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03 Sep

September 3, 2013 |

Robert Bryan Rawley, Sr., 87, passed away Saturday, August 31, at his home in Mt. Solon, Va. He was a member of Mt. Olivet UB church in Mt. Solon. He is survived by his wife, Martha, and four children. Two of those children are well-known to the United Brethren family:

  • Rev. David Rawley, pastor of Otterbein UB church in Greencastle, Pa.
  • Fonda Cassidy, a member of Mt. Olivet who, along with husband Robert, has led the UB Honduras summer medical team for a number of years.

In addition, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Cherry, wife of longtime UB minister Harold Cherry.

Visitation: 6:30 – 8 pm Tuesday, September 3, at Bear Funeral Home in Mt. Solon, Va.
Funeral: 11 am Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at the Mt. Olivet UB church in Mt. Solon, Va.

Cards can be sent to these addresses:

David G. Rawley
10514 Grindstone Hill Rd.
Greencastle, PA 17225

Fonda Cassidy
61 Barger Lane
Mt. Solon, VA 22843

28 Aug

August 28, 2013 |

Huntington University is a safe school both for its campus and the local community, according to rankings by StateUniversity.com.

Huntington University ranked second in Indiana out of 50 schools listed. The top spot when to Goshen College (Goshen, Ind.), a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA.

“We are very pleased with this ranking, and it reaffirms the good work we are doing to make Huntington University a safe place for everyone,” said Dr. Ron Coffey, vice president for Student Life.

The safety and security of members of the Huntington University community are the primary concerns of the campus leadership.

Barry Cochran

Barry Cochran

Trained campus police officers are on staff to patrol the campus and are charged with the enforcement of federal, state and local laws, as well as university policies and regulations. The police officers have the authority to make arrests and work closely with the Huntington City Police Department. Barry Cochran (right), a former Huntington Chief of Police, is the Director of Campus Police.

For the rankings, StateUniversity.com compiled information by reviewing campus crime statistics submitted by college law enforcement during 2012.

28 Aug

August 28, 2013 |

The United Brethren in Christ has operated the Mattru Hospital in Sierra Leone for more than 50 years. Currently, steps are being taken to renew the hospital’s focus and operations under the leadership of the Sierra Leone National Conference and with the participation of multiple partners, including Global Ministries.

26 Aug

August 26, 2013 |

Frank Y, Associate Director of Global Ministries

A number of Global Ministries staff are in transition. Here’s a snapshot of these missionaries on the move:

Miriam, our worker in India, returned to the States in early August for her four-month home ministry assignment. She’ll be connecting with family and supporters during these months. Her three sons and their families live in the States.

Jenaya Bonner completed her home ministry assignment and returned to Macau for continued service last week. This is her second term. She worked with the English Language Program during her first term, in addition to various ministries involving Living Stone church. This time, in addition to her duties with the ELP, she will work to find ways to create bridges between the Living Stone UB church and its community. Jenaya is from Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind.

A Global Ministries staff member will leave to serve in a closed country later this week. This will be the first term for this person. For security reasons we can’t give you additional information about this person’s identity or area of service.

The Kline family (David, Melissa, Mia, Brandt, and Aiden) just packed their bags and will be returning to the States later this week. They are in the process of saying good-byes to their friends and coworkers in Macau. Melissa went to Macau in 2001 as a single missionary. She and David were married in March 2003 and have served together in Macau since April 2004.

Bryan and Emily Gerlach have completed their cross-cultural and language training and will leave for Thailand in mid-September. They are currently waiting for their visas to be approved.

We regretfully announce that Jessica Hollopeter will conclude her service with Global Ministries and OMS (One Mission Society) as of the end of August 2013. The reason: financial support difficulties and a lack of regular supporters.

For the past three years, Jessica has beautifully expressed her journalism and administrative gifts in both organizations, and will truly be missed. Pray that God will be her strength and provision as she seeks his guidance for next steps. If you are interested in sending Jessica a note of encouragement, or assisting with her financial deficit, please contact Global Ministries at gm@ub.org.

21 Aug

August 21, 2013 |

Bryan and Emily Gerlach are working with Global Ministries and the Hong Kong National Conference to launch an expansion of our work in Thailand. Although our church planting efforts originated in the northern mountains, we are shifting our focus to the city of Chiang Rai. Many young people who migrate from the mountains find themselves being lured into the drug and prostitution industries. Bryan and Emily will be part of a multi-national team providing housing, discipleship training, education, and job skills training to vulnerable young people.

