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10 Dec

December 10, 2009 |

Denis Casco at Valle de Santiago

Bishop Denis Casco at the Valle de Santiago church.

Mexico is said by many to be in crisis. Corruption at multiple levels and drug trafficking have a major impact on our near neighbor to the south, but we’re rejoicing in the growth of the United Brethren in Christ.

I visited Mexico last week with Rev. Denis Casco, Bishop of the Mexico National Conference. Rev. Casco continues to provide outstanding leadership to our churches in Mexico. Our ministry currently consists of 34 registered churches and another 10 church plants. They are divided into seven districts from El Paso/Juarez in the north to Oaxaca in the south.

Large concentrations of UB churches can be found in Queretaro and Michoacan to the north and west of Mexico City. We also have 3 indigenous works among Purepecha peoples in Michoacan, and among Tarazco peoples in Chihuahua.

We visited Valle de Santiago, where Mount Pleasant UB in Chambersburg, Pa., is currently completing a five-year partnership with Pastor Ramiro Negrete and the Centro Familiar Evangelico. They recently completed the construction of a sanctuary to accommodate 500 attendees, and it’s filling quickly.

Along the way, I heard the testimonies of new believers who had come to faith in Christ through the care and compassion of UB church members who came to them and loved them through struggles with abuse, drugs, and the chaos of broken family relationships. God is doing a tremendous work among his people.

This week, a team from Mount Pleasant will be in Mexico helping distribute nearly over 500 Operation Christmas Child boxes from Samaritan’s Purse. This will be the largest distribution our Mexican UB churches have ever been involved with. We currently have a number of opportunities for churches or individuals interested in partnering with a local church and participating in a short-term project.

10 Dec

December 10, 2009 |

We reported yesterday the death of Dave Jackson. Here are the arrangements for his funeral:

  • Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009
  • Location: College Park UB church, Huntington, Ind.
  • Time: 11 a.m.
  • Viewing: 10-11 a.m.

Extended information about Dave can be found on the website for Myers Funeral Homes.

09 Dec

December 9, 2009 |

Last Thursday, Dec. 3, Bishop Phil Whipple was a guest on the popular Mid-Morning show on WBCL, a Christian radio station in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was joined by two Huntington University graduate school professors, Mike Cook and Jerry Davis, along with another Fort Wayne pastor. The topic: “Healthy Church, Healthy Pastor.”

09 Dec

December 9, 2009 |

In March 2010, Huntington University’s EXCEL Adult Degree Programs will begin offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) for registered nurses.

Classes will be held on Thursdays from 6 to 10 p.m. on the university’s main campus.

The RN to BSN program seeks to build on the experience and education nurses already have gained in the field, and to teach nursing theory, leadership, and care through a Christian lens.

Students will complete the nursing core in less than two years. The program consists of 17 courses comprising 49 credit hours. These courses include Bible and writing as well as nursing courses such as research, ethics, and current issues in nursing. Diana Shenefield of Huntington UniversityTranscripts from previous educational institutions will determine the amount of transferable coursework and the courses needed for graduation.

“Our program is designed for adult learners who work and have family responsibilities,” said Diana Shenefield (right), an R.N. and instructor in nursing.

She added that the university’s smaller size allows for a more student-centered approach to learning.

“Students have more of an opportunity to speak out in class,” Shenefield said. “They can ask questions as well as engage the professor in dialogue in and outside of class.”

09 Dec

December 9, 2009 |
Dave Jackson at a Christian Endeavor Convention in Germany

Dave Jackson at a Christian Endeavor Convention in Germany

Dave is known for his work with youth over the years:

  • Leader of the “Children of Faith” group at College Park UB in Huntington, Ind.
  • Denominational Youth Director 1966-1973, and led the UB youth conventions.
  • Executive Director of Christian Endeavor International 1979-1998.
  • Executive Director of World’s Christian Endeavor Union 1984-2006.

In addition, Dave worked as Dean of Men at Huntington University (1963-1966) and as Office Administrator/Treasurer for the denomination (1973-1979).

09 Dec

December 9, 2009 |

Two Healthy Ministry Resources wayfarers are returning to Huntington, Ind., today.

  • Bishop Phil Whipple flies out of Phoenix this morning after several days in Fountain Hills, Ariz.
  • Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries, flies back after six days in Mexico.

09 Dec

December 9, 2009 |

Marc StephensonTwo new persons have joined the denominational Youth Ministry Team:

  • Marc Stephenson (left), Minister of Youth at Cochranton Community Church (Cochranton, Pa.).
  • Mark Vincenti, Associate Pastor of Student Ministries at King Street Church (Chambersburg, Pa.).

They replace Roger Vezeau and Brian Kramer, who served on the youth team during the past four years.

08 Dec

December 8, 2009 |

Helen Villanueva and Maira Raudales

We received word that Helen Villanueva is near death, and could pass away at any time. Helen lives in Belize.

Helen (left) is the mother of Maira Raudales (right), wife of former Honduran superintendent Francisco Raudales. She is also the daughter of James Elliott, the minister whose influence brought the United Brethren denomination to Honduras. For a number of years, Helen pastored the Puerto Cortes UB church in northern Honduras.

08 Dec

December 8, 2009 |

Global Ministries director Jeff Bleijerveld has been in Mexico since last Thursday (Dec. 3), spending time with Bishop Denis Casco and the churches of the Mexico National Conference. He’ll return to the States tomorrow, December 9.