INSIDE:
Ohio Baptist Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2 Ohio Disaster Relief Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3 Women’s Missions & Ministries. . . . . . . . . . Pages 6-7 Evangelism Highlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pages 8-10 LifeWay BETA Conference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11 Press Toward The Mark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12
2015 Vacation Bible School Institutue Page 4
New Pastor & Staff Orientation March 19, 2015 Page 12
PUBLICATION OF THE STATE CONVENTION OF BAPTISTS IN OHIO
Ohio Baptist Messenger FEBRUARY 2015 | VOLUME 63 NO. 1
2015 SBC Annual Meeting Columbus, Ohio June 16-17, 2015
All Ohio Southern Baptist churches: Please show your full support by sending your church’s maximum number of messengers, as well as any guests who would like to attend, to this year’s Southern Baptist Convention. For more information, visit scbo.org.
SBC President Ronnie Floyd shares what every church needs to know about the Cooperative Program. Imagine with me what would happen if each of the 46,125 local churches that comprise the Southern Baptist Convention would give financial support to one cause wrapped around one purpose: presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ globally and making disciples of all the nations. I really want you to think with me for a moment about this. I want you to further imagine what happens when we give financially each month through our world missionary enterprise called the Cooperative Program…
Go to scbo.org for the complete article by Ronnie Floyd.
Page 2 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | February 2015
New Senior Pastor at Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
The North American Mission Board has just introduced a new evangelism tool called “LIFE - 3 Circles: Life Conversation Guide.” If your church would like to be trained in how to use this new exciting conversational evangelism tool, contact jackhelton@scbo.org, duanefloro@scbo.org, or timbinns@scbo.org. You can also find additional information about the tool and how to download the app to your mobile device at namb.net.
We are pleased to announce that we have a new senior pastor at Dublin Baptist Church. Dr. JD Davis accepted the call and came on December 1, 2014. Dr. Davis was serving as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Sparta, TN, where under his leadership they sustained growth in all areas of church life. Dr. Davis shares his great desire is to lead others to an intimate walk with Christ. He hungers for people to grasp the power of salvation, discover the rich treasure of Scripture, and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit. He and his wife Ashley have two children Jack JD Davis (11) and Ella (8). We are delighted and look forward to exciting days ahead of local ministry, growth and missional outreach under Pastor Davis’ leadership.
2014 Report Submitted By Susie Emery
Investing in God’s Kingdom The Ohio Baptist Foundation supports the cause of Christ by serving Baptist institutions, agencies, churches, and the individuals who faithfully support them. The Foundation accepts the responsibility of assisting Christian churches, institutions, associations, or ministries wishing to establish a customized plan for the perpetual use of financial resources. Investing in God’s Kingdom since 1969, the Ohio Baptist Foundation is an incorporated agency of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. Following are some of the services available to churches, associations, institutions, and agencies: SEMINAR TITLE TARGET AUDIENCE SEMINAR DESCRIPTION Christian Estate Planning All Adults
Estate planning basics, why you need a will, making provision for your dependents and avoiding death taxes
Investing for Eternity Ages 30+
Investment motivations, channels, opportunities, and benefits
Legal Giving Ideas Ages 30+ and Benefits
Understanding the benefits given by a donor and received by the charity
The Truth about Probate Ages 30+ & Living Trusts
Understanding probate and the benefits and advantages of Living Trusts
The Ohio Baptist Foundation also offers churches and associations a short term investment fund. This fund gives donors 100% accessibility to their funds without penalty and has no minimum investment requirement. The rate of interest is designed to pay more than a general savings or checking account and is comparable to a money market account.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL, WRITE, OR VISIT OUR COLUMBUS, OHIO OFFICE. Mailing & Street Address:9000 Antares Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43240 Website: ohiobf.org | Phone: 614-827-1781 | Fax: 614-827-1860 Jack Helton (Executive Director) cell: 614-309-9738 Ashleigh Moodie (Administrative Assistant) office: 614-827-1783
What does the word “if ” mean when we say it! What does the thought after “if ” mean when it has been explored and found to be incredible because God is in it? Possibly,“Glory!,” or “AMEN!” The “if ” today for us when we follow Him is that He will allow us to know what He has brought to pass from our“ifs.” Possibly there are trials when we follow as well as blessings, but when walking by faith with God, we stop asking “if ” and ask for the next step. Walking by faith in 2014, the Lord took me to that next step. Missions a Cross Ohio strategy to impact seventeen homes to pray for and to plan a monthly idea to reach out to them. I met them as people not just my neighbors and trusted God to begin working in their lives and mine. At the end of my “if I do this,” I have been blessed to know the names of each person that lives in those homes, praying for them, speaking to many of them, helping some of them, making connections for them, giving them gospel tracts and an opportunity for prayer requests. Oh yeah, having Ice Cream Day, St. Patrick Hat Day, Mothers Day necklace give away, even Groundhog Day Hat Day! In December I mailed their Christmas card and a collage of pictures from these 2014 Neighborhood Adventures. Four of them sent me a Christmas card in return, one with a precious letter. The amazing Kingdom work includes one little girl’s salvation during VBS and four children participating in VBS.
