Church Planting on the South Side of Columbus: A Gospel Work in a Hard Place
Church planting is rarely convenient. And it’s almost never comfortable. But throughout Scripture, God has always moved His people toward places of need, not away from them.
From the earliest days of Maranatha, our desire has been to steward whatever God places in our hands with humility and faithfulness. That posture has shaped our growth, our ministries, and our commitment to planting healthy, gospel-centered churches. Over time, it has also led us deeper into the city of Columbus and, ultimately, to the South Side.
Why the South Side of Columbus Needs a Gospel Church
The South Side of Columbus, Ohio, is a community marked by deep socioeconomic hardship. Poverty here is generational. Drug addiction is widespread. Crime is not abstract, it affects daily life. Sex trafficking is a real and ongoing threat, especially for the most vulnerable.
Many families live with constant instability. Trust in institutions is low. Hope often feels fragile. And yet, these are people made in the image of God, worthy of dignity, love, and a faithful gospel witness.
This is not a place that needs occasional outreach alone. It needs a local church that is present, rooted, and committed for the long haul.
From Compassion Ministry to Church Planting
Through Maranatha’s Compassion Ministry, we’ve spent years serving families across Columbus. We’ve offered practical help, built relationships, and shared the hope of Christ with people from all walks of life. Along the way, we’ve learned something important.
Compassion opens doors. But discipleship requires proximity.
A drop-in ministry, no matter how faithful, cannot replace the long-term work of a local church. When someone comes to Christ, they need shepherding. They need community. They need a body of believers who know their story and walk with them through real life.
That reality came into focus when a local pastor reached out to us about Southside Baptist Church, a small, declining congregation on the South Side of Columbus. He asked if we would consider helping restore a gospel presence in the neighborhood.
At first, we weren’t sure. We prayed, listened, and waited. But after further conversations, visits to the building, and time with the remaining members, it became clear that God was inviting us into something bigger than we had planned.
Why Replanting a Church Matters in Hard Communities
At a conference, pastor Mez McConnell posed a simple but challenging question to churches serving in hard places: What happens after compassion?
If God answers our prayers and people come to faith, are we prepared to disciple them? Are we willing to plant ourselves in the neighborhood? Are we ready to stay?
The biblical answer is the local church.
Scripture shows us that God’s primary means of discipleship and mission is a gathered, committed body of believers. “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Planting and replanting churches is not a strategy of convenience. It is a matter of obedience.
After much prayer, Maranatha’s elders believe God is calling us to adopt and replant Southside Baptist as Maranatha Southside, a gospel-centered church planted directly in the community we hope to serve.
A New Church Plant on the South Side of Columbus
By God’s kindness, I was unanimously asked by the replant board and remaining members to serve as the planting pastor for this new work. I step into this role humbled, grateful, and deeply dependent on the Lord.
Our prayer is that Maranatha Southside becomes:
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A faithful gospel witness in a broken neighborhood
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A place of long-term discipleship, not short-term fixes
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A church that loves its community with both truth and compassion
As Psalm 127 reminds us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” We are trusting Him to build.
How You Can Help Support This Church Plant
Like most church plants, Maranatha Southside will need outside support in its early years. Our first-year goal is to raise $120,000 to cover building renovations, ministry expenses, and allow for full-time pastoral leadership.
If you are a pastor, church leader, or Christian reading this, here are a few ways you can partner with us:
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Pray for the South Side of Columbus, Ohio, especially for families affected by addiction, crime, and exploitation
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Share this story with your church, small group, or network
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Give financially, either through a one-time gift or monthly support, to help establish a healthy local church in a hard place
Church planting in under-resourced communities requires faith, patience, and partnership. We believe the gospel shines brightest in the darkest places, and we are trusting God to do a lasting work on the South Side of Columbus.
Thank you for praying, sharing, and standing with us.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.” (Romans 10:15)
Justin Bubar
Lead Pastor, Maranatha Southside
All Donations are Tax-Deductible through our Safe, Reliable Giving Fire Account linked directly to Maranatha Community Church below:
Maranatha Community Church - Southside Giving Link