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VOLUME 73 ISSUE 7 JULY 2025
SBC25 in Dallas Marked by Celebration, Debate
Full story on page 8
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Featured This Month Highlights Abound from SBC25 in Dallas by Dr. Jeremy Westbrook
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President’s Pen by Adam Pursel
Reasons for Encouragement in the Northwest Region
Regional Worship Catalysts, Worship Gatherings Available to Ohio Leaders
SCBO Partners with Worship Teach Coach Travel with us to Day of Renewal in New York City SBC25 in Dallas Marked by Celebration, Debate At 100, CP’s Past Portends Bright Future
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Celebrating the Cooperative Program Episode Three: CP100 - Gary Frost 10 Southern Baptists Unite to Send 58 New IMB Missionaries During SBC Annual Meeting 12 Ohio Pastors Experience “Southern” Hospitality in Louisville 14 From Dallas to the Streets of Circleville, Ohio 16 A Burden for Bivocational Pastors 16 Registration Open for Young Adult 1825 Conference at Lifepoint 17
The Ohio Baptist Messenger Staff
Dr. Jeremy Westbrook, editor-in-chief Stephanie Heading, managing editor
Seth Wicker, digital communication assistant AJ Frasure, director of IT
-- Tell us your story -- The Ohio Baptist Messenger is a monthly publication highlighting what the Lord is doing in SCBO churches or min- istries, and we need your help! Tell us your story and we could feature it in an upcoming issue of The Messenger . Please submit your stories to messenger@scbo.org. For more information, please contact Stephanie Heading at messenger@scbo.org.
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Highlights Abound from SBC25 in Dallas With over 18,000 individuals gathering together in Dal- las, the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention is now in the books. There are many joys of being at the Annual Meet- ing, but for me, seeing so many Ohio Baptists and repre- senting the SCBO is always a blessing.
testimonies as well as a special message from Dr. Jeff Iorg. I had the honor and joy of being asked to share at this CP100 dinner celebration. What a special blessing it was to share stories and statistics on how the Lord is using faithful pastors and leaders from across the Buckeye State to reach both men and women with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is at work among us, and I am thankful for the kind and charitable spirit all week long from fellow Southern Baptists. Clint Pressley was re-elected for another year as SBC president, and the SBC Cooperative Program allocation budget was approved without amendment. Let us remember to be charitable to one another as we agree to disagree as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us also stay focused on the mission - making and mul- tiplying disciples across Ohio and around the world for Christ! Moving forward,
As great as it is to hear wonderful preaching, see friends from all over the country, and visit the exhibit halls, the annual highlight for me is always the commissioning of our new missionaries at the IMB Sending Celebration. We commissioned 58 more obedient followers of Christ to take the gospel to the nations! This is why we give and go - to take the gospel across the street and around the world. We also heard that baptisms were up in 31 state conven- tions in 2024. Thank you, SCBO family, for your faithful giving to the Cooperative Program, Lottie Moon Christ- mas Offering, and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering that helped make this possible. A major emphasis this year was the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program. Displays and exhibit booths shared important documents and photos from the 1925 SBC meeting in Memphis, TN, commemorating this unique and new method of funding. In addition to the celebrations throughout each day, there was a special gathering on Tuesday evening. Nearly 1,000 pastors and SBC leaders gathered to hear
Dr. Jeremy Westbrook Executive Director-Treasurer, SCBO
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President’s Pen The Spirit vs.The Flesh
Great things are happening through our cooperation in the Southern Baptist Convention. The enemy doesn’t like that. Missionaries are being sent; churches are being planted, re-planted, and re-vitalized; leaders are being trained; the Gospel is being proclaimed; and lives are being transformed by the power of Christ! The enemy doesn’t like any of that. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The enemy doesn’t like any of that either. Just above the fruit of the Spirit, Paul gives us a different kind of list… “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” The enemy loves that stuff. One of the great things about our cooperation is that it’s a really big group. And in any large group of people, there will be: Genuine disagreements among faithful believers Wolves in sheep’s clothing The challenge we have is that we sometimes think people from Group 1 are members of Group 2. Further, we think that the best way to deal with either group is to embrace the enemy’s tactics… enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, rivalries, dissensions, and divisions. The enemy loves that stuff. Believers can disagree. Believers can disagree sharply. But disagreement is never an excuse to reject the commands of Christ. So, let’s strive to love one another, even amid sincere disagreements. Let’s strive to increase the degree to which we exemplify the fruit of the Spirit. Let’s work to ensure that our conversations are marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control instead of enmity and strife. Grace and Peace, Adam Pursel SCBO President 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ga 5:22-24). (2016). Crossway Bibles.
