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Conference Nourishes the Church Body and Soul

By October 28, 2021December 10th, 2021No Comments

Mike Hess (right) and Paul Davis participate in a Q and A, led by Pastor Dave Kisner (left).

DAYTON, Ohio—The Fall Conference of the Ohio Association of Regular Baptist Churches, “Nourish,” appeared to do just that for those who attended. Washington Heights Baptist Church hosted the conference Oct. 18–20.

Perhaps because the 2020 conference had been postponed or perhaps because of ministry challenges in recent months, everyone seemed hungry to be together for fellowship and Bible teaching. The conference presented abundant opportunities for both physical and spiritual nourishment.

Paul Davis (president of ABWE) and Mike Hess (GARBC national representative) spoke during eight sessions and a question-and-answer session on feeding the soul, building the church body, and powering the work of ministry. Guests also took part in roundtable discussions focused on four themes: discipleship, soul care, hospitality, and community outreach.

Fellowship opportunities were numerous, including a concert by the Cedarville University orchestra, brunch and evening dessert receptions hosted by various ministries, and an on-site dinner.

“It was such an encouragement for all of us to be together again,” says Chuck Pausley, OARBC state representative. “The preaching of the Word, the music, the meals, and fellowship were exceptional.”

Chuck thanks Pastor Dave Kisner and a team of volunteers from Washington Heights Baptist Church, as well as Dave Culver (pastor of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church, Jamestown, Ohio, and conference chairman), for their work in organizing and facilitating the conference.

“However, the key to the conference,” Chuck says, “was God’s presence and blessing, which were evident. To God be the glory.”

A_Overall_Concert

Washington Heights Baptist in Dayton hosts the Cedarville University orchestra for a concert on Tuesday night of the OARBC Fall Conference. Robert Rhodes, pastor of worship and worship arts for Washington Heights, sang with the orchestra.

AB_Carolyn Culver OARBC Y21

Carolyn Culver of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church, Jamestown, Ohio, sings during the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton. Carolyn cotaught an afternoon workshop on hospitality with Linda Pausley, wife of OARBC State Representative Chuck Pausley.

ABC_Dave Kisner Welcome

Dave Kisner welcomes guests to the OARBC Fall Conference, hosted by the church where he is pastor, Washington Heights Baptist Church in Dayton. OARBC State Representative Chuck Pausley said people are grateful to be together again at the state meetings after a two-year absence.

ABCD_Mike Hess Preaching OARBE Dayton OHY21

GARBC National Representative Mike Hess brings a message on “God’s grace is sufficient for whatever weakness He’s ordained” during the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton.

ABCD_Paul Davis ABWE President

Paul Davis, president of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, opens the OARBC Fall Conference with a message from the book of Joshua at Washington Heights Baptist Church in Dayton.

Alvin Cheng Micro Network Round Table OARBC Y21

Alvin Cheng of Faith Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, Ohio, interacts with other men in the roundtable discussion “Partner for Mission: Join a Micro Network” during the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton.

Beight dinner OARBC

Pastor James and Amy Beight of Abram Creek Baptist Church, Brook Park, Ohio, enjoy the fellowship during a catered dinner at the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton.

Dave Culver Workshop OARBC Y21

Pastor Dave Culver of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church, Jamestown, Ohio, leads a roundtable discussion on "Moving Visitors to Members."

Five year pastors

OARBC State Representative Chuck Pausley (right) stands with Pastor Jonathan Casbohm (left) of First Baptist in Elyria and Worship Pastor Robert Rhodes of Washington Heights Baptist in Dayton, who were being recognized for five years in their current ministries during the OARBC Fall Conference.

Group photo OARBC

Photographer Raelene Searle of Washington Heights Baptist Church takes group photos at each table during a catered dinner Tuesday night during the OARBC Fall Conference.

Hospitality workshop1 Linda Pausley

Linda Pausley, wife of OARBC State Representative Chuck Pausley, cohosts a workshop on hospitality with Carolyn Culver Monday at the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton. Linda says, “The ladies always enjoy being together, and we learned that while not everyone loves hospitality, we are all asked to do it.”

Hospitality workshop2

Krista Otto of Faith Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, Ohio, participates in a roundtable discussion on the topic of hospitality during the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton.

Ladies Nourish OARBC Y21

Marilyn Shaffer attends a roundtable discussion on the topic of hospitality during the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton.

Lynn Phillips BMM reception

Lynn Phillips of Faith Baptist Church, Bolivar, Ohio, samples the desserts during an evening reception sponsored by Baptist Mid-Missions at the OARBC Fall Conference at Washington Heights Baptist Church in Dayton.

Mike Hess Q&A OARBC Y21

GARBC National Representative Mike Hess (right) and ABWE President Paul Davis participate in a Q and A, led by Pastor Dave Kisner (left) following an evening service at the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton.

New group

Pastors and associate pastors, including Pastor Matt Otto (back, second from left) and his wife, Krista, are recognized for being new to ministry or starting new ministries in 2020-2021. Matt was youth pastor of Faith Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, Ohio, for 25 years and was called as pastor of that church this month.

OARBC dinner Y21

Clayton Mullins and his father, Tom Mullins, pastor of First Baptist Church, Bowling Green, Ohio, chat with other guests during the catered dinner on Tuesday.

Reception

Pastor Tom Cooper of Faith Baptist Church, Elida, Ohio, talks with a group of men during a dessert fellowship sponsored by Baptist Mid-Missions at the OARBC Fall Conference at Washington Heights Baptist in Dayton.

Robert Rhodes worship team OARBC

Robert Rhodes, pastor of worship and worship arts for Washington Heights Baptist Church in Dayton, leads the worship team and congregation in singing during the OARBC Fall Conference at his church.

Van Holloway Culver workshop OARBC Y21

Van Holloway listens during a roundtable discussion on the topic “Moving Visitors to Members,” led by David Culver, pastor of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church, Jamestown, Ohio, during the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton.

Workshop

Denielle Yusten of Norton (Ohio) Baptist Church hugs speaker Carolyn Culver, who cotaught a workshop on hospitality with Linda Pausley (right) at the OARBC Fall Conference in Dayton.

Workshop2

Jon Casbohm (right) and Dave Warren enjoy a roundtable discussion on the topic “How to Make a Good First Impression,” led by David Douglas, associate pastor of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church, Jamestown, Ohio, at the OARBC Fall Conference.