Prayer at the Statehouse is an opportunity for pastors and other Christians to gather for prayer and praise, as well as to connect with state lawmakers.On Thursday, August 14, 10 am-11:30 am, Christians from all over Ohio will gather at the Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, to pray. The 90-minute experience will include singing worship music in the heart of our Ohio government, a keynote mes...  Read More

Super Summer is not just another event; it’s a powerful opportunity for churches to significantly impact their youth.As pastors and ministry leaders, we know the importance of cultivating effective leadership pipelines. We often consider crucial questions about the right age to start leadership training and the best environments for it. The process of identifying and nurturing potential leaders du...  Read More

BRENTWOOD, Tenn — Culture claims to know about Jesus, but many people are in the dark about who He really is. Lifeway Christian Resources’ 2026 Vacation Bible School (VBS) theme—“Illumination Station: Shining a Light on Who Jesus Really Is”—prepares churches to help kids discover Jesus is the Light of the world.“I’m so excited that VBS 2026 is all about Jesus,” said Melita Thomas, VBS specialist f...  Read More

One of the blessings of living here in the great state of Ohio is the changing of the seasons.Everyone has their favorite, and I am aware of the many opinions regarding the winters here, but even the winter months have a purpose...hopefully a few deep freezes to kill those mosquitoes! I know the normal harvest season is not here yet, but the summer months have been a harvest of blessings for the S...  Read More

A familiar face is returning to Ohio, bringing his ministry experience to benefit SCBO and Ohio Baptists.On August 1, Dr. Ryan Strother will join the SCBO team as Director of Convention Support. He previously served as the Executive Director of the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana.As the pastor of Central Baptist Church, Marion, Ohio, for 12 years, Strother also served SCBO from 2016-2020 i...  Read More

I'm excited to announce a partnership with a long-time Worship 4:24 speaker & vendor: Worship Team Coach. Owned by Matt Miller, this awesome ministry has been serving churches in our state for years.Matt is offering every SCBO pastor in our state the following free resources:eBook: "How to Lead Your Disorganized Worship Pastor"Guidebook for #1 to go through with your worship leadereBook: "Worship ...  Read More

Blessings from the Northwest Region. For many of us, summer is a time to reset. We are celebrating graduations, spending extra time with family, and taking vacations after a busy spring. As we reflect, there’s so much to be thankful for here in the Northwest Region.We are grateful to prayerfully and financially support four effective ministries that are making a real impact in the NW: WellSpring, ...  Read More

A group of 25 Ohio pastors, mostly African American, visited The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) and Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky recently. Reggie Hayes, SCBO senior staff, coordinated the trip with the assistance of Jeremy Pelton, SBTS admissions coordinator.As an outgoing member of The Southern Seminary Board of Trustees, I desired to help minority pastors from Ohio underst...  Read More

According to a June 4, 2025, LifeWay Research article, National Survey of Religious Leaders (NSRL) report revealed 35% of all clergy in the U.S. serve bivocationally, holding an additional job outside of their congregational ministry.Among evangelical Protestants, bivocational ministry is even more common. The study found almost half (47%) report having a second job. Around a third of Black Protes...  Read More

Throughout 2025, SCBO is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Cooperative Program with “CP100,” a series of interviews highlighting the impact of the Cooperative Program on churches and individuals in each of Ohio’s six regions.This month, CP100 visits the Northeast Region of Ohio.The Cooperative Program isn’t like a club membership, according to Pastor Gary Frost, The Open Door Church, Youngs...  Read More

DALLAS — Southern Baptists united to celebrate 58 newly appointed International Mission Board missionaries, during the June 10 opening session of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas. Church messengers watched as missionaries took the stage to share their calling and thank those who are supporting their Great Commission task.“It’s so good to be with you today as we gather, toge...  Read More

DALLAS (BP) – More than 18,000 people gathered at the Dallas convention center for the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting under the theme “Hold Fast” from Hebrews 10 and an urging from SBC President Clint Pressley to cling to what makes Southern Baptists unique.Messengers saw moments of celebration of Southern Baptist doctrine and cooperation as well as some moments of intense debate about how best to protec...  Read More

Young adults, ages 18-25, mark your calendars now for the 1825 Conference on October 17-18, at Lifepoint Church, Lewis Center. Sponsored by 1825, the college and young adult ministry at Lifepoint, the Friday night, all-day Saturday conference features the theme “Press” based on Philippians 3:13-14.“Philippians 3 hits three different times of our lives; past, present, and future. We will press rewi...  Read More

With over 18,000 individuals gathering together in Dallas, the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention is now in the books. There are many joys of being at the Annual Meeting, but for me, seeing so many Ohio Baptists and representing the SCBO is always a blessing.As great as it is to hear wonderful preaching, see friends from all over the country, and visit the exhibit halls, the annual highlight for me ...  Read More

LifeWay Research recently asked pastors, "Which of the following spiritual needs are important in your own life to invest in as a pastor?" 72% of pastors answered that consistency in personal prayer is their greatest spiritual need. Join a group from SCBO as we travel to New York for The 6:4 Fellowship Day of Renewal on July 29, in New York City at the Brooklyn Tabernacle.Day of Renewal will inspi...  Read More

NASHVILLE (BP) – It was a challenging time for the SBC’s Cooperative Program (CP). The U.S. economy slowed. Baptist leaders committed embarrassing and costly sins. As some alleged creeping liberalism in the Convention, doctrinal squabbles threatened cooperation.The SBC president put it this way: “Many of our people have become discouraged and disheartened, while others have lost their enthusiasm a...  Read More

In the past year and a half, I’ve tried to learn as much as I possibly can about how Southern Baptists are serving churches across the country in the area of worship.Through conferences, contacts, and some wonderful friendships, I’ve gotten to see what other states are doing in worship ministry. Georgia and South Carolina are utilizing a model that I would like to replicate in Ohio. It’s very simi...  Read More

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ga 5:22–24). (2016). Crossway Bibles.Great things are happening through our cooperation in the South...  Read More