What college did you attend? Cedarville University

When did you join Northwest? 1999

What is your ministry here? I teach in the Preschool Ministry and help count the offering.

What is your favorite scripture? Proverbs 3:5–6… Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

What do you like about Northwest? The commitment to stay true to God’s Word and preach that truth, opportunities to serve God, children’s ministry that teaches my kids what God says, the chance to be a part of sharing the gospel and meeting people’s needs locally and across the world.

When did you accept Christ? My dad led me to Christ when I was nine. My parents told me that I had prayed a prayer when I was very young, but I did not remember it, and I wanted to be sure of my salvation. My dad and I had taken a trip to upstate New York to visit my grandparents, and we were on our way back home to Michigan when we started talking about God and salvation. I decided I wanted to pray to know that Jesus was my Savior, so my dad pulled his truck over to the side of the road, and I accepted Christ into my life.

Family: Kristen and I have been married for 14 years. We met at Northwest Bible Church in the singles/young adults group and were married by Pastor Harrell at the church. We have an 11-year-old daughter Kate in 6th grade at Hilliard Station, and a 7-year-old son Jack in 2nd grade at Hoffman Trails Elementary.

What college did you attend? Some college at Columbus State University. Business training through many courses included Advanced Leadership Institute at Babson College in Wellesey, Massachusetts and the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio’s Leadership Experience (BXLX)

When did you join Northwest? Lisa, Amanda and I began attending Northwest in 2000 and became members in 2002

What is your ministry here? Usher

What is your favorite scripture? I’m not one to say I have a favorite verse, but a few of the verses that blow me away are:

• Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”
• Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
• Phillipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

What do you like about Northwest? Without question, it is the preaching of the Word of God. Truth is spoken from the pulpit and souls are saved!

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ when I was at Church camp in Carrolton, OH when I was 15. Having grown up in a legalistic church, I struggled with walking the walk until I was in my mid 20’s when God finally revealed to me it was about a relationship and not rules.

Family Amanda

What college did you attend? The Ohio State University – Mechanical Engineering

When did you join Northwest? Began attending full time in May 1996

What is your ministry here? My ministry is on the Guest Services Team. I also serve as a coach/mentor for the Refuge one evening per week (a Christian ministry for recovering drug addicts and alcoholics).

What is your favorite scripture? Titus 2:11–12, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

What do you like about Northwest? I love that the Word of God is preached every Sunday and it is not softened to suit the culture. The mission that Christ gave us in Matthew 28:16–20 is taken seriously and people are getting saved and lives are being changed. The focus is outward instead of inward.

When did you accept Christ? I accepted Christ in 1986 at the age of 26. The sanctification process is still ongoing.

Family: Andrew, Ali, Brooke, Daniel

What college did you attend? Cedarville University, 1979; The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, 1983

When did you join Northwest? 2000

What is your ministry here? Deacon

What is your favorite scripture? Proverbs 3:5–6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

What do you like about Northwest? The thing I like most about Northwest is that every Sunday the Gospel is presented and people are given the chance to respond and accept Christ. I really enjoy the strong preaching from the pulpit, the worship of praise and music, and everything that is done is all for God’s glory.

When did you accept Christ? When I was 10 during evangelistic meetings with Dr. Woodbridge at my church.

Family: Jacqueline, Josh, Jonathan

What college did you attend? University of Findlay

When did you join Northwest? Started attending full-time on December 3, 2006

What is your ministry here? Coach and mentor at the Refuge Ministries

What is your favorite scripture? Philippians 3:13–14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

What do you like about Northwest? The authority of God’s Word, the character exhibited by leadership and staff, and the family of God gathered here!

When did you accept Christ? November 25, 2006

What college did you attend? University of Lagos, Nigeria

When did you join Northwest? 2007

What is your ministry here? Thursday prayer group. I coordinate the group.

What is your favorite scripture? If I must choose one, Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”

What do you like about Northwest? The preaching/teaching and the fellowship with other believers. I also love the emphasis on missions.

When did you accept Christ? November 18, 1988

Family: Abimbola (call her Bim; married for 23 years),  Adun (daughter, 22) is a senior in college and will graduate in May, Ebun (son, 19) is a sophomore in college, Ayo (son, 18) is a freshman in college.

What college did you attend? I graduated from Miami University in 2006.

When did you join Northwest? My wife Tiffany and I started attending Northwest in 2007.

What is your ministry here? I serve as a Life Group leader and Awana Sparks leader with the kindergarten boys.

What is your favorite scripture? Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight”

What do you like about Northwest? The solid preaching from God’s Word without compromise. In addition, our leadership and church members have a genuine love for the Lord. It truly is a blessing to be able to fellowship with many like-minded brothers and sisters.

When did you accept Christ? October 2nd, 2004 during my senior year of college. The week prior I realized that I was on a slippery slope if I kept the lifestyle I was leading. I sincerely prayed for God to intervene and He answered the very next day when a teammate of mine on the track team invited me to attend Athletes in Action—a Christian ministry for athletes. I went that night, attended Campus Crusade that week, and then joined 500 other college students on a retreat that weekend. It was there that I recognized the authenticity of the Bible. I also realized I was a sinner in need of a savior and that Jesus paid the penalty for all of my sins. I placed my faith in Jesus that weekend and my life instantly changed to where I began to desire to honor and follow Him.

What college did you attend? The Ohio State University

When did you join Northwest? Started attending in 2011 and joined in 2013

What is your ministry here? Guest Services

What is your favorite scripture? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13

What do you like about Northwest? Our pastors preach the truth. We don’t manipulate God’s word to fit a narrative, a trend, or pop culture. Northwest Bible Church is about receiving and understanding God’s Word in its purest form. I also love that that we never waver from our mission which is to lead and equip people in a growing relationship with Jesus.

When did you accept Christ? In the summer of 1997, while playing minor league baseball in Orlando, Florida.

Family: Lauren (married for 7 years), Ella (5), Addie (3), and Luke (9 months)