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11 Sep

September 11, 2014 |
Reina Casco with a grandchild.

Reina Casco with a grandchild.

Denis Casco, Bishop of Mexico Conference, posted the following on Facebook on Thursday morning, September 11. His wife, Reina, is in the Intensive Care Unit of Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif.

Reina received a dose of morphine at 11:30 pm to calm her severe pain from the the cerebral hemorrhage she suffered five days ago. She looks very vulnerable; her face is like a helpless child that makes me literally shed tears of pain in the bottom of my heart. I know God is with her and that his angels are taking care of Reina.

Tomorrow she’ll probably have a second surgery to put a catheter into her brain to drain and help reduce the severe headache. I am trusted in God that this will help a lot and she will be able to sleep a little more.

Last night I went to church to pray with my brothers and sisters, and also to comfort them because they are also suffering from Reina’s disease. We were helping each other, as God’s Word commands. These have been difficult days, but I felt the support of hundreds of people like my family, pastors, friends, and churches in many countries that are praying for Reina. I have received hundreds of phone calls, messages, emails etc. I have not been able to answer until today.

10 Sep

September 10, 2014 |
Reina Casco at the Glendale Hispanic church which she pastors in the Los Angeles area.

Reina Casco at the Glendale Hispanic church which she pastors in the Los Angeles area.

Reina Casco, wife of Bishop Denis Casco of Mexico Conference, entered a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday with an aneurysm. The Cascos live in Monrovia, Calif. Bishop Casco posted the following (with some editing–English is his second language) on Tuesday, September 10.

Bishop Denis Casco, Mexico Conference

Today Reina is talking a little more than yesterday, and that’s a good sign for recovery. I’m counting each day as a gift of life for all my family, because today I learned more clearly that we can die in a second, and that’s what would have happened with Reina. Aneurysm is highly dangerous if not treated immediately. Reina could have died, but God did not allow it because it is He that gives life and takes it away.

Reina is slowly responding. She continues in ICU under strict medical care. Pain will be in her head for a few days, so they have to deliver morphine.

Everyone here in my family is very grateful to all of you for taking care of me with your text messages, phone calls, visits, and especially for your prayers. God has listened carefully and responded to all of you with such love and mercy for Reina. Please keep praying for Reina. This is a very critical period for her.

Address:

Reina Casco
2427 Rochelle Avenue
Monrovia, CA  91016

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |

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At the Atlantic Avenue baptismal service.

At the Atlantic Avenue baptismal service.

On August 24, Atlantic Avenue UB church (Franklin, Pa.) baptized 25 persons. The service was held at a county park. After a tureen dinner, everyone headed down to the beach for a worship time, communion, and the baptism. About 230 people attended.

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |
Superintendent Juanita Chavez (third from left) with Honduran leaders during the three days of prayer and fasting.

Superintendent Juanita Chavez (third from left) with Honduran leaders during the three days of prayer and fasting.

Jeff Bleijerveld (right), Director of Global Ministries

Juanita Chavez, superintendent of Honduras Conference, wrote about a conference-wide three days of prayer and fasting. It stretched from 6am-6pm on August 25, 26, and 27.

Some leaders met together during this prayer summit, but all members of their 115 churches were encouraged to join them. They were inspired by the example of Moses, Aaron, and Hur who climbed to the top of a hill in Exodus 17:10-15, and together held up Moses’ hands so that the Israelites would prevail over the Amaleks.

So what did they prayer about?

  • A revival throughout the church as a result of hearing and obeying the Word of God.
  • Willingness of their leaders to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, recognizing the Lordship of Jesus over His church.
  • Reestablishment of the “family altar” among their families, so that Christ would be evident in their family lives.
  • Bethel School and its financial needs.
  • The Retreat Center and the projects underway to complete it.
  • Their country and its leaders–that the fear of God would awaken in their hearts.
  • Wisdom from God for the difficult decisions and situations that we see around the world in these times of crisis.

They also shared their anticipation in joining with others from September 30 to October 20 for the 21 Days For Global Harvest. This is the first year that Global Ministries has invited our worldwide body to join this prayer campaign for fulfilling the Great Commission in this generation.

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |

Fall enrollment at Huntington University stands at 1,209. That’s an 8% increase over 2013.

