The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church presented its annual Go Awards, honoring nearly 80 Go Grant and Greenhouse Grant recipients and spotlighting congregations and leaders shaping new ministry across the conference.
“This verse is both invitation and promise,” Bishop Hee-Soo Jung said, quoting Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Jung told those gathered in person and online that the awards celebrate “courage, creativity, alignment, mission, and the movement of the Holy Spirit in United Methodism in Ohio.”
Go Grants support local churches experimenting with fresh approaches to disciple-making and community engagement, while Greenhouse Grants nurture developing faith communities. “When we align our prayers, our resources, our creativity, and our purpose, the impact multiplies,” Jung said. “Alignment does not restrict us. Alignment strengthens us.”
Among the night’s major honors, Findlay St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (Maumee River District) received the Bishop Gregory Vaughn Palmer Award for Social Transformation and Justice. The church, led by the Rev. Dan Metzger, was recognized for ministries addressing community needs through partnerships and direct service, including opening its building to a preschool, hosting a “Night to Shine” prom for people with special needs, and supporting seniors and families through its “Give a Crock” initiative which provides a crockpot and monthly crockpot meals to 27 people who are facing food insecurity.
Keynote speaker the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page, director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary, urged congregations to embrace faithful risk and explore “a road less traveled” in ministry. Citing Isaiah, Page encouraged churches to seek “a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,” and to look for new life in unexpected places. “We’re navigating a landscape that hasn’t been mapped,” he said. “Maybe the road less traveled isn’t just an option anymore. Maybe it is simply the way.”
The United Methodist Foundation of West Ohio presented the Breakout Vision of the Year Award, naming St. Paul United Methodist Church (Great Miami River District) as the winner for “Mercado de la Bendición — The Blessing Bazaar.” Two finalists were also recognized: Pandora United Methodist Church (Western Lakes District) for “Partners in Hope of Northwest Ohio” and Brookville Community United Methodist Church (Great Miami River District) for a Brookhaven Retirement Community vacation Bible school project.
The conference also announced the Christian Family Credit Union District Award, recognizing the Olentangy River District, led by Jim Wilson, for having the highest percentage of churches receiving Go Grants this year.
In addition, Jung commissioned the 2026 Greenhouse cohort, blessing fifty participants representing six United Methodist conferences and ten countries who are preparing to launch or develop new faith communities.
The evening concluded with the inaugural Resilient Church Award, honoring Woodville United Methodist Church (Maumee River District) for revitalization and renewed mission following a difficult season. Jung closed with a benediction, encouraging churches to return home ready to “multiply hope, multiply disciples, and multiply new communities of faith.”
To view more photos visit the West Ohio Conference Flickr Album, click here.
To view our Highlight Reel, click here.