Beginning in June, Dr. Michael Cook (right) will transition into his role as associate professor for Huntington University’s graduate counseling program. Cook currently serves as director of the graduate ministry program (the pastoral track), which will be phased out at the end of August.

Prior to coming to Huntington, Cook chaired the Christian ministries department at Taylor University Fort Wayne, where he worked for 12 years. He developed the Bachelor of Science degree in counseling program at TUFW and a number of new courses.

Cook is a licensed marriage and family therapist and internationally board certified professional Christian counselor. He served as the counseling pastor at First Missionary Church in Fort Wayne for four years, and has worked in other churches and counseling centers as a clinic director, staff counselor, research consultant, youth pastor, and associate pastor.

“Mike brings a wealth of theological and clinical training and experience to the program,” said Dr. Jerry Davis (right), director of the graduate counseling program. “In addition to teaching some core courses, Mike will head up our nine credit hours in spiritual formation and direction. We are excited to have him on board.”

Last week, while in Canada, I met with CH Global, one of the organizations with which we are partnering in Haiti. Here is some information from that meeting.

  • Currently we have 60 at-risk children sponsored by UB members. Our goal for 2010 is 200 children
  • Sponsoring a child is the most effective way to make a difference for the child and their family over the long haul.
  • The program being operated by the Sybert UB church currently has 75-100 disabled or developmentally challenged children enrolled in full-day school programs.
  • An after-school program is ready to begin at the Delmas UB church with the potential to have 200 students enrolled.

On May 13-18, I will be in Haiti with Paul Plato (Canadian missions director), Joan Sider, Jeff Gordon (building contractor) and Ed Sider (CEO of CH Global) to assess current needs. We know the church buildings in Cite Soleil, the most affected area of Port Au Prince, need to be rebuilt if our programming is to take place and ministry is to continue.

Members of Aperture with some Japanese kids.

The Huntington University worship ensemble, Aperture, traveled to Japan March 6-21 for a spring break mission trip.

Advised by Marvin McNew Jr., Aperture consists of Jessica Bauman, synth and vocals, from Japan; Kris Burgess, electric guitar, from Williamsburg, Ohio; Josh Dirnberger, acoustic guitar and vocals, from Sioux Falls, S.D.; Zach Reuter, drums, from South Whitley, Ind.; Justin Siemens, bass guitar, from Brandon, S.D.; Tyler Skinner, electric guitar, from Rensselaer, Ind.; and Laura Stuckey, keyboard and vocals, from West Lafayette, Ohio.

The group led musical worship at various events, including youth events, churches and international schools in Tokyo, and at the Asian Access mission retreat in Karuizawa, Japan.

40 new members received on Easter Sunday at Zion UB in Blissfield, Mich. (click to enlarge)

From Rochelle Jensen, Zion UB (Blissfield, Mich.)

The “best kept secret in Lenawee county” is leaking out. On Easter Sunday, Zion United Brethren in Christ (Blissfield, Mich.) took in 40 new members! Pastor Aden Porter has given the church that motto because we are located in the rural area of Ogden Center. But just as the early followers of Christ came to him from everywhere, people are joining the community of believers here at Zion UB. Knowing Christ as Lord and Savior is one secret we want to share with everyone.

COMIBAN, a Latin American missions consortium, recently held a consultation in Honduras. The United Brethren in Honduras were specifically invited to attend. Rev. Juanita Chavez, our Honduran Superintendent, and Marilyn Reeck, a Global Ministries endorsed staffperson, attended. Rev. Chavez sent this report.

Yesterday I returned from the 2010 Mission Consultation held in the city of Siguatepeque. It was a wonderful experience for me. I was surprised to learn that there are currently 45 Hondurans serving as missionaries in various countries. A number were present and shared their experiences.

As a result of our discussions, a number of proposals were presented as challenges to each of the participants. Areas to which the Honduran United Brethren in Christ have pledged themselves are:

  1. Mobilization. Target audience: Churches, pastors and leaders.
  2. Training. Target audience: Training centers, Bible schools, and teachers of missions.

We have no doubt that God will enable us to also send missionaries from Honduras to share the good news of the gospel with those who have yet to hear.

Jeff and April are non-traditional staff serving as our Central American Liaisons. Jeff is primarily on staff with Brown Corners UB in Clare, Mich., but in partnership with Global Ministries will spend about three months of the year working on projects, training leaders, developing micro-enterprise opportunities, and coordinating short-term trips to the region. His family plans to spend as many as two months per year on the field with him.

The whole Dice family has spent the last 8 months studying Spanish at the Spanish Language Institute in Costa Rica. On April 13, they sent this note:

Hello from Costa Rica! We are now in the home stretch, as we only have 7 days of school left. We had our oral proficiency interviews last Friday and received our marks today. April and I both tested at the level “Avanzado Medio.” April also took the Comprehensive Grammar Exam and scored an 84.

We are ready to return to Michigan and find some Spanish speakers to befriend.  We have both decided to take as many CLEP tests for college credit in Spanish as we can. I may continue studying Spanish at Central Michigan University. Pray that we can find opportunities to speak Spanish in Michigan!

The “avanzado medio” translates “mid-advanced,” which is quite high for someone who has been there for less than an entire year.

For those who weren’t called into ministry immediately out of high school, transitioning to such a position later in life can be a challenge. Huntington University’s EXCEL Adult Degree Programs is helping meet that challenge with one of its newest programs–an Associate of Arts degree in Christian Ministry.

“There are more and more people called to ministry leadership roles later in life,” said Dr. Luke Fetters (right), associate professor of Ministry & Missions. “These people often find themselves in staff positions or even as pastors of local churches, and they feel inadequately prepared.”

The Associate of Arts in Christian ministry program offers the opportunity to develop and strengthen skills necessary to successfully practice ministry—-all in a convenient one-night-a-week format.

In addition to those serving in fulltime ministry, the program also is a valuable resource for those who desire to become more effective volunteers in ministry.

The EXCEL professors have expertise not only in ministry but also in adult learning. Fetters, the 2009 EXCEL Professor of the Year, has a doctorate in adult and community learning. In addition, two other professors who teach in the program–Dr. Karen Jones and Ruth Ann Price–also have experience and education in adult learning.

Students can begin classes toward the Associate of Arts in Christian ministry degree on September 8 on the university’s main campus in Huntington, Ind. Classes will run 6-10 p.m. one night per week. For more information, log on to the EXCEL website, e-mail the staff, or call (800) 600-4888.

From Greg Reed (right), senior pastor of Morning Star Church (Kokomo, Ind.)

As a way to demonstrate the free gift God gives us and to show His incredible love to others, our church gave away 7,950 FREE chicken & noodle dinners to people in our community. From 11 am-7 pm, we offered dine-in, carry-out, and delivery meals absolutely FREE to everyone! Not only did our guests enjoy a free meal, it was also an incredible experience and a true blessing for everyone who served that day.

On Easter Sunday, five persons indicated that they were placing their trust in Christ for salvation for the first time. God is so good!