Ohio State Association Encouraged to Show Committment at Annual State Meeting Volume 5 Number 4 July-August 2015 “The Voice of Ohio Free Will Baptists Proclaiming The Voice of Ohio Free Will Baptists Proclaiming The Words of Christ to a Lost World” The Words of Christ to a Lost World” State Meeting Review State Meeting Review O * H * I * O AMBASSADOR AMBASSADOR Minutes of the 77th Annual Session of the Ohio State Association of Free Will Baptists The 77th session of the Ohio State Association of Free Will Baptists met June 26-27, 2015, at Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio. The theme for the convention was "A Call to Commitment." Bro. David Chamberlain served as song leader. Sis. Deena Armstrong played the piano. Friday Morning At 9:30 AM, Clerk Bryon Justice called the meeting to order and introduced the moderator, Rev. Mark Price. Pastor Tim Stout welcomed the convention to Heritage Free Will Baptist Church. The moderator’s message to the convention was taken from Hebrews 11:8-10, his theme was “The Faith and Obedience of Abraham.” The moderator called for the General Board Report. The General Board met June 25, 2015, at Heritage Free Will Baptist Church. Motion was made and carried to receive the report and the business items included therein. The Moderator seated the convention delegates and introduced the various committee members that will be serving in this year’s convention. The Moderator then recognized the visiting representatives of the various National Departments and ministries. Bro. Roger Daniel and Bro. Paul Etterling II gave the report of the Ohio Home Missions Board. A motion was made and carried to approve these reports and to adopt the proposed budget. Bro. Jason Luthy gave the OYC Report which included a video featuring the winners of the 2015 OYC competitions. A motion was made and carried to accept the report and adopt the proposed budget along with the amendment note. Ohio Women Active for Christ (OWAC) Report was given by Sis. Sarah Sargent. The theme for OWAC this year was, “Faithful Through the Seasons.” The project for 2015-2016 will be, $6,500.00 to be distributed to several ministries. Motion made and carried to receive the report, National Women Active for Christ (WNAC) Report was given by Sis, Phyllis York. Motion made and carried to receive the report. Bro. Bill Hayes gave the Board of Directors Report. Motion made and carried to receive the report. Executive Secretary Edwin Hayes gave a report of the State Office and its ministries. Motion made and carried to approve this report and to adopt the budget with the submitted budget items and notes. A motion was made and carried to distribute the funds as rec- ommended in the General Board report. The moderator then appointed Bro. Mark McCarty as replacement member of the Nominating Committee for Bro. Tim Byers. The morning business session was adjourned for the worship service. In the worship service, The Southeastern College Quartet provided special singing. An offering of $261.00 was received. Attendance was 170. Rev. Mike Simpson, Pastor of Swauger Valley FWB was introduced to bring the message. The sermon topic Ohio Pastors have a special prayer of committment at the Friday evening service of the State Meeting Continued on Page 3 Swauger Valley Pastor Mike Simpson preached on Being Committed to Christ
Transcript
Ohio State Association Encouragedto Show Committment at
Annual State Meeting
Volume 5 Number 4 JulyAugust 2015
“The Voice of Ohio Free Will Baptists Proclaiming The Voice of Ohio Free Will Baptists Proclaiming The Words of Christ to a Lost World”The Words of Christ to a Lost World”
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O * H * I * O
AMBASSADORAMBASSADOR
Minutes of the 77th Annual Session
of the
Ohio State Association
of
Free Will Baptists
The 77th session of the Ohio State Association of
Free Will Baptists met June 2627, 2015, at Heritage
Free Will Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio. The
theme for the convention was "A Call to
Commitment." Bro. David Chamberlain served as
song leader. Sis. Deena Armstrong played the piano.
Friday Morning
At 9:30 AM, Clerk Bryon Justice called the meeting
to order and introduced the moderator, Rev. Mark
Price. Pastor Tim Stout welcomed the convention to
Heritage Free Will Baptist Church. The moderator’s
message to the convention was taken from Hebrews
11:810, his theme was “The Faith and Obedience
of Abraham.”
The moderator called for the General Board
Report. The General Board met June 25, 2015, at
Heritage Free Will Baptist Church. Motion was made
and carried to receive the report and the business
items included therein.
The Moderator seated the convention delegates and
introduced the various committee members that will
be serving in this year’s convention. The Moderator
then recognized the visiting representatives of the
various National Departments and ministries.
Bro. Roger Daniel and Bro. Paul Etterling II gave
the report of the Ohio Home Missions Board. A
motion was made and carried to approve these reports
and to adopt the proposed budget.
Bro. Jason Luthy gave the OYC Report which
included a video featuring the winners of the 2015
OYC competitions. A motion was made and carried to
accept the report and adopt the proposed budget along
with the amendment note.
Ohio Women Active for Christ (OWAC) Report
was given by Sis. Sarah Sargent. The theme for
OWAC this year was, “Faithful Through the
Seasons.” The project for 20152016 will be,
$6,500.00 to be distributed to several ministries.
Motion made and carried to receive the report,
National Women Active for Christ (WNAC)
Report was given by Sis, Phyllis York. Motion
made and carried to receive the report.
Bro. Bill Hayes gave the Board of Directors
Report. Motion made and carried to receive the
report.
Executive Secretary Edwin Hayes gave a report of
the State Office and its ministries. Motion made and
carried to approve this report and to adopt the budget
with the submitted budget items and notes. A motion
was made and carried to distribute the funds as rec
ommended in the General Board report.
The moderator then appointed Bro. Mark McCarty
as replacement member of the Nominating
Committee for Bro. Tim Byers.
The morning business session was adjourned for the
worship service.
In the worship service, The Southeastern College
Quartet provided special singing. An offering of
$261.00 was received. Attendance was 170. Rev.
Mike Simpson, Pastor of Swauger Valley FWB was
introduced to bring the message. The sermon topic
Ohio Pastors have a special prayer of committment at the Friday evening
service of the State Meeting
Continued on Page 3
Swauger Valley Pastor Mike Simpson
preached on Being Committed to Christ
God’s Simple Plan
Many times I think that churches make salvation a hard thing for sinners to understand. One
church says that we must be baptized in order to be saved. Another tells us that we must
speak in an unknown tongue as proof of salvation. Still another says that we are saved by
partaking in a communion service. Some churches offer earthly priests to grant forgiveness.
Others say we must keep the law in order to be saved.
I am glad that God’s plan of salvation is simple! It is so simple that even a small child can
understand and receive it. That is the way the Lord wanted it. He wants you to know you
are saved with no questions!
This simple plan is beautifully illustrated in the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19. As Jesus
walked through Jericho, there is a man that He would meet who would show us God’s sim
ple plan in action.
Zacchaeus Desired Christ
We meet Zacchaeus in verse 12 and are told that he was a publicana tax collector.
Publicans were hated by the Jews because they considered them traitors to the Jewish nation
for collecting taxes for the despised Romans. Not only was Zacchaeus a publican, but he
was a chief publican! We also read that he was very rich. Jesus had just made a statement
about how hard it was for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. I think it would be safe
to say that in man’s eyes, Zacchaeus was not a good candidate for salvation.
In verse 3 we observe his spiritual hunger. It says that he “sought to see Jesus.” Why is it
that Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus? Evidently his position and wealth left him unsatisfied
something was missing.
We can see his determination in verse 4. He was unable to see Christ because he was a short
man and there was a large crowd in front of him. He overcame that problem by climbing up
in a sycamore tree which gave him a clear view of Jesus. Evidently he was not concerned
what others may have thought about a grown man climbing a tree. He wanted to see Jesus!
He desired Christ.
Zacchaeus Received Christ
As Jesus came down the road to where Zacchaeus was, He suddenly stopped and called out
to Zacchaeus. This unexpected call was probably a shock to him. Christ knew his name! He
knows ours as well. He had time for him and He has time for us. He told him to make haste
and come down, for He was coming to his house!
Zacchaeus responded by making haste. He did not waste this wonderful opportunity. He
offered no excuse. He received Jesus joyfully and welcomed him gladly. He heard Christ’s
knock and opened the door. I am glad for the day that I heard Him knock!
Zacchaeus Followed Christ
The people were murmuring, “Doesn’t Jesus know who He was speaking to? A publican, a
sinner! I am glad that Jesus still speaks to sinners!
Zacchaeus then gave an amazing testimony. His life had been changed. He offered to give
half of his goods to the poor and if he taken anything unfairly for anyone, he would pay
them back fourfold. Jesus had truly made a change in Zacchaeus’ life! “If any man be inChrist he is a new creature, old things are passed away and behold all things become new.”II Corinthians 5:17
The Result
Zacchaeus desired Christ, received Christ and now followed Christ. Jesus declared to the
stunned crowd the reason for this great change; that salvation has come to Zacchaeus’ house.
He was now a true son of Abraham. “He that hath the Son hath life and he hath not the Sonof God, hath not life.” I John 5:12 Anyone can have the same.
Jesus then revealed His purpose to “seek and to save that which was lost.” He came to find
wandering sinners and restore them to a relationship with God. Whoever receives Him will
be saved. In Luke 18 we find Jesus reaching down to save a blind beggar named
Bartimaeus and in Luke 19 we see Him reaching up a tree to save a rich publican.
God’s simple plan is illustrated in the life of Zacchaeus and is available to
whoever desires it. Thank God for this great salvation!
The AMBASSADOR is the official publication of the:
OHIO STATE ASSOCIATION
OF FREE WILL BAPTISTS
7554 Slate Ridge Blvd.
Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068
The Ambassador is committed to promoting the
cause of Jesus Christ and the Ohio State Association
of Free Will Baptists by presenting articles,
announcements and pertinent news to inform our
member churches and constituents.
We reserve the right to edit or reject materials
submitted for publication in the Ambassador. The
views expressed are not necessarily the view of
the Ohio State Association of Free Will Baptists.
The publication deadline is NOON as follows:
January 1st, March 1st, May 1st, July 1st,
September 1st and November 1st. All gifts
given to the Ambassador should be sent to the
above address.
July 12 Marysville AM Service, Paul Bogenrife, Pastor
July 19 Westerville AM Service, Paul Etterling, Pastor
July 1922 National Assoc of FWB, Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 26 Pleasant Hill SS & AM Service, Greg Lyons, Pastor
August 2 Gahanna AM Service, Curtis Booth, Pastor
August 9 Troy AM Service, Dwight Stump, Pastor
August 11 Coalton Regional Men’s Meeting, Tim Simpson, Pastor
August 16 First Dayton AM Service, Mike Daniel, Interim Pastor
August 22 Emmanuel PM Service, Rick Pelfrey, Pastor
August 30 Gahanna, AM Service, Curtis Booth, Pastor
September 13 Good Hope SS & AM Service, Jason Keith, Pastor
Secretary’s Schedule
The Ohio State AssociationOffice and the Ambassador
eBookstore will be
CLOSEDJuly 17-26th
We will
REOPENMonday, July 27th
Together We CanBy Edwin Hayes
The Gospel is Simple!
was, “Committed to Christ.” Following
the message the convention recessed for
lunch.
Friday Afternoon
After opening with a congregational
song, Bro. Jason Meade, gave devotional
thoughts from Mark 15:4243.
Bro. A.J. Dooley gave a report of the
2014 National Association Meeting,
which was approved. The moderator then
appointed delegates to the National
Association meeting this year in Grand
Rapids, MI. Those appointed were A. J.
Dooley, Mark McCarty, Geri Beal, Linda
Combs and Fredia Street.
Bro. Keith Burden gave a report from the
FWB National Executive Office, which
was received.
Bro. Ron Hunter gave a report of
Randall House Publication, which was
received.
Bro. David Wiliford gave a report on
Welch College, was which was received.
Bro. Neil Gilliland gave a report on
International Missions, which was
received.
Bro. David Crowe gave the report on
North American Ministries, which was
received. Bro. Kevin Bass gave the report
on the work in Portsmouth, VA. Bro. Tim
York gave a report on the work in Buffalo,
NY which has ministers to both hearing
and deaf people. Bro. Tom Jones gave a
report on the work in Greenfield, PA. All
three reports were received.
Bro. David Brown, , gave a report of the
FWB Foundation, which was received.
Bro. Ray Lewis gave a report on the FWB
Board of Retirement, which was
received.
Sis. Cathy Crawford gave an update
report on her health and possibility of
returning to France.
Bro. Jim Marcum of Southeastern Free
Will Baptist College gave a report, which
was received.
Bro. Tim York gave a report for the Free
Will Baptist Family Ministries which
was received.
Bro. Troy Sadowski of Cornerstone
Estate Planning, gave a report which was
received.
Attendance at the afternoon session was
145. The afternoon business session was
adjourned until Saturday morning.
Friday Evening
Assistant Moderator Tom Dooley wel
comed the congregation and led worship.
Bro. David Chamberlain led the congrega
tion in singing. An offering of $6,049.00
was received. Attendance was 152. Special
singing was provided by The
Representatives Quartet. Rev. Edwin
Hayes was introduced to bring the mes
sage. The sermon topic was “Committed
to the Truth.”
Benediction.
