NO. 23
A Note From Pastor Rick
Dear Church Family,
The Christmas season is one of the most beautiful times of the year—but it can also be one of the busiest. Between shopping, traveling, decorating, and trying to keep up with the calendar, it’s easy to feel like Christmas sneaks up on us instead of filling us with the hope, peace, and joy God intended. This Advent season, we invite you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the heart of Christmas in a new three-week sermon series beginning December 7, titled “Advent: Unwrapping Christmas.” Together we’ll explore the true gifts God sent into our world through Jesus Christ— gifts far greater than anything wrapped under the tree. Each week we will “unwrap” a different gift from God. This series is the perfect opportunity to invite family, neighbors, and friends who may be searching for meaning during the holidays. Many people are more open to visiting church at Christmas than any other time of year—and a simple invitation from you could change a life.
As we move toward Christmas Day, let’s gather with anticipation and gratitude, ready to celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever received: God with us.
We can’t wait to worship with you and unwrap the beauty of Christmas—together.
Merry Christmas, Pastor Rick
A Note From Pastor Eric
Building a Culture of Multiplication Through Leadership at Violet Baptist Church
One of the greatest joys in the life of a church is watching God raise up leaders—men and women who grow in character, courage, and faithfulness as they step into what He has prepared for them. Over the past year, our staff has been praying and planning for a more intentional approach to developing leaders at every level of our church. Pastor Rick shared this vision in the Multiplication series as part of what we’re calling our Leadership Pipeline. The heart behind the Leadership Pipeline is simple: leadership is discipleship. We don’t just want people to fill roles or meet needs—we want to help them grow in Christ, develop their gifts, and lead with wisdom, humility, and joy. To guide us, we are using Mac Lake’s Discipling Leaders series: Leading Yourself, Leading Others, Leading Leaders, Leading a Department/Ministry, and Leading an Organization/Church. Each step builds on the one before it, creating a pathway for anyone in our church—whether brand new to serving or already leading—to take their next step. I want to highlight the first book in the series, Leading Yourself, because it truly is the foundation for everything else. Before we can shepherd others, we must learn to shepherd ourselves and our own hearts. Leading Yourself focuses on developing the character and competency needed to handle responsibilities, relationships, and the rhythms of life in a way that honors Christ. It’s about learning to manage your time with purpose, cultivate spiritual disciplines with consistency, and grow in emotional and relational maturity. When we lead ourselves well, we serve others from a place of health, humility, and strength. My hope is that many of you will take this first step with us. Whether you feel brand new to leadership or you’ve been serving faithfully for years, Leading Yourself will help you build the habits and heart-posture of a leader who lasts. And as more of us step into this journey, we will see our church become a stronger, healthier, more Spirit-led community—full of people who lead like Jesus. You’ll continue to hear more about how to get involved in the coming weeks. For now, I simply want to invite you to pray: Lord, where would You have me grow? What might You be preparing me to lead? I can’t wait to see how He answers those prayers in the months ahead.
When you're ready to take the next step into Leading Yourself, you can sign up here.
Together in Christ, Pastor Eric
Dear Ohio DR Family, It's always nice to receive an occasional “thank you” for the work that we all do. We don't do it for that, but it's an encouragement when it comes. Here is a thank-you from a family in WI that we
served this past August. I pray it encourages you, John Heading Disaster Relief Director The State Convention of Baptists Ohio
August 29, 2025 To The Southern Baptist Relief Organization – Cincinnati, Ohio Area Baptist Association Flood Recovery Unit,
Dear Beloved Volunteers and Staff,
My name is Maureen Gunn, and I am writing this letter with a heart overflowing with gratitude and praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—for you. As a Christian widow, currently unemployed and facing great hardship after the devastating August 2025 flood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I want to express my deepest and most sincere thanks for the incredible compassion, dedication, and Christ-like love your team has shown me during one of the most difficult times in my life. My home sustained serious damage during the recent flood—several inches of water filled the basement, destroying my furnace and water heater, both essential items for the upcoming cold Wisconsin winter. Mold began growing rapidly on the basement walls and floor, presenting a grave health concern for me as a healed breast cancer survivor. Unfortunately, my home insurance does not cover any of these damages or repairs. I felt helpless and burdened by the urgency of the situation. I was also concerned after learning the City of Milwaukee's Department of Public Works setting a strict deadline of August 31st to request no-cost flood item removal from the curb.
I prayed constantly, asking God to send help—and He answered in an incredible way!
