(260) 356-2312

UB.orgUBGlobal.orgChurch Search

30 Jul

July 30, 2013 |
L-r: Kona Musa, Sam King, Mikaile Mambu, Bishop Phil Whipple, Joe Abu, Emmanuel Farma, James Kabangai, Donna Hollopeter, and Jeff Bleijerveld.

L-r: Kona Musa, Sam King, Mikaile Mambu, Bishop Phil Whipple, Joe Abu, Emmanuel Farma, James Kabangai, Donna Hollopeter, and Jeff Bleijerveld.

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Last week Global Ministries had a bit of a Sierra Leone reunion here at our office in Huntington, Ind. The reunion was precipitated by the visit of Rev. Emmanuel Farma, who was standing up with Rev. James Ganda as he was married last week in Philadelphia.

As part of Rev. Farma’s visit, Rev. Joseph Abu along with Rev. James Kabangai and Sam King made the trip to Huntington to visit with former missionaries Eleanore Datema, Greg and Jodi Fiedler, Emmett and Shirley Cox, as well as with Jim and Marda Hoffman and former Global Ministries director, Rev. Gary Dilley.

Following a tour of Huntington University, the group joined Bishop Phil Whipple, Donna Hollopeter and Jeff Bleijerveld for lunch. Huntington students Kona Musa (nursing) and Mikaile Mambu (social work/psychology), both of Sierra Leone, also joined in.

Rev. Farma is lead pastor of our largest congregation in Sierra Leone and superintendent of church services for the Sierra Leone National Conference.

25 Jul

July 25, 2013 |

For the sixth year in a row, Huntington University has been listed among the “Top Colleges” in the country by Forbes. Out of the 650 schools ranked, HU was the only institution listed from the greater Fort Wayne area.

The rankings are based on five general categories: post-graduate success (which evaluates alumni pay and prominence); student satisfaction (which includes professor evaluations and freshman to sophomore year retention rates); student debt (which penalizes schools for high student debt loads and default rates); graduation rate; and nationally competitive awards (which rewards schools whose students win prestigious scholarships and fellowships like the Rhodes, the Marshall and the Fulbright or go on to earn a Ph.D). The rankings are compiled for Forbes by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity.

The rankings are available online.

18 Jul

July 18, 2013 |

2013-2015 UB DisciplineThe United Brethren Discipline has been updated with the 20-some revisions made during the 2013 US National Conference on June 27.

From this link, you can download the 2013-2015 Discipline in PDF and also view it online.

We do not print hard copies of the Discipline. Since it’s up for revision every two years, that’s not enough shelf-life to make it economically feasible. Since 2005, the Discipline has been available only in electronic form. But you can download it and print out a copy for your own use.

 

18 Jul

July 18, 2013 |

steve-jonesSteve Jones was elected on Tuesday, July 16, as the new president of the Missionary Church USA. Jones has been a church planter, pastor, and more recently, district superintendent in the Missionary Church.

The United Brethren denomination has had much affinity with the Missionary Church over the years. We occasionally trade pastors, and our ministers and laypersons have been trained at each others’ colleges.

The Missionary Church USA is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind. Today (July 18) they conclude their biennial national conference, using the same facility we used just two weeks ago–the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne.

18 Jul

July 18, 2013 |

Dr. Paul R. Fetters (right), former dean of the Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries

The word for today is “benediction.”

In the early Christian church, Zachariah’s song of praise for God’s blessing was identified in Latin as the Benedictus (Luke 1:68-79). In Latin, bene means good and dictus means word. Therefore, in English benediction is translated “a good word.”

At 16 years of age while yet a new convert to Christ, I was asked to “pronounce the benediction.” Little did I know what a benediction was or how to pronounce one. So, I just offered a closing prayer. Later, it was explained to me that a benediction is the last word at the close of the worship service–a blessing from God. God has the last word, and it is a good word.

Having taught this explanation in many college and graduate classes, I am discovering that not all worship leaders have been so instructed in this Christian liturgy of worship. Presently, could our familiarity with the Divine have caused us to ignore–even forget–this blessing from God?

Often, at the close of worship, I now hear the last word, “Have a good week.” I am sure those who leave a casino or race track may hear the same. Those leaving the pub, local restaurant, beauty parlor, barber shop, or auto dealership are encouraged by “Have a good week.” Or others hear its shortened form, “Have a good one.”

