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02 Nov

November 2, 2006 |

In preparing for the 2007 National Conference, it has been impressed on my mind that I need a core of people who would be willing to join me in prayer that God would meet with us in a mighty way during this conference. We can do good planning, but in the end we get just what man’s planning can do. But if we seriously seek the face of God, we will get what God can do.

I don’t know about you, but I’d like God to show up and put his fingerprints all over the planning and the conference itself. If you would be willing to join me in seriously praying for the conference, email me at ron@ub.org and let me know how and when you will be joining me in prayer.

By the way, I have been thinking about sins of the past and how they affect the future. The thought has crossed my mind that some corporate sins, maybe from a long time ago, are affecting our ability to move forward as a church. In reading the General Conference minutes for the three or four quadrennial meetings after the 1889 division, there is evidence of great sin. Maybe that has happened in other times as well, where corporately by sinning we grieved God and some of what we face today is a consequence of unconfessed sins in the past. This is certainly true in an individual if they carry unconfessed sins. Has anyone else been thinking or ever thought about this? I would like to have some dialogue about the subject.

02 Nov

November 2, 2006 |

The National Conference 2007 dates are May 31 – June 3. The location, the Sawmill Creek Resort, is situated on beautiful Lake Erie near Huron, Ohio (one hour west of Cleveland). The conference will open with a Thursday evening session with Brad Powell, pastor of Northridge Church of Plymouth, Mich. He will be the speaker for both the Thursday and Friday evening sessions. The concluding session will be a worship and communion service on Sunday morning, June 3.

The primary focus of this conference, as I see it, will be to refocus our denomination and local churches on the main task. Somewhere, somehow, it seems to me that we got way off the path. Some churches are struggling to survive, some are fighting inconsequential battles within the body, and many have just lost focus of the primary mission. In my opinion, we desperately need this time of coming together as a denomination to refocus and recommit ourselves to the mission. Thus, business will be at a minimum. Revising the Discipline over and over hasn’t helped us in the past to stay focused, and it won’t now. Structure and rules are not our problem. Being dead-set focused on the mission is!

We will need every church to be represented by its delegates and pastors for this very important conference, which could be a “defining moment” for our church. Every UB church can send at least two delegates: the senior pastor, plus one layperson.

The cost is reasonable. Rooms are just $90 a night (plus tax). There will be slight a registration fee of $25 per person or $45 for a family. You can go online and view the Sawmill Creek web site. I’d encourage you to do it.

This will be a very different National Conference…you won’t want to miss it!

Challenging speakers. Inspiring worship. Seminars covering topics you can use by seminar leaders who are getting the job done. Times of relaxation and fun (including the UB Open held on the beautiful golf course, so get your teams lined up). All rolled into one three-and-a-half day period.
Looking forward to meeting you there!

01 Nov

November 1, 2006 |

Erinn Caley came to the United Brethren Headquarters in March 2006, serving as Administrative Assistant. In that role she carried out a variety of duties for Bishop Ron Ramsey, Healthy Church Director Pat Jones, and Communications Director Steve Dennie. Erinn is the daughter of Mike and Lynne Caley, who serve the Banner of Christ UB church in Byron Center, Mich.

On October 31, Erinn began a new job: as an English teacher at Whitko High School in South Whitley, Ind. Her high competence, graphic design expertise, and good humor will be missed at the Headquarters. Bishop Ramsey is interviewing applicants for the position. In the meantime, your calls to Bishop Ramsey or Pat Jones will be channeled to other staff members.

31 Oct

October 31, 2006 |

Church Planting Meeting

L-r: Bishop Ron Ramsey, Gary Dilley, and Howard Matthews.

Six UB ministers involved in church planting situations met near Blissfield, Mich., on October 28-29 for two days of learning, encouragement, and fellowship. The event, sponsored by the Church Multiplication Leadership Team and UB Church Multiplication Director Tom Blaylock, was held at two cabins next to The Legacy golf course.

The church planters included:

  • Thurm Payton (Lighthouse Community Church, Williamston, Mich.).
  • Cal Hodgson (Heritage UB, Dansville, Mich.).
  • Dalton Jenkins (Bethel Temple of Praise, Yonkers, N.Y.).
  • Howard Matthews (Homefront UB, Grandville, Mich.).
  • Bryan Converse (Family Life Church, Maineville, Ohio).
  • Gordon Kettle (soon to be planting a church in Grand Ledge, Mich.).

Three other church planters were unable to attend. Also attending were Bishop Ron Ramsey, Healthy Church Director Pat Jones, Global Ministries Director Gary Dilley, Communications Director Steve Dennie, and Bob Ransom of the Missionary Church.

Tim Roehl, who serves in a church planting role with the Evangelical Church, was the resource person. He led everyone through a notebook and presentations which hit various aspects of church planting. Click on the thumbnails below for a larger view of photos from the event.

