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25 May

May 25, 2010 |
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.”

19 May

May 19, 2010 |

Senior Pastor Steve Fish takes a video tour of the new facility.

On Sunday, May 16, Shoreline Church (Oak Harbor, Ohio) celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of their building addition. The project lasted 18 months and included both new construction and renovations.

  • They constructed a 10-foot-wide hallway that wraps around their geodesic dome, and ends with a 22-by-24-foot classroom. The hallway’s interior wall was formerly the building’s exterior wall.
  • A kitchenette was part of renovating the original structure. They opened up what used to be a bottle-necked foyer space to include the kitchenette.
  • They re-worked the children’s area with a new wall (backside of kitchenette), new cabinets, and new paint.
  • They re-carpeted all the hallway spaces in the building and added a few closets.
  • They erected a very impressive new sign. Shoreline was previously called Oak Harbor UB church, thus the need for a new sign.

The sign was raised by volunteers. Says senior pastor Pastor Fish, “The day it went up, I proudly parked my 2000 Malibu smack dab in the middle of five full-sized pickup trucks with long trailers and heavy equipment riding on each. These country guys really have the equipment sitting around. Our digital sign shut down for the first time in six months during Sunday’s celebration. I just had to smile. We are working on getting it up and running again.”

All of these changes have taken place since September 2008. The total cost was just under $72,000.

“We scooped the first backhoe of dirt the day the stock market took its initial 500-point slide,” says Pastor Fish. “Despite this economic recession, we are so thankful to report that all of our facility improvements are fully paid for through the generosity and hard work of this people of God in Ottawa County (our own county with Ohio’s highest unemployment rate at over 18%). God has blessed us despite all of these hardships, and we celebrate the growth and his goodness to us.

19 May

May 19, 2010 |
The group going to Germany at the end of July.

The group going to Germany at the end of July (click to enlarge).

The first UB mission trip to Germany will occur July 31–August 14. They will work with Global Ministries staff Galen and Maritta Fiedler in conducting two five-day English camps for German students (about 30 students in each).

The team members held their first meeting May 8 at Eden UB church in Mason, Mich. The members pictured above are (l-r):

  • Jim and Rhea Ferrier, from Nashville, Mich. They are former United Brethren who have known Galen Fiedler for many years.
  • Cheryl Lamport (Rockford, Mich.). She’s an ordained minister in the UB church who, as a Huntington University student in 1975, went on a mission trip to Brazil with team co-leader Cathy Reich.
  • Elise Nye, a high school student from Monticello UB near Spencerville, Ohio. She is the daughter of senior pastor Andrew and Jennifer Atkins.
  • Rachel Harper, a high school sophomore from Eden UB in Mason, Mich.
  • Nichole Reaver, a high school senior from Monticello UB near Spencerville, Ohio.
  • Amber Cotherman, a Huntington University TESOL (Teachers of English Speaking Other Languages) student. She is a youth worker at Bethel Assembly of God in Huntington, Ind.
  • Hannah Harper, a high school senior from Eden UB in Mason, Mich.
  • Cathy and JR Reich, team leaders. They are from The Well (and formerly from Good Shepherd), a UB church in Huntington, Ind.
  • Inset photo: Laura Branham, from Nashville, Mich.

19 May

May 19, 2010 |
Eric Carter and Brian Leslie.

L-r: Eric Carter and Brian Leslie.

Brian Leslie and Eric Carter were two of the four students who graduated from Huntington University May 15 with Master of Arts degrees in Youth Ministry Leadership. This is the first class to graduate from this online hybrid program.

As youth ministers, Leslie and Carter were already skilled in their crafts, but conferences and seminars were not pushing them to the next level. Their online search brought them to Huntington.

“I felt like there was more out there as far as a deeper level of study,” said Carter, 27, who currently works as a junior-senior high youth minister at Plainfield Christian Church in Comstock Park, Mich., outside of Grand Rapids. “Where a conference is okay, this just adds a greater level of depth.”

Leslie, 38, who works as a youth minister in Plainfield, Ind., (an unaffiliated church also called Plainfield Christian Church, oddly enough), said Huntington’s program stood out from all the others. Here, professors dialog with students, the work is more challenging, and camaraderie is created among students.

“For me, it’s about continuing to do youth ministry in my local context but with better tools,” Leslie said.

“I just don’t know if you would get that everywhere,” Carter said.

Carter, interestingly, had previously worked under Leslie as an intern before beginning his fulltime work in ministry in 2004.

