Huntington University’s Veritas Theology Institute could be a great opportunity this summer for a high school student in your church to explore a deeper level of theological study and experience life on HU’s campus. This eight-day academy is taking place June 8-15, 2024, and is open to all high school sophomores and juniors. Applications are available online at www.veritastheology.org.

The tuition for this experience is $300 until May 1, 2024. After that early bird date, tuition will be $350. There is also an HU legacy tuition rate if one both of the applicant’s parent’s attended Huntington University. Only 30 spots are available for this summer’s institute, so consider the high school students in your world who might be interested in something a little more intense and interactive this summer and share this opportunity with them.

Find out more about the Veritas Theology Institute at Huntington University here.

 

 

We received the following note from our friends in the Canadian UB Conference with an update on the unrest in Haiti. As you read this, we invite you to join us in prayer that the hearts of the people would turn toward peace and restoration.

“Social order continues to deteriorate in Haiti. This past weekend, gangs took over several police locations and two jails. This is not far from where some UB churches are. It was a very violent takeover that left many dead; thankfully no UB members were killed. 

A local UB shared this: 

Things are very bad, I have never witnessed this kind of escalation during this 5 year crisis. The streets are now 10× more unsafe due to more than 4,000 convicts that are roaming the streets of the capital and probably the countryside by now.

The streets are empty, there’s been lots of gunshots echoing in every neighborhood within the capital.

Many police stations have been attacked, things are completely out of control.

Let us cry out in prayer for Haiti. A mighty move of God is needed to see things restored. Our friends in Haiti are hurting but it does comfort them to know we are praying.”

The Ministry Leader Summit returns to Daytona Beach, April 29 through May 3. This event offers opportunities for associate staff serving in United Brethren churches to pull away, slow down, and be refreshed. This year Dr. Terry Linhart (Bethel University, Arbor Research Group) will join us to share some insights from his book, The Self-Aware Leader.

Click here to learn more about the event and how you can register.

We received word that Howard Beaver passed away on February 16, 2024, in his home surrounded by family. 

Howard served as the senior pastor at Christian Life Assembly of God for over 17 years and later served as the senior pastor at Mt. Olivet Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2012. In his retirement, he continued to serve as an elder at Otterbein United Brethren Church in Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

Let’s join in prayer with Howard’s family in their time of grief. Let’s also celebrate the impact that was made as a result of his faithfulness in following the Lord’s calling. 

Howard’s obituary can be found here.

We have just released the first two episodes of a new podcast called UB Now featuring stories of what’s happening right now in local UB churches around the country. Episodes consist of interviews with local church pastors and ministry leaders discussing both the exciting things the Lord is doing in their midst as well as the challenging issues they may be facing.

Episode 1 features Ryan Koch (Hopewell UB), sharing his vision for strategic partnerships and relationally-centered ministries. In episode 2, you will hear from Ben Gladhill (Lake View Church) about the value of investing in people and empowering leaders.

Our hope is that these stories, and many more to come, might serve as a point of connection for church leaders walking through similar situations as well as a way for us  to resource, encourage and learn from one another.

You can listen to UB Now online or on your favorite podcast app. New episodes will be released every 2 weeks. If you have a story you would love to share on the podcast reach out to Brian Biedenbach, Communications Director, via email at brian@ub.org.

The next Idea to Action Symposium will be held Monday, February 12, 2024, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. The topic for this event is Missiologically-Informed Evangelism in Post-Christian America and will feature presenters Dave Datema (Frontier Ventures), Jordan Monson (Huntington University), and Andy Sikora (United Brethren National Office).

This Idea to Action symposium is an online only event and is free of charge for all participants. Registration is open until February 5.

Register Here

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Jamie Hoffman via email at jamie@ub.org or by phone at 260-356-2311, ext 311.

 

King Street Church in Chambersburg, PA has a mission of engaging and blessing the community with the Gospel. They are looking for a Senior Pastor to join their team. This position will encompass the primary teaching role which not only includes preaching and teaching, but also mentoring and coaching other staff members who have teaching gifts.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:

  • Casting and communicating a clear vision for the church
  • Preparing and presenting expository sermons for at least 75% of all worship services annually: creating PowerPoint; creating notes for group study; and preparing the sermon schedule 3-6 months in advance
  • Overseeing implementation of Core Values and objectives through the Pastoral Team and Commissions
  • Overseeing mentoring, coaching, encouraging, and the training of the ministerial staff as well as current and potential key lay leaders

SKILLS YOU NEED TO HAVE:

  • Relational and servant leader
  • Ability to understand and explain scripture
  • Strong communication skills and work ethic
  • Working toward having a Master of Divinity degree

THE AREA:
The Cumberland Valley offers a wide variety of business, shopping experiences and recreational activities that make it an optimal place to live, work and play. The beautiful landscape is home to a place where activity, diversity and history combine in harmony.

Does this sound like an environment where you would like to serve? Apply here.

The United Brethren Church history course is fast approaching and registration will be closing soon. The course, which will be held via Zoom, will take place November 27-28 from 9am to 4pm. Registration closes on Monday, November 13.

Click here to learn more about this course and complete your registration.

Baptism is a significant step of obedience in the life of a believer and on Sunday, October 29, Mount Pleasant Church in Chambersburg, PA celebrated with three individuals who took that step. As part of the celebration, Pastor Jim Bolich invited members of the congregation to come forward and dip their hands in the water in remembrance of their own baptisms.

The entirety of the service is available online. The baptisms begin approximately eight minutes into the service.

Salem Church, located in Chambersburg, PA, is currently looking for a part-time Student Ministries Director to lead the rebuilding of our ministry to middle and high school students and work with the lead pastor to coordinate our children’s ministry. Though not definitive, the ideal candidate will likely be someone currently pursuing a degree or training in vocational Student Ministry who will benefit from a part-time opportunity which coincides with their calling to church leadership and enhances their current educational pursuits. It is our prayer is to find someone who would desire to see this mature into a full-time position following their matriculation.

Personal Responsibilities:

  • Be diligent and disciplined to maintain a life of devotion to the study of God’s Word, fellowship, worship, outreach and prayer.
  • Maintain relationships both inside and outside of Salem which display integrity, grace and proper, Biblical conflict management.
  • Be as intentional as possible to avoid situations which could appear to be lacking in sexual or relational fidelity.
  • Be fully in agreement with our congregational/denominational beliefs as expressed on our website, www.salemub.org/beliefs

Ministry Responsibilities:

  • Be responsible for leading a discipling ministry among Salem’s High School and Junior High students which focuses on helping students to mature into faithful followers of Jesus, striving to grow in character and devotion to God as image-bearers of Christ.
  • Work with lead pastor to help create a holistic, Biblically-based discipling curriculum designed to help guide children and students through a lifelong commitment to God.
  • Work with current volunteer staff and develop new volunteers to participate in children’s and student ministries.

For more information about this role, contact Chris Moore, lead pastor at Salem Church.