Our Blog Words of Encouragement & Useful Resources
“Bigger” Versus “Wider”
A common evaluation question for the health of a church is “are you growing?” The underlying assumption is that God wants churches to grow, and I agree—with an important qualifier as to the type of growth God seeks. Growth is usually measured by addition in the...
Are We Making Disciples?
Jesus’ command in the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20, is to make disciples. His desire is that, “going, baptizing, and teaching,” we would be about the work of disciple multiplication. Therefore, if we claim to be obedient to Jesus, we must answer these basic...
Timely Words From An Ancient Prophet
I’ve spent some time recently reviewing the first ten chapters of Jeremiah. I am sobered by how this prophet, who wrote some 2600 years ago to Judah in the days before its fall to Babylon, still speaks so powerfully to our present generation. I encourage you to read...
Love in Action: Feeding the Least of These
In October of 2019, the Little Fliers Food Program (LFFP) opened its doors to serve over 60 students from a local elementary school. In reality, this program was put upon the hearts of its volunteers long before. Searching for a way to help students at the elementary...
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....
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.