February 2014 - Ohio Baptist Messenger

OhiO Baptist MessengerPUBLICATION OF THE STATE CONVENTION OF BAPTISTS IN OHIO

FEBRUARY 2014 | VOLUME 62 NO. 1

INSIDE:Women’s Missions & Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6

Evangelism Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8

2014 SBC Church Compensation Survey . . Page 10

Press Toward The Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12 P.11

New Pastor & Staff Orientation

March 11, 2014 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. State Convention of BaptistsSCBO Resource Center9000 Antares Avenue, Columbus

Visit scbo.org/nextfactor for more information.

Go to scbo.org/

pray for more information.

P.4

RA Congress

2014P.7

Momentum 2014

P.9

The 2014 state VBS team getting ready to help you "Discover, Decide, Defend" your faith as we work together for this year's theme, Agency D3.

The New Pastor and Staff Orientation is provided twice annually at the State Con-vention office in March and September . The next NPSO will be Tuesday March 11, 2014 . The day provides opportunity to meet the State Resource Team Leaders and learn what resources are available . There is no registration fee; however, advance registration is necessary through Linnett Snodgrass . Spouses are invited and en-couraged to attend . Orientation begins at 9:30 a .m . and concludes by 3:30 p .m . .

Contact Linnett Snodgrass ([email protected]) or Bruce Smith ([email protected]) for more information.

Page 2 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | February 2014

Jack Kwok, Ohio State Convention Executive Director-Treasurer, Editor; Linnett Snodgrass, Administrative Assistant; Spangler Production & Design, Publication Layout. Published every other month for members of Southern Baptist churches in Ohio. Subscriptions provided out of each church’s Cooperative Program gifts. Member of Baptist Press, news service of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Ohio Baptist Messenger (ISSN 0472-7096) is published every other month by the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio; 9000 Antares Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43240-2011. Periodicals Postage Paid at Columbus, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Ohio Baptist Messenger; 9000 Antares Avenue; Columbus, Ohio 43240-2011.

Buckeye Baptist Builders will be spend-ing the week of May 5 through May 9, 2014, at Seneca Lake Baptist Assembly . We need your help . There are several projects to be worked on that will help make the facilities more useful this summer camping season . Lodging and food will be provided . The worship and fellowship will be outstand-ing . Come and support this vital project and experience mission work like you never have before! No, you are not too old for this project . There will be work for you to do . If you are interested in this project and can help, please contact our Build-ers Coordinator, Ray Morris at: Raymor1@peoplepc .com or call him at 513-593-5130 .

Buckeye Baptist Builders

2014 OPERATIONAL STRESS

FIRST AID TRAININGApril 4 (8:30 am- 5:00 pm) – April 5 (8:30 am - 3:00 pm)

State Convention Office9000 Antares Avenue

Columbus, Ohio 43240-2011

Bring your gear and sleep in a nearby church! Or ask for a list of local motels.

INSTRUCTOR: Enio Aguero, Chaplaincy & Ethnic Relations National Director, North American Mission Board.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: COST $ 50.00

INCLUDED: Materials, continental breakfast, snacks and lunch. Supper will be on your own.

TO REGISTER CONTACT: Nick Freeman, DR Chaplain Coordinator, 5227 Elk Run Dr., Liberty Twp., Ohio 45011, (513) 309-1533 or Email [email protected]

Operational Stress First Aid (OSFA) is a flexible multi-step process for the timely assessment and preclinical care of stress reactions or in-juries in individuals or units with the goals to preserve life, prevent further harm, and promote recovery. OSFA is required training for SBC Disaster Relief Chaplain endorsement.

Helen M . Allan, 88, of Ocala, Florida passed away January 7, 2014 . Born in De-troit, MI, she came to this area 16 years ago from Ridgecrest, NC . She was married to Mar-vin Allan in 1950 . He later passed away in 1951 . With no children, Mrs . Allan spent her life in leading and teach-ing religious education pro-fessionals in Southern Baptist Religions in the mission education area . After graduation from Southern Baptist seminary in 1958, her accomplishments include various positions at the Baptist Sunday School Board (Lifeway) Nashville, TN, ending in associ-ate editor of the “Home Life” magazine . In 1968, Mrs . Allan became editor of the preschool “Start” magazine at Birmingham, AL, followed by a 14 year stent as the as Director of Woman’s Missionary Union in Ohio . Also among her accomplishments was the writing of three preschool children’s books . She is survived by her brothers, Gerald “Jerry” Armstrong of Silver Springs, FL, Harold Armstrong of West Palm Beach, FL and Gene Armstrong of Kernersville, NC; 14 nieces and nephews, 32 great-nieces and nephews and 20 great-great nieces and nephews . She was preceded in death by her brother, Stanley Armstrong, Jr .

