COLUMBUS, Ohio – Record increases in baptisms and Cooperative Program giving in 2025 are being celebrated at the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio (SCBO).
Since 2021, the number of baptisms in Ohio churches has been steadily climbing year over year. In 2021: 1,735 baptisms; in 2022: 2,296 baptisms; in 2023: 3,406 baptisms; in 2024: 3,855 baptisms; and in 2025: 4,912 baptisms.
More than 16,200 people have found new life in Christ and followed Him in baptism in the past five years.
“Numbers represent people,” said Jeremy Westbrook, SCBO executive director. “I am thrilled that baptisms are on the rise in the SCBO. We experienced a 27 percent increase in 2025 and have seen an 182 percent increase since 2021. To God be the glory!!”
Buzz Kocher, SCBO director of strategic initiatives, believes the faithfulness of local church pastors in preaching the Word has been vital to the increase.
“I think one of the big things happening is a desire to preach the Gospel faithfully and share God’s word boldly through evangelism,” Kocher said. “Our churches have recognized the importance of this. Romans 10:14-15 provides a great picture of it.”
14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Baptisms are not the only area of growth. SCBO Cooperative Program giving has grown yearly from 2022-2025, setting a record last year.
“2025 was the highest year of CP giving in the 71-year history of the SCBO,” Westbrook noted. “As a former pastor and church planter in the Buckeye State, I always love hearing and seeing the impact of our missions giving.”
CP giving increased from $4,368,450 in 2022 to $4,858,312 in 2025, an increase of more than $490,000.
“This achievement is not merely a number,” Westbrook said. “It is a tangible expression of deep-seated belief in the mission of Christ and the power of working together.
“The Cooperative Program, the financial fuel for our collective mission, enables us to accomplish far more together than we ever could alone. Funds are not simply dollars on a spreadsheet – they are missionaries sent, pastors trained, new churches planted and lives transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
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