Make Missions Local Again

The Ohio Valley was once a stronghold of American Protestant Christianity. Churches stood at the center of towns, formed families, sent missionaries, and shaped the culture.

Much of that inheritance has been lost. Churches have grown weak, divided, or theologically adrift, while entire communities have become increasingly secular and pagan.

It is time to reverse that decline. It is time to make missions local again.

Ohio Valley Mission exists to plant new churches, strengthen faithful ones, and recover historic Protestant Christianity one community at a time.

Our inaugural meeting will be held on October 10, 2026, at the new East River Church building in Batavia, Ohio. The meeting will run from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m., with lunch provided.

The meeting will include a devotional from the moderator, reports from member churches and the Steering Committee, and open discussion about planting new works and receiving new member churches.

Until formal bylaws are adopted, Ohio Valley Mission is being led by a Steering Committee consisting of Michael Foster of East River Church, Moderator; John Weis of East River Church, Clerk; B.J. Newman of Little Miami Fellowship; and Zach Hill of Silver City Church. We intend to add three more members to the committee.

Church leaders who are interested in Ohio Valley Mission or would like to attend the inaugural meeting may contact us at michael.foster@eastriverchurch.org. Our website will be online soon with additional information and registration.