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10 Feb

February 10, 2012 |

Phil Whipple, Bishop of the US National Conference

In July 2011, I concluded two years as bishop. When I started in this role, I decided I wanted to see things for myself. So I set a goal of visiting every United Brethren church in the United States during my first two years. I wanted to meet our pastors on their turf.

I accomplished that goal. Here are some observations from my travels.

1. I found our pastors to be enjoyable people with a strong love for the Lord and his church. Our pastors are mostly male and of the baby boom generation. They are committed to their families and have a fairly strong commitment to the UB church. We have some strong pastoral leaders among us and many who want to learn how to lead more effectively.

2. It is no surprise that many of our churches exist in rural locations. Most of them have been maintained very well, both inside and outside. Many are developing their facilities to reflect the changes that have emerged in the methodology of doing church today.

3. We are slowly and with some struggles moving into a balanced style of worship in many churches. Some churches are far ahead of others. Some remain very traditional.

4. We have many good cooks among us. I can attest to that from many potlucks.

5. Our people are friendly. I was impressed by the warm hearts of so many of our people.

6. We have some sharp leaders at the local church level. These men and women desire to see the church advance and impact their community.

7. A number of churches are changing their structure to an accountability governance model.

8. I saw churches and people engaged in the Great Commission. This clearly needs to be the rallying cry for UB churches everywhere, so that we reach the people Christ wants us to reach in these days.

9. I have met with a number of our cluster groups. The cluster system is still a work in progress, but it has made some huge strides forward in the last two years.

Denny Miller, in his role as Cluster Coordinator, has helped keep the connection with our cluster leaders. We have many cluster leaders who are doing a great job with their clusters, and who are being the first point of contact when issues arise with pastors and churches.

I have concluded that while we have some significant issues and room for improvement, we have a bright hope for the future.

I believe our commitment to the Great Commission is improving. But we can do more to reach people for Christ and grow strong disciples in our churches.

Our churches must do a better job of outreach to open the front door, and be more effective in assimilation and discipleship to close the back door. We need to move discipleship away from just a learning experience. Discipleship should be a lived-out relationship with Jesus that impacts everything we do.

I want us to remain committed to our confession of faith and our core values. At the same time, I want us to aggressively move into the flow of God’s Spirit to see the church advance. We began as a movement of the Spirit of God, and that is where we must return.

10 Feb

February 10, 2012 |

A previous post mentioned Matt McKeown and the theme song he wrote, on contract, for the city of Palm Coast, Fla. Matt is associate pastor of First UB church in Holly Hill, Fla., and also heads up Sound Mind Studios, a recording studio in Holly Hill.

The online News-Journal of Daytona Beach published a feature article about Matt and the song, titled “Holly Hill Musician Carries Tune for Palm Coast.” Some tidbits from that article:

  • Matt has written energetic rock music p layed during television coverage of NFL games, NASCAR races, and other sporting events.
  • After getting the Palm Coast job last fall, “I didn’t go there and walk around for song inspiration. I just jumped on their website and looked at what they were proud of. That’s what I would have done if I was doing that for a company.”
  • McKeown he did all the singing and played all the instruments for the song. “I wanted it to be a little country, a little folksy, and a little beachy and to have a little Jimmy Buffet in there.”

10 Feb

February 10, 2012 |

Dr. Del Doughty (right), longtime professor of English at Huntington University, has been named the interim senior vice president for academic affairs, effective June 1, 2012.

In this role, Doughty will be responsible for leading the faculty and developing new academic programs. Doughty will continue in this interim role through May 31, 2013.

Beginning this fall, the university will launch a national search for a new vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Norris Friesen (right), who has held that position for the past 10 years (and has worked at Huntington University for 26 years), will assume the role of professor of German and director of cross-cultural programs beginning in the 2012-13 school year.

HU President G. Blair Dowden explained in a student meeting that he wanted a change in the position, and will be searching for a person to better focus on strategic thinking and innovation in academics.

