metrocolumbus baptist association spring 2013 Welcome New Churches! I want to take this opportunity to welcome new churches to our Metro Columbus Baptist Association. The h2o church on The Ohio State University campus, pastored by Jon Shah, is a mission of Life Point Church. They meet in Hitchcock Hall and are averaging 500 in worship. Pastor Shah may be reached at 614.859.5275. Cutberto Medina moved to our area in December and is pastoring two Spanish speaking churches. Having started other Spanish speaking churches in Ohio, Medina took over the Spanish church at Dublin Baptist Church, Centro Bautista Emanuel, and has started a new Spanish speaking ministry at CrossRoads Baptist Church, Vida Abundante Iglesia Bautista. He can be reached at 614.735.4483 or cutmedina1960@gmail.com. Special thanks go out to the sponsoring churches and pastors, Dublin Baptist Church Senior Pastor Darrel Gabbard and the Dublin Mission Team and CrossRoads Baptist Church s Pastor Paul Gabriel have been a great help in this endeavor. The Metro Columbus Baptist Association Credentials Committee is also recommending two churches for membership in the Association. Community Christian Church in Prospect Pastor Steve Whitaker First Baptist Church Columbus Pastor Paul Gage Have Church, Need Pastor The following churches are seeking pastors: Linwood Baptist Church Thornville Highland Baptist Church Grove City New Pastor Broadman Baptist Church welcomes Robert Blair (Ariel) as their new pastor. He can be reached at 951.992.9408 or rgblair@gmail.com. Continue praying with us as God grows Metro Columbus Baptist Association and its ministries so we can reach more people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God Bless, ~ Dr. Rich Halcombe I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3, niv inside this issue of the evangel Church Planting School Vision/Eye Clinic Stowe Mission Send North America Partnership Mission Teams
Woodstock Church Planting School Real Training for Church Planting April 29 & 30, 2013 Issues that can sink your ship are the issues every church needs to have in the forefront of their minds! This important seminar is led by Bill Agree from First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. Sessions also feature two highly effective leaders from Central Ohio. The Importance of the Gospel is presented by Nick Nye, Lead Pastor at Veritas Community Church. With two locations, one in the Short North and one on Barrington Road, Veritas has a total of 800 in attendance. The Importance of Infrastructure is presented by Troy Palermo, Executive and Small Group Pastor from Lifepoint Church in Lewis Center, which averages 1,100 on Sunday mornings. In addition, an important and informative session, Legal Issues, is presented by Christian Attorney Steve Lewis. This session includes legal information and a book to help avoid lawsuits and insure your church is in compliance legally. (Book is free with your registration fee.) Mark your calendar and make plans to attend. Metro Columbus Baptist Association invites you to the 2013 Woodstock Church Planting School, April 29 & 30, 2013. The cost is $50 per person. Veritas Community Church at 345 East Second Avenue, Columbus OH 43201, is the location. Register on line at www.metrocolumbus.org. You may also register by sending a check to MCBA, PO Box 6349, Columbus OH 43206, by emailing office@ metrocolumbus.org, or by calling 614-445-7500. at Veritas Community Church, 345 East Second Avenue, Columbus OH Day 1 Monday, April 29 Day 2 Tuesday, April 30 9:00-9:15 am Welcome 9:15-10:30 am Pure Leadership Troy Haas 10:30-11:00 am Break 11:00-12:00 pm Pure Leadership Troy Haas 12:00-1:00 pm Lunch 1:00-2:15 pm Importance of the Gospel Nick Nye 2:15-2:45 pm Break 2:45-4:00 pm Importance of Infrastructure Troy Palermo 4:00-4:30 pm Break 4:30-5:00 pm Highlight Key Points 9:00-9:15 am Prayer & Devotion 9:15-10:00 am Family and Finances Bill Agee 10:00-10:30 am Break 10:30-12:00 pm Legal Issues, Steve Lewis 12:00-1:00 pm Lunch 1:00-2:30 pm Legal Issues, Steve Lewis 2:30-3:00 pm Break 3:00-4:00 pm Legal Issues, Steve Lewis 4:00-4:15 pm Break 4:15-4:45 pm Dealing with Those Who Want to Hijack Your Vision, Bill Agee 4:45-5:00 pm Wrap Up/Depart
Highlights of This Past Year: Dental Clinic Fills Care Gap Columbus Dispatch Front Page article Two dental chairs donated Vision/Eye Clinic and Dental Clinic served 972 patients Our Children s Tutoring Program continues to reach children needing encouragement and help with school work. Community/Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry served 122,712 meals New freezer and icemaker aquired Two new Stowe Mission Board members Franklin County Auditor Clarence E. Mingo, II, and Realtor Sam Koon Nighttime shelter for homeless people in collaboration with the YMCA and Shelter Board Christmas Toy Chest Give-Away provided Christmas toys for 400 children School Supply Give-Away, 59 families served with 148 school supply backpacks Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Dr. Rich Halcombe, recently elected Chairman of the Board, declares that the Stowe Mission Board is implementing a Strategic Plan to impact Central Ohio with an inner-city ministry fueled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Stowe