Reports indicate that Tropical Storm Agatha has caused 123 deaths in Guatemala, 14 in Honduras, and 9 in El Salvador. Guatemala, however, is also feeling the effects of the Pacaya Volcano eruption that began last Thursday night and continued to spew ash until Tuesday.

Here are two reports from our superintendent in Guatemala, Rev. Francisco Najera (right).

First Report

“It has been raining nearly without a break since Tuesday, May 25, causing widespread flooding in several parts of the country. However, on Thursday the 27th at 3 pm we also felt a tremor throughout most of the country which did not last long, thanks be to God, but caused a little scare. At 7:20 pm, loud thunder was heard, and since it was raining we thought everything was normal. But after  our evening service we realized that ash was falling along with the rain.

“This alarmed us all, because we were seeing something very unusual. It fell for several hours through the night due to the eruption of a volcano located between Guatemala City and Escuintla. The International Airport is closed due to the volcanic ash that is as deep as 8 cm (half inch) in some areas. The roof of my house sank in part due to the weight of water and ash, and several neighboring houses also were damaged.

“The Mount of Olives Church, which has just opened, is 18 kilometers from the volcano and lost about 40% of its roof. Although the volcano is closer to where our Escuintla churches are located, they have not reported damage. Our Central Church has no damage to its structure, but the ash has plugged downspouts and water is entering the building, as there is no place for the water to go.

“The government has declared a state of emergency in three departments of the country. About 2500 people have been evacuated. Several roads have collapsed, but the airport is scheduled to reopen on Monday. Please remember us in your prayers.”

Second Report

“Since yesterday, it has rained without even a pause for 18 hours. This has caused rivers to overflow, and roads and bridges to collapse. Five families housed in the Rock of Salvation Church have unfortunately lost their homes and all their possessions due to the rains. We thank God, they were in the church, not in their homes when they collapsed and were swept away. We have taken clothes and food to this group of 23 people, mostly children, who are hurting deeply. We are doing everything possible to feed and house them.

“Your prayer and assistance would be welcomed. The rains continue, and will continue until next week according to the news media.”

Global Ministries will pass on 100% of any donations received to assist our Guatemalan church members. Please be sure to indicate that your gift is intended for “Guatemalan Relief.”

Pastor Tim Hallman (right) and layman Terry Sutton bring Matt Beck out of the water.

Pastor Tim Hallman (right) and layman Terry Sutton bring Matt Beck out of the water.

Pastor Tim Hallman gave a short message in the main lodge.

Anchor Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) baptized 12 persons on May 30. About 135 people attended the service held at the Stillwater Retreat just south of Fort Wayne, Ind. Anchor has held a baptismal service at Stillwater for the past ten years.

The day began with a brief service in the main lodge–singing, a short message from Pastor Tim Hallman, and the testimonies of four of the baptism candidates. Then everyone grabbed chairs and headed down to the lake.

Nearly all of the persons baptized were fairly new to Anchor. They included four couples. In three cases, partners assisted Pastor Tim Hallman in baptizing each other. A 13th person planned to be baptized, but she got called in to work that morning.

A potluck meal followed the baptisms. And then people hung around for a fun afternoon of swimming, canoeing, fishing, games, and fellowship.

Here are more photos from the day.

We just received word that there has been a change to the visitation hours for Paul Webster. The updated information is as follows:

  • Visitation Date: Thursday, May 27
  • Location: White Funeral Home, 403 South Main Street, Reading, MI 49274-9803
  • Time: 4:00-6:00 pm – change due to awards night at Reading High for daughter, Martha, who is graduating from high school this weekend.

Troy Hendricks sent these items about their family and their ministry in Spain. The Hendricks are endorsed missionaries with SEND International.

  • Julie Hendricks broke a bone in her knee last December and underwent surgery. New x-rays show that the fracture is fully healed. However, the pins have moved significantly and need to come out. Discomfort from the pins is increasing, and limits Julie’s walking. Surgery has been scheduled for Monday, June 7.
  • An evangelistic campaign is planned for July 19 – August 1 in a public park. Initially, they were granted a permit to use the park only 2 out of the requested 14 days. However, the official in charge changed his mind and re-wrote the permit for the full two weeks. Pray that this campaign is very successful and reaches a lot of people.
  • Troy’s English classes, which have met since October, are winding down for the summer.

Owen Gordon (right), president of Jamaica Bible College, as well as pastor of a United Brethren church, sent this note regarding the recent unrest in Jamaica.