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Reasons for Encouragement in the Northwest Region Blessings from the Northwest Region. For many of us, summer is a time to reset. We are celebrating gradua- tions, spending extra time with family, and taking vaca- tions after a busy spring. As we reflect, there’s so much to be thankful for here in the Northwest Region. By Matt Pardi, Northwest Region catalyst
Another is in Northwood, where we’ve seen First Baptist Church, Northwood and Oregon Baptist Church unite. Both mergers have resulted in new people, salvations, baptisms, and a renewed sense of purpose. God is clearly at work! We are also encouraged by the partnership with FBC Perrysburg and All-Nation Baptist Church. Their connec- tion and sharing is a blessing to all involved. Whatever season your church is in—whether you need revitalization, are exploring a merger, or pursuing a new vision for 2026—we hope that SCBO can be a bless- ing and encouragement to you. We truly believe we are better together. Through our partnerships, associations, and regional efforts, we can bring more glory to God in Ohio. Thank you for all you are doing to serve the Lord. And thank you for your faithful giving to the Cooperative Program. Your generosity is helping us serve and equip churches across our state. We are going in a great di- rection! Lastly, one of last year’s highlights was our regional out- ing to a Toledo Mud Hens game. It was a fun night of fellowship, food, and family. We’re excited to do it again this summer on Friday, July 18 at 7 pm at Fifth Third Field in Toledo. We’d love to have you, your spouse, and your kids join us! It’s a small token of our appreciation for all you do for the kingdom of God. Please let us know how we can pray for you and serve you.
We are grateful to prayerfully and financially support four effective ministries that are making a real impact in the NW: WellSpring, serving the internationals; Life Station and Mosaic Ministries, serving the poor and needy, and The Disciples House, ministering to those in prison. “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 Caring for the needy and reaching the outsider is at the heart of humility and Christ’s mission—and it’s our joy to be part of that work. We’re also encouraged by the spirit of humility and unity we’re seeing in local church mergers in the region. Each church is unique—some large, some small, some urban, some rural, some newly planted, and others revitalizing through partnership. No matter the size or setting, our passion is to serve pastors and support churches in the ways God is leading. Church mergers are an encouragement in the Northwest Region. One example is at Gateway Church, Toledo, where two congregations came together in humility to form a stronger, unified church.
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Regional Worship Catalysts, Worship Gatherings Available to Ohio Leaders By Zac James, SCBO worship consultant
In the past year and a half, I’ve tried to learn as much as I possibly can about how Southern Baptists are serving churches across the country in the area of worship. Through conferences, contacts, and some wonderful friendships, I’ve gotten to see what other states are do- ing in worship ministry. Georgia and South Carolina are utilizing a model that I would like to replicate in Ohio. It’s very similar to what SCBO does with regional catalysts but applied to worship ministry. Here’s the vision: I want to have a regional worship con- sultant in all six regions of Ohio and build a team that can serve our 600-plus churches more effectively. However, it’s not just a vision. It’s happening! I’m thrilled to announce that we are rolling out regional worship consultants in four of our six regions!! These regional worship catalysts are high-capacity lead- ers who serve in our SCBO churches as well as helping our churches as volunteers behind the scenes. Let me introduce you to our new team: Northeast Region - Kevin Lorow, worship pastor, Cuyahoga Valley Church, Cleveland. Central Region - Joe Kibbey, worship pastor, Living Hope Church, Columbus. Southwest Region - David Anderson, worship pastor, Lakota Hills BC, Cincinnati. Southeast Region - Sarah Walton, worship director, The Bridge Ministries, Lancaster. Pastors, these leaders will be driving new regional wor- ship gatherings, and I urge you to require your worship leader to attend. We are planning these events for times when bi-vocational and volunteer leaders will be more likely to be able to attend. These events will encourage them, sharpen them, and give them people they can call for help when they get stuck. If you don’t have a worship leader, come yourself or send whoever is leading as a volunteer. We deeply care about helping the people doing the work no matter their title, church size, or pay status. If you’re a church plant affiliated with NAMB/SEND, you are a huge priority for us. Our leaders have already been connected with SEND, and we want to help serve you however we can. Your generosity to Cooperative Program giving makes it possible for us to pursue excellence and encourage worship leaders, many of whom are bi-vocational or vol- unteers. For information about upcoming regional worship events, check out the Worship Gathering graphic.
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I’m excited to announce a partnership with a long-time Worship 4:24 speaker and vendor: Worship Teach Coach. Owned by Matt Miller, this awesome ministry has been serving churches in our state for years. Matt is offering every SCBO pastor in our state the fol - lowing free resources: 1. eBook: “How to Lead Your Disorganized Worship Pastor” 2. Guidebook for #1 to go through with your worship leader 3. eBook: “Worship Leadership Role Indicator” to help identify your worship leader’s strengths and weak- nesses Get Free Access to the Resource Bundle Now! I’ll let Matt share in his own words the heart behind Wor- ship Team Coach and how it can help you: Worship Teach Coach offers the support you need, right when you need it. Whether it’s mentoring your current worship leader, hiring a new one, or leading more effectively yourself, we offer coaching and solutions that are tailor-made for your sit- uation. We’ll work with you or your worship leader directly, help- ing to build the specific skills and spiritual leadership needed — from team building to worship planning to ministry management. And if you’re in the difficult season of hiring (or firing) a worship leader, we can guide you through it carefully — helping you avoid costly missteps that many churches make. Three Powerful Ways We Can Help : 1. Explore a Growth Plan and Mentoring; 2. Hire the Right Worship Leader; and 3. Lead Your Worship Pastor Better Every worship ministry challenge is unique — and your situation deserves a thoughtful, personalized approach. Here’s how to get started: 1. Schedule a Free Consultation SCBO Partners with Worship Teach Coach By Zac James, SCBO worship consultant
Travel with us to Day of Renewal in New York City By Steve Hopkins, SCBO Association and Prayer consultant LifeWay Research recently asked pastors, “Which of the following spiritual needs are important in your own life to invest in as a pastor?” 72% of pastors answered that consistency in personal prayer is their greatest spiritual need. Join a group from SCBO as we travel to New York for The 6:4 Fellowship Day of Renewal on July 29, in New York City at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Day of Renewal will inspire and equip you to build a supernaturally empowered ministry. This is an excellent opportunity for your entire leadership team to find practical tools and a fresh vision for a ministry powered by prayer. Featured speakers include Donald Whitney, Jim Cymbala, and Dan- iel Henderson. We will travel on Monday, July 28 and return on Wednesday, July 30. The day begins at 8:45 am on Tuesday and will conclude with Brooklyn Tabernacle’s Tuesday Night church-wide prayer meeting. SCBO will cover the registration fee for those from cooperating churches. If you are interest- ed in going with the group, please contact Steve Hopkins at SteveHopkins@scbo.org.
