Living Word’s History

Living Word Missionary Baptist Church was established as a mission of the “True Life Missionary Baptist Church” of Newport, Kentucky in early 1961. On May 21, 1961, Living Word was established as a church. Our location was an old store front building located at 2812 Colerain Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio. At the time Living Word was established, there were 19 charter members (all coming from Old Fashion Missionary Baptist Church), of which one remained, Brother Carl Gray (who went home to be with the Lord on 2/16/06). The Reverend Virgil Mills was elected as Living Word’s 1st pastor.

For over 60 years, Living Word Missionary Baptist Church has been blessed with 10 Pastors, 2 Assistant Pastors and 1 Youth Pastor.

The Pastors are as follows:

Rev. Jason Callihan            August 2019 - Present 

Rev. Mike Callihan              Dec. 1999 – June 2019

Youth Pastor:

Rev. Kevin Benne               Sept. 2001 – Oct. 2018

Rev. Authur Hensley          Feb. 1998 – April 1999

Rev. Vernon Williams        May 1997 – Jan. 1998

Rev. Clophas Shakleford    Oct. 1993 – June 1996

Rev. Bill Harris                   June 1979 – Sept. 1983 & March 1985 – Oct. 1993

Asst. Pastor:

Rev. Meece                        April 1982 – Jan. 1983

Rev. Clarence Neal            Sept. 1971 – July 1975 & May 1976 – March 1979

Rev. Madden                      Sept. 1975 – May 1976

Rev. Bruce Butler              1966 – August 1971

Asst. Pastor:

Rev. Paul Anderson           March 1969 – Aug. 1969

Rev. Virgil Mills                 May 1961 – 1966

On December 5, 1999, Living Word elected Reverend Mike Callihan as their pastor. During the first years of his pastoring, God once again continued his blessings of Living Word Missionary Baptist Church. The church began to grow as it was pleasing unto our Lord. Pastor Callihan was given a “vision”. The vision was in line with Pastor Harris’s, move Living Word off of Montgomery Road and into a building with room for growth. In late 2004 – early 2005, this vision came to pass and a new building was purchased.

For over 60 years, Living Word Missionary Baptist Church has had five locations.

2812 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio                         May 1961 – June 1967

1725 Carll Street, Cincinnati, Ohio                                 June 1967 – Jan 1970

2008 Worth Avenue, Norwood, Ohio                             Jan. 1970 – Feb. 1972

6650 Montgomery Road, Silverton, Ohio                       Feb. 1972 – Sept. 2005

8369 Princeton Road, Middletown, Ohio                       Sept. 2005 – Present

Radio Ministries

The Lord has also richly blessed Living Word with radio ministries during the past 50+ years. Living Word has been blessed to provide radio outreach ministries on three different radio stations.  They were:

WBVL                        

Berea, KY                1961 – 1967

WCNW AM 1560       

Fairfield, OH            1981 – 1994

WEKC AM 710          

Williamsburg, KY      2000 – 2012

We thank the Lord for all those dear Christian saints who have paved the way before us and allowed us to have this precious opportunity that we have today.