It was awesome to watch God expand my territory to include three campers who moved in for oil and gas work. Also, a boy farther down our street has grown closer and the local apartments became open to ministry. The assisted living facility on a nearby hill allowed a Bible study once a month. Also, several unexpected people have been ministered to; like the lady who walked in the church when we were having WMU mission meeting. She was devastated and we were able to help her, never saw or heard of her again. Another lady right down the street was saved, baptized and now attending our church. We had Pray Ohio day with Cathy Pound and our Pastor was so amazed as he learned different ways to pray, especially for unreached people groups. Now, our church often has a concert of prayers. So at the end of 2014 the “what if God wants me to do a neighborhood mission,” leaves me saying “GLORY!” to the one who directed and allowed me to see His mighty work in Ohio, in my neighborhood! What about you? What is your “if ”? Will you seek God’s plan for you to reach Ohio for Him? What’s your next step?
Jack Kwok, State Convention Executive Director-Treasurer, Editor; Linnett Snodgrass, Administrative Assistant; Spangler Production & Design, Publication Layout. Published every other month for members of Southern Baptist churches in Ohio. Subscriptions provided out of each church’s Cooperative Program gifts. Member of Baptist Press, news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Ohio Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0472-7096) is published every other month by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio; 9000 Antares Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43240-2011. Periodicals Postage Paid at Columbus, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Ohio Baptist Messenger; 9000 Antares Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43240-2011.
February 2015 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 3
SEEKING STAFF • HELP WANTED CHURCH NEEDS Seneca Lake is in need of volunteers for the dish room for summer camps. For more information please call Bev Caven at 937-207-9597.
State Convention of Baptist in Ohio—9000 Antares Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43240 Jack Kwok, Ph. D. Executive Director—Treasurer—A COOPERATIVE PROGRAM MINISTRY
Food Service, Child Care, Chain Saw, Shower Trailer, and Mud-Out Training. You must be 21 to train for Child Care and 18 for all other areas. CPR Training will be available for those already trained in one of the Disaster Relief Ministry Units. This is a two day session, beginning on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and concluding on Saturday around lunch time. The cost is $ 25.00 per person. Due to a limited number of trainees per class, pre-registration is required for CPR. You must already be a DR Team member to take advantage of this CPR training opportunity. We will collect required information, during the training session, to perform a background check.
May 1-2 First Baptist Church 5521 Groveport Road Groveport, Ohio 43125
Friday 6:00 PM Registration 6:30 - 9:30 PM “Involving Southern Baptists in Disaster Relief”
May 29-30 Ebeneezer Baptist Church 6935 Township Road 234 Logan, Ohio 43138
Saturday 7:15 AM
November 13-14 First Baptist Church 1009 Lytle Road Waynesville, Ohio 45068
8:00 AM 12:00 PM 12:30 PM 3:00 PM
Continental Breakfast Served Unit Training Lunch Provided by DR Food Service Evangelism Training Dismissed
You are welcome to bring your bed roll and sleep in the church at any training session. Meals are provided. The cost is $35 per person or $50 per couple (sharing a training manual).
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First Baptist Church, Blanchester is looking for an electric stove. Please contact Pastor Don Wahl at 513-250-5748 or 937-783-2795 also Deborah Martin 513-315-0066 or email mdebbie51@yahoo.com
Contact your state representative for more information:
Mount Carmel Baptist Church is an advancing ministry in a strong, growing church in suburban Cincinnati seeking a fulltime Minister to Preschoolers and Children. Send resumes to mountcarmelbc@fuse.net. Visit us at mtcarmelbaptist.org
David Warton dswarton@scbo.org (614) 827-1840 01/15
FBC Mt. Orab is seeking a full-time pastor. Our church is located in a rural farming community. We average 175-200 in Sunday School. We have a thriving youth group and all ages represented in our congregation. Please email resume with reference list and testimony including salvation experience and call to preach to joanne@ fbcmtorab.org. Mail Resume to: First Baptist Church, PO Box 35, Mt Orab, OH 45154
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North Dearborn Community Baptist Church in Bright Indiana is seeking an Ordained Southern Baptist Bi-Vocational Minister. Candidate must be the husband of one wife, who can perform all pastoral responsibilities. Please mail Resume to: North Dearborn Community Baptist Church 1920 North Dearborn Road West Harrison, Indiana 47060 Attention: Gregg Ketterer
Candidate must: • Meet the criteria in I Timothy 3:1-7 • Be in agreement with the Baptist Faith and Message • Have 10 years minimum pastoral experience • Be affiliated with the SBC • Have seminary level education at a Southern Baptist seminary • Possess a Godly character and reputation • Be people oriented, compassionate and caring • Have a heart for evangelism, discipleship and missions • Be a spiritual leader to all age groups • Be sensitive to and lead by the Holy Spirit
For further details AND TO REGISTER please contact Ministry Evangelism Assistant,