Doughty joined the university faculty in 1996. He currently serves as professor of English, chair of the Division of Humane Studies, and the self-study coordinator for reaccreditation. He teaches courses in creative writing and world literature. He earned his Ph.D. in comparative literature from Penn State in 1995.

10 Feb

February 10, 2012 |

David Holt has been appointed senior pastor of East Ovid UB church (Coldwater, Mich.) effective February 1, 2012. He and Kim (right), his wife of 28 years, have 3 children, ages 16-23. His ministry background includes the Algansee Lower Light Mission of Petersburg, Mich. (which first licensed him to preach), the Zion Wesleyan Mission in Hazel Park, Mich., the Old Time Religion Group in Michigan (which ordained him in 2006). He has been pastor since 2005 of the Ball Road Tabernacle Church of Romulus, Mich.

08 Feb

February 8, 2012 |

Global Ministries, the Sierra Leone Conference, and the Lehigh Valley chapter of Engineers Without Borders have been working to bring a number of upgrades to the Centennial School in Mattru Jong, Sierra Leone. To date, new modernized latrines have been built, lighting is being installed to allow for evening classes and study, and very soon a drilled well will be installed.

One worker at the school shared this week that the students really like coming to class at night versus the late afternoon, as they have more time for chores and other work that can only be done during daylight hours. With Sierra Leone’s proximity to the equator, sunrise and sunset occur at approximately 6 am and 6 pm all year round.

Rev. Joe Abu is planning another trip along with engineering volunteers this spring. If you would like to donate to this project, you can do so by sending your gift, mark “Centennial School” to Global Ministries. If sending a check, be sure to make it out to Global Ministries.

08 Feb

February 8, 2012 |

Marcus and Stacie Flood, with Brooks the beagle.

Praise Point Church (Willshire, Ohio) has hired Marcus Flood as Associate Pastor for Youth and Family Ministries. He was previously youth pastor of a church in Saline, Mich., and has been a leader with different youth ministries for over 10 years.

Marcus and his wife, Stacie, were married on July 4, 2009. They met while attending Huntington University. Marcus graduated in 2008 with a Youth Ministry major and minors in Educational Ministries and Bible & Religion.

Stacie graduated in 2009 with a Social Work major. She continued her education by getting her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan.

07 Feb

February 7, 2012 |

Steve Dennie, Communications Director

On January 16, 2011, John Momoh Pessima was consecrated as the new bishop of Sierra Leone Conference. The service was held at the Au Memorial church in Kissy, a neighborhood on the east end of Freetown. Rev. Pessima grew up in that church and had been its pastor.

At the installation of John Pessima as bishop. L-r: Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries; outgoing bishop Billy Simbo, John Pessima.

At the installation of John Pessima as bishop. L-r: Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries; outgoing bishop Billy Simbo, John Pessima.

The Council of Ordained Elders, which consists of all United Brethren ordained ministers in Sierra Leone Conference, recommended Rev. Pessima to become the new bishop. Their recommendation was referred to the National Conference meeting in December 2010, where it was unanimously approved.

Bishop Pessima succeeded Billy Simbo, who served three years in Sierra Leone in a transitional role under the umbrella of Global Ministries.

Bishop Pessima came to the United States in October 2011 to meet with the Global Ministries Leadership Team. During that time, he sat down with me for an interview.

Growing Up with Rev. Ali and the Kissy Church

John Pessima was born and raised in Freetown. His mother and father were both Christians. However, it was a polygamous home. John’s mother, the oldest of four wives, gave birth to 12 children. Only three of those children are still alive. Of those three, John is the youngest, and the only son.

John grew up in the Kissy United Brethren church. The pastor was Rev. Henry Ali, who in 1985 became the first General Superintendent of Sierra Leone Conference—the first Sierra Leonean, as opposed to a missionary, to oversee all of the United Brethren work in that country. Interestingly, Rev. Ali was blind. Yet he was a highly respected leader in the Sierra Leone church.

“Rev. Ali discipled me,” says Bishop Pessima. “He was a very good leader. Some of us young guys looked at his leadership qualities and decided to become pastors. We talked with him, and he encouraged us. Three of us went to college together.”

