Mission & Mercy Ministry Update - 2025, Issue 4
Table of Contents
Prayer Focus: The Bahuns: Our Ministry Partners in Namibia
Mission Highlight: The Wilds Visit UBC
Mercy Highlight: YAM Serves at Bridges of Hope
Mercy Highlight: Fix-It Team Lends Their Helping Hands
Opportunity: Monthly Prayer Walk in Beavercreek & Huber Heights - April 5
Opportunity: Serve at One Bistro - April 16
Opportunity: Walk for Life - April 26
Opportunity: Become a Host Family for the Xenia Scouts This Summer
Upcoming UBC Mission Trips: Short-Term Trips Underway for 2025
Prayer Focus
The Bahuns: Our Ministry Partners in Namibia
This month we will pray for another of our mission partners, the Bahuns. Buddy and Julia Bahun have been serving in Namibia for nearly 20 years and are one of the three missionary families UBC will be partnering with more directly. They have four children and live in the capital city of Windhoek.
Buddy is one of the pastors at Grace Reformed Baptist Church, serving in the preaching and teaching ministry, student ministry, counseling, church planting and missions. Through the church, the Bahuns are involved in various ministries around the city from outreach to local school children to campus ministry at a nearby university. The Bahuns’ ministry at the church focuses heavily on teaching and equipping believers for ministry and raising up new leaders. To that end, they have collaborated with other pastors and leaders to provide training in Biblical counseling, Bible study, and expository preaching. Hosting workshops, conferences and consulting other local pastors is part of their effort to build strong local churches in and around Windhoek, in Namibia, and beyond its borders to other parts of Africa. Lord-willing, a team from UBC will be heading to Namibia in May to assist the Bahuns in their ministry and help with their local church missions conference.
Prayers
Please pray for:
Wisdom, strength and endurance for the busy season ahead.
Buddy as he balances requests to preach at other churches with his responsibilities at Grace.
Preparations for the church’s upcoming Easter conference.
Unity and the coming together of Grace with Westside Baptist Church. (The two congregations have been worshipping together for the past few years with the potential of merging into one church.)
Preparation for the African Pastors Conference to be held at Grace in mid-May.
The planning and launch of a Bible School later in 2025.
Pastoral intern, Kanduu, who will be formally trained for Eldership this year.
More opportunities with the local campus ministry.
Mission Highlight
The Wilds Visit UBC
It was a whirlwind visit as the Wilds visited us here at UBC in March. They took every opportunity to share about their ministry including presenting to UKids! and adult classes, AWANA, STUMIN, and hosting the ministry table between services. Their first ministry began in 2003 in Southeast Asia. They used their education to create a written language and the Scriptures to share the Gospel with their unreached tribe. They also planted a church that is growing to this day. They have an established foundation called Beyond the Reef Foundation (BTRF) to reach multiple unreached people groups in Southeast Asia. This effort involves indigenous people and a missional business model to reach many with the Gospel.
We asked Mike how he knew he was called into missions. Here is his response.
“It might sound strange, but I don’t feel like we have ever been called to career mission work. When I was in my mid-20s, I watched a documentary at my church that showed a missionary family working among a remote people group. This people group had no written language, no Bible, and no understanding of the Gospel. I heard that there were many, many people groups in the world that were still living in great darkness without God’s Word. This truth hit me hard, and I felt great compassion and a sense of duty as a follower of Christ. Here in America, there are churches on every corner, hundreds of ways to get an English language Bible, and a lot of truth being taught on TV, radio, and the internet. But there are others in the world who have no Bible and no opportunity to hear unless someone were to go and take them the Good News. Jesus had commanded his followers to go and take his message and teach it to all peoples of the earth. I felt like there was no good reason that I shouldn’t go since I was strong and healthy in mind and body. I also had a church along with friends and family who would pray for us and support us financially if we went.
