FEBRUARY | 2024 NO. 1
CELEBRATION A LOOK AT THE WAY GOD HAS BEEN WORKING AT VIOLET
LOOKING FORWARD
WHAT WILL 2024 HOLD FOR VIOLET?
NO. 1
Since 1996, Rick has fulfilled the role of senior pastor at Violet Baptist Church. For 43 years, he's been happily married to his wife, Lisa, and together they have raised three daughters and are blessed with five grandchildren. Rick holds a Master of Divinity degree from Rockbridge Seminary. As a firm believer in leading from a healthy soul, Rick's passion lies in encouraging and coaching other leaders to do the same. When he's not fulfilling his pastoral duties, Rick can be found enjoying his favorite pastimes such as reading, hiking, exercising, and vacationing with his loved ones. He also enjoys rooting for both the Buckeyes and the Steelers.
RICK WILLIAMS SENIOR PASTOR
A LETTER FROM THE PASTOR
How blessed we are to begin 2024 with a foundation of prayer! In January, our church joined 650 other churches from 38 countries for a global event called "21 Days of Prayer". With over 11,000 participants in the US and thousands more worldwide, this event was a powerful reminder of the impact of prayer. Together, we studied Dr. Dave Earley's book, "The 21 Most Effective Prayers in the Bible", and it has been a source of inspiration and growth for many of our members.
During the sermon series, I shared a message on the prayer of Solomon. At the young age of 20, the Lord appeared to him and offered to grant any request. Rather than asking for wealth, power, or fame, Solomon humbly asked for wisdom (2 Chronicles 1:10a). Like Solomon, we too need wisdom as we enter this new year and face various decisions. Let us join together in prayer, asking the Lord to give us wisdom.
As we continue to move forward, our mission at Violet remains the same: to Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples. We are committed to making, mentoring, and mobilizing disciples of Jesus in our community and beyond.
In a recent interview, CJ Stroud, the quarterback for the Houston Texans, shared his thoughts on the challenges and successes of his rookie season. He stated, “Jesus laid his life on the cross for us--I really believe that. This is bigger than just football. Football is my platform. Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is my purpose.”
As we approach 2024, let us follow in Stroud's footsteps and embark on our own journey with wisdom and purpose, multiplying God's mission to share the message of Jesus with the world!
Blessings, Pastor Rick
PAGE TWO| LETTER FROM PASTOR
VIOLET TEAM
ERIC FLYNN EXECUTIVE PASTOR Eric joined the staff at Violet in 2018. He is a
Pickerington graduate and still calls Pickerington home. He and his wife, Kelly, were married in 2003 and have been blessed with three children: Aiden, Elizabeth, and Jonathan. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, diving into new podcasts, serving his community, watching Ohio State football, and following all things related to Philadelphia sports. When he’s not at a local ballfield cheering on one of his children’s sports teams, you can usually find him around a coffee pot connecting with an old friend or making a new one. Eric is passionate about serving his community, building relationships, and seeing lives transformed by Christ.
BRIAN NAESS ASSOCIATE PASTOR
Brian became a follower of Jesus at age five. He has been a part of the pastoral team at Violet since 2001. He married his wife, Sarah, in 2001; and they have three children: Hannah, Johan, and Joshua. Brian is a 1997 graduate of Cedarville Universality and has a Master of Divinity degree from Rockbridge Seminary. In his free time, Brian loves to camp with his family, talk on his ham radio, and care for his honeybees.
KEITH HURT YOUTH PASTOR
Keith joined the staff at Violet in 2007. He grew up in Reynoldsburg and went to Cedarville University, where he met his wife, Debbie. They have been married since 1995, and they have three daughters: Anna, Emily, and Sydney. Keith enjoys time with family; reading; listening to podcasts; walking; playing chess; and supporting the Buckeyes, Reds, and Bengals. Keith came to know Christ as an 18-year-old due to the influence of godly peers and godly older mentors. He is passionate about seeing students transformed by Christ through authentic discipleship.
PAGE THREE| VIOLET TEAM
VIOLET TEAM
MICHAEL WEIMAR WORSHIP PASTOR
Michael joined the Violet staff in the summer of 2021 after working in bi-vocational ministry in Circleville, OH. He graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in Music and Worship with a concentration of Biblical Studies. After serving in various local churches on staff or as a volunteer, Michael is thrilled to call Violet his home. In his free time, you can find him spending time with with his wife, Cayla, watching football, or attempting DIY projects.
