American Baptist Churches of Ohio remembrances.
Former ABC Ohio Pastor and Leader Passes
James Edwin Ohde, 78, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2017. He was born October 25, 1938 in Cincinnati, to the late Robert and Dorthea (Lauderbaugh) Ohde. Jim was a member of Brandon Baptist Church. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1956 and from Mount Vernon Bible College. Jim served in the Air Force from 1959 – 1963. After serving in the military, he worked at Cooper until he became a minister in 1979. Jim served several congregations in the American Baptist Churches of Ohio including Bryn Zion Baptist Church in Mount Gilead, Clear Fork Baptist Church in Kimbolton, and First Baptist Church of Loudonville. He was also instrumental in the establishment of the Ohio Leadership Academy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ohde family and friends.
Former Ohio Baptist Convention President Passes
Anna Jane Massie, age 94, of St. Paris, Ohio went to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 18, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She worked as the secretary at the First Baptist Church St. Paris. She was also president of Ohio Baptist Convention (OBC), served with her husband Francis on the Board of Trustees of OBC and served on several sub-committees. Anna Jane was President and Secretary of American Baptist Women Western Association and served as chairman of White Cross OBC. On the 50th anniversary year she traveled all over Ohio and went to many churches speaking and promoting White Cross. Anna Jane served on every board and committee at First Baptist Church St. Paris and sang in the choir. She also taught a Bible Study Group for St. Paris senior citizens.
Rev. Dr. David Stone Remembered
Rev. Dr. David C. Stone, 78 passed away April 9, 2016. David was a Missionary with the American Baptist Home Mission Society, retiring in 2000. David was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Boardman. Before coming to Youngstown, he served with the Weirton Christian Center in Weirton, WV. David earned a B.A. Degree from the University of Minnesota. He then earned a Masters of Divinity and received a Doctorate of Divinity from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkley, CA. David served on many Boards and committees of the American Baptist Church of Ohio and the Mahoning Valley Baptist Association. David served as Executive Director of Neighborhood Ministries from 1969 to 2000. With a heart full of love for those in need, he developed children and family assistance programs in the Kirwan Homes Housing development in Campbell and started a community center in the Kimmel brook Housing development on Youngstown's east side. He helped to establish youth summer programs throughout the Youngstown area, as well as starting Interfaith Home Maintenance, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing home repair services to low income families. He was a strong advocate for sending children to Christian camp. After his retirement in 2000 he helped establish Neighborhood Ministries' West Side Community Center, provided after school programming for boys on Youngstown's west side. His most important work was not so much professional, but personal and he will be forever known by hundreds of children for encouragement and as a father to the fatherless. Rev. Jennifer Easley Passes
Rev. Jennifer Easley, a former ABC/Ohio minister who served on staff at the First Baptist Church of Middletown passed away on July 9, 2015. Rev. Easley had a passon for the earth and physical science. She taught and had a love for protecting the environment. She also often hosted foreign exhange students in her home. We lift up Rev. Easley and her family during this time and praise God for her service!