(260) 356-2312

UB.orgUBGlobal.orgChurch Search

14 Nov

November 14, 2013 |
Members of one of the United Brethren churches in Liberia. Note the sign at the top of the church building.

Members of one of the United Brethren churches in Liberia. Note the sign at the top of the church building.

In early 2013, someone from Liberia called the United Brethren office in Huntington, Ind. In a thick West African accent, the person claimed to be part of the United Brethren in Christ church in Liberia, and said they wanted to be connected to us.

We’ve never had mission work in Liberia. However, this group was using our exact name—Church of the United Brethren in Christ. It’s possible they are a remnant of the “other” United Brethren group from which our denomination split back in 1889.

Anyway, Global Ministries passed along the information to Bishop John Pessima (right) of Sierra Leone Conference. Sierra Leone and Liberia are neighboring countries. Bishop Pessima made contact, and some relationships are forming.

“We’ve been to Liberia three times to meet with that group,” says Bishop Pessima.

He says they have nine churches—“Very good, large churches”—and that he has visited four of them.

“They are very receptive and are willing to join a communion of United Brethren,” he says. “We are moving gradually, because there are many things we need to look into. We’ve looked at their governing documents, and have presented out doctrines and core values.”

He plans to make another visit in December to meet with the man supervising those churches. “We’re planning to spend 4-5 days with them to talk about the logo and the Confession of Faith.” He hopes to take the UB national presidents of their organizations for men, women, and youth to talk to their Liberian counterparts.

He says they want to start by exchanging delegates to various events.

They’ll invite the Liberian women to send delegates in April 2014 to the Sierra Leone national women’s convention. Likewise with the national UB youth camp in 2014, which will probably be held in Mattru.

In this way, the two groups of churches—over 70 UB churches in Sierra Leone, and the 9 UB churches in Liberia—will get better acquainted. And we’ll see where things go from there.

12 Nov

November 12, 2013 |
L-r: Jeffrey Propps, Daryl Kissinger, Earl Wintermoyer, Mark Burkett, Gener Lacase, Becky Hann, and Michael Zeger.

The Chambersburg, Pa., class. L-r: Jeffrey Propps, Daryl Kissinger, Earl Wintermoyer, Mark Burkett, Gener Lascase, Becky Hann, and Michael Zeger.

The Bryan, Ohio, class.

The Bryan, Ohio, class. Top row, l-r: Bob Bruce (instructor), Travis Ambrose, Jason Clark, Ramsey Cross, Stephanie Farman, Amanda Graham. Bottom row, l-r: Scott Graham, Scott Hardy, Courtney Kennedy, Zach Kennedy, Mike Rowley, Wesley Skiles.

On November 11-12, a total of 18 persons attended the UB History Course in two different locations: Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Seven persons attended the course hosted by King Street UB church in Chambersburg, Pa. Dr. Daryl Elliott, senior pastor of Fountain UB church (Keyser, W. Va.) was the instructor.

The attendees were:

  • Jeffrey Propps, a local church licentiate from Franklintown UB church (Franklintown, Pa.).
  • Daryl Kissinger, youth director at Salem UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.).
  • Earl Wintermoyer, from Hagerstown, Md.
  • Mark Burkett, from Pleasant Hill UB church (Greencastle, Pa.).
  • Gener Lascase, from Chambersburg, Pa.
  • Becky Hann, director of Children’s Ministries at King Street church.
  • Michael Zeger, from Pleasant Hill UB church (Greencastle, Pa.).

Eleven persons attended the course hosted by New Hope Community Church in Bryan, Ohio. The course was taught by Robert Bruce, pastor of Spiritual Care at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

The attendees were:

  • Stephanie Farman, children’s coordinator at Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).
  • Zachary and Courtney Kennedy. Zach is associate pastor of Olive Branch UB church (Lakeville, Ind.).
  • Scott Hardy, from Fowlerville UB church (Fowlerville, Mich.).
  • Mike Rowley, from College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind).
  • Wesley Skiles, associate pastor of youth at Heart O’ the Lakes UB church (Brooklyn, Mich.).
  • Travis Ambrose, Family Life Pastor at Hillsdale UB church (Hillsdale, Mich.).
  • Scott and Amanda Graham. Scott is senior pastor of Good Shepherd UB church (Greenfield, Ohio).
  • Ramsey Cross, from Jackson, Mich.
  • Jason Clarke, from New Hope Community Church (Bryan, Ohio).

12 Nov

November 12, 2013 |
L-r: Sharon Frank, Bishop John Pessima, and Judy Hoath.

L-r: Sharon Frank, Bishop John Pessima, and Judy Hoath.

John Pessima, bishop of Sierra Leone Conference, is currently in the US visiting a number of United Brethren churches. A few days ago he was at the UB church in Hillsdale, Mich., where he encountered two former missionaries, both of them nurses at Mattru Hospital. Sharon Frank served in Sierra Leone 1965-1983. Judy Hoath served several terms before completing her service in 1986.

12 Nov

November 12, 2013 |

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Global Ministries is partnering with Samaritan’s Purse in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the Philippines last week. All funds we receive–100%–will be forwarded to Samaritan’s Purse.