Saturday Morning
At 9:30 AM, Rev. John Wallace gave
devotional thoughts from Colossians 3:23
24. The moderator then called for commit
tee reports.
The Resolution Committee reported no
resolutions submitted.
The Appreciation Committee report
was given and a motion was made and car
ried to approve the report.
The Registration Committee report was
read. Total registration was 299; 69
Ministers, 14 Deacons, 24 Delegates, 80
Visitors, and 114 Youth.
The Obituary Committee report was
given: Since we last met in June 2014, the
fellow believers, listed on the attached list,
have gone to be with the Lord. Motion was
made and carried to approve the report. A
moment of silence was held to remember
these.
The Clerk then read the 504 report
which will be sent to the National
Association Meeting in Tampa, FL, which
was approved.
The Nominating Committee report was
given and acted upon. For offices with term
ending in 2016: Moderator, Mark Price,
elected; Assistant Moderator, Tom
Dooley, elected; Clerk, Bryon Justice,
elected; Assistant Clerk, Manuel Lopes,
elected.
The Moderator appointed the
Nominating Committee for 2016 as fol
lows: Don Hix, Dan King and Paul
Etterling.
Executive Committee for 2015: Charles
Crider, Jeremy Luthy, Dan King, and
Russell Street, elected.
General Board for term ending in
2017: Randall Keffer (Capital City);
Russell Street (Central Ohio); Robert
Prichard (CuyahogaLorain); William
Chadwick (Franklin); Mike Martin (Great
Lakes); Ed Barney (Jackson); Tim Crank
(Lawrence); Charles Crider (Little Miami);
Randy Rose (Northeastern); Jeremy Luthy
(TriState).
For National General Board term ending
2018: Edwin Hayes (as Executive
Secretary this position is automatically
appointed).
For OYC Board Member term ending
2022: Marcus Bailey, elected.
For Board of Directors term ending
2022: John Wallace, elected.
For State Missions Board term ending
2021: (To serve remaining term of John
Johnson) Mike Gladson, elected.
For State Missions Board term ending
2022: Roger Daniel, elected.
The Moderator then appointed Bro. Mike
Simpson as Prayer Committee
Chairman. Sis. Sue Moore was appointed
as Registration Committee Chairperson.
Both will serve for the 2016 State
Association meeting.
A motion made and carried to adjourn
from business for the 2015 session.
The Sword Family, provided special
singing. An offering of $138.00 was
received which brought the total State
Ministry Offering to $6,448.00.
Attendance was 120. Rev. Mike Gladson
was introduced to bring the message. The
sermon topic was, “Committed to
Others”. Benediction.
Bryon J. Justice, Clerk
Ohio State Association of Free
Will Baptists Obituaries2015
Gladys Adkins
Loraine Alexander
Rose Baldwin
Virginia Oiler Baer
Michael Curtis Booth
James Butler
Betty Cartee
Reginald “Reggie” Collier
Fred Choquette
John “Joe” Culp
Matthew Current
Janie Debelich
Florence Dixon
Sarah Marie Dunn
Rev. Jimmy Dutton
Clifford Ellison
Lucille Estep
Cecil Farmer I
Gary Ferryman
Susan Rae Ford
Rev. Tony Franklin
Rev. Virgil Goff
Newton Gillum
Betty Wilson Gladson
Wesley Earl Gladson
Lois Goble
Mary HollandRoyster
Audrey Hinkle
Annie Jones
Dick Jordon
Carl Kennedy
Amanda Keener
Paul Keller
Cecil Kidder
Elmo Kilgore
Sue Powers
Mary Ray
Billy Reeder
Nellie Robinson
Bertha Ryland
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 3
Continued from Page One
Ohio Executive Secretary
preached bout Being Committed
to the Truth
Canaan Pastor Mike Gladson
preached about Being Committed
to Helping Others
2016 Ohio Executive Committee (from left to right)
Moderator Mark Price, Charles Crider, Russell Street, Clerk Bryon
Justice, Jeremy Luthy, Assistant Moderator Tom Dooley, Dan King,
Assistant Clerk Manuel Lopes
Gary Legg
Don Madden
LaVonne Mayo
Francis Messer
Sam Milligan
Delores Moore
Lynn Morrison
Geneva Mullins
William “Bill” Nance
Betty Osborne
Betty F. Schrienk
Jerry Sites
Charles Sparks
Carlos Staton
Louetta “Lou” Stewart
Lawrence Sutton
Phyllis Walters
Angela Mary
WaddletonGoins
Doug Whitman
Crystal Williamson
Frank Withrow
Frank Wilson
Sylvia Workman
Gladys Young
Pastors
Rev. James Cosby
Rev. Virgil Masters
Rev. Robert Maynard
Rev. Clyde Perry
Rev. Robert
Thompson
Deacons
Marshall Brown
Paul Dixon
Homer Clyde Dove
Larry Hill
Mike Jones
Joe Steelman
STONEY RUN (PINE CREEK)
We want to thank the Lord for giving us a great
weekend for our first yard sale of the year. We
were truly blessed and all the proceeds went to
our food pantry.
We had a wonderful Mother’s Day service
with our oldest mother being 82. We are tthank
ful for all the special mothers who were there.
Our Bible School was June 812th and we
thank God for all the kids we had and for all of
the adults who helped. Our prayer is that the
kids who don't go to church will start some
where.
With great sorrow we have lost a very special
member of our church Bro Jim Eichenlaub went
to be with the Lord on June 23rd. Not only was
he a child of God he was truly a special friend
to all of and will truly be missed by many.
Please pray for peace for his family.
On July 29th we will be having our homecom
ing with Theresa Jeffries singing in the morn
ing and Rev. P.J Fitch will be preaching .
Covered By Love will be singing in the after
noon. All are welcome to come worship with us.
Love and prayers from our church
to yours.
Craddock Frye, Pastor
Pam Smith, Reporter
ANTIOCH (CENTRAL OHIO)
Bless the Lord! Bless the Lord! That is what
people have been doing at Antioch.
We have been very busy at our big little
church. Our Sunday morning worship services
have been outstanding with the Lord’s presence
in every service.
We recently took in 12 new members. At our
recent baptism we baptized eight.
We are in the process of doing fundraisers to
raise money to “Pave the Way”. We hope to
pave our parking lot. Recently we sponsored a
spaghetti dinner at the Ann & Tony’s Restaurant
in West Jeff on a Monday night. They are
closed on Monday, but we even had some walk
ins as well as a good response from the tickets
we sold. A special thank you to Ann & Tony’s
for their help. We raised over $1,700.00 in one
night. Our people were great supporters, they
waited tables, bused tables, and did dishes, as
well as selling tickets. This could not have been
accomplished without the great people in our
church. A special thanks to our youth group that
were amazing workers on this night.
Saturday, July 11th, The Blankenship Family
will be singing at The Farm located on St Rt 665
just out of London. Singing starts at 11:00 am.
We would love to see you there. Also that day
our ladies will be serving lunch. Come out for
some good fellowship and food.
Our VBS will be July 2730th. It will be from
6:30 to 8:30pm. Please pray for our teachers
and students as they prepare for this fun time.
Our 36th annual homecoming will be August
9. Rev Harry Neal Frisby, from Eastside
FWB in Thelma, KY. will be preaching in the
morning service. Dinner will be served after the
morning service. All are welcome!
God be with you all. Have a safe and restful
summer!
Jim Blankenship, Pastor
Linda Blankenship, Reporter
FAITH (CUYAHOGALORAIN)
Psalm 34:1“I will bless the LORD at all times:his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”We had our mother, daughter, friend banquet
May 9th and it was great. We all enjoyed the
afternoon with good food as well. Thanks to our
Sis. Christine Rhodes who organized it.
On May 10th Bro. Bill Alford preached in the
pm service and did a great job. We enjoyed hav
ing him with us. Bro. Dale Channel preached
May 17th in the evening. It was such a blessing
to have these ministers and their wives working
with us. To God be the glory.
Our pastor preached a revival at Trinity FWB
with Bro. Mike Brooks. It was a very good
revival with one saved. Several went to the altar
with needs. God’s presence was so real in the
services. It was good for all of us.
On May 20th Bro. Pete Murray’s daughter,
Rachel passed away. Remember that family.
She was a wonderful young lady.
One of our precious sisters, Velda Gardner
went to be with the Lord. Our loss is heaven’s
gain. She was a very good Christian woman.
What kind of footprints are we leaving behind?
On May 31st we had a good day at the church
with one saved.
We had two great services on June 7th. The
Lord took over and things got rearranged. Three
joined the church.
We had our Father’s Day service June 21st
with a luncheon afterwards.
Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and howpleasant it is for brethren to dwell together inunity.”
Lester McMahan, Pastor
Geraldine McMahan, Reporter
GRACE
Hello again from Grace FWB in Bedford, Oh.
It’s already almost the middle of summer. The
time goes fast while serving the Lord!
We are praying for souls, not only the lost, but
also for yours! Jesus’ coming is near.
Please continue to pray for Bro. Jake, our dea
con and his wife, Sis. Margaret and their fami
ly. Also remember Bro. Art and Sis. Kathy. Art’s
mother is in need of much prayer. She lives in
Alabama.
The church had a beautiful event this spring.
Bro. DeWayne and Sis. Eloine’s daughter,
Ashley and her fiance Josh were married. It was
a beautiful event and a blessing for the family.
With the wedding we had many lost come into
the church and by request of the bride, there
were many scriptures read. Many lost family
and friends heard God’s word that day and the
seed was planted in their hearts. Now God will
give it the increase.
We’re thankful for the visitors who we see at
the church and we are praying for God to move
and for souls to be saved. We are looking for
great things to happen!
With warm weather and school being out we
should pray for the safety of the children. Also
during the summer we will all be out and about
more and with seeing more people. Let’s never
miss the opportunity to witness to someone or
just give a smile or an encouraging word. You
never know what someone is going through or
maybe in need of. Always let Jesus’ love show
through you.
As always we want to give thanks to our Lord
and Savior for all His love and blessings. We
don’t want to always ask for things. Take time
each day to give God thanks and praise. He
deserves it! You are always welcome at Grace
FWB. Blessings to you all!
Ed Purdy, Pastor
Elaine Booth, Reporter
UNITED (CAPITAL CITY)
A happy summer blessing is wished from all
of us here at United FWB. We are looking for
ward to some summer fun and activities with
our youth group going to Tuscarora Park in
New Philadelphia. A church picnic is also being
planned as we write this letter and a ladies aux
iliary fundraiser, “Bake and Craft sale” on July
2325th at the North Lawrence Fire Dept.
Please come and join us at 4052 Alabama Ave.
N.W. in North Lawrence, Oh. 44666.
We will be having our revival Aug. 13 15th
with Bro. Travis McKenzie preaching and The
Old Paths singing on the 13th, Bro. Jim
McComas preaching and The Shepherd
Family singing on the 14th and closing out on
the 15th, Bro. Johnny Castle will be preaching
and The Gospel Ambassadors will be singing.
Please make plans to come for one or more of
those evenings and if you’re not able to attend
then please pray that we see souls saved and that
people choose to get right with God.
After service on June 21st we had two people
come to that altar and request membership with
our church which is always a blessing to us, it is
reassurance that we are in God’s will. We also
had one precious soul saved on June 14th with
a visit by our pastor to the home of a man by the
name of Carlos. Carlos is very ill and in the hos
pital in Cleveland now though and we ask for
special prayer for this new brother in Christ.
We sure have been hearing some great mes
sages from Pastor Randy with one of the latest
ones being, “Don’t Live on the Border”. We
should all be working to get closer and closer to
heaven. Live for God daily not just part time.
We appreciate all our members and the work
they do for God’s house and most of all the
souls that He saves. Keep us in your prayers and
we will continue to pray for you as well.
Randy Keffer, Pastor
Faye Gray, Reporter
GOOD HOPE (CUYAHOGALORAIN)
Greetings from the Good Hope FWB Church.
We are doing good and sure enjoying this sum
mer weather. It has been a busy summer. We
had the Sword Family sing for us in April. It
was very good gospel singing. We baptized nine
people on a Sunday morning and they all took
membership with the church. We had a great
youth rally with singing by our youth and from
the Sand Hill FWB Church. Pastor Jason’s
daughter and Dustin Gray also sang for us. It
was a great service. The preaching was by Rev.
Josh Workman. Once a month we have singing
night on the last Sunday and our youth are
doing the service.
We will be having a picnic at the church on
June 23th. Then on August 9th we will be hav
ing Pastor Appreciation Day. The Blantons will
be singing for us. We are looking forward for
the conference in July.
Jason Keith, Pastor
Mary Diamond, Reporter
FIRST AUSTINTOWN (STATE LINE)
Greetings from Austintown.
In the spring our worn out parking lot was
replaced with new asphalt, and the Master’s
Men recently freshened the pavilion with a coat
of paint. Pastor Tom leads “Backyard Bible
Study” once a month during the summer for
Sunday evening service. This follows a picnic
supper and fellowship time.
