ABOUT
Who We Are
Together for the Gospel. Focused on the Mission. Serving Southeast Ohio.
The Scioto Valley Baptist Association (SVBA) began on January 8, 1954, when four local churches—Emmanuel Baptist (Jackson), First Baptist (Athens), First Baptist (Waverly), and North Portsmouth Baptist—joined together with one vision: to reach their communities for Christ more effectively by working together.
Over the years, that vision has expanded. Today, 32 Southern Baptist congregations across a 10-county region in Southeastern Ohio are actively partnering to make the name of Jesus known and the Gospel accessible to every person in every community.
Our Purpose
SVBA exists as a partnership of local, autonomous Southern Baptist churches who share a common belief, a unified mission, and a deep love for our region. While each of our churches is unique in style and setting, we are united in theology, fellowship, and purpose.
We are stronger together—sharing resources, encouraging one another, and multiplying Kingdom impact.
We hold to the doctrinal convictions of The Baptist Faith and Message (2000) and are joyfully affiliated with both the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio and the Southern Baptist Convention.
What Is an Association?
A Baptist association is more than a network—it’s a family of churches working together to fulfill the Great Commission in their local context. While each church remains fully autonomous, they voluntarily link arms to:
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Strengthen and support one another
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Reach diverse communities with the Gospel
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Equip leaders and launch ministries
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Multiply mission efforts across county lines
The idea is simple but powerful: we can do more together than we ever could alone.
How SVBA Serves Churches
We’re here to serve churches so churches can serve their communities more effectively. Here’s how we do that:
🔹 Encouragement & Renewal - Helping pastors and churches experience spiritual renewal and stay focused on Gospel-centered mission
🔹 Training & Leadership Development - Equipping church leaders and members through workshops, coaching, and strategic support
🔹 Mission & Evangelism Partnerships - Creating opportunities for churches to collaborate in outreach, community service, and church planting
🔹 Connection & Communication - Keeping our churches informed, encouraged, and aligned through regular updates, events, and support
🔹 Stewardship & Resourcing - Helping churches leverage resources wisely and multiply their impact.
Our Heartbeat
The heartbeat of SVBA is simple: Churches helping churches. Leaders equipping leaders. Communities transformed by the Gospel.
Whether you’re a rural congregation or an urban church plant, whether you’ve been established for decades or are just getting started—you belong here. Together, we are better.
PARTNER OPPORTUNITIES
Join Us in Prayer
We believe prayer is the foundation of every move of God. That’s why we’re inviting you to partner with us by lifting up our churches and pastors throughout the Scioto Valley.
Click above to view a list of congregations. Take a moment to read through their names—and commit to praying for the Gospel work happening in each one.
Your prayers matter. Your partnership makes a difference.
Partner In Giving
Is your church looking for a way to make a Gospel impact beyond your walls? We invite you to join us in supporting the mission and evangelistic efforts of the Scioto Valley Baptist Association.
Whether through giving, sending a team, or coming alongside local churches, there are real opportunities to help reach the people of Southern Ohio with the hope of Jesus.
Click above to connect—let’s reach Southeast Ohio together.
Partner In Planting
Do you have a heart for starting new churches? We’re looking for healthy partner churches and mission-minded individuals who feel called to help launch new Gospel communities throughout the Scioto Valley region.
Click above to learn how you can be part of planting and multiplying churches that reach the lost and make disciples.
Let’s plant together. The harvest is ready.