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Dublin Baptist Church, a member of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, is seeking a Minister or Director for Children. Average Sunday morning attendance is approximately 800 with 150 children from birth to 5th grade, served by over 100 volunteers. The Minister/Director will facilitate, direct and implement their vision for the Children’s ministry, working with the DBC ministerial staff, as well as overseeing the Director of our Mom’s Day Out program. The successful, God-led candidate should possess: A passionate calling to a Children’s Ministry, The ability to communicate with children and parents with authenticity, authority, passion and effectiveness, reliability in executing plans, vision and goals. Submissions can be emailed to dublinbcchildren@gmail.com or mail to: Dublin Baptist Church, 7195 Coffman Rd, Dublin OH 43017-1033. More info can be found at dublinbaptist.com
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Page 4 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | February 2015
VBS Team Takes Journey Off The Map By Rachel Carter Our state convention Vacation Bible School team recently set out on a Journey Off The Map to Ridegecrest, N.C. While in these uncharted territories, we learned what to expect this summer at Vacation Bible School. During this LifeWay training, we were lead to beautiful plants, waterfalls and hidden treehouses. We learned that this summer in the Tangled Tree House, our trail guides (teachers) will be leading the explorers (students) to follow God’s plan just like Daniel and his friends in the Old Testament. As the journey continues, the explorers will continue learning Biblical lessons as they travel across Boulder Bridge (missions), create and imagine at Shady Grove (crafts) and moving to the beat at Rushing Waters (music). No journey would be complete without obstacles and survival skills at
Rappelling Ravine (recreation) and a time to cool down at Survival Springs (snacks.) Our Journey Off the Map Team has returned from their adventure ready to share the skills, tips, and strategies needed for you and your church team to complete this journey. We invite you to come and plan your Journey off the Map with us at our Annual Vacation Bible School Institute (VBSI). Our VBSI will take place at Violet Baptist Church in Pickerington, Ohio on Saturday, March 7th. This special event will start at 9 am with an opening rally and end with the Kids VBS musical at 3 pm. The cost for this event is $10 a person and this includes lunch. During this training time, your team will reap valuable tools and materials needed for your churches own Journey off the Map. Core classes and breakout sessions will help train your new and experienced leaders. A full LifeWay VBS
VBS team at Ridgecrest.
bookstore will be available. A special extra this year will be a Friday night Movie and popcorn event. If you are in the area or interested, you are invited to come to Violet Baptist Church on Friday night, March 6th at 7pm to watch Journey Off the Map the movie. This special movie comes straight
from Lifeway and runs about 45 minutes. Popcorn will be provided. To find more information and to register please visit scbo.org/vbsi As our VBS team came home, we continued to dwell on the theme and theme verse for this years Journey. We would encourage you to do
the same as you prepare your heart and teams for this exciting adventure. This year’s verse reminds us “And wherever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear the command behind you: This is the Way. Walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 Let the Journey begin.
February 2015 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 5
How to submit Church News Send all church news and information to Linnett Snodgrass at lsnodgrass@scbo.org
Missions & Ministries
Page 6 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | February 2015
Women’s
Save the Date
JUNE 14–15, 2015
First Baptist Church of Grove City 3301 Orders Road Grove City, Ohio 43123
WMU MISSIONS CELEBRATION AND ANNUAL MEETING
Save the date for an amazing celebration of what God is doing around the world through missions! Come early to the SBC annual meeting in Columbus . . . First Baptist Church of Grove City is just a 10- to 15-minute drive from the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Visit wmu.com/columbus for more information.
2015AnnlMtgAd_HalfPage.indd 1
For More Information check out .scbo.org/pray
Children share the love of Christ through Children’s Ministry Day by Julie Walters On February 14, thousands of children across the country will participate in the eighth annual Children’s Ministry DayTM in a concerted effort to reach out to their communities and share the love of Christ through hands-on missions projects. “This year’s theme, All for You, can help girls and boys recognize that everything they do—even heavy-lifting, justplain-hard-work jobs—can be done in a way that proclaims the love of Jesus,” explained Heather Keller, children’s ministry consultant, national WMU. “Children’s Ministry Day is the perfect opportunity for children’s leaders and parents to help children realize they can make a difference in their community, association, or across the state as they actively minister and share God’s love.” In 2014, children’s groups were encouraged to find ways to reach across generational lines and minister to and with members of different generations
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with a theme of GenerationReach. Keller said of the reports received, more than 600 leaders and parents, along with nearly 1,500 children, ministered to approximately 5,700 people on Children’s Ministry Day last year. Since its inception in 2008, tens of thousands of children and their leaders have ministered through Children’s Ministry Day, which coincides with Focus on WMU week each February. Resources for Children’s Ministry Day include a promotional pack that features a general outline, ideas and resources for promotion, two pages of project ideas, learning activities, and more; and a badge or patch to award participants. To order, go to wmustore.com or call WMU Customer Service at 1-888-422-7032. T-shirts for Children’s Ministry Day 2015 are available from Lifeway Specialty Imprints. Visit lifeway.com/specialtyimprints or call 800-443-8032 to order.
