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24 Dec

December 24, 2008 |

An ice storm hit northeast Indiana last Friday, knocking out power to businesses and homes all over the area. Most power was finally restored today. But trees are down everywhere.

Such was Jeff Bleijerveld’s welcome back from his trip to Sierra Leone. He arrived on December 23. He’ll no doubt have plenty to report.

Anyway, all is well. We hope your church has a wonderful Christmas season (what’s left of it), and that you personally have a joyous time. The office was closed today, and will be closed on Friday, the 26th. But we’ll see you next Monday

23 Dec

December 23, 2008 |

Global Ministries cleaned out some old cabinets and came across various printed materials that might interest you. We’re talking coin folders, letterhead, envelopes, and more. These are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. All you need to do is cover the shipping cost. Check the Global Ministries site for more info.

22 Dec

December 22, 2008 |

Some of your teens would no doubt enjoy taking part in the Big MAC Ski Attack. This youth ski retreat started as a ministry of the former Mid-Atlantic Conference, thus the MAC. But UB youth from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio have taken part during the last few years. It’s open to any UB youth.

Bobby Culler, youth pastor of Mount Pleasant Church (Chambersburg, Pa.), heads up the Big MAC event, and also chairs the denominational Youth Ministry Team, He says they have around 500 people at Big MAC. So this is no small thing.

You can find complete information on the UB Youth website. Here are some basic details:

Date: February 6-8
Location: a Mennonite conference center in Laurelville, Pa. (near Pittsburgh).
Cost: $80 registration, plus an activity fee of $10-$40, depending on the activity you choose.

19 Dec

December 19, 2008 |

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The staff with some of the gifts, before we loaded them into Bishop Ramsey’s van (bottom).

The Healthy Ministry Resources staff and the Huntington University graduate school (whose staff are housed in our building) joined forces to buy gifts for a local family. This family includes a father and mother, five kids, and another child on the way.

We hooked up with them through Love in the Name of Christ, a local agency that serves as a clearinghouse and screening agency for churches and other groups that want to help local people.

On Wednesday, Bishop Ron Ramsey and Steve Dennie delivered a van-load of gifts to this family. There were multiple presents for each member of the family, plus a number of food items.

18 Dec

December 18, 2008 |

Sandie Birdsall, who suffered a brain aneurysm on December 1, is now out of Intensive Care–though still in the hospital. The following is from Brent Birdsall’s Facebook post. Brent and Sandie served as UB missionaries in Africa, and Brent pastored both the Emmanuel and College Park UB churches in Indiana. He is now on staff with a church in Minnesota.

GREAT NEWS! At 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, Sandie was released from ICU!!!! We are so grateful. Many indicators show that Sandie has come through the worst of her brain hemorrhage and its aftermath. The Interventional Neuroradiologist team who performed the initial emergency surgery on December 1 and the subsequent angiograms/interventions have released Sandie from their care. An appointment will be scheduled for June 2009 to check her aneurysm and the coiling procedure they performed in such a timely manner.

Prayer request: Sandie has been diagnosed with ICU psychosis. Check www.medicinenet.com for an article explaining the ailment. In laymen’s terms, it means, “Get me out of this darn place!!!” Sandie’s symptoms were primarily anxiety, agitation, or some paranoia. The other day when talking about the nurses, she said to me in hushed tones, “I don’t trust them anymore.”

Hopefully, as Sandie moves to a quieter section of the hospital and is allowed more rest and less interruptions, her recovery will be more speedy. Let me say, lest you worry, I am nominating many of these ICU nurses for sainthood. They truly have been “angels of mercy” who lovingly, faithfully, and competently cared for Sandie as she was snatched from the brink of death.

I’ve been told that Sandie will forget most of what has happened these last 16 days. I will never forget and am deeply indebted to the staff of Fairview Southdale Hospital and to the first responders from the city of Apple Valley.
Sandie’s not out of the hospital, but this is a great leap forward. Oh, by the way, she did better with her swallow test. With a little more rest and study [ lame joke], maybe she’ll pass tomorrow.

Thanks again for your prayers and notes. They play a huge part in Sandie’s recovery. We’ll keep you posted from fifth floor. Adieu, Room 350, may we never meet again.

18 Dec

December 18, 2008 |

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Anchor UB church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) held its Supper with Santa evening on Saturday, December 13. Over 100 people, including people from the community, attended. There were crafts for children, and lots of food.

And people could get their picture taken with Santa (a return performance by Tim Bauman, a worship team guitarist who has moonlighted as a Santa at the local Glenbrook Mall).

Pastor Tim Hallman met with all the young children to read through the Christmas story.

This is the second year for Supper with Santa.

18 Dec

December 18, 2008 |

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Every year, the Healthy Ministry Resources staff and spouses go somewhere nice for a Christmas party. Two years ago it was the Bluegate Inn in Shipshewana, Ind. Last year we went to the Back 40 in Decatur, Ind. 

This year: the Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park near Angola, Ind. With snow falling all around, it was a beautiful place to be. Not much fun getting there, and not much fun driving back home. But snow falling upon a lodge in the woods–nice. 

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Before the fabulous buffet meal, we all played (brace yourself) Bingo. Cathy Reich, the administrative assistant, found Christmas-themed Bingo cards. Click on the thumbnail on the right for a large view of the card.

Bishop Ron Ramsey drew and called out the card items, which in this case were like “I Snowman” or “G Holly.” Winners received prizes (though be assured,no actual money exchanged hands). Pam Dennie, wife of Communications Director Steve Dennie, won the grand prize (a four-corners round). 

17 Dec

December 17, 2008 |

Randy and Toni Fennig have been in Sierra Leone for three months now. Toni has uploaded a lot of photos to her Facebook page. Here are a few.

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One end of the Bible college campus was without lights for three days…until Randy and a friend got it going again.

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Randy and some Sierra Leoneans built a chicken coop.

17 Dec

December 17, 2008 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
One of the things that leaders do is LEAD. 

We desperately need pastors who will LEAD the congregation or ministry area that God has called you to lead. 

You say, “Well, I can’t.” Then, did God make a mistake in calling you? 

You say, “I don’t know how. “Then learn some skills and begin to practice them. 

We tend to think of the Type A personality who is the natural-born leader. If that doesn’t describe us, then we beg off of leading. No! No! No! If God has called you to a position of leadership, then LEAD. If God has called you to that ministry, he wants you to LEAD.

To me, spiritual leadership involves:

  • Discovering where God wants to take us.
  • Leading in that direction.

How do you discover that? Pray. Read the scriptures. Pray. Read books on leadership. Pray. Study your ministry area to determine what the needs are. Pray. Then LEAD! You may not lead where or how I think you should, but if you’re getting spiritual results, then you won’t get an argument from me.

16 Dec

December 16, 2008 |

Living Hope UB church in State Line, Pa., closed October 5 in order to merge with Crossroads Brethren in Christ church. Mike Wentz, the senior pastor, resigned as of the same date to take secular employment.