Ohio Baptist Messenger - State Convention of Baptists in Ohio

April 2016 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 1
PUBLICATION OF THE STATE CONVENTION OF BAPTISTS IN OHIO
Ohio Baptist Messenger
APRIL 2016 | VOLUME 64 NO. 2
IMPACT Dayton Page 3
Prayer Boot Camp Page 7
VBS in February
Page 12
Page 2 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2016
July 16, 2016
For project information
and volunteer forms go to:
IMPACT DAYTON
www.gdba.org or
www.scbo.org
IMPACT DAYTON
Greater Dayton Baptist
Associational Missionary
Steve Stiglich
Please join Mission Ohio in focusing
Intensive Mission Projects to Affect
Community Transformation on Dayton
Association July 16, 2016
1-937-233-3999
Visit
scbo.org
for
Volunteer
Sign-up
or Church
Project
Request
Meet Us in St. Louis
Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
June 14-15, 2016
St. Louis, Missouri
The SBC website,
http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc16/default.asp
has information to assist your participation.
April 10, 2016
Cooperative
Program Day
Southern Baptists are observing Cooperative Program
Day April 10, 2016. Resources for promoting the Southern Baptist Cooperative Mission Program are available
from http://www.sbc.net/cp/resources/ and www.scbo.
org/cp websites.
Frank Page, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, has
written an excellent article http://www.scbo.org/news/
how-does-cooperative-program-work on the working
of the Cooperative Program.
April 2016 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 3
Help Needed to IMPACT Dayton This Summer
By Stephanie Heading
IMPACT Dayton needs
your help. The initiative,
which is a collective effort to
share the gospel and demonstrate God’s love through
practical acts of service
throughout the Dayton area
and strengthen churches
and ministries of the Greater
Dayton Baptist Association, is
set for July 16, 2016 and the
week preceding. However,
IMPACT Dayton is currently
lacking groups willing to
come to Dayton and partner
with area churches.
“We need volunteer
teams,” said Steve Stiglich,
Greater Dayton Association
of Baptists (GDAB) Associational Missionary. “We are
looking for teams to come in
and work with GDAB churches.” Currently only one mission team from Tennessee has
committed to come to work in
the area, but many more are
needed.
Teams are needed to help
with projects such as prayer
From the Desk of the President
Several
weeks ago,
I had the
honor and
privilege
of being in
Nashville,
Dr. Jeremy Westbrook TN with
our current SBC President
Dr. Ronnie Floyd and other
SBC leaders. It was there that I
heard from IMB President, Dr.
David Platt that nearly 20 percent of our current missionaries from around the world
would be leaving the mission
field and moving back to the
United States. There were tears
shed and voices raised in crying out to the Lord for a fresh
movement of God among us.
State Convention of Baptists
in Ohio, now is the time for
us to move forward in our
sacrificial, faithful, and generous giving, as both Christians
and churches. It is time for
us as a State Convention to
sacrificially and urgently press
toward a 50/50 funding ratio.
I am asking you to please pray
for us in the weeks ahead as I
begin meeting with our 50/50
task force committee. Please
pray that God would unify our
hearts and that we would step
out in faith like never before!
Would you also please save
the dates of Tuesday and
Wednesday, November 1st
and 2nd to attend the Pastors
Conference and SCBO Annual
Meeting? God is blessing with
some incredible national leaders coming to pour into us on
these special days. Also, every
pastor, planter, and leader will
walk away from the Pastors
Conference with a special gift
of appreciation. You will be
hearing more details concerning the Pastors Conference
in the days ahead. Finally, we
are making a historic shift and
moving the annual meeting to
only being one day in length
walking, servant evangelism,
block parties, sports camps,
children’s activities, youth
events, light construction and
door-to-door work, as well as
many other areas of service.
Steve Stiglich has contacted
groups across Ohio, as well as
State Conventions surrounding Ohio, but has had virtually
no response. “I’m begging for
teams to come.”
For more information
about IMPACT Dayton and
how you or your church can
get involved, call Steve Stiglich
at 937-233-3999 or visit these
websites: www.gdab.org or
www.scbo.org and click on the
IMPACT Dayton link.
SAVE THE DATE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016
The State Convention of Baptists in Ohio is excited to present
First Baptist Church Vandalia, Ohio
Plan on attending this valuable event and hearing great preaching,
experiencing Spirit filled worship, connecting with other pastors and
church leaders, and receiving FREE ministry resources!
Look for more specific conference information to appear in the next
Messenger. Until then, feel free to contact me regarding
any questions you might have!
on Wednesday the 2nd. Folks
across Ohio are excited about
these changes and are praying for a mighty move of God
among us as we meet at FBC
Vandalia. You’ll not want to
miss out on our time together
so please save the dates and
make plans to attend.
Once again, it is an honor
to serve you and please do not
hesitate to contact me if I can
assist you in any way.