Missions & Ministries February 2015 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 7
Women’s
WMU leader Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler dies at 84 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) –- Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler’s desire to dedicate herself to Christian service is one that lasted until the day of her death on Jan. 2. Her joyful spirit and cheerful attitude will be sorely missed by those who knew her. She served as executive director of national WMU from 1974 to 1989. Mattie Carolyn Weatherford was born to farmers Rufus Clark and Doris Elizabeth Sansing Weatherford on Jan. 17, 1930. The Weatherfords made their home in Frostproof, Fla., but were in House, Miss., when their daughter was born. Crumpler grew up in a household devoted to missions, as her mother involved Crumpler and her siblings in as many activities as their Baptist church offered. She professed Christ when she was 12, and following the example of her mother, a GA (Girls in Action) leader, Crumpler became a GA counselor by the time she was 14. Her service at such a young age did not go unnoticed by visiting WMU leaders, and at the age of 16, with the invitation of a Florida WMU state officer, Crumpler and a friend were off to Ridgecrest, N.C., for a young women’s conference. Crumpler taught her community’s first Vacation Bible School, and, as a junior in high school, she became the associational officer for Baptist Training Union (BTU), later serving as her church’s BTU director for all age groups. She added adult choir director to her list of activities. Crumpler studied library science at Florida State University, and was a high school librarian for five years. However, her desire to commit to Christian service on a full-time basis would not sub-
side, so she entered New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where she earned a master’s degree in religious education. Crumpler began her career with WMU in 1958 after being denied foreign missionary candidacy because of hypertension. Crumpler did not let that stop her from serving in WMU. From 1961 to 1963, she worked with GAs through Florida WMU, and from 1963 to 1967, she served in Alabama as WMU promotion director. Next, she took on the position of executive director of Florida WMU. After representing Southern Baptists in the Women’s Continental Assembly of 1972, Crumpler became chief executive of national WMU. During her tenure, she coauthored “My Life More Fit for Him,” a book on physical and spiritual well-being, with staff member Barbara Massey, and wrote a number of other works. “When Carolyn was elected as executive director, she came with years of experience in state WMU work,” reflected Wanda S. Lee, executive director of national WMU. “Working with a board composed of many state staff members, she brought an understanding of the challenges of their work and fresh ideas for new ways to work together. She laid a strong foundation for the partnership that exists today between the national office and our state WMU partners. Her love for missions and missionaries will continue to inspire all of us who lead today to stay faithful to the purpose of WMU.” During the years she led national WMU, the organization experienced growth in church missions organizations; began several initiatives including Acteens Activators, Baptist Nursing
Fellowship, and New Hope Publishers; and moved from downtown Birmingham to its current location at 100 Missionary Ridge. She had an intense desire to help children of missionaries (MKs), and invited many of them to dinner at her house when they were in Birmingham for school. Starting in 1980, she served on the Baptist World Alliance’s (BWA) General Council and became chairman of the Baptist World Aid Committee in 1985. She attended BWA meetings faithfully, and was the first woman to chair the North American Baptist Fellowship. When she became president of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary National Alumni Association, 1984–85, she became the first woman to chair a Southern Baptist seminary’s alumni association (other than the WMU Training School/Carver School of Missions at Southern Baptist Theo-
logical Seminary). She was awarded honorary doctorates from William Carey College, Mobile College, Campbell University, Georgetown College, and Houston Baptist University. In 1989, Crumpler retired from WMU and married James Joseph (“Joe”) Crumpler, a widower who was then pastor of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. She moved to Cincinnati and continued to be active in missions work, both nationally and with local ministries in the Cincinnati area. After her retirement, Crumpler became involved with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, serving as moderator in 1995-96. In recent years, despite many health problems, Crumpler remained active in missions and sharing the love of Christ. She is survived by her husband and a host of family members.
