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09 Feb

February 9, 2015 |

mary-ellen-caley110Mary Ellen Caley, 82, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2015. She had been in hospice care for about a week. She is the mother of two persons known by many United Brethren: Rev. J. Michael Caley, pastor of Banner of Christ UB church (Byron Center, Mich.), and Jane Seely, who works at the national office as Resource Manager. Jane interacts regularly with UB churches to process and ship Sunday school materials. Another sibling, Cindy Kreps, works at Huntington University, and youngest son Bob works for the City of Huntington.

Mrs. Caley was also known to hundreds of Huntington University students during the 1970s, when she was “Ma HUB,” the director of the Huntington Union Building. She was a member of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

Funeral details:

Viewing time: 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Thursday, February 12.
Viewing location: Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.
Funeral time: 11 am Friday morning, February 13. Viewing 1 hour beforehand.
Funeral location: College Park UB church, 1945 College Ave., Huntington, Ind. 46750.

Condolences can be sent to:

J. Michael Caley
1111 68th St SW
Byron Center, MI  49315

Jane Seely
2456 College Avenue
Huntington, IN 46750

30 Jan

January 30, 2015 |
The new Huntington University ice rink.

The new Huntington University ice rink.

Kalischuk-Tyson200On January 26, Huntington University held a grand opening for its new ice rink.
The portable rink covers the outdoor basketball court in front of the Merillat Complex Fieldhouse and will remain in place during the winter months. The Athletics Office purchased skates, along with hockey sticks and pucks, for students to use. The Fort Wayne Komets, a pro hockey team, are the lead sponsor of the facility.

This was totally a student-led and student-executed project.

Tyson Kalischuk (right), a junior from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, presented the idea through the student sennate’s Think Tank competition in November. His ice rink proposal was voted students’ favorite idea to improve the campus, and he was awarded $700 to help fund the project. He embarked on a fundraising campaign for the remaining resources needed to purchase and maintain the ice rink. To date, Kalischuk has raised $6,850 from student organizations and campus offices, and from outside sponsors. That $675 more than the projected amount needed to cover the costs.

19 Jan

January 19, 2015 |

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Global Ministries, through its partnership in with International Needs, is now working on Turkey’s border, where refugees are flooding in from Syria and Iraq. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees counts over 1.6 million refugees (and growing) now living in Turkey. Most are from Syria. Half of them are children.

We invite you to help support these efforts.

The Islamic State (ISIS) and fighting in Syria has forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. Now they are trying to survive in camps amidst snow and sub-freezing temperatures. Christians are meeting the refugees in their despair, providing hope found in Christ alone.

Behnan Knotgun, director of International Needs Turkey, is with refugees handing out warm clothing, blankets, and firewood for cooking and heating. He reports that the needs are great. Although Turkey is predominantly Muslim and the nation’s evangelical church is very small, he says, “They have done marvelous things for the refugees. They are welcomed by the local authorities. They respect the churches, and they welcome us very well.”

Konutgan says many refugees were stuck in the mountains without food or water. The stories from the mountains are horrible. One woman told Konutgan that some women, not wanting to see their children suffer, threw them off the mountains to their death.

Another woman told him that she gave her daughters to a Saudi man and gave him $50. He said he would take care of them until the conflict ended. She hasn’t heard from the man and believes her daughters were kidnapped.

Konutgan says the refugees want to know about Jesus. And in the midst of tragedy, God is working. “They hear the Bible, so this is a good opportunity for the Gospel. I’m sure they will come to Christ Jesus. There are thousands of people among them who secretly say they love Jesus.”

To help with refugee support, you can send contributions to Global Ministries. Contributions will then be forwarded to International Needs.

Global Ministries
302 Lake Street
Huntington, IN 46750

19 Jan

January 19, 2015 |

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At the Honduras Conference waterpark.

At the Honduras Conference waterpark.

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Honduran National Conference is working hard to develop numerous sources of income for church planting, pastoral assistance, and missions. With very limited resources, they have found it necessary to be creative and ingenious. The new waterpark at the conference retreat center is just one example.

The property lies on the coastal highway just outside the city of La Ceiba. It was purchased fifteen years ago. Since that time, a traditional pool and some picnic shelters were built. However, the long-range plan after completing the waterpark is to build a sports complex, a conference center for business meetings and receptions, and a small hotel and bungalows for snow birds. They are targeting local schools, municipal programs, and local businesses. But they would also market to tourists.