Moving Forward,
Dr. Jeremy Westbrook
SCBO President
Page 4 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2016
• NURSE(S) NEEDED •
Have you ever thought of using your nursing skills in an environment where
you can see lives changed? Have you ever thought that you might want to
relive your childhood or teenage years? How about going to camp and having
your own private air-conditioned room? We are in need of a nurse or nurses
for camps this summer. Our nurses must be an LPN or RN. Your primary duties
will include dispensing medicine and some triage duty. You might even get
a chance to witness to a teen, who is faking illness to avoid chapel service.
You never know. All of this takes place at the beautiful Seneca Lake Baptist
Assembly.
If you are available to serve for one week or multiple weeks contact Tim Binns –
[email protected] or Scott Seder [email protected].
State Convention Office
New Phone Numbers
SEEKING STAFF • CHURCH NEED
Brookside Baptist Church seeks music minister.
After the retirement of their music minister, Howard Garrison, Brookside Baptist
Church, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, is looking for a new music minister. This will be a
part-time position. They are looking for a director who will join the congregation, lead worship Sunday morning and evening and direct the choir. They are
looking for a qualified individual or a student who is preparing for a music
ministry. Brookside is a small congregation of 60 to 80 in morning worship. The
church prefers a mixture of hymns, choruses and contemporary music.
Direct inquiries to Brookside Baptist Church, 590 Lancaster Ave., Reynoldsburg,
Ohio 43068, Attn. Pastor Kenny Queener. For more information call 614-8616493 or e-mail [email protected].
Lewisburg First Missionary Baptist Church located in Lewisburg Ohio, which is
20 miles West of Dayton Ohio, is seeking a bi-vocational Pastor to shepherd our
Church. We are seeking a man who is called to be a minister of the Gospel to
minister with us in a rural/small town setting. The church is unable to afford a
full-time pastor but is able to pay some compensation.
REQUIREMENTS:
Heart for ministry and people.
Faithfulness to teach and preach the Word of God.
Willingness to equip others for ministry.
Please contact one of the following to follow Gods call:
Joe Staggs c/o: Lewisburg First Missionary Baptist Church
608 N Commerce St, Lewisburg, OH 45338
[email protected] or
Steve Stiglich
Associational Missionary
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists
2050 Brandt Pike
Dayton, OH 45404
[email protected]
Ohio volunteer joins team to help
Nepali earthquake survivors heal
By Lily Jameson
An old woman giggled
as she struggled to blow up
a bright pink balloon. She
couldn’t get the funny little
bubble of rubber to hold air.
Wanda Lovely, a Baptist
Global Response (BGR)
volunteer, said she watched
as a local volunteer taught
the woman how to inflate her
balloon. This was an important activity because—on that
December day in Nepal—the
little piece of rubber served as
a therapy tool.
“The thought behind all
of it is: this is the same thing
that goes on in our hearts,”
she said. “You know, we carry
these burdens and these pains
and these worries and it just
gets bigger and bigger and
bigger, and finally, it just ex-
and helped a group of Nepali
volunteers heal emotional
and spiritual wounds inflicted
upon locals after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the area.
The disaster destroyed a large
percentage of homes in two
districts and killed thousands.
During the trip, Lovely and
Bryant helped BGR-trained
Nepalis conduct therapy sessions for women and children
while Catron, a member of the
First Baptist Church of Monticello, Ky., addressed spiritual
concerns with the men. The
group traveled to a school and
to various churches, offering comfort and facilitating
emotional healing. Lovely,
who mainly helped women,
said she spent her time encouraging participants to get
involved in various activities,
Nepali children entertain themselves with coloring sheets. Visitors from the
United States help trained Nepali volunteers lead children through group therapy sessions so they could process anything they felt in the aftermath of the
2015 earthquakes. Sessions for children included lots of games and coloring.
Photo courtesy of Wanda Lovely
plodes. … You have to be able
to share your thoughts before
you explode.”
Lovely, a member of Urbancrest Baptist Church in
Lebanon, Ohio, traveled to
Sindhuphalchok, Nepal, in
mid-December with a team
consisting of herself and
two other volunteers. Susan
Bryant and Joel Catron, both
from Kentucky, joined her
such as the balloon blowing.
Through these sessions, Lovely and the national volunteers
wanted the women to share
and deal with any unexpressed
emotions they felt in the
earthquake’s aftermath. This
was important work, even
though the earthquake had
taken place months before.
“You have to talk very
little and listen a whole lot
April 2016 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 5
and allow people to express
themselves within their own
culture,” she said, adding,
“In Nepal, you have to give
women a framework [to express their feelings].”
She said the games and
questions provided that
framework, allowing women
to talk about heartfelt matters
within a light and fun context.
She believed the jobs she and
Bryant performed filled a particular need for women and
children—groups of people
who don’t always have emotional outlets.
Bryant, a member of
Graefenburg Baptist Church
in Waddy, Ky., said she served
as the child counselor on
the trip. She and another
local volunteer led children
through games involving balls
or they blew bubbles. During
the program, the kids also had
opportunities to write about
the disaster, delving into questions about where they were
when it hit and how it made
them feel.
“This would be an opportunity for them to have
playtime and for them to
talk to other children and to
discuss what happened—give
them an opportunity to really
decompress, I guess, after the
earthquake,” she said.