(more…)

07 Feb

February 7, 2012 |

Lots of thread for Elizabeth

Elizabeth opening her parting gifts. (click to enlarge)

Food is required whenever someone joins or leaves the staff.

On February 2, Elizabeth Holtrop concluded 8 months of service on the Healthy Ministry Resources staff, working in the bookstore. During that time, she shipped hundreds of boxes of Sunday school literature and other items to churches across the country. But she decided to move to Indianapolis, sharing a house with her brother and sister and making her way in Indiana’s  Big City.

The staff said goodbye to her with a Pizza Hut meal brought to the office. Since she likes to sew, she was given several gifts of thread and other related items.

Elizabeth graduated from Huntington University in 2011 with a degree in History and Political Studies. Her father, Steve, is dean of the Huntington University Graduate School.

It was a joy to have Elizabeth with us, with her big smile and eternally sunny disposition. We wish her well.

07 Feb

February 7, 2012 |

A team of 8 persons from UB churches in Canada has been in Haiti since January 30. Joan Sider (right), a retired schoolteacher from New Hope church in Toronto, is sending back daily reports. Here is Joan’s report about attending church on Sunday morning.

The service begins with the singing of a hymn or two and Scripture reading. Then the worship team leads in a time of singing–the difference in tempo is quite remarkable. The volume is as high as it can be. We know–we were sitting directly in front of the speakers.

It is interesting to hear the singing–often the leader begins and then the musicians catch up and finally find the key we are singing. It sounds somewhat discordant and it bothered me at first. But God reminded me that often my life is out of tune with him and I need to catch up and get on the same page as he.

After the time of worship, visitors are welcomed and each visitor, Haitian or Canadian, is given an opportunity to speak. Announcements and offering come next. Pastor Oliam Richard is trying to encourage his people to be givers and not just takers. Once a month, a special offering is taken and the people are to give 100 Haitian or 50 Gourdes–half of which will go for Delmas 33 church and the other half to our general church in North American for projects outside of Haiti. I think this is very commendable. Today’s offering was the special one.

A guest speaker spoke on Psalm 23. Of course, we couldn’t understand it, but it was a familiar passage upon which we could reflect ourselves. It appeared that the message was resonating with the people by their laughter at times, and very loud and frequent amens.

(more…)

06 Feb

February 6, 2012 |

Dr. G. Blair Dowden (left) receives the Andringa Award from Paul Corts, president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Huntington University has been recognized with The Robert and Susan Andringa Award for Advancing Racial Harmony for its “best practice” programs in the area of racial and ethnic diversity.

The Andringa Award is presented each year by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. The award recognizes an initiative or program that helps create a welcoming climate, improves retention, or provides support for ethnic/racial minority students, faculty or staff.

“Huntington University is pursuing racial harmony and diversity at multiple levels with a variety of programs and with the clear commitment of its senior leadership, faculty and Board of Trustees,” said CCCU President Paul Corts. “We congratulate Huntington University for its significant achievement and impressive commitment to racial harmony and diversity.”

In 2008, the university launched the Horizon Leadership Program. The program is a partnership between Huntington University and Youth for Christ USA with the goal of creating a more racially and ethnically diverse campus. A cohort of students from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds is selected each year to receive the Horizon Leadership Scholarship, a combination of federal, state and institutional aid. The scholarship covers all fees associated with tuition and housing costs for up to 10 semesters.

The university also helped develop the Harmony Initiative, an ad hoc group of local business leaders, elected officials, clergy, educators, and social-service workers advancing values of the City of Huntington’s mission statement, which declares Huntington to be “a community of civility and inclusion, where diversity is honored and differences are respected.” President G. Blair Dowden serves as chair of this task force, and two other university personnel are members.

“This work is ‘a marathon and not a sprint,'” said Dowden. “But by sustaining this momentum and building on early successes, we are transforming the university and its surrounding community. By sharing our experience and learning from others, we can all better serve ethnically diverse students. This award is a significant milepost along this journey.”