CHELSEA POOLE CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR
Chelsea joined the staff at Violet in 2023 after many years as an English teacher. She and her high school sweetheart, Jimmy, married in 2013 and have three children: Jamie, Bella, and Laila. There's nothing she loves quite as much as spending time with her family, as most of her family are close by and love to really do life alongside one another. Chelsea enjoys reading and collecting classic literature, creative writing, and perusing around a good antique shop. She is passionate about family ministry and encouraging the next generation of young people to know and love the Lord .
RACHEL STONE MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Rachel is originally from East Tennessee and moved to Ohio in 2009. She started working at Violet in 2022. She and her husband, Brian, got married in 2003 and together they have two children: Lauren and Hudson. Rachel loves the time she spends with her family, cooking with her daughter, watching her son play football, and going on Jeep rides with her husband. In her free time, Rachel is an avid Minecraft player.
PAGE FOUR| VIOLET TEAM
VIOLET TEAM
JAMIE MCCLEESE EVENT & VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR Jamie grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved to Columbus in her early 20s. Jamie married Ryan in 2004 and, together, they have three children: Reagan, Jake, and Jaxon. She is a graduate of Findley University and has a master’s from Kent State. Jamie has attended Violet since 2004 and been on staff as an intern then full time since 2018. In her free time, Jamie enjoys watching her kids play sports and volunteering in our community.
TIFFANY HARMON FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Tiffany has been our volunteer Financial Director at Violet since 2002. She is a CPA with a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Virginia (go Hoos!). She met her husband, Steve, at work in Washington, DC. They were married in 1995 and moved back to Columbus (Steve’s hometown) to work in his family business. They are blessed with two adult children, Nick and Sara. Tiffany has been actively involved in Violet’s H.O.P.E. ministry weekend food bags since its inception in 2012. For business reasons, she is currently splitting her time between Toledo and Pickerington, but when she is in town, she is usually spending time with her ladies Bibles study group (the Thelmas). In her free time, she loves travel, photography, listening to audiobooks, and digital scrapbooking.
JOSHUA KRAUSE IT DIRECTOR
Josh has been a part of the Violet Team since 2011. He married his wife, Amanda, in 2017; and, between them, they have six children: Ashley, Gracie, Emily, Madie, Taylor, and Cooper. Josh enjoys spending time with his family, shooting pool, fishing, and working on DIY projects. He is a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Indians.
PAGE FIVE| VIOLET TEAM
VIOLET TEAM
RUTH CARRELL MINISTRY ASSISTANT
Ruth joined the Violet team in 2022. She is originally from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She has been married to her college sweetheart, Mike, since 1988. They are blessed with two sons and two daughters-in-love, Alex & Madi and Brian & Emily. She treasures time spent with family and friends and enjoys rom-coms and sports movies. She loves Penn State sports and participating in a good shenanigan. She is very thankful for the opportunity to serve God here at Violet!
STAFF CHRISTMAS OUTING
PAGE SIX| VIOLET TEAM
VIOLET TEAM welcome to the
MIKE SNYDER FACILITY OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
I am writing to introduce myself and to also express my excitement in joining the Violet Baptist staff. My name is Mike Snyder. I have been married to my wife, Mimi Snyder for 48 years and we have been blessed with 2 children; Josh (47) and Sara (43). We also have 3 grandchildren; Boaz (15), Elli (9), and MJ (5), that we love spending time with. The Lord saved me in 1976 and I have enjoyed reading and sharing HIS Word ever since. I previously worked in the truck stop industry for 40+ years, working my way up to the top as General Manager. I also worked for many years at Toledo Christian Schools as Athletic Director and also coached multiple sports. I coached girls' varsity basketball, winning many championships along the way. I started the football program that continues today. I also coached varsity track. One of my favorite accomplishments, following in my Dad's footsteps, I was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Toledo Christian Schools and also the Hall of Fame for the Toledo Area Athletic Conference. In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with my family, 2 golden retrievers, and my cat, Fluffy. I am an avid sports fan and a DIE-HARD Michigan fan. HAIL! GO BLUE! I am a highly motivated, organized person. I have always liked to set myself, my team, and my company up for success and I am excited to be able to utilize my talents in my role as Facility Operations Director.
PAGE SEVEN| VIOLET TEAM
A NOTE FROM PASTOR ERIC
Hello Violet Family!
