June 2002 News Archive

June 26, 2002

La Ceiba, Honduras. Roger and Marilyn Reeck have been working on the Garifuna Bible since they moved to Honduras in 1990. On July 13, it will be dedicated. This will be their second Bible dedication. A couple years ago, they participated in the dedication of the Zapotec Bible in Mexico, where they served before moving to Honduras.

The Garifuna live on the Caribbean coast, scattered from Guatemala down through Belize, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They are descended from black islanders who settled on the coast. They were largely unevangelized until the 1980s. Since then, there has been an explosion of Christianity in their midst. Vibrant churches can be found throughout the Garifuna communities.

The dedication will be held in La Ceiba, Honduras. Garifuna people will come from Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, New York, and over 40 villages in Honduras. The Garifuna leaders are feverishly preparing for the Bible dedication. A pastors' retreat was held in April to prepare pastors for using the Bible.

On the evening of July 12, a Friday, a prayer and praise service will be held in La Ceiba, Honduras. The next morning, at 8 a.m., they will parade through the streets singing and waving banners. Then they will gather in the soccer stadium for the formal presentation. Great excitement will arise as they open the boxes and gaze on the Bible for the first time.

The next day, Garifunas will take a bus and boat trip to Livingston, Guatemala, for the big yearly meeting of the Garifuna Christian Council, which will last for three days. Livingston is the town where it all began 50 years ago. Two Wycliffe ladies began translating in that town. A smaller presentation of the Bible will occur there.

The group will then travel to Belize on Saturday, July 20, for another presentation and several days of evangelistic campaigns.

Woodland, Mich. Michigan Superintendent Dave Burkett reports, "After 30 years of pastoring the Kilpatrick UB church, George Speas retired on June 10. The church gave him and his wife, Nadine, a nice farewell. The morning service was held at a local park, followed by a potluck lunch. In the afternoon they had a 'roast' and time of reminiscing on the past 30 years. That was followed by an open house. The congregation had taken up a cash gift to be used toward the purchase of a hot tub. The new pastor for Kilpatrick is Darrel Bosworth, formerly the associate pastor at Sunfield UB in Sunfield, Mich."

La Ceiba, Honduras. Here's an update on the Reeck family.

Roger and Marilyn Reeck concluded their furlough on May 21, leaving from New Orleans for the trip back to Honduras. Here is an update on their four daughters, from the oldest to the youngest.
On July 6, Chrysti Reeck will marry Rigo Andino, who has worked as chaplain and lab technician in the hospital where Chrysti works on the north coast of Honduras.
On July 24, Teresa Reeck will receive her Masters in Educational Administration. Then then plans to teach fourth grade in the Dallas area while pursing a degree in Special Education.
Amanda Reeck is spending the summer studying for her August 17 MCAT test. If she does well, she will be accepted into medical school.
Elisa Reeck, the youngest daughter, plans to enter Pensacola Christian College this fall, the same Florida school that her three sisters attended. She's not sure what she'll major in yet.

Burbank, Calif. Mary Granaas passed away May 4 at her home. She was a month short of her 99th birthday. Mary was a remarkable person with a longtime passion for missions.

Pen Mar, Md. On June 2, Pen Mar UB celebrated the 80th birthday of Pastor Robert F. Bonner. The event included a carry-in dinner after church, a total surprise to Rev. Bonner and his wife, Doris. They have served at Pen Mar since 1978.

Charlotte, Mich. Teresa Burger has spent the past year teaching at Academy of the Pines in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She has been on the Endorsed missionary list. She is returning to Charlotte, and won't be returning to Honduras next year.

June 25, 2002

Fort Wayne, Ind. Emmanuel UB posts online the sermons of Pastor Dennis Miller, who is recognized as one of our denomination's best preachers. The sermons are in MP3 format, average about 30 minutes in length, and involve a download of 3.5-4.5 megabytes. You can find them here. You'll also find messsages by the guest speakers who filled in for Denny when he went on sabbatical earlier this year--Bishop Paul Hirschy, Global Ministries Director Gary Dilley, Bishop Emeritus Ray Seilhamer, and Michigan pastor Carlson Becker.

Dillsburg, Pa. Pastor Greg Helman of South Mountain UB writes about a Family Fun Time on June 15. "Our evangelism team intended to use this day to make the church approachable by those outside. It was certainly the most ambitious evangelism event that anyone can recall. During the afternoon, a kid's carnival was held. It featured six games, face painting, sand art, food, clowns, and a Bible story told in costume. This was followed by a family-style supper and puppets.

"Later, a youth coffeehouse featuring King Street UB church's "Amethyst" band was held in the future skatepark. This event drew a number of new families, most of whom had been invited by our members. As many as 58 people attended our coffeehouse, with at least one-third being from outside the church."

