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March 27, 2007

Birth of Eli Martin Hallman

Tim and Tara Hallman are the parents of a new baby boy, their fourth child. Eli Martin was born at 12:40 am on Monday, March 26, weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and 21 inches long. Everyone is doing fine. Tim Hallman is pastor of Anchor Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., and the son of longtime UB minister Gerald Hallman.

March 26, 2007

Teens Take Part in 30 Hour Famine

Pictured are (first row, from left) Kaitlyn Coomer, Erika Waugh, Kristen Godby, Kelsey Reno, Steve Goss. (Second Row) Corina Donaldson, Billie Brooks, Shane Meyer, Elijah Williams, Kelly Herring. (Third Row) Tanner Kline, Chelsea Williams, Heather Wyckoff, Justin Clark Samantha Guerrette, Gary Brooks. (Back Row) Seth Tobias, Cody Joy, Shaylyn Allen, Natalie St. Clair and Jeremy Grove.

The West Pleasant Hill UB church of Rockbridge, Ohio, sponsored a 30 Hour Famine in which 21 teens representing ten different local churches participated. They joined approximately 500,000 teenagers nationwide, aiming to raise $12 million while getting a real taste of hunger as they helped feed and care for children living in extreme poverty around the world.

Now in it’s 16th year, World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine raises awareness and money to fight hunger overseas and in the United States. During the 30 hours, participating teens go without food (consuming only liquids), learn about world hunger and poverty, and perform community service projects.

According to youth director and organizer Sheila Meyer, this group of teens was one of the greatest to work with since starting this program at West Pleasant Hill about ten years ago. This local group boxed 10,750 pounds of food by working at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Food Center in Logan. They raised $3,080 in donations to send to World Vision. Every dollar raised is matched by U.S. Government grants, which give Famine donations raised in 2007 four times the effectiveness!

The entire congregation gets involved along with the teens and their families by holding a carry-in dinner at the end of the famine.

Billy Simbo to Leave April 26

Gary Dilley, Director of Global Ministries, writes:

"Global Ministries set April 26 as the target date for Billy Simbo to leave for Sierra Leone and begin his role as the highest leader of our churches there. Billy is going as a United Brethren missionary and will serve for three years. He will work with 55 churches, many schools, the Mattru Hospital, and new church planting ventures.

"Billy will likely leave first. Mamei will finish dealing with some medical issues, and then will join her husband.

"We are at a critical time in Sierra Leone’s history, and believe, by faith, that God will raise up sufficient financial partners for their departure at that time. Their outgoing expenses have been funded, and they have partners for almost 50% of their monthly support. One-time gifts toward their monthly support are very helpful, as well.

"If you’d like to partner with the Simbos, please contact Global Ministries by email or by calling our toll-free number: 888-622-3019."

March 23, 2007

Death of a UB Haitian Ministerial Student

Delmon was a sharp young man from one of our United Brethren churches in Haiti. For four years, he prayed for the chance to study for the ministry. He finally got that chance, and was able to enter Jamaica Bible College.

On March 22, Delmon underwent surgery for an aortic aaneurysm, and the need to replace his aortic heart valve. Owen Gordon, President of Jamaica Bible College, informed us this morning that Delmon was unable to overcome the complications. He died last night.

Gary Dilley, Director of Global Ministries, writes, "I grieve the loss of sharp young guy preparing for leadership in the Haiti UB work, a person who very much loved Jesus."

March 19, 2007

Huntington's Nursing Program Gains Final Approval

The Indiana State Board of Nursing has approved Huntington University's application to begin offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program in the fall of 2007. The board announced its decision at a meeting in Indianapolis on March 15.

"Nursing will be a very strategic addition to our academic programs and will expand our ability to educate students to impact the world for Christ," said Dr. G. Blair Dowden, president of Huntington University.

This state approval process involved providing extensive evidence of the appropriateness of the curriculum, the faculty, the nursing director and resources to support the program.

"I want to congratulate Dr. Pat Pierce, who authored our lengthy application to the State Board of Nursing and has worked tirelessly to lay the groundwork for our nursing program," Dowden said. Pierce is the university's interim director of nursing. In January, Huntington announced that Margaret Winter had been hired as the director of the Department of Nursing.

Next, the university will seek professional accreditation for the new program from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. CCNE is an independent accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency. CCNE assesses baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs.

Meanwhile, construction on the university's nursing facilities will be completed in the coming weeks. The program will be housed in the lower level of the state-of-the-art, 93,000 square foot Science Hall. Equipment and supplies will be moved in before classes begin in the fall.

Dr. Dowden Receives NAIA Award

Dr. G. Blair Dowden, president of Huntington University, is the 2007 recipient of the Charles Morris Athletics Administrator of the Year award presented by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

He is the first president to receive the award, which is given to administrators involved in all of phases of NAIA athletics programs.

"I am humbled and thankful for this incredible honor," Dowden said. "I accept it on behalf of my fellow NAIA presidents and on behalf of all who are involved in our athletic programs. These are the individuals who work hard to ensure integrity in athletics on our campuses."

Continue reading "Dr. Dowden Receives NAIA Award" »

UB Couple Celebrate 70 Years

Here's an online article about Paul and Grace Runshaw, a couple from Mongul UB church in Shippensburg, Pa. The church held a big surprise anniversary bash for them on Saturday, March 17. They are age 87 and 85, respectively, and have lived in the tiny village of Mongul for nearly 60 years. Eight of their ten children are still living, seven of the locally.

March 16, 2007

Pastor Judges Chili Cookoff

Tim Flickinger, pastor of Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich., was one of two judges for the town's annual chili cookoff, which this year raised about $1100 for the July 4 fireworks show. About 15 entries were judged. You can read about it here, and see a photo of Pastor Flickinger wearing a powdered wig as he samples some chili (with a bottle of Tums within reach).

March 12, 2007

Jamaica Missions Trip - with Video!

Persons from five UB churches recently completed a mission trip to Halse Hall in Jamaica. Those churches were First UB church and Faith Community Church (Findlay, Ohio), Avlon (Junction City, Ohio), Hopewell (Auburn, Ind.), and Lake View (Camden, Mich.).

The group started construction on a new boys school that is designed to take boys off the streets and teach them life skills. During that trip, child evangelism was conducted and 16 children accepted Christ. Of those 16, six remain in the church a month and a half later.

Two videos about the trip were placed on YouTube. You can viewe them at these addresses:

March 8, 2007

Registrations for US National Conference

During February, members of United Brethren churches in the US selected laypersons to represent them as delegates to the 2007 US National Conference, which meets May 31 - June 3. Reports about the persons elected are now coming to Bishop Ron Ramsey's office. And people are getting in their reservations.

Thus far, 160 people representing just over 40 UB churches have registered for the US National Conference. With 80% of our churches yet to register, we could have quite a crowd at the National Conference meeting.

For information, and to register, go to USNationalConference.com. You can also track the churches which have registered delegates, as well as those that have returned the National Conference Covenant, at this address

Benulda Saenz Available to Speak

One of the leaders of Honduras Conference, Pastor Benulda Saenz, is currently in the United States, and she would be interested in sharing with or speaking at Pennsylvania area churches between March 19 and April 2. If you would like to know more, please contact Gary Dilley at Global Ministries.

Billy Simbo - April 26 Target for Sierra Leone

Gary Dilley, Director of Global Ministries, write, "We have set a target date of April 26th for Billy Simbo to leave for Sierra Leone and begin his leadership role with that conference. Billy will likely leave first. His wife, Mamei, will finish dealing with some medical issues, and then will join her husband.

"We are at a critical time in Sierra Leone's history, and believe, by faith, that God will raise up sufficient financial partners for their departure at that time. Please pray for God's favor upon them. If you’d like to partner with the Simbo’s, please contact Global Ministries.

March 7, 2007

HU and YMCA Team Up for New Pool

Huntington University has pledged $250,000 to the Huntington YMCA to help build swimming pool facilities in the new YMCA building, which will break ground this spring next to Parkview Huntington Hospital. When the new YMCA opens in 2008, HU will close its own pool.

HU spends about $60,000 a year on its own pool (supplies, chemicals, utilities, routine labor, lifeguards, etc.). Plus, the pool needs over at least $217,000 in short-term repairs and upgrades. So over an eight-year period, HU will spend over $800,000 on its pool during the next ten years.

The YMCA will give university students and employees free recreational access to its swimming pool facilities, allow aquatics classes to use the facilities free, and provide recreational use by participants in summer conferences held at the university for the next ten years.
The pool will be called "Forester Pool," named after HU's mascot.

HU's pledge will enable the YMCA to expand the pool from 6-8 lanes and to increase the size of the warm-water recreational and therapy pool.

HU Students Spends Semester in Israel

Christina Warner (second from the left) and her class at the Wadi Qilt on the way to Jericho and before reaching St. George's Monastary.

On the Eastern side of the Mount of Olives, past the separation wall, Huntington University student Christina Warner sits across the table from a Muslim family, who share stories about their lives after the start of the second uprising.

"The family has lost close family members, either because they were killed or jailed, since the beginning of the infitada," said Warner, a senior Bible and religion major from Bloomington, Ind. "They were incredibly welcoming, and I was honored to be able to sit and listen to their stories."

This family is one of millions of people who have suffered great loss because of the infitada. Since the separation wall has been erected, the people are cut off from the basic resources of the land and economy that would help them to survive and support their families.

Continue reading "HU Students Spends Semester in Israel" »

March 5, 2007

Tim Walberg Becomes Second UB Congressman

Tim and Sue Walberg

United Brethren churches can now claim two members in the US Congress. Mark Souder, from Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., was first elected in 1994 and was relected to his sixth term this past November. Joining him is first-time Republican Congressman Tim Walberg, who is from Element Church (formerly Trenton Hills UB church) in Adrian, Mich.

Tim Walberg grew up in Chicago, and went on to attend Western Illinois University, Moody Bible Institute, Tayor University, Fort Wayne Bible College (now Taylor University-Fort Wayne), and Wheaton College Graduate School. He spent nearly ten years as a pastor (non-UB churches) before winning a seat in the Michigan State House of Representatives, where he served 1983-1999. He then worked five years as a division manager with Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

In August 2006, Walberg defeated moderate Republican Rep. Joe Schwarz in the primary, winning 53% of the vote (in 2004, he placed third in the Republican Primary). He then went on to win the general election with 51% of the vote.

"Politics is just another format that can be used as a place of intentional ministry," Walberg said in an interview with World magazine. "Everything comes at me through the filter of my faith. It has to be that way if this is more than a religion."

Walberg and his wife, Sue, have been married for 32 years and have three adult children (see the family).