Although both the women
and children seemed to love
the games and conversations,
Lovely also believed the team
impacted Nepali villagers by
simply showing up.
“When you go halfway
around the world, you’ve
already done a great deal to
lift someone’s burden because
just by default, your presence in their life says, ‘I care,’
An elderly woman laughs as she blows
up a balloon. She’s participating in a
group therapy session for survivors of
last year’s devastating earthquakes in
Nepal. The balloon is part of an activity
conducted by trained Nepali volunteers
and by visitors from the United States.
Photo courtesy of Wanda Lovely
because you didn’t show up by
accident,” she said. “You went
around the world to meet
people who are desperate, and
your only motivation is to be
there to hear their story and to
use whatever tools are at your
disposal to help alleviate their
pain and carry their burdens.”
She also clearly remembered how Bible stories
affected locals. Lovely said
she acted out the story of the
sick woman, told in the fifth
chapter of Mark, who received
healing from Christ merely
by touching his robe. An old
woman in the crowd cried.
That biblical story of healing
had given her hope.
Anyone who wants to follow in the footsteps of this
team and help other disaster
survivors recover can easily
volunteer through BGR. Email
[email protected] for more
information. Or, visit www.
gobgr.org/volunteer/requests
to read about other ways to
volunteer.
Lily Jameson is a staff writer
for Baptist Global Response.
Page 6 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2016
to give you a concise look into
the heart and mind of a group
leader.
By Dwayne Lee
My role in the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio
has afforded me the privilege
of getting to know other state
convention leaders in the Sunday School/Small Group area.
As we have the opportunity to
talk with one another, we find
that many of our trials and
victories are the same. Many
of the situations we deal with
in our churches are the same.
Therefore, we are constantly looking for materials
and resources to share with
those who are looking for
ways to accelerate their groups
forward. As a result, we were
compelled to collaborate, using our resources and combined experiences, to write a
practical guide for our Pastors, Ministers of Education
and Sunday School Directors
to use to train adult leaders or
potential leaders.
This guide is entitled, “Lead
Your Group”. It is designed for
those currently participating
in a
group setting, or
prayerfully considering it. The
guide consists
of eight chapters designed
• Chapter one gives you an
overview of leadership and
what fundamental characteristics are found in a leader.
• Chapter two helps you to
understand that you need to
lead with a clear vision.
• Chapter three show you
that being a leader takes a
fresh walk with God.
• Chapter four shows you
how to have measurable
growth.
• Chapter five shares with
you how to make your learning experiences impactful.
• Chapter six challenges you
to reach for disciples.
• Chapter seven shows you
the shepherding side of leading and how to bring others
along with you.
• Chapter eight shows you
the importance and benefit of
multiplying groups.
We are very excited to
share this resource with our
churches and leaders across
our state. To receive a copy
of the material or to have this
taught in your church please
contact either Dwayne Lee at
614-601-6824 or dlee@scbo.
org; or Wendy Hammock
at 614-601-6826 or [email protected].
Missions Camp
Seneca Lake Baptist Assembly
June 13-17, 2016
early bird deadline May 13 - $150 per person
deadline May 23 - $160 per person
For More inForMation and registration visit
www.scbo.org/seneca_lake_caMps
Boys Track
For boys who have Finished 1st grade and older.
Girls Track
For girls who have Finished 2nd-6th grade.
Run the Race
1 Timothy 4:8
Man Up
1 Corinthians 16:13
Prayer Boot
Camps
By Sheri Bogardus
Claude King facilitated a
powerful experience two different days with 238 participants, representing seventyone different churches from
four states. King believes that
God has given him the means
to equip an army of prayer
warriors that are serious about
praying and are willing to
teach others to pray.
Each participant received
the book The Battle Plan for
Prayer by Alex and Stephen
Kendrick and the “Basic
Training For A Life of Prayer”
learning map developed by
Claude V. King along with
access to all handouts, Power
Points, video clips, promotional fliers and other materials needed to facilitate a
Prayer Bootcamp of your own.
Why call it Bootcamp?
Bootcamp is a training camp
for warriors and the day was
spent training on the battle
plan for how to pray with
power and purpose and how
to duplicate this camp to train
others. The participants were
divided up into quads of 4-6
people and then larger groups
called squads. Women were
grouped with women and men
with men which lead to more
open, honest sharing within
your same peer group.
King used the A.C.T.S.
model for prayer which is Ad-
oration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication and
times for each specific prayer
type were woven throughout
the day as we learned how to
pray. King shared the example
for a prayer posture using the
Medieval Homage Ceremony.
We learned the keys to effective prayer and the prayer
breakers called locks. One of
the specific battle tactics King
used is that of a prayer target.
In the middle of each target
we were invited to put a
face or a name to help us
zero in on each specific
person or need with our
prayers.
Suggestions were given
on how to duplicate this
method of prayer tactics
in a retreat, small group,
prayer meeting or half day
seminar.
Prayer is about our
relationship with God.