2. Talk with Us 3. Take Action
We’ll craft a clear action plan with up to three options that fit your goals and your budget. And if you decide not to move forward, no worries — there’s no pressure. Schedule Your Free Consultation Here
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More than 10,500 messengers registered for the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas. Photo by Roy Burroughs
SBC25 in Dallas Marked by Celebration, Debate
By Baptist Press staff
Southern Baptists celebrate 100th anniversary of BF&M and Cooperative Program Messengers celebrated two important milestones while in Dallas with resolutions and times of reflection marking the 100th anniversaries of the Baptist Faith and Mes- sage and the Cooperative Program. The commemoration included a video featuring Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler giving a brief history of Baptist confessions, the need for the BF&M and its continued place in the SBC. New Orleans pastor and former SBC president Fred Lut- er prayed for the Convention’s ongoing commitment to biblical fidelity. Mohler and Luter were joined by former New Orleans Seminary president Chuck Kelley and former Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission president Richard Land, all members of the committee that worked on the 2000 revision of Southern Baptists’ statement of faith. Southern Baptists also marked the centennial of the Co- operative Program, the SBC’s strategy for funding its missions and ministry. Since its inception in 1925, more than $20 billion has flowed through the Cooperative Pro - gram.
DALLAS (BP) – More than 18,000 people gathered at the Dallas convention center for the 2025 SBC Annual Meet- ing under the theme “Hold Fast” from Hebrews 10 and an urging from SBC President Clint Pressley to cling to what makes Southern Baptists unique. Messengers saw moments of celebration of Southern Baptist doctrine and cooperation as well as some mo- ments of intense debate about how best to protect them. Crossover takes Gospel across Dallas metroplex A sweltering Saturday in Dallas served as the capstone to a week of Gospel-centered outreach and service to the communities in the metroplex as Southern Baptists gathered for Crossover Dallas to reach the city. Through the help of local churches in Dallas, associa- tions like the Dallas Baptist Association, and the two state conventions, thousands of volunteers came along- side dozens of churches to proclaim the gospel through various outreach events ahead of the SBC Annual Meet- ing. “We had 89 churches locally involved in hosting events; 2,955 volunteers who participated,” NAMB vice presi- dent Tim Dowdy said in a report to messengers June 10. “We had 13,638 homes visited; 17,033 people heard the Gospel, and 711 people came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.”
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“Twenty billion!” Dr. Jeff Lorg emphasized. “Thank you, Southern Baptists, for every dollar you have given, the faithful giving of our forefathers, and for the immeasur- able, eternal impact of these results. We celebrate God’s past acts today, but more importantly, we build this me- morial so we can point to future generations and say, ‘This is what God can do through a people who cooper- ate together.’” In a resolution, messengers expressed thanks to God and “for Southern Baptist churches and individuals that give faithfully and sacrificially through the Cooperative Program.” Motions address ERLC, constitutional amendment Messengers narrowly defeated a proposed constitutional amendment and voted not to abolish the Ethics & Re - ligious Liberty Commission (ERLC) during the two-day session. A motion by Texas pastor Tom Buck to investi- gate claims that the SBC Executive Committee mistreat - ed and maligned a former EC chairman also failed.