United Brethren people are compassionate and generous. So when disaster strikes a country, they want to help. People often contact Global Ministries to ask if we are doing anything to help in a specific situation.

Our practice is to partner with organizations which specialize in disaster relief. When the earthquake hit Haiti in January 2011, we channeled relief contributions to Samaritan’s Purse and CH Global. Within weeks of the earthquake, UBs had sent nearly $70,000 for disaster relief. Likewise, in 2012 UBs gave over $11,000 after  a tsunami hit Japan. All of it was channeled to Samaritan’s Purse.

Typhoon Haiyan requires the expertise of a major relief ministry. Global Ministries is again working with Samaritan’s Purse.

Donors can direct funds to the organization themselves. Or, we will gladly forward your gift—100% of it—to Samaritan’s Purse. Some prefer the latter to avoid being placed on a mailing list.

If you want to channel relief money through Global Ministries, you can send a check to:

Global Ministries
302 Lake Street
Huntington, IN 46750

Include a memo note on the check designating the gift for “Philippines relief.” Your entire donation will go toward relief efforts.

12 Nov

November 12, 2013 |

Next fall, Huntington University will launch a degree in criminal justice. This Bachelor of Arts degree will prepare students for careers in corrections, juvenile justice, law, criminology, addictions, and public policy.

“Criminal justice careers frequently involve working with people who have violated the law or who are victims of law violations,” said Dr. Mary Ruthi, professor of sociology at HU. “With the skills gained from our program, students will be able to show God’s love to people who are experiencing these difficult situations.”

Along with classroom instruction, students will be required to take an internship to gain real-world experience. Elective courses will help students cater their degree to their interests. A minor in criminal justice also will allow students to enhance their degrees in pre-law, psychology, political science, sociology or social work.

Jamie Hotchkiss, a 1996 HU grad and now an Indiana State Police trooper, commented, “Criminal justice taught at schools like Huntington could greatly benefit the criminal justice system overall. As in any profession, integrity and service are essential in law enforcement, and HU already has those core values.”

08 Nov

November 8, 2013 |

Pastor Oliam Richard (right), our superintendent in Haiti, underwent surgery on Wednesday in France (where he and his wife have lived for many years). Joan Sider, from the UB church in Toronto, sent this note:

“I just got off the phone from talking to Pastor Richard. He sounds great. His surgery on Wednesday was successful. He will remain in the hospital until Monday or Tuesday. The expectation then is to remain in Paris for another three weeks before returning to Haiti.”

A team from Canada will visit Haiti January 31 – February 9, 2014.

06 Nov

November 6, 2013 |

Rev. Richard LePage, 68, a former United Brethren pastor, passed away November 5, 2013, at his home in Rockford, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Roberta, and two children.

Viewing: 4-8 pm Thursday, November 7.
Viewing location: Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford, Ohio.
Funeral: 10 am Friday, November 8 (viewing one hour prior to the service).
Funeral location: Praise Point UB church, Willshire, Ohio.

Rev. Brad Kittle, pastor of Praise Point, will officiate at the funeral.

06 Nov

November 6, 2013 |

Andy Stahl has been named senior pastor of Mount Hope UB church (Carson City, Mich.) effective November 1, 2013. He previously served two years as senior pastor of New Life Church (Chanute, Kansas). He has held a National Conference license since 2011. Andy graduated from Huntington University in 2007 with a degree in Bible and Religion. His wife, Jennifer, graduated from HU in 2006 with a degree in Recreation Management.

06 Nov

November 6, 2013 |

New communities are being developed on the outskirts of Port Au Prince to reestablish those left homeless by the earthquake in 2010. This video features the community of Jerusalem and the efforts of one small United Brethren congregation to raise up a church to serve their new community.

05 Nov

November 5, 2013 |

A group of nearly 20 persons left for Turkey on Monday, November 4, to begin a ten-day tour of Turkey. They arrived on Tuesday, November 5.

Global Ministries is pursuing ministry opportunities in Turkey–the first predominantly Muslim nation into which the United Brethren church has ventured. We are working in Turkey with IN Network.

The UBs involved in this trip include:

  • Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries.
  • Phil Whipple, bishop.
  • Michael Caley, senior pastor of Banner of Christ UB church (Byron Center, Mich.).
  • Patrick Daugherty, associate pastor of Atlantic Avenue UB church (New Castle, Pa.).
  • Micheal Dean, senior pastor of Sabetha UB church (Sabetha, Kansas).
  • Gary Dilley, senior pastor of College Park Church (Huntington, Ind.), and his wife, Rhonda.
  • John Erwin, senior pastor of Hopewell UB church (Auburn, Ind.).
  • Mark Fairchild, professor at Huntington University.
  • Stephen Henry, senior pastor of Victory Heights UB church (Franklin, Pa.), and his wife, Amanda.
  • Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, and her husband, Jason.
  • Mark Ralph, senior pastor of Mt. Zion UB church (Wayne, Ohio).

Also participating is LaDoyt Rodeaver, president and CEO of IN Network.