For Immediate Release
February 4, 2013
Welch College Ministerial Students Attend Ohio Conference and Preach in Area Churches
NASHVILLE, TN—Three Welch College ministerial students attended the January 24 – 26, Ohio Men’s Retreat, and preached in area churches the following Sunday, according to John Murray, Christian service director at Welch College. The students, along with Mr. Murray, travelled to Central Ohio for the three-day retreat at the Heartland Conference Retreat Center, and then separated on Sunday to preach.
The group departed from campus at 6 a.m. on a brisk, 19-degree Thursday morning, January 24. They arrived in Marengo, Ohio at 2:00 p.m. where they met with over 400 other men of varying ages for the retreat. “The Ohio Men’s Retreat was refreshing and challenging. Every age was represented, and the altar was full each day,” Mr. Murray said.
On Sunday, the group split up to preach at their respective churches. In all, the preaching team ministered to over three hundred people.
Noah Demerchant, a Welch College Sophomore from New Brunswick, Canada, said, “I really enjoyed speaking at New Hope Free Will Baptist Church (Chillicothe). The congregation was friendly and welcoming.”
Walther Hernandez, Welch College Sophomore from Kearneysville, West Virginia, said, “Sciotodale Free Will Baptist Church (Portsmouth) was a great church to visit. They made me feel right at home. This was a trip to remember.”
Dustin Walters, Welch College Sophomore from Winfield, Alabama, said, “From the onset of our journey north, God began to bless. The men’s retreat was a time of spiritual refreshing. The wonderful people from Porter Free Will Baptist Church (Portsmouth, Ohio) are very interested in and appreciative of the work of Welch College.”
Mr. John Murray, Christian service director, said, “The people at Harrison Free Will Baptist Church (Minford) were so welcoming. I felt liberty in preaching.”
The trip ended with the students and Mr. Murray returning to campus at 7:30 Sunday evening, January 27, having travelled nearly 1,000 miles in the four-day trip. Mr. Murray said of the weekend, “In spite of having one of our preachers not be able to go with us due to sickness, we had a wonderful trip. The snow and frigid temperature in no way cooled down the exciting weekend. It is always a privilege to work with our student-preachers.”
The next preaching trip is planned for February 2 – 3, and will be to Tupelo, Mississippi. The last trip of the semester will be to East Tennessee and is set for early April.