A Century on Summit Road in Roselawn
New Prospect Baptist Church fills a 21-acre campus at 1580 Summit Road in Cincinnati's Roselawn neighborhood, where the congregation has worshipped since 2014. The church's roots go back to August 13, 1919, in the years of the Great Migration, when hundreds of thousands of African Americans moved from the South to the North in search of a better life. One of those migrants was Deacon E. A. Bentley, a deacon from an Alabama church, who followed the Holy Spirit to Cincinnati. On that August day in 1919, he gathered ten believers in the home of William Smith. The first members included Dea. Willie Colvard, Bro. Allen White, and the founding pastor, Rev. Kelly. Within weeks, four women, Mrs. Lela Magruder, Mrs. Mattie Wood, Mrs. Elizabeth Howard, and Mrs. Marie Burden, were added to the roll. The church later moved to 1829 Elm Street, where it worshipped in two different stretches, the first from 1951 to 1972 and the second from 1975 to 2014, before relocating to the Summit Road property. The 2019 centennial was marked with a souvenir book and a "100 Years" celebration that honored "trailblazers," members who were the first Black people in their professions. The 100-year milestone was a moment to look back on decades of ministry and a chance to share the church's vision for the next century.
The Village Well Motto
New Prospect describes itself as the "Village Well," the one place in the community that is essential to all life. The image is scriptural: Moses met his wife at a well, Isaac found his wife at a well, and Jesus met and transformed a Samaritan woman at a well. The motto is printed across the church's materials. The stated purpose is three-fold: to exalt Christ, to evangelize the lost, and to edify the body. A four-verb mission follows: edify the Savior, evangelize the sinner, educate the saints, and elevate society. A sign at the building reads, "Building a healthy community one family at a time through worship, word, witness, and work." The phrase is more than a slogan; it shapes the church's wide range of programs, from tutoring and food distribution to the arts and small group ministry.
Beliefs
New Prospect holds to a classic trinitarian confession. Members worship one God in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, and believe that sin brought the fall of humanity and separation from God. Human beings are sinful by nature and by choice and stand in need of a Savior for redemption and restoration to fellowship with God.
Sunday Worship and Prayer Times
Sunday worship is offered at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in person at 1580 Summit Road, with limited seating for both services. The 11:00 a.m. service is also livestreamed on YouTube at @NPBCincy and on Pastor Damon Lynch III's Facebook page, so members who cannot attend in person can still join the service from home. A sermon archive is available online with messages on the gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian living, and scripture. Members can request an envelope number for regular tithing and can sign up for church communications by filling out a Church Information Card.
A prayer team meets virtually three days a week. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, prayer is held at 6:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m. Participants can join by phone or watch live on Facebook at @DamonLynch. Prayer requests can be submitted through an online form, and the team prays for each request every week.
Pastor Damon Lynch, III
Pastor Damon Lynch, III has led New Prospect for 30 years. A lifelong Cincinnatian, he was educated in Cincinnati Public Schools and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cincinnati Bible College. He is also the President and CEO of the Community Economic Advancement Initiative (CEAI) and serves on community coalitions including the Collaborative Agreement Refresh, AMOS Project, Opiate Coalition of Hamilton County, Strive Partnership, CEG, and Common Good. He was a founding faculty member of the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Institute at DePaul University, where he has conducted workshops and seminars on community building throughout the United States. He and his wife, Regina Jenkins-Lynch, have three adult children: Damon IV, Eric Charles, and British Cristal. Pastor Lynch teaches that the church is the Village Well that is essential to all life in the community. Jerome Johnson serves as Minister of Music and oversees the church's choirs.
The Summit Center
The Summit Center is the church's community wing, a 20,000-square-foot venue that is rented out for weddings, conferences, reunions, charity balls, movie premieres, product launches, and other gatherings. Members host events of all sizes here, from movie premieres and charity balls to family reunions and corporate conferences. The center's team can arrange first-class catering, decor, and flexible meeting spaces for both small meetings and large conferences. Inside the building are classrooms used by the Afterschool Academics Program, a community gymnasium that is open Monday through Friday and on the second and fourth Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., a thrift store, a senior day center, a fitness room, and a campground. Outside, the Summit Center Field is open to the public for baseball, softball, and kickball. The church describes the campus as "an oasis in the middle of the city," set on 21 acres near I-75 and Mill Creek.
