TAABA News

Here you will find news from the Toledo Area American Baptist Association.

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TAABA Annual Picnic June 14, 2026 at Cass Road Baptist

It's the TAABA Annual Picnic! Join us for an afternoon of fun and fellowship on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Cass Road Baptist Church. The afternoon kicks off at 2 PM.

TAABA funds will cover hotdogs, brats, condiments, buns, and probably ribs.

Here's what your church can contribute:

Cass--Baked Beans, Desserts
Good Shepherd—Chicken, Rice
New Covenant—Salads, e.g. potato salad, macaroni salad, pasta salad, any salad
St. Paul—Your Famous Macaroni and Cheese
Haskins—Chips
Ashland—Fruit, e.g. fruit salad, fresh fruit, fruit cups, etc.
Third—Desserts

Please plan to have all dishes at the picnic by 2 pm, so everyone has a chance to try everything the first time through the line.Bring enough to serve about 20 people. The requested items above are per church, NOT per family! There will be plenty of takeout containers, so look for those and plan to take any leftovers. Near the end of the picnic, we'll make an announcement to help with putting the tables and chairs away, so keep an ear out for that.

Get set for another GREAT picnic!

Games, fellowship and more are planned for the afternoon. Plan now to join us for this annual event! Fun in the SON for everyone!

Our own Rev. Ruby Radford shares experience in cardiac rehab and how it saved her life

Ruby Radford had triple coronary artery bypass surgery in October 2022. She told 13 Action News that she was unsure of what the future would hold from that point on, but looking back, she wouldn’t change a thing. Read more HERE or watch the video of her story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P4g-tJUqWg

New Pastor at Third Baptist

Congratulations to Pastor Odell Brown, Jr., the new Senior Pastor of Third Baptist Church - Toledo, OH.

Pastor Brown was installed as the new pastor on February 26, 2023!

It's been a long road for Third Baptist without a pastor, but God's timing is perfect!

Congrats again Pastor Brown!

The Passing of Rev. Dr. Lawrence O. Swain

Dear Friends,

It is with profound sadness that we share with you the unexpected passing of Rev. Dr. Larry Swain last evening. He and Linda were visiting family in Kansas City.

Dr. Swain served as an Area Minister and later Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Ohio until his retirement in December 2015. He returned last year to serve as ABC Ohio’s Interim Executive Minister after the death of Dr. Ernest Jones. He was serving as Executive Staff Coach for the Region at the time of his passing. Dr. Swain was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, outstanding leader, and man of God.

No information is yet available about calling hours or funeral. We will forward that information to you when it is announced.

In Christ,

Rev. Mark Click
Rev. Jane Gibbons
Executive Ministers

Longtime TAABA Leader Passes Away

The Toledo Area American Baptist Association has lost one of the great ones in our storied history. Frank Veres, age 91, of Holland, Ohio, died on October 23rd, 2018 after a lengthy decline from Alzheimer's. TAABA's loss is heaven's gain! He was born August 21st, 1927 in Niles, Ohio. He was married to Thelma Johanna (Hack) on June 7th, 1954 and was married for 55 years until her death on July 21st, 2009.

Frank and Thelma were members of the First Baptist Church of Greater Toledo. They were also very active in TAABA and began the tradition of our annual TAABA picnic. Frank and Thelma would cook chicken at home and bring it to picnic. Frank was also involved in the first rewrite of the TAABA constitution and by-laws.

Our prayers go out to the Veres family. We thank God for the wonderful legacy of service the Veres' left for future generations!

TAABA Picnic Report 2017

Perfect weather, wonderful fellowship, great food and our Heavenly Father blessing us all! Over 150 from our Toledo Area American Baptist Church Association churches participated in this annual event. Thank you to our TAABA sister churches: Ashland, Cass Road, First Baptist, Good Shepherd, Haskins, New Covenant, Third Baptist and St. Paul.

Don't miss our next TAABA event and another opportunity to fellowship with our sister churches!

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TAABA Picnic Report 2016

It was another wonderful day at the Toledo Area American Baptist Association (TAABA) Annual Picnic on June 12, 2016. Over 150 attended from our sister churches in TAABA. Our attendance continues to grow each year!

We welcomed members of Ashland, Cass Road, Good Shepherd, New Covenant, St. Paul, Third Baptist and Active Christians Today University of Toledo Campus Ministry.

Special thanks goes out to the committee and Rev. Timothy Clark for planning such a great event. Our Region Minister Jane Gibbons joined us as we celebrated together.

Big cheers go out to Good Shepherd Church who won the attendance record at our gathering. Rev. Jose Abodij does a wonderful work with his people getting them fired up for our picnic each year. God was good and gave us an afternoon of sun and hearts filled with joy!

Don't miss our next TAABA event and another opportunity to fellowship with our sister churches!

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TAABA at the Mud Hens 2016

The weather was perfect and everyone had a great time as the Toledo Area American Baptist Association gathered on July 20, 2016 to watch the Toledo Mud Hens win and enjoyed a great time and great fellowship. God is good!

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TAABA Picnic Report 2015

We had a glorious time at the Toledo Area American Baptist Association Annual Picnic on June 14, 2015. It was one of the biggest turnouts we have had in years!!!

Special thanks goes out to the committee for planning such a great event. Our Region Minister Jane Gibbons joined us for the event along with over one hundred from our TAABA churches.

God was good and gave us an afternoon of sun and hearts filled with joy!

Don't miss our next TAABA event and another opportunity to fellowship with our sister churches!

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