Newark Free Will Baptist Church

01/28/2026

Services for this evening, Wednesday, January 28th, will be canceled due to the extreme cold.

01/24/2026

Due to the Winter Storm Warning and in the interest of everyone’s safety, all church services and activities for tomorrow, January 25th, are canceled.

Please stay safe and warm, and continue to keep one another in prayer. We look forward to worshiping together again when conditions improve.

01/09/2026

Kathy Cottrell was one of those rare souls who left every place brighter simply by being there. If you ever met her, you knew kindness in its purest form—gentle, genuine, and freely given. She had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and loved, often before they even realized they needed it.

Kathy was a mighty prayer warrior. She believed deeply in the power of prayer and faithfully carried others to the throne of grace, trusting God with childlike faith and unwavering confidence. Many were strengthened, comforted, and uplifted because Kathy prayed—and kept on praying.

Alongside her deep faith was a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. Kathy could make you laugh at just the right moment, often when you needed it most. Her joy was contagious, and her laughter was a gift that lightened heavy hearts.

Above all else, Kathy loved the Lord with all her heart. Her faith was not just something she spoke about—it was something she lived every day. That love overflowed especially in her devotion to children. She had a special place in her heart for them, and nowhere did that shine more brightly than during Vacation Bible School. VBS wasn’t just an event to Kathy; it was her joy, her mission, and her delight. She poured her heart into teaching, encouraging, and loving children, helping them see Jesus through her words, her actions, and her smile.

Kathy Cottrell leaves behind a legacy of love, prayer, laughter, and faith. Though she will be deeply missed, the impact of her life will continue to echo in the lives she touched and the seeds of faith she helped plant. We rejoice knowing that the one who loved the Lord so well on earth is now rejoicing in His presence, hearing the words she lived for: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

- Rev. Steven K. Hughes II, Acting Interim Pastor
Newark Free Will Baptist Church

Read the obituary of Kathleen A. Cottrell from Newark, OH. Leave your condolences and send flowers to the family to show you care.

12/24/2025

Services for this evening, Wednesday, December 24th, have been canceled due to low expected attendance.

Be sure to spend time with your family while we celebrate the Incarnation.

12/13/2025

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Licking County until tomorrow morning.

Because of this Warning, both morning and evening services will be canceled for tomorrow, Sunday, December 14th.

We will move the dinner scheduled for tomorrow, to Sunday, December 21st.

11/12/2025

There are not enough words to describe how special this man was. For over five decades, Charlie Bird stood as one of the greatest examples of faithfulness and service our church has ever known.

Charlie had been a member almost since the very beginning — joining just a few months after our first service in 1973. It was after his wife, Betty, convinced him to come to church with her and the kids that Charlie gave his heart to the Lord and became a member. From that moment on, he was a pillar in both the church’s foundation and its future.

Over the years, Charlie served in nearly every way imaginable — as trustee, treasurer, bus driver, and greeter — and he did it all with a humble heart and a ready smile. Whenever something needed done, Charlie was there. Whether it was fixing something around the building, lending a hand on a project, or plowing snow from the parking lot with his tractor on cold winter mornings, he was always willing to serve without being asked.

Charlie witnessed nearly every chapter of this church’s story — from its humble beginnings to the many blessings God has brought through the years. He saw it all, and through it all, he stayed faithful.

Now, Charlie has completed his journey here and has entered into his eternal home. The man who served so faithfully now sees his Redeemer face to face. And we can rejoice knowing he’s been reunited with loved ones who went on before.

Though we will miss his presence, his laughter, and his helping hands, Charlie’s legacy of faith, service, and devotion will live on in the heart of this church he loved so dearly.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” — Matthew 25:21

- Rev. Steven K. Hughes II, Acting Interim Pastor
Newark Free Will Baptist Church

https://www.hoskinsonfuneral.com/obituaries/charles-bird

11/10/2025

Larry Eugene Hinds, 86, of Newark, died Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at his home. He was born June 17, 1939 in Zanesville to the late Robert and Martella (Shoulders) Hinds.

Larry graduated from Zanesville High School and was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. He retired from LICCO after 18 years of dedicated work. He enjoyed building things and doing different kinds of crafts.

He is survived by his fiance, Lois A. Spires; children, Tamara S. (Donald) Scanlon and Tracy L. (William) Wheeler; grandchildren, Tiffany D. Haynes, Cory M. Scanlon, Joshua R. (Megan) Hinds, Casey L. Thornton and James B. Scanlon; great grandchildren, Dakota Haynes, Glorious Byrd, Adarien Byrd, Aiden Scanlon, Noah Scanlon, Leo Scanlon, Cylas Scanlon, Natalya Lavigne, Dalton Wright, Carolyn Hinds and Wayland Hinds; and great great grandchildren, Kendrick Betts, Brooklinn Byrd and Leo Byrd.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Norma J. (Keffer) Hinds; and sisters, Bernice Robinson and Patricia Mumaw.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 10, 2025 from 3-6 pm at Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21st St., Newark where the funeral service will follow at 6:00 pm with Pastor Steven Hughes officiating.

Larry Eugene Hinds, 86, of Newark, died Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at his home. He was born June 17, 1939 in Zanesville to the late Robert and Martella Shoulders Hinds. Larry graduated from Zanesville High School and was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. He retired from

09/30/2025

For those of you who couldn't make it to our Homecoming Service this past Sunday, here is the link to the video and our YouTube Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oqDeVxzZ9w
https://www.youtube.com/nfwbchurch

Homecoming 2025In-Person Church Service.Special Singing:Cindy Porter, Bonnie Shrewsbery, Debbie Te'o, Rob Goodman and Judy Hill.Preaching by:Matt Bryant, For...

09/29/2025

Yesterday was our Homecoming Service. We also celebrated Rev. Johnny Ray Davis' ministry as he transitions into retirement from active ministry.

Today, the church board formally bestowed the title of Pastor Emeritus to Bro. Johnny.

Thank you for your many years of service.

08/31/2025

Service this evening, August 31st, 2025, has been canceled.

Also, a challenge has been given, for everyone to stop and pray for the church at 6:00 PM.

08/15/2025

Obituary | Sharon L. Slatzer of Newark, Ohio | Vensil & Chute Funeral Home

A private family funeral service will be held for Sharon L. Slatzer, 87 of Newark with Pastor Steven Hughes officiating. Burial will be in the New Straitsville Cemetery.

Sharon passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She was born April 29, 1938 in Murray City, OH to the late Jeffrey and Lovetta (Schafer) Wright.

Sharon was loving wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting, watching gameshows, yard work and she loved flowers. She was a member of Newark Free Will Baptist Church.

Survivors include a daughter, Yana (Pat) Freeman of Hanover, MI; a son, Robert A. “Bobby” Slatzer of Newark; grandchildren, Patrick D. (Beth) Freeman, II of Spring Arbor, MI, Amanda Lynn (Aaron) Allen of Baltimore, MD; great-grandchildren, Matthew Robert Freeman, and Savannah Anne Freeman

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Sabrina; and her husband of 65 years, Robert L. Slatzer.

Calling hours will be 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, August 18, 2025 at Vensil & Chute | Newark.

The family requests memorial contributions to the Free Will Baptist Church, 37 Westmoor Avenue, Newark OH 43055.

https://www.vocfh.com/obituary/sharon-slatzer

A private family funeral service will be held for Sharon L. Slatzer, 87 of Newark with Pastor Steven Hughes officiating. Burial will be in the New Straitsville Cemetery. Sharon passed away on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She was born April 29, 1938