01 May Park UB Acquires New Property
The Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind., was able to purchase property directly across the street for a bargain price of $20,100. The property had previously served as the local school district administration building.
The school district had to advertise the building twice. The church won the first bid, but since the bid fell short of the required 90 percent of the building’s $60,000 assessed value, the dist4rict had to advertise it again. However, since the second round of advertising didn’t yield any more bids, the school board was legally able to accept the highest bid offered.
Pastor Larry Taylor doesn’t know yet how the church will use the building or property. They may tear down the building and use the land for much-needed parking.
Mrs. Charlotte (Char) Binkley, executive director of the WBCL Radio Network in Fort Wayne, Ind., will also receive the Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Her voice is familiar to Christian radio listeners throughout the area.
Rev. Charles Billiam (Bill) Eakin will receive the Doctor of Divinity degree. He has served nearly 60 years with Youth for Christ, a term longer than any other staff member in the organization’s history. He continues serving as a Campus Life coach in Indianapolis. During the 1980s, he spoke at the United Brethren Youth Convention. He and his wife established 30 Youth for Christ clubs in Akron, Ohio. Later, as the international field director, he managed all overseas activities for Youth for Christ, a position that took him to 40 countries. In 1974, Eakin and his family moved to Indianapolis, where they have remained.
Dr. Robert C. Andringa (right), president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), will give the Commencement address at Huntington University on Saturday, May 13. Dr. Norris Friesen, Huntington’s vice president and dean, will deliver the baccalaureate address to graduates and their parents at 10:30 a.m., in the Zurcher Auditorium of the Merillat Centre for the Arts. Commencement will be held on the campus front lawn at 3 p.m. You can read more about them on the Huntington University site.
As vice president and dean, Dr. Friesen (right) is the chief academic officer of Huntington University. He supervises the faculty, assistant and associate deans, the RichLyn Library, academic registration, and adult and graduate education. He came to the university in 1985 as Dean of Student Services, was named Vice President for Student Development in 1993, and accepted his current role in 2002.
Greg Helman (right), pastor of the UB church in Dillsburg, Pa., sent this report about his daughter: “My daughter Greta Helman was diagnosed on Thursday (April 27) with a benign tumor in the lining of her brain. It is about the size of a 50-cent piece and is pressing on her brain causing pain. We will have a consultation with a neurosurgeon at Hershey Medical Center on Wednesday, May 3rd at 9:00 am. There is a very good probability of the need for plastic surgery because of the tumor’s location. So, please pray for Greta’s physical, emotional, spiritual and financial well-being. Greta works part-time at our church as a Worship Leader and just gave her notice on Monday of resigning from being an assistant manager at Bruster’s in Camp Hill. Her new job as the director of a day-care in Harrisburg will give her benefits after three months. But, neither the church nor Bruster’s offer her benefits. Therefore, she could only afford a personal insurance plan that pays 80% of her bills. Thank you very much ahead of time for your consideration of this prayer need.”
Wes and Jean Bell are UB endorsed missionaries doing educational work with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Brazil. The following report came on April 28 from Jean Bell:
Jenny Willard from Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich.) reports on their Easter events: “We had 5 services this year! One will be on the Thursday after Easter, for all of our spring-breakers who might’ve missed Easter Sunday.