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06 Aug

August 6, 2015 |

The above video was shown during the business session of the 2015 US National Conference as a memorial to United Brethren ministers, missionaries, and others who passed away since the 2013 US National Conference. They are presented in the video, and listed below, in the order of their passing.

  • Ruth Benner, missionary in Sierra Leone.
  • Pauline Stephens-Hall, pastor.
  • Richard LePage, pastor.
  • Norm Picket, pastor.
  • Pauline Gibbs, volunteer missionary in Macau.
  • Dr. C. Stanley Peters, pastor, Director of Publications.
  • Robert Blaine, pastor.
  • Darlene Eberly, missionary in Sierra Leone.
  • Eleanor Laughlin Morey, missionary in Sierra Leone.
  • Marylou Birdsall, pastor’s wife, volunteer missionary.
  • Dave Stephens, minister, Camp Cotubic director.
  • Howard Munn, pastor.
  • Virginia Kopp, wife of Bishop Clarence Kopp, Jr.
  • Carus Campbell, pastor.
  • Letitia and Sundima Sinnah, pastor’s wife and son.
  • Keith Davis, pastor.
  • Mary Carter, missionary in Sierra Leone.
  • Burton Lange, pastor.
  • Robert Staup, pastor.
  • Emmett D. Cox, missionary in Sierra Leone, director of Global Ministries.

(If reading this by email, you’ll need to click on the link below or here to view the video on UBCentral.org.)

06 Aug

August 6, 2015 |

Six men were ordained as United Brethren elders during the concluding service of the US National Conference on July 18, 2015. Bishop Emeritus Paul Hirschy officiated at the ordination of each person. Above is a video of the ordination service

Here are the six persons who were ordained:

Bill Blue has been senior pastor since 2011 of Shoreline UB church in Oak Harbor, Ohio. Prior to that, he served in youth ministry at several UB churches going back to 1976. Assisting were Rev. Carlson Becker and Bishop Emeritus Paul Hirschy (who in this case filled a double role, since he also officiated).

Jeff Evans has been Director of Youth Ministries at Morning Star UB church (Kokomo, Ind.) since 1999. Assisting in the ordination were Greg Reed, senior pastor of Morning Star church; and Steve Fish, teaching pastor at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., and a former staff member at Morning Star.

William Flamer is assistant pastor of Park Layne UB church in New Carlisle, Ohio. Also serving there as co-assistant pastor is his wife, Mary, who was ordained in 2011. Assisting were Roland Albert, pastor of the Park Layne church; and Ed Harvey, pastor of the Lighthouse UB church in nearby Dayton, Ohio.

Ricky Hull has been senior pastor since March 2015 of Crossroads UB church in Charlotte, Mich. Before that, he pastored Mt. Hermon UB church in Pomeroy, Ohio. Assisting were Rocky Spear, senior pastor of Mongul UB church in Shippensburg, Pa.; and Todd Fetters, director of National Ministries.

Brian Kramer is Pastor of Student Ministries at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Before that, he was youth pastor of King Street UB church in Chambersburg, Pa. Assisting were Jason Holliday, Pastor of Family Ministries at Emmanuel; and Steve Fish, Teaching Pastor at Emmanuel.

Mark Vincenti has been Associate Youth Pastor since 2011 of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind. Before that, he was youth pastor for 11 years at King Street UB church in Chambersburg, Pa. Assisting were Gary Dilley, senior pastor of College Park church; and Les Stine, Minister of Pastoral Care at King Street Church.

03 Aug

August 3, 2015 |
Dennis and Debra Osberg

Dennis and Debra Osberg

Many United Brethren will remember Dennis and Debbie Osberg, who were endorsed missionaries serving in Honduras at a school called Academia Los Pinares. Debbie is a UB pastor’s kid, the daughter of Marvin and Grace Ann Price, and is also a niece of former Wycliffe missionary Ruthann Price.