Both Leslie and Carter admit that the last four years have not been easy. They have juggled jobs and families on top of classes and other assignments. But they admit, it has been a rewarding experience that they would not trade, especially since they were able to do it together.

17 May

May 17, 2010 |
  • The first Children’s Leaders Summit kicks off today in Holly Hill, Fla.
  • The first Warmth Summit, for staffpersons who work in areas related to spiritual care, begins tomorrow (May 18) in Wheeling, W. Va.
  • Bishop Phil Whipple and his wife, Sandy, are on their way back to Indiana from Pennsylvania. They’ve been on the road for about a month, beginning with the Youth Workers Summit in Florida in mid-April.
  • Jeff Bleijerveld is flying back today from a four-day visit to Haiti.
  • Former bishop Paul Hirschy has come down with pneumonia.

15 May

May 15, 2010 |
Dr. G. Blair Dowden presents a diploma to a student.

Dr. G. Blair Dowden presents a diploma to a student.

Some of the graduates waiting to hear their name called.

Some of the graduates waiting to hear their name called.

Huntington University honored 277 graduates today (May 15) during the 112th Commencement ceremonies.

Huntington University awarded 15 Master of Arts degrees, six Master of Education degrees, 75 Bachelor or Arts degrees, 153 Bachelor of Science degrees, nine Bachelor of Social Work degrees and 21 Associate of Science degrees.

Honorary degrees were also given to Dr. Herma B. Williams, provost and academic vice president for Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, Calif., and Donald Duff, Huntington University Board of Trustees chairman emeritus.

As commencement speaker, Williams addressed the graduates and asked them what their roles will be in shaping the future.

“Will you lead a life that matters?” Williams asked of the students.

Her addressed was titled, “Shaping the Future: Leading a Life that Matters.”

The afternoon commencement followed the morning baccalaureate service where Martha Smith, Huntington University associate dean of students, challenged the students to trust God today for the plans that he has for them. Her sermon was titled, “The Calling is Now.”

14 May

May 14, 2010 |

Impressive: 95 percent of graduates from Huntington University’s education program were employed in an education-related position in less than one year after graduation. That’s from a study of 110 HU graduates from the past three years (2007-2009).

Not bad, considering the tight job market.

13 May

May 13, 2010 |
Rev. and Mrs. Lee with children of migrant workers in Thailand (click to enlarge).

Rev. and Mrs. Lee with children of migrant workers in Thailand, plus their visitors from the US and China. Jeff Bleijerveld is in back, wearing a green shirt. Teacher Lee is just to the left, with his three children and wife next to him (click to enlarge).

For the Ahka People of Northern Thailand, making a living often requires a willingness to go where work can be found. In order to minister to families in these mountain villages, Rev. and Mrs. Lee have opened their home to the children of migrant workers.

Rev. Lee told us that in the first years of ministry in this region, people were quite resistant to them and the message of the gospel. Providing love and care to the children of migrant workers opened hearts. Many of the founding members of the two UB churches were migrant workers who entrusted their children to the Lees’ care.

A recent donation that came from the Center Hill UB Church in Illinois, at the time of its closing, made it possible to upgrade the bathrooms and dormitories and buy new bunk beds. When we visited recently, 26 children were living with the Lees.

13 May

May 13, 2010 |

Julie Goetz, coordinator of online education, has been named Huntington University’s 2010 Staff Member of the Year.

Goetz, who has been employed by the university for four years, was nominated by faculty and staff for the award and was selected by the university’s senior administrators. She was recognized for the award during the annual Celebration of Service banquet on May 10.

13 May

May 13, 2010 |

Huntington University students, faculty, and staff contributed more than 11,450 volunteer hours this year in the greater Huntington and Fort Wayne communities.

“It’s part of who we are as an institution. It’s a reflection of our Christ-centered values,” said Grace McBrayer, director of first year students and volunteer services at Huntington University.

Huntington University’s Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service tracks the hours that are volunteered by the campus at locations such as Youth for Christ, Huntington Kid’s Club, the Love Church in Fort Wayne, the Adopt a Grandparent program, Habitat for Humanity, and Volunteer 911, which is an on-campus ministry to provide assistance to the community by filling requests ranging from baby sitting to yard work and home maintenance. Students, faculty, and staff also volunteer each semester during the fall and spring work days. Spring break and fall break trips also contribute to this count.

The Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service is a student-directed organization that mobilizes the campus community for Christian service. It was founded in 1992 through a grant. Each year, more than 70 percent of resident students are involved in some form of volunteer service.