As we reflect back on the year 2023, it is evident that God's hand was at work through Violet Baptist Church. It was a year filled with exciting milestones, impactful ministries, and the deepening of our connection with Pickerington and the Central Ohio communities that we serve. Throughout the year, we witnessed the power of unity and the strength in our congregation. Our church family came together, regardless of age, background, or circumstances, to create an atmosphere of love and support. Together, we embarked on a journey of faith, reaching out to one another and to those in need, spreading hope and compassion outside of the four walls of the church building. Violet's ministries thrived in 2023, as we sought to impact lives in Pickerington and the Central Ohio community. We launched numerous outreach programs, partnering with Pickerington Schools, the City of Pickerington and multiple other organizations to meet the needs of the homeless, the hungry, and the marginalized. Through these efforts, we witnessed families receiving life giving support, relationships being formed, and, most importantly, lives being transformed by Jesus Christ. As we look ahead to the year 2024, our hearts are filled with excitement and anticipation for what God has in store for Violet Baptist Church! We are convinced that the best is yet to come, and with grateful hearts, we are ready to embark on a new chapter of healthy growth, love, and engagement with our neighbors for the sole reason that they will have a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In Christ Alone, Pastor Eric
click here
PAGE EIGHT | ANNUAL SUMMARY
A NOTE FROM PASTOR BRIAN What a busy several months we have had - busy, yet exciting. I have mentioned often how I am glad to be part of a church family that “gets it”. What, you might ask, does it get? It gets serving - coming alongside of others to show Christ to them and point them to the Cross. The last several months have been no exception. There are so many examples, serving lunches at the Stowe Center, providing H.O.P.E. food bags to students in our school district, ministering to families who have lost their loved ones by providing a meal at Violet for the family to connect together. Even as I write this, a small group is coming alongside a family by doing much needed work in their home. This brings me to a question: are you in a small group? My wife, Sarah, and I are so thankful for the one that we have the opportunity to be part of. Being in a small group not only helps you in your walk with Jesus, but it allows you to help others. We are called to spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). If you are not in a group, you are hurting your own spiritual growth as well as not blessing someone else. I love our church! Let’s continue to grow as we reach out with the good news of Jesus and become smaller at the same time as we connect in small groups to do life together.
MEN’S MINISTRY
Hope everyone is enjoying 2024 so far and staying warm!
The Men have had an active Fall and Winter so far with the Men’s Retreat last August, Violet GameDay in the Fall, and a Monthly Bible Study that started this year. Also, we had a great (or perhaps ‘good time’ depending on who your team is) last weekend getting together to watch the Browns vs CJ Stroud in the playoffs. We also had a discussion about how our faith in Christ informs what we do in the workplace. If you haven’t been able to make it out to a Men’s Ministry event this year, then we would love to have you come out to our monthly study on Tuesday, February 6th @ 6:30pm in the VioletCafe’. We are walking through 1 John and it’s been a great time of fellowship, study, and discussion. Come out and have a cup of coffee and get to know some of the guys in church.
Jon Camp Men’s Ministry Leader
VIOLET GAMEDAY
VIOLET GAMEDAY
VIOLET GAMEDAY
PAGE NINE | GROUPS
WOMEN’S MINISTRY
Hi, Ladies and Happy New Year! We’re excited to kick off the new year with two great opportunities to serve and get to know each other a little better! Fellowship Sunday is coming up on February 25th. This is a special day for the entire church to join together for lunch after 2nd service. If you would be interested in helping to prepare and/or serve food and beverages, or help decorate tables, please let me know - we need you and would love to serve alongside you at this event! There is a Father/Daughter Dance at Violet on February 10th and our Children’s Director, Chelsea Poole, reached out to the Women’s Ministry regarding helping to serve refreshments and/or help Amanda Krause with decorating. If you’d like to help at this very special event, please let me know. The Big News! The Women’s Ministry Team is very excited about the upcoming Women’s Retreat in Amish Country! This year’s event will be March 22-24, 2024 at the Berlin Resort (5330 County Road 201 Millersburg, OH). We’re currently finalizing catering and other activities and will have pricing and registration information out by the end of the month. This event promises to be a very special time of connecting with one another, drawing near to God, fun activities, rest, relaxation…and shopping!! We’re planning a big dinner together on Friday night March 22nd at Mrs. Yoder’s Kitchen to kick off our weekend! Please watch for an email with all the details! We would love to get to know you better and help you get connected with the ladies here at Violet. Whatever season of life you may be walking through, we’re here for you! Please feel free to contact me anytime!
