Where to plant…

where to plant…
In June 2006, our family set out on vacation. Part of the drive included driving through the state of Ohio to get to our destination. As we drove through the state, I could not help but see thousands of souls, and yet so few churches. In November of 2006, I met Dean Fulks, who shared the great need of new churches in Central Ohio. On the Thursday evening of a missions conference, Dr. Al Jackson preached a message on the cost of following Jesus. His second point of the sermon was that the cost of following Jesus could mean a change of plans for your life. Needless to say, Jennifer and I knew God was calling us.

Why Ohio? The need for church planting in Central Ohio is great. Our focus will be the “Northwest Metro area of Columbus.” The township of Marysville is a strategic area we are looking to plant. Listed below are a few facts about the area…

• Approximately two million people live in the Columbus Metro Association with over one million unreached.
• There is only one Southern Baptist church for every 22,000 people.
• Union County is the third fastest growing county in the state of Ohio.
• Nearly 400 or 2/3 of SBC churches in Ohio average 50 or less on Sunday mornings.
• Current population of Marysville is around 25,000 and expected to double in the next 10-15 years.