One of my concerns for the church in North America today is that local churches are too disconnected from one another. While there are several highly visible churches, many of the people in our local churches have relatively little awareness of what is going on in modest congregations like the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley, IL.
In the coming weeks, I have asked several pastors to introduce us to their churches. Today I am introducing Jeremy Carr and Oxford Bible Fellowship. It is Jeremy’s good fortune to be married to one of the loveliest young ladies on earth, our niece Michelle McWilliams Carr.
In addition to the fact that our niece is the pastor’s wife, another exciting aspect of Oxford Bible Fellowship is that it is located adjacent to the campus of Miami. The church has an exciting ministry with college students.
Tell us where your church is at geographically and give us your web site.
We are located in Oxford, Ohio, 30 minutes north of Cincinnati. Our church is on the corner of the campus of Miami University. www.obf.org
How long have you been the pastor there?
Two and a half years.
Tell us about your family.
This March, celebrating 9 years of marriage to Chris Brauns’ niece Michelle. She’s beautiful and loyal like crazy. We have 3 little girls: Lexys (5), Sydney (3), Quinn (1). We don’t sleep. We do watch a lot of princess movies. I’m trying to talk Michelle into a dog or an SUV.
Is there a blog or web site where we can read more about you?
Well, blogged like a dying man for 3 months, then I guess I said everything I know, but here is the address: http://jeremyacarr.blogspot.com/
What is the theological or denominational heritage of your church? Is that identity changed?
The church was started by a group of Miami professors and their wives, including Edwin Yamauchi, who is still at the church. It started with a Brethren model of no paid pastors, but as it grew hired pastors. I’m just the third senior pastor in 40 years. In 2001, the church joined the EFCA. I’m pretty reformed theologically, so that has been a change in the past couple years. Probably not as much of a change as an increased emphasis on theology and the Bible.
Are there any other pastoral staff?
We have staffed more with support staff and directors (children, youth, worship) that are mostly part-time. But we are about to hire a Pastor of Community Life.
Briefly, what is your approach to preaching? Do you topical series? Book by book?
Exposition through books interspersed with series (relationships, stewardship, etc.), but typically the series focus on an exposition of a particular text. I try to balance OT series with NT series. In 2 1/2 years I have done Daniel, Nehemiah, Colossians, and Ephesians. God needs to speak. He uses me as a preacher, but he speaks through His Word by the power of the Spirit.
What is currently being preached on at your church? Can we listen online?
"Walk Worthy" Ephesians 4-6. You can listen by visiting www.obf.org and clicking on Messages.
What style of music do you use as a part of your worship service?
Full band with a mix of main stream songs and hymns. Hymns are usually set to modern music. Our criteria has more to do with content (God-centered songs) than style, although style is also important.
Why should someone who lives in your area and is looking for a church home think about visiting your church?
By God’s grace we are doing our best to faithfully teach His Word in a relevant way. We emphasize Christ, the Gospel, and relational Christian living. We seek to minister to every member of the family. We long to change our community and world for Christ.
Tell us about one memory or incident from your church in which you believe God was glorified and you and your flock experienced joy.
Being in a college town, one of my deepest joys is baptizing students who have given their lives to Christ. Our church really responds to this, and it builds our faith. I just baptized 4 students a few weeks ago and hearing their excitement is contagious.
