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13 Apr

April 13, 2004 |

Rev. Michael Mudge is planting a church in Cumberland, Md. It is called Bethany House of the Lord. He wrote on April 4, after ten consecutive weeks of Sunday worship, that they were averaging 33 people in attendance. “We are trying right now to solidify our core group, and we have not yet done any outreach. We plan to begin some public outreach in the summer. We had our first convert in February.

“My greatest joy has been in seeing the families that make up our congregation doing daily family devotions together. The nine children are doing great at scripture memorization. We have a growing ministry to the deaf, with five deaf people coming regularly and a deaf instructor standing with me at the pulpit to sign the worship celebration. Please pray for God to strengthen our core group and to draw others in and help us in planning our outreach ministries.”

13 Apr

April 13, 2004 |

Luanne Brooks had planned to be back in Haiti by now, but a mass was discovered which required a biopsy. That was done on April 13. Luanne wrote on April 13, “My biopsy results showed that I had a fibroadenoma. What that means is that I’m heading back to Haiti! I met with the doctor today and he just recommended yearly mammogram screenings.

“Pray for our ministry in Haiti as I head back next week. I will drive down to West Palm Beach on Monday morning April 19) and then fly out early Tuesday morning. Pray as I continue my language studies and find my place back in ministry again.”

01 Apr

April 1, 2004 |

Steve and Bev Swartz, UB endorsed missionaries with Wycliffe Australia, are currently in transition. They began their work with Bible translation in 1975 and started working in earnest on the Warlpiri translation in 1978. That Bible was joyfully dedicated in 2001 in Alice Springs, Australia. The time has come for a change of pace. Steve will begin a leave of absence from Wycliffe this spring, and will be employed at Yirara College in an administrative position.

Their appreciation goes out to “friends and family who have prayed for and supported us, who have struggled our struggles and dreamed our dreams, who have laughed and wept and rejoiced with us and the Warlpiri people for these last 25 years that we have lived and worked in Australia. We owe each and every one of you more thanks and credit than we can ever give or repay. We know for certain that anything we have accomplished for the Lord here in Australia has been your accomplishment as well, and we praise and thank God for you all.”

Steve and Bev Swartz can be reached at this address: 55 Patterson Crescent, Alice Springs, NT 0870 Australia.

01 Apr

April 1, 2004 |

From February 16-19, pastors and delegates from our church planting region in India were able to attend a family conference organized by the UB people. Three guest speakers gave excellent teaching, and 35 delegates were encouraged and refreshed.

Our couple in India were excited about this opportunity because of the increased challenges facing our pastors through persecution from the Hindus and the threat of a new anti-conversion law. The state’s ruling party is threatening to pass a law that would prohibit a person from changing his religion, and would outlaw baptism. This has already been passed in three of the neighboring states.

Despite the difficulties, through the church planting ministry 189 more people have accepted Christ as Savior, and out of these, 124 have taken the significant outward step of baptism.

01 Apr

April 1, 2004 |

The new Punpeta church in India, built with VBS funds.

The Vacation Bible School Project for 2003 was to help build a church and provide a place for children to worship in the tribal areas of India. Over $8500 was raised through the generous giving of children. Because of this, the following has happened:

  • One church has been built, and the people are worshipping in it and praising the Lord for the facility. This church is pictured.
  • A second church is under construction in another location.
  • At least three pavilions will be built to house new church plants with the remaining money.

The funds have been a big blessing because there was a great need for people to see a church being built in villages that are predominately Hindu.

01 Apr

April 1, 2004 |

Schoolbooks for Sierra Leone Schools

The schools or Sierra Leone were blessed with the arrival of a container which includes a large number of schoolbooks obtained from a school in Michigan. At least five boxes of books were given to each of the three UB secondary schools (high schools). This photo was taken in the Bo Secretariat building.

01 Apr

April 1, 2004 |

Ryan Clark is the new pastor at Van Wert UB (Van Wert, Ohio). He will begin in mid-April. Ryan and Becky are coming from Gordon-Conwell Seminary, where he is completing his MDiv degree. They have two children and one on the way.

01 Apr

April 1, 2004 |

Dr. J. Edward Roush, former US Congressman, Huntington College trustee, legal counsel for the UB Church, and member at College Park Church in Huntington, passed away on Friday, March 26. The funeral was held on Wednesday, March 31, at College Park church.

01 Apr

April 1, 2004 |

Donelle Raab, associate pastor of Richfield Road UB, sent this report about a mission work project which stretched throughout February. “Richfield Road UB sponsored a team of 17 people to Honduras. Members of the team went and returned at various times during the month of February. Gary Case and Grady Jones headed the effort. The team built a church in the village of El Naranjal about 45 minutes west of La Ceiba. The former church was 12-by-15 feet. The new one is 30-by-50.

“Even though the new church wasn’t completely finished, Richfield Road left money, and the people in the church in El Naranjal are finishing it. The last we heard, it is almost done. Gary and Grady worked hard to include Superintendent Francisco Raudales and the pastor of the church in the planning. The people in the village were encouraged to work with the team. The children were especially eager to participate.

“The team also sponsored a VBS with the help of the Bethel church in La Ceiba. About 250 children were reached, and 15 or so made decisions to follow Jesus. One boy asked for prayer for a congenital problem with his eye. The team, with the help of Pastor Jose Rivera, made it possible for that boy to be treated by a doctor in La Ceiba.

“Isa Rivera, a student at Huntington College, was an important member of the team working as interpreter.”

01 Apr

April 1, 2004 |

David and Melissa Kline are on their way to Macau. They sent this email to their supporters just before leaving on April 1.

“The last few weeks have been crazy for us. David has been busy finalizing business stuff and I have been hugging boxes for two months. In between all of our packing appointments, we have tried to fit in as much time with family and friends as possible. Now we can finally say that our packing has come to an END!

“We leave for Chicago in four hours and we take off at 8 pm Chicago time. By 11 pm Friday evening (US time), we will be standing in Macau!

“God has blessed us so much this year! Thanks for all your prayers. Thanks for all your financial support! Our support level is currently at 100%

“Please continue to pray for us and our ministry in Macau. Pray for our families as we leave today. Pray for our first few weeks in Macau as we are busy finding an apartment, dealing with Immigration, and meeting with old friends.”