On occasions, I have heard a benedictory prayer. Then I hear the really last and seemingly the most important word that trumps all other last words:

“Be sure to stay for the money raising cookout in the parking lot.” Or, “Purchase your tickets for the Tin Caps ballgame at the Welcome Center.”

Personally, I prefer to leave worship with a good word from God ringing in my ears. Ministers ordained by God are privileged to offer God’s blessing upon the people. Benedictions? Yes! The Scriptures offer many.

“The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Amen.” (Numbers 6:22-26, NIV)

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.” (2 Corinthians 13:14, NIV)

17 Jul

July 17, 2013 |
Bishop Phil Whipple (right) recognizing Mike and Tamara Willis.

Bishop Phil Whipple (right) recognizing Mike and Tamara Willis.

On Sunday, July 14, Mike Willis was recognized for having served 30 years as senior pastor of Maple Grove UB church in Baltimore, Ohio. Mike is bi-vocational; he is also a postal worker. Mike and his wife, Tamara, were married in 1987 and have four children.

How many other currently-active United Brethren ministers have served this long in one place? Not many.

  • 35 years. Greg Reed has served at Morning Star Church (Kokomo, Ind.) since 1978–initially as associate pastor, and since 1990 as senior pastor.
  • 32 years. Chuck Malson has pastored Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.) since 1981.
  • 32 years. Joe Cilone has pastored Pleasant Heights UB church (East Liverpool, Ohio) since 1981.
  • 30 years. Ken Smith has pastored the Cedar Chapel UB church (Big Laurel, Kent.) since 1983.

 

17 Jul

July 17, 2013 |

In June, 23 persons from across the denomination participated in short-term medical ministry in Honduras. The team spent a week conducting free medical clinics for persons in remote villages in the mountains outside of Tegucigalpa.

The team held five clinics, during which they saw more than 1600 patients. Along with treating a number of health issues, the team also dispensed eye glasses to more than 600 persons.

Using wordless books prepared by women from North American Women’s Missionary Fellowship groups, the team shared the gospel with each patient. Ninety-six commitments to Christ were made during the week.

The team was  led by Robert and Fonda Cassidy (right), from the Mount Olivet UB church in Mt. Solon, Va. They have led this annual short-term team for a number of years.

16 Jul

July 16, 2013 |

During the last part of June and early July, 18 persons from several UB churches in the United States participated in an English Camp in Kutno, Poland. The team worked with Donna and Arek Delik (right), church planters with Operation Mobilization in Kutno.

Forty students participated in the English Camp, learning and practicing conversational English through sports, music, crafts, and other activities. A closing program was held on the Saturday following the week of camp, and students were encouraged to invite their entire family to attend.

On Sunday morning following camp, 20 out of the 40 students attended worship services at the church plant in Kutno.

Donna and Arek have both expressed their appreciation for the team and great work they did in building relationships with the students and helping them feel more confident in speaking English.

16 Jul

July 16, 2013 |

Jonetta, one of the newest staff members of Global Ministries, has a ministry opportunity in a limited-access country. To enable her participation, she needs $4,000 for initial ministry expenses. Jonetta has limited resources available to her and is currently involved in intense training for preparation for ministry.

Global Ministries would like to encourage individuals and churches to prayerfully consider partnering with Jonetta to raise the necessary funds. Then she can begin this ministry immediately after her training period.

If you or your church would like to partner with Jonetta, please send checks made payable to Global Ministries with a note stating the donation is for the “Jonetta ministry fund.”

(We’re not using her full name for security reasons.)

09 Jul

July 9, 2013 |

UBCentral has followed the progress of Dan Paternoster, who was nearly killed last August when he was struck by a car as he rode his bicycle to work. Dan, a member of the denominational Executive Leadership Team since 2001, is a member of Fowlerville UB church in Fowlerville, Mich. He’s a veterinarian (his day job), and a pilot, not to mention a devoted husband and father.

Dan’s story is pretty amazing. A video was shown on June 27 at National Conference (shot by Kevin Mattison, on staff at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind.). Here it is. Churches are free to use this as a United Brethren story of grace, forgiveness…well, of so many things.