In His Love, Karen Bramlish Women’s Ministry Leader
WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS EVENT
SERVICE PROJECT
SERVICE PROJECT
WOMEN’S RETREAT
PAGE TEN | GROUPS
EVENTS
MENTAL HEALTH SEMINAR
MENTAL HEALTH SEMINAR
Happy 2024 Violet! The year is off to an exciting start with a variety of events and activities. We recently hosted a Mental Health Seminar (PICTURED ABOVE) , welcomed teachers and students from Pickerington Local Schools for multiple learning events, and have been collaborating with Pickerington Parks and Recreation for programs several nights a week. Additionally, every Thursday morning, we host a Community Bible Study group. At Violet, we believe in the power of community and the impact we can make. These events provide opportunities to serve and connect with others on Sundays and throughout the week. In February, Violet continued to host many events, including a Father-Daughter Dance, Martin Luther King Celebration with Pickerington Schools, and an All-Church fellowship. We're looking forward to connecting with many of you this year. If you'd like more information about any of these events or are interested in getting involved, please feel free to reach out to me at jamiem@violetchurch.com.
I am excited about the year ahead and hope to see you at our upcoming events!
Jamie McCleese Event & Volunteer Director Office: (614)833-0171 www.VioletBaptistChurch.org
PAGE ELEVEN | EVENTS
PASSION 2024 Violet Collegiate ministry took 5 students to Atlanta, Georgia for the Passion 2024 Conference on January 3rd-5th. Passion is a yearly gathering of 55,000 college students/young adults from ages 18- 25 from all over the world. Students unite together in worship, prayer and the reading of God's Word for two days at the beginning of each year. Our students had a blast and can't wait to go back. Below are a few testimonies from those who attended." "I had never been in a room that I felt so open to cry tears of joy worshipping our Lord. It was a moment that will forever be in my heart. And to see 55,000 others worship and sing these songs - it was just breathtaking, and beautiful." - Preston Rhoades "I can’t even begin to describe how amazing this opportunity was. Worshiping God with 54,999 other people was out of this world. I can’t express how amazing it was to be singing some of my favorite worship songs with so many people who love God just as much as I do. Life can get stressful sometimes and this soul refresh was exactly what I needed. God did so much in my heart during Passion, and I can’t wait to see how He continues to work in and through me. Through this trip, I have made some amazing friendships that will last a lifetime. I can’t wait to go back next year!" - Hannah Naess
PASSION 2024
PASSION 2024
PAGE TWELVE | EVENTS
SENIOR HUDDLES WITH PASTOR RICK
SENIOR HUDDLE
Can you remember what it was like to be a High School Senior? Although it is an exciting time, it can also be a daunting transition filled with uncertainty regarding the next steps for your life. All of this uncertainty can be stressful for our Seniors and for their parents. For the past 9 years, Pastor Rick has been taking time to meet with out graduating seniors to help them to zero-in on God’s calling for their lives. He meets with them five times during their senior year. The first four sessions cover content related to discovering their unique role and contribution in the world as a representative of Christ. During the final session, each senior will share their best understanding of their “next steps” and our pastors and ministry leaders pray over them individually. During the Senior Huddles each student gets an opportunity to spend time discussing their interests, giftings and plans with Pastor Rick. As a gifted life coach, he is able to share important insights with them and to commit to pray for them individually. Our Seniors have shared that this process has been incredibly helpful for them as they think through the important decisions that they face during their Senior year. Will you commit to pray for our graduating seniors? Please pray that they will get connected in local churches and campus ministries as they go away to college. Pray that they will continue to discover and walk in God’s unique plan for their lives. Thanks -Pastor Keith
SENIOR HUDDLE
SENIOR HUDDLE
PAGE THIRTEEN | YOUTH
COMING SOON! YOUTH RETREAT
We are so excited to be able to have our Overflow youth retreat from February 23-25 at the Heartland Retreat Center in Marengo, Ohio! The retreat provides an opportunity for students to get away from their daily routine and focus on their relationships with God and others. Over the years, many students point back to a youth retreat as a turning point in their relationship with God. In addition to deepening their connection with God, the retreats provide an opportunity to deepen connections with others within the group. I often tell parents that if their students could only attend one event each year, this would be the one to attend! It is the best event that we offer as a youth group. Although both groups will be attending the retreat, we have separate speakers for our Jr. High and High School groups. Here is some information about our speakers for this year:
Tyler Morgan will be our Jr. High speaker. Tyler grew up in Lewis Center, Ohio and graduated from Huntington University with a degree in Communications and Youth Ministry. Tyler serves as the High School Minister at Jersey Church in New Albany, Ohio.