A Homegoing

Helen M. Allan

February 2014 | Ohio Baptist Messenger | Page 3

More than two hundred people attended the multicul-tural worship service at New Bethel Baptist Church in Nor-wood, Ohio, on Sunday night September 15 . New Bethel Baptist Church shares the building with the Good Shep-herd Hispanic Baptist Church which has services every Satur-day at 6:00 pm and every Sun-day at 2:00 pm . In the Christian Family Development Center, a Sudanese congregation meets every Sunday at the same time the New Bethel congregation is meeting while the Sudanese children attend Sunday School classes with New Bethel . All three con-gregations met together for the special worship service . Each congregation partici-pated with testimonies and special music with interpreters as needed . A fellowship meal was enjoyed by everyone following the worship service . The sweet spirit of the service provided an excellent example of the all inclusiveness of the gospel of Jesus Christ our Savior . Kirk Pike is the pastor at New Bethel Baptist Church .

Submitted by: Chuck Sams

Multicultural Worship Service

How to submit Church News Send all church news and information to

Linnett Snodgrass at [email protected]

For information about the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio and more Baptist Press news, go to our website www.scbo.org.

By John and Kay Cattell, Defiance, OH Disciple House is a ministry to ex-offenders helping them in their transi-tion to post-incarceration life . John and Kay Cattell lead this significant minis-try located in Defiance, Ohio . Both are missionaries of the Northwest Baptist Association, the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, and the North Ameri-can Mission Board . The Cooperative Mission Program, Ray Roberts State Mission Offering, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, and other contribu-tions provide support for this effective ministry . Scott is an example of how God is using this ministry to provide hope . The story of Scott started many years ago as we met him in North Central Correctional Facility at Marion, Ohio . Scott always attended worship services when we visited and was very receptive to our message of God’s grace, hope and love, but we would hear from others though that his life outside church was far from righteous . Still, I told him we would help him when he was released . Upon his release I picked up Scott, drove him to Cleveland, bought him some clothes and food, left him with

some cash and showed him how to take the Rapid Transit system near his hotel to downtown on Monday . He found work that weekend around the hotel to earn some additional cash, and went to his parole officer on Monday . She point-ed him to a City Mission just down the street . There he had a room, food, and again found a little work across the street at a garage just sweeping up the place . Later he applied at a restaurant and was rejected . But as he was leaving the build-ing, the manager ran, caught up with him, and hired him to wash dishes . In the meantime, Scott had not been able to locate his two children . Neither the P .O . nor the Child Protec-tive Services, would tell him where they were or alert them that he was now out of prison . He kept searching, but ran into roadblocks at every turn . His job at the garage increased in salary, his job at the restaurant was going well, and he hired a lawyer to help find his children . Still, a year and a half later, he could not find them . But his boss at the garage helped him get his driver’s license, sold him a used car from the garage on payments, he was advancing at the restaurant, and the Mission had moved him into an adjacent apartment

so he could still eat all his meals there . His boss also eventually moved Scott into a rental house he owned, and of-fered Scott the option to buy . Here’s a recent update: Scott met his son and has established a great relation-ship with him . He lives nearby and they see each other almost every day . Scott has met a Christian woman whom he is dating . His daughter surprised him on Christmas Day with a visit along with

Scott’s new grandson, and she wants to be a part of his life . Oh, and one more piece of good news: his restaurant boss has opened a new location and has made Scott manager with a salary near $50,000!! This has happened over a span of two and a half years . Scott has re-mained faithful . God has provided . God is good .

A Story of Hope from the Disciple House

Members of the Sudanese congregation bringing special music during the service.

John & Kay Cattell

Fellowship meal in the Bayside Building following the multicultural service

Left: Kirk Pike with Antonio Martinez from Good Shep-herd Hispanic congregation,


On Thursday, December 5th, the Northcoast Baptist Association held a farewell dinner to honor the service of Dan and Gail Duffy . With over 120 people in attendance, they were able to reflect on their ministry both here and over the years . The group consisted of pastors and wives, church leaders, and past and present church members from his congregations . Dan and Gail’s two Children, Mike and Christine, were able to come and bring their children . Dur-ing the evening, we enjoyed music by Dan’s former music leader, Pam Stewart, as well as testimony from many of our pastors and church planters . Jack Helton from the SCBO came and encouraged our pastors to continue on in their ministry, just as Dan has done for many years . Steve Long of Toledo and Kevin Litchfield

of Cleveland came and joking chided Dan for retiring and then presented him with a gift to help enjoy that retirement . Dan has served the Northcoast Baptist Associa-tion for 12 years as the Direc-tor of Missions and as a pas-tor in our association prior to this position . Dan has no plans to ‘just retire’ . He is just transitioning into a new field of ministry, wherever the

Lord may lead . He and Gail will continue to live in the Sandusky area, and Dan will continue to fill the pulpit as needed . He is looking to see where his next step will take

him as the Lord leads . We here on the North-coast are thankful for the many years Dan has served faithfully . We are sad to see him go but are anxious to see

where God leads us as an as-sociation and Dan and Gail on their new adventures .

Submitted by Rachel Carter

Dan Duffy Retires

Training for new volunteers Friday and Saturday

Cross-training for current volunteers on Saturday

DR clothing sales

DR Badges will be issued or updated as needed

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age

(21 years of age for Child Care unit)

Serving in Southern Baptist Disaster Relief requires membership at an

Ohio Southern Baptist Church

CPR Training will be available for those already trained in Disaster Re-

lief. This requires pre-registration at a cost of $ 20.00 per person for the

CPR class only!

