UB Now

Another Four Rounds with the Bishop

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This episode of UB Now takes us back to the Bishop's office for another four rounds with the Bishop to learn:

Round 1: What's on his mind

Round 2: What he's working on

Round 3: What scriptures are encouraging him currently

Round 4: This one's a wild card. Tune in to find out.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Long Term Engagement in Short Term Missions

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Greg Culpen serves as the Associate Pastor of Youth and Worship at Jerusalem Chapel in Churchville, Virginia, and he recently returned from Ethiopia where he serves every year with Hawassa Hope.

In this episode, we talked about Greg's call to ministry, God's work at Jerusalem Chapel, and Greg's experience in Ethiopia. For him, this wasn't just a short term mission trip. This was another short term trip that is just a piece of of Greg's long-term investment there.----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Four Rounds with the Bishop

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:00:00 -0400

In this special episode of UB Now, Bishop Todd Fetters joins us for an engaging conversation about what he's learning about the Fruit of the Spirit, what he's working on to strengthen UB Churches, and what has been encouraging him from scripture lately.

If you listen closely, you might even hear Todd talk about the best gifts he has given and received for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Multiplying Leaders Through ICNU Conversations

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Brian welcomes Hunter Taylor, an associate pastor at Brown Corners Church, to talk about his experience working throught the Multiplying Leaders cohort that was offered following the 2025 US National Conference.

Hunter shares the significance of having "ICNU" (I see in you) conversations, which encourage leaders to identify and affirm the gifts of individuals in their church and community, and offers anecdotes illustrating how this practice has positively influenced both his ministry and the lives of those he mentors.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Removing the Financial Barrier to a Pastoral Education

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In this week's Live at Lunch conversation, we're talking to John Shadle, pastor at Prince Street Church in Shippensburg, PA. Prior to his time at Prince Street, he served at King Street and Fowlerville United Brethren Churches.

John also currently serves with the Pastoral Ministries Leadership Team and chairs the committee developing the UB Pastoral Ministry Grant, which will be the focus of our conversation today.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Good God Doing Great Things at Huntington University

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0400

We have been hearing rumors of some exciting things happening on HU's campus - students surrendering to Christ, getting baptized and even asking for bibles in their native languages. So we decided to investigate.

In this episode of UB Now, we invited campus pastors Mark Vincenti and Karyn Kamphausen, to join us to share more of the God-sized stories they have been able to witness on campus this first semester.

----

Update: Since this conversation was first recorded (one week before this audio release), over $6,000 has been raised to purchase bibles for students at Huntington University.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Three New Churches Launched

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

This week we welcomed back all three of our church planters whom we recently interviewed to hear about their launch Sunday on September 7, 2025. Find out what they learned, what surprised them and how they are preparing for all the weeks to come.

Connect with our new churches:

CrossFields Church

Arise Community Church

Cedar City Church

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

In a Movie Theater Near Michigan State

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

In a movie theater near Michigan State University there is a church called Cedar City. Jay Leadley is planting that church with a desire to connect college students and young adults to Jesus through life-on-life discipleship.

Cedar City Church is one of three new United Brethren Churches that are set to launch on September 7, 2025. Listen now to hear the story and discover ways you can pray for Jay, his family, his team, and their surrounding community.

Check out Cedar City Church online.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Making Disciples from Caro to Bad Axe

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Kelly Ball is the lead pastor of a new church plant in Bad Axe, Michigan. Arise Community Church officially launches on Sunday September 7, 2025, but the Lord has already opened some significant doors for ministry in the community.

In this episode, Kelly talks about her ministry journey, her calling to church planting, and the exciting things that are happening with Arise. Listen now to hear the story and discover ways you can pray for Kelly and her team.

Check out Arise Community Church online.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

From Protecting Quarterbacks to Planting Churches

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Kevin Kowalski began his career as an offensive lineman, but is now the lead pastor of CrossFields Church, a new church plant in North Royalton, Ohio. We sat down with Kevin to talk about his journey from the NFL to church planting.

CrossFields Church officially launches on Sunday, September 7, 2025, and there are already some exciting things happening there. Listen now as Kevin shares their story and offers a few ways you can pray leading up to, and continuing beyond, launch Sunday.

Check out CrossFields Church online.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

The Movement System and Church Planters

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 13:30:00 -0400

We spoke with Andy Sikora (Pastor at Renew Communities and Director of Church Multiplication for the Church of the United Brethren in Christ) following the UB National Conference. In the first part of our conversation we dove into the ins and outs of The Movement System that many of us were introduced to at conference. Then we turned a corner for a conversation about church planting, which Andy oversees for the denomination.

Over the course of the next 4 episodes we will speak to three others who are planing churches and have a shared launch date of September 7, 2025.

Subscribe to the podcast now so you don't miss those episodes when they are available.