Deacon Ed Davis is teaching from the book of
Exodus in Wednesday evening coed Bible
study class. The ladies Wednesday evening
group is studying, a journey through the Psalms
of Ascent titled: “Stepping Up” presented in
video by Beth Moore. Discussion following the
sessions are led by Angela and/or Laura Dooley.
Laura is also is in the process of organizing
VBS for early in August. The children will
enjoy learning about the power of God in a win
ter setting called, “Everest.”
We are also making plans to celebrate in
September the 50th anniversary of First Free
Will Baptist Church in Austintown that began in
1965. We also want to congratulate Pastor Tom
and Angela who celebrated their 36th year of
marriage on June 16th.
In May, one come to Christ, was baptized and
joined the church. We welcome our sister
Karen as she joins us in worship.
We continue in prayers of healing for our
brothers and sisters in Christ at the Cross Pointe
Church. “I will not leave you comfortless: I willcome to you.” (John 14:18). Thank you Jesus.
Tom Dooley, Pastor
Joyce Davis, Reporter
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 4
Bethlehem Without Pastor
Blackfork Without Pastor
Cornerstone Without Pastor
Eifort Without Pastor
Fleming Avenue Without Pastor
Kent Without Pastor
Mount Calvary Without Pastor
Mount Hope Without Pastor
Old Kyger Without Pastor
PastorChanges
ChurchNews
Porter Association Report
The Porter Association met at the Madison FWB Church on May 16th. Hamilton
Glades pastor, Jimmy Dummitt, served as moderator and Dan King (pastor of
Bethesda FWB) served as assistant moderator. Jimmy read from 1 Timothy 2:8 and
his morning devotion was on prayer.
After the regular business session, Dan King led in worship. Emma Stevens provided
ministry through song. Lowell King (pastor of Wakefield FWB) brought the morning
message from 2 Timothy 4:18, as he focused on Paul’s admonition to Timothy:
“Preach the Word!”
The ladies of the Madison Church provided a delicious meal as everyone enjoyed a
time of fellowship. The next special event will be in August as the Harrison FWB
Church hosts the third…
Porter Association Revival With Jim McComas
August 1619 Sunday, 6 PM MondayWednesday, 7 PM
Rev. D. Clyde
Perry, 80, of
Fairborn, passed
away peacefully May
18th at his home. He
was born on February
19, 1935 in West
Liberty, Kentucky,
the son of James G.
Perry and Mildred M.
(Hammons) Perry. He
is survived by his two brothers, James B. (Elsie)
Perry, Carl (Judi) Perry, and two sisters,
Kathleen “Kathy” and Bob Adams, and
Dorothy Eldridge all of Fairborn. He is also sur
vived by many friends. He is preceded in death
by his mother, Mildred Perry, one brother, Gene
Perry, four nephews and one niece. Bro. Perry
was a pastor and evangelist serving several min
istries for over 65 years, he served as the Pastor
of the Fellowship Tabernacle Church in
Carthage, Ohio for 40 years, and he was a much
sought after Bible teacher and preacher. He was
a Member, Board Member and Sunday School
Teacher at Fairborn FWB Church. He will be
missed by all who knew him.
His service was held on May 22nd at Victory
Temple, with, Rev. Dr. Stuart Snow, Rev.
Tooney Easterling, Rev. Dan Smith and Rev.
Bill McQueen, officiating.
Sister Mary Holland
Royster, age 57, of
Westerville, passed
away May 24th at
home. Employed by the
Kroger Company for
over 30 years. Mary
loved and adored her
children and grandchil
dren. She attended the
North FWB Church
where her husband Marvin is a member.
Survived by her husband, Marvin Royster;
daughters, Melanie (Jason) HollandJenkins
and Holly (Ricky) Kinder; grandchildren,
Giana, Graycin, Giulian, Gavin and Jace; broth
er, Bill (Debbie) Holliday; several nieces and
nephews. Preceded in death by her parents
Howard and Mildred Holliday and brother Mike
Holliday.
Services were held May 31st at the North
FWB Church, with Pastor William Chadwick,
officiating.
Rev. Harold Collins, age 87, of Columbus,
passed away May 24th. Retired Pastor at Amity
Enterprise Baptist Church after many years of
service. He was a member of Columbus
Enterprise Baptist Church. Harold served on the
Enterprise Baptist Church Association Board
for several years. Preceded in death by daughter
Barbara Silvia, parents William and Cula
Collins, numerous brothers and sisters.
Survived by loving wife of 67 ½ years Dorothy,
children Donald E. Collins, Connie S. Combs,
Debra K. (Bobbie D.) Silvia and Harold D.
(Debra A.) Collins, brother Rev. Paul and
Burnis Collins, sister Virginia (Elmer) Gibson,
16 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, 14
great great grandchildren, numerous nieces,
nephews and a host of friends.
Services were held June 5th at the Amity
Enterprise Baptist Church.
Sister Rose Edna
Baldwin, 77, of
Baltimore, passed away
on May 4th at the
Fairfield Medical
Center. She was a caring
and loving wife, mother,
grandmother, and great
grandmother. Rose
enjoyed sewing and
cooking. She was a
member of the Reynoldsburg FWB Church. Her
made from scratch pies will be missed by many.
She loved to sing in church. She is survived by
her husband of 60 years, Henry D. Baldwin;
children, Ricky David (Wendy) Baldwin and
Beverly Rose (Joseph Malinosky) Baldwin;
four grandchildren; one greatgrandchild, sib
lings, Leonard Stanley Jr., David (Carol)
Stanley, and Bob (Ann) Stanley; and several
nieces and nephews. Rose is preceded in death
by her parents Leonard and Elizabeth Stanley,
daughter Renee Robinson, and siblings Margie
Jackson, Inez Harmon, and Doniel Stanley.
Her memorial service was held on May 11th
with Pastor Jerry Sargent officiating.
Bro Jim Eichenlaub, a member of the Stoney
Run Church went to be with the Lord on June
23rd. Not only was he a child of God he was
truly a special friend to all and will truly be
missed by many. Please pray for peace for his
family.
Bro. Dewey Delmar Carey. He passed away
after a long fight with cancer. He loved our
church and our church loved him! He will be
missed very much! Thankfully, we know we
will be reunited with him again. Please pray for
his widow Sister Minnie, and their family.
Brother Dewey was originally from Kingsport,
Tennessee but a nearly 60 year resident of
Lorain County, Ohio, a U.S. Navy veteran of
the Korean War and a Ford Motor Co. retiree.
(Brookpark, Ohio)
Bro. Joe Culp (drummer for Enabling Grace),
member of the Woodstock Church went home
to be with the Lord on May 16th. He is greatly
missed by a lot of family and friends.
Two members of the Bloom FWB Church,
passed away: Bro. John Morrison who had
battled cancer over a year, and Bro. Kenny
Watson who was one of our faithful members
who came to service early, and loved to give
candy to the kids and also to our pastor.
Our hearts are saddened over the lost of a dear
sister in Christ, Loraine Alexander. The New
Hope FWB Church family will really miss her.
She was such a joy to be around. We ask that
you continue to remember her husband, Ray, in
prayer.
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 5
2015 HOLY GROUND FREE WILL BAPTIST YOUTH FOR CHRIST CAMPLocated at: 5150 RIBER RD, HILLSBORO, OHIO 45133
(Bldg- Worship, Devotions, Recreation, etc.) (New Kitchen/Dining Hall Building) (Completely new Kitchen facilities)
(Improved Pond facilities)
Newly built, fully furnished kitchen and dining area, as well as the huge pond is nowavailable for swimming and pedal boats! A Pastor from a camp in 2012 was so impressedwith our improvements in these areas that he said he wished other FWB churches were
aware of our new (Kitchen/Dining hall) and improved (the Pond) facilities.
For leasing and information on the above camps call Larry Glenn (937) 478-3815, DonnaGlenn (937) 475-2710, Rev. Steve Nickels (937) 478-1182,
Pastor Tim Hamilton (937) 559-1966 or E-mail us at [email protected]. Please let us know if you would like to view a camp presentation.
2015 CampsJuly 12-17 Sr. Co-ed Camp (Ages 13-20 boys/girls) July 19-24 Jr. Boys Camp (Ages 8-13)
July 26-31 Jr. Girls Camp (Ages 8-13)
A ministry of Northridge Free Will Baptist Church, 4800 Payne Ave, Dayton, OH 45414
Condolences
PASTOR VACANCY:
First Dayton Free Will Baptist Church is prayerfully seeking a pastor that
God has called to shepherd our congregation. He must be a Free Will
Baptist ordained minister who preaches/teaches from the Bible, and will lead
us in understanding how to apply God's Word to our daily lives. The man of
God chosen will help the existing congregation grow spiritually so that
together, we can encourage others to join us in serving God.
Our pastor should be spiritual, wise, compassionate, honorable, and com
fortable with all ages...a man defined in I Timothy 3:17.
Our ministry is a team ministry. We are a small congregation, but with God's
help, hope to grow.
Full time or bivocational candidates should apply to:
We will be reviewing resumes and will be calling potential candidates.
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 6
The following singers and singinggroups are available to come and sing
in your church for revivals or special services.
Baldwin Family Bluegrass Singers, Rosedale, Call Chuck Baldwin (937) 926-3177 [email protected] Siders, Columbus, (Southern Gospel) (614) 778-9250Born Again Gospel Singers, Harry or Irene Litton (740) 927-5319 Cross Pointe Trio, Lancaster, Call Bill Pitts (740) [email protected] www.crosspointetrio.comDavid Giddens, Marysville, (937) 642-2121 [email protected] 3, Scott & Sheri Noel (740) 574-6635 [email protected] Grace, Woodstock, (Country and Bluegrass Gospel) Call JimHoward at (937) 325-2787Faith Gospel & Contemporary Christian Music, Sidney, Call Pam Moorman(937) 492-1059 [email protected] in Action, Marion, Call Marjorie Abrams at (740) 383-5405 or PleasantHill FWB, (740) 363-5295 Attention: Marjorie Abrams or Bob Chaffin or [email protected]'s Ambassadors, Gahanna, Call Judy Spires (614) 475-4689Gospel Ambassadors, Rittman, Call Greg Marcum (330) 927-9057 Ethan Hutchinson, Somerset, (740) 892-4001 www.ethanhutchinsonofficial.com/fr_home.cfmJust Forgiven Singing Ministries, Dayton, (Southern Gospel) (937) 280-3840 or(614) 309-2512Headed Home-Singing For The Lord, Oak Hill, Call Jim Evans (740) 682-6109or Robert Gamble (740) 682-0042Mike Blanton & Evidence, Grove City, (614) 871-2795Mike Kisling, Hillsboro, (937) 393-2084Nina Nash, Leesburg, (Southern Gospel Sound Tracks)(937) [email protected] of Hope, Delaware, (Southern Gospel) (740) 363-4576Paul James Sound, Columbus, (614) 668-8916 [email protected]: www..pauljamessound.comRob Goodman, Newark, (740) 345-3233Rowena and George Walker, Dayton, (937) 258-8317Searching Lights, Galloway, (614) 878-6784Stacy Edwards, Hilliard, (614) 604-4126 (614) [email protected] Website: www.stacyedwards.comSteve Russell, Marengo, (740) 972-6729 [email protected] Family, Middleburg Heights, (440) 747-7436.Terry Collins & Victory, Hillsboro, (937) 840-9808 The Hambys, Dublin, (Southern Gospel) (614) 873-1215The Spiritual Echoes, Circleville, Call Rick Moore (614) 595- 9776 or DeloresMoore (614) 491-9502Violet Maynard, Columbus, (614) 759-7486 [email protected], Grove City, Call Mike or Sheri France (614) 352-3368 or CariPhillips (614) 875-6456 [email protected] Mays, Hilliard, (614) 607-0634
If you would like your group to be included, please send me your group name, what localFWB Church you are a member of, your address, and phone number. I will add you the list in
the next issue of the Ambassador.
AV
AIL
AB
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FR
EE
WIL
L B
AP
TIS
T S
ING
ING
GR
OU
PS
HUNDRED DOLLAR FRIDAY NIGHT OFFERING FOR OHIO STATE MINISTRIES
Our offering totaled $6,548.00 from at least 56 churches, ministries or conferences.
The offering was divided among our three Ohio State Departments:
50% to our State Mission Program
40% to our State Office
10% to our Ohio Youth Conference
Thanks go to the following churches and conferences who gave to the State Ministry Offering: Akron, Ambassador, Beatty, Beech Grove, Bethel, Bloom,Calvary, Carey, Christian Fellowship, Cleveland, Columbus First, Cornerstone Conference, DeForest Road, Eifort, First Austintown, First Clyde, First
Springfield, Forest Valley, Friendly, Gahanna, GalionUnity, Garden City, Harrison, Heritage, High Street, Hillview, Lebanon, LighthouseElsmere, Lima,Lockbourne, Mansfield, McDermott, Newark, New HopeChillicothe, Neville, North, Ohio Youth Conference, Penn Street, Porter, Reynoldsburg, Rittman
Community, Scioto, Shelby, South Charleston, South Columbus, Springfield, Trinity, Unity, Urbana, Wakefield, Westerville, Westside, White Oak, WoodlandChapel Woodlawn and Woodstock.