The graduate programs grew across the board, increasing from 69 to 134 students. That included:

  • 32 students (the maximum allowed) in the new doctorate in occupational therapy program.
  • A 60% increase in the graduate counseling program.
  • New graduate programs in ministry and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

Meanwhile, at the undergraduate level:

  • There are 977 traditional undergraduate students, a 3% bump from fall 2013.
  • The 87% retention rate of freshmen to sophomores is the highest in the university’s history.

Once again, it’s a diverse class.

  • Students come from 35 different states, including such far-flung states as Maine, South Carolina, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Hawaii.
  • 9% of the students are ethnic minorities.
  • 41 international students represent 20 countries, including Argentina, Honduras, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |
Pastor Bill Blue with four children being dedicated, along with their families.

Pastor Bill Blue with four children being dedicated, along with their families.

Pastor Bill Blue (right) and Chris Soltis, pastor of children and youth ministries (left) with baptism candidates.

Pastor Bill Blue (right) and Chris Soltis, pastor of children and youth ministries (left) with baptism candidates.

Pastor Bill Blue and Chris Soltis with baptism candidates.

Pastor Bill Blue and Chris Soltis with baptism candidates.

Chris Soltis, Pastor of Children & Youth Ministries, Shoreline Church (Oak Harbor, Ohio)

Pastor Bill Blue preaching.

Pastor Bill Blue preaching.

On August 17, Shoreline Church (Oak Harbor, Ohio) held its annual Back 2 School Bash at Camp Sabroske. About 150 people attended attended this wonderful evening of fun, food, and fellowship! Families gathered and enjoyed volleyball, soccer, basketball, horseshoes, swimming, cornhole… there was something for everyone!

After a time of worship, Pastor Bill Blue delivered the message. Four children were dedicated. Then the three baptism candidates shared their testimony and why they were getting baptized. From there, the service moved towards the pond and baptisms were performed.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed fantastic food and fellowship and a time of just being together. This event helps celebrate all that God has been doing in our lives and serves as a springboard for our church as we transition into our fall ministry season!

09 Sep

September 9, 2014 |
Pastor Russ Wagner preaching from a boat.

Pastor Russ Wagner preaching from a boat.

The Mt. Zion congregation at the outdoor worship service.

The Mt. Zion congregation at the outdoor worship service.

Pastor Wagner completes one of the baptisms.

Pastor Wagner completes one of the baptisms.

On August 24, Mt. Zion UB church (Decatur, Ind.) held and outdoor worship service with 72 in attendance. Pastor Russ Wagner preached his sermon from a rowboat out in the pond. Afterwards, he baptized ten new believers.

The service and baptism were followed by a picnic carry-in lunch and an afternoon of games, swimming, and fellowship, with much thanksgiving to the Lord for the new brothers and sisters and the awesome weather.

08 Sep

September 8, 2014 |

Reina Casco, wife of Bishop Denis Casco of Mexico Conference, underwent surgery on Sunday, September 7, for what Bishop Casco described as “brain bleeding.” The surgery was done at Huntington Memorial Hospital in the Los Angeles area, where the Cascos live.

Denis later wrote: “Reina’ surgery was successful. She is doing well,. She is in Intensive Care Unit for her recuperation.” He expects her to remain hospitalized for another ten days.

Reina is pastor of a former United Brethren church in Glendale, Calif.

Address:

Reina Casco
2427 Rochelle Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016

03 Sep

September 3, 2014 |

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September 14 will mark the 200th anniversary of the US national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.” The song has a special connection for the United Brethren Church.

Francis Scott Key (right), who wrote the song, was a United Brethren member. He and a United Brethren preacher named John Snook organized a Sunday school in Keysville, Md. Key donated songbooks and led the singing. Snook and Key also went on evangelistic tours together, with Key handling the music.

Francis Scott Key, as most people know, penned the lyrics during the War of 1812 as he watched the British bombard Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Md. He was 35 years old when he wrote the four-stanza poem on September 14, 1814. It was published a few days later under the title “Defense of Fort M’Henry.”

“The Star Spangled Banner” became the national anthem by a Congressional resolution in 1931.

03 Sep

September 3, 2014 |

More and more United Brethren churches are climbing aboard the Facebook bandwagon. Since so many parishioners and friends are on Facebook, it’s a great way to get information out. Currently, 73 UB churches have Facebook pages. Some aren’t very active. Others are very active.