Connect with Andy and Renew Communities.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Discipleship in the Everyday Moments of Life

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 13:00:00 -0400

I sat down this summer at the United Brethren National Conference to have an impromptu conversation with Brent Leichty, pastor of Rising Hope Church in Shippensburg, PA. We put a couple mics in front of us not knowing where the conversation would go, and the result was a great conversation about discipleship in the everyday moments of life.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

A Trip to The Border

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:00:00 -0400

Recently, Bishop Todd Fetters, UB Global Director Frank Yang, and Assistant Director David Kline, traveled to the southern border of the United States on a trip hosted and led by the National Association of Evangelicals. While there, they spoke with representatives from the US Border Patrol, leaders of local charities, and several families south of the border who are seeking asylum.

In this episode of UB Now, Todd, Frank and David discuss what they experienced on their trip, what they learned from it and what it means for the larger UB family. This is a valuable conversation that you will find to be both challenging and encouraging.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

Send us your feedback.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

New Things in Store for Church Multiplication

Sat, 14 Dec 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Andy Sikora is no stranger in the UB Church. He grew up here, attended Huntington University (College), planted a church as a UB pastor and until recently he's served as the assistant director of church planting. He now serves as the Director of Church Multiplication. In that role, even as he continues to serve as the senior pastor at Renew Communities (Berea, OH), he is helping to develop and launch a number of church planters in 2025.

Check out this episode and let us know what you think. Send us a note to podcasts@ub.org.

Typesetter to Event Planner - Cathy Reich's 27 Years of Service

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0400

If you have been around the Church of the United Brethren in Christ for any amount of time, you likely know Cathy Reich. She's served in a number of different roles at the national office and has her fingerprints all over many of the ways we operate and the events we create. Cathy retired earlier this year, but before she did I had a chance to sit down with her to hear more of her story.

If you would like to share any words of encouragement or show your appreciation to Cathy, send us a note to podcasts@ub.org.

Summer Camp in Cochranton, PA

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:30:00 -0400

John Authenreith never anticipated becoming a senior pastor, but after spending years as a tech director and worship leader in a couple local churches, he began to sense a call to the pastorate. He now serves as the senior pastor at Cochranton Community Church in Pennsylvania where there are a lot of great things happening. In this episode of UB NOW, John talks breifly about his story and what the Lord is up to in Cochranton, but our conversation focuses primarily on a unique summer camp experience they host that involves 200 teenagers and adults serving nearly 400 kids in their community.

Key Topics

John's journey from Tech Director to Senior Pastor
A unique summer camp for kids
Staying connected to the community through coffee and film

Connect with John at Cochranton Community Church:

Website, Facebook, YouTube

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Good and Faithful

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Matt Kennedy is the lead pastor at Dillman Church in Warren, Indiana. He accepted that assign in the fall of 2013 with much excitement about what could be, but quickly learned not everyone was as excited as he was for a new direction. In this episode, Matt shares what he's learned about leading a church through conflict and what he's learned about himself in the process, including a change in perspective from "faithful and effective" to "good and faithful."

Key Topics

Moving from suburban to rural
Moving back to mission
Moving toward good and faithful

Connect with Matt at Dillman Church:

Website, Facebook

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Quick to Give Permission

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:45:00 -0400

Josh Good, pastor of Hillsdale United Brethren and current member of the Executive Leadership Team of the United Brethren Church, is our guest for this episode of UB Now. Josh and I (Brian) go back to our days on the UB Youth Ministry Team, but Josh's UB roots are much deeper than that. He grew up in a UB church and has served UB churches his entire career (except for one short year which you will hear about in this episode). He shares how that background has uniquely prepared him for his current role at Hillsdale along with a few exciting ways the people at Hillsdale UB are engaging their peers and co-workers for the sake of the Gospel.

Key Topics

Josh's United Brethren roots
Developing young leaders
Surrounding yourself with great teammates (staff, volunteers)
Relational discipleship

Connect with Josh and Hillsdale United Brethren Church:

Website, Facebook, YouTube

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

A 100 Year Anniversary that was Lights Out

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Banner Church in Byron Center, MI, recently celebrated their 100th anniversary and things did not go quite as planned. Byron Spear, the senior pastor at Banner, shares that story in this episode of UB Now. Byron also talks about the church's focus on equipping and sending out young leaders. He advises young pastors to be patient, listen to the congregation, and surround themselves with wise leaders.

Key Topics

Banner's 100th anniversary
Equipping and sending young leaders
Advice for young pastors

Connect with Byron and Banner Church:

Website, Facebook, YouTube

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Embracing Our Differences and Reaching Our Communities

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

There are many ways one could introduce today's guest, Matt McKeown. He's a musician, producer and song writer extraordinaire. He's also a humble and generous servant of his community. But Matt is here today because he is the senior pastor of Daytona First United Brethren Church and he has some exciting stories to share about what God is doing right now in the midst of a budding partnership between two churches in Holly Hill, Florida

Key Topics

A miraculous healing
Music and education
Developing a partnership
A culture of community service

Connect with Matt and learn more about what's happening at Daytona First Church of the United Brethren:

Website, Facebook, YouTube, Food Pantry

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Ministry Leader Summit Preview

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

The Ministry Leader Summit for United Brethren associate staff is happening April 29-May 3 in Daytona Beach, Florida, and our guests in this episode are dishing out everything you need know about it. Whether you are a first time attendee or long time veteran of the UB Youth Summit or other UB Pastor's summits, Craig Mickey and Bobby Culler are the guys who will help you get the most out of your experience.

