials from the United Brethren in Christ. These credentials are:

2006. The Superintendent’s Credential, which is awarded after a year of pastoral service. It requires the presentation of the primary academic diploma, recommendations, a review of the work performed, and the approval of the Bishop or Superintendent.

2007. The Pastoral License, which is awarded after two years of pastoral service. It requires a review by a theological examination board, various recommendations, a written examination, and approval by the Conference Board of Nicaragua.

2009. Pastoral Ordination, which is awarded after four years of pastoral service. It requires a review by a theological examination board, recommendations, a written examination, and approval of the Board of the Conference of Nicaragua, after review and assessment of work done by the pastor.

Our Constitution provides that the minimum time for a pastor to receive these three credentials is four years. I thank God that I was able to achieve them in the shortest possible time.

(more…)

06 Jun New Global Ministry Staff: Harold and MaryAnne Hancock

Harold and MaryAnn Hancock, a retired couple, have joined the Global Ministries staff. In mid-August 2012, they will begin serving at Jamaica Bible College in Mandeville, Jamaica.

Harold spent his career working in various trades–welding, electrical work, plumbing, etc. He will teach those skills at a vocational high school located on the campus of Jamaica Bible College. MaryAnne will work in the college library.

The Hancocks are members of New Hope UB church in Camden, Mich. MaryAnne has been the longtime administrative assistant for the church and the former New Hope Christian School. A commissioning service will be held at the church no August 5.

At this time, the Hancocks have raised 90% of their needed support. If you are interested in supporting them, send contributions to:

Global Ministries
302 Lake Street
Huntington, IN 46750

Include a separate note indicating the check is for “Hancock support.”

05 Jun Leadership Training in Mexico

On May 17, 2012, Rev. Gary Brooks, a retired UB pastor and missionary, flew to Mexico to join Rev Denis Casco, bishop of the Mexico National Conference. They conducted a seminar for 35 pastors and church workers. It was held at the Rosa de Saron United Brethren Church in the municipality of Jesus Maria El Marquez, on the outskirts of Queretaro, Mexico.

Gary Brooks taught a chapter by chapter study from Colossians. Bishop Casco taught classes on discipleship, focusing on the difference between unproductive professing believers who fill our church pews and disciples who do all they can to fulfill the Great Commission.

The response was overwhelming and pastors responded frequently with great enthusiasm. As Gary Brooks noted, their excitement demonstrates the need for more training of this kind.

If you would like to support future training events like this in Mexico, send your gift to Global Ministries marked “Mexico – Leadership Development.”

05 Jun Nutritious Meals for Honduran Children

Not far beyond the multinational fruit company headquarters where seasonal workers wait in hope for temporary jobs, the Honduran village of El Carril is brimming with children. Many of these children come from homes where eating more than one meal per day is considered a luxury, and what is consumed is little more than a basic starch like rice or corn.

However, at this “comedor” (meal program), a local United Brethren church does all it can to provide the children with occasional meals that are more nutritious than they receive at home. Along with the meals, the children are able to hear Bible stories, sing songs, and learn that they are valued and loved by God.

Just a few of our North American churches support feeding programs like this, and yet so much is accomplished as a result.

30 May Haiti Project: $200 for Medical Supplies

In October 2011, a United Brethren team from Canada met Dr. Germain Robinson Lorentz, one of two doctors who worked with them in a medical clinic ministry. He survived the earthquake of January 2010, but lost his wife, young daughter, mother, and brother in their collapsed home. If he hadn’t stopped for a few minutes to watch a soccer match, he too would have died.

The team felt that God brought Germain to work with them so they could love and encourage him while giving him opportunity to use his skills to help the sick. They learned that he believed he was spared for a purpose–to help his fellow Haitians in any way he could. All he needed for himself was enough to live simply. Any funds he could gather would go for medicines to help the people of Grand Saline, a village about four hours from Port au Prince.

During the week, Germain works for a mission hospital for a very small stipend. Twice a month, he travels to Grand Saline to do medical work among the people there. With very little in the way of meds, he does what he can for this village of about 1000 people.

The Canadian team members have maintained contact with Germain, and interested persons contributed funds so he could leave the tent in which he had lived for two years and move into one of four apartments in a house.

Canada’s Global Outreach Leadership Team feels that support for medicines for Germain to use is a call of God. Future medical trips by Canadian teams will be assured of having a Haitian doctor. When non-medical ministries are undertaken by Canadian teams, they will take items to assist Germain with his medical work–baby formula, water purification kits, vitamins, etc. Having the money to purchase specific items in Haiti is the best way we can help, though.

Anyone wishing to contribute funds for this kind of ministry support (strictly medical supplies) is invited to do so. We will send $200 a month as long as monies are available. Any funding gathered in the United States will be sent to the Canadian treasurer.

29 May Three New Members of the Global Ministries Team

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

The Global Ministries Leadership Team has three new members.

John Hetrick. John is a member of King Street UB church in Chambersburg, Pa., where he became of follower of Christ seven years ago. John serves as a member of King Street’s missions team and recently traveled with me as part of our vision team to Chiang Rai, Thailand. John works for a division of IBM as a project director, consulting with corporate customers on the software needs and directing a team of programmers and developers. He brings with him the ability to think strategically and a fresh perspective of a layperson. He begins a four-year term this fall.

Chuck Malson. Chuck has been senior pastor of Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.) since 1981. He has participated in numerous short-term missions trips, especially to Nicaragua. He has been involved in pastoral training and has led missions teams. Brown Corners Church has a definite missional focus both at home and abroad. Chuck brings the perspective of a large church interested in partnerships and an inquisitive mind always seeking to understand our rationale. He begins a four-year term this fall.

Al S, and the organization he represents, has been working with Global Ministries for the past three years in developing our micro-business strategies and curriculum. Al and his family served in South Asia for 14 years before returning to the United States to train and develop indigenous church planters among the most unreached areas of the world. We won’t give his full name, because he is involved in ministry to Islamic and other limited-access countries.

Global Ministries began appointing non-UBs to the team back in 1985, as a way to gain broader knowledge and expertise. However, in recent years all of the members have been UBs. The current Global Ministries team intentionally created this slot on the team for a non-UB, and designated it as a one-year appointment.

Leaving the Global Ministries Leadership Team are:

• Ruth Ann Price, who has served on the team since 2001. She is a career missionary with Wycliffe and Missionary in Residence at Huntington University.
• Wil Kline, a member of the team since the spring of 2009.