Ohio African American Fellowship meets for record-setting retreat

By Stephanie Heading

In early June, members of the Ohio African American Fellowship (OAAF) met in Cincinnati for two days of fellowship, worship, and biblical challenge. This annual event brings together ministry leaders, pastors, and believers from all over Ohio who are actively seeking to encourage African American participation in every facet of kingdom building. This year’s event, organized and executed by President Tony Harris, attracted the largest group to ever participate in an OAAF Retreat.

Speakers for the two-day event included both state and national leaders.  SCBO State President Ray Umphrey and SCBO Executive Director Treasurer Jeremy Westbrook addressed the retreat, as well as National African American Fellowship (NAAF) Executive Director Dennis Mitchell and President Frank Williams.

Additional speakers included Dr. Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board (NAMB), International Mission Board (IMB) African American Mission Strategist Jason Thomas, and Interim SBC Executive Committee President Willie McLaurin.

During the retreat, SCBO chose to specifically recognize three OAAF pastors for their outstanding service to the community. They are Pastor Jerome Byrd, Good News Baptist Church, Cincinnati; Pastor Darryl Hammock, City of Refuge Baptist Church, Columbus; and Pastor David Gray, First Baptist Church, Garrettsville. Each of these pastors received a generous financial award of $2,500 presented by Reginald Hayes, SCBO Convention Relations – Community.

More information and contact details for the OAAF can be found online at https://www.scbo.org/aaf.