For more information on the summit, including a link to register, click here.

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Training Up Next Gen Church Leaders

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Training up the next generation of church leaders is something Jim Bolich is extremely passionate about. Jim is the Director of Ministerial Licensing for the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and pastor at Mount Pleasant Church in Chambersburg, PA. He joined us for this episode of UB Now to discuss the pastoral residency program they have developed at Mount Pleasant, where young leaders can gain valuable ministry experience while being mentored as healthy ministers.

Key Topics

Mount Pleasant's pastoral residency program
Leaning into your gifting and passion
Prioritizing prayer for and investment in the next generation of church leaders

Connect with Jim and his team at Mount Pleasant.

Website, YouTube

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Meeting the Specific Needs of Your Community

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0400

We took the show on the road for this episode of UB Now to visit Michael Elkins, lead pastor at New Hope Community Church in Bryan, OH. We thought our visit would be focused on the ways New Hope was leveraging audio and visual media to engage their congregation. But our conversation quickly turned to the ways New Hope has embraced the opportunity to minister to, and minister with, the developmentally disabled in their community.

Key Topics

Helping people tell their stories
Desire to incorporate and include those who are developmentally disabled.
Final 3 question

Connect with (our guest) and (their church): change links

Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Innovative Ministries Transforming Communities

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0400

The Brotherhood Mutual Foundation is offering a Kingdom Advancing Grant for "church teams who, in their God-ordained calling, transform their community in creative, innovative, and collaborative ways." Kathy Bruce, long-time United Brethren leader and Director of the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation, joins me to talk about what this grant is all about and how you can apply.

Discover more and apply for the Kingdom Advancing Grant: https://www.brotherhoodmutual.com/kingdom-advancing-grant/

Key Topics

Kingdom Advancing Grant
Defining innovation
Stories of past recipients

Connect with Kathy and the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation:

Website, Facebook, YouTube

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Growth Through Community Groups with Jason Holliday

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Jason Holliday is the lead pastor at Living Grace Community Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he's served since 2019. In this episode he shares his journey into ministry, what brought him to Living Grace and how the church is growing through community groups.

Key Topics

Community groups serve as the main vehicle of discipleship
Serving the community together
Prioritizing time to be with people

Connect with Jason and Living Grace Community Church:

Website, Facebook, YouTube

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Investing in People, Empowering Leaders

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 06:45:00 -0400

Summary

Ben Gladhill grew up in a United Brethren church and was recently ordained at Lake View Church in Camden, Michigan where he has served for more than 12 years. He is the Pastor of Christian Education, but has served in a variety of roles during his time at Lake View. In this interview, Ben talks about his early faith journey and what it meant to be ordained in his home church. We also discuss the importance of investing in people and the value of empowering leaders.

Key Topics:

The value of long term investment
Ben's Ordination at Lake View
The challenge (and rewards) of handing off ministries to others

Connect with Ben Gladhill and Lake View Church:

Website, Facebook, YouTube

----

Share this episode with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

Strategic Partnerships and Relationally-Centered Ministries

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Summary

Ryan Koch is the Senior Pastor at Hopewell United Brethren Church, and is the first guest on UB Now. In this episode, Ryan talks about his faith journey and how that led him, not only to ministry but to ministry within the UB Church. We discuss what it means for Hopewell to have a vision for strategic partnerships and relationally-centered ministries -- a vision that has opened the door to a unique opportunity to serve and engage with their community.

Key Topics

Setting a yearly focus and vision can help guide a church's leadership and congregation.
Strategic partnerships and relationally centered ministries can be effective in reaching and serving the community.
Building relationships and creating a sense of community is crucial in engaging young people from non-church backgrounds.

Connect with Ryan Koch and Hopewell UB Church:

Website, Facebook, YouTube

----

Share this podcast with a friend or on your social media.

----

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

Free Breath by Moire

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC

What is UB Now?

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 06:00:00 -0400

UB Now is a podcast created by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ designed to connect and resource church leaders by sharing stories of what's happening in our churches right now. As you listen to these stories, we encourage you to connect with one another. Ask questions. Offer support. Speak a word of encouragement.

We have some great stories coming your way so follow UB Now.

If you have a story you'd like to share on the podcast, send us an email and let us know.

---

Visit the Church of the United Brethren in Christ

---

Host: Brian Biedenbach

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/free-breath

License code: V5ZOFRI75J9BWIKC