American Baptist Churches USA invites you to join us for Renew & Lead: A Workship for Ministry Wellness on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.



As part of our Leadership Wellness Series, this day-long gathering offers clergy and ministry leaders an opportunity to step away from the demands of ministry and focus on spiritual renewal, reflection, and holistic well-being. Through worship, presentations, and group discussion, participants will explore practices that support healthy, sustainable leadership.



Featured presenters Rev. Dr. Sarah B. Drummond and Rev. Dr. Marilyn Monroe Harris will share practical wisdom and encouragement for leading with resilience, purpose, and faith.



Take time to invest in yourself—and the ministry to which God has called you. Register today! https://web.cvent.com/.../3b17c0a4-2d5a-4e8f-b367.../summary

We are excited to invite you to the 200th Annual Gathering of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio at the beautiful Cherry Valley Hotel (2299 Cherry Valley Rd., SE, Newark, Ohio 43055).

“Trusting God Who Knows the Future,” based on Isaiah 46:9-10 will be the theme for this year’s Gathering.

We are excited to have the Reverend Dr. Howard Washington, Senior Pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church of Columbus as our keynote speaker, Adult & Youth Choirs of the Emmanuel Chin Baptist Church of Columbus, Benjamin Payne & Praise Team, recognition of our Ohio Leadership Academy graduates for our Tuesday evening worship service.

The Gathering will be an opportunity to celebrate our history, engage in dynamic worship, enjoy rich fellowship & networking, and provide opportunities to develop stronger ministries for the next generation. Several helpful workshops will be provided for local church ministries.

1. How Firm a Foundation – Early Baptists – Dr. Pricilla Eppinger, American Baptist Historical Society, Atlanta.

2. Strategies for Next Generation Discipleship – Rev. Adam Farnsworth, Porterfield Baptist Church, Little Hocking.

3. Refocus for Impact – Dr. Ed Rogers, Renew Transformational Strategies, Parkersburg.

4. The Changing Context and a Strategy for Vital Small Church Ministry – Rev. Mark Click, ABC Ohio, Granville.

We are looking forward to a visitor from the past by one of our founding members of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio (formerly named the Ohio Baptist Convention) Elder Jacob Drake who will be sharing stories from the early days of the Region.

The ABC Ohio Annual Business meeting will include reports on Region Ministries, election of new Officers and Board Members, and a message from the ABC Ohio Region Board President Mrs. Susan Stotts.

Every ABC Ohio congregation is encouraged to send delegates and guests to the Annual Gathering. In accordance with the ABC Ohio Constitution … “The voting delegates at meetings of the Region shall consist of (a) All official...

ABC Ohio is celebrating 200 years of faithful ministry.

ABC Ohio has received the Buckeye Mission & Ministry Offering since 2009 as a means by which congregations can support the mission of the Region to “Equip the People of God to Impact the World for Christ.” This ministry of equipping is accomplished through …

1. Pastoral Care & Support

2. Congregational Leadership Transitions

3. Pastoral Searches

4. Conferences & Workshops

5. Next-Generation Support & Training

6. Ministry Grants & Education Scholarships

7. Emergency Financial Assistance to Pastors

8. Ohio Leadership Academy

DOWNLOAD A BULLETIN INSERT HERE!

ABC Ohio is blessed to have a gifted ministry team in our Regional & Associate Regional Ministers (ARMs), Academy Dean and office support staff working together to provide care, support, and equipping of our pastors and congregations.

Churches and individuals are strongly encouraged to give as they’re able to support the mission and ministry of American Baptist Churches of Ohio, so that we can provide care & support, so that our pastors and congregations can be healthy & vital churches fulfilling their mission. Every amount helps to fuel the ministry. Please consider giving a minimum of $500 each year to support the mission of ABC Ohio.

ABC Ohio’s 2026 ministry theme is “TRUSTING GOD WHO KNOWS THE FUTURE,” based on Isaiah 46:9-10. Please join us as we work together to reach the 2026 BMMO Offering Goal of $75,000. Every dollar given to the BMMO goes to support the mission and ministry of ABC Ohio.

Please contact Leslie Hoskinson at the Region Office at (740) 587-0804 or lhoskinson@abc-ohio.org to order additional promotional materials.

WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!

CLICK HERE!

Our host is Rev. Jeremy Spence who will provide tools to cope with grief, tips to help others and help to understand how grief influences our holidays.