A motion by Juan Sanchez, pastor of High Pointe Bap- tist in Austin, to amend the SBC Constitution to define a cooperating church as a congregation that “affirms, ap - points or employs only men as any kind of pastor” gained just over 60 percent of the vote, but failed to garner the first of two two-thirds majorities needed to adopt it. In the latest attempt to abolish or defund the ERLC, near - ly 57 percent of messengers voted to keep the entity. The motion to abolish was brought by Willy Rice, pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Fla. Southern Baptists hear from entities and seminaries Reports from SBC entities included updates on efforts and initiatives carried forward over the past year. Among the reports, messengers heard from the Interna- tional Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission , Guidestone Financial. Resources, Lifeway Christian Resources and all six SBC seminaries. Article courtesy of Baptist Press
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At 100, CP’s Past Portends Bright Future By David Roach, writer, Mobile, Alabama
NASHVILLE (BP) – It was a challenging time for the SBC’s Cooperative Program (CP). The U.S. economy slowed. Baptist leaders committed embarrassing and costly sins. As some alleged creeping liberalism in the Convention, doctrinal squabbles threatened cooperation. The SBC president put it this way: “Many of our people have become discouraged and disheartened, while oth- ers have lost their enthusiasm and devotion to kingdom work. We have seemed to be united in nothing but the opinion that the denomination is in a bad way.” If you think that’s a description of 2025, think again. That was the situation in the SBC nearly a century ago, de- scribed by then-SBC President W.J. McGlothlin. But the tide turned. Despite appearing on the brink of failure, CP persisted in what historians cite as an example for to- day’s SBC as the Cooperative Program turns 100 years old and faces similar trials. “In the midst of all those challenges, we always ad - dressed the individual challenge but under the overarch- ing idea that we needed to focus on remaining together,” said Lloyd Harsch, professor of church history and Bap- tist studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. A dark past The challenges to CP were serious in the 1920s and 1930s. First, there was the financial downturn. In 1919, the SBC launched a precursor program to CP, the 75 Million Campaign, to raise $75 million for Con- vention missions and ministries. By May 1920, South- ern Baptists had pledged $92.6 million to the campaign. Then recession hit before the pledges were fulfilled and actual gifts totaled just $58.6 million. Unfortunately, Convention ministries had committed themselves to spending in line with the pledges. That ne- cessitated SBC entities’ taking on debt of approximately $6.5 million by 1926, the equivalent of $117 million today. The Great Depression made matters worse. The dollar was worth less, and more money was required to repay the loans. Leadership failures compounded the problem. In 1928 it was discovered that Home Mission Board (HMB) treasur - er Clinton Carnes had stolen $909,461 – the equivalent of nearly $17 million today. The previous year, the For- eign Mission Board learned that its treasurer had stolen more than $103,000. The situation became so dire by the 1930s that HMB creditors suggested filing bankruptcy. Doctrinal divisions complicated the SBC’s efforts to uni - fy and climb out of its financial hole. Amid the Modern - ist-Fundamentalist Controversy of the early 20th century, Texas pastor J. Frank Norris attacked Convention leaders
Celebrating the Cooperative Program Episode Three: CP100 - Gary Frost
Throughout 2025, SCBO is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Cooperative Program with “CP100,” a series of interviews highlighting the im - pact of the Cooperative Program on churches and individuals in each of Ohio’s six regions. This month, CP100 visits the Northeast Region of Ohio. The Cooperative Program isn’t like a club mem- bership, according to Pastor Gary Frost, The Open Door Church, Youngstown. “The issue is not what you get out of it. It’s what you are joining others to do in advancing the kingdom,” he said. As a long- time Southern Baptist pastor, association leader, state leader, and NAMB vice president, Frost has a deep love for the SBC and the Cooperative Pro- gram. “I love this convention. I believe in the pur - pose and the vision. Just watching how the Coop- erative Program operates – we call it a ‘program,’ but it’s a cooperative culture.” Don’t miss episode three: CP100: Gary Frost.
as modernists, those denying the truth of Scripture and adapting Christianity to modern culture.
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“Some of the concerns were valid,” said Gregory Wills, professor of church history at Southern Baptist Theologi- cal Seminary. “But for the most part, the modernists who were teaching at our institutions were keeping their views secret.” When it “became clear they were teaching mod - ernism, they were fired.” Amid the multiplied challenges, Southern Baptists’ gifts to missions, educational and benevolent causes declined for 14 consecutive years beginning in 1920, according to “The Southern Baptist Handbook,” an annual record of statistics published by the Baptist Sunday School Board in the 20th century. Gifts did not eclipse 1921 levels until 1943, the year the SBC finally retired its debt – a victory celebrated under the slogan “debt free in ’43.” A bright future Can that period of trial a century ago help the SBC nav- igate today’s challenges? Absolutely, say Harsch and Wills. The first lesson is patience in hard economic times. Total CP receipts for SBC causes have yet to reattain their highwater mark of nearly $206 million in 2007, be- fore the economic downturn of 2008. But the mid-cen- tury CP recovery recalls “the lesson of patience,” Wills said. “The Cooperative Program was still effective in the 1920s and 1930s even as offerings were declining,” he said. Southern Baptists “are not in this for the short term. We are in it for the long term for as long as our blessed Savior tarries.” Another lesson is to address problems head-on. The 1925 Baptist Faith and Message was an attempt to do
just that, Harsch said. It offered a clear response to theo - logical disputes amid the Modernist-Fundamentalist Controversy. Perhaps the greatest challenge though is guarding against complacency and ceasing to marvel at CP. Even in lean years, per capita giving to missions increased in many instances, suggesting to Harsch that cooperative giving remains the way forward. “I have traveled through many parts of the world, and I have talked with [believers] who are in awe of what we as Southern Baptists can do through the Cooperative Pro- gram: our overseas missionaries, our church planters at home, our theological education. We are able to engage in the ministries to which God has called us and not have to worry if two months down the road the economy has changed,” Harsch said. “When we work together, we can expand our ability to influence the world with the Gospel of Christ.”