We commune with God
to know Him, love Him
and worship Him. Prayer
does not change God
but it changes us. Prayer
conforms us to the Head
which is God and God is
glorified through answered
prayer. Prayer can accomplish what a willing
April 2016 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 7
God can accomplish. Jesus
our mediator opened the veil
and John 14:6 tells us “No one
comes to the Father except
through Me”. We need to
understand how powerful a
weapon prayer is, develop a
battle plan for effective
prayer and then by all
means, pray!
King invited us to
come on this journey
with him as God develops His army of prayer
warriors. What would a
church look like that was devoted to prayer? What would
God do in our nation if we
were devoted to prayer?
We continue to hear positive feedback from the participants regarding how they
Facilitator Claude King
are using this method to train
other people in their own
churches and local areas.
If you want to know more
about hosting a Prayer Boot
Camp for your church, please
contact Steve Hopkins at
[email protected].
Page 8 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2016
Picture Captions Clockwise: Snacks Class, Charlotte Barbo lead the crafts core session, Lots of great decorating ideas, Children’s Choir is Bubbling Up, Child Evangelism
taught by Jack Helton Evangelism Resource Group Leader, We are thankful for Tim Cremean and our great partnership with LifeWay Christian Stores
VBSI 2016
By Wendy Hammock
On Saturday, March 5,
2016, we hosted the 7th annual VBS Institute of Ohio at
Jersey Baptist Church in New
Albany, Ohio. We had 340+ in
attendance and 56 churches
taking part. The day began
with a fun worship rally and
lots of door prize giveaways.
Folks went from worship rally
to their core sessions where
they learned the ins and outs
of their position at VBS. We
broke for lunch and had time
for people to debrief on what
they learned as well as make
their final purchases in the
full VBS bookstore that was
on-site. After lunch attendees
were able to pick from a dozen
options of electives, such as
snacks, decorating on a dime
and child evangelism. At the
conclusion of our training we
had a 60-voice choir made up
of six churches and a drama
team of 5 that performed the
VBS musical which ended the
day on a high note.
Since the event we have
been getting lots of e-mails
and phone calls to say “thank
you” and let us know how
excited their VBS staff are
about this years Vacation Bible
School. Here is a note from
one of our churches that attended for the first time:
“I had the fantastic opportunity to attend the Submerged
Institute on Saturday, what a
great event! The other members
of my church from Full Gospel
Sons of God really enjoyed it as
well. So thank you!!!
Our church is from Columbus,
Ohio and we are “newbies” to
the Ohio VBS Institute. Every
leader that attended received
wonderful ideas and encouragement to help us create a top
notch Bible school experience.
At the end of the day we were
energized and excited to “Submerge” ourselves into the youth
and our community. We can’t
wait to see what the Lord has
in store. Let your light shine
friends! (Matthew 5:16)”
~Jeniece Jackson
We have several VBS clinics
coming up in the month of
April that we would love for
you and your VBS team to be
a part of if you were unable
to attend VBSI. Please check
www.scbo.org to find the
upcoming dates and locations.
We won’t have a bookstore
at these clinics, but if you
get your orders requested in
advance, then we will have
them pulled and ready for you
at the clinic with no shipping
charges. Contact [email protected] for more
information.
Please let us know when
and where your VBS will be
held so that we might be in
prayer for you this summer.
Go to our Facebook page at
VBS Ohio. You can also post
pictures and share stories
there. We even suggest that
you use this page to swap
ideas and decorations with
fellow churches.
April 2016 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 9
Clinics are free
(Directors/Pastors, Preschool, Bible study
grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-12, crafts, music, missions, snacks and recreation) and sample of the
Worship Rally. Preregistration is
required for the Cleveland clinic.
Please send pre-orders 2 weeks
prior to the clinic and we will have
the order for you at the clinic.
Please note date and location
that you wish to receive the
materials.
April 23 9:00am Dayton
April 14 6:30pm Northcoast
April 16 9:00am Buckeye Central/Erie
April 23 9:00am Cleveland
April 26 7:00pm Cincinnati
check out our
VBS pages at www.scbo.org
For more
information contact
Wendy Hammock:
www.scbo.org
W
NE TE
DA
o
and offer a condensed
version of the core classes
[email protected]
Regional
VBS Clinics
2016
The Forum is a time for Ohio church planters and wives who are within the first
four years of their plant to fellowship with and learn from each other. There is
no charge to planters for this event; food and lodging will be paid for with
Cooperative Program funds. Associational Missionaries and Church Planter
Catalysts are also invited.
We will begin at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 5th at Dublin Baptist Church, 7195
Coffman Road, Dublin and conclude early afternoon Friday, the 6 th.
Register by contacting Charlotte Barbo at [email protected]
by April 22, 2016.
Page 10 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2016
It’s a New Day!
By Stephanie Heading
“It’s a new day, and we have
new opportunities before us,”
said SCBO Missions Support
and Mobilization (MSM) Resource Group Leader Duane
Floro as he opened the first
meeting of the newly-formed
MSM Leadership Team which
met for a two-day retreat at
Salt Fork State Park in eastern
Ohio. The leadership group
of over forty people, which
represented multiple missions
ministries across Ohio, included SCBO Mission Council members, Ron Coppock,
Annette Dessecker, Joanne
Hopkins, and Faye Rodgers.
