Ministries

BEREAVEMENT/FUNERALS – Upon notification of the death of a church member or their immediate family member, this team assists with funeral arrangements, notification to the church body, and bereavement follow-up, and works closely with ACOG Hospitality and Grief Recovery Ministries.  Contact: Mary Parnell at [email protected]

BIBLE AND THEOLOGY CLASSES – This team of ministers and teachers helps believers grow in their knowledge of God and the Bible as a single story that leads to Christ – his birth, teachings, actions, death, resurrection, commissioning, and sending the Holy Spirit to teach and remind us of everything He said. Contact: Rev. Cynthia Lee at [email protected]

CARD MINISTRY – These gentle communicators periodically send a loving and encouraging word to congregants in various life situations such as the sick and shut-in, those who have suffered the loss of a loved one, members of the military, those away at college, and more. Contact: Faye Robinson at [email protected]

CAREGIVERS ASSISTANCE – This ministry team provides training, directing to resources, and coordination of respite care to relieve and encourage caregivers. Contact: Michelle Jones at [email protected].

CELEBRATE RECOVERY – This powerfully transformative ministry provides a safe, confidential group where healing can take place in a Christ-centered environment. The group helps individuals deal with any hurt, habit or hang-up. Contact: Vondie Boykin at [email protected]

CHILDREN – KIDZ LANDING – Our Children’s ministry during Sunday worship service enables children ages 2 years to 5^th grade to learn the gospel and have fun in a safe and beautiful environment. The children sing and present special programs in Sunday services throughout the year.  Contact: Vicky Shaw at [email protected] 

CHILDREN – SUNDAY NURSERY CARE – A beautiful nursery space, including high-chairs and baby toys, awaits parents who want to watch over their littlest ones (under two years) while watching service on a large TV screen. Contact: Kim Lawton at [email protected]

CHILDREN – VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) – This ministry offers a week of summer evening fun and learning for children (ages 2 years to 8th grade; as well as adults) from ACOG and the surrounding community. This ministry recruits volunteers to help teach, support, or guide the children through the provided curriculum or to lead or assist with activities, or small groups. Youth helpers are welcome! Contact: Kim Joseph at [email protected]

CONNECTION GROUPS – Together we will learn how to apply the Bible to our daily lives, share our life testimonies, develop the skill of one-on-one ministry, and serve each other through encouragement and support. Together we will grow spiritually and develop leadership skills for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. Contact: Rev. Gloria McDaniels at [email protected]

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS – This ministry works to connect ACOG and its various ministries with established community initiatives and agencies serving and ministering to the Akron community in specialized ways. Contact: Veronica Sims at [email protected]

DECORATING MINISTRY – This team uses their God-given gifts and talents to create and “set the tone” of a beautiful, worshipful environment that reflects God’s glory. Includes seasonal and special events as well. Contact: Gwen Hawkins at [email protected]

FINANCIAL LITERACY – Classes are offered periodically to provide financial education to ACOG members and the community by teaching the principles of budgeting, saving, debt management, banking, retirement, stewardship, and more. Contact: Gregory Hill and King Lewis at [email protected]

GREETERS & GUEST SERVICES – This army of warm, friendly greeters brings a smile to each person who enters the church building for class, worship service, or special event. Their manner sets a welcoming tone for guests and regulars alike, helping visitors know where to go, soothing any anxiety about coming to church for the first time, and helping attendees feel comfortable and relaxed. Contact: Asenathe (Cynda) Williams at [email protected]

GRADUATES MINISTRY – This ministry encourages education and celebrates, tracks, and cares for graduates at every level, Pre-K to Ph.D. Contact: Clarice Jones at [email protected]

GRIEF RECOVERY – Our Grief Recovery Method Support Groups offer a safe, evidence-based environment for grievers to take effective and lasting action, no matter the type of loss experienced. These groups are led by Grief Recovery Method Specialists, trained and certified by the Grief Recovery Institute. Contact: Marilyn Mobley and Mary Parnell at [email protected]

HOSPITALITY – A faithful team of cooks, kitchen helpers, and dining room assemblers provide refreshments and meals for various functions such as church-wide receptions, funeral repasts, meals for special ministry meetings, and guests per the direction of the Pastor or Executive Pastor. Contact: Natalie DeGraffenreid at [email protected]

MARRIAGE MINISTRY – This ministry is designed to enrich the lives of couples and those engaged to be married by hosting workshops, retreats, and classes designed to equip and enrich the lives of families. Contact: Lawrence and Trudie Latson at [email protected]

MASS CHOIR – The Full/Mass Choir is open to all who wish to share their gift of singing in an integral part of worship. The Mass Choir sings the first Sunday of each month and rehearses the Thursday prior. Contact: Leslie Barnes at [email protected]

