Stowe Award Presented to Pastor Stephen Spurgin

Stephen Spurgin is the 2024 recipient of the Darty and Dot Stowe Award which was presented on November 12, during the SCBO Annual Celebration at Jersey Church, New Albany. Spurgin is the 30th recipient of the award.

Each year, the award is given in memory of Darty and Dot Stowe who served Ohio Baptists from 1954 to 1981. It is presented to a pastor or minister who has served faithfully, never recognized like those in the larger, more visible churches but leaving a legacy and serving in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12. Annual gifts to Georgetown College from the Stowe family provide the Darty and Dot Stowe Award.

Spurgin started his ministry in music, singing in revival meetings, being a regular guest soloist on the radio, and serving churches in Missouri. At one point, he directed the worship and children’s ministry at a church plant. 

In June 1973 he married his sweetheart, Carla. Six months later, in January 1974, Spurgin underwent two surgeries for cancer and doctors told his family he had six months, maybe a year, to live and would never sing, speak, or smile again. 

After six and a half hours of surgery, the doctor said medically he should be dying but God had chosen to spare his life and his voice.

Spurgin’s ministry in Ohio began when he was called to serve as the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Cambridge, where he served for over eight years. During his tenure the building was expanded, new churches were planted, mission trips were fruitful, and the church doubled in attendance from the 70 when Spurgin arrived.

The Spurgins spent a few years back in Batesville, Arkansas. Then, they returned to Ohio, serving as pastor of the First Baptist Church, Miamisburg. He retired in 2018,  and spent a year filling the pulpit for other pastors and attending church with his family. 

Spurgin trained for the Transitional Pastor Ministry through the Greater Dayton Association and SCBO. He has served as Transitional Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Wilmington, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Vincent, and Moraine City Baptist Church.

He served two terms as Ohio’s trustee for the North American Mission Board where he had the opportunity to meet and encourage church planters. He was impressed with God calling out and raising an army of church planters to preach the gospel and impact lostness. 

Spurgin also served on the SCBO Mission Council, as Vice President of SCBO, and on the Finance Committee.

He and his wife Carla have been married for 51 years. They have two daughters, Stephanie and Sarah, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.