American Baptist Churches of Ohio

2020 Annual Gathering Live Stream

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

The 2020 Annual Gathering of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio was held Tuesday, October 6 from 1:00-4:30 pm at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North. Just as many of our schools and colleges used a hybrid model (both in person and online) to begin the schoolyear, we planned the Annual Gathering so that people throughout our ABC Ohio family could choose to gather either in person or electronically.

The program includes an address by Dr. C. Jeff Woods, Acting General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches USA and a time of worship led by Pastor Benjamin Payne of the First Baptist Church of Seville. Rev. Dr. Ken Atchison, President of ABC Ohio will present his Presidential Address. We will also hear virtual greetings from some in the broader American Baptist family. As is required by our constitution, there is a brief business meeting.

WATCH THE ENTIRE LIVE STREAM HERE:

Rev. Alvin Ray Cox Goes to His Eternal Home with the Lord

Rev. Alvin Ray Cox, 74, of Delaware, Ohio, passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his family to his eternal home with the Lord and Savior on Friday, September 18, after a valiant battle with cancer the past 6 years. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Alvin was born at home on May 31, 1946 to the late Paul and Blanche (King) Cox, in Gilmer County, West Virginia. He was number 4 of their 8 children. He grew up on a farm and the story of him preaching to the cows as a young child was told over and over to his family. Alvin served as a member of the West Virginia Army Reserves.

He married Beverly (Shaver) on June 22, 1968 and they celebrated 52 years together. In their love, they had three children, DeeDee, Jeff & Jeremy. They added 5 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. Alvin was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his loving family.

2021 Biennial Mission Summit Planning Underway!

Planning is well underway for the American Baptist Churches USA 2021 Biennial Mission Summit to be held June 25-27, 2021, at the San Juan Convention Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In a new video, Interim General Secretary Dr. C. Jeff Woods introduces and gives an update on planning for the event. We encourage you to watch the full video to learn more about the 2021 Biennial Mission Summit.

ABC Ohio Celebrates Ohio Leadership Academy 2019 Graduates

Congratulations to the 2019 Graduates of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio Leadership Academy!

(Front Row 2019 Graduates) Ricky Farley, Elaine Jarvis, Sally Freeman, Dale West, Susan Nicholson
(Back Row 2019 Faculty) Tim Mohon, Dan Bellavia, Dennis Shultz, Sandra Quick, David Hansen, David Brown, Seth Fallon, Jane Gibbons

What Comes Next? Meeting the Challenges of Ministry in this Pandemic

April 27, 2020

Dear Friends,

We have been so blessed and encouraged by the creative and meaningful ways that pastors and congregations have responded to the challenges of ministry through this time of pandemic and quarantine. About 85 percent of ABC Ohio congregations have shared weekly electronic worship services that have included good preaching, prayer, and music. A number of churches have developed prayer and communication groups online, by phone or by email to be sure that their church families are cared for personally and spiritually. Pastors and others have made thousands of telephone calls to check on, reassure, pray with, and stay connected to their congregations. Since Easter, many of our congregations have begun to ask the question, “What comes next?”

Our Governor has announced in the past week that he would like to see the state begin to open up SLOWLY. We believe SLOWLY is an important word as the church prepares for what comes next. As much as we want to be together, the rush to make a hasty return to our previous ways could be disastrous for our congregations. Ken Braddy, Jr., a Sunday School specialist, has developed a series of questions church leaders should answer before they begin to set a date for the church to gather again in person. We recommend that your church consider some similar questions…

2020 Buckeye Mission and Ministry Offering

Since 2009, the "Buckeye Mission and Ministry Offering" (BMMO) has become a significant avenue for churches in the Region to support the ministries of American Baptist Churches of Ohio (ABC Ohio). BMMO helps make it possible for ABC Ohio to serve your church.

DOWNLOAD A BMMO BULLETIN INSERT HERE

Every dollar given to the BMMO goes to support the various ministries that benefit your church (see the list of ministries below). The most significant region ministry is that of the two Executive Ministers, Rev. Jane Gibbons and Rev. Mark Click, who serve faithfully to help in whatever way needed to equip you and your church for ministry.

Our Region's theme is "Sharing God's Hope for All Generations: Transforming Churches through Intergenerational Ministries" from Joel 2:28. “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."

BMMO gifts help develop, coach, and assist servant leaders. It provides new ministry resources for local churches and helps provide quality ministry gatherings to challenge and grow healthy churches.

Please consider giving to the BMMO in 2020. This is one way your church can partner with ABC Ohio to fulfill God’s mission in your community and beyond. Your faithful giving is appreciated and is needed to serve its member churches. Again, remember that every dollar given goes to ABC Ohio ministries that "help build healthy churches that impact the world for Christ."