Floro challenged those
gathered to consider the goals
and focus of MSM. “What
does God want to accomplish
in the world through the ministries of Missions Support
Dr. Jack Kwok, SCBO Executive Director, encouraged the MSM Leadership
Team in its work to advance the Kingdom.
and Mobilization (MSM)?”
He shared that believers
across Ohio were praying for
the retreat and the work of
MSM. “Every moment here,
we are on holy ground,” said
Floro. “This has a ripple effect
and will have eternal consequences.”
The Friday night conference time focused on the
purpose, values, and success
indicators that will propel
MSM forward. “Our purpose
is all things missions Ohio,
both locally and globally,” said
Floro.
The values of MSM support that purpose. First, MSM
comes along side of Southern Baptists with resources,
education, networking, partnerships and opportunities
regarding missions. Second,
MSM provides strategies to
take the gospel to the various
cultures and people groups to
make Christ known. Third,
MSM provides Christ-like
Members of the Mission Support and Mobilization Leadership Team
met March 11-12 at Salt Fork State Park in eastern Ohio for a time of
fellowship, brainstorming and planning.
dressed and encouraged the
participants. Using Acts 1:8,
he shared that the challenge
to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts
of the world is different than
Duane Floro, MSM Resource Group Leader, shared the purpose, values and success indicators of the MSM ministry with the Leadership Team.
ministries for individuals and
churches to serve in practical
ways. Finally, the members
of MSM serve together to
enhance each ministry that is
part of the MSM.
In addition its values,
multiple factors also give
indication of the success of
MSM ministries, according
to Floro. Those indicators
include development, communication, and involvement,
as well as addressing needs
and establishing relationships.
A final success indicator that
overarches everything else is
“This is a year of grace.” Floro
told participants that because
MSM is a new resource group,
this year will involve making
mistakes and giving grace to
each other moving forward.
Dr. Jack Kwok, SCBO
Executive Director, ad-
many Christians believe. “Far
too many people want them
to be sequential. They are
to be done simultaneously,”
said Kwok. “You are the heart
of Mission Ohio as we reach
Ohio with the gospel of Jesus
Christ and go out into the
world. For the time in which
we are living, we are not just
going to hold the ministry
together and tread water. He
is bringing us together to
advance His Kingdom.”
As they were casting a vision and plan for the future
of MSM, the leadership
team also enjoyed a time of
fellowship, entertainment,
and inspiration provided by
Rhonda and Brian Shoemaker
of Louisville, Ky. The Shoemakers performed comedy
sketches, sang, and shared a
time of devotion and testi-
mony on Friday night and
again Saturday morning.
Brian Shoemaker challenged
the team to “cross to the other
side” in missions and ministry,
based on Mark 4 and 5.
Saturday sessions began
early with the team tackling
the identity, understanding
and future of MSM. “We
are not defining success by
programs,” said Floro. He explained that in the past SCBO
was seen as providing resources, such as materials, training,
and funding. However, now
MSM has experienced a shift
to ministry based on relationship -- becoming listeners
to enhance Kingdom work;
caregivers to help churches
throughout the state, and networkers to connect those who
have a desire to work with
Ohio-based ministries.
“God continues to raise
people up for such a time as
this,” said Floro. “It’s not just
about us in this room. God is
doing phenomenal things.”
Participants spent time
brainstorming how to enlist,
train, and involve more Ohio
Baptists in missions projects
and activities. They also discussed ways to showcase the
vast needs across Ohio and
how to present them to individuals, churches, and associations. “I’m all about telling
our story,” said Floro.
New Day continued on page 14
April 2016 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 11
Rejoice! Southeast Women’s Spring Retreat
By Jean DiFilippo
“Absolutely Awesome!”
“Wonderful!” “So inspiring!”
“Absolutely Wonderful!”
“Very Inspirational & lifting”
“Amazing – So much I did not
know.” “Outstanding.” “Awesome! Would love to learn
more.”
These are just a few of the
comments made by ladies who
attended the Southeast Women’s Spring Retreat “Rejoice!”
in Jackson, Ohio on March 5.
Our key-note speaker, Elvenor Johns, was very inspiring
as she taught about rejoicing
through the book of Philippians. Worship leaders, Cathy
Klapper and Tammy Vander
Schuur, did an excellent job
as they led us in praising and
rejoicing in our savior.
Each of the breakout leaders
did a fantastic job!
Sharon Colvin taught how
we can be “Bridges of Grace”
to women facing challenges
in their lives and possibly
considering abortion.
Sheri Bogardus taught how
the Ancient Jewish wedding
customs and the “Feasts of the
Lord” are related to the “Bride
of Christ”.
Barb Lanctot invited
women to attend an “Operation Christmas Child” party
and experience how it feels
for children around the world
when they receive shoeboxes
filled with gifts.
Mary Winks hosted a “Pastors’ Wives Tea” during which
pastors’ wives relaxed, shared
their stories and enjoyed a
time of fellowship and prayer.
