191st Annual Gathering October 3 & 4
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The 191st Annual Gathering of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio will be held October 3rd and 4th, 2017. All events will take place over two days (Tuesday and Wednesday only) at Crowne Plaza, Columbus North, 6500 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43229 (download the Hotel Information Sheet HERE). Please note that there will be no one day registrations.
Downloads (select to download):
{Registration Form} {Hotel Information} {Annual Gathering Schedule}
The Gathering is highlighting and celebrating the Region's 2017 Ministry Theme, "Transformed by the Journey" from Luke 24:32.
The ‘Gathering’ will be only two days in length, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday and concluding at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday. There will be only three meal functions, the cost of which will be included in the Registration Fee. The three meal functions will be a Tuesday luncheon – Celebrating ABC/Ohio Region Ministries, a Tuesday dinner – Celebrating International Ministries, and a Wednesday All-Convention luncheon. Also included in the cost of registration is a continental breakfast on Wednesday morning. Election of officers and reports will take place on Tuesday morning. Lastly, Rev. Dr. Jones, ABC Ohio Executive Minister will share an inspirational message as we close the ‘Gathering’ at the All-Convention Luncheon on Wednesday.
American Baptist Men National Call for Disaster Relief Help
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ATTENTION: Jack Cobb is the American Baptist Men (ABMen) USA Diaster Relief Coordinator. He has issued a National Call to Lake Charles, Louisiana for all ABMen to respond to the historic devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey. Logistical arrangements necessary for volunteers to respond have been finalized. ABMen will be on site the weeks of September 24, October 1, October 8, October 29, November 5, November 12, December 31, 2017 and January 6 to 20, 2018 to help coordinate work.
It is assumed that after assessing the degree of need that additional teams will be required. In the event the work in Lake Charles is completed, work will move to another location. If you or someone you know is able to help, please contact Jack Cobb with the number of men and women on your team and what days the team will work. Individual volunteers are also needed.
There are showers on the premises. Food & cooking has been arranged. The group will staying at the Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church (Hope Complex) 1401 Moeling Street Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601.
Contact: Jack Cobb, American Baptist Men-USA Disaster Relief Coordinator; (304) 757-8081 & (304) 206-8462.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Funds
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American Baptist Churches USA General Secretary the Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer invites all congregations to donate generously to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) in response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana. Donations may be sent to the ABC Ohio Regional Office (136 Galway Drive North Granville OH 43023-9577). Please make payments to "OGHS ~ Hurricane Harvey."
“American Baptists across the country are a generous people, and our hearts are grieved by the human suffering we have seen since the storm made landfall,” Spitzer says. “I ask that every church dedicate time this week to pray for the safety and well-being of all affected by the storm, and to express our love for them by giving sacrificially to One Great Hour of Sharing.”
Hygiene Kits and Emergency Cleanup Buckets are already available to local organizations responding to the storm. Hurricane Harvey appeal funds will help cover the costs of processing and shipping these supplies and additional recovery supplies as assessments are completed and more information beccomes available.
Again, you may send your donations to the ABC Ohio Regional Office (136 Galway Drive North Granville OH 43023-9577). Please make payments to "OGHS ~ Hurricane Harvey."
Dr. William Shiell Keynote Speaker for Annual Gathering October 3 & 4
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Our Keynote Speaker for the American Baptist Churches of Ohio Annual Gathering is Dr. William D. Shiell, President of Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. Dr. Shiell will preach on Tuesday evening at the worship service. There will be two Bible Studies – one on Tuesday afternoon and the other on Wednesday morning. Our mission speakers will be Emerson and Ivy Wu, American Baptist International Missionaries.
Dr. Shiell holds a PhD in New Testament from Baylor University and has pastored for seventeen years. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church, Tallahassee, Florida.
Dr. Shiell obtained his Master of Divinity degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He completed his PhD in 2003 and has served as an adjunct professor at Carson-Newman College. The author of several books and numerous articles, he is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Bill and his wife Kelly were married in 1995, and they have two sons: Parker (2001) and Drake (2007). His hobbies include golf, reading, and writing.
2017 Retirement Planning Seminar October 18
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Join MMBB Financial Services for a Retirement Planning Seminar on October 18, 2017 from 10 AM to 1 PM at First Baptist Church Newark (1000 Granville Road Newark OH 43055).
The seminar will cover topics including setting retirement goals, defining income sources, how to distribute and diversify retirement assests and making sure you are on the right financial path for retirement.
How can I pay for retirement? How should I invest retirement assets? How can I maximize the housing allowance? What are my medical and insurance options? Join our certified financial planner professionals and get the tools you need.
Rev. Robert Hughes Passes
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Rev Robert D. Hughes was an amazing man who invested his love, guidance and encouragement in lots of people. He was the first Dean of the Leadership Academy. His wife Kathleen was a former region president. Please pray for Kathleen and the Hughes family as they grieve his passing.
Robert D. Hughes was born in Bucyrus, Ohio to Hugh T. and Reba (Craner) Hughes. He graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1945, Denison University in 1950, and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1954. He preached his first sermon at the age of 14, in his grandfather’s church. After seminary he pastored churches in Marietta, Painesville, Loudonville, Attica, and Cuyahoga Falls.