And Hannah prayed and said,“My heart exults in the Lord;my horn is exalted in the Lord.My mouth derides my enemies,because I rejoice in your salvation.“There is none holy like the Lord:for there is none besides you;there is no rock like our God.The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Sa 2:1–2). (2016). Crossway Bibles.Life is difficult. Ministry is difficult.Hannah was just coming out of a rea...  Read More

In last month’s article, I shared a tool that I have used for many years to assist me in leading congregations. It is called the “pulse” health assessment. When we listen to our body’s vital signs, we can determine the adjustments necessary to become healthier.Every year, I get a “physical” from my primary care physician. That physical includes vital readings and lab work. During my appointment th...  Read More

On Easter, the church I pastor, Grace Point Fellowship, Franklin, planted its second campus, Grace Point Hunter.The new campus is led by Teaching Pastor and Church Planter Devin Delgrosso and is located in the Hunter/Middletown area. Two hundred eighty-five people attended the Grand Opening service.The umbrella of Grace Point Fellowship now includes Grace Point Franklin, Grace Point Hunter, and Gr...  Read More

Join us for two powerful days of spiritual renewal and encouragement designed for pastors, church leaders, and congregants ready for a fresh season of Gospel-centered ministry. Mark Clifton, NAMB’s Replant Director, will guide us through intentional sessions filled with prayer, hope, and a renewed focus on Jesus. You’ll walk away with practical resources, renewed energy, and tools to lead your chu...  Read More

DALLAS (BP) – As early as 1884, Southern Baptist mission leaders sensed a need for something other than “spasmodic” giving to fund denominational work at home and abroad.“Our people must be taught to give by system,” Home Mission Board Secretary I.T. Tichenor put it at the time. “They must be taught that when each does his part, how easy it would be to supply all that is needed for the spread of t...  Read More

Seven SCBO African American pastors made history in early April as they traveled to Uganda on an international mission trip.The project marked the first time a team of African American pastors has been to Uganda with the International Mission Board.SCBO in partnership with IMB is creating an international mission pipeline through Ohio’s African American churches.  "The scriptures reveal to us that...  Read More

Aaron Taylor hates running. Period.“My church knows how much I despise running,” he said. “It’s kind of a running joke. No pun intended.”However, as the church planter of Living Hope Church, Columbus, and a Church Planting Catalyst for Send Network Ohio, he has a true passion for church planting and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.During a spring break vacation in March, Taylor decided to run ...  Read More

Grab your clubs and get ready to tee it up at the Ohio Baptist Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament on Monday, September 15. It will be a great day of golf full of putting and purpose!The OBF Invitational Golf Tournament combines a fun round of golf, great gifts, and a delicious dinner—all while supporting a kingdom cause.Golfers will gather at The Lakes Golf & Country Club, 6740 Worthington Rd...  Read More

On May 13, 1925, nearly 5,000 Southern Baptists gathered at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, Tennessee and adopted The Cooperative Program as the way to partner in missions funding.A century later, on May 13, 2025, Southern Baptist leaders once again gathered in Memphis, Tennessee just a few steps from where Ellis Auditorium once stood to commemorate 100 years of cooperation.Using the same pulpit from...  Read More

First Baptist Church of Newtown, Easter Egg Hunt-Community Outreach  We had a fantastic crowd of people from the community and church! We had a bounce house, pictures, eggs, and lots of giveaways. We also had designated people talking and sharing the gospel with others. This was a wonderful event with a huge impact on the community!Pastor James Trascritti, First Baptist Church of Newtown Refuge Co...  Read More

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? The Holy Bible: English Standard Version ...  Read More

While I am a planter at heart, I also love seeing dead or dying things come back to life. I love doing what I do as a pastor, an AMS, and a coach/consultant in church health and revitalization for SCBO.This month, I wanted to share a testimony of how God has moved through my life pastoring churches in need of revitalization. I am currently the pastor of Freedom Hill Community Church in Stow. Befor...  Read More

Church Planters and Wives RetreatThe planters and wives retreat was a life-giving experience. Each and every detail was prepared with care and a desire to communicate that we were seen, understood, and valued. The message was received loud and clear.Thank you Dr. Westbrook and SCBO staff for loving us well. Let’s win Ohio!”Jonathan Howard, church planter, Bridge City Church, CincinnatiEaster Outre...  Read More

While patrolling the streets of Monroe, Ohio, Officer Drew White regularly stopped to make sure the doors of First Baptist Church, now Life Church, were locked.Frequently the doors were open, so Drew and his sergeant, also a believer, entered the building.“It was pretty often we would come into that old chapel when it would slow down at night, and we would be able to take a break, and we would jus...  Read More

On a chilly day in late October 2024, I received a phone call from James Risner,  associational mission strategist, Greater Dayton Association of Baptists. James asked if I’d be willing to meet with Adam Chanin, pastor of North Central Baptist Church (NCBC) in Riverside.He shared that NCBC was facing serious challenges and wondered if perhaps the state convention, or even my church, might be able ...  Read More

Our series kicks off in the Northeast Region of Ohio. Pastor Darrell Deer, College Heights BC, Elyria, is an Ohio Baptist through and through. His salvation, ministry calling, and 35 years in the pastorate have been in SCBO churches. Through the triumphs and the challenges of ministry, he remains an ardent supporter of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Program. Hear why in the first episode of our celebration of the Cooperative Program, “CP100: Pastor Darrell Deer.”  Read More

In April, SCBO welcomed Kaitie James to the role of Ministry Assistant for Events.“I wasn’t looking for a job or expecting it, but when I was approached about working for the SCBO, God worked it out perfectly,” she said. “I love doing ministry and being part of kingdom growth, taking care of things behind the scenes so others can focus on the event and what the Lord wants to say. I’m excited to ge...  Read More

In Galatians 6:2, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers,“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”On May 13, pastors and church members can learn how to care for those in crisis  during the Burden Bearing Conference at Lincoln Heights Baptist Church, Mansfield.Buckeye Central/Erie Baptist Association (BCEBA) is sponsoring the one-day conference and Josh Swinehart, BCEBA moderator...  Read More