To Learn More

contact

Ministry Evangelism Assistant

Sam Kelley: (614)309-9751

[email protected]

Friday 6:00 PM Registration 6:30-9:30 PM “Involving Southern Baptists in Disaster Relief” Saturday 7:15 AM Continental Breakfast 8:00 AM Unit Training 12:00 PM Lunch Provided by DR Food Service 12:30 PM Evangelism Training 3:00 PM Dismissed Background check information will be requested during this session. All volunteers must have a background check performed. “...Giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name” from Matt: 10:42

OOHIOHIO SSOUTHERNOUTHERN BBAPTISTAPTIST DDISASTERISASTER RRELIEFELIEF

CHILD CARE

CHAIN SAW

FOOD SERVICE

MUD OUT

SHOWER/LAUNDRY

Volunteer and Trainer sleeping rooms are available in the church Friday night.

Bring a bed roll and personal items. Disaster Relief is a ministry of the SOUTHERN BAPTIST COOPERATIVE PROGRAM and RAY ROBERTS STATE MISSION OFFERING

May 2 & 3, 2014 May 30 & 31, 2014 Nov. 14 & 15, 2014

New Hope B. C. Emmanuel B. C. Lincoln Heights BC

1401 Loveland Maderia Rd 201 Breaden Ave 512 Stewart Rd. N.

Loveland, Oh 45140 Jackson, Oh 45640 Mansfield, Oh 44905

Senior Adults have been called to P-R-A-Y in 2014 . We are very familiar with prayer and have experienced how God has answered prayers . We have prayed for needs, for wants, and for others in our different stages of life, and we are obligated to Him to share these many experiences . Se-niors need to share these ex-periences with young people, with one another, and with a lost world . When we think about prayer, we can be challenged to think of it in the prayer pattern shown in the Pray Ohio call to prayer (http://www .scbo .org/content/prayer-pattern):

P — praise GodR — repent, personal purityA — ask, specific requestsY — yield self/expectation

As we think about prayer in this light, there is no question about giving God the PRAISE . REPENTing is something we all need to do because we are all sinners . Amen? While we do ask God to forgive us, we sometimes only associate the word repent with those that are accepting Christ for the first time . The evil one has shaded the truth and tried to cover

up the seriousness of sin--the sin that we are doing uncon-sciously and habitually think-ing that it is not harming any-one or anything . We need to stop and allow God to examine our lives: “Search my heart, O God .” Our specific requests are what we ASK of God . Con-centrate our prayers to be on our own state of Ohio and the spiritual needs of its 11 .5 mil-lion people . Then we must YIELD ourselves to the Father . With the fast pace of our world today, our expectations can be low, but we have a God that has overcome the world . Are we ready? When all our prayers are lifted up to God, what do you think is going to happen? God has not called us to pray without answers, but how does He answer? Most of the time God answers through His people! He has not only called us to pray, but also to be the instruments in fulfill-ing those requests . Let us go to Him with a sincere heart, prepared to see miracles . ARE YOU READY?

Submitted by Dale Norris, Pastor to Senior Adults, University Baptist Church, Middletown

Senior Adults, Are We Ready?

Dan and Gail Duffy

Retirement Celebration


(Castalia, Ohio) Cold Creek Community Church, a church plant in Northcoast Baptist Association hosted their first annual Parent’s Night Out event on December 12 . It was a servant evangelism event designed to attract families of young children from preschool age to fifth graders . Parents in the community were invited to bring their children to the local elementary school to make Christmas crafts, watch a movie, have pizza and punch while their parents went to do some kid-free shopping . The church plant hosted a second location at their worship facil-ity that allowed parents after returning from their shop-ping, if desired, to come and wrap their Christmas gifts . As an expression of God’s love, the church provided the pizza, punch, refreshments, crafts and wrapping supplies free of charge to those who attended . With the help of their sponsors, they sent a direct mailer post-card to 2700+ homes, apart-

ments and dwellings within the zip codes of Castalia, Bay View and Vickery, Ohio . Though there was not a large atten-dance, the church plant made some significant connections with a couple of unchurched families that were in atten-dance at the children’s event at the local elementary school . Thanks to the faithful support of fellow Southern Baptists in missions giving and prayer, the church plant was able to reach these families in their mission

field . Please pray that the Lord will empower them to reach the unchurched families, gain more core group members for the work of ministry and find more people to partner with the church as sponsors . Gene and Shirley Smith, commissioned church planting missionaries by NAMB and affiliated with the SCBO and Northcoast Baptist Association, lead the church plant .

