WILMINGTON — Pastor Dennis Humphreys with the Calvary Baptist Church in Wilmington earned the 2017 Darty and Dot Stowe Award at the annual meeting of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.
Humphreys has served at Calvary Baptist for 26 years, and has announced his upcoming retirement to follow April 1, 2018 which is Easter Sunday.
Humphreys said he was “totally shocked” to receive the honor. There are more than 700 congregations affiliated with the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio.
The annual award is given to a pastor or minister who has served faithfully, perhaps never recognized like those in the larger more visible churches, but leaving a legacy and serving in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12, stated the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio (SCBO) website.
Noting the work referred to in an SCBO announcement of his award, Humphreys said it’s “just a matter of doing what you can — just help where you can plug in.”
He added he has enjoyed working with youth, and with different people in the community.
Humphreys has served as a chaplain at Clinton Memorial Hospital for 25 years, was on the Clinton County Community Action Board for 10 years including about five years as its president, and was on the Clinton County YMCA Board for two terms.
He spoke of his involvement “as part of giving back to the community.”
Calvary Baptist Church in Wilmington is known locally, in part, for its years of partnership as a drop-off location for Operation Christmas Child, a non-denominational ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. Calvary has received more than 19,000 filled shoebox gifts from churches, organizations, families and individuals in Clinton County.
The SCBO announcement states Humphreys has been a “pillar” for youth ministry in Mission Ohio.
When he retires next spring, Dennis and his wife Nina will move to Georgia to be close to family.
The SCBO is the missionary organization in Ohio that coordinates the Great Commission cooperative efforts of Southern Baptists to reach Ohio and the world with the gospel. Southern Baptists established the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio in 1954.
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