Since Sunday the government has declared a state of emergency in Kingston and St Andrew. This has been brought on by the stand-off between specific communities in West Kingston and the police force. Subsequent governments have endeared themselves to “so-called community Dons.” Many have warned our leaders of this danger, but because of the blindness of our leaders and their desire to remain in power, there has developed a dangerous reciprocal relationship with these dubious persons, which has led to this present state.

I am making this special appeal to all of God’s people to join us in special prayer for the law enforcement officers, who at the risk of their own lives are attempting to prevent Jamaica from being taken over by lawless persons. At present, the situation is mainly confined to Kingston and some parts of Spanish Town. In our area and most of the rest of Jamaica, things are pretty calm, with people going about their normal business.

Many are seeing this as a unique opportunity for truth and justice to prevail and for our leadership to turn to God and turn this country around. I ask you to bear us up in your prayers! Let us stand in the gap!  God is Able!

The forces of darkness will not prevail! We are believing God that before this week is over, things will return to peace and calmness across our land!

We announced this morning the death of Paul Webster on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. Here are the arrangements:

  • Visitation Date: Thursday, May 27
  • Location: White Funeral Home, 403 South Main Street, Reading, Michigan 49274-9803 (517) 283-2145
  • Time: 5:00-8:00 pm
  • Funeral Service Date: Friday, May 28
  • Location: North Reading Baptist Church, 7200 Bankers Road, Reading, Michigan 49274-9614
  • Time: 2:00 pm

Paul Webster, 58, passed away in his sleep Tuesday morning, May 25. He was currently serving as senior pastor of two churches:

  • Munson UB (Morenci, Mich.).
  • Alvordton UB (Alvordton, Ohio).

He had served the Munson church since 2000, and Alvordton since 2005.

Paul leaves behind his wife, Rita, and four children.

Funeral arrangements will be posted here when available, probably later today.

This pastor’s family has considerable financial needs at this time. Bishop Phil Whipple invites you to send contributions, which will be passed along to the Webster family.

Make checks payable to: UBIC. Send to:

Bishop Phil Whipple
302 Lake Street
Huntington, IN 46750

Indicate that the funds are for the Paul Webster family.

Karyn Marie Mohr, 59, passed away Sunday morning, May 23, in Sault St. Marie, Mich. She was the wife of Rev. Lionel “Lon” Mohr, an ordained United Brethren minister.

The Mohrs had been married since 1969, and have two children: Michael (currently stationed in the Persian Gulf), and Heath. There are five grandchildren.

Visitation and the funeral service will be held at the C. S. Mulder Funeral Home in Sault St. Marie. You can also look up Karyn’s obituary on the funeral home site.

Visitation: 6-9 pm Thursday, May 27.
Funeral: 11 am Friday, May 28.

Juanita Chavez (right) and Pastor Isaias

Juanita Chavez (right) and Pastor Isaias

From Rev. Juanita Chavez, Superintendent of Honduras Conference

I am happy to greet you and share regarding our continued visits to churches in both the cities and villages. We thank God and are excited about our Church Planting Project. Our people are answering the call and are participating in the training.

Recently we were in El Salvador to visit and gain a clearer understanding of how the work is progressing. Here is a photo of Pastor Isaias of the Caluco UB Church receiving a copy of an Illustrated Bible Dictionary provided by Global Ministries for all pastors in Honduras and El Salvador through the Arnold Bible Fund. I am very grateful, as are the other pastors who have already received their copy.

[Note: Global Ministries provided funds, through the Arnold Bible Fund, to provide illustrated Bible dictionaries for all Honduran pastors. Honduras Conference had requested this, wanting to raise the level of biblical literacy among their pastors.]

Students in the Huntington University Youth Ministry Leadership program meet at the Brick House Grill in Huntington.

Students in the Huntington University Youth Ministry Leadership program meet at the Brick House Grill in Huntington.

On May 15, Huntington University graduated its first students in the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry Leadership program. Four students received masters degrees.

Each class consists of 90 days of online learning in addition to three days of intense, face-to-face class days in one of four locations across the U.S. This structure enables adults currently involved in ministry or other employment to conveniently pursue their advanced degree.

The Youth Ministry Leadership students are a diverse group in terms of gender, ethnicity, and location. Of the students who have enrolled in the program since 2005:

  • 18% are women.
  • 16% are ethnic minorities.
  • The age range is 22-48.
  • They come from across the US, with only 12% from Indiana.

Dr. Dave Rahn (right) directs the YML program, and also serves as Vice President of Youth for Christ. He says the program’s diversity helps bring the discussion of youth ministry topics to life.

“It has been more than obvious to me that our increasing ethnic and gender diversity in our YML classes brings a richness of insights that adds huge value to what–and how–we learn together.”