Kiev, Ukraine. Global Ministries received a new video from the Brian Birdsall family in Kiev, Ukraine. It is available for churches or groups to use for one week. If interested, send a message to Cyndee Christman.

Mt. Solon, Va. Fonda Cassidy sent these notes from Mt. Olivet UB:

On May 2, three people from Mt. Olivet attended the Mid-Atlantic Region WMF convention in Keyser, W. Va.
May 26 was the annual homecoming service. Over 150 people attended. The day included fun and lots of special music.
On Sunday, June 2, special recognition went to three high school graduates: Allen Rawley, Josh Rawley, and Scott Lam; and to Krista Wampler, who was graduating from nursing college. The parents of the graduates held a celebration in the church fellowship hall on Tuesday, June 4.
June 11-13, a special Bible school was held from 6:00-8:30. The church served a meal, which was follwed by music, a lesson study, and fun and games each night. It was a great success, with an average of 56-58 attending each night.
June 16 featured the dedication of Derek Wenger, the infant son of Joe and Debbie Wenger. Also on that day, 20 people were commissioned for a mission trip to Big Laurel Mission in Kentucky. The trip was held June 20-23. They completed several projects Titus Boggs had lined up for them.
Another commissioning service will occur on July 14 for the 16 persons who will heave for Honduras July 20--August 4.

June 20, 2002

Elmore, Ohio. Bethel UB started its summer "Day in the Park" ministry, an ongoing ministry designed to reconnect the church with the community. Though the ministry seems to have the usual childrens theme and flare, the true focus is reaching out to parents.

Jamie Barrett, one of Bethel's high school graduates, will enter Huntington in September. She has a heart for children, and wants to serve the Lord as a teacher to missionary children. The congregation praises the Lord for His call on her life.

Bethel recently installed a new video support system. It was recieved very well by the congregation. Some even commented, "I think we sing better now."

Colorado. Russ and Diana Wagner, who founded Eagle Quest UB in Columbia City, Ind., now live in Colorado. They sent this report: "As you may have heard, Colorado is having major fire problems. Woodland Park, our home, has been partially evacuated and the rest of us are on stand-by. The Haman Fire is closing in on Woodland Park and, depending on the wind, temperature and whether they can keep it contained, we have to evacuate. Please pray for God's will to be done in all of this."

Greenfield, Ohio. Rev. Bobby Blaine was admitted to Riverside Hospital in Columbus on Monday, June 17, with congestive heart failure. Tests reveal that his heart is only functioning at 24 percent of normal. They planned to do an emergency heart catharization on Thursday afternoon to see if something can be done.

Hillsdale, Mich. Pastor Les Smith writes, "On May 19, Hillsdale UB received 17 new members. Each person or couple was assigned to a board member who will act as a sponsor during their first year of membership. They will assist the new members to become fully assimilated into the fellowship and ministry of the church."

Dan Thorp was brought on staff in June to complete a three-month youth ministry internship. Dan is a senior at Spring Arbor University and the son of Richard Thorp, who pastors the West Windsor UB in Diamondale, Mich.

June 19, 2002

Dimondale, Mich. West Windsor UB is sending three teens to California on a three-week mission trip with the Charlotte Assembly of God church. They are Reid Lambright, Katie Fish, and Chris Robinson. The teens leave on Monday, June 24, to help with Vacation Bible School and music for the youth.

On Mother's Day, West Windsor honored two mothers in the church who died during the past year. A white rose was given to the family of Pastor Dick Thorp on behalf of Cema Thorp, who died in August 2001; and to Sally Hock-Harrison for the loss of her mother, Virginia R. Benjamin, in July 2001. All other mothers present in church received carnations.

On Father's Day, the fathers present were asked to stand. They received a book and a round of applause in thanks for everything they do.

Macau. Jana Hoobler sent these items from Macau on June 18.

Mrs. Byrdena Schuneman had to return to the States in April after breaking her foot while stepping over a chain lining one of Macau's sidewalks. Her foot has now recovered nearly completely, and while she still experiences some pain, she is able to get around easily.
Jennifer Blandin will return to Macau on June 30 to begin her third term of service. She completed some graduate courses and many speaking engagements during her six-month furlough.
The congregation of the Living Word Church is enjoying the new facilities for the church. A license has been obtained for the church's tutoring program, but some extra paperwork needs to be done before the license for ELP classes will be issued. Pray for the many summer outreach activities planned for the church. Pray that children, teens, and adults will come to know Christ this summer!
The Taipa Women's Bible Study continues to grow. Currently, about seven women are attending regularly. In June, they all gathered at one woman's house to do facials together using green bean powder and egg whites...a Korean recipe! The group continues to share more and more openly with one another.

