On behalf of the 2024 – 2025 Search Committee for the next Director of Ohio Ministries of the Church of God, I am writing to joyfully share that the Committee has prayerfully and thoroughly reached a decision concerning this valued position.  The Committee is ready to share with you the candidate we are proposing as Director of Ohio Ministries of the Church of God upon retirement of our beloved current Director, Rev. Dr. Esther Cottrell. 

The Committee

The members of the Search Committee included Rita Bullock (NE Governing Board), Dale French (SW), David Guess (Credentialing), Dave Hennen (SE), Janet Orr (NW Governing Board), Jenny Petersen (NextGen), Steve Southards (Central), Tom Southard (Governing Board), Angie Swonger (NW), and Ben Wilson (NE Governing Board).  Dale French served as our Recording Secretary and Dave Hennen as our Technical Chairperson.  Benjamin Wilson set up and maintained our much-needed and used Google Drive.  Janet Orr served as Vice-Chairperson, and myself, Angie Swonger as Chairperson. 

Procedure

The Search Committee began meeting September 10, 2024 after a joint meeting with the Governing Board.  Following this, invitations to nominate or submit resumes were distributed through COGO within Ohio and through Atas Nationally.  From November 2024 to Janaury 2025 nominations and resumes were collected.  We received nominations and resumes for 23 candidates.  The nominees were then notified and asked how they would like to move forward. 

The Committee met via Zoom on October 10 to establish confidentially contracts, communication process, steps forward, and review the Director’s job description; October 31 to review nominations and resumes received thus far; November 22 for updates and to begin formalizing interview questions; December 17 to finalize initial questions, and review nominations and resumes received thus far; February 3, 2025 to review nominations and resumes received thus far; and March 13 to follow up on Zoom interviews and finalize in-person interview questions.       

The nominations and resumes became a slate of 8 candidates who took part in 30-minute interviews via Zoom on February 17, 2025.  From these interviews a new slate of 4 candidates was created.  These took part in 45-minute interviews via Zoom April 1, 2025.  The slate then became 3 candidates.  These 3 completed assessments through Healthy Growing Leaders with Greg Wiens and then were individually led through debriefs concerning their assessments.  They then took part in 60-minute interviews at the COGO office on April 11, 2025.  At that time, the salary / benefits package was shared with each candidate. 

All of these sessions were entered into with prayer and praise.  The Committee members shared often that they were praying for the candidates, the process, the COGO staff, and each other.  We valued the prayers of others who were encouraging us through the process.        

On April 11, 2025 at the COGO offices the Committee had a lengthy time of review and debrief, voting for the candidate to be submitted for consideration to the Governing Board.  As the vote was too close, we dismissed with a review outline to consider, a call to prayer and fasting, and another vote scheduled for April 19 with a Zoom meeting to reveal and discuss the outcome on April 21, 2025.  The struggle in making this decision was due to being blessed with worthy and qualified candidates. 

Following the vote and discussion on April 21, 2025, a candidate was selected.  The candidate was contacted and asked to prayerfully consider the position.  The candidate, along with the spouse, Face-Timed that evening to confirm acceptance of the call to be presented to the Governing Board for consideration as the next Director of Ohio Ministries of the Church of God.  The candidate will complete a fingerprinting / security screening.    

Confidentially

Throughout this process the Committee has honored the confidentiality of the nominees and candidates, and will continue to do so going forward. 

Gratitude

The Committee wishes to express gratitude to the COGO staff for helping to build a nomination survey, getting information onto the COGO website, and answering numerous questions.  The Committee is grateful to the Governing Board for creating this Committee.  Sincere thanks goes to Matt Roe and Jerry Webb for being liaisons between us and the Governing Board, and shepherding us through wisdom-requiring situations.  The Committee thoroughly enjoyed our day with Demetrius Booker at the COGO offices as he shared his gift of exuberant hospitality, making all feel welcome.  Throughout the process, Esther Cottrell has been a wise, steady leader, encourager, and effective communicator, which proved to us the difficulty of this task:  How do we find a replacement for her?               

Announcement 

The Search Committee for the next Director of Ohio Ministries of the Church of God has completed its task.  The Committee members operated using professional protocol and guidance from the Holy Spirit as they sought the wisdom and will of God.  The Search Committee is delighted to share with the Governing Board our selection for this position: Rev. Melissa Pratt.   

The Search Committee understands that a final decision will come through the Governing Board and then the State Assembly will decide by ballot concerning ratification of Rev. Pratt as our next Director of Ohio Ministries of the Church of God. 

Prayerfully submitted on behalf of the Search Committee,

Rev. Angie Swonger LPCC