Three pastors in the Scioto
Valley Baptist Association –
Dobie Wyant (Emmanuel,
Jackson), Paul Winks (FBC,
Frankfort) and Jim DiFilippo
(FBC, Athens) graciously
served breakfast and lunch.
Cathy Klapper &
Tammy Vander Schurr
Be sure to check the calendar
at SCBO.org for upcoming spring and fall women’s
retreats. We promise you will
be blessed!
Regional Women’s Spring Retreats Continue Around Ohio
By Stephanie Heading
As winter leaves Ohio and
spring begins to bloom, Women’s Regional Spring Retreats
are popping up across Ohio.
Two retreats have already
taken place, and three more
are scheduled for April and
May, providing Ohio women
the opportunity to spend time
in fellowship, study and fun.
Ohio WMU President Sue
Stickel encourages ladies to
take advantage of these retreat
opportunities. “I personally
get rejuvenated and excited to
grow in my relationship with
Christ, not only with Him but
other ladies,” said Stickel. “You
get ideas, encouragement and
best of all time away to focus
on Christ and rest from your
daily routine.”
The Southwest Regional
Women’s Spring Retreat is set
for April 16 from 8 AM to 4
PM at First Baptist Church
Waynesville. The theme for
the event is “Encouraging
One Another,” and is based on
Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let
us consider how we may spur
one another on toward love
and good deeds. And let us
not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another – and all the more as
you see the Day approaching.”
Based on this theme, eight
breakout sessions will be
offered throughout the day.
They include: Encouraging
Others in a Broken World led
by Norma McMurry; Encouraging Others through Mission
Offerings led by Jean DiFilippo; How to be an Encouraging
Wife led by Joanne Hopkins;
Encouragement Enriched led
by Debbie Brownfield; How to
Encourage the Hard to Love
and the Unloving led by Linda
Luedeman; Encouraging Chil-
dren led by Linda Johnson;
Encouragement Starts with
Seeing God led by Katelynn
Bamberg; and Encouraging
through Mentoring led by
Ashley Cockerham.
In addition to the breakout
sessions, the Southwest Regional Women’s Spring Retreat
will also feature speaker
Norma McMurry, as well
as worship with (re)Kindle.
Continental breakfast and
lunch are also provided.
Registration for the Southwest
Regional Women’s Spring
Retreat is $20 per person until
April 4. Registration after that
date and those at the door
are $25 per person. Registration forms and instructions
are available at the following
websites: www.scbo.org, www.
gdab.org, and www.cincinnatibaptist.com.
Two additional Regional
Women’s Spring Retreats are
upcoming with the Metro Columbus Women’s Spring Event
set for Saturday, April 30 from
9 AM to 2 PM at Jersey Baptist
Church. The theme of this
event is “Priceless Praise” and
features speaker Janice Brown.
Registration is $20 before
April 1 and $30 after April 1.
Active pastor’s wives attend
free. To register, visit www.
jerseychurch.org.
The final retreat is the East
Regional Ladies Spring Retreat
May 13-14 at Seneca Lake
Baptist Assembly. Ladies ages
10 years old and older are welcome to this event which will
feature “Butterfly Ridge” Dinner Theater. Registration cost
is $30 per person and room
costs will vary based on lodging chosen. For more information, contact Sheri Bogardus at
614-601-1814 or sbogardus@
scbo.org or you can register
online at www.scbo.org.
Page 12 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2016
Six Muskingum Valley Churches hold February VBS in
Maine as part of Three-Strand Partnership
By Stephanie Heading
Winter in New England
and Vacation Bible School are
not usually two things that go
together in the minds of most
people. But this past February,
a team of six churches from
the Muskingum Valley Baptist
Association traveled to Windsor, Maine, during a time of
year known for harsh weather,
and held VBS during winter
break at Windsor Christian
Fellowship.
The project was part of
the new SCBO Three Strand
Partnership between the Ohio,
Tennessee, and New England
Conventions which was approved last fall at the SCBO
Annual Meeting. Chris
Rhodes, pastor of Dover
Baptist Temple, was part of the
initial vision team that traveled to Maine last year and led
the team to Windsor for the
VBS project.
“God showed up and did
incredible work,” said Rhodes.
“He did more than we can
imagine.”
The team of 20 spent nine
days on mission, traveling to
Maine and holding VBS. The
churches involved were Dover
Baptist Temple, Community
Baptist in Dover, Pleasant Hill
in Steubenville, Living Waters
in Sardis, Faith Baptist in Belle
Valley, and Trinity Baptist in
Cambridge. In addition to
Rhodes, four pastors were also
a part of the mission team.
They include: Andy McClung
from Community Baptist; Jay
Loucks from Pleasant Hill;
James Ng from Living Waters;
Brandon Dyer from Windsor Christian Fellowship in
Maine.
The project was not without
its challenges, according to
Becky Langsdorf (Living Water Baptist Church, Sardis, Ohio) teaching
through puppets.