2015 Women’s Missions and Ministry Events DATE EVENT/FOCUS February 9-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Focus on WMU Week February 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Children’s Ministry Day February 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ohio Missions Roundtable March1-8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annie Armstrong March 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southeast Spring Retreat March 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Northwest Spring Retreat April 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southwest Spring Retreat June 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crossover Columbus Beautiful Feet April 10-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RA Congress May 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Metro Columbus Spring Retreat
DATE EVENT/FOCUS May 15-16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SLBA Spring Retreat June 22-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kids Kamp 1 June 29 – July 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kids Kamp 2 July 27-31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kids Kamp 3 August 3-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Missions Camp September. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ray Roberts(suggested) September 11-12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fall Retreat& Mission Celebration October 9-10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Family Missions Overnight November 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pastor’s Wives Luncheon Nov 29 - Dec6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lottie Moon
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Page 8 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | February 2015
Evangelism Highlights Top 4 Reasons You Should Send College Students to For Columbus We all long to be part of a movement. Part of something bigger than ourselves. We long to reach our neighbors, our cities, and other nations for Christ. The Southern Baptist Convention is a timehonored event that strives to unite believers and be good news to the cities in which they convene. Southern Baptists have always sought to do more than hold a large meeting where we gather, vote, and worship but leave unchanged. This year, a grand experiment will take place: What happens to a city when 1,000 college students come for ten days to learn, study, and serve? Even more pressing, what happens to those students who get a taste for church planting and head back to their campuses equipped and excited about advancing the gospel? From June 8-17, 2015, in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1,000 college students will descend upon Columbus, OH to partner with local churches and planters to serve the city and to be equipped, discipled, and sent out to live their lives on mission. Here are four compelling lessons students participating in this event will learn, and why you should encourage every college student you know to join the movement, and be part of ForColumbus. Love the City: As cities go, so goes the world. Much of the population growth, economic production, cultural influence, art, and almost all innovation happens in cities. Already over 80% of the U.S. population lives in urban areas, and that number will only continue to increase. Almost all college graduates will take their first job in a city. Columbus is the 15th largest city in the United States, with about 1.9 million people in the metro area. It is home to the state government, the state university, and a broad array of businesses and industry. It is a combination of diversity and tradition, and is the perfect melting pot and test-lab for students to learn what it looks like to contextually engage whatever city they may call home. Local Churches: God is at work in the churches of Columbus. There are currently 117 SBC churches in the Metro Columbus Baptist Association, about 60 of which have been planted in the last 12 years. Of these churches, 22 primarily speak a language other than English. There is a spirit of cooperation among all the congregations of this city that is unique and beautiful, as they pray and serve together to reach the city. Students who are part of ForColumbus will work alongside these pastors and church members, developing an understanding of how God uses the gifts of the entire Body, and deepening their love for the local church.
Live the Gospel: While cities are places of great flourishing and potential, they are also places of great brokenness. Violence. Poverty. Greed. Corruption. As students serve over the course of ForColumbus, they will encounter many examples of brokenness and have opportunities to engage in evangelistic conversations and share the hope of restoration through the Gospel. Leverage their Life: ForColumbus is more than an event or mission trip. It is a catalytic experience where students will be invited and challenged to answer God’s call to live their lives on mission. We all have significant or defining moments in our lives. Moments where we make decisions of obedience to follow Christ - no matter the cost. ForColumbus could be that moment for a college student you know. Help the students you know to be part of something bigger than themselves. Challenge them to love the city and the church, to live the gospel, and to leverage their lives for the mission of Christ. Encourage them to start by being part of ForColumbus. For more information about ForColumbus, visit forcolumbus.org. Registration deadline is March 31, 2015. Reflections on the Impact of Ohio Collegiate Ministries. In January of 2012, sitting in the house where I had grown up in East Texas, my life was at a crossroads. The plans that I had made no longer intact, I was searching for options. I knew that I didn’t want to waste the last summer of my college years, but I had already done plenty of internships in my chosen field. So, somewhat on a whim, I decided to apply to be a NAMB student missionary for the summer. Having no real preference on where I would go, I simply checked all the generic boxes, and submitted the application without much of a second thought, trusting that God would place me wherever He saw fit. Little did I know that this simple act of faith would drastically change my heart, mind, and life trajectory.
Invigorate When I first landed in Columbus, Ohio that summer I had no idea what to expect. I was to be part of what was called the “Invigorate Team” through the SCBO and led by state collegiate director, Brian Frye. We hit the ground running and never looked back. In the first 24 hours I learned more about myself, my teammates, and evangelism than I’d ever known possible. Over the whirlwind of the next four weeks our team visited almost a dozen Ohio universities, interacted with many collegiate ministries and churches, and shared the gospel with over 200 students on campuses. Here are two key lessons I learned during that invigorating summer: Look for God’s activity and adjust my life accordingly. When God reveals where He is at work around us, it is an invitation to join in. In Ohio, I saw God at work on campuses through collegiate church plants, such as h2o Church and New Life OSU, and in the cities through numerous churches who were engaging their communities with the gospel. Though I was not sure what it would look like, I began to feel a tug to be part of what God was doing in this state. “Ministry Sweet-spot = Know God + Know Self + Know Others” Ministry starts by being in-step with the Father, listening for His will, and obeying. However, to be effective in ministry, it is also important to know how I am uniquely gifted and equipped, and equally important to recognize the giftings of others. By working in a variety of contexts with multiple teammates and ministry leaders, I began to understand my role on a team and in the Body of Christ, and how to leverage the collective strengths of a group of people to meet ministry goals. Invitation The following summer, between graduation and the beginning of grad school, I received an invitation to return to Ohio and help lead the 2013 edition of the Invigorate team. My leadership skills expanded as I worked to guide students, who were essentially peers, to go beyond their comfort zones and take steps for-
ward in discipleship. My affinity for Ohio, and especially collegiate ministry, continued to grow as I saw familiar faces on each campus from the previous summer, and realized that the common bond of Christ and living on mission grows deep and lasting friendships - regardless of geography. After getting the privilege of helping a student at the University of Cincinnati accept Christ, God won my heart for Ohio Collegiate Ministry once and for all. I had been praying that God would reveal my next-steps in life, and He used this experience to cement in me a desire to leverage my life for the gospel by intentionally investing in college students. Invest Now, almost exactly three years since I filled out that first summer missions application, I am writing this paper from my new home - in Columbus, Ohio. God has called me back here in a long-term way to continue investing in the college students of this state, and others, as I live my life on mission working alongside collegiate ministries through NAMB. While it is my desire to elevate and advance the gospel on all college campuses, it is extremely exciting to have seen my journey come fullcircle, back to the place where it started here in Columbus. This summer, over 1000 college students from all across the country will descend on this city to take part in the ForColumbus (forcolumbus. org) project where they will be challenged to love the city, live the gospel, and leverage their lives for His Kingdom. Getting to orchestrate this event thrills and humbles me. I know what God did in my life the first time that I came to Columbus as a college student, and I am praying that He will do the same for many more this summer. God changed my life in Ohio. Who will be next? Submitted by: Kevin Stacy Collegiate Projects Specialist, North American Mission Board (NAMB)
February 2015 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 9
Evangelism Highlights Baptist & Reflector
Aug. 13, 2014, Page ??
Pastor Neon Reaches Bikers, Others HURON, Ohio — Duane Floro received a call from his wife Dena, a nurse working with mothers about to deliver babies in a Columbus, Ohio, hospital. She wanted him to talk to an expectant father she was witnessing to. Floro came and met the young Hispanic man who had been in a very dangerous gang in Chicago and had the tattoos to signify that. The young man accepted Christ and wanted to turn his life around. Floro, of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio staff, called Pastor Brad “Neon” Trembley, founder of Trinity Chapel and Trinity Bikers based in Huron, Ohio. Soon a member of the congregation/bike club arrived in Columbus though it is about ?? miles away to go with the young man to a tattoo parlor where the biker had arranged for the young man to have his gang ID tattoo transformed and obscured. Then the Christian biker stayed with the young man throughout the 12-hour procedure. Later another member of Trinity Bikers accompanied the young man to Chicago to do some business though it was dangerous. What amazed Floro about that experience and others he has had
with Trinity Chapel and Pastor Neon is their commitment to help fellow bikers and others. Pastor Neon leads the way in that, said Floro. Trinity Church is located in an area of Ohio which might become a part of an expanded Tennessee/ Greater Cincinnati & Dayton, Ohio, Partnership. “Bikers have a whole culture all to its own, including its nuances. Being a part of it is as different to people here as going to Africa,” said Trembley. Though he was raised in a Christian home and Baptist church, while he was in the U.S. Navy and the Navy Reserves, he got to know bikers. He joined a biker club and became involved in dangerous and destructive activity though he never took drugs. A few years later Trembley left the gang. While attending church with his parents in 1990 at age 28 he rededicated his life to Christ. “I realized I was a 50-watt Jesus light bulb instead of 100-watt.” He joined Bikers for Christ but “something still wasn’t quite right” until, after hearing from God, he started Trinity Riders and after a very vivid vision from God in a
dream developed a patch for the club. Following biker protocol, Trembley started visiting existing biker clubs including The Hell’s Angels, The Outlaws, The Avengers, and The Sons of Silence, and asked permission for his group and its patch and received it. It took him many years, he explained, but it also helped him get the word out about the club. “I had to get approval before I flew it (the patch). … It was a hard, hard road to get it done.” To be able to meet with fellow Trinity Riders, Trembley asked around the community of Huron for a meeting room and was given a portion of a building. Huron which is near Sandusky, Ohio, and about 65 miles east of Toledo on Lake Erie. On Feb. 2, 2013, Trembley recalled precisely, “all of these people, most leather-bound bikers, were coming in the door,” he declared. “We’re out of the box,” explained Trembley. We enjoy “rock and roll” music and may have “unorthodox teaching methods. “The gospel stays the same but the presentation might change.” Trinity draws people that might be snubbed or looked down upon at other churches, he added.
conference centers Impact
Pastor Brad “Neon” Trembley, of Trinity Chapel, Huron, Ohio, and Trinity Riders motorcycle group, recently presented a patch bearing his nickname, “Duh,” for his motorcycle vest, also presented by the church, to Duane Floro of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.
by Connie Bushey news editor B&R
“Some churches even lock the door when they see us coming,” said Trembley with a smile. The group of about 80 bikers enjoy rides together. Amazingly many of the Trinity Bikers are from other states. About 20 live in Ohio. Their ministry is needed, said Pastor Neon, as he meets with folks in the nearby county jail each week. Nearly all are drug addicts, including about 80 percent who are addicted to heroin, he said. Unfortunately heroin addicts are given methodone as treatment. Then, often, they become addicted to methodone, he said. “When you’ve accepted God’s grace, you have no choice but to extend it to others.” His nickname, Neon, which was given to him by some bikers after an incident left him blushing, is appropriate, he added. He’s all about light, if it’s “God’s light,” he said. “We’re not defined by our past; we’re prepared by it. … What Satan intends for bad God turns into good. … For more information, contact Floro at dfloro@scbo.org or 614827-1754. B&R
Keysto the Kingdom
Ohio Mission Resource Roundtable
For more information go to info@metrocolumbus.org, NAMB.net/Crossover Please visit the addresses provided to access information.
Dublin Baptist Church Dublin, Ohio February 21, 2015 9:00am to 3:00pm
Page 10 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | February 2015
Evangelism Highlights Calling for Construction Crew Chiefs: Hurricane Sandy Rebuild The vision of the God’s Plan for Sharing (GPS) initiative is to fulfill the Great Commission in North America by Every Believer Sharing. Ever Person Hearing by 2020. God is working in the hearts of those who know Him and those who have yet to know Him.
GPS IS A TWO-PART PROCESS. 1. First, churches intentionally align their evangelism ministry according to the biblical components of: • Praying- Every church praying for every lost person • Equipping- Equipping every believer to share as a trained witness • Sowing- Every lost person receiving a witness • Harvesting- Every church harvesting and celebrating every salvation response 2. Second, churches participate in bi-annual evangelism campaigns (even-numbered years) that will result in Every Believer Sharing and Every Person Hearing by 2020.
Contact Jack Helton at 614.827.1781 or JackHelton@scbo.org Ashleigh Moodie at amoodie@scbo.org
Visit GPS2020.NET
Lottie Moon, pie toss? Pastor Jeff Good of Fremont Baptist Church in Fremont, OH took a pie, or two, to the face! While raising our donation for Lottie Moon, everyone had the chance to throw a pie at the pastor. We surpassed our goal, and after today’s donations we were able to raise over $200! Praise the Lord!! Submitted by Jenny Meadows, Fremont Baptist Church
The campaign for 2015 is called Serving Across North America and involves planning and implementing coordinated, serving, evangelistic events during the month of March and beyond. The theme for 2015 is Purpose. Find It Here. Churches are encouraged to direct people to findithere.com for spiritual help. The GPS manual (available online) will guide you in forming a simple, strategic plan for implementing a serving, evangelistic event in your community. The needs of each community are unique, and you know best the needs of your community. Adapt the information provided to suit your unique community. Ideas and resources are available on the GPS website at GPS2020.net. These resources are offered free of charge through the partnership between the North American Mission Board and your state convention and the funds provided through the Cooperative Program. Also, know that your Acts 1:8 partners (your association, your state convention, and the North American Mission Board) are ready to assist you in training and consultation as you have need.
Because of the assistance of two pardnering organizations, we were able to extend the Sandy Rebuild Project on Long Island through August 2015. We are still finding folks who are living in cars or in homes that have not been repaired. And as you would expect, these are the folks that would fall into the “unto the least of these” category that our Lord described in Matthew 25. We have a real need of crew chiefs to assist with the Collegiate Spring Break and during the summer. We need a couple of folks as early as the end of February. It would be the typical construction work that we have done all over the nation. Additionally, we are able to have contractors assist with
those areas of construction that require licenses. So we would need help with working with the contractors. The housing on Long Island is located on the beautiful campus on New York Institute of Technology in Central Islip. No tents! Some of our volunteers have nicknamed Challenger Hall, the Taj Mahal. Also, if you will stay 3 weeks or longer we can pay for all your travel and housing. We also need Base Camp Support volunteers as well. Otherwise there is a fee. Contact us to find out the details. If you wish to assist please contact Donna Johnson at djohnson@namb.net or 770.410.6075.
February 2015 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 11
… E T A L ’RE
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2014 Annual Church Profile Church Name: ______________ Association: ____________ 1) Members_________________________________________ 2) # of Baptisms______________________________________ 3) Worship Attendance________________________________ 4) Sunday School Attendance___________________________ 5) Vacation Bible School Enrolled________________________ … if your church has not already completed its ACP. Your Annual Church Profile should have been completed by the end of September; but you are not too late to do something about it. Information may be conveyed even over the phone. Call Dave Warton at the State Convention office (614) 827-1840 and leave a voicemail, or email him at davewarton@scbo.org and just answer the 5 questions above. [Make sure you identify your church’s name and association.] If you need help in any manner, call your Association or State Convention office, they will be glad to assist you. Your ACP is so important, that the 50-member Mission Council to the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio decided that completing the ACP and contributing to the Cooperative Program are the two distinguishing essentials entitling a church to be listed among Ohio Southern Baptists’ churches 501c3 list of participating churches. But even more significantly, how will the body of Christ communicate with itself on opportunities of ministry, and how will we give an account of our talents without completing the Annual Church Profile? Ask your pastor if your church ACP has been completed! This list is sent annually to the Internal Revenue Service verifying churches included under the State Conventions’ 501c3 nonprofit organization status and entitled to accept non-taxable contributions and give such contribution statements for receipt of tithes and offerings.
