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31 May

May 31, 2012 |

The United Brethren Staffing Course is a requirement for ordination in the United Brethren denomination. The first edition of this course will be held Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at the Healthy Ministry Resources office in Huntington, Ind. Denny Miller (right), lead pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., is the instructor.

This course will help you develop an ability to expand ministry through staff, both volunteer and paid. Learn to balance responsibilities of staff to accomplish the ministries of your local church.

This session will also emphasize team development through staffing. You’ll walk away knowing the importance of delegation, job descriptions, and strategic staffing so that you can be better equipped to manage your role as supervisor.

Whether you are the only person on staff or have multiple persons on staff, this course will apply to you.

The cost is $100 for persons seeking ordination, $50 for everyone else.

30 May

May 30, 2012 |

On the evening of May 16, thieves drove what was probably a truck across the grass in back of HomeFront UB church, broke the window of the pastor’s office, backed the truck up to the church, and helped themselves to anything of value. They apparently spent quite a bit of time in the building. They kicked in doors and ransacked at will, leaving with TVs, computers, printers, guitars, projectors, and other items.

This happened between 9:30 Wednesday night, May 16, and 8:30 the next morning. The break-in was discovered Thursday morning by Josh Good (right), who had been senior pastor of HomeFront for just two weeks.

They also took items donated by local businesses for a silent auction to be held two days later, a Habitat for Humanity benefit for a single mom and her four kids. Missing was Zales jewelry, a digital camera, about $185 in cash, and other items from the auction table. They’d been preparing for this for several weeks, and the loss–up to $2000–was heartbreaking. The stolen church property was valued at around $6000, but is covered by insurance.

Two other churches in the area had been burglarized recently, but no connection has been made. Police don’t yet know the identify of the thieves. Pastor Good says seven acres of land lie behind the church building, and, “It gets really dark back there.” The thieves entered through the office window, but probably carried items out a door. One neighbor said he saw a truck at the end of the building for a few hours that night.

Pastor Good, who had served on staff at nearby Banner of Christ UB church since 2003, didn’t lose anything from his office. He was still waiting for a desk to arrive, so all of his books and other belongings were still packed in boxes, and he had taken his laptop home for the evening. “Apparently the thieves aren’t theologians, because they didn’t steal any of my books.”

The Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity is building a home for Julie Malfroid, her three sons, and a daughter who is severely handicapped from a brain injury and requires constant care. They’ve been living in a bad-off trailer. Construction of their new home will begin in July.

So, how did the auction go?

“It worked out really well,” says Pastor Good. HomeFront had set a goal of $3500 for the Malfroid family. Thus far, they have raised over $9000.

The break-in drew a lot of media publicity, and people and businesses responded with donations. Ticket packages came from the Detroit Tigers and the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team. The Tigers tickets went for about $90 apiece. Some local businesses mailed in cash donations. A local ice cream shop auctioned off free ice cream once a week until the end of August. A card shop that went out of business brought purses and other items. Two private artists donated wood pieces.

“It has all worked out very well,” says Josh Good. “Insurance will cover our stuff, and we’ll go without for a few weeks. The response for the auction from the community was awesome. People came up big. And for a fairly young church like HomeFront, for newer believers to see a situation that is pretty bad and to see how God can use it for good and flip it upside down–that was really good for our people. I’ve been able to say from the pulpit that God has ways of doing things that we can’t foresee.”

30 May

May 30, 2012 |

Dr. Germain with Haitian children.

In October 2011, a United Brethren team from Canada met Dr. Germain Robinson Lorentz, one of two doctors who worked with them in a medical clinic ministry. He survived the earthquake of January 2010, but lost his wife, young daughter, mother, and brother in their collapsed home. If he hadn’t stopped for a few minutes to watch a soccer match, he too would have died.

The team felt that God brought Germain to work with them so they could love and encourage him while giving him opportunity to use his skills to help the sick. They learned that he believed he was spared for a purpose–to help his fellow Haitians in any way he could. All he needed for himself was enough to live simply. Any funds he could gather would go for medicines to help the people of Grand Saline, a village about four hours from Port au Prince.

During the week, Germain works for a mission hospital for a very small stipend. Twice a month, he travels to Grand Saline to do medical work among the people there. With very little in the way of meds, he does what he can for this village of about 1000 people.

The Canadian team members have maintained contact with Germain, and interested persons contributed funds so he could leave the tent in which he had lived for two years and move into one of four apartments in a house.

Canada’s Global Outreach Leadership Team feels that support for medicines for Germain to use is a call of God. Future medical trips by Canadian teams will be assured of having a Haitian doctor. When non-medical ministries are undertaken by Canadian teams, they will take items to assist Germain with his medical work–baby formula, water purification kits, vitamins, etc. Having the money to purchase specific items in Haiti is the best way we can help, though.