Submitted by Gene Smith

Church hosts Parent’s Night Out The Three Testaments

of LifeBy Jack Helton

Considered one of the richest of the world’s nearly 2,700 languages, did you know that the English language contains approximately 1,000,000 words? Of these, about 200,000 words are in common use today . It is said that the average educated person has a vocabulary of about 20,000 words and uses about 2,000 of them during the course of a typical week’s conversations . “Testament” is a word that probably most folks do not use in weekly conversations . The word “testament” comes from a Latin word (testāmentum) meaning, “to bear wit-ness,” as in a will or covenant . When my 21st century mind hears this archaic word, it quickly associates 3 other words or phrases with the term: Old (Testament): As a youth I was taught that it con-tained39 books, 929 chapters and depending upon which version you read approximately 600,000 words . It records or retells the stories of the Creation, Adam & Eve, the Fall, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Miriam, Moses, Pharaoh, the Exo-dus, Joshua, the Judges, Saul, David, the Giant, Solomon, Elijah, the Psalmist, the Proverbs, Isaiah, Daniel, the Proph-ets, the Whale, and the Wait for the Messiah . New (Testament): My Sunday School teacher told me that it consisted of 27 books, 260 chapters and again depending upon which version approximately 200,000 words . It too con-tained in written form the stories of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, the Wisemen, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Mary Magdalene, Pontius Pilate, Simon the Cyrene, the Centuri-on, Joseph of Arimathea, Stephen, Barnabas, Dorcas, Lydia, James, Timothy, and John on the isle of Patmos . Last Will (and Testament): As an adult my vocational vocabulary now regularly includes the terms Testator, In-testate, Estate, Executor, Trust, Guardian, Property, Benefi-ciaries, Charitable Bequest, Witnesses, Notary, and Probate . The Ohio Baptist Foundation was chartered in 1969 by those convinced of the importance of each of these 3 testa-ments . From then until now, the OBF has diligently sought to encourage Christians to experience the life changing power of the first 2 testaments, with an eye on seeing the important need of fulfilling the 3rd testament . Did you know that approximately 2 .3 million Ameri-cans (including 54,000 Ohioans) will die in 2014? Of these, according to most estimates and studies, only about 50% will have a Last Will and Testament . The task of the Ohio Baptist Foundation is to assist donors in living and leaving a testament that honors and glorifies God . Our mission and purpose is to walk with those whom, by their convictions of both the first 2 testaments, want to turn the 3rd, their Last Will and Testament, into a “Giving Testament” for the benefit of loved ones and/or charitable organizations . This honors God and is what the Christian Church has, for at least the last 1000 years, called “Stewardship .” If your Ohio Baptist Foundation can assist you in turn-ing the 3rd testament of your life into your “Giving Testa-ment,” give us a call . Remember, there is no better time to make a will than right now!

Commit your activities to the Lord and your plans will be achieved. (Pr. 16:3) HCSB

Parents night out


by Julie Walters

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala .) – Jan . 2, 2014 – Clella Lee will join the national WMU staff as

leadership consultant on the adult resource team on Jan . 6 . In this new role, she will create strategic plans for developing women in the area of leadership including an online leadership training program to further expand

WMU’s Christian Women’s Leadership Center (CWLC) . The Christian Women’s Leadership Center is a partnership between WMU and Samford University for the purpose of assisting women of all walks of life in furthering their leader-ship capabilities . Lee will help guide and grow the CWLC by implementing plans for experi-ential learning opportunities, more internships for students at WMU, monthly leadership lun-cheons, and more . “Clella brings a great depth of knowledge and practical experience to WMU,” said Carol Causey, director of national WMU’s missions resource center . “Her role in leading the CWLC

will give her and WMU an ideal platform to as-sist women in all spheres of life to be servant leaders . We are thrilled Clella is joining us .” Most recently, Lee served on the staff of Lafayette Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N .C ., leading in the areas of evangelism and equipping from 2000 to 2008, and music and worship from 2008 until April of this year . Prior work expe-rience includes serving at Campbell University Divinity School in Buies Creek, N .C ., as an ad-junct professor in 2010 and 2011 and as direc-tor of admissions and student affairs from 1997 until 2000 . She also has 14 years of experience teaching in elementary schools which will help give context and insight as she helps develop leadership content for all WMU age-level mis-sions organizations . Lee obtained a bachelor’s degree in elemen-tary education from Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn .; and earned a Master of Divin-ity with a concentration in Christian education and Doctor of Ministry from Campbell Univer-sity . She and her husband, Brian, who serves as pastor of Shades Crest Baptist Church, reside in Birmingham, Ala .

Women’s Missions & Ministries Called To Pray

By Cathy Pound

“Whenever God determines to do a great work, He first sets His people to pray .” C .H . Spurgeon . This is the time, God is call-ing Ohio Baptist to intercede for the lost in Ohio . Many of us set aside ten days in January to pray and fast for Ohio . During this experience, I believe God promised that we will see a change in ourselves, our churches, our communities – His presence – His power – His peace . I believe our responsibility for the promise is to re-present Jesus to our churches and our communities . Many Ohio 2014 Prayer Initiative resources are available at www .scbo .org/pray or on request from Amanda Mishne, Aman-da@scbo .org, 614-827-1814 . The special emphasis for February is designed as a Next Factor tool to engage Ohio Baptist in Presenting Christ through prayer for affinity groups and people groups who call Ohio home . Philippians 2:10-11, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” is not only the Scriptural mandate, but also serves as a prayer prompt if you set your phone alarm for 2:10 p .m . as a reminder to pray daily . A pocket size as well as a bulletin insert and a full page calendar guide features twenty-eight groups that represent a portion of the Ohio population chosen to pray for salvation .

