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09 Apr

April 9, 2025 |

Roger Reeck, a longtime United Brethren missionary serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators, passed away March 28, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. A celebration of life will be held at 8:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025, at the Bethel Evangelical Education Center in La Ceiba, Honduras.

Roger and Marilyn Reeck met at Fort Wayne Bible College in Fort Wayne, Ind. Marilyn was born in Canada, but spent much of her childhood in Honduras, where her parents, Archie and Maisie Cameron, were United Brethren missionaries. Roger and Marilyn were married in 1971 in Honduras, and two weeks later began linguistic training to become Bible translators with Wycliffe.

Their first assignment was with the Zapotec language spoken in southern Mexico. There was no written language, so Roger crafted an alphabet, and then they taught the people to read in their own language. They spent 19 years on that project. Mark, the first Bible book to be translated, was published in 1981, and more books followed.

During those years in Mexico, four daughters were born to Roger and Marilyn. In 1990, the family moved to La Ceiba, Honduras, where they worked on the Garifuna Bible translation and could also care for Marilyn's aging parents. They returned to Mexico in 1999 for the dedication of the Zapotec New Testament. In 2002, back in Honduras, they dedicated the Garifuna Bible. In the years ahead, they also created a Garifuna version of the Jesus film, which was shown up and down the Caribbean coast, along with sundry other materials.

From 2006-2021, Roger and Marilyn served as translation consultants, starting with a project in Guinea Bissau, West Africa. That required many trips across the Atlantic. Other consulting projects opened up—in Mozambique, Belize, Venezuela, Brazil, Columbia, Surinam, Nicaragua, Trinidad, and Aruba. After Covid hit in March 2020, all consulting work was done via Zoom.

Today, tens of thousands of people can read the Bible in their own language because of Roger and Mariyn Reeck.

Instead of flowers, it is suggested that you consider donating to a future Bible translation project which was close to Roger's heart. Information can be found on the Everloved.com online obituary page.

(submitted by Steve Dennie)

28 Mar

March 28, 2025 |

Plans are in place and more of the details are coming into focus. As they do, we will continue to post new updates to the National Conference site.

This week you will find two new updates:

  • The business session is now available in the list of menu options. While there is not much yet to share, you will find information related to how many lay delegates your church can send as voting members of the conference.
  • You can now register for the golf outing. The outing will take place on Thursday, July 17, with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm. The cost is $60 per golfer. Visit the event registration page for more details.

There are a few more updates coming soon:

  • We are preparing to launch an online, print-on-demand store where you will be able to purchase 2025 National Conference apparel and other United Brethren gear, and have it shipped directly to your home.
  • For those interested in the UB Youth Camp (for high school students and youth leaders) or the middle school day away (both hosted by Huntington University), keep an eye out for a Frequently Asked Questions link on the Student Events page.

One final update the you will not find on that site:

  • We have over 100 people registered for National Conference already and we hope you can join us. Registration is open until June 30, but why wait? Register now!

 

05 Mar

March 5, 2025 |
Rev. Roger Overmyer, a United Brethren pastor for 48 years in Ohio and Pennsylvania, passed away Saturday evening, March 1, 2025.

 

Overmyer graduated from the Kentucky Mountain Bible Institute in 1957, and the next year began pastoring a United Brethren church in Youngstown, Ohio and was ordained in 1960. That was followed by 18 years as pastor of First UB church in Findlay, Ohio. In 1980 he began pastoring the Seneca and Victory Heights UB churches near Franklin, Pa. The two congregations united in 1984, and he continued serving them until July 2006, when he retired from the United Brethren ministry.

 

In 2008, Overmyer became Pastor of Visitation at Oak Grove Church, a non-UB congregation in Mercer, Pa. Also since 2008, he has been president of Portage Holiness Camp near Bowling Green, Ohio.

 

Roger and Darlene were married in 1956 and had three children.

 

The family is planning a memorial service later in the year.

 

Read more about Roger’s life and legacy in his obituary.

(Submitted by Steve Dennie)

18 Feb

February 18, 2025 |

Good resources can be hard to find, but there are a few coming soon, and one recently released, from pastors and friends of the United Brethren Church. You can find more information about each of these resources below, including where to find them and how to purchase them.