Greetings from the
Ohio Women Active for
Christ State Board
News and Upcoming Events
State Meeting: was held on Thursday June 25, 2015 at 1pm at Heritage Free
Will Baptist church in the Heritage Hall. Our theme was Faithful through theSeasons and our guest speaker was Phyllis York who serves as the editor for
Treasurer Magazine and the Administrative Assistant for WNAC. Our special
singing was done by Sandy Mounts and our congregational singing was led by
Melissa Sammons. We are excited about what the Lord is doing in Ohio.
Purse Auction Coming up!! On August 15, 2015 we will be hosting a
purse auction and baked potato buffet at Hillview Free Will Baptist Church to raise
funds for our 2019 national fund held in Cincinnati, Ohio. It will begin at 12:30pm
and run until about 3pm. We hope to see every lady there joining in the fun!
(Please see out ad on page 10 of this month’s Ambassador.)
OWAC Fall Retreat ... It will be here before we know it! Mark your cal
endars October 910, 2015 at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Mansfield
Ohio. Our theme is Footprints in the Sand and our theme verse is Hebrews 4:16.
We are pleased to welcome our guest speaker Carolyn Reddick from North
Carolina. You don’t want to miss this ladies!!
(Please see our ad on page 11 in this month’s Ambassador!)
Your sister in Christ,
Jessica Musetti, OWAC Secretary
Editor’s Note: We want to thank the Ohio Women Active for Christ for providing a wonderful meal at the Ohio State Meeting. This is a blessing to ourdelegates and to our association as a whole. Great job ladies!
Ohio Women Active for Christ
Visit us on the web
www.OhioFWB.orgor
our Facebook Page
NORTHRIDGE
Greetings from Northridge.
Praise God for His abundant blessings. We
have witnessed saving of souls in our midst, for
moving his people to follow Him in Baptism
and giving is work to do for His glory.
We are amazed to see the provisions of God
after having our last business meeting as we’ve
been able to remodel our fellowship building,
send a group of 18 people to Haiti as cost of
$28,800.00 (building homes and spreading the
gospel.) and minister locally all with ending the
quarter at the approximate amount of finances
as we started with. Wow only a blessing God
can provide.
Do you know Jesus and God?…Then said theyunto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered,Ye neither know me, not my Father: if ye hadknown me, ye should have known my Fatheralso. John 8:19
We are praying for God to bless our future
events: July 12th Sr. CoEd Camp starts, July
19th Jr. Boys Camp starts, July 26th Jr. Girls
Camps starts, Aug. 2nd Youth Service for AM
Service, Aug. 915th Fellowship Revival, Aug.
29th Men for Missions Meeting 9am, Aug. 30th
Sunday School Promotions, Sept. 913th
Homecoming Revival, Sept. 13th Homecoming
no evening service
Please enjoy listening to our weekly radio
ministry, Sunday’s at 2:30 PM, Station WGNZ
1110 AM for more details on our upcoming
events.
We are also streaming live over USTREAM.
You can connect via your computer to the link
or go through Facebook to connect:
http:www.ustream.tv/channel/Northridgefwbc.
This has proven to be a great blessing to our
members who can no longer come to church.
In His service.
Tim Hamilton, Pastor
Teresa Poynter, Reporter
ANTIOCH (PINE CREEK)
Celebrate for the 4th of July! But first lets cel
ebrate for Jesus! Psalms 33:12 reads, "Blessedis the nation whose God is the LORD; and thepeople whom he hath chosen or his own inheritance." Isn’t God good?
We say, We Are Antioch, because we love
Jesus Christ and are so blessed to be a member
of the little white church on the hill!
Now for some notes: We had VBS from June
15th19th, approx. 90 children were with us
each evening. Praise the Lord! Even better news
than that..we had 19 lining the altar on Friday
eve! I say it again, "Ain't GOD good! Like our
Pastor Rick Henderson says, "a church would
be dead without the children". We are so blessed
to have Pastor Rick and his family here at
Antioch.
Our attendance on Sunday mornings has been
around 70! Our prayers are for the lost, the
community, the sick, those in need, our young,
our church, our country. We are full of testi
monies to give God praise for His goodness and
mercy. We will be having homecoming service
Aug. 2nd with Bro. Audie Murphy preaching
the morning and afternoon with special singing
from Antioch!
Love to all.
Rick Henderson, Pastor
Tammy Knappenberger (Tater), Reporter
URBANA (CENTRAL OHIO)
Greetings to all our sisters and brothers in
Christ.
Our annual homecoming service was held
May 17th with Chris Baldwin from Springfield
ministering through his songs. Our attendance
was good for this service with lots of good
food. In our afternoon service on this special
day we were ministered to with singing by
Sarah Graham and Gene Orahood and bring
ing the afternoon message was Rev. Jack
Williams from Nashville, TN.
We had other visiting brothers with some
inspiring messages since our last letter;
Brothers Josh Young and Bill Moore.
In May we held a mother/daughter banquet
and in June a father/son banquet.
We are now gearing up for our VBS, "Camp
Kilimanjaro" to be held in July. All praise to
our Almighty God. His love is great toward His
people. God is at working many marvelous
things in our midst.
Grant Cordell, Pastor
Barbi Johnson Reporter
CENTERBURG (CAPITAL CITY)
“Commit thy ways unto the Lord; trust also inhim; and he shall bring it to pass” Psalm 37:5
How true this is. If we commit everything we
do to the Lord and trust Him to help us do it He
will. God is great and greatly to be praised.
Greetings from Centerburg to our brothers and
sisters in Christ. We here at Centerburg have a
busy summer. We just had a great VBS. The
children were taught to walk with Jesus. They
had some great lessons and crafts. We thank all
the people that helped.
Bro. Micah Tuggle started the message for
Father’s Day and Bro. Isaiah Hatfield finished.
They took their text from Genesis 22. They had
a wonderful message.
The youth will be having a car wash July 11 to
raise funds to help with their youth camp. They
will be going to Mohican July 19th23th. Pray
that someone will accept Jesus as their Savior.
We will be having our yard sale to raise funds
for our building fund. It will be August 6th &
7th. We pray we will see some of you there to
look for some treasures.
Our hog roast will be August 15th this year.
We pray you will come up and have some great
food, singing and fellowship.
We thank the Lord for answered prayers. We
just bought a van for the church. We thank Him
and give Him all the glory.
The Lord continues to bless us spiritually and
financially. Pray for us that we’ll be able to
start our building project soon, also pray that the
Lord will send us a spiritfilled revival. Have a
blessed summer!
Mark Tuggle, Pastor
Joan DeBoard, Reporter
ISLAND ROAD (LORAINCUYAHOGA)
It has been a very quiet and soggy start to sum
mer here at our little church. Spring ended very
sadly as we had to say our final farewell here on
earth to our dear brother in Christ Dewey
Delmar Carey. He passed away after a long
fight with cancer. He loved our church and our
church loved him! He will be missed very
much! Thankfully, we know we will be reunited
with him again. He was more than a brother in
Christ to me, he was also my beloved father in
law. Please pray for his widow Sister Minnie,
and their family. Brother Dewey was originally
from Kingsport, Tennessee but a nearly 60 year
resident of Lorain County, Ohio, a U.S. Navy
veteran of the Korean War and a Ford Motor
Co. retiree. (Brookpark, Ohio) It comforts our
hearts to know he is now at rest with Jesus.
As for our congregation, we have many on our
prayer request list, so please remember us.
We are looking forward to having Bro. Price, a
missionary join us on August 16th. Also, Bro.
Paul Daniels has his regular standing appoint
ment each and every second Sunday of the
month. Blessings to all.
Earl Coleman, Pastor
Audrey Carey, Reporter
MOUNT HOPE (SOUTHERN OHIO)
Greetings from Mount Hope Free Will Baptist
Church. We are thankful for the arrival of nice
weather. We are very thankful for the watchful
eye of the Lord. Each day is a blessing and we
have had a host of preachers coming to our
church to spread the Word.
We have a building improvement project start
ed. We plan to install new carpet in the church
and then the pews will be padded by PadA
Pew. We have been planning for a while and are
looking forwarded to completion.
Our next church conference will be at Eifort
Free Will Baptist Church with Brother Nic
Cartee serving as moderator on July 11, 2015
starting at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to
attend.
Until the next time, may the Lord keep you
and bless you.
Karen Charles, Reporter
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 7
Dear Pastor
I have been appointed the National Association Michigan Prayer Chairman. I am writing
to request you and your church pray for our National meeting this year in July in Grand
Rapids, MI.
Please take a few minutes during your Wednesday evening and Sunday evening service
to specifically pray for the speakers listed below. As well as the national youth service
and the ladies meeting which are taking place at the same time. Pray the Lord will anoint
the speakers and each person attending will be challenged, comforted or convicted
whichever is needed in their lives.
Two men from Michigan will be speaking this year. Especially pray the Lord will give Bro.
Rick Locklear the health to be able to preach.
Sunday Morning Gary Fry
Sunday Evening Rick Locklear
Monday Evening Frank Woods
Tuesday Evening Steve Lytle
Wednesday Evening Tom McCullough
Please pray for the youth, ladies meeting and the preaching conference as well.
In these desperate times we need to pray even more God will send a revival in our land.
REDEEMER (CENTRAL OHIO)
Greetings.
2015 continues to be a great year of first time
events for Redeemer FWB Church!
In May we attended our first conference as we
were admitted into the Central Ohio Conference
as a member church. We were welcomed with
open arms and a right hand of fellowship in a
way that only the family of God can do. On
Mother’s Day the church provided flowers and
a special song from the men for the ladies. We
enjoyed the preaching of Dan Widdig and
Edwin Hayes in our May 24th services.
In June we welcomed our first new member!
Our choir sang at Music on the Farm and the
ladies provided lunch as a fundraiser. Music on
the Farm is a ministry outreach of one of our
members. Jim Storts and his family have been
faithful to provide the gospel through song at
his farm in a beautiful country setting. The
church welcomed the singing group Lazarus
for a special Sunday morning praise service.
Our church enjoyed the 77th of the Ohio State
Association in Columbus. This will also be our
first National Association of F.W.B. in Grand
Rapids (that state up north).
I hope to report more firsts in the coming
months of our Inaugural Year Celebration.
Pastor Hix has stated many times Redeemer
Church is here because of the great faithfulness
of our God and the faithfulness of all who have
supported us as only God’s children can do.
Don Hix, Pastor
Tomi Baldwin, Reporter
COALTON (JACKSON)
Greetings to all our brothers and sisters in
Christ.
We have continued to be about our Father’s
business. Our youth have been to church camp
and came back with the testimony of being
blessed by God. They shared their experiences
of being motivated by their councilors and how
each day they took turns carrying a large cross.
We took a “Blast to the Past” to learned all
about God’s love in VBS. Our lessons taught us
through those men and women who walked
before us that God’s love is invincible, incredi
ble, unconditional, faithful, and real.
We honored our fathers on Father’s Day
because we wanted them to know that we are
truly grateful for men who stand for Jesus and
are the leaders of their home as God has
designed.
We are thankful for the messages that we hear
from the ministers in our own congregation.
They encourage us to continue on the straight
and narrow path so that heaven will be our
home. We have continued with the nursing
home ministries and God is blessing.
Please pray that our church will remain a bea
con for Jesus Christ. God bless you! Proverbs
16:24
Tim Simpson, Pastor
Sandra DeHart, Reporter
FREDERICK (PINE CREEK)
Greetings from Frederick Church.
Summertime has come and the good Lord has
given us rain for our plants and yards and our
gardens and faith for our souls. He said he
would not leave us, or forsake us in our time of
need. Sometimes we just need to say thank you
Lord for all He has done. And to all the new
Christians out there, keep holding to God’s hand
each day He gives you, he will lead you and
guide you the way you need to go each day.
In the last two months we have one give her
live to Christ, and two were baptized. Also we
had a visiting preacher Danny Widdig, we
want to thank him for preaching for us.
We had a long time member Mrs. Ball go be
with the Lord due to a long illness. She will be
missed here at Fredrick, but she is in a better
place where there is no more pain or tears.
We had a good turn out for VBS and had a
cook out the last night. Thanks to all who
helped and gave their time to help.
We ask that you pray for us here as we pray for
you and all that are in need of prayer. Please
remember Shirley Beesler in your prayers also.
Our homecoming is the last week of August.
We welcome anyone to come, but if SR140 is
not done by then take the detour to our church,
there are signs telling you how to go.
Till next time our prayers are with you all.
Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe allthings whatsoever I have commanded you: and,I am with you alway, even unto the end of theworld. Amen.”
Rusty Larter, Pastor
Randy Howard, Reporter
VICTORY (CAPITAL CITY)
Hello from Victory Church! The summer
months are always busy with lots of activities.
June 5th & 6th, the church had a yard/basement
sale to raise funds for the mission trip coming
up in July. Also, another yard sale at Christ the
King Church, in Delaware, Ohio. All proceeds
went to fund the Mission Trip to Costa Rica.
