Glory Baptist Church

Glory to God at Glory Baptist Church: Another New Church Start in Ohio!

   This is the story of another new start in Ohio. This church was started with the help of Cooperative Program dollars and the partnership of several Southern Baptist Churches. Pastor Jeff Deel and his wife Connie started the church just over one year ago. Please put this church on your prayer list. Pastors, please feel free to use the information below in a sermon if you desire.

Submitted by Gary Odom
Church Planting Resource Group Leader
State Convention of Baptist in Ohio

   God is at work in Marengo, a little community in southern Morrow County, approximately 25 miles northeast of Columbus. Glory Baptist Church, celebrating their one year anniversary as a church plant on September 12th, has seen God adding to their church on a regular basis. They baptized ten on August 29th, some in a swimming pool and some in a creek. Of the ten, five were adults and five were kids. The church seems to have a good balance of age groups.  

   The church meets in the gymnasium of Highland West Elementary School on Sunday mornings at 11:00 and is averaging 65 in morning worship attendance. They had an amazing Vacation Bible School with 120 kids enrolled. Pastor Jeff Deel said, "It was really hot that week with temperatures in the 90's and the school has no air conditioning, but kids just kept coming. When God is at work, you can endure the sweat and hard work and enjoy every minute of it. We have some families that have started attending the church as a result of VBS." Three SBC churches from central Tennessee formed a 12 person mission team that came to assist in VBS.  

   Glory Baptist Church also had a booth at the Morrow County Fair for the second year in a row, giving out bottled water, orange drink, and sharing the gospel through creative ministry and one-on-one witnessing. Hundreds of contacts were made during the eight day fair. Pastor Deel said, "This community has been waiting for and needing a movement of God. God is not just at work in the cities. He is doing amazing things in rural areas, too, and we are so honored to be involved in what He is doing. We expect to see Him do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus..." Glory Baptist Church was named in connection with these verses in Ephesians 3:20-21.

   The church also has a Tuesday evening program for kids called Fit4Him, based on four areas of fitness:  physical, nutritional, social and spiritual. This outreach, as well as Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University and other ministries have impacted the community. Pastor Jeff draws the name of a student in the church each week and goes to their school to have lunch with them. He said, "We've been blessed to do several different things, and it's a lot of work, but it's a true labor of love. To God be the Glory!