Partnership of church leaders seeks stronger voice in Akron
By Colette M. Jenkins
Beacon Journal religion writer
Published on Saturday, Jun 12, 2010
Love Akron has a new location in the heart of the city.
''The office is going to provide the administrative space for strategic planning, dreaming and visioning as Love Akron continues to look for ways to pull people together around prayer and to strengthen collaboration in the Christian community,'' said the Rev. Diana Swoope, a member of Love Akron's board of directors. ''It is also an indication that Love Akron is here to stay and that the ministry is important enough to be given a home to continue its mission.''
The office, located on the ground level of the Everett Building at 39 E. Market St. in downtown Akron, is the first independent space of the ecumenical association since it was established in 1994. Love Akron is a cooperative fellowship of more than 250 ministers and ministry leaders committed to building relationships through prayer and partnerships.
Its quarterly prayer gatherings, like the one held this week at CrossPoint Alliance Church in Copley Township, are the ministry's primary way of expanding its prayer network. More than 100 church leaders come together at the regular gatherings to pray for and with each other. The goal of the sessions is to encourage those in attendance to develop relationships that break down denominational, racial and theological walls and lead to ministry partnerships.
More than two years ago, Love Akron came together with the Akron and Vicinity Baptist Ministers Conference, Beth-El Fellowship of Visionary Churches and the Interdenominational Ministers Association to launch an initiative called Imagine Unity. The task force focuses on advancing racial unity in the local Christian church and reviving the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of reconciliation and unity.
''Love Akron doesn't seek to be a head. We want to facilitate connections and communication in the church community,'' said the Rev. Mark Ford, Love Akron's executive director. ''In some ways, it's Christian community organizing — helping churches and church leaders do things together that they can't or shouldn't do alone.''
Ford was instrumental in the formation of Love Akron. At the time, he was pastor of Falls First Assembly of God in Cuyahoga Falls. After serving eight years as coordinator of the organization, he left the area to go to work for Zion Bible Institute in Barrington, R.I.
He returned to Akron in 2005, after serving the four-year accredited Assemblies of God Bible college. Ford returned to Love Akron on a part-time basis as executive director, while also working as the community development director at First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Last year, Love Akron's board of directors decided to step out on faith and make Ford's position full-time.
''Bringing Pastor Mark Ford on full-time was a strategic move to strengthen our commitment to our goal to bring the religious community together to cover our city and the surrounding area with prayer and spread love to one another. He has a passion for knocking down walls that divide and walking through doors,'' said the Rev. Dennis K. Butts Sr., chairman of Love Akron's board of directors. ''With a passionate full-time executive director in place and now a prime location in downtown, we are in a great position to work toward making our community a better place.''
Over the years, Love Akron has been given office space in churches in Cuyahoga Falls, Akron and, most recently, in Barberton. Scott Myers, a member of the board of directors, said the new space, donated by historic building renovator Tony Troppe, is an encouragement to the leaders of Love Akron.
''This office represents stability for Love Akron. To me, the center of Akron is Main and Market streets, where the office is located,'' Myers said. ''Now, people who meet with Love Akron will come to the heart of the city. The location is perfect for expanding our mission beyond the church community into the entire community.''
In addition to the office space donation, Love Akron's office was decorated with donations from supporters who painted, planted flowers, designed a sign and provided supplies. The carpet was supplied and installed at a discount and some furniture was donated by one of the organization's founders, the Rev. Knute Larson, who retired last year as senior pastor of The Chapel.
Future plans of Love Akron include extending its reach to other sectors of the community, including the education, government, business, medical, arts and entertainment sectors. Other plans include outreach to youth.
''The church is not always invited to the table to discuss issues that impact the greater Akron area. Love Akron is making an intentional effort to reach out and let leaders in all sectors of the community know that we want to make a contribution,'' Ford said. ''This is a new paradigm of ministry where the whole church takes the Gospel message to the entire community. We are now in a better position to bring the church together as an organized task force.''
Funding for the ministry is provided through donations from churches, organizations, businesses and individuals. More information about Love Akron can be found at http://www.loveakron.org. Donations can be made online or mailed to P.O. Box 19056, Akron 44319. For a presentation about the ministry, call Ford at 330-990-4180 or email pastormarkford@gmail.com.
A drop-in open house at the new office location is 2:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday.
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com.