Recently Released:

Death, Life, and Discipleship: Seven Ways Jesus Defeated Death Before the Resurrection

This book explores Jesus' victories over challenges like ignorance, sin, and Satan, offering a deeper understanding of His power. Each chapter examines a specific victory and draws practical principles for discipleship. It encourages personal spiritual growth and equips readers to make disciples themselves, fostering a deeper understanding of holiness and a Christ-centered worldview. This is a fantastic resource for personal and small group study. The author of Death, Life, and Discipleship, Victor Collins is the Associate Pastor at Kilpatrick Church in Woodland, Michigan. Purchase here through Amazon.

Coming Soon:

Grit & Joy: Help for Bewildered Families of Teens

In today's fast-paced world, teens often crave something deeper than fleeting distractions. Grit & Joy guides parents and mentors in cultivating lasting, authentic faith in young people. It blends practical advice, compelling stories, and insights from social and brain science with biblical wisdom, providing a roadmap for helping teens develop a meaningful relationship with Christ. This book is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to help teens find enduring joy. Dr. Dave Rahn was an influential professor at Huntington University, has been a featured speaker at UB Youth and Associate Pastor Summits, and will be the keynote speaker for youth workers attending the UB Youth Camp this summer. Co-author, Ebonie Davis is a veteran youth worker, researcher, and author who received her M.A. in Youth Ministry Leadership at Huntington University. The release date for this book is February 25 but you can preorder your copy here.

Essentials of United Brethren History: 10 Events, 10 Bishops, and 10 Issues You Should Know About

This is the latest release coming soon from Steve Dennie, our beloved United Brethren historian, author, and former communications director who served at the UB National Office for 45 years. Essentials of United Brethren History covers the denomination's history from its 1767 beginnings to the present day. Divided into sections on key events, influential bishops, and important issues, it tells the story of what has been important and what remains important to the United Brethren Church and its people throughout the years. This book is a valuable tool for anyone wanting to learn more about the United Brethren Church. It will be available this summer at the UB National Conference. You can find Steve's other works including All for Christ - Volumes 1 and 2 and Against the Blighting Curse here.

We hope these resources are helpful in your family, small groups, and discipleship ministries.

27 Jan

January 27, 2025 |

Registration for the 2025 US National Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ is now open!

Visit the conference website to see all the details including who our keynote speaker will be, when childcare will be available, and what Huntington University has planned for middle school and high school students.

The conference will take place at the Grand Wayne Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 15-18, 2025. The cost to attend is $100 for adults (18 years and older) and $50 for students and children (17 years and younger).

Visit the conference website to learn more.

24 Jan

January 24, 2025 |

First United Brethren Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania is looking for an individual to join their team as the pastor of students and family life. This person will be responsible for overseeing children’s ministries and student ministries and developing lay leadership for all areas of family ministries. Some of the specific responsibilities include building relationships with students, families, and key leaders in the community, recruit and equip leaders to serve in children’s, student and family ministries, and assisting with the pastoral needs of the congregation.

First UB Church is a church of approximately 150 people led by pastor Marc Stephenson. The mission of First UB church is to effectively communicate the gospel of Christ by word and deed toward the end that people will be saved and become faithful disciples of Christ and responsible members of His church.

Pastor Marc has provided a more detailed job description for those interested in learning more. Further inquiries and resumes can be sent to [email protected] with a subject line that reads, “pastor of student and family life.”

 

22 Jan

January 22, 2025 |

Rev. Philip R. Marxson, 83, passed away January 20, 2025. He and his family served as missionaries in Sierra Leone for six years, 1981-1987, and later pastored three United Brethren churches in Indiana and Ohio.

A Celebration of Life service will be held April 12, 2025, at Salem Church of God, 6500 Southway Rd #1, Clayton, OH 45315. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am. The service will begin at 11:00.

Phil grew up in Shelbyville, Ind. He and Sondra were married in 1963 and had three children: Lisa (wife of Bishop Todd Fetters), Kristen, and Michael.

The family served three terms as United Brethren missionaries in Sierra Leone, starting in 1981. Phil was administrator of Mattru Hospital, while Sondra was a nurse and, in the second and third terms, matron at the hospital.

After returning from Sierra Leone, Phil entered Huntington University. He graduated in 1989 with a degree in Bible & Religion, and went on to receive the Master of Christian Ministry in 1991. He was ordained in 1993.

Phil and Sondra served three United Brethren churches: Bethesda UB outside of Huntington, Ind., 1989-1991; Otterbein UB in Rockford, Ohio, 1991-1993; and Olivet UB in New Lebanon, Ohio, 1993-2004. He retired in 2004.