Jackson, Mich. Vicki Lorencen of Gethsemane UB writes, "On July 22-26, we are hosting our third 'Building Champions Soccer Camp' for grades K-6 on our church grounds. It's become a much anticipated outreach in the community. This year's theme is 'Whatchur Fear Factor?'

"Each evening after gaining new soccer skills, the kids listen to an exciting biblical message that addresses a specific fear--like the fear of rejection. Moses is fearful to appear before Pharaoh, but God empowers him to turn his rod into a snake. Kids learn that God will never leave or forsake them. For the Ôfear factor' portion, in this case, contestants would be allowed to test their fears by petting/handling a real snake.

"We also minister to the parents with our hospitality tent while they watch their kids play, and do an intentional follow-up with each unchurched family that attends. We are excited to see God do His God-sized stuff again this year!

Holly Hill, Fla. Vicki McKeown of the Daytona UB church writes, "A couple from our church is taking off for Haiti on June 19 with seven of our graduating seniors and one college student. They're planning of week of Vacation Bible School and laying the foundation of a house. Should be a great trip. We're looking forward to some good seed being planted in Haiti and in the hearts of seven very committed Christian young adults."

Dillsburg, Pa. Marc Stephenson, associate pastor of South Mountain UB, writes: "The youth are on the edge of starting a skate park in the basement of the family life center. On June 15, we hosted our first Coffee House in what will become the South Mountain Skate Park. The youth raised over $2000 toward these two ministries in hopes that we will be reaching more of the in city youth in Dillsburg and the surrounding communities. South Mountain's youth are truly on the move."

Shippensburg, Pa. Prince Street UB held its VBS, "Soncanyon River Adventure," June 9-16. More than 45 adults worked together in ministering to 86 kids. On Friday night, 45 children responded to God's invitation to join His family. Also, over $500 was raised to support the missions project in Poland.

Greencastle, Pa. Criders UB broke ground on June 9 for a Family Life Center to be built onto the existing structure. The new structure will include a stage, large kitchen, basketball court, and additional classrooms. Pastor David Newell presided over the groundbreaking service. Conference superintendents Rev. Pat Jones and Rev. John Shubert also participated in the services.

Saginaw, Mich. Sherry Bocek writes, "At Calvary Community UB, our youth group and adult Bible study group joined forces for the summer on Wednesday evenings for a combined group study on the Holy Spirit. There have been some great lively discussions which have been enjoyed by both adults and the youth."

Bluffton, Ind. Fourteen people from Park UB traveled to Laurel Mission in Kentucky June 5-9. While there, they:

Put a new floor in a family's trailer.
Mowed a lady's lawn.
Moved foundation stones from the creek and replaced it with new stone.
Shared in a Thursday night worship service with the Kentucky youth at Cedar Chapel UB.

Rain prevented them from painting the church steeples, as they had planned.

On the return trip, after a day at Kings Island in Cincinnati, they shared in the service at Lighthouse Community UB church in Dayton. The group shared their puppet ministry, instrumental music, and vocal ministry with the people of the Dayton Church. After a lovely meal and a good exchange of friendship, they returned to Bluffton.

Shippensburg, Pa. Seven persons from Mongul UB spent May 16-19 on a work trip at Laurel Mission in Kentucky. They painted and carpeted the basement in Titus Bogg's mother's home, installed blinds in Pastor Ken Smith's house, installed shelves and tile flooring in the new storage room at Living Water Christian Academy, and repaired a neighbor's well pump. On Wednesday evening, May 16, the group attended the school's graduation ceremony.

This was Mongul's third work trip to Laurel Mission in the past three years. Interest in this project has peaked to the point that two trips are being planned each year.

A team of workers from Mongul will assist with the VBS program at the International UB Church of Allentown, Pa., from August 9-12. That congregation is served by Rev. Neville and Maria Tomlinson. The congregation meets in the same building where Mongul's pastor, Rick Fischl, and his wife Debbie worshipped when they lived in Allentown.

Columbus, Ohio. Pastor Bob Lust writes, "First UB launched a summer daycamp program on the church grounds to reach out to the inner-city neighborhood kids around the church. Our goal was to register 100 kids in a program we call ÔFirst Kids.' In just four days of this program, which will run three days a week for eight weeks, we registered 72 kids. One of our members, a school teacher, has dedicated his summer to this ministry.

"Our new youth pastor, Jennifer Barlow, has already reached over 12 teens in a true pioneer ministry. First Church had NO ministry for teenagers prior to her coming.

"Jennifer is also launching a language school in our church to teach English to the Spanish-speaking people being reached in the ministry of Volfi Valenzuela, and to teach Spanish to non-Latinos who wish to be able to converse and witness to our Hispanic neighbors.

"Jennifer has, by the way, experienced a complete healing from what was diagnosed as a brain tumor. Jennifer was involved in an auto accident at the end of May; she was rear-ended with some force. Later in the day, she experienced some severe pains in the neck and head and went to the emergency room. A couple of weeks prior, she had a similar episode of headache, which she attributed to the tension of her college graduation. At the hospital the doctor, after putting the two episodes together, ordered a cat-scan. It showed was appeared to be an aneurysm in her brain. On week after the X-ray diagnosis, an MRI was done. The results came back as "unremarkable," meaning that nothing is there. No aneurysm, no problem. We call this a miracle.

"First Church attendance is up about forty percent from last year. We praise the Lord."

Dayton, Iowa. Kent Kastler is the new pastor at McGuire Bend UB, as well as pastor of the four United Methodist churches with whom they share a pastor. The starting date is July 1. Kent comes from Anthon, Iowa, where he served two United Methodist churches for the past seven years. He has served over 35 years in pastoral ministry.

McGuire Bend UB got quite a surprise June 9 when 62 people turned out for worship (average attendance is about 25). It turns out one of the church's neighbors was having a weekend gathering of horse enthusiasts, and over 30 of these people came to McGuire Bend to worship.

McGuire Bend held their June 23 service in the Stratford City Park, followed by a farewell potluck for Pastor Dale Schoening and family.

June 14, 2002

Clarksburg, W. Va. Pastor Chris Mullett reports, "Living Water UB received its first membership class on May 26. We took in 27 adult members and had a total attendance that day of 118 (a new record). LWC was received as a full-member congregation in the Mid-Atlantic conference by action of the annual conference on May 21. We had our first worship service 18 months ago on January 7, 2001. God is building a wonderful community of believers here. We are very thankful for His faithfulness."

Among Ministers

Wes Burk is now the fulltime Music Minister at Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich.). He was previously serving part-time at both the Fowlerville and Mt. Morris churches. He is no longer at Mt. Morris.
Rick Pride has been appointed senior pastor of Eagle Quest UB in Columbia City, Ind., effective June 24. Rick and his wife, Roxanne, already live in Columbia City and have recently begun attending the church. Dr. Gary Newton, a professor at Huntington College, has been serving as interim pastor at Eagle Quest for the past year.
Marc Nelson announced his resignation as senior pastor of Monticello UB (Spencerville, Ohio), effective no later than July 31. Marc and Ruth will be moving to Shippensburg, Pa., where Marc will join the staff of the Mongul UB church.

Mt. Solon, Va. On Easter Sunday, five adults became members of Mt Olivet UB, and two more joined on April 28....On March 16, Kevin Lam presented a Family Night program about Honduras; he spent two weeks there in January....April 7 was Friends Sunday. There was a good crowd, with a fellowship meal afterwards. The April 28 Family Night features a bluegrass band and a fellowship meal.

A youth team is headed to Kentucky's Laurel Mission in June, and another team from Mt. Olivet is headed to Honduras in July.

California. Beryl Fix went into the hospital on Friday, June 14, for surgery due to severe blockage in arteries in her neck restricting blood flow to her head. Beryl is the wife of former California Conference minister Jack Fix, and the mother of current minister Burney Fix. She went through her first operation with no difficulty and in about four weeks will go in for a second surgery to complete the process of unblocking all the arteries.

Columbus, Ohio. Jennifer Barlow, youth pastor of First UB in Columbus, Ohio, had been waiting for the results of her MRI, seeking to find out more about the spots suspected to be aneurysms. The MRI results came back as "unremarkable," meaning that nothing is there. No aneurysm, no problem.

Big Laurel, Kent. Rev. Ken Smith, pastor of the Cedar Chapel UB church at Laurel Mission, was in a serious auto accident in May. Central Conference Superintendent Tom Brodbeck reported on June 14, "Ken continues to show gradual--but slow--improvement. He will be moved to a less critical care unit later today."

June 11, 2002

Among Ministers.

Steve Gilbertson is resigning as pastor of Fountain Hills Community Church in Fountain Hills, Ariz., effective the end of July.
Bruce Strine has resigned as pastor of Trenton Hills UB in Adrian, Mich.
George Speas retired June 9 as pastor of the Kilpatrick UB (Woodland, Mich.). Darrel Bosworth, who had been associate pastor of Sunfield UB (Sunfield, Mich.), is the new senior pastor.
Robert Peters, senior pastor at Olive Branch Church, resigned as of May 1, 2002. He is now pastoring a non-UB church in Maine.
Patrick Thompson is no longer co-youth pastor at Victory Celebration Center in Burbank, California.
Ann Loewe is supply pastor at Garnett UB, Garnett, Kansas.
Bill Duty is the new senior pastor of Eden UB, Reedsville, Ohio.