The Mission Team of seven will be leaving on
July 1118. Remember them in prayer for safe
travels as they work and take God's gift of
Salvation to the people in Costa Rica. People
are helping the Team fill their mission suitcases
each week.
The children really enjoyed VBS this year on
June 812. Program night ended with cake and
ice cream. The theme was called "Camp
Kilimanjaro." Youth Camp starts on August 7
10 at The Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp in
Perrysville, Ohio.
The Scripture for this report seems appropriate
for the Mission Trip coming up. It is found in
Matt. 24:14. Jesus said, "and this gospel of theKingdom shall be preached in all the world fora witness unto all nations; and then shall theend come." God bless all the missionaries at
home and abroad as we spread the message of
John 3:16. Pray for our country and the
Supreme Court for their decision on gay mar
riage. What a sad time for America.
Have a great summer and don't forget church
attendance.
Jim Thompson, Pastor
Jean Holmes, Reporter
COLUMBUS FIRST (FRANKLIN)
Greetings to all from Columbus First.
Summer is upon us which leads to many on
vacation and involved in outdoor activities. We
pray for travel safety for these individuals.
There have been several hospital and nursing
home visits. Our prayers go out to these beloved
ones of God. Our activities focus has been of a
missionary kind lately. We have had a free
clothing closet for those in need. We are also
learning how to repurpose candles to give to the
homeless this fall to help them keep warm.
We are excited about the Operation Saturation
event coming August 1st. Williams Road
FWBC graciously volunteered to help us. If
anyone else is interested please call the church
for details.
Our church has an opportunity to host the Five
Day Club this year, with Laura Gardner as
teacher. We are hopeful this will bring boys and
girls to know Jesus.
In closing we would like to quote scripture
saying…Matthew 5:1112 “Blessed are ye,when men shall revile you, and persecute you,and shall say all manner of evil against you
falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingglad: for great is your reward in heaven: for sopersecuted they the prophets which were beforeyou.” God is good, all the time!
Billy Parson, Pastor
Sue Parson, Reporter
FOREST VALLEY (FRANKLIN)
Welcome to Forest Valley in this beautiful sum
mer season. God continues to bless our church.
During this quarter we have seen souls saved,
baptized and join the church. What a blessing it
is to see the change in peoples lives when they
surrender themselves to God.
We had six high school students graduate this
year. Bro. Del presented each of them with a
Thompson Chain Reference Bible. This is a tra
dition our church has done for several years.
June 23rd, Pastor Del and wife Shonda cele
brated 25 years of marriage. We are so blessed
to have them and their girls with us.
Activities are also busy here. Monday nights
we have chair volleyball for the seniors, and
Softball for men and on Tuesdays we have a co
ed team.
June13, the Franklin County Conference was
held at our church and June 14th, Bro. Edwin
Hayes taught our adult Sunday School Class
and preached the morning worship
Service message: If you are looking for a
friendly church the loves the Lord and loves
each other, you are more than welcome to visit
us at Forest Valley. Reminder: The church
underwrites a Southern Gospel radio program
on Saturday at 3:00 on WEEC Christian Radio
at 100.7 FM.
Del Wallace, Pastor
Linda Long, Reporter
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 8
The following ministers are available to fill thepulpit for pastors who have to be away from their
church. Many are interested in conductingrevivals as well.
Since our last report we have been privileged to be with 14 churches. We haveexperienced powerful services with people coming forward during the altar serv-ices. In June we were in Claypool, IN with Bro. Billy Fields for his annualCamp Meeting. It was so good to be with Bro. Billy and to see him doing wellphysically. Another highlight for the month was being at the TaylortownCommunity Church in Shelby, Ohio where Bro. Doug Tackett is the pas-tor. We enjoyed such wonderful fellowship and felt the wonderful presence ofthe Holy Spirit during the services.
We are looking forward to the upcoming services and praying earnestly that wecan see revival in America. Please pray that "America can once again experiencereal revival"! Please pray for us in August when we travel to Virginia for theannual Memorial Service. Just pray that my family will hear the gospel and acceptChrist as Savior!
We will be praying for you and ask you to pray for us as we travel. We look for-ward to being with you this summer for services.
For Revivals, Conferences, Homecoming and other special services,please contact me at the above address.
*Are You on the List?*Are you receiving the Ohio Free Will Baptist
Updates?If you would like to begin receiving all the Ohio FWB News, just
Sunday Service at 6:00 pm Monday Wednesday Services at 7:00 pm
Westerville FWB Church 390 E College Avenue
Westerville, Ohio 43081
For more information contact (614) 626-2078Rev. Jerry Sargent, Executive Secretary of Franklin Conference
Rev. Tim Stout
Order from the Ambassador eBookstore
1/8007261290
In 2019, we will be hosting the FWB National
Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. With it being less
than four years away, we have already started
working on our $20,000 hosting gift. Last year at
our pig and a poke auction, we raised $700. We are
hoping this year’s event will be just as successful.
1/800-726-1290
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 11
Porter Association
Revival With Jim McComas
August 1619 Sunday 6 PM
MondayWednesday 7 PM
Harrison FWB Church
12254 SR 139
Minford, Ohio
SOUTHWEST (CAPITAL CITY)
We send greetings trusting God is blessing our
churches throughout the state. We have labeled
this year as “Tell our story” and each service
someone has given their story of coming to
Christ for their needs, Pastor John will follow
these stories with a story of Christ and His work
for those who came to Him.
The month of May was an exciting time with
Mother’s Day as Dave Browning brought a
powerful message to the women and mothers.
We were blessed to host the 20th anniversary
of the Capital City Conference with services
May 1316th. We enjoyed each night with con
clusion Saturday morning. The ladies had a
wonderful meal for us following the meeting.
June began with Pastor John‘s nephew Daniel
Meade preaching for us the 7th. Then it was
time for our Father’s Day June 21st with Just
Forgiven singing and Dave Browning preach
ing a powerful sermon on the “Love Of God”.
Our VBS began June 22 26th with an average
of approx. 60 children attending each day. We
closed the month in our Summer Revival with
Mike Blanton & Evidence along with Roger
Duncan. We also honored a very special man
that has truly been a blessing to our church fam
ily by serving in the role of a deacon since 1972.
Pastor John complimented Bro. Rinnel Duncan
for his service and thanked him for his effort
with a plaque and several cards of appreciation
was given to him and his wife Betty. We were
also blessed to share the news that due to the
love and generosity of a special monetary gift
from the Rubyville Community Church that we
are now a debt free church “PRAISE GOD”.
Our homecoming will be very special in which
we will be having a mortgage burning during
this service Sunday morning, August 2nd. We
are surely excited to see what God will do next
as we “Continue on the move for Christ”
John Meade, Pastor
Jennifer Fannin, Reporter
OAK HILL (JACKSON)
Greetings.
Psalm 100:5 “For the LORD is good; Hismercy is everlasting’ and his truth endureth toall generations.”On Mother’s Day we honored our oldest moth
er, youngest mother and the mother with the
most children at Sunday School with a hanging
basket of flowers. Each mother present received
a potted flower.
On Father’s Day, the fathers were given a gift
from their children. On May 30th we had a
Mother and Father’s Day dinner. Everyone
enjoyed an evening of good food and fellow
ship.
May 16th Bro. Noah Rawlins preached for us
from Matthew 16:13, “Who do you say Jesus
is?” We’re thankful for all who come to fellow
ship with us.
Until next time, may God bless you.
Danny Boggs, Pastor
Sandy Clark, Reporter
MAIN STREET (LAWRENCE)
Greetings to all from Main Street. We pray all
is well at your church.
We would like to report a great Mother’s Day
and Father’s Day dinner we had. We always
enjoy fellowship with our brothers and sisters.
We request prayer for Sis. Nancy Bartrum and
Sis. Fay Winters whom are ill.
We would also like to report a revival with the
Lawrence and Boyd County Conferences with
around 25 churches. It begins Aug. 17th at
Woodland Church and ends at Mavity Church in
Ky. for six nights. We pray we see you there,
for we would love to worship and fellowship
with our brothers and sisters.
I John 1:3 “...that ye also may have fellowshipwith us: and truly our fellowship is with theFather, and with His Son, Jesus Christ.”God bless.
Paul Bartrum, Pastor
Judy Layman, Reporter
WESTERVILLE (FRANKLIN)
Greetings from Westerville.
I Corinthians 1:4 “I thank my God always onyour behalf, for the grace of God which is givenyou by Jesus Christ;”Our Master’s Men sponsored a cornhole tour
nament at church on Saturday, May 30th. They
enjoyed a weekend retreat at Lazy River
Campgrounds recently for fathers and sons.
Also the men donated a blanket to everyone at
the homeless shelter.
The WWAC had their annual yard sale at the
church also on May 30th. Several ladies had a
weekend trip to the Hope Center. They took lots
of baby items with them for use at the center.
Our youth have been preparing for their com
petition at the National Convention
We enjoyed having Bro. Neil Gililand with us
on June 28th with a concert of prayer.
God bless.
Paul Etterling, Pastor
Grace McKinster, Reporter
GERMANY HOLLOW (PINE CREEK)
Greetings from Germany Hollow FWBC.
Lots to catch up on. The flooring arrived for
the fellowship hall. We are looking forward to
having it placed. We got to use it for our
Christmas dinner this year, and then this spring
for a wedding vow renewal for Ida and Larry
Baker. We are proud to be able to have it near
ing completion, keep praying for God’s provi
sion to see it through.
May 5th, we welcomed Zoreah Humphreys to
proud parents Zach and Kiya Humphreys. She
is a beautiful baby. May 11th Kayla Wagner
and Bobby Baldridge announced their engage
ment, shocking us with a wedding six weeks
away. They were wed July 3rd. The ladies of
the church had been busy with all the wedding
prep.
On June 27th, the church traveled to the
Creation Museum for a day filled with fun and
reflection at God’s masterpiece He has built for
us. It was a great day. June 28th, we had a first
ever “Youth of Yesterday” reunion. This was
for everyone who was a part of the youth here at
Germany Hollow church from the 60’s, 70’s,
80’s, 90’s. 106 people attended. Merit Smith
preached for us out of Esther, and we had spe
cial singing by Jeremy Moore, Patty
Deerfield, Dean Miller, and Germany Hollow
talent as well. We had a picnic afterwards. God
prepared the gorgeous day just so we could be
together with our old friends and meet a few
new ones as well. We are already planning to
do this again next year on the last Sunday in
June.
Steve Luster, Pastor
Debi Wagner, Reporter
TROY (LITTLE MIAMI)
“Giving thanks always for all thins unto Godand the Father in the name of our Lord JesusChrist;” Ephesians 5:20
Greetings from the Troy Church!
God is awesome and worthy of all praise. God
is still blessing our church. We have had so
many answered prayers. He is sending people to
our church, blessing our services and blessing
us so we can reach out and bless others.
Sister Lisa has started a woman’s Bible study
on Tuesday nights. We are so thankful for her.
On July 5th Simply Blessed were with us to
minister to us in song in the morning service.
July 19th Just Forgiven will be here to sing in
the morning service. They will be back on
Saturday, Aug. 15th for a singing service.
The Agape Singers from Columbus will be
with us Aug. 30th in the morning service.
We are looking forward to our conference
revival coming up.
We desire your prayers and we will continue to
remember our sister churches in prayer.
Dwight Stump, Pastor
Ethel Jones, Reporter
MARYSVILLE (CENTRAL OHIO)
“Surely his salvation is nigh them that fearhim; that glory may dwell in our land.” Psalm
85:9
We were blessed in our June revival with two
souls saved and three rededicated. Mike
Blanton, Lucian Baker, and Corey Carroll
brought marvelous messages from God’s word.
Evidence, God’s Messenger’s, The Spiritual
Echoes and the Heartland Gospel Singers
blessed us with singing during the revival.
We had a special service honoring the fathers
on Father’s Day. We had a power point photo of
fathers who have deceased. The dads received a
gift from the ladies auxiliary.
Our church had a float in the July 4th parade
and handed out flyers.
Bro. Edwin Hayes will be preaching for us
July 12th at 11 am. We are looking forward to
having him in our service.
We will be having our VBS July 17 & 18th
from 6:008:30. As always the children are
excited for VBS to start. July 19th at 10 am,
there will be a Sunday celebration. Parents,
family and friends are encouraged to come and
see what the children have been doing.
July 26th, we will have our Sunday school pic
nic after the morning service at the Honda Park.
Paul Bogenrife, Pastor
Helen Murray, Reporter
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 12
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M. J. LOWE’SINCOME TAX SERVICE
3213 SOUTH HIGH STREETCOLUMBUS OHIO 43207
JIM & JEAN LOWE Phone 16144916280OWNERS FAX 16144914554
For some time now I've been thinking about my return to France. Inlight of my having had cancer I think it's best that I return to theNantes area of France where I have lived and worked for years instead of going to Paris. Thatmeans that I won't be going with Operation Mobilization. Before everything happened as it did, Ifelt the Lord was leading me in that direction. However, now I believe that was only a temporaryleading that the Lord gave me in order to help me through a very difficult time. It gave me hopethat one day I would once again return to the work in France.