Anyone wishing to contribute funds for this kind of ministry support (strictly medical supplies) is invited to do so. We will send $200 a month as long as monies are available. Any funding gathered in the United States will be sent to the Canadian treasurer.

29 May

May 29, 2012 |

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

The Global Ministries Leadership Team has three new members.

John Hetrick. John is a member of King Street UB church in Chambersburg, Pa., where he became of follower of Christ seven years ago. John serves as a member of King Street’s missions team and recently traveled with me as part of our vision team to Chiang Rai, Thailand. John works for a division of IBM as a project director, consulting with corporate customers on the software needs and directing a team of programmers and developers. He brings with him the ability to think strategically and a fresh perspective of a layperson. He begins a four-year term this fall.

Chuck Malson. Chuck has been senior pastor of Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.) since 1981. He has participated in numerous short-term missions trips, especially to Nicaragua. He has been involved in pastoral training and has led missions teams. Brown Corners Church has a definite missional focus both at home and abroad. Chuck brings the perspective of a large church interested in partnerships and an inquisitive mind always seeking to understand our rationale. He begins a four-year term this fall.

Al S, and the organization he represents, has been working with Global Ministries for the past three years in developing our micro-business strategies and curriculum. Al and his family served in South Asia for 14 years before returning to the United States to train and develop indigenous church planters among the most unreached areas of the world. We won’t give his full name, because he is involved in ministry to Islamic and other limited-access countries.

Global Ministries began appointing non-UBs to the team back in 1985, as a way to gain broader knowledge and expertise. However, in recent years all of the members have been UBs. The current Global Ministries team intentionally created this slot on the team for a non-UB, and designated it as a one-year appointment.

Leaving the Global Ministries Leadership Team are:

  • Ruth Ann Price, who has served on the team since 2001. She is a career missionary with Wycliffe and Missionary in Residence at Huntington University.
  • Wil Kline, a member of the team since the spring of 2009.

29 May

May 29, 2012 |

Gary Dilley, senior pastor, College Park UB Church (Huntington, Ind.)

Nathan Hann and Paul Hirschy officially join the staff of College Park church on June 1. We are excited about the ministry they will provide to our congregation and community.

Nathan Hann will become our fulltime worship pastor. Nathan graduated from Huntington University on May 12 with a degree in Worship Leadership. He and his wife, Alyssa, have been active at College Park Church, and Nathan has served in various roles of music leadership since 2010.

In addition to overseeing the worship ministry of College Park, Nathan has taken over our technology and communication needs. He has helped us begin social networking at College Park, and is working with others on a newly revised website. In addition, he will help us in our interaction with college students. Nathan has been working with Pastor Mark Vincenti and the youth praise team, and is interested in encouraging musical opportunities for our children.

Paul Hirschy will join the staff as a half-time associate pastor. Paul is retiring from his role in the Advancement office at Huntington University, and is looking forward to returning to local church ministry. For those of you not acquainted with Paul, he served nine years as pastor of Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind., then worked at the United Brethren national office in the printshop (1978-1981), as Director of Church Services (1981-2001), and as bishop (2001-2005). He has worked for Huntington University since 2005.

Paul will work with such things as helping newcomers find a home at College Park, helping people find appropriate opportunities to serve God in the church and outside the church, developing the church’s prayer ministry, and helping with church administration.

29 May

May 29, 2012 |

Mark Wilson (right), senior pastor, Fowlerville UB Church (Fowlerville, Mich.).

On May 19, 2012, Fowlerville UB Church hosted its second annual “Outflow Community Service Day.”

Last year, we sent over 250 people into our community to serve in practical and tangible ways. This year, we invited 6 other local churches to join us in these efforts. As a result, we sent out over 550 individuals to serve our community.

Our theme for this year was “The Church In Action.” We gave each volunteer a bright, florescent T-shirt with our logo “CIA” on the back. Imagine all those florescent shirts making their way into our community–it was a sight to see!

Our church rose to the challenge and raised almost $15,000 to fund the projects that we completed during the day. We wanted to bless the recipients with the extravagant love of God. All of our projects were done at no cost to the recipient, unless they already had the supplies.

Some of the types of projects we completed are:

  • Minor and major home repair projects.
  • Re-roofing an entire building.
  • Constructing handicap ramps.
  • Mulching and yard beautification.
  • Staining decks.
  • Constructing steps.
  • Trash removal.
  • carpeting and other flooring.
  • Dry walling.

We also cleaned up our community parks and downtown areas, and washed all of the windows in our business areas. We were able to serve over 45 different individual residents along with several other larger projects in our community.

