SCBO Annual Celebration

MARK DEVER
Mark serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A Duke graduate, Dr. Dever holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. He is the president of 9Marks Ministries and has taught at a number of seminaries. Dr. Dever has authored several books and articles, most recently, Discipling, The Compelling Community and The Church: The Gospel Made Visible. 

He and his wife Connie live and minister on Capitol Hill, with Connie giving much of her time to creating a childrens’ curriculum (PraiseFactory). They have two adult children.

HERSHAEL YORK
Hershael York has served as the 11th dean of Southern Seminary’s School of Theology since 2018, and as the Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching since 1999. His preaching has been featured in Preaching Today as among the best in North America, and he has twice preached at the International Congress on preaching in Cambridge, England.

He currently serves as the senior pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church in Frankfort, Kentucky, where he has led the 200-year-old church in growth that necessitated relocation to a 100-acre campus and new facilities. York frequently ministers internationally, especially in Brazil, where his father was a missionary.

RAY UMPHREY
A preacher since the age of fifteen, Ray has been involved in ministry for over 20 years both as a pastor and a denominational leader in Tennessee and Kentucky. Ray currently serves as Pastor of Brigg's Road Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio and as President of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.

Ray and his wife, Katrina, are East Tennessee natives and have been married since 2005. Katrina serves as Director of Operations at the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. Ray loves Star Wars, vintage video games, traveling with Katrina, bluegrass, the Tennessee Volunteers, and snorkeling in the Bahamas.

GREG COOPER
Greg Cooper has served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Groveport since 1998. He is a native Ohioan born and raised in Newark. He is a graduate of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Tennessee where he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree. Greg also holds a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a psychology degree from Bluefield College in Virginia. Greg’s life calling is to help build significant lives through teaching people how to implement God’s word in every area of their lives. 

He and his wife Marla have two daughters, Stacy and Marissa, and three beautiful grandchildren. In his spare time, Greg loves to play golf and ride on his motorcycle with his wife Marla. Greg’s least favorite thing to do? Working in the yard. He loves the Rocky movies and pizza.

JEREMY WESTBROOK
Jeremy Westbrook has served as the Executive Director-Treasurer of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio since 2021. A native of Tennessee, Dr. Westbrook first came to Ohio in 2008 to plant Living Hope Church in Marysville, Ohio, before accepting positions as the Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater, Florida, and as Lead Missional Strategist of the Suncoast Baptist Association. He is a graduate of the Doctor of Ministry program at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, and is widely sought as a clinician and speaker.

Jeremy returned to Ohio in the fall of 2021 bringing a clear vision for the future of Southern Baptist work through the local church there. He currently resides near Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Jennifer, and their three children.

LOCAL DINING OPPORTUNITIES
Dozens of fantastic restaurants populate the neighborhoods just north of Columbus. Whether you are looking for a favorite, trying something new, or getting truly adventurous, you'll have no lack of options at this year's event.

Be sure to take advantage of the intentional time planned on Monday night for fellowship and camaraderie. Numerous groups are already planning reunions and get-togethers. It's your opportunity to reconnect with old friends or invest in new relationships over a great meal.