When people want to plant churches in regions that shape America’s culture, they typically relocate to the East or West Coast. In the process they probably fly over or drive through an oft-overlooked area that profoundly affects American culture: Ohio.

Yes, Ohio.

With its mix of thriving cities, struggling economies and rural communities, Ohio is more than just a political swing state; it is a region brimming with opportunities for church planting, and Ohio Presbytery Clerk Pete Miller wants Ohio natives to do that planting. His message is simple: Sons of Ohio, please come home.

Why Ohio Matters

Among those unabashedly enthusiastic about the Buckeye State is the Rev. David Schutter, an Ohio native who pastors Northwest Presbyterian Church in Dublin, a Columbus suburb. He believes that for its relatively small population, Ohio exercises disproportionate influence on the rest of the country.

“Ohio is not just a place America flies over on their way to really important stuff; really important stuff is getting done here,” he said. Politics aside, Schutter believes Ohio is a good indicator of the country’s spiritual temperature. And with 12 urban and 48 rural counties, Ohio is, as Miller sees is, a microcosm for the rest of the country.

But huge swaths of the state have no PCA churches, and most PCA churches in Ohio do not have the budgets for multiple pastors. As a result, church planting is the most viable option for men feeling called to minister in Ohio, and Schutter sees that once men leave the state for seminary, they often do not return.

“Once you’ve graduated from a seminary, it’s easy to become a free agent. We have to start building a network [within the state],” he said. Northwest and other Ohio churches are trying to make the most of local resources and distance seminary courses to train men for ministry without them having to go out of state for seminary.

“We are certainly not arrogant enough to think we can do what [a Reformed seminary] can do, but we have to think through our pastoral expectations,” Schutter said.

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