October 2016 - Press Toward the Mark

As we approach the November 2, 2016 annual meeting of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, let us do so with celebration for the blessings of the Father on Mission Ohio and commitment to the remaining task of evangelism and discipleship from Ohio to the ends of the earth. President Jeremy Westbrook has chosen the theme “Moving Forward” to guide the proceedings and worship for the 2016 annual meeting. 

We are so very grateful to the wonderful Vandalia First Baptist Church for hosting the 2016 annual meeting. The address is 140 Elva Court, Vandalia, OH 45377- 1831, and the church phone number is 1-937-898-3874. Pastor David Starry, his staff, and members have worked tremendously hard to provide for the needs and comfort of the messengers. 

Significant changes in the schedule await the messengers to the 2016 annual meeting. The annual meeting will begin at 8:30 A.M., Wednesday morning and conclude with the afternoon session. In addition to the business items, Jeremy Westbrook pastor of Living Hope Baptist Church in Marysville, OH will deliver his presidential address, and Tim Cline pastor of Chillicothe Baptist Church in Chillicothe, OH will preach the annual sermon. Prior to the annual meeting is a Pastor’s Conference. 

Messengers will vote on the December 2016-2017 budget which reflects moving to a 50/50 ratio distribution of Cooperative Mission Program receipts. This move to the 50/50 ratio distribution in one year represents a decrease of $78,059 in personnel costs and an increase of 16.65% (an additional $630,447) in contributions from the SCBO churches. This additional decrease in SCBO staffing, will bring the total to a 52% reduction in positions implemented over the years in order to continue supporting missions from Ohio to the ends of the earth. 

More detailed information on the Pastor’s Conference, lodging, and restaurants are available in this issue of the Ohio Baptist Messenger and at scbo.org the website of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. “Moving Forward” is what Ohio Southern Baptists must continue to do to reach 1,000,000 believers in 2,020 congregations by the end of 2020. Let’s press toward that mark.