Page 12 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | February 2015
PRESS TOWARD THE MARK February contains many special ary convention assisting Southern days in the warp and woof that comBaptist churches to take the gospel to prises the fabric of American culture. their “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and Perhaps, Valentine’s Day occupies the the ends of the earth” simultaneously. preeminent position of all the special The Southern Baptist Cooperative days in February. The popularity of Mission Program provides a unified Valentine’s Day highlights the desire Jack Kwok, Ph.D. means of supporting missions from Executive Directorand need for the presence of “affecthe doorstep of each local church to Treasurer tion” and “love” in different levels of State Convention the ends of the earth. relationships. Both art and science of Baptists in Ohio Ohio Southern Baptists have the lend their support to this need in inopportunity to participate in the first creasingly intimate levels of relationships. meeting in Ohio of the Southern Baptist ConThe most intimate level of relationships is the vention June 16-17, 2015. The State Convention spiritual. Over the centuries, many theologians of Baptists in Ohio website scbo.org provides inand preachers have articulated the God-shaped formation on how each Southern Baptist church vacuum that exists in every person. Only the in- can send messengers to the convention in Codwelling presence of the Lord Jesus can truly fill lumbus, Ohio. Each Southern Baptist church that vacuum and provide the completely satisfy- can bring as many guests to the annual meeting ing love that comes only from God. as they choose. Proclaiming the love of God through Jesus Metro Columbus Association is the 2015 Christ is the ultimate purpose of Mission Ohio IMPACT association for Mission Ohio. The and the Southern Baptist Convention. Mission major emphasis is June 8-13, 2015. To work Ohio is the cooperative effort of the Ohio South- with Southern Baptist churches in the Columern Baptist churches to reach at least 1,000,000 bus area, go to Crossover Columbus on the believers in Christ in 2,020 congregations by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio website end of 2020. The State Convention of Baptists scbo.org. in Ohio exists to assist Ohio Southern Baptist Lost people in Ohio need to experience the churches and associations to obey the Great love of God through a personal relationship Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. with Jesus Christ just like all peoples worldwide. Like the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, Let’s press toward that mark. the Southern Baptist Convention is a mission-
New Pastor & Staff Orientation March 19, 2015 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. State Convention of Baptists SCBO Resource Center 9000 Antares Avenue Columbus, OH The New Pastor and Staff Orientation provides opportunity to meet the State Resource Team Leaders and learn what resources are available. There is no registration fee; however, advance registration is necessary through Linnett Snodgrass. Spouses are invited and encouraged to attend. Orientation begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes by 3:00 p.m. Contact Linnett Snodgrass (lsnodgrass@scbo.org) or Bruce Smith (brucesmith@scbo.org) for more information.
Buckeye Builders 2015 Projects Painesville Baptist Church 140 Park Rd. Painesville, Ohio 44077 Pastor: Stoney Drain January 9 - 16, 2015 Remodel old sanctuary FBC Groveport has lead on this one Contact Sam Kelley 614-309- 9751 Cook Road Baptist Church 1101 Cook Road Lucasville, Ohio 45648 Spring March to May 2015 New Roof on the Sanctuary Larry Parks: 740-259-5911 Dale Patterson: 614-352-0884
Seneca Lake Baptist Camp 55819 Skyline Drive Senecaville, Ohio 43780 May 4 - 8, 2015 Contact Ray Morris: 513-593-5130 Oxford Baptist Church 4111 State Route 73 Oxford, Ohio 45056 June 1 - 13, 2015 Contact Ray Morris: 513-593-5130
How to become a
Christian If you are not a Christian, have never surrendered your will to the Lord Jesus, let me share briefly how you can make this life changing decision. GOD WANTS YOU SAVED. First, you must believe that God loves you and wants you to have peace in your heart and an everlasting life (John 3:16). Second, you must recognize that you are a sinner, that you have done things which have displeased God and that you have separated yourself from Him (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Third, you must believe that Jesus came to this earth, was actually God in the flesh, lived a perfect life, and yet went to a cruel cross, dying for your sins, paying once and for all the penalty of sin (I Peter 2:24). However, it’s not enough just to know these three things. Many of us knew them for years before we ever gave Jesus our lives. Fourth, you must personally ask Jesus to come into your life and forgive you of your sins (Revelation 3:20). You can pray this prayer now and if you mean it with all of your heart, Jesus will come in just like He said. He cannot lie. Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I’m really sorry for my sins, Lord. I ask you now, Lord Jesus, to come into my heart, forgive me of my sins, take control of my life, and make me the kind of person You want me to be. I now receive You into my heart. Thank You for coming in. I will follow You all the days of my life. In Your name I pray, Amen.