Home Office Weekly Update
May 16, 2024
ABC Continuing Education Program 2024
The Ambassador Bible College Continuing Education program has been taking place at the home office this week. There were 37 students who came from variety of states and Canada to participate in five days of classes.
The program consists of excerpts from classes taught at ABC, featuring all of the resident faculty. Along with the opportunity for focused Bible study and discussion, participants enjoy considerable time in fellowship. Several have attended for 10 years or more, and they look forward to seeing old friends, as well as meeting new ones.
—Frank Dunkle, coordinator, Ambassador Bible College
From Ministerial and Member Services . . .
Pastoral Transfers
Ministerial and Member Services announces the following transfers will take place in the next few months:
Keith Tomes is being hired into the employed ministry and he, with his wife Christy, will pastor the Sacramento, California and Reno, Nevada congregations.
Aaron Creech, and his wife, Whitney, will transfer from Sacramento, California to pastor the Columbus and Mansfield, Ohio congregations.
Len Martin, and his wife, Julie, will transfer from Columbus, Ohio to Knoxville, Tennessee where he will pastor the Knoxville and Kingsport, Tennessee and the London, Kentucky congregations.
Jay Ledbetter, and his wife, Jennifer, will transfer from Knoxville, Tennessee to Houston, Texas where he will pastor the Houston and Waco, Texas congregations after the retirement of Gary Smith later this year. Mr. Smith will continue to serve as regional pastor and Stan Erickson will continue to pastor the Coleman, Texas congregation.
Stephen Bouchette, and his wife Sarah, will transfer from Cincinnati, Ohio to the Cleveland, Ohio area where he will pastor after the retirement of Greg Thomas later this year.
In addition to these transfers, Ministerial and Member Services has decided to organize the Cleveland and North Canton congregations together as a circuit, as the Bouchettes transfer to the area, as well as to combine the Cambridge, Ohio and Wheeling, West Virginia congregations into one congregation, with Mr. Ryan Hall as pastor.
Pray for the Gospel to Have Free Course
New Initiative to Reach those Incarcerated
On April 19 of this year, Media and Communications Services began airing Beyond Today television in over 420 U.S. prisons through the Edovo app.
Edovo is a non-profit organization providing educational, vocational and rehabilitative curriculums and content to incarcerated people. While the Church pays for this service, it is available at no cost to the incarcerated learners. Edovo’s goal is to create rehabilitative-focused correctional environments that lower recidivism and increase safety inside and outside correctional walls—all to drive positive outcomes for incarcerated people and their families.
More than 300,000 incarcerated learners view content on the Edovo platform daily, and more than 30 million hours of content has been viewed.
Our initial contract with Edovo allowed us to upload 20 Beyond Today programs. Every three months we can upload 20 more. Since April 19 (less than a month ago) our content has been watched in 340 different prisons, with 3,746 unique program starts and 2,197 unique program completions. So, 59 percent of the programs were viewed to the very end, which is a very good percentage.
The most-watched programs so far are:
- Globalism and Prophecy
- Russia and Bible Prophecy
- Have the Ancient Gods Returned?
- Hell Unleashed: The Spirit Behind the Hamas Attack
- You Become What You Think
Please pray that preaching the gospel of the Kingdom to those serving in hundreds of prisons across the United States will have a positive impact on those persons’ lives, and that the Father will call to salvation those whom He will.
—Peter Eddington, Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services
Youth Instruction Family Study Guide
In this Family Study Guide we discover ways the Tenth Commandment is related to desires in the mind and heart. Coveting is a selfish way to live and selfishness is one way of sinning. There is a cause-and-effect relationship between coveting (lust) and breaking many of the other Ten Commandments. We must work on being content and happy with what we have, which leads to real happiness in life.
Additionally, this study guide has suggested questions and activities that can be used in a classroom setting. They are at the end of the guide.
You can read and download this study guide at: ucg.org/members/family-study-guides/ten-commandments-tenth-commandment
Final Reminder—Smoky Mountain Young Adult Retreat
Memorial Day Weekend, May 24–27, 2024
(UCG young adults ages 18–34, single or married)
Come to Townsend, Tennessee in the Great Smoky Mountains! Our young adult group will settle into two large lodges on the same property, one for men and one for women. There are lots of amenities including our own private pool and hot tubs, plus volleyball, basketball, board games, pool table, hiking and more. The Sabbath will be one to remember, in the midst of God’s spectacular creation as we enjoy Bible discussions and Church service. Sunday everyone is welcome to join an exciting tube trip down a scenic mountain river just 10 minutes away.
Register at: smokymountainyoungadult.com
For questions, Jay Ledbetter jay_ledbetter@ucg.org 469-452-9501. Hope to see you there!
Job Opening: Financial Services Manager
The United Church of God has announced an opening for a financial services manager. This position is responsible for the functional management and administration of corporate bank and credit accounts, related transaction processing, investment of corporate funds, cash and working capital management, accounts payable processing, and providing supervision and oversite to donations processing management and related functions.
The position supports the treasurer with monthly and annual financial statement preparation and review, as well as annual budget modeling, analytical support, and related ad hoc analyses.
As part of financial services, the position also supports a vital service role to our donors (inclusive of working directly to facilitate and process non-cash donations and other donations that require added assistance such as estate and stock donations). The position requires the ability to work in a fast paced, multi-task, technology focused and deadline-oriented environment; while exhibiting excellent written and verbal skills, and attention to detail. Ability to use a variety of software applications, including various online banking tools and services, accounting software, and MS Office software (particularly MS Excel) are all essential to effective performance.
A bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or institution (emphasis on or degree in accounting preferred) and 4-plus years related experience is required.
Potential employees must be baptized members (in good standing) of the United Church of God. Applicants must be biblically literate and possess a thorough working knowledge of the doctrines, beliefs and practices of the United Church of God.
To request a job application or for questions about the position, please contact human_resources@ucg.org