American Baptist Churches of Ohio

196th Annual Gathering October 11 & 12

We are pleased to share the news that we anticipate gathering in person with you again this year for the 2022 American Baptist Churches of Ohio Annual Gathering. The Gathering will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 11 & 12, 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North (6500 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229).

We are excited to have a full schedule of program events along with exhibits, personnel from various ABC Ohio-related organizations and of course, meals together around the table! Everything will also be available via livestream for those unable to travel or not prepared to join a large group.

Our 2022 theme is "Creating Community in a Polarized World". This year's keynote speaker will be Rev. Sharon Koh, CEO/Executive Director of International Ministries with ABC-USA.

We will spend time together each day in worship led by Pastor Benjamin Payne and the Praise Team of First Baptist Church of Seville. Our Bible studies will be led by ABC Ohio pastors from around the state.

Tuesday night will include the graduation ceremony for the Ohio Leadership Academy. We will also hear from American Baptist missionaries serving through the Board of International Ministries. In addition, we will hear ministry updates from those serving here at home in Ohio.

Please mark the date on your calendar. Registration materials and more details will be available soon!

Ohio Leadership Academy Set to Start New Year!

The Ohio Leadership Academy is now accepting new applicants for the 2022-2023 Academic Year!

The Ohio Leadership Academy exists as a 3-year course of study to prepare men and women to serve American Baptist Churches in positions of leadership through leadership enrichment and professional ministry development. The Academy serves to further enrich the Christian faith of its students and equip laity as well as pastors for leadership in the local church. Upon graduating from the Academy, graduates have the opportunity to become licensed ministers by their congregations or candidates for Track Three ABC Ordination.

Subjects include: Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, Baptist History and Polity, Church Leadership, Worship and Preaching.

Course requirements include (but are not limited to):
• Attendance at every intensive (both physically and online)
• Out of class reading
• Writing assignments
• Practical ministry experience

What are the Tuition and Fees for the Academy?
• Annual tuition is currently $375
• A $25 non-refundable fee is required to process prospective student application.
• Additional costs to students include books, other instructional materials, and travel expenses, including meals and overnight lodging as needed.

Where do students attend the weekend intensive classes?
There are a total of four intensive weekends. In 2022, the Academy began a hybrid model in which students met at The Bridge Church in Sunbury, Ohio for two intensive weekends (November/May) and online through Zoom for two intensive weekends (January/March).

How do I apply for the Ohio Leadership Academy?
For admission to the Academy, students must be given strong recommendations by their local church pastors or the appropriate participating ABC/Ohio church body. Applications can be found at abc-ohio.org under the Ohio Leadership Academy link.

The Ohio Leadership Academy is a ministry of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio.

The Central Ohio Cohort is overseen by Dr. Seth Fallon, Dean of the Ohio Leadership Academy. Dr. Fallon can be reached by phone 304-991-6918 or email jacknave (at) icloud.com

Nominees Sought for ABC Ohio Region Board Treasurer

Nominees are currently being sought for the American Baptist Churches of Ohio Region Board Treasurer.

Job Description (volunteer):

The Treasurer is an active participant of the Executive Committee which includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, Past President and Executive Minister.
Oversees all revenues, expenses and communicates this information to the Board on a quarterly basis.
In cooperation with the ABC Ohio Staff as well as the Budget and Finance Committee, the Treasurer works to create the Budget Draft and present it to the Board for approval.
In cooperation with the Senior Accountant, the Treasurer develops and presents the Annual Budget and an over view of the financial health of ABC Ohio at the Annual Gathering.
Ensures development and Board review of sound fiscal policies and procedures.
Acts as an official signer on the ABC Ohio bank account and works with Executive Minister and Senior Accountant on large monetary distributions.
Oversees any financial agreements in consultation with the Finance Committee.
Participates in revenue generation activities including cultivation and stewardship.
Serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee.
In cooperation with the Board Officers and Senior Accountant, accepts responsibility for filing annual tax forms as required by the State or the IRS.
Provides a full financial report to the Board annually.
Ensure the protection of funds from any potential misuse by any other members of the committee.
Participate in the Annual Auditing Process
Works with the Executive Minister to Plan and ensure adherence to the pre-determined financial budget for the year.

Please forward possible nominees to Rev. Mark Click.

Rev. Edd Matako Enters the Presence of Our Lord

Rev. Edd Matako, age 79 of Massillon, Ohio joyfully entered the presence of our Lord on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Edd served faithfully as pastor of First Baptist Church of Pittsburg, KS, First Baptist Church of Coshocton, Oh and First Baptist Church of Stow, Oh. Edd’s love for God and His people never dwindled nor faded. He served as the Adult and Congregation Care Minister at the First Baptist Church of Massillon for 9 years retiring in December of 2021.

Edd preached God’s word faithfully and loved God’s people fully and selflessly gave God the glory with great humility. To know Edd was to know true integrity, fellowship and friendship.

Born May 29, 1943, to Martin Matejko and Dorothy (McConnell), Edd grew up with his sisters Martha (Kropf) and Rebecca (Olenzak). Edd was a 1961 graduate of Washington High School.

On November 22, 1961, Edd married the love of his life, Judy Marie (Hoffner) and began an amazing journey of love that spanned 61 years. Together they shared life with their two sons, 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, as well as the many adults and children alike that became such an important part of their lives.