After retiring from the United Brethren ministry, Phil served nine years as chaplain at BrookHaven Retirement Community, and also worked eight years at Gilbert Fellers Funeral Home, both places in Brookville, Ohio.

(submitted by Steve Dennie)

15 Jan

January 15, 2025 |

In July 2025, Fort Wayne, Indiana will host the U.S. National Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. Beginning on Tuesday, the 15th, delegates will gather from UB churches across the country to worship, learn, and celebrate together. The business session of the conference will take place on Wednesday, July 16, in which delegates will discuss a variety of proposals, including potential changes to Part V of the U.S. Discipline. Bishop Fetters has formed a select task force to review, study, and recommend relevant changes to this section. 

Proposals, which must come from a group or official entity (e.g. local church board, denominational leadership team, denominational task force, clusters, etc.), must be submitted by March 31, 2025, to the Bishop’s office. The Bishop and the Executive Leadership Team will then be responsible for processing and approving each proposal and presenting them to the conference. The timeline from submission to presentation at the conference is as follows:

  • March 31, 2025 – Deadline for submitting proposals to the Bishop’s office.
  • April 15, 2025 – Proposals are finalized and formatted for the Executive Leadership Team.
  • April 29, 2025 – The ELT reviews the proposals.
  • May 1, 2025 – A draft of the proposals, as approved by the ELT, is posted on the conference website.
  • May 2025 – The draft is discussed in regional meetings. Suggested revisions are noted and, at the Bishop’s discretion, revisions are made to the proposals.
  • June 13, 2025 – A final version of all proposals is posted on the conference website.

 

How to Submit Proposals for Revising the Discipline:

  1. Submit the exact wording you would like to see used (rather than just a general idea).
  2. If it is new content, state where you suggest placing it (chapter and paragraph number).
  3. If it is a revision to existing content, state the chapter and paragraph number to be revised.
  4. Include a brief statement of the rationale for making the revision. A sentence or two may be sufficient, depending on the nature of the revision.

 

How to Submit Other Proposals:

United Brethren members may submit proposals that reach beyond revisions to the Discipline regarding the work and ministry of the U.S. National Conference. These proposals must also be submitted by a group (not an individual) and should include specific wording describing what you want to happen.

 

How Proposals will be Processed

  • All proposals will be channeled to the Bishop’s Office.
  • The Bishop will determine the best way to process proposals for eventual presentation to the national conference. Proposals may be referred to other leadership groups, and new committees and task forces may be formed.
  • All proposals will be presented at the April 2025 Executive Leadership Team meeting.
  • Proposals will be passed along to the National Conference delegates, either as proposals for consideration on the floor or as supplemental proposals. A supplemental proposal will not be considered on the floor unless delegates move to consider it.
  • No new proposals will be added after the April 2025 ELT meeting. However, revisions can still be made at the Bishop’s discretion until June 13, and later if he feels it is necessary.

 

Send proposals to Bishop Todd Fetters at: [email protected]. Or mail to:

Bishop Todd Fetters
302 Lake Street
Huntington, IN 46750



10 Jan

January 10, 2025 |

Rev. Robert Shook

Rev. Robert Shook, 84, a United Brethren minister since 1965, passed away January 7, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. He graduated from Huntington University and was ordained in 1981. Bob retired in 2005 after pastoring nine different UB churches in Ohio and Indiana. Most recently, he pastored the Mt. Zion Bobo UB church of Decatur, Ind., 1986-2005.

Rev. Shook was born in 1940 in Van Wert County, Ohio. He and Nancy, who survives, were married in 1961, and enjoyed 63 years of marriage before his passing.

Preferred memorials are to the Laurel Mission in Kentucky or Operation Christmas Child.

You can read the online obituary here.

Visitation

  • Friday, January 10, 10-11am at Adams Woodcrest Porter Auditorium, 1300 Mercer Ave., Decatur, IN 46733.
  • Friday, January 10, 2-7 pm at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, 520 N 2nd St, Decatur, IN 46733

Funeral

  • 1-2pm Saturday, January 11, at Rockford Belle Community Church, 135 W Market St., Rockford, Ohio 45882. Viewing one hour beforehand.

 

(submitted by Steve Dennie)

06 Jan

January 6, 2025 |

Countryside United Brethren Church in Breckenridge, Michigan, seeks to hire their next youth pastor. The core function of the role is “to build relationships with youth and provide support for them and their families as they grow in Christ with the intent to integrate them into the larger body of believers.”

This is a 20-30 hour per week position. A full job description can be found here.

Interested candidates can submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected].