Nearly 50 workshops will be offered on Thursday morning, divided among three time slots:
You can select from about ten different workshops in each time slot. You will not sign up for workshops. Just show up at the workshop you want. If it’s full, the doors will be closed and you can try your second choice.
Kevin McKay, an Ameriprise Financial advisor, will be available during National Conference to discuss your United Brethren retirement account. To schedule a time to meet with him during the conference, call 260.271.1050.
Frank Yang and Mara Fischer
UB Global
UB Global is making a long-term commitment to work among a tribal Muslim people group we’re calling the Shoptar (not using their real name for security reasons). They’re 79 million strong but among the least-reached at 0.003% Christian. Come glean what we’ve been learning, hear best practices in working with Muslims, and learn how you can make a difference in this global effort to reach the Shoptar.
Presenters. Frank Yang is executive director of UB Global, and has been part of the UB Global staff since 2013. Mara Fischer is an Arabic-speaking intern with UB Global.
Steve Fish and Courtney Waterman
Associate directors of UB Global
Our international mission team in Thailand reports positive progress in our efforts to bring Northern Thai Buddhists to Christ. You will hear the latest news about how God is leading our discipleship efforts and the current outcomes. Come for a brief history of our recent work, hear about our international missionaries and Thai national staff, and learn about the barriers and strongholds God is breaking down in the local Thai community. Plan to leave this workshop encouraged about the outreach work at the Good Soil Community Center and equipped to partner in multiple ways in this collaborative global UB effort.
Presenters. Steve Fish, a UB minister since 1989, joined the UB Global staff as an associate director in February 2021. Courtney Waterman became an associate director in November 2022 after 12 years with Salesforce.com. Steve and Courtney, along with their spouses, are members of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Luke Fetters, Ron Coffey, Russ Degitz, Stephen Weingert, Cindy Sisson
Senior administrators at Huntington University
This session will offer an update on ways Huntington University is continuing the mission of Christ, Scholarship and Service which has characterized the University for 125 years. While continuing to offer a Christ-centered education in the tradition of the liberal arts, the University is moving forward in innovative ways to attract, support, and educate students in over 70 academics programs offered across four physical locations and online. Come hear how Huntington University could be a preferred option for students in your congregations and families.
Presenters. Luke Fetters, a United Brethren minister and former missionary to Macau, is vice president for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Huntington University. Ron L. Coffey has been vice president for Student Life since 2003. Stephen Weingert has been vice president for University Advancement since 2019. Cindy Sisson is vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing. Russ Degitz joined the Huntington University staff in 2019 as chief operating officer.
Mike Dittman
Director of National Ministries
(Repeated in all three sessions)
Are you tired, confused, longing for renewal? Jesus invites us to rest, and to learn from him how to live freely and lightly. Mike Dittman knows how to lead a soul-refreshing conversation “around the table” — one that gives us the honor of hearing one another’s story, listen to the heart of our Father, and enter the freedom of walking with Jesus together. Come together to learn the Spirit-led process of “pursuing and praying,” which leads to personal renewal that can even impact your church.
Presenter. Dr. Mike Dittman has been director of National Ministries since 2016. He has served on staff at churches in various roles–teaching pastor, interim pastor, worship leader, youth pastor, college pastor, and more). He oversaw and developed a network of house churches. For 16 years, he served at Philadelphia Biblical University, where he founded the graduate school and developed masters programs in counseling, Bible, organizational leadership, and education. He is an ordained minister and a licensed professional counselor.
Kathy Bruce
Emmanuel UB church / Brotherhood Mutual
Innovation begins with inspiration. In this workshop you’ll find plenty of inspiration as we take a deep dive into ideas shared by nearly 700 Kingdom Advancing Grant applicants. What about these church programs are creative and unique? How are they being replicated by others? How do they not only solve a problem in their community, but also bring people to closer to Jesus? How do they make sure their programs are sustainable?
And then let’s take what we’ve just learned and get creative. We’ll discuss best practices for planning a new ministry initiative. Let’s talk about the potential ideas you have for the communities you serve and explore how the element of innovation can take them further. See how funding and resources, collaboration with neighbors and other organizations, and your passion for service can help lay the groundwork for creating meaningful ministries in your community.
Presenter: Kathy Bruce is director of the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation. She and her husband, Rev. Bob Bruce, served nearly 40 years together in UB pastoral ministry in Pennsylvania and Indiana.
Bob Bruce (left) and Steve Dennie
A fast-paced fly-over of the United Brethren Church’s 250+ years. This workshop will cover ten UB people you really need to know about, and ten issues, beliefs, and values that have been important to us.
Presenters. Bob Bruce, an ordained UB minister, has taught the UB history course to hundreds of new ministers during the past ten years. Steve Dennie, the UB Communications director for 45 years, has written several books related to UB history.
Jim Bolich (left) and Byron Spear
Historically, the local church has been the primary community in which the next generation of leaders has been identified and affirmed. We think it still is, or at least, should be. In this workshop, we’ll share a practical strategy and a free toolkit to equip your church to raise up the next generation of leaders, pastors, and global workers.
Presenters. Jim Bolich has been director of Ministerial Licensing since 2017. He has served as a United Brethren minister since 1995, and since 2018 has been senior pastor of Mount Pleasant Church in Chambersburg. Pa. Byron Spear became a United Brethren minister in 2011. In September 2022 he was appointed senior pastor of Banner of Christ UB church in Byron Center, Mich.
Bethany Daymut
Pastor of Family Ministries
Renew Communities, Berea, Ohio
God has given parents the primary calling to disciple their children, and most parents who have accepted this calling are looking for the church to partner with them. As children’s ministry leaders, it’s essential that we intentionally partner with parents to help them disciple their kids toward being followers of Jesus for the rest of their lives. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the importance of partnering with parents and how to create an intentional plan to equip parents to live out God’s calling as they raise their kids to be disciples of Jesus.
Presenter. Bethany Daymut is pastor of Family Ministries at Renew Communities, a UB church in Berea, Ohio.
Tim Hallman
Spiritual Director of the Fort Wayne YMCA
As a UB pastor and church planter in Fort Wayne, Tim Hallman united nearby churches of various denominations for joint services and shared ministries. Since 2016, he has done the same thing, but on a city-wide scale, as Spiritual Director of the YMCA. In this workshop, he’ll discuss the challenges and rewards of working with diverse Christian groups to accomplish Kingdom work, and give tips for doing this in your own community.
Presenter. Tim Hallman grew up in a UB pastor’s home, and went on to prepare for the ministry at Huntington University. In 1998, he led a core group from Emmanuel Community Church in starting Anchor Community Church, located two miles from the Grand Wayne Center. During his 18 years at Anchor, Tim spearheaded what became known as the “46808 Churches,” a collaboration of about six churches in Anchor’s zip code. They held joint services and children’s ministries, and cooperated in other ways to make an impact on their area. In 2016, Tim accepted a position with the YMCA in which he does some of the same kinds of things on a city-wide scale. He has learned a great deal about working with a wide range of Christian groups, as well as leaders from other religious groups.
Dr. Tanner Babb
Associate Professor of Psychology / Associate Academic Dean at Huntington University
This session is designed to help participants recognize mental and emotional health needs in children. The session will discuss basics of mental health, strategies for improving emotional health, and ways to help your children develop a resilient mindset. This interactive session will include a Q&A time at the end.
Presenter. Dr. Tanner Babb is Associate Professor of Psychology and Associate Academic Dean at Huntington University. He holds a Ph.D in counselor education and supervision, and is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Asociate.
Kevin McKay
Ameriprise Financial advisor
Kevin McKay, an Ameriprise Financial advisor, will be available during National Conference, including during the workshop sessions, to discuss your United Brethren retirement account. To schedule a time to meet with him during the conference, call 260.271.1050.
Steve Fish / Courtney Waterman / Frank Yang
UB Global staff
Disciple-Making Movements (DMM) is a growing phenomenon in global missions circles. It has caught the interest of many North American pastors, church planters, and mission leaders. UB Global took part in multiple DMM trainings and is in the process process of rolling it out onto mission fields (starting with Thailand, where Thai Buddhists are responding positively to God’s leading). Key concepts and tactics may also help us reach and instruct next-generation Christians in North America. Come be introduced to the working principles of Disciple-Making Movements.
Presenters. Frank Yang is executive director of UB Global. Steve Fish and Courtney Waterman are associate directors.
David Kline
Associate director of UB Global
With such a large percentage of the world yet unreached by the love and grace of Jesus, the changing US atmosphere has presented us with a unique opportunity. Listen and learn from a panel of experts and practitioners as they discuss how they have embraced this Gospel opportunity of people moving from some of the most dangerous and restricted areas to our neighborhoods. Learn what is happening beyond the news stories, and be challenged with stories of believers welcoming some of the most unreached into our communities.
Presenter. David Kline has been an associate director of UB Global since 2014. Before that, he served nine years as a UB missionary in Macau.
Sherilyn Emberton
President of Huntington University
Demands for pastoral and life coaching services have increased drastically post-COVID. Church staff and volunteers are stretched to meet that need and may not have access to proper training techniques to engage with the diverse topics and challenges brought to them by people seeking God’s help through difficult times. Church volunteers and parishioners are hesitant to engage in such deep conversations with other church members and often default to sending them directly to church pastoral staff. Applying active listening skills and other basic coaching techniques can allow staff and key church member leaders to help bridge that gap.
Coaching is a tool that can be taught to anyone, regardless of age, experience, and status of service. This session will give a brief overview of how coaching works, and will facilitate conversation around utilizing peer coaching among congregants to assist people in growing their faith and strengthening their daily lives. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about becoming a ICF-licensed coach through Huntington University.
Presenter. Dr. Sherilyn Emberton has been president of Huntington University since 2013. In that role, she also serves as the director of Higher Education for the US National Conference. Before coming to Huntington, she worked in higher education and four other universities going back to 1996.
Mike Dittman
Director of National Ministries
(Repeated in all three sessions)
Are you tired, confused, longing for renewal? Jesus invites us to rest, and to learn from him how to live freely and lightly. Mike Dittman knows how to lead a soul-refreshing conversation “around the table” — one that gives us the honor of hearing one another’s story, listen to the heart of our Father, and enter the freedom of walking with Jesus together. Come together to learn the Spirit-led process of “pursuing and praying,” which leads to personal renewal that can even impact your church.
Presenter. Dr. Mike Dittman has been director of National Ministries since 2016. He has served on staff at churches in various roles–teaching pastor, interim pastor, worship leader, youth pastor, college pastor, and more). He oversaw and developed a network of house churches. For 16 years, he served at Philadelphia Biblical University, where he founded the graduate school and developed masters programs in counseling, Bible, organizational leadership, and education. He is an ordained minister and a licensed professional counselor.
Steve Dennie
Director of Communications, UB National Office
During his 45 years in the UB National Office, Steve Dennie has written and edited millions of words on behalf of the denomination. In this workshop, he will discuss real-life principles and techniques (with a focus on principles) to help you communicate more effectively in writing. He’ll point out dos and don’ts that professionals follow, but which you probably didn’t learn in school. He’ll explain what you need to do differently in writing for the web. And he’ll show what to look for in editing your own and other people’s writing, including the most common mistakes he encounters.
Presenter. Steve Dennie has worked at the UB National Office since 1978. During that time, he has edited the denominational magazine and newsletters, developed the UB websites, and published ten books. His articles have appeared in over 40 Christian publications, including Christianity Today, Leadership Journal, and The Wittenburg Door.
Christy Cabe
Emmanuel UB church (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Jesus’ commission to make disciples of all nations does not exclude those who live under our own roofs. In fact, we can impact the world by discipling those who sit around our dinner tables and ride in our minivans. But how? This session will focus on practical ideas and tools for raising disciples in our own homes. We will discuss methods for teaching our children what the Bible says, and ways to help them apply it to their daily lives.
Presenter. Christy Cabe, the mother of three children, has a deep background in the United Brethren church–a granddaughter of Bishop C. Ray Miller, and the daughter of Rev. Dennis Miller, pastor of Emmanuel Community Church. Christy, who holds a Specialized Ministry license, has written children’s discipleship curriculum and published two books, Brownie Crumbs and Other Life Morsels and If Only it Were a Piece of Cake: Slices of Hope for Life’s Difficult Moments.
Andy Sikora
UB associate director of Church Planting
Church multiplication is one of the most important ways to reach those who don’t know Jesus in your city, state, and country. Starting a new church sounds nearly impossible for most churches, and that makes sense. The reality is that you can’t reproduce on your own!
This workshop will discuss the New Thing Movement System–specifically, how working with other churches can provide the exact elements you need to help start a new church! If you are interested in starting a church, helping someone start a church, or working with others to see a new church planted, this workshop is for you.
Presenter. Andy Sikora is lead pastor of Renew Communities, a UB church in Berea, Ohio. Any started Renew in 2010, and the attendance now exceeds 650. In addition, Andy serves the denomination part-time as associate director of Church Planting.
Jay LeBlanc (left) and Kevin Poole.
It can sometimes seem like the worship team and the tech team are not reading the same book, much less on the same page! How do we move from “us and them” to “we?” How can two groups of people who are often wired very differently interact with each other in a way that doesn’t polarize people and helps everyone achieve their goals? This workshop will look at practical ways that these teams can come together to function as one unified team.
Presenters.Jay LeBlanc is Instructor of Worship Leadership & Outreach Coordinator at Huntington University, and is one of the worship leaders at Emmanuel UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Kevin Poole is Technical Director at Emmanuel.
Adam Skiles
Chief information officer at Huntington University
This session will discuss the topic of digital safety. Information and discussion will be centered around house rules and standards, network security, accounts, and parental controls. There will be a time for Q&A at the end.
Presenter. Adam Skiles is chief information officer at Huntington University. Before joining Huntington University in 2013, he worked nearly 14 years in K-12 education.
Kevin McKay
Ameriprise Financial advisor
Kevin McKay, an Ameriprise Financial advisor, will be available during National Conference, including during the workshop sessions, to discuss your United Brethren retirement account. To schedule a time to meet with him during the conference, call 260.271.1050.
Steve Fish and Frank Yang
UB Global
We know we are to “go” to those who do not have access to the Gospel. But how do we get started? UB Global continues to press into new mission fields among the unreached, and we have learned a few things along the way. Join us as we discuss how to discern God’s direction to initiate new mission work, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how local churches can apply these principles to engaging in new partnerships and fields.
Presenters. Frank Yang is executive director of UB Global, and Steve Fish is an associate director.
Dave Datema and Courtney Waterman
90% of the 3 billion people who are in Unreached People Groups live in countries that are closed to traditional missionary activities. Does this mean that we are off the hook for the Great Commission in those areas? Of course not! What it does mean is that the way we approach missions and who we send as missionaries to those areas must change.
The good news is this means there are more opportunities for non-traditional missionaries such as people in business, education, non-profits, medicine, and even students and retirees. Join us to learn about new opportunities for missions and how you or others in your church can engage with UB Global to bring the Gospel to those who don’t have access to it.
Presenters. Dave Datema, an ordained UB minister, is Missiology Catalyst with Frontier Ventures, a mission organization based in Pasadena, Calif. He also chairs the UB Global board. Courtney Waterman is an associate director of UB Global.
Kim Fish & Christine Rodriguez
Licensed mental health counselors
This workshop will address the rise in anxiety, depression, and loneliness over the past few years, and its impact on pastors, ministry leaders and families. We will discuss the difference between stress and anxiety, and how to care for our whole selves (mind, body and soul) in ways that allow us to care for others from a healthy place. We will provide practical steps to address and talk about mental health.
Presenters. Kim Fish and Christine Rodriguez are licensed mental health counselors in private practice in Fort Wayne. Christine specializes in anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and ADHD. Kim works with women, children, teens, and families in the areas of ADHD, anxiety, adoption, parenting, and relationship issues.
Mike Dittman
Director of National Ministries
(Repeated in all three sessions)
Are you tired, confused, longing for renewal? Jesus invites us to rest, and to learn from him how to live freely and lightly. Mike Dittman knows how to lead a soul-refreshing conversation “around the table” — one that gives us the honor of hearing one another’s story, listen to the heart of our Father, and enter the freedom of walking with Jesus together. Come together to learn the Spirit-led process of “pursuing and praying,” which leads to personal renewal that can even impact your church.
Presenter. Dr. Mike Dittman has been director of National Ministries since 2016. He has served on staff at churches in various roles–teaching pastor, interim pastor, worship leader, youth pastor, college pastor, and more). He oversaw and developed a network of house churches. For 16 years, he served at Philadelphia Biblical University, where he founded the graduate school and developed masters programs in counseling, Bible, organizational leadership, and education. He is an ordained minister and a licensed professional counselor.
Clockwise from upper left: Todd Fetters, Dan Reed, Nate Sams, Rick Tawney, Christopher Little V.
We’ve taken an “all of the above” approach to church planting methods. The Lord has helped us launch traditional, simple, micro, and house churches. And the locations are as varied as the types. In this workshop, Bishop Todd Fetters moderates a panel of persons who are starting different types of churches. They will field such questions as:
Presenters. As bishop, Todd Fetters plays an oversight role in all of these church planting situations. Dan Reed is starting Harvest Mill Church in Brookville, Pa. Nate Sams started Known Church in Surprise, Ariz., in 2022; he is also pastor of Huntington University’s campus in Peoria, Ariz. Rick Tawney is leading Renew Communities-Columbus in Ohio while also pastoring First UB church, which has a very exciting vision of becoming “The Hilltop Hub” for two churches and a network of other ministries operating out of that building. Christopher Little V is leading United House Network in Harrisburg, Pa.
Dr. Tony Blair
President, Evangelical Seminary
No responsibility is more significant to most ministry leaders than that of leading people to positive change of the kingdom of God. And few things have been more frustrating for leaders than this! But what if our assumptions about leading change are skewed? What if there are better, easy, more Christian ways of leading change than we have imagined, or attempted? This workshop will offer some encouraging new ways.
Presenter. Dr. Anthony Blair, an ordained UB minister and former UB pastor, is president of Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, Pa.
Mike Wiggin
NewThing
Why is my church filled with “good people” who may become a little nicer because of our effort, but rarely experience deep transformation and virtually never make a new disciple? How do we shift from simply attracting new people to Sunday services, to everyone in the congregation doing active evangelism during the week? How do we move beyond an assimilation strategy to a disciple-making strategy? If you’re ready to answer these questions and experience breakthroughs in disciple-making and multiplying, join Pastor Mike Wiggin as he gives you first steps toward creating a disciple-making strategy within your church.
Presenter. Mike Wiggin is a church planter with over 26 years in the ministry. He is with an organization called NewThing.
Presenters. Michelle Adams, as the administrator at PrayerWorks, is responsible for the running of the prayer room every day. Gina Jehl, Deborah Hughes and Daisy Bailey, known as the “Fort Wayne Intercessors,” have been gathering for decades to pray over the city.
Brian Kramer (left) and Matt Stemen
Youth ministers at Emmanuel Community Church
How can your church’s youth ministry Come Together? Wrestle with the teachings of Paul in Ephesians 4 and those of theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer in order to establish a strong foundation for Christian community. Then, gain some practical insights from a few contemporary models of healthy group building. This seminar should be helpful for any church that wants to involve young people, with or without an active youth group.
Presenters. Brian Kramer is pastor of Middle School Ministries at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind. He has served in youth ministry since 1990–five years at Devonshire Church (Harrisburg, Pa.), 17 years at King Street Church (Chambersburg, Pa.), and since 2012 at Emmanuel. He was ordained in 2015. Matt Stemen is pastor of High School Ministries at Emmanuel, where he has served since 2011. He was ordained in 2022.
Mike Rowley
Associate professor of Communication at Huntington University
This workshop will provide tips from the social sciences regarding how people think about (process) information, specifically your sermon. Jesus considered his audience before he spoke; parables and object lessons were used with the masses, history lessons were used with the Pharisees and other educated audiences. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was only about 12 minutes long. On several occasions, Jesus forewarned His disciples regarding struggles to come. This workshop is designed to help you better understand how your audience thinks about information so you can better prepare your sermons for maximum effectiveness.
Presenter. Dr. Mike Rowley is an Associate Professor of Communication at Huntington University. He teaches Public Speaking, Persuasion, and other Communication courses. He also holds a Specialized Ministry license in the UB church and guest preaches at local churches. Prior to his time at Huntington University, Dr. Rowley was a youth pastor in Florida and served in the Army Reserves.
Kevin McKay
Ameriprise Financial advisor
Kevin McKay, an Ameriprise Financial advisor, will be available during National Conference, including during the workshop sessions, to discuss your United Brethren retirement account. To schedule a time to meet with him during the conference, call 260.271.1050.
