WHY WE PLANT
CHURCH PLANTING
The reason Maranatha exists is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ--and that is why we plant churches. Our cities and towns need the gospel, and the presence of gospel-proclaiming churches. As God as blessed us in our first eight years of being a church, he has also provided opportunities for his congregation to grow by stepping into more areas to tell more people about the good news of Jesus.
BALTIMORE
Dan has been faithfully involved at Maranatha since July 2024 and has been affirmed by the Elders to plant a third Maranatha congregation. This congregation has now launched in Baltimore, OH, the very place Dan and his wife, Keela, have been praying about for many years. The Lord has provided an opportunity to merge with another congregation in Baltimore, and they began gathering together on January 11th, 2026. In the coming years, they are excited to build a thriving church community and continue raising up leaders to serve in the city of Baltimore and the surrounding communities.
CANAL WINCHESTER
God moved in David's heart to pursue local church ministry in 2012. As he and his wife were both serving in various roles in the church, God made it clear in 2018 that He had church planting in store for them. God brought them to join Maranatha and they began to experience what life in a church plant was like.
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David was installed as a pastor in 2020. A year later, Maranatha's eldership began to look ahead to a church plant.
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It was clear God had been preparing them to go and serve the community David grew up in, went to school in, lived in and loved. Maranatha Canal Winchester has continued to see God's faithfulness as they teach the Bible deeply and practice meaningful Christian community.
SOUTHSIDE COLUMBUS
Justin Bubar serves as the Lead Pastor of this church plant. Justin and his wife Jenna share a deep love for the gospel and a burden to see Jesus Christ proclaimed clearly and faithfully. Their desire is not only to reach the outskirts of the city, but to bring the hope of the gospel to this particular area—one they believe is in great need of a church rooted in Scripture, centered on Christ, and committed to making disciples. Justin is passionate about preaching the whole counsel of God, shepherding people with care, and helping the local church live on mission for the glory of God. Together, he and his wife are prayerfully committed to seeing a healthy, gospel-shaped church established that loves its neighbors and serves its community with faithfulness and humility.