I had the opportunity to tour the center on January 15. They’ve made a great start as the project moves one stage at a time. They don’t overlook a single opportunity to turn a profit, including the sale of fruit that grows on the property.

If you’d like to know more about this project, contact us at info@ubglobal.org.

14 Jan

January 14, 2015 |

Rev. Billy Simbo, former bishop of Sierra Leone Conference, lives in the United States but makes frequent trips back to his homeland. He had planned to return in September, but since British Airways canceled so many flights because of the Ebola crisis, he had to delay. But now, after an eight-month absence, he’ll be back in Sierra Leone on January 17.

On Facebook, Billy wrote on January 14 that during his time in the States, “I got the opportunity to speak to Rotary Clubs in the area where I live about the Ebola outbreak and its impact on Sierra Leone and the neighboring countries. I thank God for the chance given to me to help in my own small ways to educate people and tell of the plight of our people back home. Tonight was my last speaking engagement, making the 33rd group I had spoken to with the aim of enlisting their help in our fight against Ebola. I have planted the seeds, and trust that much would come out of the efforts.”

He has a number of ministry engagements already lined up. He adds, “It would be good to be back home, away from all this cold, arctic blasts and polar vortex! I need some warm weather and cool ocean breezes. Freetown, I here I come!”

14 Jan

January 14, 2015 |
Todd Fetters opening up the gathering.

Todd Fetters opening up the gathering.

Bishop Phil Whipple and Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University, spoke prior to the meal on Monday night.

Bishop Phil Whipple and Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University, spoke prior to the meal on Monday night.

Attaboy sang and led in worship on Monday night.

Attaboy sang and led in worship on Monday night.

Cluster leaders fill out the Name Game.

Cluster leaders fill out the Name Game.

Every January, the cluster leaders come to Huntington, Ind., for some training. This year, 17 of the 27 cluster leaders attended on January 12-13. The meeting was held at the Habecker Dining Commons at Huntington University.

The meeting began Monday evening. The person in charge of the meeting was Todd Fetters, director of National Ministries, whose responsibilities include overseeing the clusters. He opened the meeting. Bishop Phil Whipple gave a devotional, after which Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University, spoke about the important relationship between the denomination and the college. Then it was time to eat.

Attaboy, a musical group affiliated with Huntington University, provided a half hour of music and worship. They described their new focus on ministering in public schools, and told of the success they’ve had already. They are making themselves available to churches.

The evening concluded with a “Thank You” time for Cathy Reich, administrative assistant to Bishop Whipple and Todd Fetters. Cathy interacts constantly with cluster leaders and other pastors, making all travel arrangements for them and making other contacts on behalf of the national office. Most of the cluster leaders had written words of appreciation. These were compiled and presented to Cathy. Three of the cluster leaders were asked to read their statements at the meeting.

After the meeting, a number of cluster leaders went to the home of Todd and Lisa Fetters to watch the national championship football game between Ohio State and Oregon.

On Tuesday morning, the group gathered at 8am for the actual training. The previous night, the cluster leaders were given a page with the photo of all 27 leaders, and a separate list of the names of the cluster leaders. To see how well they knew each other, they were asked to match names and faces. Those papers were turned in Monday night, and Cathy Reich “graded” them. Two persons got all of them correct: Rocky Spear, pastor of Mongul UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.), and Craig Burkholder, pastor of Hudson UB (Hudson, Ind.). They were both recognized first thing Tuesday morning and given a prize.

Mike Dittman, who heads a ministry called Haven of the Heart, was again (as in 2014) the main speaker. He addressed matters related to the pastor’s heart, and demonstrated how to lead a cluster group discussion.

After a buffet lunch at the university, the meeting concluded.

Below are a few photos from the Cluster Leader Training. Over 50 photos are included in an album on the United Brethren Facebook page.

13 Jan

January 13, 2015 |
Huntington University students in Vitoria, in the Basque region of Spain.

Huntington University students in Vitoria, in the Basque region of Spain.

A group of Huntington University students is spending January Term in the Basque region of Spain. Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, is leading the trip.

13 Jan

January 13, 2015 |
The baseball team in Nicaragua.

