Our Blog Words of Encouragement & Useful Resources
The Right Mix of “TEP”
One way to evaluate the health of a church is to determine whether the proper “TEP” balance is present. “T” is “truth,” the uncompromised Biblical foundation upon which any church must be built. “E” represents “excellence,” the intentional pursuit of the very best we...
The Post-COVID Church— Back to the Beginning
The American church has been shaken by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As followers of Christ, we need to ask God to show us what we must learn from the past year to help us better fulfill Jesus’ mission for His people moving forward. The understanding of the...
More Than “ABCs”: Sharing God’s Love in After School Ministry
Since our first week together in LifeWise Pandora-Gilboa, we have been chronologically going through the Bible starting in Genesis. From the creation of the world, creation of man, sin entering the world, Cain and Abel and then Noah and the Flood, we have discussed...
Community Relief Story
Dewight contacted Community Relief in early 2020. He asked me to look at his house, as it needed quite a bit of work, and he didn't know where to turn. Through the evaluation process, I learned that 5 years ago, Dewight had invited someone else who was down on her...
THE “VIRUS OPPORTUNITY”
Many Christians have understood the COVID-19 pandemic as a detriment to the Church in general and their local church families in particular. Indeed, the virus has caused upheaval on multiple levels. Some have experienced the death of friends and loved ones as a result...
Graves into Gardens with Gen Z
Hannah Wise is a Gen Z disciple movement leader. The MCECR is partnering with her as she seeks to develop a movement of multiplying disciples among the Gen Z age group in West Central Ohio. It seems like you can’t turn on Christian radio and not hear Brandon Lake’s...
Why Is This So Hard?
Growing up in a country music-loving household, I recall the words of a 1970 Lynn Anderson country hit: “I beg your pardon—I never promised you a rose garden!” Those lyrics come to mind as I hear more than one Christian asking, “Why has God allowed all these terrible...
Conscience, Kingdom, And Your Vote
As I write this, the November elections loom just over the horizon. In past years, I’ve been approached by Christians asking “should I vote” and “for whom?” I’ve counseled that since God gives us the privilege of living in a nation in which our vote can influence the...
The Next Moment
Our vision statement for the Missionary Church East Central Region is “to partner with the Church in Ohio to represent the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every man, woman and child.” God has called us to participate in fulfilling His desire that every one of the more than...
2020 Camping at the Falls Recap
Camping at the Falls, held July 21-23, 2020, was a great success this year! If you were unable to attend, here are some of the messages from our 3 day family camp. https://www.facebook.com/ECRegion/videos/310997559958881/ ...
Hope is the Answer
Hebrews 10:23— “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” The uncertainty that has plagued 2020 continues, and with it the elevated stress levels so many around us are experiencing. If ever there was a need for hope, it is now....
Pastor Appreciation— In July?
In the typical “church calendar,” October has traditionally been marked as Pastor Appreciation Month. However, given the developments of the last few months, I’m suggesting all our church family members consider taking some time in these next few weeks to pass on some...
COVID-19 Pastor Update 12
Dear MCECR Pastors and Leaders, Let me begin by thanking all of you for seeking out God’s desire for your local church family in this challenging time and then working diligently to implement His plan in your local context. In the past month, I’ve understood that all...
Hope for Change…
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) As the COVID-19 pandemic situation plods on, a new crisis has drawn the nation’s attention. The George Floyd tragedy has...
The Antidote to Fear
One of the challenges many are facing as we experience the “COVID-19” world is “fear.” That word comes up repeatedly in news reports, Zoom discussions, and person to person exchanges. Fear is defined as “a feeling of dread or apprehension”; Roget’s Thesaurus lists...
Interested in Joining the Mission?
Interested in learning more about the work God is doing in our region and how you can become part of it? Our prayer is that God would use us to reach the almost 12 million people who call Ohio home with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We would love to help further explore how we can partner together with you to achieve this vision. Join us in ensuring everyone in Ohio has an opportunity to respond to the life-saving Good News of Jesus.