21 Aug

August 21, 2013 |
Commissioning service for the team from ReNew.

Commissioning service for the team from ReNew.

The ReNew team arrives in Haiti. Senior pastor Andy Sikorra is third from the left.

The ReNew team arrives in Haiti. Senior pastor Andy Sikorra is third from the left.

For several years, Renew Communities (Berea, Ohio) has been helping plant a church in Kolimo, a village in Haiti. They are working with Haiti Bible Mission; Chris Solyntjes, ReNew’s worship pastor, serves on the HBM board.

On Sunday, August 18, ReNew held a commissioning service for a group which, the next day, headed to Haiti. They are currently in Haiti.

19 Aug

August 19, 2013 |

Roger Van Donkelaar has been appointed senior pastor of Trinity UB church (Fostoria, Ohio) effective July 14, 2013. He is ordained in the Wesleyan Church, and pastored various Wesleyan and Free Methodist churches 1971-2010. Roger is a graduate of Spring Arbor Univeristy (Spring Arbor, Mich., 1988), and holds a Masters degree from Trinity Seminary (Deerfield, Ill., 1998). He and his wife, Gladys, have one child.

Stan McCammon (right) has been appointed senior pastor of Lurgan UB church (Lurgan, Pa.) effective August 18, 2013. Stan graduated from Huntington University in 1987 with a degree in Bible & Religion, and earned the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from Huntington University in 1995. He was ordained in 1995. Stan pastored UB churches in Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania from 1987-2007, including a two-year stint as a UB missionary in Sierra Leone (1991-1992).

13 Aug

August 13, 2013 |

Neville Tomlinson (right), pastor, International Church (Allentown, Pa.)

International Church), along with St. John’s EC Church, hosted the Vacation Bible Adventure. This year’s theme was based on the Wordless Book and was called: “An Adventure in Colors: Discovering the Kingdom of Light.”

Each day the kids explored each color and the story behind it. They discovered that nothing impure can ever enter heaven.

Nine kids received Jesus as Savior! It was joyful to see them find their name written in the Book of Life!

International Church (The Family Life Center) is doing outreach efforts in the Allentown area along with St. John’s EC Church. On September 14, we will host another outreach event, “A Dinner for a Friend.”

13 Aug

August 13, 2013 |

Marilyn Reeck, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Honduras

Over the years the Lord has been gracious and wonderful to us, and we praise Him for His blessings. But now, we need your help–to pray for Roger and his pain level.

In April, Roger had an operation on his left ankle with the hope of relieving some of the pain he feels, but several months later, the pain still lingers. It appears that the pain is nerve related. He has been taking Lyrica for two months and has received steroid shots in the ankle area. So far, nothing has helped and the strong pain persists–especially as rainy weather approaches.

Awhile back, Roger committed to go to Mozambique to lead a seminar on translating the book of Psalms and also to check the translation of Psalms for the Sena language group. We are just days away from him leaving and have become concerned about the persistent pain, especially because I will not travel with him.

We invite you to commit to pray for Roger each day while he is in Mozambique–for a total of three weeks. Please pray with us for the following:

  1. That Roger will be released from this strong, debilitating pain.
  2. For the long trip. Roger’s leg usually swells and becomes painful during a flight.
  3. That Roger will have the ability to concentrate in order to lead the workshop and to guide the Sena group through the revision of the translation.

Here is Roger’s travel schedule:

Aug. 17: Travel from La Ceiba to Houston.
Aug. 18: Travel from Houston to Washington DC.
Aug. 19: Travel from Washington to Johannesburg thru Ehiopia.
Aug. 20: Request the visa to Mozambique.
Aug. 22: Travel from Johannesburg to Mozambique.
Aug. 19-23: Psalms workshop.
Aug. 26 – Sept. 6: consult check the translation for the Sena language group.
Sept. 8: Travel back to Johannesburg.
Sept. 9: Travel back to Houston and Honduras.

12 Aug

August 12, 2013 |
Charles and Doris Malson.

Charles and Doris Malson.

Doris Malson will celebrate her 90th birthday on August 17. She and her husband, Charles Malson, Sr., served in the pastorate and superintendency of Michigan Conference from 1952 until retiring in 1991. They celebrated 71 years of marriage last fall. Charles passed away in March 2013, so this is Doris’s first year without her longtime husband.

You can send cards to Doris at:

Doris Malson
10928 Easy Street
Carson City, MI 48811