So, my wife and I went. And now looking back over 22 years of church planting and Bible translation, I believe it was the best thing I could do with my life. So, my recommendation to young Christ followers is to not think if they are called or not to go be a missionary. They need to realize that their Lord has given them the command, privilege, and great stewardship of taking His life-giving truth to those who are still waiting in darkness. As Paul said in Romans 12, based on all the amazing things God has done for them, they should lay down their own lives as a sacrifice. But not a dead sacrifice, a living sacrifice! A life that lives for Christ, to see his name glorified among the nations!”
We also asked Mike to share his favorite quote. He responded,
“Obedience is the highest form of worship.” - Hudson Taylor
If you would like to learn more about the Wilds and their ministry or about other UBC supported missionaries, please visit our ministry table to talk with one of our mission core team members or share your interest here.
Mercy Highlight
YAM Serves at Bridges of Hope
This past month our Young Adult Ministry (YAM) took their second trip to Bridges of Hope (BOH), a local Xenia ministry that UBC supports. Bridges of Hope acts as a temporary shelter for those who need a roof and a place to stay. The ministry offers social and physical services to help those they serve to take their next step forward including job training, housing services, recovery ministry, and other life classes.
YAM brought a meal for the community members, including chicken, salads, rolls, and desserts. After serving the meal, the group was able to engage in conversations with the individuals there. Listening to the stories of the challenges and difficulty that brought individuals to BOH and their hopes and dreams for the future was a tangible example of the care and compassion of Christ. In this way, the group was able to connect, share the love of Christ, and encourage those they spoke with to rely on Christ as they work hard and love others.
It is a blessing to partner with this ministry and see how God is at work in and through BOH.
Mercy Highlight
Fix It Team Lends Their Helping Hands
Can they fix it? Yes they can!
This past month the Fix-it Team has been able to help with several projects in places around the Dayton area. They have been able to help repair and install cabinets, fixed caving in garages, and more!
The Fix-It Team is part of the mercy ministry at UBC. They are a team dedicated to helping those in the local community that have a practical need or something that needs to be fixed! This ministry provides a way to serve others around us and to care for those inside and outside of our church body.
If you desire to join the team, please let us know here!
If you are in need of assistance with a project, reach out to Ted Pauling at tpauling2009@gmail.com or Matthew Pelletier at mpelletier@cedarville.edu.
Opportunity
Monthly Prayer Walk in Beavercreek & Huber Heights - April 5
Spring is here! Come on out and enjoy the weather by going for a walk.
On Saturday, April 5th we are going to have two options for those interested in prayer walking our local neighborhoods.
10:30 AM at UBC Main
10:30 am at 6916 Spritz Ln in Huber Heights to support the UBC Gospel Heights church plant.
Please consider coming out to join other UBC members as we walk and pray through our communities. We go out on the first Saturday of each month. You can register here to join us at UBC Beavercreek or here if you plan to join the walk for UBC Huber Heights.
Opportunity
Walk for Life - April 26
The Pro-Life Ministry at UBC exists to come alongside the prolife community in the area and show love and support. Hope Rising is a local organization committed to sharing compassion with women and families who are facing unplanned pregnancy. Join them in celebrating life at their annual fundraiser, Walk for Life, on Saturday, April 26th. Find the details below!
Location: Schoolhouse Park, 1875 Nutt Rd, Centerville, OH 45458
Timeline of Events:
10 AM - Check in Begins
10:30 AM - Time of Worship
11 AM - The Walk Begins!
11 AM-2PM - Family Activities (lunch served at 1 PM)
To sign up or learn more, go here.
Opportunity
Serve at One Bistro - April 16
UBC has the opportunity to serve at One Bistro on Wednesday, April 16th by sponsoring and serving the community meal. This event offers an excellent opportunity for UBC members to engage with the community, extend compassion, and support One Bistro's mission of providing healthy, affordable meals to all neighbors.
Volunteers are the heart of One Bistro's mission. On April 16th, UBC volunteers will have the opportunity to serve in various capacities including:
Taking Orders: Assisting guests with menu selections and processing orders.
Serving Food: Delivering meals to guests in a courteous and timely manner.
Bussing Tables: Clearing and cleaning tables to ensure a tidy dining area.
