March 2025 | 5
SCBO pastors and church planters traveled to Jacksonville, Florida, for a vision tour in the East Coast region of the Florida Baptist Convention as part of the Florida-Ohio Partnership.
By Rick Williams, SCBO Central Ohio regional catalyst “Special” Partnership Develops Between Florida-Ohio Regions
Josh Swinehart, lead pastor, First Baptist Church, Upper Sandusky: “I was grateful to have taken part in the vision tour, which sent me home with a clear vision for my own church and ministry. I thank God for the new relationships made and look forward to seeing where this partnership takes us.” Aaron Taylor, teaching pastor, Living Hope Church, Co- lumbus and church planting catalyst for Send Network: “As an Ohio Baptist, I’m looking forward to how God will continue to use the relationship and partnership between our two states to see the Great Commission move for- ward in North America!” Scott Gibson, lead pastor, The Bridge, Lancaster: “How great it was to connect with and hear about all the amaz- ing things happening in our Florida churches. It was so awesome to see the multi-ethnic planting and brother- hood among the churches.” Ashton Walton, church planter, The Bridge, Logan: “On Sunday I had the opportunity to speak at a church that could’ve only been lined up by the Holy Spirit. South Put- nam Church is a thriving church plant about 90 minutes south of Jacksonville. Pastor Daniel and Pastor Aaron welcomed me warmly and let me share my story before their congregation. At the end of service, they all prayed for me and God’s calling on me and my family, and I am so grateful.” Our trip to Florida was an extraordinary time of fellowship, worship, training, and partnership. Myles Dowdy, FBC missions and ministries lead catalyst, summed up our partnership with the word, “special.” Indeed it is a special partnership. We are partners in praying together, sharing together, going together, and celebrating together! We truly give thanks to God for our partnership in the gos- pel with Florida Baptists!
The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:3-5, “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (CSB) Paul expressed gratitude for the ongoing gospel partner- ship he shared with the Philippian believers. His words resonate with me as I reflect on the special partnership between Ohio Baptists and Florida Baptists. Recently, I had the privilege of traveling to Jacksonville, Florida, with a group of nine SCBO pastors and church planters, for a vision tour in the East Coast region of the Florida Baptist Convention (FBC). We arrived on Friday, January 31, and stayed through Sunday, February 2. Though our time was brief, we experienced remarkable moments. Patrick Coats, east region catalyst for FBC, organized a full schedule filled with opportunities to engage with Flor - ida pastors and churches in the region. This included a fellowship dinner with 20 pastors from both Central Ohio and Florida. We also participated in training sessions at Aspire Church in Jacksonville, which highlighted the gospel-centered, mission-oriented work of the East Coast region churches. Several of our Ohio pastors had the opportunity to preach in Florida Baptist churches on Sunday morning. Here are some insights from SCBO pastors and church planters who joined the trip: Darryl Baker, lead pastor, Change City Church, Pick- erington: “The partnership between Florida and Ohio is great for networking and building support systems, espe- cially for church plants!”
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