2026 Ohio Vision Statement
In 2026, the Ohio Episcopal Area moves forward in collaboration, discipleship, multiplication, leadership development, and global mission – building a unified Spirit-led movement rooted in abundance, trust, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We commit ourselves to prayer, partnership, and courageous action as we form “One Ohio” for the sake of God’s mission in the world.
Five Strategic Pillars
The Five Pillars listed below emerged from conversations Bishop Hee-Soo Jung has had during his visits to more than 250 congregations across the Ohio Episcopal Area.
In those conversations clergy and laity shared deep and faithful longings to grow in discipleship, to reach new people for Christ, to pass on the faith to the next generation, and to live in meaningful relationship and mission with their communities and the wider world.
The Five Pillars are not a program or a set of guarantees. Rather, they offer a shared vision and spiritual framework to guide our life together as “One Ohio” – rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shaped by trust, and attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Pillar 1: Building Relationships
Pillar 2: Shared Mission
Pillar 3: Discipleship
Pillar 4: Multiplication
Pillar 5: Emerging Leaders
Download the Five Pillars document.
Download the Five Pillars discernment document.
Visit the Five Pillars page of the EOC website.
Storyboard: Faith Witness Transformation is a podcast highlighting ministries across the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church that are transforming lives locally, nationally, and globally. Produced twice-a-month by EOC Communications, each podcast episode focuses on one of the core values of the #BeUMC campaign: Disciple Making; Belonging & Inclusion; Influence, Connection & Impact; and Experience of God through The United Methodist Church.
Episode 78 "Belonging & Inclusion: The Humble Co Op" features a conversation with Pastor Jeff and Michelle Chapin, who founded and lead the arts- and connections-based EOC Advance Special outreach ministry based in Dresden (South Forest District).
“Since we began in 2019, we’ve organically grown into community gardens, a bi-weekly community potluck, and we do outreach, host homeschool co-ops, art classes, and we have a 40-foot school bus we converted into a classroom and we take that to farmer’s markets and festivals teaching free art classes and hosting free book drives,” said Michelle.
“We’ve been put in touch with the recovery community as well through the churches and that’s been an area that we didn’t realize was a big need in this community. And it’s really been amazing to see how that’s flourished over the last year and a half,” Pastor Jeff said.
Listen to previous Storyboard podcast episodes.
View clergy and laity sharing their #BeUMC stories.
In the United States, approximately 71% of clergy have earned a Master of Theology. Outside the U.S., fewer than 5% of clergy possess this degree. This disparity is not about calling or competence. It is about access.
The Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, Lead Courageously Miracle Sunday initiative is a denomination-wide focus on strengthening theological education for clergy in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. The special offering received on Miracle Sunday May 17 will support a bold goal: to endow 500 scholarships in perpetuity, ensuring that courageous, well‑prepared leaders can serve in challenging missional communities worldwide.
Learn about the theological education endowment.
Share About Miracle Sunday in Your Church
In support of the Council of Bishops’ Miracle Sunday endowment initiative, Conference leadership has prepared downloadable resources for clergy to share with their congregations in the three weeks leading up to Miracle Sunday May 17.
Click the links below to access each week’s resource. Centered on the theme for the week, each resource features suggested Bible verses to use in the service, a :45-1:00 script to be read, printed in the bulletin, or posted online, and a 2:30 video testimony from a Central Conference pastor or theology student to download and show during the service.
Sunday, April 26 – Love Boldly
Sunday, May 3 – Serve Joyfully
Sunday, May 10 – Lead Courageously
Sunday, May 17 – Miracle Sunday
MESSAGES FROM OUR EPISCOPAL LEADER: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung is resident bishop of the Ohio Episcopal Area consisting of the East Ohio and West Ohio Conferences of The United Methodist Church. View Bishop Jung’s Soul Food messages to Ohio laity and clergy.
OHIO EPISCOPAL AREA TASK TEAM:
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung formed the task team of East and West Ohio clergy and laity to actively listen, discuss, and discern about forming a new, unified Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church. Learn more about the Ohio Episcopal Area Task Team.
UMC STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN: GCFA, Discipleship Ministries and UM Communications have collaborated to educate and resource churches about the positive impact apportionments make on how we minister to those in need. Learn about apportionments and the United In Impact campaign.
EOC STANDS AGAINST RACISM: Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, the Cabinet, Executive staff, and East Ohio laity and clergy are committed to stand against racism. Visit the Stand Against Racism resource page for small group studies, videos, podcasts, books, and more to learn how you can stand against racism.
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