Article courtesy of Baptist Press
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By Chris Doyle, IMB writer Southern Baptists Unite to Send 58 New IMB Missionaries During SBC Annual Meeting
At the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, IMB President Paul Chitwood reminds messengers that missionaries are “ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the glory of God.” As more than 12,000 joined together for the IMB Sending Celebration, he called the church to unite in prayer, support, and shared mission—sending 58 new missionaries to the nations with the only true solution to the world’s greatest problem: lostness. IMB Photo
DALLAS — Southern Baptists united to celebrate 58 newly appointed International Mission Board missionar- ies, during the June 10 opening session of the South- ern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. Church messengers watched as missionaries took the stage to share their calling and thank those who are supporting their Great Commission task. “It’s so good to be with you today as we gather, together, to do many important things,” IMB President Paul Chit- wood said. “But perhaps none so important as this – to send 58 new IMB missionaries to pursue lostness around the world.” Missionaries, he said, are sent and supported, first and foremost, by their local churches, “but make no mistake – they are also sent by us, here in Dallas, Texas.” Chitwood continued, “This is a moment where we have the privilege to celebrate their going, commission them to join God in His mission, and commit to support them in every way.” To illustrate the vital importance of Southern Baptist sup- port of missionaries, Chitwood shared three recent ex- amples. The first was a young missionary mother whose cancer treatments in Houston begin this week. Her med- ical needs are covered by generous giving through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offer - ing.
Just four days ago, a missionary family wrote with thank- fulness for training that protected them when 12 men with machetes entered and robbed their home. Thankful- ly, they remained calm and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit. Southern Baptists provided that vital security and safety training for the missionaries and their five children. Earlier this year, a volunteer group was jailed in a restrict - ed access country and detained for two days. Through God’s protection, the group was released and arrived home safely. Because of Southern Baptist support, the IMB has resources for a highly trained incident response team ready to move on behalf of missionaries and volun- teers at a moment’s notice. “Southern Baptists, we’re not just sending missionaries but preparing them to endure the difficulties they face on the field,” Chitwood said. The new appointees are joining more than 3,500 IMB missionaries and their families currently serving in 155 countries. Those heading to regions hostile to the Gos- pel or missionary presence appeared behind a screen for the public event to protect their identities. Four couples spoke in their first languages of Italian and Korean, while English translations ran on the screens. Missionaries were united in their gratefulness for the prayers and gen- erosity of Southern Baptists.
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Veteran Journeymen among newly appointed missionaries, mindful of church support Among the 58 missionaries participating in the Sending Celebration, 11 were former Journeymen. The IMB re- cently recognized the 60th anniversary of the program, which has become a strategic pipeline for career mis- sionary service. The program was created for young Southern Baptists between the ages of 21 and 29 to serve two-year missionary terms. More than 6,500 young adults have served in the Journeyman program in the past six decades. Lauren Ulmer, Zack and Courtney Newsome and Bridget Davis were among the missionaries in Dallas who served as Journeymen before making long-term commitments to service overseas. Ulmer knew she was called to missions after she went on a volunteer trip to Costa Rica with Southside Baptist Church in Live Oak, Florida, which is also her sending church. She wasn’t sure where she would go until a se- mester position with IMB in Quebec opened for her in the winter of 2019. The Florida native didn’t have any winter clothing, but her Southside Baptist family came through for her. “They rallied around me, gave me a winter coat and helped me raise funds for all the winter things that I would need,” Ulmer said. “Two months later in January 2019, I’m showing up to Quebec, in the midst of the coldest months, ready to do university ministry and hospitality ministry.” After her short-term service, Ulmer returned to Quebec as a Journeyman, serving from 2019-21. She said these were challenging years, but she relied on the Lord, her
ministry team in Quebec and the consistent support from Southside. In those hard days, Ulmer appreciated the emails and letters she received from Southside. “Someone would send the verse I needed to read or a prayer voice message I needed to hear,” she said. “My church inspired me and reminded me I wasn’t serving alone.” Zack and Courtney Newsome served as a Journeymen couple before answering the call to long-term service. They served as Journeymen from 2017-19, and through the two-year term, they realized they were called to be full-time missionaries. “As Journeymen, we were able to see a church planted and see this church grow and reach Muslims,” Zack said. They look forward to serving with the IMB in Panama. The Newsomes met while attending Murray State Uni- versity and were influenced by Hardin Baptist Church in Hardin, Kentucky. “It was in this church, under the leadership of my college pastor, Chris Lawrence, that I bore the most fruit,” Zack said. The Newsomes are also grateful for their sending church, NorthWoods Church in Evansville, Indiana, where Zack served as student pastor. “NorthWoods gave us that encouragement of, ‘Hey, we’ll support you!’” Courtney said. “Serving internationally, it means so much to have the support of a church, knowing they love us.” Bridget Davis said the two years of her Journeyman ex- perience went by faster than she thought it would go. “It sounds like a long time, but it’s not,” she said. She served in Sub-Saharan Africa with IMB missionary Kathy Shafto who had a big influence on her life. “Kathy taught me about seeing opportunities to speak the truth of God’s Word into the people’s lives and how to be strong and gentle at the same time.” Bridget and her husband Jude will be serving in Germa- ny with a missionary team with whom they have already made connections. Through their sending church, First Baptist Church of Rogers, Arkansas, the Davises took a short-term mission trip to Germany to serve with current IMB missionaries of whom FBC Rogers has a partner- ship. “We are going there because we got to see what it was like as a family to live there and serve there,” Bridget said. “I’m really thankful for the opportunities that our sending church has given us. They have been so supportive and have helped us work through our calling to missions.” Jude said he also appreciates the support of FBC Rog- ers, as well as the church he attended when he was in
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college, College Heights Baptist Church in Plainview, Texas. He said College Heights “gave me a great foundation, encouraged my pursuit of doing mission work, which was the beginning of when I realized God was calling me. This church helped me realize that missions isn’t just something you do; it’s who you are.” Messengers participate in praying and sending Heather Huggins, who will serve in South America with her husband Caleb, challenged churches with a spoken word presentation titled “Missionary Prayer.” “You make new; Only You; Holy You; God, thank You; Dark to light; Death to life; You, unchanged; Me, trans- formed. A multitude. Every. All. Me,” Heather said, con - cluding the recited prayer.