Stay up to date with articles from across our ABC Ohio region in our E-Newsletter! Check out ISSUE FIVE of "The Impression" HERE!

We have a new regional E-Newsletter! Check out ISSUE FOUR of "The Impression" HERE!

We have a new regional E-Newsletter! Check out ISSUE THREE of "The Impression" HERE!

We have a new regional E-Newsletter! Check out ISSUE TWO of "The Impression" HERE!

We have a new regional E-Newsletter. Check out the first edition of "The Impression" HERE!

The first edition of the newsletter “United Mission Matters” is available!

This publication will be released on a quarterly basis, aiming to share the valuable insights of our Regional Executive Ministers, local churches, national partners and others on matters related to Discipleship.

In these pages, you'll find a wealth of resources, inspiring stories, and insights into how churches throughout the United States are dedicated to instructing and engaging with their communities to align with Jesus’ mission in our neighborhoods.

See the first edition here: https://conta.cc/3SzlW78

Every vocation has stresses and stressors. Pastors, like others, need a time to get away and recharge. Being a pastor is not a job that cannot be done well in a constant state of stress!

With that in mind, our own ABC Ohio Regional Minister Rev. Kevin Thomas has compiled a list of Pastor's Getaway Ideas to provide places where pastors can get away to rest, relax, refresh, recharge and rejuvenate.

Download the Pastor's Getaway Ideas HERE! 

At the end of the document are a number of websites which list other opportunities. Some of them may not be current. It would be up to individuals to check them.

It is our hope that this will be helpful for pastors who need a time of refreshing and renewal. It is also helpful for those whose compensation may limit the opportunities before them. 

The Rev. Kevin E. Slyh has been called to serve as the new ARM for the Akron Association in Northeast Ohio beginning March 1, 2023.

Rev. Slyh began his pastoral ministry with ABC-Ohio in 1979 after graduating from Asbury Theological Seminary. He served as full-time pastor with three congregations; First Baptist Tiffin from 1979-1983, Park Avenue Baptist Church in Mansfield from 1983-1988, and First Baptist Church in Canton from 1988-2011. Following these full-time ministries, Kevin has served as either a part-time pastor or interim pastor at Community Baptist Church in Tallmadge, Springfield Baptist Church in Akron. Calvary Baptist Church in Elyria and First Baptist Church in Perry.

Rev. Slyh comes to us having served the region in various other ministries as well. He is a past-president of the ABC-Ohio Region Board and has held various other positions and served on committees at the region and association level.  He fondly remembers many years ago when he was a Camp director at Judson Hills Baptist Camp in Loudonville, Ohio. 

When asked what he looks forward to accomplishing in this new role, Kevin said, “I look forward to serving and being an encouragement to our association pastors and their families, as well as assisting Rev. Kevin Thomas, Northeast Ohio regional minister.”

Kevin resides in Hartville, Ohio with his wife Susan (47 years). They have always considered ministry something they embraced to do together. They have two married daughters and three grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys high school and college sports. He’s also never short on good clean jokes. ABC-Ohio welcomes Rev. Kevin E. Slyh.

https://youtu.be/NTyakr7PEGU

The Region Board has asked that Rev. Mark Click focus his ministry on the role of the Executive Minister for ABC Ohio. He will no longer be serving in a dual capacity as Executive Minister for Administration & Denominational Relations and Regional Minister for southern Ohio.

Welcome our ABC Ohio Regional Ministers:

Rev. Dr. James Willis – Northwest Regional Minister. Dr. Willis serves as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Toledo and has served in the Toledo Area Baptist Association and for several years on the Region Board as Vice-President, President and Past-President.

Rev. Kevin Thomas – Northeast Regional Minister. Rev. Thomas serves as the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Canton and has served in the Akron Baptist Association and Ohio Baptist Education Society.

Rev. Dr. Kevin Hairston – Southwest Regional Minister. Dr. Hairston serves as the Senior Pastor of the Living Word Bible Fellowship of Columbus and has served in the Columbus Baptist Association and as Dean of the Ohio Leadership Academy. 

Rev. Mark Eaton – Southeast Regional Minister. Rev. Eaton serves as the Senior Pastor of the Porterfield Baptist Church of Little Hocking and serves as the Associate Regional Minister (ARM) for the Marietta Baptist Association.

The Region was blessed to have sixteen excellent ministers apply for the position(s) of Regional Minister. Each candidate was uniquely gifted and qualified to serve, ranging in education and experience. After much t...

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.