The baseball team in Nicaragua.

Pitching...

Pitching…

...and batting.

…and batting.

The team was able to watch the Colts-Broncos playoff game on Sunday.


The team was able to watch the Colts-Broncos playoff game on Sunday.

A baseball team, most from Huntington University, is in Masaya, Nicaragua. They are conducting baseball clinics for kids during the day, and (often) competing against Nicaraguan baseball teams at night.

12 Jan

January 12, 2015 |
The HU students in Paris.

The HU students in Paris.

HU students with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

HU students with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

A group of 12 Huntington University students are spending January Term in Paris, France. They are staying about a mile from the Charlie Hedbo office, where 12 people were killed on Wednesday, January 7. However, because of a flight delay, they hadn’t yet arrived. They were supposed to land several hours before the Charlie Hedbo attack, but were delayed 24 hours in Indianapolis because of ice; that’s where they learned about the attacks.

Caitlin Trainer, a senior who is on her fourth trip to Paris, is leading the trip. “I for sure went through a period of second guessing our trip once I found out about the shooting, but upon affirmation from our Paris site coordinators that it’s completely safe to travel, I made the decision to stick with the plan,” she said.

Their first full day in Paris came on Friday, the day French police killed three gunmen and freed hostages. That day, they did a prayer walk around Paris, but stayed away from the Kosher store where a hostage situation was in progress. They report that they have never felt unsafe. They’ve been able to go shopping and sightseeing.

“We are totally fine,” said Trainer. “We’re not being affected by the attack whatsoever. Really, the only big thing that we noticed is different is that we just see more armed policemen with guns, which is actually kind of normal for Paris. A lot of times they do walk around fully armed with big guns. This time around there’s just more of them. So you’ll see groups of like 10 instead of just two walking around the city.”

Added freshman Hannah Barrett, “There are a lot of police officers out and about in the city, but it’s really not bad at all. Everyone is still going about their days just like normal. I haven’t been nervous at all. They really have it under control and are making people feel safe.”

For the trip, the students teamed up with an organization called Envision Paris. They are feeding the homeless, doing young adult discipleship, hosting an art exposition, and teaching English. They will return to the US on January 20.

08 Jan

January 8, 2015 |

Belize. Thirteen students from Huntington University are spending January Term in Belize, working with the orphanage operated by Here’s Hope Ministries. Bob Eberly, a UB member from the Otterbein UB church (Greencastle, Pa.), is the founder and head of Here’s Hope. Bob’s son-in-law, Chris Moore, a UB endorsed missionary, is in Belize with the team from HU.

Nicaragua. On January 7, thirteen students from Huntington University, mostly members of the baseball team, left for Nicaragua. They will spend about ten days competing against Nicaraguan baseball teams and conducting clinics for Nicaraguan young people. This is the third such trip. Josh Kesler, senior pastor of The Well (Huntington, Ind.), and Jeff Dice, associate pastor of Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.), are participating on the trip, as they did in 2012 and 2014.

Spain. A team of 17 students from Huntington University is headed to Spain to spend a couple weeks working with missionaries Ron and Brenda Anderson as part of their January Term. Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, is leading the trip. David Kline, associate director of Global Ministries, and Norris Friesen from HU drove them in two vans to O’Hare Airport in Chicago.

They were supposed to leave on Wednesday, January 7, from Chicago. However, there have been two problems. First, two of the students are Jamaicans, and visa problems are preventing them from making the trip. After reaching the airport, they were unable to board. David Kline, who was part-way back to Huntington, returned to O’Hare and took them back to Huntington. Then the rest of the group sat on the plane for a couple hours before the flight was cancelled because of mechanical problems.  It’s looking like they won’t be able to depart until Friday, Jan. 9.

Central America. Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries, left January 7 to spend two weeks in Central America. He’s starting out in Nicaragua, attending the annual meeting of Nicaragua national conference Jan. 7-12. Next, he’ll travel north to attend the annual meeting of Honduras National Conference Jan. 12-19. He’ll conclude Jan. 19-22 with a visit to Belize, where he’ll meet up with the team from Huntington University.

France. Another team from Huntington University is spending January Term in Paris, France. This is not a Global Ministries-related trip, but is worth noting, particularly in light of Tuesday’s terrorist attack in Paris.