I was not only blessed by the other churches that partnered with us, but by the 370+ from our church who went out and served as well. It was nothing short of an amazing day.

The following day, Sunday, we celebrated what God had done during our serving day and then we had the privilege of baptizing 7 people.

29 May

May 29, 2012 |

Dr. Dalton Jenkins with his new diploma.

Dalton Jenkins with his wife, Jacqueline, and two sons.

Dalton and his wife, Jacqueline.

Congratulations to Dalton Jenkins, pastor of Bethel Temple of Praise in Yonkers, New York. On May 19, 2012, he was awarded the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) from New York Theological Seminary.

His dissertation was titled, “Kingdom People Living by Kingdom Principles: The call of missions, a holistic approach.” The dissertation focused on missions and being missional, and how missions and being missional in the First Century differs from missions and being missional in the 21st Century. Jenkins said the project was designed to achieve three goals:

  1. To raise awareness by helping to clarify the nature of the structures and practices of the church relating to its missional focus.
  2. To develop a better awareness of local missions.
  3. To develop a process to help persons live out the mission by engaging their communities.

Jenkins explains, “The idea of being missional is not about the church coming up with some program and fancy name, but about understanding the needs of the community–spiritual, social, financial–and how to live in ways that can help transform the community. Every person must begin at his or her own doorstep….The Church’s basic mission is to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God; this message has a social and a political aspect….This is the fundamental responsibility of the Church, but this message is holistic, affecting the total person: body, soul, and spirit.” The project was designed to “increase awareness as to how our church can apply a missional theology in order to challenge the church to rediscover its biblical call to holistic ministry.”

23 May

May 23, 2012 |

Randy and Crystal Carpenter

Crystal Carpenter, a member of the Army National Guard for about seven years, will be deployed to Qatar in June 2012 for 9-11 months. Crystal is the wife of Randy Carpenter, senior pastor of Sunfield UB church in Sunfield, Mich.

This is Crystal’s first deployment with the National Guard. She is an Admin. Sargent with the 323 Military Police Unit in Toledo, Ohio.

22 May

May 22, 2012 |

Pat Jones (front right) gives a tour of Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church prior to the opening sessions.

Former bishop Paul Hirschy speaks to attendees on behalf of Huntington University.

The Tuesday morning keynote session included discussions at the tables, sharing of prayer concerns, and praying.

Everyone's got their passport ready as the bus prepares to enter Canada.

Craig Mickey (foreground) leads the way as some of the group prepare to board the Maid of the Mist, a boat which cruises to the base of the Horseshoe Falls. Thin plastic ponchos are provided...and much needed.

The Associates Summit is in progress in Buffalo, New York. Twenty-two persons serving 13 different United Brethren churches in associate roles are attending. They are joined by three persons from the national office–Bishop Phil Whipple, Cluster coordinator Dennis Miller, and Communications director Steve Dennie. This conference is for spouses, too, and seven spouses are attending.

Bishop Phil Whipple spoke to the attendees at the restaurant following the noon meal on Tuesday, May 22.

Also participating is Pat Jones, a former United Brethren pastor and Director of Healthy Church Ministries. In 2009, Pat became senior pastor of Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church in Buffalo, New York. Eastern Hills is hosting some of the sessions, and Pat is speaking each day. That’s why everyone’s in Buffalo. Pat’s keynote addresses are built around the book “The Circle Maker,” by Mark Batterson.

This conference is designed for persons in UB churches working in such staff roles as pastoral care, assimilation, adult education, visitation, counseling, missions, discipleship, children’s ministry, etc. It is not for senior pastors.

While senior pastors participate in periodic cluster meetings, which provide continual training for them, associate staff do not attend cluster meetings. Instead, a series of specialized summits are designed for them. There is the annual UB Youth Workers Summit, and earlier in May there was a summit for persons in worship and music ministry.

This is the first year for the Associates Summit. Two years ago, a summit was held for persons in the spiritual care niche, but only six persons attended. The range was broadened for the Associates Summit. The result was a quadrupling of the attendance.

The conference began on Monday night, May 21, with an opening session at Eastern Hills church. On Tuesday morning, everyone ate breakfast together at the Millennium Hotel, where everyone is staying. After breakfast, Bishop Emeritus Paul Hirschy, who has worked for Huntington University since 2005, gave a presentation on behalf of the university. At the beginning of June, Hirschy will begin a new role as associate pastor of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind. Then Pat Jones gave his second message.

By 11 am, everyone was loaded in a large passenger bus and headed for Niagara Falls. After a lunch at the Edgewater restaurant overlooking both the US and Canadian falls, Bishop Phil Whipple gave a challenge to the associates. Then the participants spent the rest of the afternoon taking tours and rides at the falls.

The summit will conclude after breakfast on Thursday, May 24.