God is on the Move in Dayton

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 to help. I agreed and soon set up lunch with Adam.

Over some delicious City BBQ, Adam opened up about the story of NCBC. Like many churches in Dayton, it had once thrived as a neighborhood congregation. But over the years, the neighborhood changed, and the church struggled to adapt.

As he spoke, I could sense his deep love for his church, but also his awareness that the ten remaining members couldn’t bring about the revitalization that was needed. We prayed together and scheduled a Wednesday night visit a few weeks later so I could meet with the congregation.

When I pulled into the parking lot that evening, I immediately saw that the church was situated in a neighborhood filled with opportunity and need. The building was in good shape, but the community clearly needed hope and healing.

As I listened to the people share their hearts, I was moved by their sincerity. I heard things like, “If only our kids would come back,” and “Hopefully the Lord will fill this building again.” Then someone asked the question on everyone’s mind: “What options does a church like ours have?”

I walked them through several possibilities: They could attempt to re-engage their community, consider merging with another church, offer the property for a replant, or, if it came to it, close and donate the property.

As I spoke, it was clear they had a deep love for both their church and their neighborhood. The thought of closing was difficult for them to imagine. We agreed to keep praying and seeking God’s direction. I left that night with a heavy heart and a deep burden for this church.

That burden only grew stronger after I returned in early December to preach one Sunday morning. I even engaged my church, First Baptist Kettering, to explore whether we could take on a replant. As much as we wanted to help, the Holy Spirit made it clear that it wasn’t our assignment.

Around that same time, in my role as a West Regional Catalyst, I arranged a lunch with Pastor Matt Wendell of Awakenings Church in Troy. I had just finished preaching at NCBC the previous weekend and had no idea how divinely appointed this lunch would be.

As Matt shared what God was doing at Awakenings Church, I was blown away. They were reaching people on the margins—those who were homeless, in recovery, or coming out of incredibly hard places.

The more he described their ministry, the more I thought, These are the same kinds of people living around NCBC. So I asked, “Have you ever thought about planting a church like Awakenings in Dayton?” His eyes lit up as he replied, “We’d love that, but we don’t have a place.”

I couldn’t hold back my excitement. “I do,” I said.

That conversation quickly turned into action. I connected Adam and Matt, and throughout the winter, a friendship and shared vision developed. Then, on April 6, with great anticipation and unity, the members of NCBC voted to give their property to Awakenings Church to launch their second campus in Dayton.

Pastor Matt recently shared the vision for the new campus:
“We hope to create an atmosphere where people encounter the living God, whether through worship, the preaching of the gospel, prayer, giving, or simply through food, fellowship, and casual conversation. We’re planning to host a wide range of events: life skills classes, addiction recovery groups, youth nights, trauma recovery meetings, youth basketball, and of course, the preaching of the word.”

What began as a conversation over barbecue has become a beautiful picture of God’s sovereignty, provision, and power to bring new life. NCBC may be changing hands, but the mission continues. God is on the move in Dayton—and this is just the beginning.