Future plans, organized under a capital campaign called SOF², "Sharing our Faith, Securing our Future," include a worship-in-the-gym space that would seat more than 1,000 people, a youth church with a stage and lounge, a senior center with event space and activity rooms, repaved parking at the front and rear of the property, and a lower level with an Olympic-size pool, two large dance studios, a sauna, a whirlpool, and locker rooms. The vision is to accommodate all segments and ages of the church and the surrounding community, demonstrating the power of God through healthy living and service.
Music, Arts, and Dance
The Worship, Arts, and Music ministry is one of the church's largest groups of volunteers, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ through song, encouraging believers in their walk with Christ, and leading the congregation in worship and praise. Music is central to the church's identity, and the choirs prepare a range of pieces from classic spirituals to contemporary gospel favorites. The Inspirational Choir leads the early service with an array of traditional gospel music. The Voices of Praise Choir blends contemporary and traditional gospel. The 'Mighty Men' Male Chorus is the men's ensemble. The Living Christ Crew Youth Choir leads worship on the fourth Sunday of each month, investing in the next generation of worship leaders. The Psalm 150 Dance Ministry expresses worship through graceful movement, with the conviction that the Spirit of God draws all people to Himself through the demonstration of His glory. Two outreach groups for teens, Urban G.E.N.T.S. for young men ages 11 to 20 and Divine D.I.V.A.S. for young women ages 11 to 20, combine mentoring, spiritual formation, and leadership development.
Children and Youth
The Sonshine Nursery supports parents during the 11:00 a.m. worship service, with facilitators who help shape children's lives as they learn about God. The youth ministry, Operation Wakanda, serves ages 7 to 17 and promotes academic excellence alongside faith formation. Three programs fill out the week. The Experience is an energetic youth service held on the second, third, and fourth Sundays at 11:00 a.m., teaching young people how to develop a personal relationship with Christ through God's Word, activities, life application discussions, and personal witness. My Voice, on the first Sunday of every month at 11:00 a.m., gives young people a venue to explore and nurture their gifts in music and the arts, becoming mentors and examples to other youth. Jump Start is a four-week Saturday series for ages 7 to 12, held every other month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., that covers the basics of Christianity, baptism, communion, the Bible, prayer and praise, peer pressure and temptation, and the life of New Prospect. A sensory room is open for children and visitors who need a calmer space. A Girl Scout troop also meets at the church, and a Saturday Supplemental School serves children ages 10 to 18 with African-centered Rites of Passage, scholastic mentoring, discipline, and life skills.
Men of Integrity
The Men of Integrity ministry, with the motto "Iron Sharpening Iron," serves males ages 12 and up, including adolescents, on emotional, behavioral, and spiritual growth. The work centers on small groups, mentorship, and outreach opportunities, with a goal of helping every man, in every season, become the man God has called him to be. The ministry also cultivates moral family values, fellowship, and service to the church and the community, and seeks to ignite passion for the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in the heart of every man.
Women of Worth
Women of Worth, also called WOW, is the women's ministry. Its tagline is "Soul Sisters Connecting." The ministry focuses on spiritual well-being, building self-esteem, and fellowship with other women across generations, with the aim of encouraging and empowering women to fulfill their destiny in Christ. Activities include an annual vision board party, quarterly book clubs, and quarterly fellowship gatherings, along with community events. A highlight of the year is the annual Ugly Sweater and Karaoke Christmas party. Women of all ages are welcome to attend.
