Thanks to the generosity of our churches and congregants, the Connectional Ministries of The West Ohio Conference can proclaim, along with all of you, “Be Not Afraid…There Is Enough!” Enough passion to proclaim the love of Jesus to the people around us. Enough vision to reach out into the communities around us with God’s grace. Enough energy to help children regain a love of learning. Enough compassion to help those who cannot always help themselves. And enough faithfulness to believe, even when the future is uncertain. The churches, groups, and individuals recognized at Annual Conference on Monday afternoon know what it means to be afraid…and to step out in faith that God will provide more than they ever dreamed possible. Below are this year's Connectional Ministries Awards for West Ohio:

Freedom Schools Leadership Teams:

• The Maumee Watershed Freedom School Leadership Team
• Lima Trinity Freedom School
• Grace Freedom School
• Covenant Freedom School
• Monroe Street Freedom School
• School for All People
• Southside Kingdom of Hope
• Licking County Freedom School
• Heart of the City Freedom School
• Westside Shalom Zone Freedom School

 

Camp Changes Lives Award:

• Rev. Douglas Thompson of West Mansfield UMC and Big Springs UMC

 

Hispanic Summer Interns:

• Angel Rivera, age 15, from Middletown First United Methodist Church
• Estrella Bautista, age 15, also from Middletown First UMC
• Astrid Aviles, age 16, from Esperanza Viva United Methodist Church
• Edwin Marroquin, age 17, also from Esperanza Viva UMC

 

Delegates to Global Young People's Convocation:

• Andres de Arco
• Emily Kvalheim
• Dominic Mejia
• Allison Stickley-Miner

 

Francis Asbury Award (Campus Ministry):

• Rev. Benji Sayre, Executive Director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Cincinnati

 

Cultural Coaches:

• Todd Anderson
• Sherri Blackwell
• April Casperson
• Rebekah Clapp
• Rebecca Collins
• Karen Cook
• Douglas Damron
• Rebecca Hug
• Donnetta Peaks
• Rae Lynn Schleif
• Deanna Stickley-Miner

 

District Vital Church Awards (Rural Ministry):

• Albany UMC (Foothills District)
• Anna-Botkins UMC (Miami Valley District)
• Continental UMC (Northwest Plains District)
• Hopewell UMC (Capitol Area South)
• Liberty Chapel UMC (Shawnee Valley District)
• Oregonia UMC (Ohio River Valley District)

 

UMRA William B. Murry Vital Church Award:

• Pharisburg UMC (Capitol Area North)

 

Light of the World Awards:

• Ebenezer UMC (Capitol Area North)
• Smith Chapel UMC (Foothills District)
• Lockington UMC (Miami Valley District)
• Cloverdale UMC (Maumee Watershed District)
• Findlay St. Paul’s UMC (Northwest Plains District)
• Esperanza Viva UMC (Ohio River Valley District)
• Fruitdale UMC (Shawnee Valley District)

 

One Matters Award:

• Hopewell UMC (Capitol Area South)

 

Harry Denman Evangelism Award: 

• Clergy - Rev. Dr. Harley E. Roston, Piketon UMC (Shawnee Valley District)
• Lay - Trish McKinney, Lima Forest Park UMC (Northwest Plains District)

 

Mission Excellence Awards:

• Chad Stoltz
• George 'Tater' Jensen

 

Watch the Awards ceremony video on Facebook here.