Messengers reelected SCBO President Adam Pursel; First Vice President, Pastor Dave Welsch, and Pastor Karlie Hale. Mary Leigh Snowden retired from the office of Recording Secretary and Charity Betts was elected to her first term as Recording Secretary. Kay Arnold, First Baptist Church, Lancaster, (not pictured) was elected to her first term as Assistant Recording Secretary. Photo by AJ Frasure. 2024 Annual Celebration 6 | December 2024
By Stephanie Heading, Ohio Baptist Messenger, managing editor Messengers Celebrate God’s Work During SCBO Annual Celebration
Over 330 messengers, guests, and exhibitors from across Ohio gathered at Jersey Church in New Albany, Ohio for the 2024 State Convention of Baptists in Ohio (SCBO) Annual Celebration, November 11-12. The Annual Meeting celebrated God’s work in Ohio and cast vision for the future as SCBO Executive Di- rector-Treasurer Dr. Jeremy Westbrook and the SCBO staff recounted multiple ways the Lord is blessing his work throughout the state. Abundant Blessings “The highlight of our Annual Meeting was hearing re- ports of increased giving to the Cooperative Program, a 96% increase in baptisms over the past two years, and 41 new churches in the state convention this year-28 plants, five replants, and eight new affiliations through our SEND Ohio partnership,” Dr. Westbrook said. As messengers celebrated God’s work in Ohio, the Worship Team from Lifepoint Church, Mount Vernon, led attendees in praise and worship. Dr. Westbrook delivered his fourth Executive Director’s Report since assuming the position in August 2021. “God is at work in our state. He’s at work in our midst,” Westbrook shared. “This is a time to praise the Lord.” He also urged Ohio Baptists to catch the vision for Ohio through the local church. “I want to see an awakening
in the Buckeye State. We serve faithfully and best when we serve the local church. How are you leading your local church? What’s your vision?” Dr. Westbrook also highlighted Worship 4:24. “This year was the highest year in attendance. God is moving and he is working in our midst.” God is also moving in Next Generation ministry through events like Super Summer Ohio. “There’s a spark among the next generation,” Dr. Westbrook said. “We must be a part of that.” Ryan Jones, Send Network Ohio, celebrated the growth of church planting and replanting throughout Ohio this year. “We are very thankful for our partnership with SCBO,” Jones said. He rejoiced at the wide range of churches being plant- ed across the Buckeye State. “When you look at the list of the churches we’ve planted in Ohio this year, you see the kingdom.” Send Ohio has planted ethnic church- es, African-American churches, as well as multiplying churches in 2024. SCBO Revitalization Catalyst Mark Jones explained the need for healthy churches to come alongside strug- gling churches and foster the weaker back to health. “If we work together, stronger churches with struggling churches, we are going to see a move of God.”
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