Singles, Couples, and Premarital Preparation
The Relationships Ministry has three tracks. The Singles track welcomes never-married, divorced, widowed, and single-parent adults, calling them to a community where they can know others and be known. The Marriage Enrichment Ministry offers marriage-structured classes throughout the year, plus retreats and an annual Love in the Afternoon event, helping married couples understand their relationship with God, with themselves, and with each other through the lens of the Gospel. Pre-marriage counseling and educational marriage workshops are also offered. Premarital Preparation pairs engaged or committed couples with a husband-and-wife team who have been married at least ten years. The training is six weeks and covers conflict resolution, marriage vision statements, expectations, needs, and roles. Couples are asked to contact the church at least four months before the wedding, and a one-on-one session with a seasoned couple can be scheduled for committed couples who are not yet engaged.
Academic and Career Programs
The Academic Enrichment Ministry runs workshops on resume writing, interview dress, financial literacy, and professional development. The college and career track includes college tours, tutoring for college entrance exams, scholarship and financial aid help, and career exploration for high school students, GED students, and adults returning to school. The Afterschool Academics Program offers homework help and reading and math tutoring for students in grades K through 12, Monday through Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Snacks and free play follow the academic time. Tutoring is held in Summit Center classrooms (rooms 214, 216, and 218), the church gym, and the Fellowship Hall. The program partners with Roselawn Condon School, Woodward High School, and the Inner City Development Corporation, and was created to enhance the academic skills and study habits of inner-city African American students.
Small Groups
Small groups meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and are open to all adults 18 and over. A small group is a gathering of 6 to 15 people studying the Word and sharing fellowship. Registration is open for both members and facilitators through online forms. Hosts open their homes or the Summit Center for the meetings, which combine Bible study, prayer, and conversation.
Frontline Ministries
Frontline Ministries are the teams that make Sundays run. They include Nursery Servants, who provide a fun and safe place for young worshippers; Greeters, who welcome everyone with a friendly smile and help newcomers find their way around campus; Parking and Traffic Servants, who guide drivers and pedestrians safely to convenient parking; the Media Ministry, which records video and audio, runs the livestream, produces CDs and DVDs, operates the media center bookstore, and supplies on-screen announcements and sermon notes; Hospitality, which serves coffee and snacks before and after services; First-Time Guest Follow-Up, which calls new visitors, mails a small gift, and encourages return visits; and Ushers, who pass out bulletins, assist with seating, collect the offering, and handle emergencies. The First-Time Guest team in particular makes sure each new face feels welcomed and has the chance to ask questions.
Community Outreach
The Rehoboth Well Ministries runs a food pantry serving the community, with an active wish list of cleaning supplies, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice, dry milk, hygiene kits, period supplies, shaving kits, disposable underwear, first-aid kits, and gift cards. Terri's Second Chance Boutique, a thrift store inside the Delores H. Bland Senior Day Center, is open Thursdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and provides affordable clothing. The Delores H. Bland Senior Day Center provides activities and fellowship for older adults in the community. The Summit Fitness room is open to the community for workouts. The Annie Ruth Art Gallery inside the Summit Center displays inspirational art that celebrates the human spirit, the family, and the world. A kitchen ministry prepares meals for community members, and a faith-based support group meets on a regular schedule to help people through difficult seasons. A STEA²M Spring Break and Summer Camp introduces children to Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Arts, and Math. The campground is open for bonfires, spiritual retreats, and family time.
Giving and the SOF² Campaign
Tithing is taught as a scriptural practice, with New Prospect teaching that the word "tithe" means tenth and that all we have comes from God. Members can give through the SecureGive app at app.securegive.com/newprospectbaptist, by texting GIVE to (513) 780-5111, by mail to 1580 Summit Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237, or in person during worship. Kroger Community Rewards lets shoppers direct a portion of purchases to the church at no extra cost, and members can also set up automatic bank pay or arrange gifts of other assets by contacting the church administrator. The SOF² capital campaign funds the future building vision, and a giving chart breakdown is available for review.
Visiting New Prospect
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The phone number is 513-721-2355 and the email is staff@newprospectbaptist.org. New visitors can connect with the church online, watch a service on YouTube, or stop by for either Sunday worship or a Wednesday evening small group.