Chitwood closed the celebration by urging continued commitment to send more missionaries to the nations. During a time of responsive reading, attendees voiced their commitment. “We pray for you, that God would open doors to share the mystery of the Gospel with those who have never heard,” said the nearly 10,000 church messengers in at- tendance. The Sending Celebration ended with a time of prayer, during which Chitwood invited messengers to gather around missionaries. The next Sending Celebration will be Oct. 27, 2025, at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention in Lubbock, Texas. Article courtesy of Baptist Press
Ohio Pastors Experience “Southern” Hospitality in Louisville By David Gray, pastor, First Baptist Church, Garrettsville Testimony:
A group of 25 Ohio pastors, mostly African American, vis- ited The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) and Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky recently. Reg- gie Hayes, SCBO senior staff, coordinated the trip with the assistance of Jeremy Pelton, SBTS admissions co- ordinator. As an outgoing member of The Southern Seminary Board of Trustees, I desired to help minority pastors from Ohio understand the value of a strong biblically-based college and seminary education that is provided by the seminaries of the Southern Baptist Convention. The six seminaries of the SBC are some of the finest ed - ucational institutions in the country. The schools are also solidly Southern Baptist in their theology and orientation. Our visit to Southern was designed to remind pastors of the value of religious education in leading churches in Ohio and around the world. SCBO is working to create a pipeline of pastors prepared to lead now and in the future. Our Executive Director, Dr. Jeremy Westbrook shares a desire to raise leaders that are sound theologically and understand the value of co- operation. Southern’s staff rolled out the red carpet and made a credible case for the world-class education they provide. The pastors were treated to interactive talks with the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Ad- ministration, Dr. Paul Akin; Victor and Louise Lester Pro- fessor of Christian Preaching and Dean of The School of Theology, Dr. Hershael W. York; and the President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. R. Albert Mohler.
Dr. Akin encouraged the group when he shared his circu- itous path to accepting his current assignment. Dr. York inspired the attendees as he explained his confidence in the staff and direction of Southern Seminary. Dr. Mohler was frank and engaging while discussing the SBC history concerning race and how the path forward should look. We also enjoyed impressive presentations about the many offerings at the college and seminary. The Ohio pastors, ranging in age from the twenties to the seventies, warmly received this impressive remind- er of the opportunity of available Christian education for themselves and those in their churches. Dr. R. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, speaks to a group of Ohio minority pastors during their recent visit to Louisville.
July 2025 | 15
A Burden for Bivocational Pastors According to a June 4, 2025, LifeWay Research article, “National Survey of Religious Leaders (NSRL) report revealed 35% of all clergy in the U.S. serve bivocationally, holding an additional job outside of their congregational ministry. Among evangelical Protestants, bivocational ministry is even more common. The study found almost half (47%) report having a second job. Around a third of Black Protestant pastors are bivocational (35%).” Many times bivocational, trivocational, and cov- ocational pastors feel alone or unnoticed. Most of my ministry life, I have been bivocational or trivocational and oftentimes I felt as though I was alone in the field, felt looked down upon, or felt overlooked by denominational encouragers. The truth is I was not overlooked and many were actually praying for me. They just simply couldn’t relate to working a secular job for 40-50 hours per week in addition to planting and pastoring a church. They didn’t understand how to encourage or resource me. Sometimes I didn’t know what would help me best. By Mark Jones, SCBO revitalization consultant
First, I want every pastor to know that you are prayed for regardless of your vocational status. We at the SCBO notice you and the work you are doing. Second, I also want to let you know that I am available for evening and weekend conversations at times to discuss your health and the health of your congregation. Third, I want to simply ask those of you who work a secular/secondary role to provide for your fami - ly; how can we best pray for you? As a bivocation- al, trivocational, covocational, etc. pastor/planter, what are your greatest struggles? How can we best serve and come alongside you? Oftentimes a congregation is only as healthy as their pastor. How healthy are you? I would love to connect with you about healthy habits as a bivo- cational pastor and help you lead your congrega- tion to health. Connect with me via email at mjones@scbo.org or via text at 330-806-3755. Let me know how we can pray for you and the best time/day we can connect.