Some of my reasons for returning to the Nantes area are:
1. The family with whom I would have been working could return to South Africa leaving me onthe south side of Paris working with Muslims with no coworkers nearby. 2. Working in the Nantes area means that I would be near former coworkers with whom I have
been friends for years. That's especially good in case of an emergency. 3. It would make it easier to get to doctor appointments. Paris is a huge place. 4. Most importantly living in the Nantes area would give me opportunities to follow up Muslim
and French contacts that I already know who have shown an interest in the Gospel.
Since I won't be returning to France with Operation Mobilization, I have been trying to find anoth-er way to return. To my delight there is now a prospective Ohio F.W.B. church that might becomemy sending agency. I am not liberty to give more details at this time as the church board andmembers still need to vote. The thought of an Ohio F.W.B. church being my sending agency isexciting. After all that our churches have done for me during all of these years, what better way toreturn to France than through an Ohio F.W.B church. If that does work out as I hope it will, thenmy return will only be possible through your help as well. Thanks again for all you have done forme.
In Him, Cathy Crawford
P.S. Please hold any giving until I can give you more details.
PORTER (PORTER)
We have welcomed summer with open arms
here at Porter! In May we had West End per
form for us on a Wednesday evening service.
They gave a fantastic performance of Christian
bluegrass music. They were raising funds for a
trip this summer to minister in Japan. We pray
that they will be able to reach someone who
needs the message while they are in Japan.
We had the opportunity to have Kevin Bass
speak with us. Kevin is now a home missionary
to Portsmouth, Virginia. Kevin and his family
made a large impact on our congregation. There
are many members who have felt led to support
his church planting efforts in Portsmouth, VA.
This year our VBS offering went to Kevin as
well. The children were able to give $400 as an
offering for Kevin!
This year we had “Everest” as our VBS theme.
The kids had a really great time with the les
sons, science experiments, games, crafts, and
snacks. The kids were very receptive to the
messages about overcoming obstacles with
God’s awesome power! We have some fantasti
cally dependable VBS volunteers that make
VBS run smoothly! Thank you volunteers!
Sunday, June 28th, we had David Williford
with us who is the V.P. of Institutional
Advancement at Welch College. He gave us an
update on the progress that has been made on
Welch College’s campus relocation. He also
shared a wonderful message from John 14, on
how Jesus is “THE” way, “THE” truth, and
“THE” life.
Mark Price, Pastor
Tehra Clevenger, Reporter
GAHANNA (CORNERSTONE)
Hello to all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We hope everyone is enjoying this rainy weath
er!
We were pleased to honor McKenzie Messer
upon her graduation from high school. The
ladies auxiliary served refreshments and every
one had the opportunity to celebrate and
encourage McKenzie in pursuing her future
accomplishments.
The church had a float in the Gahanna
Independence Day Parade. It was decorated to
promote our VBS, which will be held July 13
17th. at 6:30PM. We are praying for new kids to
come and discover the love of God.We have
seen many children saved while attending VBS.
We celebrated Pastor Booth's 78th. Birthday a
couple days early, June 28th. The ladies auxil
iary provided a beautiful cake, ice cream and
beverages in the church's fellowship hall. We
enjoyed visiting with Pastor Booth and our
church family.
Please join us in prayers for our church family
and friends in nursing homes.
In His service.
Curtis Booth, Pastor
Bonnie Justice, Reporter
WOODSTOCK (CENTRAL OHIO)
Hello to all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We pray all is well with you all. Thank God no
matter what is going on in this old world, we
still have joy, peace and love in our lives and
hearts.
It is so hard to realize we are half way through
2015. Where has the time gone? In May we had
a really great Mothers Day service. We are
blessed with spiritfilled services at every serv
ice, including prayer meetings, Sunday morning
and evening worship services. God has been so
good.
VBS was the first week in June 8th10th.
There were several children that attended. Fun
was had by all that attended. On June13th ladies
prepared a breakfast for fathers and sons with
Bro. Tim Stout speaking. All the guys had a
good time. That evening started our
Homecoming Weekend with Bro. Steve Nickels
preaching Saturday in the PM service and also
in the Sunday afternoon service. He had a spir
itfilled message in both services.
We just want to thank the LORD for all He has
done for us here. We have several that have
health issues. Please remember them in your
prayers, and we will continue praying for all of
our sister churches. Let's stand together in
prayer for each other.
Russell Street, Pastor
Patricia Cordell, Reporter
PENN STREET (NORTHERN OHIO)
Greetings from the Penn St FWB Church. This
is our first time to be in the Ambassador so we
will tell you a little about us. We were organized
in May 1966 by Rev. Glenneth Click. We are a
small church with a lot of love for the Lord and
each other. We are located just outside of
Alliance. We are in the Northern Ohio Conf.
Our current pastor Rev. K. Leroy Dodrill has
been preaching for 42 years. We have service
Sunday morning at 10am for Sunday School
and 11am for worship. Our evening service
starts at 6pm. We do not have Sunday evening
service on the third Sunday of every month to
allow us to go worship with residents and their
families at a local nursing home. We do howev
er have service the second Saturday of every
month at 7pm. We try to have a special minister
on that Saturday. We have recently added a
Tuesday midweek service that starts at 7pm.
Our Friends and Family Day will be August
23rd with Rev. Corey Carroll from the Marion
Enterprise Baptist Church bringing the mes
sage. Our special singer will be Bro. Steve
Mosley from the First Marion FWB Church.
We will start at 10am. Then the wonderful
cooks from our church will have a bountiful
meal prepared for everyone's enjoyment.
We are looking forward to having Rev. Wayne
Runyon from Lenore, WV preach a revival at
our church August 1623rd, starting at 7pm
nightly. We will also have special singers each
night. Please pray that many will be saved!
Our needs are like all of the other churches.
We need everyone's prayers. May God richly
bless you all! We want to thank Brother Edwin
Hayes and his staff for the great job they do
publishing the paper. God bless you Bro.
Hayes.
Until next time may God bless you to see souls
saved to further His kingdom.
Leroy Dodrill, Pastor
Marci Prejsnar, Reporter
SHELBY ( NORTHERN OHIO)
In Luke 21:28, we read the words of Christ:
“And when these things begin to come to pass,then look up, and lift up your heads; for yourredemption draweth nigh.” With all the crazi
ness in the world today, it is exceedingly joyous
to have such a hope on which to lean!
We know there is work still to be done, and we
have been blessed over the last two months to
hear from some of our Christian brethren who
are out spreading the news of Christ. In May,
Bro. Gideon Valiao visited us once again
before his return to the Philippines. We pray
for his safe travel and that he can reach many
souls in his home country. In June, we were
blessed to host the quartet from the
Southeastern Bible College in North Carolina.
They were able to share their passion for their
college and the opportunities God has provided
for them.
The CREW (our youth group) has been stay
ing active with a trip to Mohican and a week at
youth camp. The last week in July will be our
VBS (6:30 – 8:30 nightly). This year’s theme is
Camping with Jesus. We are looking forward
to another great VBS!
Matt Pond, Pastor
Heather Brown, Reporter
WOODLAND CHAPEL (LAWRENCE)
We were blessed to see Wilbur Stableton make
a profession of faith May 17th and Kasey
Vanderhoof made a profession of faith at home
June 14th. We extend a warm welcome to
Shane and Becky Williams who joined our
church family June 14th. Our VBS, “Bible
Blast to the Past”, was a great success. We saw
five kids give a profession of faith during the
week of June 15th.
We want to thank Bro. Jimmy Cremeans for
a great message May 10th. Also thanks to Bro.
Walt and Sis. Kathy DePriest for ministering
to us in song May 31st. Our choir sang at the
City Mission May 20th and will sing at Perkins
Ridge Missionary Baptist July 16th. Again this
year, we participated in the "Baby Bottle
Blessings" money drive for Two Hearts
Pregnancy Care Center.
On May 3rd, we had a celebration dinner to
honor Pastor David Schug and family for 30
years as pastor of our church. Bibles were pre
sented May 17th to our graduates, Zack Kelly,
Drew McClaskey and Hunter Pemberton and
we enjoyed cake and ice cream with them May
31st. Congratulations to Bro. Jason and Sis.
Westley Mays on the birth of their baby, Weston
Layton, on June 25th.
The Lawrence and Boyd County Conferences
will hold a joint revival August 1722nd.
Services will be held at Woodland FWB Aug.
1719th and preaching will be Bros. Danny
Brown, Bill Oaks and Brandon DePriest.
Services will be held at Mavity FWB Aug. 20
22nd and preaching will be Bros. Jesse
Sizemore, Paul Bartram and David Schug.
Until next time, you are always loved and
wanted at Woodland Chapel FWB Church.
David Schug, Pastor
Patricia Adkins, Reporter
HIGH STREET (NORTH & WESTERN)
Romans 8:28 “And we know that all thingswork together for good to them that love God, tothem who are the called according to his purpose.”In May our church celebrated Mothers Day.
We gave all of the mothers solar lantern jars,
with the light within the jar symbolizing our
mothers and how they help lead us to Christ.
We thank God for all of our mothers, those in
heaven and those on earth.
On June 7th our church had the honor of hav
ing Kevin Spencer come and share the gospel
through song. Fun was had by all and hearts
were touched and encouraged.
We honored our fathers on June 21st by giving
them coffee cups and candy. Each one of our
fathers have made a mark on our lives and in
our hearts, we are so grateful for all of them.
On August 1st our North & Western
Conference will be held at Tiffin FWB Church.
All are more than welcome to come. The
church will be having a meal after the service.
Our homecoming service will be on August
30th and all are welcome. Pastor Jim Webb
will be bringing the message that day. We will
be having lunch after the service and look for
ward to the great fellowship.
NEW HOPE (CORNERSTONE)
Greetings from New Hope. We have been
blessed with excellent services and Sunday
School classes. God has been so good to us. We
are still praying for a piano player.
Our hearts are saddened over the lost of a dear
sister in Christ, Loraine Alexander. Our church
family will really miss her. She was such a joy
to be around. We ask that you continue to
remember her husband, Ray, in prayer.
We are looking forward to having a singing
group called Almost There with us July 12th.
Until next time, have a safe and enjoyable
summer. May God bless!
Wendell F. Combs, Pastor
Linda Combs, Reporter
LIGHTHOUSE (TRISTATE)
Greetings to all my fellow Free Will Baptists,
it is a pleasure to write this report and we are
praising God as always.
We have had a great few months at
Lighthouse. Busy as always.
A young lady, Cori Tyree accepted Christ as
her Savior and was baptized. It is always nice to
see anyone saved and more so when it is a
young person.
The men treated all the women to brunch at the
church in April. They prepared it themselves,
and served the ladies after church. They fixed
pancake, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and much
more. They even cleaned the kitchen after
wards. Mother’s Day was nice, and the ladies all
received mugs.
In June the ladies went to Potter’s Ranch for a
camp meeting. Tina Tolbert was our speaker
and we had a great time in prayer and fellow
ship. Some of the ladies even went on a pontoon
boat.
We gave the men homemade goodies for
Father’s Day.
Bobby Courtney, Pastor
Nancy Reiber, Reporter
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 13
“”The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feetlike hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine highplaces....” Habakkuk 3:19
Thought for the Month
Co-op Supports ALL Our Ministries!
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 14
Board Appoints New MissionariesThe Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions completed its twoday annual session on
April 28, in Antioch, Tennessee. During the second day of meetings, the board approved four
missionary candidates and accepted the retirement of two missionaries.
The board approved Eddy and Amanda Simmons (Faith FWB Church, Matthews, NC) as career
missionaries to the Samburu people group of Kenya. Located on the eastern coast of Africa,
Kenya’s 40% evangelical Christian population is somewhat misleading as at least 30 unreached
people groups numbering close to 4.5 million individuals populate the country. The Simmons will
serve in an isolated region in northeast Kenya serving the unreached Samburu people. “This is an
historic appointment,” stated Candidate Shepherd Jeff Turnbough. “This is the first time we are
NOT opening a country (Kenya), yet opening a work exclusively with an unreached people group
who mainly reside within the borders of a particular nation. The Simmons already have signifi
cant experience working among the Samburu using orality as the basis of their methodology.”
The board approved Tyler and Kellie Penn (Champaign, Illinois) as career missionaries to the
international students at the University of Illinois Urbana. In 2014, the board voted to partner
with the Home Missions Board for the purpose of crosscultural ministry projects in North
America. “I hope this historic appointment,” Jeff Turnbough said, “is the first of many such
joint ministry ventures with Mission North America.” The Penns, originally appointed as career
missionaries with Mission North America in 2011, will partner with a churchplanting home mis
sionary.
The board accepted the retirement of Steve and Judy Lytle (Panama) effective June 30, 2015.
“Steve and Judy have served selflessly for 40 years,” stated Board Chairman Danny Williams.
“We commend them for their dedicated service in Panama, in the Mission office, and wherever
their services were requested. They have been outstanding examples of Godcalled missionaries.”