On Thursday, August 21, I watched a local news segment featuring Brown Deer Baptist Church, located just five minutes from my home. I learned that they themselves had suffered $50,000 in flood damage. The church shared how they reached out to your organization, The Southern Baptist Relief Organization, to bring much-needed disaster aid to our community. I was moved with hope. The very next morning, Friday, August 22, I went to the church and registered for assistance. From the moment I arrived, I was treated with professionalism, kindness, and genuine care. The church volunteers explained the process thoroughly and, to my amazement, told me that all services would be provided at no cost! I was overwhelmed—this was a direct answer to my prayers! Before I left, they even prayed for me right then and there. Just two hours later, I received a phone call from two of your team members, Joe Fox and Phil Tom, offering to come to my home that same day for an inspection. These gentlemen were respectful, knowledgeable, and a true blessing. They assessed the damage and explained the plan to remove water-damaged furniture, basement carpet, loose floor tiles, and drywall. They also explained that the Mud Out Clean-Up Team would sanitize and clean my basement with a non-toxic solution called Shockwave to address the growing mold concern. They assured me everything I needed removed would be hauled to the sidewalk for DPW pick-up—another answer to my prayers!
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Throughout this past week, I continued to pray earnestly that your team would be able to reach my home before the DPW deadline of August 31st. Then, yesterday, Thursday, August 28, I received an unexpected call from one of your team leaders—another miracle! He told me a team had finished their assignment ahead of schedule and could come to my home that very day. Within an hour, a team of 15 volunteers arrived, led by Isaac Hopper and Joshua Wright. I was completely in awe. The volunteer team arrived in their bright yellow shirts, full of joy, singing, laughing, and radiating the love of Christ. They worked in unity and with efficiency, and in just under three hours, my basement was cleared and cleaned! They made sure every damaged item was removed and sanitized the space thoroughly. They even discovered two serious safety hazards: a leaking roof contributing to the mold problem and an unstable stair landing with a dangerous hole beneath the carpet. Your team not only informed me—they fixed it, creatively using a solid wooden door from my basement to create a temporary and safe landing. Only God could orchestrate such love and resourcefulness! I will never forget the prayers, encouragement, and personal testimonies your team shared. It amazed me that volunteers traveled from as far as Cincinnati, Ohio and Wichita, Kansas—at their own expense—to help a complete stranger. The love of Jesus was evident in every single one of them! I want to especially thank Chaplain Terry Smith for taking time to sit with me in my dining room, lovingly share the Gospel, and present me with a Bible signed by each volunteer. His encouragement to pray while laying hands on that Bible was deeply meaningful. I’m also grateful to have met Chaplain Cathy Duggar and Chaplain Brittany Cramer, whose warmth, humor, and joyful spirits helped bring light to even the darkest corners of my basement and situation. Before they left, your team surrounded me with love, spoke words of life and encouragement, and prayed over me once more. They then returned to the church for rest and nourishment—deservedly so, after pouring out so much. I will never forget what you’ve done for me. Please accept my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Your ministry is a living, breathing example of Mark 10:45 – "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." And as Jesus said in Matthew 25:40 – "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"
May God continue to richly bless each of you, your families, and your ministry. You are the hands and feet of Jesus—and I am forever grateful.
With love and gratitude, Maureen Gunn
To learn more about Disaster Relief, click here.
Community Impact
Here at Violet, there are so many ways to serve and get involved, and I would love to connect with you to help you serve at events or consistently on Sunday mornings.
Thursday nights at Violet have become very busy as we host Pickerington Parks and Recreation basketball classes as well as Zumba. If you have ever driven by, you will see many cars in the parking lot! We would love to have a few friendly faces to greet the community and welcome them to Violet. Stowe is another great example of serving in the community. On November 14th, our small but faithful crew prepared food and drove down to Columbus to serve meals. The next Stowe serve opportunity will be January 9th. Now that Thanksgiving is over, we can start celebrating the Christmas season! On Sunday mornings in December, we will have different opportunities to fellowship in the VioletCafé . On December 14th, we will have donuts, and on December 21st, we will enjoy warm hot chocolate. Our next big community outreach is Breakfast with Santa, and we need lots of volunteers to welcome and serve on December 6th from 9–11 AM! There are still many ways to help with this event, so please sign up. We also encourage you to invite friends and neighbors.
At Violet, we know we are better together, and I am looking forward to welcoming this busy holiday season. As always, if you’re looking to get involved and serve, I would love to connect with you.
Thank you, Jamie McCleese
Community Impact Director jamiem@violetchurch.com
From the Netherlands to Jesus by Way of Pickerington!
