Mission & Mercy Ministry Update - 2025, Issue 5
Table of Contents
Prayer Focus: IFI - A Ministry to International Students at WSU and UD
Mission Highlight: Send Sunday
Mercy Highlight: Prayer Walk - May 3
Mercy Highlight: UBC Serves at One Bistro
Opportunity: A Night at the Dayton Dragons - May 6
Opportunity: Sewing & Craft Ministry Open House - May 3
Opportunity: IFI Graduation Meal - May 9
Upcoming UBC Mission Trips: Short-Term Trips Underway for 2025
Prayer Focus
IFI - A Ministry to International Students at WSU and UD
In addition to our three international partners, UBC is partnering with a few local organizations. This month, we will be praying for one of these: International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) at the Wright State (WSU) and University of Dayton (UD) campuses.
IFI is a national organization partnering with local churches, universities, and volunteers to provide life-changing hospitality and friendship to international students. Daniel and Alina Chiriluta moved here from Romania two years ago to serve as the Area Team Leaders for IFI Dayton. They have two sons and are based at Wright State. Esther Chen is from Malaysia and first came to the U.S. as a student. She joined the
Dayton IFI team in 2021. Their ministries include regular events like Friday night get-togethers for food and games, Bible studies, and fellowship groups. But much of the ministry involves building relationships through day-to-day activities like sharing coffee and meals, helping students move, giving haircuts, repairing laptops, etc.
Prayers
For Daniel and Alina:
Pray that God would give them energy and wisdom to know how to work with students, how to understand them better, to help them in their lives, and for opportunities to share the Gospel with them.
Pray for them as they parent their two teenage boys. Pray for wisdom so they can keep a good balance between their ministry with the international students and devoting time to their boys and helping them grow up in wisdom. As teenagers they have many questions. Pray that Daniel and Alina would walk well alongside them and support them.
For Esther:
Pray for Esther during her time of furlough from May 5 – June 5. She will travel back home to Malaysia. Pray for safe travel and quality time with family and friends. She will also visit student returnees in East Asia, including some believers and some seekers. Pray for it to be a time of encouragement, discipleship, and for more opportunities to share the Gospel.
Pray for two Hindu background seekers (K and C) at UD who are eager to know the Lord. Pray that God will open their hearts and minds to understand the Gospel and put their faith in Him.
Pray for Esther’s personal support raising. She hopes to be fully funded for next fiscal year's budget by this August. She still needs $1142/month to reach 100%.
For the IFI Dayton ministry:
Pray for the students, especially the seekers and those asking questions. Pray that they will not become distracted in their pursuit or dissuaded by friends.
Pray that barriers to faith will continue to fall and they would put their trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Pray for IFI’s upcoming fundraising "ice cream social" event on May 16th. Pray for new supporters and church partnerships.
Mission Highlight
Send Sunday
On Sunday, April 27, UBC held a Send Sunday. The message was based on John 20:19-21, "Jesus strengthens those He sends."
This summer, there are 3 different groups being 'sent' out by UBC:
(1) college graduates
(2) summer short term mission trip participants
(3) Gospel Heights church plant
After representatives of each group shared, UBC gathered around them and prayed over them. We await to hear how God will use each of these groups throughout the summer and in the next phase of their lives.
Misson Highlight
Prayer Walk in Beavercreek and Huber Heights - May 3
What do you do when it rains during a prayer walk? You prayer drive!
April’s prayer walk event happened on a rainy morning with a gloomy forecast. The Beavercreek team had 8 people show up who split up into 3 cars, and the Huber Heights team had about 30 which went out in groups of 4 in different vehicles. We used the time to spread out with each group focused on a different area around a location such as schools, community centers, business centers, and more.
We look forward to the chance to get out and prayer walk the first Saturday of each month. Newcomers are always welcome!
The Beavercreek team will be meeting at UBC Main at 10:30 am on May 3rd. Please sign-up here.
The Huber Heights team will be meeting at Herbert Huber Park at 10:30 am on May 3rd. Please sign-up here.
Mercy Highlight
UBC Serves at One Bistro
On Wednesday, April 16, UBC had the opportunity to serve the community meal at One Bistro in Xenia. Sixteen volunteers showed up and served 150 meals to Xenia residents who gathered around tables to eat that night. The evening started with Scott Wrigglesworth sharing a devotion with the first wave of diners and praying for the food. During the evening, volunteers had the opportunity to sit and talk with the residents and pray with them. Our next serving opportunity will be in July, if you would like to serve please let us know here.
Opportunity
A Night at the Dayton Dragons - May 6
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists (GDAB) is hosting a night at Day-Air Ballpark in early May!
Join us on the evening of Tuesday, May 6th at 7pm! We are excited for this special evening of fun and fellowship as we watch the Dayton Dragons take on the Great Lakes Loons!
Gates open at 6pm and the first pitch is at 7:05pm. Tickets are $9 each, and include a $5 food voucher! Register now at https://gdab.org/rsvp to reserve tickets for you and your family. The registration link provides details about how to pick up your tickets. We look forward to seeing you there!
Opportunity
Sewing & Craft Ministry Open House - May 3
The Sewing and Craft Ministry is hosting an open house on Saturday, May 3 from 1-3:30 PM in the multi-purpose room (MPR) at UBC Main. They will be working on a variety of different craft projects for mercy ministries that UBC supports.
Specifically, they will be focusing on projects to help ministries that will be partnered with Builders For Christ (BFC) and the ministries of Hope Chapel in Sterling, MA. UBC is sending three different teams throughout the summer to help with the church build. At the open house, some will be making baby blankets to go to a crisis pregnancy center, children’s quilts for an Afghan refugee ministry, and larger quilts for a transitional ministry in place to help those moving from homelessness to having a job. Yarn workers also will be making ongoing projects for Hope Rising, and card makers will be creating cards to help growth groups keep in touch with UBC missionaries.
You do not have to have any experience in any craft or sewing area! Just come with a cheerful heart, a desire to learn something new, and an expectation for joyful fellowship with friends. You can register here.
Opportunity
IFI Graduation Meal - May 9
IFI is hosting a potluck graduation meal for international students the ministry serves on Friday, May 9 at 7 PM. Many of the students are Indian, Hindu, or Muslim, so IFI is unable to serve dishes with beef or pork in them. Fish also is not very popular. Chicken and turkey are popular options. Important note: marshmallows contain beef and/or pork. Also, rice dishes go over very well. Since many are Indian students, vegetarian dishes are important! If you would like suggested recipes, the meal organizer is happy to help!
Sign up here on Meal Train to bring a dish.
Please plan to drop off your dish(es) between 6:30 and 7 PM at the Brucker's home (1635 Grange Hall Rd, Beavercreek, OH). You are welcome to stay and observe or interact with students if you would like. If you are unable to drop off your dish, contact Heather through the Meal Train link to coordinate someone to pick up your dish.
Monthly Mission Quote:
Acts 23:11b The following night the Lord stood by him (Paul) and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome." Romans 1:5b We have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, Romans 16:26b,27 according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Romans: Paul’s Crossroad to the Nations
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).
May 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. More information may be found here.
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.