The Osbergs initially served in Honduras 1994-2000, and went off the endorsed list upon returning to the States. But in 2006 they returned to Academia Los Pinares for another ten years. The Osbergs are now preparing to return to Honduras for their final year there. Debbie writes:

“As August begins, it finds us packing up again to return to Honduras for another school year. However, this year is bitter sweet as it will be our last year living in Honduras. After 16 years of serving the Lord through Academia Los Pinares…we feel it’s time to move on. This year marks Dennis’s 40th year in education, which is a good time to wrap up his career in education and begin a new area of work. We anticipate the Lord to provide abundantly for the needs of the school as well as for us through this big transition of location and job. We’ll be moving back to the States next June and looking forward to settling in Colorado close to our children and grandchildren.”

03 Aug

August 3, 2015 |
Pictured in front of the steel being erected on July 30 are (l-r): Doug Davisson (job site superintendent from Midwest Church Construction), Cliff Iles (Lake View Church project manager), Steve Smith (senior pastor), Duane Knisely (co-chairman of Expansion Team), and Ben Gladhill (associate pastor).

Pictured in front of the steel being erected on July 30 are (l-r): Doug Davisson (job site superintendent from Midwest Church Construction), Cliff Iles (Lake View Church project manager), Steve Smith (senior pastor), Duane Knisely (co-chairman of Expansion Team), and Ben Gladhill (associate pastor).

Steve Smith (right), senior pastor, Lake View UB church (Camden, Mich.)

Lake View UB church has been into its Expansion Construction now for six weeks, and we are excited to see how God is moving things along! Our expansion will be in 2 phases.

  1. Phase 1, the center structure, will eventually be our gymnasium. It should be complete before the end of the year.
  2. Phase 2 will wrap around the construction of this steel building and offer us plenty of storage, a large stage, a new and large kitchen, six classrooms, a teen center, and a new lobby/foyer.

26 Jul

July 26, 2015 |
Dr. John Townsend

Dr. John Townsend

Huntington University’s Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling is kicking off its first year by hosting an opening training event on August 29.

Registration for the event begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Merillat Centre for the Arts, with the welcome starting at 8:30 a.m.

New York Times best-selling author Dr. John Townsend will give counseling and leadership training on his Character-Plus-Competency model in the morning. It will be followed by a luncheon at College Park Church, 1945 College Ave., Huntington. Townsend will speak on both topics again in the afternoon. The day ends at 5 pm with a meet-and-greet with Townsend, faculty, and Institute Fellows.

Townsend has assembled a few of his colleagues to be Institute Fellows, who are experts in their field and a few bestselling authors, to add value to Institute students. Institute Fellows Dr. Gary Oliver, Dave Lindsey, Wayne Williams, and Steve Arterburn will speak live at the opening event. The other five speakers–Kenneth Blanchard, Drs. John and Julie Gottman, Dr. Henry Cloud, and John Ortberg–have each created a special video to be shown at the event.

“We are really excited that we can bring such world-class leaders to Huntington University to train not only our students in the Townsend Institute but area leaders,” said Scott Makin, Director of the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling.

This is the first of monthly training events that will take place through the Townsend Institute. Upcoming events will take place on September 18, October 23, December 11, January 22, February 26, March 11, April 29, and May 12.

There is no charge to attend the opening event. However, reservations are required. There is a $12 charge for the luncheon, and seating is limited to the first 200. Reservations and pre-payments are required by Monday, August 24.

The first of its kind, the Townsend Institute offers degree programs based on his Character-Plus-Competency model. The curriculum is biblically based, addresses the internal world of the leader and client, and uses the latest neuroscience research. It focuses on training the adult learner to help others grow and heal in the personal, relational, behavioral, and professional aspects of life. It is designed to be practical and skill-based, allowing the student to become a practitioner who is competent both in theory and technique.

The Institute offers a Master’s in counseling, a Master’s in organizational leadership, and credentials in executive coaching, counseling, and organizational leadership. More than just learning the Townsend model, students in the programs will also be personally taught by Townsend. He will lead sessions that demonstrate the different modules from his character growth model. The program is offered onsite at the Huntington and Fort Wayne campuses, as well as online.

“Dr. Townsend and I have been so excited by the overwhelming response to the programs that the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling is offering this fall,” Makin said. “We have had three times the amount of students enrolling than our highest goals. We will have nearly 120 students in the fall, and we still have room for more if students contact us within the next three weeks.”

The program is drawing both national and international students. For the online programs, students from all across the United States and international students from Africa and Holland are enrolled. There is still space in the program, and applications are due by August.

24 Jul

July 24, 2015 |
The Avlon congregation on anniversary Sunday.

The Avlon congregation on anniversary Sunday.

At the noon meal.

At the noon meal.

L-r: Current pastor Jason Sheets, David Hedrick, Edward Daley, and Chuck Wheatley.

Pastors of Avlon UB church. L-r: Current pastor Jason Sheets, David Hedrick, Edward Daley, and Chuck Wheatley. David Hedrick followed Herbie Householder, who pastored Avlon for 40 years. Jason Sheets followed Chuck Wheatley.

avlon-sign800

Avlon UB church celebrated its 125th anniversary on April 12, 2015, with a Homecoming Celebration. The day began with the morning worship service, when pastor Jason Sheets shared a message titled “Leaving a Lasting Legacy,” with the text being from Proverbs 13:22.

After the service, the congregation gathered in the fellowship hall for a meal. On display were several pictures and items from the Avlon’s past. There was also a 125th plaque that everyone had the opportunity to sign; it will be on display in the fellowship hall.

After lunch, those in attendance assembled in front of the church for a group photo, then everyone gathered inside for the afternoon service. All of the remaining previous pastors shared about their time and experiences at Avlon.

At the conclusion of the service, a dogwood tree was planted in front of the church and a time capsule was assembled that will be opened at the church’s 200th anniversary.

24 Jul

July 24, 2015 |

On July 16, the US National Conference elected eight persons to the Executive Leadership Team–one minister and one layperson from each of the four regions.

Staggered terms were implemented with this National Conference to provide some continuity. All members previously served two-year terms. Now, the eight elected members will serve four-year terms, with half of them being elected every two years. To get the stagger in place, this year half of the ELT members were elected to two-year terms and half were elected to four-year terms. Beginning in 2017, with the stagger in place, everyone will be elected to four-year terms.

Sometime prior to the October 2015 ELT meeting, another four persons will be nominated by the bishop and then appointed by the ELT. All appointed members will serve two-year terms.

Here are the eight persons elected and the length of their terms.

East District (Everything east of western Pennsylvania)

  • Clergy: 2 years. Dennis Sites (left), senior pastor of Jerusalem Chapel (Churchville, Va.).
  • Lay: 4 years. Sherwood Cook (right), a retired construction administrator from Mount Pleasant UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.).

Central District (Ohio, Kentucky, western Pennsylvania)

  • Clergy: 4 years. Greg Voight (left), senior pastor of Lancaster UB church (Lancaster, Ohio).
  • Lay: 2 years. Todd Rhoades (right), a writer and website administrator on Christian leadership issues from New Hope Community Church (Bryan, Ohio).

North District (Michigan)

  • Clergy: 4 years. Randy Carpenter (left), senior pastor of Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).
  • Lay: 2 years. Bob Tobey (right), a retired schoolteacher from Colwood UB church (Caro, Mich.).

West District (Indiana and all points west)

  • Clergy: 2 years. Gary Dilley (left), former Director of Global Ministries and current senior pastor of College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.).
  • Lay: 4 years. Kevin Smith (right), national sales manager of Romar MEC/Fit Up Gear from Zanesville UB church (Zanesville, Ind.).

Five of them were re-elected from the 2013-2015 team. The new members are Randy Carpenter, Kevin Smith, and Todd Rhoades.

You can also view them here. Four additional persons will be added as the ELT appoints them.

23 Jul

July 23, 2015 |
L-r: Jeff Eagan (Executive Director of Joy of Living), David Bolich, Hayden and Devon (Prince Street), Jeff Bodziony (pastor of Forward Church), and a member of the Forward Church community (click to enlarge).

L-r: Jeff Eagan (Executive Director of Joy of Living), David Bolich, Hayden and Devon (Prince Street), Jeff Bodziony (pastor of Forward Church), and a member of the Forward Church community (click to enlarge).

Jim Bolich (right), senior pastor, Prince Street UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.).

God has been doing something special in Cleveland, Ohio. At the 2011 US National Conference, Andy Sikora, senior pastor of ReNew Communities (Berea, Ohio) shared his vision for planting a church in Cleveland. At that time, Prince Street Church (Shippensburg, Pa.), which was looking for a way to return to participating in launching new churches, partnering financially with ReNew.

But we wanted to do more than send money. We wanted to send people who would not only help ReNew in their work, but also learn lessons from ReNew that we could apply in Shippensburg.

The following summer, a short-term mission team from Prince Street headed to Cleveland. While there, Andy put us in contact with a fellow church planter named Jeff Bodziony, who was launching a church called Forward Church in the heart of Cleveland. Suddenly, our single partnership reproduced. Since then, multiple teams have partnered with Forward Church, assisting in construction projects and a variety of “street level” ministries.

Meanwhile, a couple from Prince Street named Burt and Tana Hey have been serving as fulltime missionaries at Joy of Living Ministries in Brinkhaven, Ohio. Joy of Living specializes in providing Christian summer camp experiences for inner-city youth, especially in Cleveland–actually, from the very same neighborhood as Forward Church. For years, Prince Street has been sending short-term teams to assist Joy of Living, both with construction and help with their summer camp programs.

During the 2015 US National Conference, God brought all that together in a harmony of ministry that could never be orchestrated by human minds.

Joy of Living brought its staff (including David Bolich, son of Prince Street Pastor Jim Bolich) to the streets of Cleveland to provide a week-long summer camp program for kids in Forward Church’s neighborhood. Prince Street contributed the financial backing necessary for the project as well as a support staff team. In the end, a beautiful picture emerged of what’s possible when God’s people work together for his glory.

22 Jul

July 22, 2015 |

Nearly 450 photos from the July 15-18 US National Conference have been posted on the United Brethren Facebook page. You’ll find them in these albums.

Tuesday, July 14 (53 photos). The day of preparation, when the National Office staff and local volunteers arrive to begin setting things up.

Wednesday, July 15 (77). Preparations continue, with registration starting at noon. Attendees arrive all afternoon. At 6:30, the conference begins with the first evening worship service. The worship team from Colwood UB church (Caro, Mich.) leads the worship time, and Dr. Wayne Schmidt speaks. A reception is held afterwards.

Thursday, July 16 (78 photos). The day starts with a breakfast for delegates, sponsored by Logos Bible Software. The business session consumes the rest of the morning and afternoon. The evening service again features the Colwood worship team and a message from Dr. Wayne Schmidt. Afterwards comes a reception sponsored by the exhibitors.

Friday am, July 17 (73 photos). The morning features 19 workshops in two time slots.

July l7 Retiree Luncheon (27 photos). Retired pastors and spouses met at noon in the ResLife Olive Tree restaurant for a very nice meal. Dr. Kent Maxwell hosted the event, and gave the pastors and spouses opportunity to give an update on their lives. Dr. Mike Wanous, from Huntington University, spoke about his spiritual and occupational journey.

Friday pm, July 17 (38 photos). A new worship team for the evening service, this one from First UB church in Holly Hill, Fla. Dr. Wayne Schmidt gives his final message to the conference. After the service comes an ice cream reception sponsored by Global Ministries.

Saturday, July 18 (97 photos). The closing service, at 9:30, features a number of elements: the Florida worship team; a consecration time for Todd Fetters, as he prepares to assume the responsibilities of the bishop; a message from Todd Fetters; the ordination of six men; a communion service; and a clever promotional for the 2017 US National Conference in Lancaster, Pa.

21 Jul

July 21, 2015 |

doxa-cover300Colwood UB church (Caro, Mich.) has just released a full-length worship album titled “DOXA.” The album has 3 original songs and 7 re-arranged hymns. The music team from Colwood led worship last week during the first two nights of the US National Conference.

Track Listing:

  1. Doctrine & Doxology
  2. For Your Glory
  3. Before the Throne
  4. He will Hold Me Fast
  5. There is a Fountain
  6. Follow
  7.  It is Well
  8. Come Thou Fount
  9. Nothing But the Blood
  10. Doxology

It is available now on iTunes and AmazonMP3. (In iTunes, do a search on “doxa colwood”.)