WMU names Clella Lee as new leadership consultant

Parents of IMB Missionaries Ohio is blessed in many ways and Ohio Baptists are a blessing to many around the world . Latest count we have close to one hundred active missionaries serving with the International Mission Board . Denise Hopkins and Charissa Fee are working togeth-er to design an Ohio IMB Missionary Parents and Adult Siblings Fellowship . If you are aware of Ohioans serving as IMB Missionaries please contact Denise to make sure she has the parent or adult sibling contact information . Use either email, dhopkins@insight .rr .com or call Denise, 614-562-2234 .

Join Us On Facebook! OWN-Ohio Women’s Network

Upcoming Women’s Ministry Events

SEEKING STAFFDublin Baptist Church, 7195 Coffman Rd, Dublin, OH 43017http://dublinbaptist .com

Dublin Baptist Church, a member of the State Convention of Bap-tists in Ohio, is seeking a Minister or Director for Children . Dub-lin Baptist’s average Sunday morning attendance is approximately 800 with 150 children from birth to 5th grade, served by over 100 volunteers . The Minister/Director will facilitate, direct, and imple-ment their vision for the Children’s ministry, working with the DBC ministerial staff, as well as overseeing the Director of our Mom’s Day Out program .

The successful, God-led candidate should possess:• A passionate calling to a Children’s Ministry• The ability to communicate with children and parents with au-

thenticity, authority, passion, and effectiveness• Reliability in executing plans, vision, and goals

Submissions can be e-mailed to dublinbcchildren@gmail .com or via US Mail to the address above . More information can be found at http://dublinbaptist .com/

Seeking full-time experienced, enthusiastic Minister to Preschoolers and Children, for a growing ministry in a strong, healthy church in suburban Cincinnati . Check us out at mtcarmelbaptist .org . or sub-mit resumes to mountcarmelbc@fuse .net

EVENT DATE

Annie Armstrong 2014 March 2 - 9

Beautiful Feet April 12

Kids Kamp Week 1 June 16 - 20

Kids Kamp Week 2 June 23 - 27

Kids Kamp Week 3 July 28 - August 1

Lottie Moon Week of Prayer November 30 - December 7

Missions Camp August 4 - 8

Mother Daughter Retreat October 10 - 11

Pastors’ Wives Luncheon November 6

Ray Roberts September 14 - 21

Royal Ambassador Congress April 11 - 12

Women’s Fall Retreat & Mission Celebration September 12 - 13

Women’s Regional Spring Retreats March & May


Women’s Missions & Ministries

April 11 and 12, FBC Fairfield is hosting RA Congress . Johnny Webb of Tates Creek Baptist Association in Cen-tral Kentucky is bringing a team of men to lead our Ohio Congress . Registration opens on Friday night at 6 p .m . Worship begins at 7 p .m . The evening includes a Mis-sionary speaker, RA Racers and Campcrafts . Saturday will begin early with breakfast at 6:30 a .m . followed by an Award Ceremony for trophies, badges, and other recog-nition . 8:30 a .m . RAs will join the statewide evangelism event, Beautiful Feet at FBC Mason for a day of hands on missions in the Cincinnati area . For more details contact Cathy Pound, cpound@scbo .org . For registration infor-mation, contact Amanda Mishne, Amanda@scbo .org

RA Congress

2014


Evangelism Highlights

By Bryan Wiles

Sunday, November 24th was a very exciting day in the life of our church! With much effort from our pastors and staff we obtained permission to have our first baptism on campus in the ballroom where we have our services

each Sunday (in the past, we used an-other church’s baptistery on a Sunday afternoon .) A borrowed horse trough, 275 gallons of water, tarps, towels, spe-cial insurance and 32 people excited to proclaim their faith in Christ equaled an evening of celebration . Among the 32, there were 30 college students, one

high school student, one of our h2o Kids, aand n 8-year old little boy who prayed to begin his walk with Christ a few weeks ago . His testimony was shared so eloquently and bravely from his own mouth . His parents have been believers for about 3 years and seeing their lives and their parenting drasti-

cally change, caused him to want what they had! Praise! There were lots of tears, shouts of praise, and hugs throughout the night as each person shared their grace story before entering the trough to be greet-ed by Pastor Rob and another staff or leader they chose to stand with them .