Dishwashing: Maintaining cleanliness of dishes and kitchen utensils.
Seating Guests: Welcoming guests and guiding them to available seating.
These roles are essential in creating a hospitable environment where all feel valued and cared for. By volunteering, UBC members will directly contribute to One Bistro's mission of combating food insecurity and fostering community unity. In Greene County, approximately 13.2% of residents, including 6,360 children, face food insecurity. In Xenia alone, 2,329 children and 385 seniors live in poverty, with 50% of Xenia Community School students participating in free and reduced lunch programs. Your service helps address these critical needs by ensuring that all neighbors have access to nutritious meals in a dignified setting.
If you would like to volunteer to serve at One Bistro for the community meal, reach out to Jackson Ewing at jtewing101@gmail.com.
Opportunity
Become a Host Family for the Xenia Scouts This Summer
The Xenia Scouts, a team in the Great Lakes Collegiate Summer League, are looking for welcoming host families for this summer! Hosted players are part of the Athletes In Action Sports Ministry, and by opening your home, you’ll provide an unforgettable experience for these young athletes while supporting their growth on and off the field.
Since 1966, Athletes in Action (AIA) has been helping athletes experience the hope and purpose that comes from following Jesus and equipping them to use their platform to be part of God’s mission in the world to make disciples of all nations. By serving, training, and sending athletes as influencers into the world, AIA is building spiritual movements around the world through the platform of sports so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus.
AIA serves more than 60 countries, on over 200 college campuses, in 50 professional sports teams with the ultimate goal of seeing Christ-followers on every team, in every sport, in every nation.
If you're interested in becoming a host family or would like more information, go here.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Julie Garrison, our Housing Coordinator, at julieedgellgarrison@gmail.com.
Monthly Mission Quote:
"Let’s boldly, joyfully, and powerfully speak the message of the gospel of our risen King. Let’s step into the rubbles of the world and the devastation in the lives around us with the only message of hope that will endure. And let’s do so knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Our risen Savior’s eternal victory ensures that the nations will worship the Lamb who was slain forever."
- From "Why Easter Matters for Missions" by Ken Midkiff
Upcoming Mission Trips
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news..." Romans 10:15
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How beautiful are your feet?
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"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news..." Romans 10:15 ~ How beautiful are your feet? ~
Short-Term Trips for 2025 are Underway
UBC has a variety of short term mission trip opportunities 2025! There are local, national, and global trips offered. Trips for 2025 are underway! Watch for stories from the field coming soon!
If you are planning to participate on a mission trip with another organization (e.g., Cedarville’s GO trips), please contact us to let us know more!
If there is a nation or a people group that God has placed on your heart, share it with us. We would love the opportunity to hear and to help you find a trip in the coming year. Reach out to Jim Corbin (jim.corbin@ubcbeavercreek.com).
March 28 - April 7, 2025
Paraguay
Medical trip with ABWE, sharing God’s Love with the Gospel and medical care.
Contact: Jim CorbinMay 8-18, 2025
Bangladesh
Teach English, help with basic computer skills, or working with children in pre-schools.
Contact: Jim CorbinMay 24 - June 2, 2025
Namibia
Assist the Bahuns in their ministry and help with their local church Mission Conference.
Contact: Jim CorbinJune 5-20, 2025
Uganda
Come help serve South Sudanese refugees as we share the gospel and start discipleship groups. More information may be found here.
Contact: Jim CorbinJune 25 - July 5
STUMIN (Utah)
Come help a church plant in Riverton, UT
Contact: Rob Slouffman
August 1-10, 2025
Argentina
Work with Pastor Fabian Santillan and his church as they share the gospel and plant another church.More information may be found here.
Contact: Jim CorbinSummer 2025
Builders for Christ
Serve in the mission field of church construction and help a church build their building in Sterling, MA.
Contact: Dave Gneiser
Contact to learn more:
Jim Corbin
jim.corbin@ubcbeavercreek.com
To read past Mission Updates or to get more information about UBC on Mission, visit
https://www.ubcbeavercreek.com/mission-and-mercy-ministries.