Blankenship CPA Group provided an unqualified approval of the 2014 audit. The board approved
a $6.9 million framework budget for 2016 to be presented at the July 2015 meeting of the
National Association of Free Will Baptists. The operational budget for 2016 will be approved at
the December 2015 board meeting.
All board members (Danny Williams, chairman, AL; Janice Banks, OK; Nelson Henderson,
AR; Jeff Manning, NC: Greg McAllister, CA; Tom McCullough, MI; Jeff Nichols, TN;
Robert Posner, TX; Mark Price, OH) were in attendance.
Morgans Transfer to SpainThe Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions approved
Neil and Mandi Morgan’s reassignment to Spain from Uruguay
via email ballot on May 19, 2015.
Neil and Mandi, scheduled to return to Uruguay on May 31, strug
gled with the excessive education costs of their girls in Uruguay.
After much conversation where multiple options were considered,
the couple agreed a transfer to Spain was both practical and God
directed. "It was not an easy decision to leave Uruguay. Our broth
ers and sisters there are very dear to us,” Neil and Mandi wrote.
“However, after much prayerful consideration, we feel this is
God's leading and we are excited about the opportunities He has
for us in Spain.”
Neil and Mandi were appointed as career missionaries to Uruguay in April 2008. Following depu
tation ministry and a year of language study in Costa Rica, the Morgans arrived in Montevideo,
Uruguay, September 2011. They returned to the States in December 2013 for stateside assign
ment.
"I had Neil and Mandi as students at Welch College one year when we were on stateside assign
ment,” Clint reminisced. “They both were outstanding students and demonstrated a great passion
for missions. They lived this passion in Uruguay and will now have an opportunity to live it out
in Spain. This lateral move was brought about by circumstances beyond their control, but most
certainly under His control. We have no doubt they will excel in ministry wherever God places
them.”
The Morgans will begin the process of applying for visas for Spain and continue to hold services
as they reorient and prepare for this change in ministry. “We ask that you remember our family in
prayer during this transition," Mandi said. Neil and Mandi have three daughters: Emma
Catherine, Aubrey, and Sofia.
“The IM Spain team is excited about gaining these reinforcements,” Clint Morgan added. “The
Morgans need the ongoing support of all those who have stood by them in the past."
Those wishing to support Neil and Mandi Morgan may give online at fwbgo.com/give or send
donations to 5233 Mt. View Rd., Antioch, TN 37013.
We encourage you to visit Free Will
Baptist Family Ministries if you are
ever in East Tennessee. We would love
to take you on a tour of our campus and
see Heart Stone Farm and its variety of
farm animals. We raise chickens that
our young people feed, water and gather
the eggs. We also have four donkeys, a
“molly” mule (looks like a pony, but
brays like a donkey), several beautiful
horses for our Equine Therapy program,
and most recently, acquired five
Charolais calves for the youth to interact with over the summer months.
Our young people can learn a great many lessons and develop positive personality traits by
their involvement with the farm animals. We have found that working with our animals teach
es responsibility and promotes good character, integrity and compassion. Our farm is a won
derful environment in which our youth can play, work, and learn about the animals and the
important place they hold in their lives. We also thank you for the important place you hold in
the lives of the children in our care through your steadfast prayers and financial support. Your
role is crucial in the continuance of this ministry in reaching souls for God’s Kingdom. Only
Heaven will reveal the eternal benefits.
For more information about how you can be involved with Family Ministries, contact us at:
Dogwood Ridge
Pastor Emil Cartee
has been in very seri
ous condition with kidney problems in the
SOMC Hospital in southern Ohio. Do remem
ber Brother Emil in your prayers.
Sister Pat Booth, wife of Gahanna Pastor
Curtis Booth was released from the hospital
June 4th after open heart surgery on May 27th.
She is now home recovering. Do continue to
remember the Booth family in prayer.
Sister Lynn Ash (Skaggs), a former member
of the Columbus First Church had a serious fall
in May and major surgery. Lynn was moved to
a rehab facility in Huntington. She was moved
back to the hospital in June because where her
incision had opened up some. She is improv
ing, but has a long way to go. Do continue to
pray for Sister Lynn.
Heritage Pastor Tim Stout was told by his
doctor that he would need to be off his feet for
about a month with an infection in his foot. He
can use crutches or ride in a wheelchair. He
would sure appreciate your prayers.
Bro. Homer Lyons who is the assistant pastor
of the Walnut Grove FWB Church in
Lowmansville, KY and brother to Ambassador
employee Sue Keener was on vacation with his
family in SC developed some very serious
medical problems. He is now home.
Southwest Pastor John Meade's 93 year old
mother has been in very serious condition and
has been in and out of the hospital. Do remem
ber her in prayer.
Bro. Ashton Miller, grandson of Dogwood
Pastor Emil Cartee was injured in an accident
on SR 140 near Wheelersburg in May. He had
several vertebra fractured. He was in the hospi
tal over the weekend and is now home recover
ing.
Rev. Leroy Dodrill, Ohio General Board
Member from the Northern Ohio Conference
has been experiencing some breathing prob
lems.
Sister Carolyn Childers, wife of Faith
Fellowship FWB Pastor Roger Childers had
open heart surgery May 15th. She is now in
rehab in Urbana and in need of prayer.
Sister Lois Horsley, a member of the Faith
Fellowship FWB Church has been having
severe blood pressure issues. Do remember her
in prayer.
Rev. Jim England, a member of the
Westerville FWB Church took a fall and was in
Mt. Carmel West Hospital.
Rev. Jim Henderson, pastor of the McArthur
FWB Church fell and crushed his kneecap. He
has been in the Hozer Hospital in Gallipolis. He
is now home, but still in need of prayer.
Sister Burnis Collins, wife of Trinity Pastor
Paul Collins has been in the hospital and is now
home recovering.
Brother Denver Kilgore, member of the
Centerburg FWB was told after his second
cyber knife surgery that the surgery was not
successful. The cancer has moved to other parts
of his body. They remain hopeful and are still
trusting the Lord. He is to begin chemotherapy.
Remember Bro. Denver and the Kilgore's in
your prayers.
Bro. Butch Trotter, a deacon at the Oak Hill
Church is home recovering after a long hospital
stay with lung problems. He is in need of
prayer.
HAMILTON GLADES (PORTER)
Happy summer from the Hamilton Glades
Church! It has been a busy summer so far at our
little church.
The church here at Hamilton Glades bought a
weekend getaway at the Carlisle Inn in
Sugarcreek Ohio for our pastor’s Christmas gift.
He and his wife used the gift as an anniversary
trip in early May and enjoyed it very much.
We also had our motherdaughter banquet in
May. May 1823rd was our spring revival. We
enjoyed some great reviving services.
The first week of June was our VBS. We had a
great turn out all week and appreciate all of the
hard work everyone put in.
We are thrilled to have several new converts
and love seeing them grow in grace and knowl
edge. We gained a new sister when Leslie
Toland took membership recently and was
blessed to see Tommy Toland baptized.
Our pastor helped to preach a revival at the Mt.
Carmel Church and was blessed to see several
precious souls saved. Andrea Culp has attended
Hamilton Glades since she was a small child
and is always a huge help with our VBS.
Andrea will be changing her last name soon as
she becomes the wife of Ben Martin in July. The
church held a wedding shower for the couple in
June.
There have been many troubling things in the
news recently,but in John 14:1 Jesus tells us,“Let not your heart be troubled:” Trusting in
Him! Blessings from the little white church in
the cornfield.
Jim Dummitt, Pastor
Jenny Dummitt, Reporter
UNITY (CUYAHOGALORAIN)
Greetings from Middleburg Heights! Unity
has been busy over the past couple of months!
Our theme for the month of May was ‘Focus
on the Family’. Each Sunday morning sermon
focused on family and marriage. We also wit
nessed two baby dedications: Ella Collins
(Rachel and Michael) was dedicated on
Mother’s Day, and Thomas Chapman (Phil and
Andrea) on May 17. On May 17, Rev. Les
McMahan preached about communication in
the family. That evening, missionary Kevin
Bass and his family joined our service to speak
about their vision and goals in the mission field.
May 24th, all invited family and friends to
come and worship with us. Afterwards we
enjoyed a luncheon and a corn hole tournament.
The annual ladies’ retreat was held May 2830th
in Maumee Bay; this year’s theme was “Boot
Camp.” We heard three amazing, spiritfilled
devotions to remind us that we all must take the
time to focus not only on our spiritual health but
our physical health as well. We thank God for
the wonderful weekend we had!
In May, we began the Awana program for
Wednesday nights. The program is highly suc
cessful and we have an increase in attendance!
In June, we celebrated the 2015 graduating
senior class at our church. Congratulations to
Kayla Jenkins and Donnie McMahan.
VBS was held June 712th; the theme was
“Bible Blast into the Past.” June 13th we held
Fun Day. Kids enjoyed playing in the bounce
houses and games, and adults enjoyed the good
food and fellowship! The girls won the penny
march by weight, and the boys won by amount,
so both Josh and Kristin Workman (our youth
pastor and wife) took pies to the face!
In June Suzanne Kopp initiated and began the
clothing closet. Members donate items to the
church and each month, members of the com
munity are welcome to come and take these
items free of charge. We thank Suzanne and all
of the volunteers; what a wonderful outreach!
We hope you all have a blessed summer and
enjoy this beautiful weather!
Eugene Crouch, Pastor
Angie Steitz, Reporter
REYNOLDSBURG (FRANKLIN)
We are glad to be participating in the
Reynoldsburg Independence Day Parade this
year. We will be distributing candy and VBS
information alongside our Son Spark Labs
themed float.
Our VBS will be July 1317th with the closing
program on July 19th.
Kevin Bass, youth pastor at Heritage FWB
Church, will be here on Sunday, July 5th at 6pm
to share the vision of a new home mission work
in the Portsmouth, VA area.
Our youth will be hosting an Ice Cream Social
on July 26 at 6pm. Donations will help fund
church camp for the youth during August 710.
Ladies from our church will be participating in
the OWAC Fellowship and Purse Auction at
Hillview FWB Church on August 15th from
12:303pm. Funds raised will help support the
2019 FWB National Convention in Cincinnati,
Ohio.
We dearly miss the many loved ones of our
church who recently left this life to meet the
Lord and receive their reward. We are thankful
for the time the Lord has allowed us to share
with them. May we faithfully labor in the fields
to bring more souls unto the saving knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jerry Sargent, Pastor
Regina Williams, Reporter
ZALESKI
Hope is the only thing left at times. Don’t you
love it that we have seasons to our lives and
God tells us not to lose hope? But with God we
have hope like an anchor of the soul – sure and
steadfast.
Thank you for all your prayers for us.
We’d like to thank Jesus for all the blessings
and answered prayers He has given to our
church. He is our light and strength.
We always want to thank the Lord for sending
a special pastor, Ferrell Rood and his special
wife Nancy to our church. We appreciate all
their love and prayers for friends, families and
us. They have stayed with us through the good
and bad times. We love them and appreciate all
their love and kindness to us.
Our VBS was great. The theme was Camp
Courageous. The kids learned about Jesus and
how to be courageous in all they do. We had
perfect attendance all week with the kids.
Mark Rood and David McKnight have been
teaching and preaching Jesus and the cross.
They have been feeding our souls at each serv
ice.
We are had communion July 5th and we will
be having our homecoming August 9th. We
would like to invite you to come out and enjoy
the Lord’s goodness. We will be having special
singing and Leslie Allen will be our special
preacher. We’ll be having dinner at noon.
Please remember our seniors in your prayers.
They have been having health problems that
keep them from coming to church at times.
Remember our youth as Satan has a lot of things
that look good but he really wants to destroy as
many kids as he can. We’ll also keep your
church in our prayers.
Continue to remember our nation’s leaders,
military, their families and our nursing home
ministry.
Hope you had a happy you had 4th of July.
Tell someone you love them and really mean it.
Ferrell Rood, Pastor
Linda McKibben, Reporter
WAKEFIELD (PORTER)
Hello from the little congregation at Wakefield.
I pray you are being blessed as we are with the
Lord's presence in your services. We may be
small, but we are big in love and fellowship.
It's been a busy couple months for us. We've
had five deaths in the family members. Sharon
Mullett's brother, Mary Blevins brotherinlaw,
Mary Leggs four year old nephew, Joy Borders
grandsoninlaw and Carol Melton the widow
of a dear brother that passed away years ago.
Families can always use prayer.
The ladies auxillary had their annual spring
garage sale in early May and we appreciate all
the help we had. The proceeds help with mis
sions, FWB Childrens Home and ect.
Our conference was May 16th and our pastor
did the preaching. We always enjoy the fellow
ship with other churches.
Junnie Evans greatgrand daughter got saved
May 17th and that is always a blessing. She
needs prayer for growth in the Lord.
We've had several members in the hospital,
Bro. Mike Tilley in for several days with a UTI
and was quite ill. Sister Rosie Borders in with
COPD and pneumonia and had a hard time. One
of our teens Emily Chapman had some wisdom
teeth cut out and Mary Blevins had a heart cath
and three stents inserted.
