(260) 356-2312

UB.orgUBGlobal.orgChurch Search

03 May

May 3, 2010 |

Randy Carpenter (right) has been named senior pastor of Sunfield UB (Sunfield, Mich.). His first Sunday will be May 9. Randy is a 1990 graduate of Huntington University, and holds Masters degrees from Huntington University and from Winebrenner Theological Seminary (Findlay, Ohio). He was ordained in 1993.

Randy has served as senior pastor at two other UB churches:

  • 1993-1995: Third Street (now Anchor) UB in Fort Wayne, Ind.
  • 1995-2006: Oak Harbor UB (now Shoreline) in Oak Harbor, Ohio.

03 May

May 3, 2010 |

The UB Worship Summit is underway in Daytona, Fla., and you can follow along. They will be blogging live on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.  Go to www.worship360.wordpress.com to follow the action.  You can be ready to go by going to the site and clicking on the link.  That will take you to Cover it Live where you can sign up and get email reminders if needed.  The sessions are as follows:

Tues, May 4th
9:45 AM EST – Keynote session #1:  Bob Kauflin, “Why Theology Matters!”
11:00 AM EST – Breakout session #1:  Phil Burkett, “Biblical Worship”

Wed, May 5th
9:45 AM EST – Keynote session #2:  Efrem Smith, “Worship of the Beloved”
11:00 AM EST – Breakout session #2:  Jonathon Ford, “Spiritual Disciplines in Worship”

03 May

May 3, 2010 |
Mark and Carla Wilson

Mark and Carla Wilson

Mark Wilson has been named senior pastor of Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich.). He grew up in a pastor’s home, graduated in 1989 from United Wesleyan College (Allentown, Pa.) with a degree in Pastoral Ministry, and was ordained by the Wesleyan Church in 1991 after two years of service.

Mark served as senior pastor of two different Wesleyan churches 1989-1996, and then worked in secular positions for seven years–a software company, a marketing company, a children’s museum. He then re-entered fulltime ministry, serving as Family Ministry Pastor at Kentwood Community Church (Kentwood, Mich.) 2006-2009.

Mark and his wife, Carla, have three daughters, ages 22-25 (two of them married).

30 Apr

April 30, 2010 |

Fishing Boats in India

The tsunami that hit the east coast of India in 2005 dragged thousands of fishing boats out to sea. For people living in the region around the Godavry River in Andrah Pradesh, this meant they were left with no means to support themselves or their families.

Humanitarian gifts received during this time from United Brethren churches helped provide new fishing boats like those pictured above, which I encountered on the banks of the river while visiting our work in Narsapur.

30 Apr

April 30, 2010 |

Owen Gordon, President of Jamaica Bible College

I would like to share the good news that greeted me this morning, my first day back at work after returning from attending Huntington University Board of Trustees meeting.

The University Council of Jamaica called to inform us that the two programs we submitted for accreditation have been approved:

  • Diploma in Theology
  • Associate Degree in Business Administration.

We were told that because it is a ongoing development process, there are yet some things to be done, but due to our willingness to be transparent and willingness to demonstrate openness to continue working at the areas pointed out, our two programs have been accredited.

After several years of trying, we finally made a significant start in the process. We have started some other programs and will be submitting them later for accreditation. We literally had a celebration party this morning in chapel. Our campus family were filled with joy as we express our gratitude to God!

29 Apr

April 29, 2010 |

On April 12, former bishop Ron Ramsey began a new role as a member of the staff at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.). He stopped by the Healthy Ministry Resources office to mention some of his responsibilities from what he describes as a still-evolving job description.

  • Lead some portion of the worship service periodically–announcements, prayer, etc. Talk to people at altar.
  • Preach a couple times a year.
  • Teach GROW Discipleship classes. He’s been substituting for GROW teachers, but in the fall will probably start his own class.
  • Do pastoral care: contact visitors and regular members, some hospital visitation, a little counseling.
  • Participate in a mission trip at least once every two years (a requirement of all Emmanuel staff).
  • Make contacts with cluster leaders. Senior pastor Denny Miller works one day a week as the denominational Cluster Coordinator. Bishop Ramsey says, “I’m really excited that I’ll work with Denny to contact cluster leaders. Bishop C. Ray Miller has been given half the list, I’ve been given half the list. We’ll call the cluster leader once a month and see how things are going, what’s happening in their lives, areas we can serve, needs they have, etc.”

Since leaving the bishop’s office last August, Ron has been speaking frequently in UB churches. He will remain free to do that occasionally.

29 Apr

April 29, 2010 |

Robert Shellhouse, a retired minister in Michigan, was taken to the hospital last week with what appeared to be a stroke. He sent this update on his health:

First of all, thank you for all your calls, cards, prayers, thoughts, and visits.  We greatly appreciate each one of you.

Monday, I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Gilbert. Other than my blood pressure being slightly elevated, I was coming along fine. I will not be able to drive for another week (per doctor’s orders), then slowly get back to it.

Today, I saw a speech therapist in Whitehall, Mich. She gave me some new strengthening exercises to work on as well as some eating instructions, i.e., one bite, two swallows. I will be having therapy twice a week for a couple of weeks, then back in a month for another throat xray. Singing is another exercise that will help strengthen my vocal chords and aid in swallowing. Maybe once my vocal chords are all “tuned up,” you will allow me to be in the choir!”

28 Apr

April 28, 2010 |
Rev. and Mrs. Donald Dacres at the appreciation service.

Rev. and Mrs. Donald Dacres at the appreciation service.

On Sunday, April 25, an appreciation service was held in honor of Rev. and Mrs. Donald Dacres at the Fleming Memorial United Brethren Church. Rev. and Mrs. Dacres have given over 44 years of service to the UB denomination, and they founded the Richmond UB Church in Jamaica.

Special items were given from Jarrod Henry, Fleming Youth Choir, The Richmond Church, Fleming Dance, MIAC and choir. Tributes came from Pastor Daren Larmond representing the Western District, Rev. Jones representing the United Ministers’ Association, East District superintendent Rev. Lebert Thompson, and Mrs. Maud Knight. The address was given by Bishop Winston Smith and the citation by Ms. Annette Spencer. Gifts were then presented to the honorees, after which they gave their response. The reception was then held in the church hall.

27 Apr

April 27, 2010 |

In September 2009, there were 15 students enrolled in the “Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages” (TESOL) program at Huntington University. At the beginning of the current semester, 22 were enrolled, 5 of them non-traditional students.

In addition, it is hoped that as many as 20 Chinese teachers each semester will be enrolled in the program if an agreement can be struck with a public school board in southern China.