Exciting days at Bowling Green H2O

I was paying my check at a very slow Cracker Barrel today and the lady at the register, who is a young mother, asked me how I liked my food, and then told me the things on the menu that she liked . She was in a talking mood and kept talking about various restaurants and the menus containing unhealthy foods, etc . So I decided to take the conversation in a different direction . I pulled out the “Hot Line To Heaven” (EvangeCube) and said, “If you should end up at heavens gate tonight and God asked you, ‘Why should I let you into My heaven?’ what would your answer be?” She said, “BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER SINNED .” Woo! I have had people tell me they are good persons, but never because they haven’t sinned . It didn’t take long to convince her the she indeed is a sinner . I then went through the EvangeCube and explained how Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of Eden and introduced sin into the world . I then shared my personal testimony with her and confirmed to her that I knew I was destined to hell unless I called on Jesus to forgive me of my sins and save my soul . At that point the young mother was anxious to ask Jesus to forgive her sins and save her soul . Then she uttered the words I often hear after someone surrenders to Jesus, “Thank you for sharing with me .” At one point during my presentation of the gospel the young mother told me she would like to read the Bible and learn more, but she just couldn’t under-stand it because of the way it is written . She was trying to read and understand the King James version but to no avail . Therefore, I gave her a Holman Chris-tian Standard EvangeCube New Testament Bible and she was just thrilled . This Bible is a great tool to use to reinforce a person’s personal decision of salvation,

and you can give them the Bible after you’ve finished sharing Christ with them .As our time together concluded, I began to wonder how many more young mothers are out there that need to hear of the Good News of Jesus Christ . And how many more believe they have not sinned? What will happen to them if they don’t hear? If they are not saved? Well, we know the answer to those ques-tions, and the answers aren’t good . Therefore, someone needs to tell them, and I believe that someone must be me and it must be you! In closing, let’s all be reminded that we live in a confused world . Confused because many Americans come from second and third generation families that are lost and with little or no church background . Confused because some churches do not present the gospel consistently and clearly . Confused because we share the gospel but never draw the net by explaining the details of how to be saved right then . Confused because the government and the media are doing a better job of getting Satan’s message heard than we Christians are at getting God’s message heard . Praise God for churches and individuals that are evangelizing and drawing the net . The message of Christ is life changing . It is Good News . The lost world needs to hear it . Someone needs to tell them . Will you join me in doing so? II Corinthians 5:16-6:2

Revised by Jack Helton based on a story told by Larry Randolph (church member, devoted disciple, and a personal soul winner)!

SOMEONE NEEDS TO TELL THEM

Pastor Rob Warren (Left) baptizing Nick Doer (senior at BGSU) along with recent graduates Brandon Hines and Mike Salyer.

Pastor Rob Warren (Left) with Brandan Rankins (16 yrs old) and grandmother. Brandan and his family started coming to h2o in August upon which he came to faith in Jesus.

h2o church @ BGSU. Fall baptism service on campus in the Student Union Ballroom. 32 students were baptized that night!


Evangelism Highlights

Make plans now to attend Momentum 2014

Mo14 will be held on Tuesday, March 18th, 2014, at Jersey Baptist Church (www .jerseychurch .org) . The event begins at 9am and will conclude by 6pm . Mo14 is a great opportunity to be encouraged and challenged in your faith walk with Christ . The day prior to Mo14, on Monday, March 17th, Jersey will host a Church Revitalization Conference with Johnny Hunt, pastor at FBC Woodstock, GA . Go to www .namb .net to learn more about Church Revitalization . Brother Johnny will also be one of our key-note speakers at Mo14 along with David Uth, Derwin Gray, D . A Horton, and Ed Stetzer . Also, Jaye Martin will be our guest speaker for our annual Ladies Luncheon . Register for the Ladies Luncheon by going to scbo .org/register . The cost is $10 . In addition to great preaching, fellowship, and ministry resources, Mo14 will also offer multiple ministry workshops on such subjects as evangelism, church planting, discipleship, leadership, coaching, video production, and church technology . We will also have a few ministry resources to give away . This year at Mo14 we will have a great barbecue lunch catered in for those that want to eat on-site . I’ve heard it is exceptionally delicious . You’ll get a choice of 2 meats, 2 sides, a desert, and a drink . All for the low price of $10 . Register by going to scbo .org/register . Deadline to register is Monday, March 10th . Look for complete details atwww .momentumconference2014 .com and www .scbo .org . I hope to see you there!

There Is Victory In Jesus, Jack Helton, Evangelism Resource Group Leader

Nearly 72% of Southern Baptist

churches in North America

have plateaued or are declining in number. Send North America is designed to combat

this trend by increasing the birth rate of new churches and decreasing the death rate of

existing churches, but we need your help. The Send North America Church Growth and

Revitalization Conference is a one-day experience intended to equip you with tools to

infuse new life into your church and others like it throughout North America. Register

for the Send North America Church Growth and Revitalization Conference and partner

with us to penetrate lostness in North America through healthy, thriving churches.

Jersey Church

13260 Morse Road SW

Pataskala, OH 43062

Cost: $30

(includes registration, conference

notebook, lunch, refreshments and a $15

LifeWay gift card)

Learn more and register online today at

namb.net/revitalization.