Mission Board Members: Clarence Mingo, Franklin County Auditor Darrel Gabbard, Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church Sam Koon, Realtor Grady Evans, Associate Pastor, Neil Avenue Baptist Church Jim Dobbs, Attorney Lu Ann Stoia, Reporter, WSYX TV Rusty Blades, Owner, Blades Enterprises, LLC President/CEO, Michael Brooks Secretary, Lu Ann Stoia Treasurer, Rusty Blades Director of Missions, Rich Halcombe Board Goals: Increase revenue Corporate sponsors, Brewer Direct marketing outreach to individuals and churches Satellite development Looking at 10-15 year plan Possibly four new locations to broaden base in community and partnerships Strategic planning and program development Communication strategy churches and community Housing initiative Additional staff Resource lists and collaboration God is doing a mighty work in inner-city Columbus and we invite you to be a part in whatever way God leads you. We realize that no one can be involved in everything, but everybody can do something. Learn more about the people you are helping in Central Ohio and the Stowe Mission ministries on our website www.stowemission.org. Explore how you can be involved. You can also sign up for monthly updates on the website. Additionally, we welcome you to tour Stowe Mission. Just call 614.445.8400 to arrange a convenient time and date. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter. We truly appreciate your support which helps make a lasting impact in the lives of our neighbors in their times of need. We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we move forward for His glory. God bless you and yours, Michael Brooks, President/CEO Stowe Mission of Central Ohio Matthew 25:35-40 Prayer Requests for Stowe Mission of Central Ohio Community Kitchen Praise God for His provision of food and the hands from numerous central Ohio churches to cook and serve. Food Pantry Pray for the Salvation Army as they partner with Stowe Mission to meet the physical needs of the people in our community through grocery assistance and for those who receive food to receive spiritual food as well. Tutoring Children Program Pray for our tutors to be able to come every Monday night, for good relationships with their students, and for wisdom, strength and patience to be positive role models, godly mentors, and encouragers for the children. Dental and Vision Clinics Pray God will continue to provide all the equipment, supplies, doctors, and dentists needed for Stowe Mission to continue to provide these services for the needy people in Central Ohio.
The Stowe Mission of Central Ohio provides a Vision/Eye Clinic with three volunteer eye doctors (ophthalmologists/optometrists) serving twenty patients a month. Patients come to the Stowe Mission and complete application paperwork with the help of Earl Lintz the administrative coordinator. If needed, Earl Lintz assists patients by linking them with other available resources. These vision/eye services are provided to individuals who otherwise would not be able to afford eyeglasses. There are no restrictions on where people come from. Qualifying patients see one of the Stowe Mission of Central Ohio s eye doctors. The doctor will examine a patient and write a prescription for eye glasses, if needed. Stowe Mission has a partnership with *Prevent Blindness Ohio s Vision Care Outreach Program. If the patient qualifies based on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines and does not have eye care insurance, Prevent Blindness Ohio will pay for eyeglass frames and lenses. To make a Vision/Eye Clinic appointment, call 614.445.8400. Stowe Mission of Central Ohio Vision/Eye Clinic P.O. Box 06341 888 Parsons Columbus, Ohio 43206 phone 614.445.8400 fax 614.445.7900 email stowemission@gmail.com *Prevent Blindness Ohio celebrates 50+ years as Ohio s leading volunteer nonprofit public health organization dedicated to preventing blindness and preserving sight. More information about this organization can be found at www.preventblindnessohio.org. send north america columbus Opportunities abound in Columbus, Ohio, for Southern Baptists who want to work together to penetrate lostness in an urban area. No matter what demographic you feel most equipped to reach, you ll likely find it in Columbus: rich, poor, middle-class; young, old and in-between. Its uniqueness as a college town makes it an ideal location from which to reach the world. In 2010-11 Ohio State welcomed 6,082 international students to its Columbus campus, the seventh highest total in the country. How can God use you and your church to help to penetrate lostness in Columbus? To find out, visit Mobilize Me! www.namb.net/mobilize-me1 Columbus Stats Population 1.8 million people live in the metro Columbus area Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Church Population Ratio 1 SBC church for every 16,513 metro Columbus residents Ethnic Diversity (city of Columbus) 77.6% White, 14.0% African American, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, 3.0% Asian Catch the Vision Tours Interested in finding out more about how God can use you in Columbus? Don t miss the upcoming Catch the Vision tour, April 22-23. For more information contact Dean Fulks at dfulks@namb.net or 614-840-0333.
Partnership Mission Teams Coming to Metro Columbus Partnership Mission Teams from Kentucky will be in Metro Columbus this summer. If you could use help with any of your ministries, e-mail requests to Metro Columbus Baptist Association at office@metrocolumbus.org. Service possibilities are numerous: prayer walking, Backyard Bible Clubs, Vacation Bible Schools, literature distribution, ministry evangelism, community surveys, renovations/repairs, light construction, church planting, and more. Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky is bringing 50 75 people (ages 10 through senior adult) July 8 12, 2013. Elkhorn Baptist Association is bringing a group (limited to 40) July 28 August 3, 2013. Go to www.elkhorn.org/metrocolumbus-partnership/ for more information. Elkhorn Baptist Association has 84 churches and 14 missions and started in 1785. These mission teams are participating in *Go Metro Columbus and seeking to follow the words of Christ in Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. * Go Metro Columbus is made possible, in part, through contributions by Kentucky Baptists to the Cooperative Program. Save the Dates 2013 Associational Executive Board Meeting Dates Meetings begin at 12:30 and end 2:00 PM and lunch is provided. These meetings are open to all. If you plan to attend, call or e-mail the Metro Columbus Baptist Association for our lunch count. June 27, September 26, Annual Meeting is Monday, October 21. Woodstock 2013 Church Planting School Monday and Tuesday, April 29 30, 2013, at Veritas Community Church, 345 East Second Avenue, Columbus OH 43201 Metro Columbus Baptist Association Golf Outing Monday, August 5, 2013 at the Foxfire Golf Club SBC is coming to Columbus! The Southern Baptist Convention s Annual Meeting will be held in Columbus, Ohio, June 16-17, 2015.
NonProfit Org. US POSTAGE PAID COLUMBUS OH PERMIT NO. 921 P.O. Box 6349 Columbus, Ohio 43206 phone: 614.445.7500 fax: 614.445.7900 web: metrocolumbus.org Dr. Rich Halcombe, Director of Missions rich@metrocolumbus.org Rev. Michael Brooks, President/CEO - Stowe Mission of Central Ohio stowemission@gmail.com Donna Taylor, Administrative Assistant office@metrocolumbus.org Rachel Weed, Director of Counseling/Program Coordinator rachel@metrocolumbus.org Check us out on Facebook! You can help write The Evangel by submitting your article ideas for consideration in the next issue. You can share with others information about your church growth, activities, events, outreach programs, and any other news regarding your church community and congregation. Please e-mail all suggestions for future articles to Sandy Wanner at sandystowemission@ gmail.com or call 254.541.5021. Noteworthy News Stowe Mission of Central Ohio 30th Anniversary! Stowe Mission was host to an old fashioned birthday party for volunteers and friends on Saturday, November 10, 2012. It was planned as a way to honor volunteers and community friends. Those attending brought a total of 513 non-perishable food items for the food pantry. Nationwide Children s Hospital provided picnic mats for everyone. Special kitchen volunteers received aprons with the Stowe logo and their monogrammed name. Monogramming was provided by Mrs. Debbie Dobbs. Colorful framed picture posters of volunteers and church volunteer groups created by Donna Taylor were placed around the building. Stowe Mission History booklets compiled by James Dobbs, were available for guests and are still available in the Metro Columbus Baptist Association office. Successful Toy Chest Give-Away Toy Chest Give-Away Coordinator, Carmelita Sanchez thanks all the volunteers for giving their hearts, their time, and energy to make this year s Toy Chest Give-Away a success. This mission endeavor is only possible through God and the volunteers support and desire to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus. If you are interested in reading about the Toy Chest Give-Away project, contact Carmelita at carmelitasanchez103@yahoo.com for an e-newsletter. Associational Prayer Partners Anita Thompson (State Convention of Baptists in Ohio) has accepted the position of Coordinator for our Associational Prayer Partners. Realizing that nothing is accomplished except through prayer, Dr Rich Halcombe asked her to connect with a church prayer leader or praying person in each of the churches in our Association. We plan to bathe Central Ohio in prayer and watch God perform His mighty works. Missionary News Bob and Heather Edmonds, members at Logan Elm Baptist Church are in the process of becoming International Mission Board Missionaries in Central Asia. International Mission Board Missionaries to Chile, Bryan and Deana Wolf, are currently stateside in Central Ohio and are available to speak to individuals, small groups, or large groups until they return to Chile on July 6, 2013. They can be contacted by e-mail at thewolfs91@ yahoo.com. They also will welcome short term Mission Teams to come to Chile and help with their ministry. Their home church is Jersey Baptist.