Rhodes. The team left Ohio
and on its first night’s stop in
New York, the temperature
was -13. When they awoke
the next morning, the temperature had dropped to -18
and the starter in their van
had frozen. “We used a blow
torch to warm it up and get it
started,” said Rhodes.
Weather, especially the
temperature, was a big concern for the group. Last Sep-
Learning scripture through the power of song.
tember they
began to
pray for the
best weather
Maine had
ever seen in
February.
According to
Rhodes, God
answered
56 children and 30
those prayers. through VBS
“It was 45 degrees Monday
afternoon and in the 40s the
entire week we were in Maine.”
During the same week in 2015
it had been -20 all week. “It
was 60 degrees warmer,” said
Rhodes. “God does incredible
things.”
Upon arriving in Windsor,
Maine, the group transformed
Windsor Christian Fellowship
into Mt. Kilimanjaro for VBS.
The group brought prizes
including two Windows 10
tablets and an Android tablet
to give away in addition to
bags of candy for the children.
“They had never seen VBS
done like this,” said Rhodes.
The people of Windsor
responded to the efforts of the
team and 56 children attended
VBS. “With workers, we had
86 people for the week,” said
Rhodes. “We had four children get saved. They couldn’t
remember when they had that
many saved.”
However, more than children were impacted by the
group’s presence. Rhodes said
a parent of a child attending
VBS pulled him aside one
evening and asked, “What are
they paying you to be here?
What are you getting out of
this?” He explained that their
adults impacted by the gospel of Christ
group had paid their own way
to be in Windsor to do VBS.
“They had never heard of
adults paying to go on a mission trip,” said Rhodes.
Not only did the group impact the community, they also
impacted Windsor Christian
Fellowship. Toward the end
of their stay, people from the
church began talking about
how they needed to hold VBS
next year during winter break.
Rhodes and the mission team
made a decision. “We said,
‘how about we come back every February for the next five
years?’” Windsor Christian
Fellowship accepted the offer
and the two groups plan to
work together through 2021.
However, the Muskingum
Valley group is going to do
more than just provide VBS
for the church. They are also
going to mentor the people of
Windsor Christian. For the
first two years, the group will
lead VBS. In the third and
fourth years, the people of
Windsor Christian will take
more responsibility. By the
time their five year partnership is over, the Windsor congregation will take full control
of VBS.
This five-year partnership
will require commitment from
the Muskingum Valley team.
While many of this year’s team
are planning to return for next
year’s VBS project, Rhodes says
more team members are needed.
“We are trying to raise a larger
team for next year. We want to
reach out to more church plants.”
In addition to having an impact on the town of Windsor and
the members of Windsor Christian Fellowship, the mission team
was impacted as well. “It has
energized us,” said Rhodes. “They
have caught the notion that mission work becomes the natural
lifeblood of the Christian.
For more information about
the Three Strand Partnership
and how to get involved, contact
Duane Floro, Mission Support
and Mobilization Resource Group
Leader at [email protected] or
Three Strand Partnership Point
Person Mark Jones at [email protected].
April 2016 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 13
2016 Men’s Summit
$10,000 Cash
New set of Irons
$500 Visa Gift Card
Marriott Weekend Get-Away
10:30-11:50 am
11:00-11:45 am
12:00 pm
5:00pm
Check-in & Driving Range
Lunch Hamburgers, Brats and a Drink
Shotgun Start
Dinner, Proximity Prizes & Awards
By Mark Daubenmire
A day doesn’t go by where people are
not engaged in a conversation about the
problems that exist in the world today
and how they can be fixed. We are facing a rise in divorce, fatherless homes,
abortion, juvenile disrespect, drugs,
and so on. And we typically look to the
powers-that-be to correct these problems. But the truth is, whether inside or
outside the church, these problems are
sadly similar.
The first place we need to start is
with ourselves. As Christian men we
need to understand . . .
If you want to change a child . . .
change the FATHER.
If you want to change a marriage . .
. change the HUSBAND.
And if you want to change the
world . . . change the MAN.
The Men’s Summit came about as the
result of a deepened desire to aid men
in their spiritual growth; to portray biblical manhood and how it is to be lived
out in today’s world.
We just hosted our fourteenth annual Men’s Summit at Urbancrest in
Lebanon, OH in January 2016. We had
over 800 men in attendance, and were
humbled to see so many decisions made
throughout the two-day event. Our
guest speakers were Joe Veal with You
Turn Ministries, Carl Kerby with Reasons for Hope, and Tom Pendergrass
from Urbancrest.
Let me invite you now to “Save the
Date” for next year’s Men’s Summit on
January 27-28, 2017.
Page 14 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2016
New Day continued from page 10
The weekend impacted many
of those who participated. “I
would say I found value in
the networking, and sharing
of ideas,” said Dan Stevenson,
pastor of New Heights Fellowship and Director of Life Station
in Toledo. “It helps conquer
the feeling of loneliness that
comes with leadership in these
ministries. You feel you are less
alone. There are challenges we
all share and when you get into
the field we forget that everybody is dealing with somewhat
the same things.”