For more information, email

[email protected]

or call 770-410-6388.

with Johnny HuntFor additional details you can contact Jack Helton ([email protected]) or Ashleigh Moodie ([email protected])


Your participation is crucial. Help create an accurate, reliable database that will be used by thousands of churches to help determine fair compensation for their church staff . The 2014 SBC church compensation survey will be conducted online January 1 through May 31, 2014, at www .GuideStone .org/CompensationSurvey, and your help is needed! This survey is a joint effort of all Baptist state conventions, LifeWay Christian Re-sources and GuideStone Financial Resources . It has been conducted every two years since 1996 to assist Southern Baptist churches, ministers, pastor-search teams and personnel committees to establish compet-itive compensation and employer-provided benefits for church employees . Between 09/04/12 and 10/24/13, results from the 2012 SBC church compensation survey were accessed almost 55,000 times (128/day average) by almost 48,000 unique visitors (115/day average)! This is the largest sur-

vey of its kind with over 12,000 completed surveys in 2012, and survey results are available, your SBC churches can access customized reports with compensation and employer-provided benefit data for churches of com-parable size and financial resources . This information is provided at NO COST to your churches, but we need your help and participation in the survey! The more par-ticipation in your state by churches of various sizes, the better the results will be when your churches want to use the tool to find compensation data from similarly-sized churches in your area .

Additional survey information• All survey data will be kept confidential . Results are

reported only in aggregate by state convention or at the national level .

• The survey will take approximately five to eight minutes per employee.

• Results will be available in the summer of 2014 .

The State Convention of Baptists in Ohio has partnered with the Oklahoma and Louisiana Baptist Con-vention to produce the 2013 Church Tax Video. This consists of nearly 5 hours of teaching on three DVD’s, plus one CD related to Ohio specific tax forms. Norma Woodard, a retired IRS agent, and Barbara Spess, a tax accountant specializing in ministerial tax issues, are the presenters on the DVD. These two ladies have led the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma’s Tax Seminars annually for many years. Pastor taxes, church financial policies, and church specific updates related to the new Patient Affordable Care Act are included in the presentation. Thanks to Ohio Baptists’ Cooperative Program support, the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio is able to make this package available to any SCBO church for $20. This will truly be a valuable resource for the church treasurer or ministerial staff for many years. To order a set for your church, contact Dave Warton at [email protected] or (614) 827-1840.

Church Tax Videos Available

Lottie Moon BlessingKettering First Baptist Church has engaged the Ci people of Benin and had a team providing medical clinics and also camping among the Ci people . FBC Kettering had set a $35,000 Lottie Moon Missions Christmas Offering Goal . Some members were shocked and said it couldn’t be done . They’d never had such a goal before . An announcement was made that they’d given $48,000! Every penny of that money goes directly to the work around the world . Pastor Chad Keck challenged the con-gregation to make it $50,000 and now they’ve gone over $50,000!!!!! ! Praise God for this tremendous sacrificial giving that millions more may come to Christ!!!!

Submitted by: Jeff and Barbara


December 1 Steve Hop-kins (SCBO) and Steve Stiglich (Associational Missionary, Dayton) presented the Stowe Award to Elizabeth Shoemak-er, widow of the 2013 recipi-ent, Rick Shoemaker . Presenta-tion took place at First Baptist Church, New Carlisle, on the date that Rick would have cel-ebrated 34 years of service as pastor . The Darty and Dot Stowe began their ministry in Mis-sion Ohio is 1954 as director of missions for the greater Cin-cinnati area . A year later he be-came state director of missions and then became associate executive secretary, working closely with Ray Roberts . He added roles of Brotherhood director and overseer of the annuity program for Mission Ohio pastors . He served until his home-going in 1981 . Dot served Georgetown College as director of a women’s resi-dence hall from ’83-’89, then

moved back to Ohio until the Lord called her home in 2000 .Darty Stowe led well from the ‘second chair,’ with a servant’s heart… not with the national recognition like Ray Roberts or Tal Bonham, but leaving a great legacy in Ohio . The award is given every year to a pastor or minister who has served faithfully, perhaps nev-er recognized like those in the larger, more visible churches, but leaving a legacy and serv-

ing in the spirit of 1 Thessalo-nians 2:3-12 . Pastor Rick Shoemaker was nominated for the Stowe Award by Steve Stiglich . Rick, a native of Kettering, was saved in 1971 and began preaching while a senior at Fairmont East High School . He graduated from Cumberland College and continued his theological training at Southern Seminary . He was called to FBC New Carlisle in December 1979 .

Rick was chairman of the associational youth commit-tee for many years, organizing youth rallies that reached hun-dreds of students each month . Several pastors, including Steve Stiglich, got their start under the mentoring of Shoemaker . Rick also served with Church Transformational Ministries, a group of certified Christian conciliators, trained in Bibli-cal peacemaking, mediation and church conflict interven-tion . Rick wrote a weekly col-umn (From the Pulpit) for area newspapers and authored nu-merous articles and dramatic sketches for LifeWay . His first book, Dissecting the Serpent: Exposing 21 of the Devil’s Most Destructive Devices was re-leased November 2012 . Because the Stowe Award is kept secret until the presen-tation at the annual meeting, Rick went home to his eternal reward before knowing he was the 2013 recipient . The Father

called him home Sunday, Oc-tober 27, 2013, after a short illness . The award was an-nounced at the annual meet-ing, and presentation made to Elizabeth with the FBC New Carlisle family affirming the legacy of Pastor Rick . The Darty and Dot Stowe Award is provided by annual gifts to Georgetown College from members of the Stowe family . Candidates for the Stowe Award must be cur-rently serving Mission Ohio and have at least five years of service . Nominations are sub-mitted to the state convention staff by October 1 each year . The award is announced dur-ing the annual meeting of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio . A recognition plaque and a financial award for the purchase of books and/or con-tinuing education are present-ed to the recipient .

Darty and Dot Stowe Award Presented

Left to right: Steve Hopkins, Elizabeth Shoemaker, Steve Stiglich


PRESS TOWARD THE MARK

Jack Kwok, Ph.D.Executive Director-TreasurerState Convention of Baptists in Ohio

How to become a Christian

If you are not a Christian, have never surrendered your will to the Lord Jesus, let me share briefly how you can make this life changing decision. GOD WANTS YOU SAVED.

First, you must believe that God loves you and wants you to have peace in your heart and an everlasting life (John 3:16).

Second, you must recognize that you are a sinner, that you have done things which have displeased God and that you have separated yourself from Him (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

Third, you must believe that Jesus came to this earth, was actually God in the flesh, lived a perfect life, and yet went to a cruel cross, dying for your sins, paying once and for all the penalty of sin (I Peter 2:24). However, it’s not enough just to

know these three things. Many of us knew them for years before we ever gave Jesus our lives.

Fourth, you must personally ask Jesus to come into your life and forgive you of your sins (Revelation 3:20).

You can pray this prayer now and if you mean it with all of your heart, Jesus will come in just like He said. He cannot lie.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I’m really sorry for my sins, Lord. I ask you now, Lord Jesus, to come into my heart, forgive me of my sins, take control of my life, and make me the kind of person You want me to be. I now receive You into my heart. Thank You for coming in. I will follow You all the days of my life. In Your name I pray, Amen.

“Love lifted me! Love lifted me! When nothing else could help, Love lifted me! This chorus from an old hymn is the valentine message we proclaim every day of every week of every month of every year . Mission Ohio is the cooperative effort of Southern Baptists to take this message of God’s love to Ohio . In short, John 3:16 is a valentine mes-sage from God to the world . “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” declares Romans 3:23 . “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord,” states Romans 6:23 . To re-ceive this gift of eternal life and experience the lifting of God’s love requires “repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,” as expressed in Acts 20:21 . “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” promises Romans 10:13 . This is a 24/7 valentine message . If you will repent of your sin, put your faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save you and give you eternal life, and ask Jesus to save you, you will be lifted out of the sea of condemnation, bond-age, and damnation from sin and placed upon the solid shore of redemption, forgiveness, and salvation in Jesus Christ . Southern Baptists in Ohio and the nation support the Co-operative Mission Program to take the message of God’s love to the whole world . We are a missionary people, because love lifted each one of us removing us from the darkness of sin and plac-ing us in the light of Jesus Himself . The Great Commission be-gins at our doorstep and extends to whole world . Through the Cooperative Mission Program, Southern Baptists obey the Great Commission in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth .” Please make plans to join in celebrating Cooperative Mission Program Day April 13, 2014 . The intent of the Cooperative Mission Program is for the earth’s living population to have the opportunity to respond to the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: God’s message of love and salvation . Until all have the opportunity to choose to sing “Love Lifted Me,” let’s press toward that Mark .

By Jim Rickert

On Nov . 19 - Dec .1, My precious wife, Mary, and I experienced our first international missions trip . It was an experience that was so life changing that it’s hard to describe with words but I will try . From start to finish, we never stopped seeing the miraculous working of God . In recent years, my pastor’s wife, Nawal Picard, has been leading inter-national mission trips to the Middle East and this year it was to the Holy Land . I felt the lead-ing of God that He wanted us to participate . At first, I thought since it was a trip to the Holy Land, we would be mainly touring but that was not the case . From the time the plane landed to the time we returned home, we were power packed with ministry . We ministered in five churches, held over ten seminars and ministered to at least 600 people . We ministered in Bethlehem and all the way to the north in Nazareth . I was able to give my personal testimony in the same town where “the walls came tumbling down” with Joshua and the Israelites .

In the North, we also had a ministry among the Druzes, working alongside with one of our international representatives . “Jack” has had an outreach for 38 years among this people group and because of their respect for him, doors had been opened to us that we could never dreamed of . We were entertained by people that enter-tained kings and presidents and we even shared our faith with one of the most influential fami-

lies in the country . Overall, as a missions director, I’ve always had a proper view of missions but it wasn’t until I ex-perienced it firsthand, it became personal . One of my most mov-ing moments was when I was at our International House of prayer in Jerusalem . It was there

for a moment, that I truly experience an out pouring of the Holy Spirit and saw this world as Christ saw it . Pray with me as the Lord continues to work in my life and the work that He has set before Nawal Picard . It is my prayer that the Lord will use my experience as a catalyst for you to experi-ence missions firsthand .

Northside Baptist (Youngstown) Mission’s Director sees International Missions Firsthand

Left to right: Jim Hunter, Mary Rickert, Suzanne and David Hill, Jim Rickert, Brian and Nawal Picard

I was able to give my personal testimony

in the same town where “the walls came tumbling down” with

Joshua and the Israelites.

Documents

February 2014 - Ohio Baptist Messenger