March 2002 News Archive

March 19, 2002

Shippensburg, Pa. Garry Culler is no longer interim pastor at Prince Street Church. Jim Bolich began as senior pastor at Prince Street on March 15.

Chambersburg, Pa. Dwayne Horst has been hired as Program Director of Rhodes Grove Camp.

Adrian, Mich. Donnell Campbell, a retired minister from Michindoh Conference, passed away on Thursday, March 14.

Chambersburg, Pa.Twelve people from Mt. Olivet UB of Chambersburg (above) went to Jamaica December 27 to January 9. Pastor Stan McCammon (second from left) writes, "This was our fourth time to send a work team on the same project. We have been helping the congregation at Whitney Turn build a new church.

"In 1997, we poured footers and built walls. In 1998 we helped put on the roof. In 2000, we helped put in a ceiling and additional rooms in back. This time, we poured a concrete floor and porch roof, and helped build 20 ten-foot pews."

Altogether, 37 different people from Mt. Olivet participated on these four work teams. Some went more than once. They have always stayed at the Jamaica Bible College. Owen Gordon, pastor at Whitney Turn, is also president of Jamaica Bible College.

March 15, 2002

Shippensburg, Pa. Mongul UB is looking for an Associate Pastor. Responsibilities include preaching and visitation. Proven experience in developing small group leaders and leading worship services in a variety of formats is required. UB ordination preferred. Competitive salary package. Contact Senior Pastor Rick Fischl at (717) 532-2771.

Pastoral Changes

• Ray Crawford, a retired minister in Sandusky Conference, is serving as minister of Pastoral Care at Victory Heights UB (Franklin, Pa.).
• James Bolich is the new senior pastor of Prince Street UB, Shippensburg, Pa., effective March 15.
• Ed Young is the interim pastor of Good Samaritan UB, Greenville, Pa.
• Carmen Venezie is supply pastor of Ellport Chapel UB, Ellwood City, Pa.

Macau. Jana Hoobler reports that the Education Department, Fire Department, Public Works Department, and Health Department were all scheduled to inspect the new Living Word facility on Thursday, March 14. She was praying that no major changes would be needed, so they could move in before the Easter Sunday dedication service.

Mason, Mich. Eden UB is planning to build a Family Life Center as a way to attract people in the community--especially young people--for social and athletic events. The building will be multi-functional, with more classroom space, and a large area for receptions and other social events. It could be used as a sanctuary if they outgrow the present one, that could possibly be used as a sanctuary if we outgrow the existing one.

On March 10, they established a leadership team for the stewardship campaign. Annette Haines reports, "We're working with Injoy Stewardship Services on this three-year project. We're hoping to raise at least $600,000 toward the building in that time. This program increases the spiritual awareness and commitment of the members in all areas, not just giving money; we're supposed to grow in stewardship of our time and talents as well as treasure. The theme is 'Putting the Kingdom First.'

About six people from Eden are going to Jamaica this spring to continue work begun last year on a parsonage. Last year, 12 people went; it was the first time Eden sent a whole group anywhere as a missions project.

Tara Andreas, a teen from Eden UB, went to Mexico last summer with Teen Mania. She helped do evangelism on the streets using dramas. This year, Tara is going to Australia in July with Teen Mania, and the evangelistic method this time will be choreography.

Seventeen young people and a few adults participated in a 30-hour famine to raise money and collect food for World Vision. It lasted from Friday afternoon, February 22, through Saturday. In addition to the pledge money, they collected non-perishable food items and paper products by going door-to-door around Mason. They also did some cleaning projects in the church and did a prayer walk through the entire building that night.

On Maundy Thursday, March 28, Eden will present a dramatic portrayal of the night Christ was arrested. Men in Bible costumes will re-enact the Last Supper, the events in the Garden of Gethsemane, the arrest, and the journey to Calvary. This includes narration and several musical selections by choir members. It will also include a communion service.

Eden is also participating in the WMF fundraising project for India. They're doing it as a fundraising contest between the men and women of the congregation. Each participant received a yard of ribbon--blue for boys, pink for girls--to which they will attach coins until July. When they run out of ribbon, they can get more. They'll measure the ribbons at an ice-cream social in July. They did this last year and raised over $2000.

Mt. Solon, Va. In January, Kevin Lam of Mt. Olivet UB spent two weeks in Honduras as part of a work team which built houses.

The church's administrative Board is planning a day-long retreat to map out the year. The youth will serve lunch and breakfast.

Fonda Cassidy writes, "We at Mt olivet are very excited that we were chosen by Mid-Atlantic Conference for an Audit Conference. On March 14, elder Dennis Sites along with Ron Shubert visited our facility and were quite impressed. They too were caught up in the excitement of our continued growth. All of the commission leaders shared what we had done in the past year and the special programs we planned and participated in.

Our theme was 'We are on the ball at Mt Olivet.' As we spoke, we held the ball, and as finished we passed the ball on. It was demonstated very well how we at Mt Olivet are on the ball and very much a team."

March 6, 2002

Heidlersburg, Pa. Rev. O. Guy Mellott, a long-time pastor in Mid-Atlantic Conference, passed away around 9:30 p.m. March 5. The cause of death was acute kidney failure brought on by a heart attack a few weeks ago. Funeral arrangements are pending, but will probably be held at the Heidlersburg UB church.

March 5, 2002

Back from Sierra Leone. Gary Dilley, the Director of Global Ministries, returned from Sierra Leone on Saturday, March 2. It was a safe, albeit eventful, trip. Accompanying him were Dr. Ron Baker and his son, Jeff, and Rev. Billy Simbo, a Sierra Leonean pastor now pastoring in Mid-Atlantic Conference. Gary's experiences and observations will be shared here and in the Impact newsletter in the future.

Among Pastors and Churches.

• The El Dorado church (El Dorado, Kansas) has closed. The church was located in Midwest Conference.
• Bruce Wickard is serving as interim pastor of Strinestown UB (Strinestown, Pa.).
• Mark Story is the new executive director of Rhodes Grove Camp (Chambersburg, Pa.).

Macau. Jana Hoobler sent these items on March 4.

• We had a wonderful Bible Study on Friday morning. Kathy, a Korean woman who has been coming faithfully for several months, indicated that she really wants to understand more about God. She will be leaving Macau at the end of March to return to Korea. Please pray for her salvation this month.
• Another woman, Dzung (pronounced "zoom"), is from Vietnam. She said she wants to believe in Jesus, but she didn't have time to stay and talk. She was busy over the weekend, so I have an appointment with her on Monday morning. Please pray that she will come to Christ. I believe her heart is ready!
• ELP classes have gotten off to a good start. It's so good to be back with our students after the Chinese New Year break. Each semester I can tell that our relationships with our students on Taipa are growing deeper. Thank the Lord for the many opportunities we have to share Christ with our students.
• Living Word Church is in the process of moving to its new location. Pray for Pastor Connie Sung as she is swamped with the details of moving, registering with the government, etc. Also pray for Annie Ho, the church's treasurer. She is assisting Connie in all of the extra work she has right now. Also pray that funds we still need will come in.
• Pray for Pastor Karis and her husband, Lawrence, at Living Water Church. They are facing some difficult issues this month.