Darryl has been interested in starting churches for a long time. He planted a church in Canton, Michigan, and another in Maple Grove, Minnesota, before starting The Promise. He went to seminary at Wheaton College Graduate School, near Chicago, and at Luther Theological Seminary, in St. Paul, MN. He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul.

Darryl enjoys the outdoors, including hiking, canoeing, camping, and many other active outdoor pursuits. He likes gardening, playing basketball, and golf. He enjoys woodworking and runs a small handyman business on his days off.

He is married to his childhood sweetheart, Jackie, who has been an active partner in ministry since they started serving churches. They have two sons, a daughter-in-law and a granddaughter.

Bryce Bell, Music Leader

Bryce began playing piano at age 5, and music has been a major part of his life ever since. He played trumpet, piano, and organ in high school, in symphonic, marching, and jazz bands. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music as a piano major, along with an emphasis in audio production.. He then moved to Nashville and was part of the contemporary Christian music scene. He has toured extensively, playing in venues worldwide. He has played with several groups including Grammy Award-winning Petra, with whom he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and with Rebecca St. James. He came to Columbus and began to lead music for The Promise in 2006.

Wendy Gadd, Children’s Ministry Leader

Wendy has been a part of The Promise since it began. She began her ministry with children as a teacher and then joined the group that oversaw children’s ministries. Today she oversees the children’s “Ed Hour” as well as coordinates the nursery. She continues to stay involved directly with the children in a teaching role as well. She is married to Kevin and is a mom (and step-mom).

Our chief purpose in life is “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” The three stalks of wheat remind us of the three primary ways we do that—by loving God, loving people, and loving all people to God. Loving God is expressed through worship, in which we intentionally declare how wonderful God is. And it is expressed through discipleship—the transformation of our lives to become whole and meaningful. We love people through caring, supportive relationships with other believers, and by providing humble service to everyone. We love all people to God by demonstrating God’s love for them through words and actions and humbly helping them know Him.

The wheat reminds us that Jesus said, “A kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil. Unless it dies it will be alone—a single seed. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.”(John 12:24 NLT) As a metaphor for Jesus’ death, this reminds us that a harvest of new life is offered to all who come to Christ.

Finally, seeds remind us that there is great potential (promise) in each of us. Jesus said faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains.(Matthew 17:20) God stands ready to move whatever mountains are in our lives—worry, fear, or challenges. And He gives us His presence and power to have a new life through a personal relationship with Him. “The Promise is for you…”(Acts 2:39)

The people of The Promise have received the promise of God, seek to fulfill the promise within, and share the promise of new life with others.

We glorify God by:

• loving God
  • worship
  • discipleship

• loving people
  • fellowship
  • ministry

• loving all people to God
  • evangelism

Worship with us on Sunday mornings at 10:00am at 9012 Cotter St., Lewis Center, OH 43035

Where do we meet?

Click for a MAP to our location

What is a worship service like at The Promise?

When you arrive at the building, a friendly host will meet you and direct you to the gathering area. Enjoy a cup of coffee with us. Our services begin with a welcome and worshipers greeting one another. We sing several songs of praise to God, interspersed with prayers and/or responsive readings. Our music is mostly contemporary and upbeat, led by 4-6 vocalists, electronic keyboard and drum. Words are projected on a large screen for everyone to see.

We read some selected passages from the Bible, have a talk or object lesson for the children, and the pastor gives a message based on the Bible readings. We sometimes include dramas and other creative elements as well. Services also include an offering and usually shared prayer concerns. After a closing song, coffee and other refreshments are served as worshipers are invited to chat with one another.

Nursery care is available for small children. Visitors are not singled out or asked to say anything. You are free to be involved as much or as little as suits you.

• Short-term Mission Team
  Our latest short-term mission was to the Toronto area where we helped a new church with a summer outreach project. Our team included adults, teens, and young children

• International Friendships
  Several of our families host international students during their time at OSU for temporary housing, dinners, etc. Check out IFI’s website for more info.

• Every worship service includes a “children’s message.” Nursery care is also a part of every service.

• Children meet for “Ed Hour” during the 10:00 a.m. worship services, providing a fun learning event to help them learn to know and follow Jesus Christ on a personal level.

• Vacation Bible School provides a week of exciting learning in the summer.

• Youth fellowship groups involve students in 3rd – 5th grades, middle school, high school and post highs. In addition, camps, retreats and conferences are offered each summer for youth in these age groups.

9012 Cotter St., Lewis Center, OH 43035 map

Mailing address

9012 Cotter St., Lewis Center, OH 43035

Office Phone: 740-549-1716

Email addresses

Darryl Bell:  pastor@thepromisechurch.net

Webmaster:  webmaster@thepromisechurch.net

We have now played 12 weeks of the season and will now enter the playoffs. The first round of the playoffs will pit 1st place Red team vs. last place Orange, and 2nd place Blue vs. 3rd place Green. The first round will last 2 weeks, with the scores being cumulative over the 2 rounds. The winners of the 1st round will meet in the final round while the losers will play against each other.

SUMMARY

• Last Week’s scores and summary

• Next week’s pairings

Now you can view PDF’s of this week’s and the last several weeks’ sermons online by clicking on the desired link or listen to an mp3 file of the sermon by clicking on the player button:

• August 29, 2010, “The Story of God’s Glory“

• August 15, 2010, “Elijah” Kelly Dailey, mp3 file

• August 8, 2010, “Come and See“

• July 25, 2010, “Get Out of the Boat” mp3 file

• July 18, 2010, “Jesus… for You” mp3 file

• July 11, 2010, “Worry: How to Avoid the Trees” mp3 file

• July 4, 2010, “How to Find Fruitful Freedom” mp3 file

• June 27, 2010, “Learning to Love God’s Friends” mp3 file