Who is welcome at First English?  If you are Asian, Hispanic, Black or White…If you are male, female…If you are three days old, 30 years old or 103 years old…If you are single, married, divorced, separated or partnered…If you are straight, gay, lesbian, transgendered, bisexual or questioning…If you are Republican, Democrat, Independent, Socialist or not registered to vote…If you have, or have had addictions, phobias, abortions or a criminal record…If you own a home, rent, live with your parents or are homeless…If you are fully-abled, disabled  or a person of differing abilities…You are welcome here. Here at First English we are committed to being a radically loving and welcoming community of faith, centered in the Good News of Jesus Christ.  

Leadership at First English

Bob Ward:  Pastor

Pastor Bob Ward has led ministry at First English since September 2006. He graduated from Capital University in 1995 with a multi-disciplinary degree focused in Business, Psychology and Religion.  In 2000 he graduated from Trinity Seminary with a Master in Divinity.  He is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry at United Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.  Pastor Bob has been instrumental in leading First English back to vitality. His dedication to serving the First English community has proven both invaluable and visionary. He resides in Bexley with Sara, his wife of 26 years.

Sara Neikirk: Chair and Treasurer of the First English Leadership Team 

Sara is a retired social service administrator. She worked with Pastor Bob in the Inter Faith Hospitality Network when he was in Seminary, and she joined First English at Easter 2009. Sara likes to travel and read. 

Mission

KEEPING the FAITH, SHARING the GRACE and SERVING the COMMUNITY to put LOVE into ACTION

Vision

Each individual’s unique gifts are utilized to touch everyone around us with the love of Jesus. 

FOUR PRIORITIES

1. Make Disciples  
2. Provide meaningful, contextually relevant worship 
3. Offer fellowship that supports our mission statement
4. Build community that transcends neighborhood lines.

Transformational Ministry at First English

First English is proud to be the 2^nd congregation in the southern Ohio synod to be accepted into the ELCA transformational ministry program.  The program helps congregations in transition to revitalize their ministry and renew their vision and mission.  First English was identified as a congregation in hardship but one that has a significantly positive impact on the community. Over our 150+ history we have seen a great deal of change in our neighborhood.   We are redefining our ministry to be more diverse to reflect both our changing neighborhood as well as the changing world we live in.   Our goal is to balance tradition with a vision for the future that embraces and celebrates the diversity of our community.