A deeper understanding of
the ministry of MSM was also
found. “I have a greater appreciation of our work and a desire
to know more needs,” said Ron
Coppock, interim pastor of
Meadowdale Baptist Church in
the Dayton area.
As the meeting drew to a
close, team members spent
time in prayer, encouraged
by Hebrews 10:24-25. “Put
wheels on the wagon and do
something with what you have
learned,” said Floro. “He who
promised is faithful.”
For more information about
the ministries of the Missions
Support and Mobilization
Resource Group, contact Duane
Floro at 614-601-6854 or email
at [email protected].
Brian and Rhonda Shoemaker of
Louisville, KY provided entertainment and inspiration for the MSM
Leadership Team. They sang, performed comedy skits and shared a
time of devotion. David Francis, Director of Sunday School for LifeWay Christian Resources
will be our featured speaker Monday, September 12 from 10 AM to 3 PM
The event, materials and lunch are free, but registration is required
Register at www.cincinnatibaptist.com
Event will be held at FBC South Lebanon, OH, 505 W Mason Rd 45065
Missions Resource Roundtable
By Duane Floro
Mission Resource Round
Table was held this past February 6th at Circleville First
Baptist Church. Our theme
was “You Hold the Key,” based
on Matthew 16:19. “I will give
you the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, and whatever you
bind on earth shall be bound
in heaven, and whatever you
loose on earth shall be loosed in
heaven.”
We gathered for all things
missions. Our guest speaker
was Ohio’s own, Gary Frost
who challenged all to pray and
be personally on mission. Jim
Murray, formerly of the Imperials brought our music. Paul
Kim, Asian American Rela-
tions Consultant of Executive
Committee, SBC shared in our
breakout sessions regarding
discipleship in church planting. Many also enjoyed additional breakouts on various
mission topics. Nearly 200
people attended. Majority expressed appreciation for what
they were able to take away
from the experience.
Our next Mission Resource
Round Table will be held at
Dublin Baptist Church on
February 4th, 2017. Our
theme will be “Reaching New
Heights.” “I can do all things
through him who strengthens
me.” – Philippians 4:13
April 2016 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 15
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 twoday session, beginning on Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and concluding on Saturday around lunchtime. 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.
Friday
6:00 PM
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Registration
“Involving Southern Baptists in Disaster Relief”
Saturday
7:15 AM
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
May
13-14
Trinity Baptist Church
1360 Highland Avenue
Cambridge, Ohio 43725
May
20-21
First Baptist Church Fairborn
1167 Highview Drive
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
November 18-19
Living Hope Church
16701 Square Drive
Marysville, Ohio 43040
PRE-REGISTRATION
IS REQUIRED FOR
ALL TRAINING.
CONTACT SAM KELLEY 614-309-9751 OR
[email protected] TO REGISTER
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).
Page 16 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | April 2016
PRESS TOWARD THE MARK
Southern Baptist messengers in the annual meeting
designated April 10, 2016 as
Cooperative Program Day.
Resources are available on
the SCBO website www.scbo.
org/cp and the SBCwebsite
http://www.sbc.net/cp/resources/to assist your church
in the celebration of this day.
The Southern Baptist Cooperative Mission Program
supports Southern Baptist
mission work in “Jerusalem,
Judea, Samaria, and to the
ends of the earth” simultaneously. Messengers and guests
will gather June 14-15, 2016
in St.Louis, MO to celebrate
and conduct mission business. I encourage you to
participate as an elected
messenger from your church
or as a guest. The SBC
website http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc16/default.
aspprovides helpful information. Crossover St. Louis
occurs the Saturday prior to
the convention: June 11. To
participate, access http://
www.namb.net/crossover/ for
information and registration.
IMPACT Dayton is another evangelistic outreach
opportunity right here in
Ohio. This is a collective effort of God’s people to share
the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
to demonstrate God’s love
through practical acts of service throughout the Dayton
area, and to help strengthen
churches and ministries in
the Greater Dayton Association of Baptists (GDAB). On
July 16, 2016 we anticipate
Christians from all over the
country to participate in
this unique outreach to the
people living in and around
Dayton, Ohio. We want you
to be a part of this exciting
ministry. Access http://www.
scbo.org/content/administration/event/impact-daytonjuly-16-2016 to volunteer.
With the Dayton July 16,
2016 event, we have conducted an Intensive Mission
Projects to Affect Community Transformation outreach
in every association of Mission Ohio. Dayton Southern
Baptists have participated in
every IMPACT since 2001.
Let’s show our appreciation
by helping them July 16,
2016.
IMPACT has contributed
significantly to Mission Ohio.
Mission Ohio is the cooperative effort of Southern Baptists to reach 1,000 believers
in 2,020 congregations by
the end of 2020. Let’s press
toward that mark.
Jack Kwok, Ph.D.
Executive Director-Treasurer
State Convention of Baptists in Ohio
How to submit Church News
Send all church news and information to Linnett Snodgrass at [email protected]
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.
Jack Kwok, State Convention Executive Director-Treasurer, Editor;
Linnett Snodgrass, Administrative Assistant; Amanda Mishne, 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.