Craig and Jeanna McElroy will lead our High School group as we look at relationships through a Biblical framework. Craig grew up in Pickerington and studied biochemistry at OSU. He is the VP of Pharmacokinetics at InfinixBio. Jeanna is from Reynoldsburg, and she studied sociology and psychology at Wittenberg University. She serves as the owner and Certified Geriatric Care Manager at Senior Support Services, LLC. Craig and Jeanna are presenters with Marriage Enrichment, and they have led several marriage classes at Violet.
TO WATCH A VIDEO OF LAST YEAR’S RETREAT, CLICK HERE!
PAGE FOURTEEN | YOUTH
THE HEART BEHIND VIOLETKIDS
We want children at Violet to experience the alignment of the home and church. I want to encourage and equip parents to be their children's primary spiritual leaders. Have you ever heard the phrase, “More is caught than taught”? When we are actively participating in the community of our church, we are demonstrating to our children how to develop a deeper faith through Bible study, serving, and building strong relationships. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” This shows us that we are never too young to experience faith and live it out!
MEGA SPORTS CAMP
SUNDAY MORNING
SUNDAY MORNING
PEEPS & PANCAKES
PAGE FIFTEEN | VIOLETKIDS
MEGA SPORTS CAMP
VIOLETKIDS
DECEMBER In our children’s area, Sunday mornings were spent celebrating the greatest gift that God gave us: His Son Jesus! Our preschool kids learned that the most wonderful part of Christmas is the hope of the Good News! Our elementary kids learned that because of Jesus, it’s possible for us to have a relationship with God that will last forever. Since our church practiced Advent this year, we sent over 80 Advent bags to families to help parents connect with their kids at home to teach them the true meaning of Christmas. We wrapped up Gopher Buddies and Olympians for 2023 with a birthday celebration for Jesus. One of our favorite all-church events is Breakfast with Santa. We received a huge turnout this year! The church was filled with families from all over the community taking pictures with Santa, enjoying a pancake breakfast, and having fun with various craft activities. Thank you, church family, for all you do to make this a special event for families each year! As a church, we went to see the Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo. It was great to see people of all walks of life participate in this fun, family event!
WILDLIGHTS AT THE ZOO
SUNDAY MORNING
PAGE SIXTEEN | VIOLETKIDS
VIOLETKIDS JANUARY
On Sunday morning in Violet Kids, our January preschool kids’ theme was called “Clubhouse Clues.” Our kids learned that even though they learn many things in their lives, they have the best Teacher who will teach them the most important things! Our elementary kids’ theme was “Pet Project” where they learned about the connection between responsibility and God’s character, as shown to us in the Bible. Olympians and Gopher Buddies resumed in January! If you have kids in 1st-5th grade, we would love to have you join us on Sunday nights from 6-7:30 pm. We love events that invite kids and their families to have a fun time, get to know unfamiliar faces, and fellowship with one another. Violet Kids had some new and exciting events the whole family could enjoy this month! We went to Get Air Pickerington and hosted Mr. Game Room at Violet.
GET AIR EVENT
MR. GAME ROOM EVENT
PAGE SEVENTEEN | VIOLETKIDS
CONNECT WITH VIOLET
CLICK ON THE ICONS TO VISIT
violet website
Have you ever wondered how we spread the word about all the exciting events and happenings in our church community? Well, let me fill you in! We have a whole army of marketing and communications strategies at our fingertips to keep you in the loop. First off, we have our trusty weekly bulletins, both in paper form and available digitally. These little gems are packed with details about upcoming events, sermons, and all the ways you can get involved. Make sure to keep an eye out for them! But that's not all – we're all about staying up to date in this digital age. That's why we've got our website, violetbaptistchurch.org, loaded with helpful information and resources. Plus, we have the Church Center app, where you can discover even more ways to engage with our church family. Oh, did I mention social media too? That's right, you can find us on all the popular platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and even TikTok! We're always posting inspiring content, useful updates, and glimpses into the vibrant community here at Violet Baptist Church.
You are welcome to use the links above to visit all these sites. Pro-tip: Bookmark them for quick access!
Now, here's the fun part – we want YOU to share your amazing stories and events with us! If you have something cool happening with your VioletGroup or ministry, we'd love to help spread the word. Just shoot an email to rachels@violetchurch.com with all the juicy details, and we'll work our magic to promote it far and wide.
Remember, communication is key in building a thriving church family, and with your help, we can keep the excitement going strong. So let's get connected, stay in the know, and have fun together!
Rachel Stone Marketing & Communications Director rachels@violetchurch.com
PAGE EIGHTEEN | CONNECT WITH US
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker