2019 Buckeye Mission and Ministry Offering
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Since 2009, the "Buckeye Mission and Ministry Offering" (BMMO) has become a significant avenue for churches in the Region to support the ministries of American Baptist Churches of Ohio (ABC Ohio). BMMO helps make it possible for ABC Ohio to serve your church.
DOWNLOAD A BMMO BULLETIN INSERT HERE
Every dollar given to the BMMO goes to support the various ministries that benefit your church (see the list of ministries below). The most significant region ministry is that of the two Executive Ministers, Rev. Jane Gibbons and Rev. Mark Click, who serve faithfully to help in whatever way needed to equip you and your church for ministry.
The Region's theme for 2019 is "Sharing God's Hope for All Generations" from Psalm 78:6-7. "...that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments..."
BMMO gifts help develop, coach, and assist servant leaders. It provides new ministry resources for local churches and helps provide quality ministry gatherings to challenge and grow healthy churches.
Please consider giving to the BMMO in 2019. This is one way your church can partner with ABC Ohio to fulfill God’s mission in your community and beyond. Your faithful giving is appreciated and is needed to serve its member churches. Again, remember that every dollar given goes to ABC Ohio ministries that "help build healthy churches that impact the world for Christ."
American Baptist Churches of Ohio
People, Churches, Ministries
Impacting the World for Christ
Region Ministry Team: The ABC/Ohio staff are experienced and prepared ministry leaders who serve clergy and churches as coaches and consultants in a variety of ministries including congregational transformation, placement, and ministry resources.
Leadership Development: The Ohio Leadership Academy provides a three-year structured learning opportunity to increase and sharpen leadership and ministry skills for the local church.
Student-Youth Ministries: With determination to raise up new generations of disciples and church leaders, ABC/Ohio provides a variety of opportunities including an annual youth convention, youth ministry leader training, and mutual support.
Congregational Development – Transformation: With a commitment to congregational health, ABC/Ohio provides a number of resources to transform churches into ministries that will impact the world for Christ.
Pastoral Placement: The ABC/Ohio staff uses proven and effective resources as they consult with church search committees to discern new ministry direction and call new pastors.
Ministry Gatherings: Several times each year, ABC/Ohio offers ministry gatherings that provide fellowship, inspiration, learning from nationally-known experts, and opportunities to increase ministry capacity.
Ministry Resources: ABC/Ohio manages and awards ministry grants and scholarships for new ministries and outdoor ministries. The staff connects churches with cutting-edge ministry resources.
ARMS: ABC/Ohio commissioned a team of highly qualified Associate Regional Ministers who have agreed to make monthly contacts with solo and senior pastors throughout the region, offering encouragement and providing prayer support. A Youth Ministry ARM is also working with staff to coordinate student ministries in the region. Additional ARMs will be added to the ABC/Ohio team as needed.
Rev. Rev. Richard Hunter Clossman Goes to be with the Lord
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Dr. Rev. Richard Hunter Clossman, 91, of Elgin, passed away in his home surrounded by his loving family on November 9, 2019. He was born in Kokomo, IN on September 19, 1928 to the late Elmer Dunlap and Mary E. (Hunter) Clossman.
Richard was a graduate of Bob Jones University in South Carolina and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL and was ordained in 1952. He received a masters of Arts and a PHD in History from The Ohio State University in 1965 and 1971 respectively.
Dr Clossman served in ministry for congregations in Ohio, West Virginia, and Illinois. He also served as campus minister for American Baptist Students at Ball State University from 1968 to 1972. In 1972 he took a professorship of History at Judson College in Elgin, IL and retired from that calling in 1997, He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Elgin, IL
Dr Clossman was the author of several books; A History of the Ohio Baptist Convention, I Will Stand and Sing, and American Character and the Influence of Film. He was an accomplished pianist and organist. He and his wife enjoyed season tickets to the opera in Chicago. He was a longtime member of Kiwanis and Friends of Judson.
Please keep the Clossman family in your prayers.
Rev. Gordon Thomas Passes
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Rev. Gordon L. Thomas, age 71, passed away at 4:25 p.m., Monday, November 4, 2019 at Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center in Copley. Rev. Thomas He was born May 16, 1948, in Sharon, Pennsylvania to the late Lewis and Alice (Wasilko) Thomas.
Rev. Thomas was a 1966 graduate of Hickory High School in PA, earned his BA in 1972 from Youngstown State University and earned his Master of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. He was ordained at First Baptist Church in June of 1976 in Sharpsville, PA.
Other churches Pastor Thomas served at were: First Baptist Church-Sharpsville Pa. as an interim Pastor from 1971-1972, Geneva Road Baptist Church-Wheaton, Illinois from 1973-1976, Waynesfield Baptist Church-Waynesfield, Ohio from 1977-1980, Trinity Baptist Church-N. Canton, Ohio from 1980-1993 and First Baptist Church-Alliance Ohio from 1993-2010.
He was a member of the Lions Club, and involved with Goodwill Industries in Canton from 1984-1990, volunteered with Quest Recovery Service in Canton, organized N. Canton Singles Club and Big Brother/Big Sister Programs in Lombard, Illinois, and N Canton, American Baptist Churches of Ohio Adjunct Staff Christian Education, Moderator at Akron Baptist Association, treasurer of North Canton Ministerial Association, Moderator at Trumbull Baptist Association and Board of Trustee at Judson Hill Camp in Camp Koinonia, board of trustee for Neighborhood Ministries in Youngstown and 12 years as Director of Junior Camp at Judson Hills Camp.
Please keep the family of Rev. Thomas in your prayers.
Collaborating to Provide Mattresses for Clients of ABHMS Partnering Organization
The importance of sleep is indisputable—especially as it relates to the developing minds and bodies of children and teens. That’s the reason that Mahoning Valley Baptist Association (MVBA), Youngstown, Ohio, partnered with the Campbell, Ohio-headquartered Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries to provide mattresses to families in the low-income Youngstown metropolitan area. Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries is a partner of American Baptist Home Mission Societies’ (ABHMS) Community Outreach Ministries.
The organizations had learned from a Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority survey that only 40 percent of apartments in the Kirwan Homes development, Campbell, had enough beds for the number of occupants.
“Children are sleeping on couches, chairs and, in some cases, extra clothing piles on the floor,” wrote Dr. Rudy Braydich, MVBA president, in a report to ABHMS. “Proper sleep translates into better attention in school and reduced health issues.”
MVBA churches raised money to purchase mattresses. Clients from Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries’ three community centers—Kirwan Homes Community Center; Rockford Village Community Center, Youngstown; and Youngstown West Side Community Center—were invited to apply to receive mattresses. Volunteers from MVBA churches delivered 104 mattresses to residents’ doors.
Read more: Collaborating to Provide Mattresses for Clients of ABHMS Partnering Organization
We Are American Baptist Churches of Ohio - Our Heritage & Mission
“We Are American Baptist Churches of Ohio – Our Heritage & Mission,” was produced to provide a reminder of our rich heritage, mission, and covenant. The question for our congregations, leaders and pastors is: “What does it mean for you and your congregation to be a member of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio?”
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