Edd served as an auxiliary deputy with the Stark County Sheriff’s Department and had been a lifetime fan and member of the Massillon Tiger Booster Club. He retired from the Hoover Company after 22 years of service when he answered the call into the ministry at the age of 57. Edd also worked at the Paquelet Funeral home in Massillon where he served his community with genuine compassion.

Edd was proceeded in death by his father Martin Matejko, mother Dorothy and sister Rebecca. He is survived by his adoring wife Judy Marie, his sons Scott and Shaun, 5 grandchildren and 7 great- grandchildren. Please keep the Matako family in your prayers.

MMBB RE:THINK RE:INVEST Financial Conference to be held November 13-15, 2022

Register now for RE:THINK RE:INVEST Financial Conference November 13-15, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conference will expand the impact of MMBB’s Financial Wellness ministry to a broad range of denominational and non-denominational groups, young and new pastors, seminarians, full-time and bi-vocational pastoral leadership, as well as church leaders.

The conference is a natural extension of the dynamic work of financial wellness and financial literacy that is central to our ministry. Conference participants will have an opportunity to build community and gain valuable insights not only from the conference events, but also from one another.

The conference will feature engaging speakers, financial workshops, exciting and inspiring artistic performance(s) and uplifting worship services against the backdrop of an attractive location.

It will be held at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conference workshops will cover personal and church finance topics from clergy taxes to building an emergency fund to financial challenges for women.

Plenary sessions on financial wellness will feature keynote speakers DeForest B. Soaries, founder of the dfree© Financial Freedom Movement (dfreefoundation.org) and author of related books who will speak about how to achieve freedom from debt. Jill Schlesinger of CBS News and Radio and founder of JillonMoney.com, who will speak on the keys to achieving financial stability.

Find out more and register now by CLICKING HERE! In-person registration ends November 4. Virtual attendance registration ends November 13.

New ARMs Introduced

ABC Ohio introduces two new ABC Ohio Associate Regional Ministers (ARMs). Rev. Clay Self serves the Clinton Baptist Association and Rev. Dr. Jason Hentschel of the Miami Baptist Association.

Rev. Dr. Jason Hentschel

Rev. Dr. Jason Hentschel

Rev. Dr. Jason Hentschel in addition to serving as the Senior Pastor at the Wyoming Baptist Church in Cincinnati serves as the ABC Ohio Associate Regional Minister (ARM) for the Miami Baptist Association.

Jason will be making regular contacts with association pastors, organizing regular Clergy Fellowship meetings (as the pandemic allows), and supporting the work of the association.

The focus of his ARM ministry will be that of pastoral care and support. He will be working closely with Region Staff and other ARMs serving throughout the Region.

Rev. Dr. Jason A. Hentschel is Senior Pastor at Wyoming Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and (occasionally) Adjunct Professor of Theology at Baylor’s Truett Seminary. When not preaching, teaching, or writing, he’s creating LEGO masterpieces with his two kids, Emma and Marty, watching murder mysteries with his wife, Sara, or fly fishing in the middle of a river somewhere. Social media frightens him, so he’s sworn it off and would rather grab coffee or lunch anyway.

Rev. Clay Self

Rev. Clay Self and his wife Kacy

Rev. Clay Self is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Hillsboro and will serve the Clinton Baptist Association. In his own words:

"My conversion to Christ happened when I was a youth at Ashland Ave Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio at an Ohio Baptist Youth Convention held at First Baptist Church of Dayton, Ohio. After that I served two terms on the Ohio Baptist Youth State Board. Between high school and college, I worked at Judson Hills Baptist Camp in Loudonville, Ohio.

While attending Eastern College (now Eastern University) I pursued many ministry opportunities including prison ministry, developing and initiating a campus wide small group ministry, serving as an assistant to the campus chaplain and occasional pulpit supply to nearby churches.

After earning a psychology degree with an emphasis in youth I was blessed with the opportunity to serve under my mentor/pastor at the First Baptist Church in Des Moines, IA.From there I attended and graduated from Midwestern Baptist Seminary in Kansas City before accepting a call to First Baptist Church or Urbana, IL.

After seven years there my family packed up and moved to the Seattle, WA area where I served a church for fourteen years before taking a two year break from pastoring by swinging a hammer as a lead carpenter for a remodeling company in the Seattle area. While serving the Seattle area church I was part of one of the region’s first Leadership Learning Communities designed to support pastors serving in the local church. That allowed me to participate and help lead several churches in assessment and beyond processes.

By the way, being a carpenter not only made me a literal follower of Jesus, was a great way to heal and find out how to better connect my faith in Jesus to people who didn’t value the church the way I do.
In September of 2018 I accepted the call of First Baptist Church of Hillsboro, Ohio. My first experience in southern Ohio and smaller town ministry. An adventure I continue to enjoy!

In early 2021 after many pandemic and other delays I robbed the Seattle area of its greatest beauty, Kacy (now!) Self. Her faith in Jesus and actualization of grace amazes me every day. Our blended family consist of three adult children, my son who is a mechanical engineer, my daughter who just started law school and Kacy’s son who will happily sell you a Honda vehicle. Added to that is her son who lives with us and is in sixth grade, a Cockatiel (I rescued about 20 years ago), and a Netherland Dwarf rabbit.

I am looking forward helping pastors and churches connect, challenge and care for each other in mission focused healthy ways. I desire and need that and firmly believe I am not alone."

THANK YOU!

Thank you for your support of the mission and ministry of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio as we seek to “Equip the People of God to Impact the World for Christ.”