Rev. Dr. J. Kabamba Kiboko is the senior pastor of Forest Chapel United Methodist Church in Cincinnati and the sister of Vano Kalembe Kiboko (pictured at left), a United Methodist evangelist and a former congressman in Congo, who was arrested Dec. 29 by the country's secret service. Their brother, Rev. Kiboko I. Kiboko, a United Methodist pastor in Iowa is trying to save the life of his brother by asking for help from the denomination and the Obama administration. The arrest came after Vano Kiboko publicly denounced the Dec. 8 shooting of a woman engaged in a nonviolent protest. Please join us in praying with the Forest Chapel congregation for Dr. Kiboko's brother whose life could be in danger. Learn more including how you can help.

Rev. Robert McDowell, pastor at First United Methodist Church in Lancaster, writes of the generosity and faithful stewardship of his congregation after they exceeded their commitment to Imagine No Malaria by more than $6,000!  Giving is contagious! Not only did the congregation give generously to Imagine No Malaria, but giving to other missions and ministries has increased as well.  "We are so glad to be part of the Imagine No Malaria campaign for our conference and thank God for being able to benefit more than 31,000 men, women and children suffering from malaria," writes Rev. McDowell. Read more

On February 7 a Volunteers in Mission team from Albany United Methodist Church will return to Refugio De Paz church in Mexico to continue construction on the church building. The team will be there for a week, but team member, Cathy Powell, will be staying until the middle of April as a liaison for other teams that follow. "I have fallen in love with the people I have met on these trips," Cathy says. "It is such a blessing to be able to serve God in this way." Cathy shares about her experiences in Mexico and how God paved the way for a multitude of blessings. Read more

Is God calling you to in depth ministry as a lay person? Certified Lay Ministers (CLM's) are trained and equipped to fulfill their unique calling with enhanced ministry to small membership churches. Certified Lay Ministers preach the Word, provide care for the congregation, assist in program leadership, and serve as witnesses in the community to further the growth, mission and connectional thrust of The United Methodist Church. If you would like to know how the West Ohio Certified Lay Ministry Academy could further equip you for ministry, join us at one of two upcoming informational events on March 21 or March 28.   

Last week more than 300 United Methodist camp leaders attended the United Methodist Camping & Retreat Ministries National Gathering to worship, learn and be inspired to be great camp leaders. Attending from West Ohio were Eric Witte (Director, Camp Widewater), Heather Brake (Director, Camp Wesley), Scott Seese (Director, Camp Otterbein) and Ken Overholser, Director of West Ohio Camping & Retreat Ministries. Special congratulations to former West Ohio Conference Director of Outdoor and Retreat Ministries (1981) Rev. Ted Witt who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award. Ted is pictured at left with Eric Witte.