In this episode of the Ohio for Jesus podcast, host Tara Zimmer interviews Dante Thomas, lead pastor of Elevation City Church, about innovative ways to engage the community, particularly through serving individuals with disabilities. Dante shares the journey of transforming a church parsonage into a group home, the challenges faced, and the positive impact on both the community and the church's growth. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creativity in ministry, the financial sustainability of serving others, and the encouragement for pastors to remain faithful during difficult times.

Takeaways

• Engaging the community is essential for church multiplication.
• Innovative solutions can arise from challenges faced by the church.
• Transforming spaces can lead to significant community service opportunities.
• Community response to church initiatives can enhance growth.
• Financial sustainability can be achieved through service-oriented projects.
• Pastors should remain faithful during challenging times for revitalization.
• Collaboration with family and community can lead to impactful ministry.
• Serving those with disabilities can fulfill a vital need in the community.
• Tangible results from ministry efforts can inspire congregational support.
• Fresh vision and perspective can lead to new opportunities for ministry

Connect with the Ohio Ministry Network:

Web: ohioministry.net and ohioforjesus.com

Instagram: instagram.com/ohioministrynetwork

Facebook: facebook.com/OhioMinistryNetwork/

In this episode, host Tara Zimmer sits down with Sarah Reed, Community Integration Pastor at Clearview Church in Lorain County, Ohio. Together, they explore what it truly means to engage the community—not with assumptions, but with intentionality and humility.

Sarah shares how her church has built a powerful, ongoing partnership with Lorain County Children's Services, offering practical, consistent support to children, caseworkers, and families involved in the foster care system.

From Easter baskets and hygiene kits to furniture donations, warehouse outreach, and handwritten cards, this episode is packed with real stories and actionable inspiration for churches looking to make an authentic impact right where they are.

• “We didn’t create a need; we asked what the need was.” (03:20)

• The power of saying “yes” to the county—and letting God take care of the rest (08:20)

• What happens when a 5-year-old’s only possession is a red toothbrush in a donated backpack (18:08)

• How Clearview Church engages introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between (27:48)

• The shift from attractional to missional ministry—and why it’s needed now (24:20)

• Why community ministry is not about spotlight moments (22:48)

• Encouragement for leaders: “Start small. Stay faithful. Let God grow it.” (31:08)

• Ask before you act: Let those in need define the need.

• Every role matters: From writing cards to packing food, the entire church can serve.

• Partnership over platform: You don’t need to be in the spotlight to make an impact.

• Ministry is long-term: Faithfulness over time builds trust, favor, and fruit.

Connect with Sarah Reed directly: [email protected]
Learn more about foster care ministry through Father’s Heart with Paris Yanno for resources and support. fathersheartohio.com

Whether you’re a lead pastor, ministry leader, or someone with a heart to serve, this episode will encourage you to rethink what community impact can look like—and how your church can be part of a story that transforms lives.

Follow the Ohio for Jesus Podcast for more inspiring stories, practical tools, and kingdom-minded conversations.

Connect with the Ohio Ministry Network:

Web: ohioministry.net and ohioforjesus.com

Instagram: instagram.com/ohioministrynetwork

Facebook: facebook.com/OhioMinistryNetwork/

Connect with the Ohio Ministry Network:

Web: ohioministry.net and ohioforjesus.com

Instagram: instagram.com/ohioministrynetwork

Facebook:facebook.com/OhioMinistryNetwork/

Connect with Kristin and Way to Battle

Buy Her Book Here: Click Here to buy your copy today!

Web: https://waytobattle.com

About Kristin S. Martin

Our world was turned upside down when our son, Brady, was diagnosed with an extremely rare Leukemia mutation in June 2021. 

We travel to schools, churches, and other organizations to speak about our journey and how to find hope and joy in the midst of the most impossible places. Our mission is to spread the message that “no one battles alone” and to help bring awareness to the battles that might be unseen in the world around us. 

We continue to pray for the Lord to use this battle for good and for our lives to be transformed as well. We hope to inspire others through our stories and service as we walk through this dark and winding journey.

“You have armed me with strength for the battle…”

Psalm 18:39

Brady was diagnosed with High Risk Pre B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on June 10, 2021.  Two weeks later the doctors discovered he had an extremely rare “Philadelphia Chromosome-Like” mutation. In fact, he is only the 65th person in the world to have been found with this particular mutation.

If you know anything about pediatric cancer, then you know that 1 in 5 children won’t survive it. Those that do survive are very likely to face extremely hard things even after their cancer has been beaten. 

Eight months after a life-saving bone marrow transplant thanks to his twin brother, Blake, Brady’s cancer returned.

We were devastated and heartbroken. His transplant had failed and the options and outlook were bleak.

But his story wasn’t over.

Thankfully, Brady was accepted into a clinical trial at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. There he received his new, warriors t-cells in December of 2022 as patient number 71 of the HuCart Clinical Trial.

Today, Brady is coming up on two years CANCER FREE. 

The Lord has shown us an incredible miracle through our son’s battle and the pain we have walked through birthed a mission within us.

At Network Conference 2024, Network Operations Director, Amy Parsell, and Assistant Church Multiplication Director, Tom Baxter, shared about tensegrity in relation to Ohio for Jesus and the Every Disciplines.

During Network Conference 2024, Pastor Ken DeChant from Journey Church in Fremont, Ohio, shared how his church has been talking about Ephesians 4 and 5 Fold Ministry.

During Network Conference 2024 we had several value added sessions to encourage ministers and leaders in specific areas. One of them was a presentation by Dr. E Scott Martin, the former National Chi Alpha Director. He shared how to incorporate the principles of relational and biblical discipleship, that are so effective for our Chi Alpha missionaries, into our local church context

Our Church Multiplication Director, Al Yanno, shared some encouraging information and opportunities for how everyone can be a part of seeing the Church multiply across Ohio.

Dr. Robert Crosby joined us at Network Conferene 2024 in Dublin, Ohio to share about the importance of Soul Care. You can find the resources mentioned an access the slides to download at ohioministry.net/NCValueAdded24

In this episode, Communications Director, Tara Zimmer has a zoom interview with Will Davis who is the Executive Director of Operations. They elaborate on the different resources that Heartland Conference Retreat Center has to offer. Enjoy this interview that was recorded this past fall because you do not want to miss it!

Resources:

https://www.heartlandretreat.com/