We've had some good things too. The pastor’s
wife Disa got to on a vacation trip for a week
with her daughter,a nice "girl time" and a R&R
time that she needed. Our VBS was June 22
26th and though we had fewer kids than usual,
the kids enjoyed it and hopefully they learned
something about the goodness of the Lord. We
had our monthly fellowship dinner after church
June 28th and that is always enjoyed. These
ladies are good cooks.
May God bless you all and give you a wonder
ful summer.
Lowell King, Pastor
Barb Conley, Reporter
OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 15
HospitalUpdate
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OHIOAMBASSADOR PAGE 16
Welch College Announces Closing on West
End PropertyWe are thrilled to report that the college has closed on the
sale of its West End Avenue campus and is set to begin con
struction on its new campus site!
The campus was purchased by Mike Ford Custom Builders,
LLC, a custom home building company in Middle Tennessee
that is wellknown for its fine homes in neighborhoods such
as Westhaven, Windstone, and LaurelBrooke in nearby
Franklin and Brentwood. That firm plans to construct multifamily units on the four contiguous
lots on West End Avenue and singlefamily homes on Richland Avenue. Davidson Hall, the col
lege’s first building, will be restored and sold as a singlefamily home.
CEO Mike Ford said, “We are so excited about this project. We are very thankful to be able to
play the major role in adding 50 wonderful homes to this community. It’s already been very
rewarding to meet and work with folks at Welch College. We couldn’t be happier that we have
been able to help the college realize its dream of a new campus. I’d just like to thank everyone
involved.”
The sale included all the campus property except Welch Library. We believe that the buzz of new
construction in the neighborhood will increase the price of that home, one of the most important
historic homes in Nashville.
This transaction is even better than the offer the college had from Aquinas College two years ago.
We are grateful for that, because construction costs have risen since that time. Furthermore, we
are increasing the square footage of our residence halls because of the 30 percent growth in dorm
enrollment Welch experienced over the past two years.
The new campus will be built on a 66acre site in Gallatin, Tennessee, which the college acquired
for $3 million in 2008, and which was recently appraised at $5.8 million. This property, a short
25minute drive from downtown Nashville, is situated in a fastgrowing suburban community in
Sumner County.
The site meets all the criteria the college set at the beginning of its land search. Much like the
current campus, the new property is close to a limited access freeway, being less than a mile off
State Route 386 (Vietnam Veterans Boulevard). It is near medical and educational resources and
job opportunities for students, is surrounded by new housing developments, and is still in the
Greater Nashville area.
Bob Bass, campus relocation consultant, said, “The location of the new campus site is excellent.
Within a few minutes of the campus are both affordable homes for faculty and staff, as well as
Fairvue Plantation and Foxland, highend housing developments that provide job opportunities
similar to what the college’s current Belle Meade surroundings have offered Welch students for
decades.”
Sumner County’s vibrant economy, along with its inviting smallcity atmosphere, means that the
college will have the benefits of the larger Nashville community as well as the charm and con
venience of the Gallatin and Hendersonville communities.
Colonel Mark Johnson, chairman of the Relocation Task Force, who spearheaded the property
search, said, “We looked at over 100 potential sites before deciding on this beautiful land in
Sumner County. Gallatin city officials, as well as business and educational leaders, have warmly
welcomed us to the community. We’re now ready to take the next step.”
Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown said, “Gallatin is delighted to welcome Welch College to our com
munity. We are honored that this highly respected institution has chosen to relocate its campus in
Gallatin. We look forward to the day that Welch opens its doors and welcomes students to its new
campus. Welch College has demonstrated its commitment to exceedingly high standards and that
commitment to excellence is a perfect fit for the City of Gallatin.”
The Gallatin property is more than seven times the size of the West End Avenue campus. This
means the college will not have to cap enrollment or curtail new academic programs planned for
the future. There is room to construct buildings for instructional needs and student housing ade
quate for the present and far into the future.
The new campus will have a traditional, residential college campus feel. The campus quadrangle
and buildings will feature classic, Jeffersonian campus architecture with fresh, new, and techno
logically uptodate interiors. The larger campus site will have much more green space than the
old campus. It will permit the construction of outdoor sports facilities for students and provide
adequate parking for students, faculty, staff, and guests.
The college has secured the services of Focus Design Builders, a Wake Forest, NCbased firm, to
construct the campus. They are working with Raleigh, NCbased Design Development Architects,
who are providing architectural and engineering services, and Brentwood, TNbased Southland
Constructors, who will handle construction management for the new campus. The goal for com
pletion of construction and opening of school on the new campus is September 2016, January
2017 at the latest.
We are thankful to God for bringing to fruition the vision of a new campus that was initiated by
president emeritus Dr. Tom Malone and his team more than two decades ago. A number of stead
fast supporters of this vision have been supporting it financially over the past several years. This
has enabled the college to pay down debt on the new campus site as well as engage in planning
and design for the campus.
Our capital campaign to raise needed funds for campus construction is entitled Building on theLegacy. In a silent phase to the Building on the Legacy campaign, we have already raised $2.1
million in pledges ($1.6 million of which has already been received). We need to raise an addi
tional $5.4 million in cash and giftsinkind ($3.4 million in fiveyear pledges and $2 million in
giftsinkind of materials, labor, fixtures, etc.).
These funds, together with those raised from the sale of the West End campus and cash reserves,
will pay for the $20 millionplus construction of the new campus. We are calling on friends of the
college to invest in this campaign, which will be a onceinalifetime investment in the kingdom
mission of Welch College.
We will be unveiling more about the new campus and the Building on the Legacy campaign at
the annual meeting of the National Association of Free Will Baptists in Grand Rapids, MI, next
month. We also invite everyone to a groundbreaking ceremony on the new campus site, which we
will host Tuesday, July 14, at 10:00 a.m. Details about campus relocation can be found at
Buildingonthelegacy.org.
Please be in prayer for Welch College as we embark on the most important transition in the histo
ry of our beloved institution. Pray that God will provide the needed funds for this endeavor, and
pray about your involvement in this historic event of the relocation and construction of a new
campus for Welch College, for the glory of God and the extension of His kingdom.
Welch College Graduates 50 in Commencement Exercises
Welch College conferred degrees on 50 students from 15 states in commencement exercises at
Memorial Auditorium on Friday, May 8, according to President Matt Pinson. Students completed
degrees in multiple programs ranging from twoyear associate’s degrees to fouryear bachelor’s
degrees. Fortyeight percent of the class graduated with honors.
Judge Alberto Gonzales, former U. S. Attorney General and current Dean of Belmont College of
Law, delivered the commencement address. He warned graduates that life can be subject to
“rogue waves,” unexpected events that turn our worlds upside down. Gonzales explained that
while these hardships may come to define us, they do not have to destroy us. He encouraged
graduates to use these difficulties as opportunities to grow closer to God and their families and
friends. Gonzales also emphasized the importance of taking time to discover our passions and the
gifts God has given us, and to pursue them.
Wayne Miracle, pastor of New Life Fellowship FWB Church in Statesboro, Georgia, presented
Thursday evening’s baccalaureate sermon from Luke 10, encouraging graduates to give their lives
to the harvest of God’s Kingdom. Miracle, moderator of the Georgia State Association of Free
Will Baptists and member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of Free Will
Baptists, emphasized the need for commitment to the work of the harvest, to the message of the
gospel, and to one another. He implored graduates to take full advantage of the investments that
teachers, family, and others have made in their lives and to not settle for a life beneath their
potential.
Welch College Business Department Coordinator Dr. Rebecca Deel was named Academic
Advisor of the Year. President Matt Pinson also recognized Dean of Women Susan Forlines for
25 years of faithful service to Welch College.
Dr. Bruce Barnes, former president of Gateway Christian College in Virginia Beach, Virginia,
was included in the processional and led the prayer of consecration for the graduating class. Dr.
Barnes worked closely with the administration of Welch College to aid in the enrollment of many
former Gateway students after that school closed in 2013.
The college commends to you and to the work of the Lord the Ohio members of the 2015 gradu
ating class:
Associates of Arts Degree, Staci Anne Clarke, Columbus,
Associate of Science Degree, Rae Ann Mahaney, Reynoldsburg, BusinessBachelor of Arts Degree, Derreck Andrew Lute, Wheelersburg, Pastoral Ministry,
Magna Cum Laude
Former Welch College Board Chairman Gene Outland
With the LordReverend Gene Outland, former Welch College Board of Trustees member and chairman, died
Saturday, May 9, in Nashville. He was 80 years old.
A 1957 graduate, Mr. Outland loved Welch College. His late wife, Peggy, as well as their daugh
ter Angela and her husband Mark Trotter, also attended Welch. His granddaughter, Audrey Trotter
Jordan, graduated Friday, May 8, summa cum laude from Welch College, with the honor of being
named Most Outstanding Student.
Mr. Outland was elected to the Welch College Board of Trustees in July, 1996. He served 12
years on the board and was chairman 20062008. He pastored churches in North Carolina,
Illinois, and Tennessee.
Former Vice President for Financial Affairs Tom Sass said, “Brother Outland was a great man of
God . . . His great, deep love exhibited for the Lord, for family, and for his college are wonderful,
loving, giving examples of what it means to be Christlike through life.”
Welch College President Matt Pinson said, “No one loved Welch College more than Gene
Outland. I saw this up close and personal when he served on our Board of Trustees, especially in
the two years he served as chairman. Even after he fulfilled his term on the board, he called
weekly to inquire of the wellbeing of the college and to let me know he was praying for me and
the college. He was truly an outstanding man of God with a servant’s heart.”
A celebration of life was held in Nashville on May 15th.
Gary Fry, Welch College Vice President for Church Relations,
Announces RetirementReverend Gary Fry, vice president for Church Relations since
February, 2012, has announced his plans to retire from Welch
College in August of this year. Mr. Fry served the college establish
ing and developing relationships with churches across the nation in
an effort to raise awareness of the college’s needs while also look
ing for ways the college could be of service to pastors and church
es. In addition to traveling for the college, he served as public rela
tions coach for traveling music groups and also worked to promote
the online program.
Before coming to Welch, Mr. Fry, a 1972 Welch College graduate,
served as the Missouri State Association executive director, pas
tored Mountain Grove Free Will Baptist Church for 23 years, and
served on the Welch College Board of Trustees for 12 years, 10 as
chairman.
Fry said, “I have certainly enjoyed my time at Welch. There is not a better group of people with
which to work. Were it not for my failing health, I would continue to serve the Lord here. These
are exciting times at the college. We have a growing student body, and there is a great spirit on
campus. The administration and board are moving the college forward toward relocation. It’s a
great day to be a part of the Welch family!”
President Matt Pinson said, “We are saddened to see Brother Fry retire. Gary Fry represents
what Welch College is all about. His service as a member and chairman of the Board of Trustees,
and now as a vice president, have been outstanding. He has served, and will continue to serve, as
a valued advisor and friend to me and the college. His commitment to Welch College and his
understanding of its mission are second to none.”
Vice President for Institutional Advancement David Williford said, “Gary Fry has been a friend,
a confidant, a counselor, and an outstanding representative for Welch College. On a personal
level, I will miss him. On a professional level, all of us will miss his insight, wisdom, and the
skills he brought to bear as he shared Welch's story with the churches of our denomination. Gary
served faithfully in spite of health issues that often made it difficult on him. My prayer is that
God will give him a fruitful ministry in his retirement years, because, even though Gary will be
slowing his pace, he will never cease to labor in the work of the kingdom.”
Reverend Fry and his wife Shirley plan to make their home in Mountain Grove, Missouri, where
he will provide pulpit supply and continue to represent Welch College as a regional representa
tive.
National Home Mission News
Several exciting decisions were made during the
April meeting of the Board of Free Will Baptist
North American Ministries. (Home Missions)
A joint project with North Carolina approved
John and April Moran to plant a new church in
Apex, NC. John comes to North American Ministries from New Bern, NC, where he was the pas
tor of Sherwood Forest Free Will Baptist Church.
A team was also approved to plant a new church in Kaneohe, Hawaii. The team consists of Carl
and Cynthia Spruill and Chris and Megan Davenport. Carl is the grandson of Luther Sanders,
who planted a Free Will Baptist Church in Hawaii many years ago. Carl currently serves as
Associate Pastor at Virginia Beach FWB Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Chris and Megan
Davenport currently serve at the Donelson Free Will Baptist Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
Along with the approval to start two new churches, several decisions were made in the area of
Church revitalization.
The Board approved a joint project with the State of Alabama to send Billy and Gloria Bevan to
Eastside FWB Church in Dothan, Alabama as a part of our Church revitalization program. Billy
comes to North American Ministries from Eufala, Alabama, where he was the longtime pastor of
Sardis FWB Church.
The North American Ministries Board also voted to partner with two other existing Free Will
Baptist Churches in Hobbs, New Mexico and Shreveport, Louisiana as part of the Church revital
ization program.
We are currently accepting resumes from qualified ministers who may be interested in partnering
with us in either of these two projects. For more information, please call Teresa at (615) 7606132