Tim Roehl talking to the group. Cal Hodgson (left) and Tom Blaylock.
Bishop Ron Ramsey talking to the group. Gordon Kettle (left) and Dalton Jenkins.
L-r: Tom Blaylock, Thurm Payton, and Cal Hodgson. The group having prayer for Bryan Converse.

31 Oct

October 31, 2006 |

Findlay UB's HalloweenThe city of Findlay, Ohio, recognized Halloween on Thursday, October 26. The First UB church of Findlay organized an outreach during that time. They provided games, face painting, cookies, and treats for the neighborhood children and called it the Pumpkin Patch Party. Each child received a bag containing a king-size candy bar, an evangelistic tract, and a church brochure. The children then proceeded to six more stations where they received even more treats. Over 200 neighborhood youth visited the church.

To attract more children, the youth group set up a station at a key intersection, where they gave out small candy and said, “Hey, there are huge candy bars down at that church.” Once they set up station, neighborhood people flocked to flock to the church. If the community didn’t know there was a church at the end of the street, they do now.

It was a success, because the church people got excited and got involved. The organizer, Jane Mathers, stated, “I heard so many good comments from the neighborhood people.” Darwin Dunten is the pastor of First UB.

31 Oct

October 31, 2006 |
  • Dalton JenkinsDuring its October 2006 meeting, the Executive Leadership Team accepted a new church into the US National Conference: Bethel Temple of Praise in Yonkers, New York. This is a predominantly Jamaican congregation. The pastor and founder of this church, Dalton Jenkins (right), is originally from our UB churches in Jamaica.
  • Kelly Burside is the new senior pastor of Gaines UB (Caledonia, Mich.) effective October 8, 2006.
  • Dalton JenkinsArthur Page (right, below) will become the new senior pastor of Salem UB (Chambersburg, Pa.) on January 1, 2007. He replaces Ron Cook, who is retiring.
  • Several UB churches continue searching for ministers–in some cases a senior pastor, in others a staff position. Position openings are kept on this page. If your church is in need of a staff position, submit the information here and it will be posted on thle UB website.

31 Oct

October 31, 2006 |

Beginning next fall, Huntington University will offer majors in Spanish and Spanish education. “Students need them,” says Dr. Del Doughty, professor of English. “Given both the recent and longer term demographic changes across the U.S., and the impact of economic globalization, it is vital for well-educated people to attain fluency in at least one language other than English.”

In the fall of 2004, 42 people who inquired about attending Huntington University also expressed an interest in a Spanish major.

The Spanish education program will combine the major in Spanish with the necessary courses required for teacher certification, training students to become high school Spanish teachers.

31 Oct

October 31, 2006 |

DenisCasco_300.jpgGary Brooks, a UB minister living in Florida and a former UB missionary in Honduras, accompanied Mexico Conference’s bishop, Denis Casco (right), in conducting a seminar for the UB churches in El Paso, Texas. The conference was held October 13-15. Gary sent this report on October 27.

We had 25 students present for the seminars, which were held at the Sembrador Church in El Paso, where Roberto Espinoza is the pastor. Denis Casco and I shared teaching responsibilities on Friday and Saturday. I taught a series from the Gospel of John, concentrating on the last week of Jesus’ ministry on earth, and Denis taught classes on family and marriage relationships. At the conclusion of the seminar, Diplomas of Participation prepared by Denis were given out to the church workers who had attended all four sessions. We had 25 students present for the seminars.
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31 Oct

October 31, 2006 |

Francisco Raudales, superintendent of Honduras National Conference, sent this report on October 16.
“We have visited many churches in the mountains from approximately 12,000 feet high. It was difficult but full of blessings, and our 4×4 red car responded well. I have the satisfaction of visiting churches in the Honduran mountains, one of them in a place called Sonaguerita, which is pastured by Pablo Ramos. We have another church in Niduermes, with Pastor Justino. I’m thankful for all the help we are receiving, because it enables us to continue giving attention to these churches that are located far away. The brothers show their happiness with each visit. I want to share some photos of our churches in these mountains.”

The link below will take you to some photos from the trip to Sonaguerita.
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24 Oct

October 24, 2006 |

Here is a report from Mt. Olivet UB church in Mt. Solon, Va.: “Our church has been busy with mission projects. In March, Rob and Fonda Cassidy went on a medical team project led by Donna Hollopeter in Honduras. In July, a large group was involved in a work project at Laurel Mission in Kentucky. And in September, the Cassidys were back in Bolivia on a surgical team working in the area of Santa Cruz.

“In August, a large group of men and women were involved in a community project headed up by Ray Hussey. They cleaned up one property and repaired and replaced a porch that was needed. In another place they moved a wood stove into a home and helped build shelves. This group joined five area churches for this project.”