As a teenager in the Netherlands, Zonan Bakkers dreamed of experiencing the United States. He signed up for a student exchange program and was placed with the Unger family in Pickerington in 2015. Seth and Brigett Unger were members of Violet Baptist and brought Zonan to church with their family. Zonan stated, “I attended Violet Baptist every Sunday. I wasn’t a Christian, coming from my atheist/agnostic background. I remember that I didn’t understand the sermons at first since I didn’t know God or the Bible, but I really enjoyed the Christian hymns and songs.” Zonan also got involved with the YoungLife group at Pickerington North. During a YoungLife weekend retreat, Zonan made the decision to surrender his life to Jesus. Zonan recalled, “During my year in Pickerington, I had such a blast. My faith grew so much, and Violet Baptist Church was a beautiful place that helped my faith grow as well through the teen services, the small groups (say ‘Hi’ to Steve Bottoms!), and the church trip to Amish Country and an Overflow Retreat. My mind and heart changed so much—from death to life, from darkness to light. I was walking closely with God. Praise God!” After returning to the Netherlands, Zonan discovered that his newfound faith was not celebrated there. He struggled to find a church and a Christian community that could help him continue to grow. While in college, Zonan reconnected with Christian community through a Christian fraternity. He also took a class on the fundamentals of the Christian faith. God used these experiences to draw Zonan back to Christ. Zonan had been working as a history teacher, but he felt God calling him to ministry. He decided to come back to Ohio, and he is currently participating in the ministry apprentice program at Linworth Baptist in Worthington. Zonan stated, “I don’t yet know where I will serve in the future, but I trust that it’s all in God’s hands, and He will lead me to the place where He wants me to minister.” We celebrate God’s plan to call Zonan to Himself and to call him into full-time ministry. Zonan’s story is a powerful reminder that we never know God’s plan for the people we encounter every day. May we continue to be faithful to God’s Word and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s work at Violet and in our everyday lives!
Pastor Keith Next Gen Pastor keithh@violetchurch.com
Zonan (bottom row, second from the right)on a youth event in 2016
Zonan in 2025
Here’s what’s been happening in VioletKids!
God is moving in beautiful ways through our children and their leaders each week. From joyful moments of learning to sweet milestones of growth, the love of Jesus is being shared and experienced in big and small ways. Below are just a few of the special things we’ve overheard and observed throughout the month of November.
I can’t even express what a blessing it has been to listen to the VioletKids and their leaders.
Here are a few things that were overheard in the month of November:
The kids have been practicing to sing on December 7 (in both services!). It is so sweet to hear their voices as they sing about the blessing of Jesus’ birth. Many of the kids have even been practicing at home—and it shows! Two of my sweet little friends had birthdays and were so excited to move into the next class. (Preschoolers move according to age, while elementary kids move when they change grades at school.) The excitement they had as they headed to their new class and met their new teachers was such a blessing. Kemara is a great guy who knows his Bible verses! I’ve heard him share them with his teachers, but this month he shared one with me too! The look on his face as he recited his verse is one I wish you all could have seen. One particular class has had two ladies who have been serving very consistently. These two women show up almost every week, and their commitment has blessed their class tremendously. As the kids enter the room, they greet them by name. They know who loves to color and who prefers puzzles. They lead Bible time, memory verses, and songs with children who are often viewed as “too young” to learn—but these kids are actively engaged and learning about Jesus. If you stand in the hallway, you’ll hear teachers who love their class and children who hear the name of Jesus proclaimed every week.
VioletKids is an amazing place to be and an amazing place to serve! God is on the move in VioletKids!!!
In Christ Alone, Jen Hunt Children’s Director 📧 jenh@violetchurch.com 📱 614-260-2670
Introducing New QR Codes in the Worship Center: Your Simple Path to Next Steps at Violet Marketing & Communications You may have noticed something new on the back of each chair in our worship center—new QR codes! These small squares pack a big purpose: helping you easily take your next step at Violet Baptist Church. Whether you’re new to Violet, exploring faith, or looking to get more connected, these QR codes take you directly to our Next Steps Links Page, a central hub designed to make engagement simple and accessible. What You Can Do With One Quick Scan With just a tap of your camera, you’ll instantly have access to a variety of ways to grow, connect, and serve: 📝 Fill Out a Connect Card New here? Want to update your information? Looking for a place to serve or a group to join? The digital Connect Card makes it easy to let us know how we can walk alongside you in your faith journey. 🍽️ Register for the Next Steps Gathering & Lunch If you’re ready to learn more about who we are as a church, what we believe, and how to get plugged in, this gathering is for you. Use the QR code to quickly register yourself or your family.
💻 Visit Our Church Website Explore ministries, upcoming events, sermons, and resources—all just one tap away.
🙏 Submit a Prayer Request We would be honored to pray for you. Share a prayer need anytime, right from your seat, and our prayer team will lift you up throughout the week. 💸 Give Securely Online Our digital giving option provides a simple, safe, and streamlined way to worship through generosity. 🚀 Join Our New Leadership Pipeline We’re thrilled to offer an exciting leadership development pathway designed to multiply leaders across every ministry area. Interested in growing, serving, or leading in new ways? Sign up through the QR link to begin the process.
& More Check back frequently for changes to the list: new features, new events, or new programs!
Why QR Codes? We implemented these new QR codes to help make next steps easier, faster, and more accessible during worship services. No searching for forms, no waiting in lines—just scan and go.
Whether you’re ready to take your first step or your next one, these QR codes are here to help you move forward in your walk with Jesus and your connection to the Violet family.
So next time you’re in the worship center, grab your phone, give the code a quick scan, and discover what’s next for you at Violet!
Links
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