16 | July 2025
From Dallas to the Streets of Circleville, Ohio By Dr. John Heading, Ohio DR state director
Their family hired a company to do their flood remedi - ation but that’s not really why our team was there. We were there to take care of an unmet need. God placed the team at Neal and Shirley’s house to minister to an el- derly couple who just needed someone to listen to them and pray for them. Everyone who serves during a deployment is vital to the mission. The feeding team, shower team and Incident Management Team, who generally stay at the church, are just as important as the chaplains and recovery teams who deploy into the communities. On this deployment, all of our teams were part of Amy giving her life to Christ. Her family suffered the most destruction from the flood. Their entire house had to be gutted. It would be a devas- tating time for anyone in their situation. Amy shared some of her life story with Chaplain Terry as the team tore out everything that was water-damaged in her home. You might think Amy would be focused on her belongings and the tear-out, but she was focused on other needs. At that moment, she knew she needed Jesus Christ more than she needed new drywall. Amy trusted Christ and is eager to attend church. The prayer now is for her husband who is not a believer – yet.
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in Dallas was a great time to share about the ministry of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) and get together with old friends. The SBDR display in the Exhibition Hall featured a new Quick Response Feeding unit from Arkansas DR that really drew a crowd. During the SBC, I received a call from the Fayette Coun- ty Emergency Manager. Circleville, Ohio suffered a flash flood and officials estimated that approximately 50 homes were affected. They needed our help. The SBC was great, but it was time to take the message of the gospel through Ohio DR from Dallas to the streets of Circleville. Ohio DR set up a response site at Circleville FBC. Pastor Billy Barbo didn’t hesitate to allow the team to take over the church building so we could serve their community. In the field training is a big part of learning to serve. Ohio DR had six chaplains serving on the team in Cir- cleville. Experienced chaplain Terry Smith, First Baptist Church, New Lebanon, led a chaplain team of five. The team had two new chaplains, Mary Lou Puperi and Deb- ra Starcher, Central Baptist Mission Center, Akron. The chaplain team canvased the entire area where the recov- ery team was working. The chaplain team handed out 54 tracts, had seven gos- pel conversations, and had two families interested in at- tending church. There was also one profession of faith. I led a small team of chaplains who visited the home of Neal and Shirley. Neal has had cancer issues for the last 30 years. Now he’s 85 years old and on dialysis three days a week. Shirley is 90 years old and doing her best to take care of Neal. Through the ministry of Ohio DR, Amy accepted Christ during a DR deployment in Circleville, Ohio.
July 2025 | 17
Registration Open for Young Adult 1825 Conference at Lifepoint
By Stephanie Heading, managing editor
Young adults, ages 18-25, mark your calendars now for the 1825 Conference on October 17-18, at Lifepoint Church, Lewis Center. Sponsored by 1825, the college and young adult minis- try at Lifepoint, the Friday night, all-day Saturday con- ference features the theme “Press” based on Philippians 3:13-14. “Philippians 3 hits three different times of our lives; past, present, and future. We will press rewind to look at our pasts and forget what lies behind,” said Braden Ro- driquez, 1825 pastor, Lifepoint Delaware. “We will press play in our present walk with Jesus press - ing on for the goal of the call. In our final sessions, we will press fast forward to see how we should strain for- ward to what lies ahead.” The 1825 Conference also includes worship with the Lifepoint Collective, as well as multiple opportunities to connect with home and international mission organi- zations, nonprofit services groups, and national church partners to get plugged into mission opportunities.
In addition, there will be free books, and a t-shirt with your registration, while supplies last. All food will be pro- vided and a coffee truck will be on site. This is the third year for the 1825 Conference and Lifepoint is excited to welcome young adults from across Ohio to attend. Any size church is welcome to bring their young adults, ages 18-25. “Come be a part of what we’re doing,” said Kyle Connell, pastor of missions and 1825, Lifepoint, Lewis Center. “We’re already resourcing it, so there’s no cost to other churches. We would love to say, “Hey! Just come and enjoy the day with us.” Registration for the 1825 Conference is $65 per person until August 11. On August 12, the price goes up to $70 until October 16. The price at the door is $80. To register, visit https://www.lifepointohio.com/1825con - ference.
Let the Ohio Baptist Messenger help your church find a new pastor or staff member! The Messenger is offering classified ads free of charge for Ohio churches searching for new pastors and staff members. The Messenger is read by churches and individuals in Ohio and across the country. To submit a classified ad, please send brief information about the position along with a return phone number or email: classifieds@scbo.org
Cooperative Program Giving Report (SCBO) December 1, 2024 through May 31, 2025
Church Name
SBC ID# Region 0589857 Central 0585555 Southwest 0589860 Central 0528802 Northeast 0595967 Central 0588567 0525329 West 0540980 Southwest 0587150 Northeast 0583841 West 0596452 Central 0242735 West 0565637 Northeast 0576373 Central 0055000 0588707 Northeast 0595391 Northwest 0246090 Southwest 0588899 Central 0242180 Central 0246512 Northeast 0566679 Northwest 0595165 West 0597355 West 0244236 Southwest 0384032 Northeast 0242750 West 0593836 Southwest 0583283 Central 0571994 Northeast 0373936 Southwest 0454777 Southwest 0587880 Southwest
Association
Cooperative Program
1040 Global 4LIFE Worship