MEDICAL BOARD – A team of credentialed medical professionals provides ACOG with a foundation for integrating health awareness, healthy living, prevention tips, and powerful engagement sessions/activities – all based on the Word of God. Contact: Diane Reed at [email protected]

MEN ON THE MOVE – reaches men of ACOG and the community. We focus on the concerns, needs, and issues surrounding men in our world. We strive to meet them where they are in Christ, and to help them grow into men that pursue God’s will for their lives, their families, and all they encounter. Contact: Quinton Upton at [email protected]

MEN’S CHORUS – men lift their voices in song to proclaim the gospel and to sing God’s praise during our Sunday worship services helping our congregation to more deeply appreciate praising God through song. We sing to together in obedience to God and to celebrate the gift of faith. Contact: Vincent Curry at [email protected]

MINISTERS CIRCLE – Coordinates, monitors, mobilizes, encourages, trains, and engages the ACOG Ministers Circle – partners in ministry serving ACOG and our surrounding community. Contact: Rev. Arthur Green at [email protected].

MISSIONS – our purpose is to encourage the members of ACOG in the work of Christ throughout Akron, Ohio, and the entire world, to embrace the biblical mandate to go make disciples, and to engage (at some level) in bringing Jesus to the people of every nation. Contact: Anne Lott at [email protected]

MUSICIANS – share their musical gift along with our ACOG core musicians in support of the different choirs during Sunday services, as well as a variety of events and holy days. Contact: Al Parker at [email protected]

PRAISE DANCE MINISTRY – These dancers perform interpretive praise dance as an expression of worship aimed at deepening and focusing of the worship event. Contact: Jennifer Gooding at [email protected]

PRAYER TEAM – This team convenes weekly to offer intercessory prayer for our church, its members, and needs in our community. Contact: Barbara Robinson at [email protected]

SCHOLARSHIP MINISTRY – demonstrates ACOG’s commitment to our young people in their endeavors to attain higher education. The Scholarship Ministry uses available funds to make awards to students who are members of the church and are pursuing a degree (at any level). Applicants will have the responsibility of adhering to any guidelines/policy set forth by the Scholarship Committee to meet eligibility. Contact: Jolene Lane at [email protected]

SECURITY – Secures the ACOG facility during meetings, concerts and worship services. Contact: Carol Hill and Quinton Upton at [email protected].

SENIORS MINISTRY – This vibrant ministry understands the role, strengths, needs, and challenges of life as a senior and offers ministry to, with, and from older adults. Helping identify the calling of an older adult in the life of the church, equipping, and supporting them for the kingdom of God. Contact: Reba Fowler at [email protected]

SPORTS AND RECREATION – Utilizes ACOG assets to strengthen bodies, develop character and encourage fellowship.  Contact: Garland Reed at [email protected].

TECH/MEDIA TEAM – assists with monitoring and adjusting the sound, lights, and video systems during worship services, prayer meetings, funerals, and special events. Contact: Ron Fowler II at techmedia@acogod.org

USHERS – assist Sunday services and special events (including funerals) by welcoming and seating guests, collecting offering, and guiding worshippers in communion. Contact: Vicky Upton at [email protected]

VAN MINISTRY – There are people in our community who would love to come to church, but don’t have the means to get here. Our van ministry provides a safe, friendly method of transportation to and from our church services. We provide these services throughout Akron. Everyone deserves the chance to attend church. Contact: Linda Kelly-Johnson at [email protected]

VISITATION – This team visits those in our church unable to attend worship services and events and those going into or coming out of the hospital, etc. Contact: Howard and Johnnette Curry at [email protected]

WEDDING MINISTRY – is committed to assisting couples in preparing for the joyous and sacred occasion of their wedding. Contact: Elizabeth (Betty) Lee at [email protected]

WELLNESS TEAM – combines Christian education about spiritual well-being with information about mental and emotional health. Contact: Rev. Marilyn Mobley at [email protected]

WOMEN in MOTION – offers women opportunities to grow in their walk with Christ, cultivate meaningful relationships with other women, and fulfill the commandments of Christ by influencing people to find and follow Jesus and to serve others. Contact: Carol Hill at [email protected] 

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY – serves to let young adults (19-30) know they are seen and loved, to give them an opportunity to know each other and experience the beauty of Christian community, and to discuss biblical concepts and the application of those concepts to life issues and personal transformation. Contact: Rick and Reginae Reynolds at [email protected]

YOUTH MINISTRY – serves to show young people (ages 12-18) who they are in God’s eyes, who Jesus is, and what their lives can be as they grow in knowledge and faith in Him, and to make disciples of Jesus – equipped to stand and to share their faith with their families and peers. Contact: Jamahl Id’Deen at [email protected]

YOUTH CHOIR & ORCHESTRA – The youth choir and orchestra are open to singers and instrumentalists from 12 years old through college. Both periodically sing and play for Sunday worship services as well as on many special occasions. Contact:  Stephanie Childers-White at [email protected]