Strategic Church Network Cincinnati Area Baptist Association Strategic Church Network Cleveland Hope Baptist Association Buckeye Central/Erie Association Non-Associational
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
0.00 0.00 0.00
Abishek Nepali Bhutanese
Abundant Life
400.89 800.00 400.00 150.00 50.00 50.00 350.00 0.00
Abundant Life Community Church Abundant Life in Christ Church Administration Resource Group Agape Bible Fellowship Agape Korean Baptist Church
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
Southwestern Baptist Association Summit Baptist Association
Agape Ministries
Agape Nepali Baptist Church
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
Ahavah Church
Strategic Church Network
$
0.00
Airway Baptist Church Akron Hmong Baptist Mission All Nations Baptist Church All Points Church Hudson All-nations Baptist Church Allison Avenue Baptist Church Almighty Bhutanese Alum Creek Baptist Church Austintown Baptist Church Avon Baptist Church Awakenings Christian Fellowship Beacon of Christ Church Beacon Of Hope Baptist Church Beavercreek Baptist Church Berachah Baptist Church
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
996.02 308.35 3,312.00
Summit Baptist Association Strategic Church Network
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Cleveland Hope Baptist Association Northwest Ohio Baptist Association Southwestern Baptist Association Strategic Church Network Strategic Church Network Steel Valley Baptist Association Northcoast Baptist Association Cincinnati Area Baptist Association Steel Valley Baptist Association Cincinnati Area Baptist Association Strategic Church Network Cleveland Hope Baptist Association Cincinnati Area Baptist Association Cincinnati Area Baptist Association Cincinnati Area Baptist Association
0.00 0.00
2,472.63
0.00
1,400.00 260.00 1,917.44 600.00
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $ Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
Awakenings Christian Fellowship-Sidney Campus
0.00
5,632.25
0.00
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
13,131.90
0.00
Berachah Church
600.00
Beth-El Messianic Congregation & Ministries
0.00
Bethany Baptist Church
5,105.00
Bethany Baptist Church Clarksville Bethel Baptist Church Bethel Unity Baptist Church Beverly Baptist Church Bloom Baptist Church Brantwood Baptist Church Bridge Church at Perry Bridge City Church Collective Bridgepoint Community Bible Teaching/Leadership Resource Group Blanchester Community Ministries
0.00
370.62
0435255
Non-Associational
0.00
0376202 Southeast
Muskingum Valley Baptist Association $
650.95
0055900
Non-Associational
0.00 0.00
0568822 Southwest 0396051 Central 0242818 West 0577585 Northeast 0594836 Southwest 0592075 Southwest 0504142 West 0588915 Southwest 0589930 Southwest 0246694 Northeast 0378356 Central 0398891 Southwest 0584810 Northeast 0244665 Southeast 0592246 West 0594399 Central 0595196 Southwest 0242503 West 0378992 Southeast 0245258 West 0245761 Southeast 0398123 Central 0245910 0411728 West 0389510 West 0394932 Northwest 0587151 Southeast 0566602 Central 0586945 Northeast 0592344 West 0246538 Northeast 0424309 Central 0246710 Northeast 0597338 West 0596481 Central 0243535 Northeast 0586610 Central 0243816 Central 0242859 West 0245613 Northwest 0245779 Southeast
Cincinnati Area Baptist Association Strategic Church Network Cleveland Hope Baptist Association Cincinnati Area Baptist Association Southwestern Baptist Association Ohio Valley Baptist Association Cincinnati Area Baptist Association Summit Baptist Association Strategic Church Network Southwestern Baptist Association Summit Baptist Association Scioto Valley Baptist Association Strategic Church Network Ohio Valley Baptist Association
10,817.00 4,477.00 1,019.35 2,140.00 1,205.82 1,400.00 0.00 2,087.38 3,072.88 4,550.00 875.00 1,986.00 0.00
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
Bridgeview BC
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
Bridgeway Baptist Church
Bridgeway Baptist Church - Riverside Campus Broadman Baptist Church Cuya Falls
Brookside Baptist Church Brookville Road Baptist Church Brunswick Community Church Burlington Baptist Church Butler Community Church C3 Freedom House Calvary Baptist Church Calvary Baptist Church
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
0.00 0.00 0.00
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
3,000.00
Calvary Baptist Church Blanchester Calvary Baptist Church McConnellsville Calvary Baptist Church Middletown Calvary Baptist Church Piketon Calvary Baptist Church Shreve Calvary Baptist Church Wilmington Calvary Missionary BC, Dayton Calvary Southern Baptist Church Carrollton Bible Chapel Cedar Hill Baptist Church Center of Hope Bible Fellowship Centerville Christian Fellowship Central Baptist Church Central Baptist Church Marion Central Community Church Cephas Nepali Church Chardon Christian Fellowship Charisma Word Ministry Charity Missionary BC, Copley Cherry Hill Baptist Church, Korean Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church Chillicothe Baptist Church Change City
Non-Associational
$
0.00
Muskingum Valley Baptist Association $
1,754.29
Miami Valley Baptist Association Scioto Valley Baptist Association Buckeye Central/Erie Association
$ $ $
0.00
3,443.96
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $ Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
West Central Association
$
Muskingum Valley Baptist Association $
Strategic Church Network
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
646.00
Cleveland Hope Baptist Association
0.00
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
2,025.00 906.93 12,120.80 3,048.01
Steel Valley Baptist Association Buckeye Central/Erie Association Summit Baptist Association
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
0.00
Strategic Church Network
400.00
Cleveland Hope Baptist Association Strategic Church Network Buckeye Central/Erie Association Northcoast Baptist Association Scioto Valley Baptist Association
0.00 0.00
150.00 600.00
Greater Dayton Association of Baptists $
0.00
300.00
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