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Prayer Wall Welcome to the Vertical Church Prayer Wall This is a place to share prayer requests with the church body. Click the button below to have prayer requests posted to the wall for the church to pray for and encourage you. Share Your Prayer Request Sign Up for Weekly Prayer Email Sherry B. April 20, 2024 Please continue to keep Denwood and Shari in you prayers. He is still on a ventilator but seems to be holding his own with improved oxygen and kidney function values. Please continue to pray for his strength, recovery and improving life functions. Pray comfort, and wisdom for Shari. Susie R April 19, 2024 Please pray for my mom, DD. She is 101 and has had a horrible week of hives and dementia. She is much better today. Pray for all of us who care for her. Jeanette April 19, 2024 Please pray for healing for Denwood who is very ill. Also, comfort and strength for Shari. Kathryn S. April 13, 2024 Per Barb: 4/13/2024 Morning report. Last night from about 8 - 12 was a nightmare. Too hard to go into details but he refused a new IV and then refused medication because he didn't trust who made it or what was in it. He was very confused. Kept wanting to go home which he said was only 3 hours away because we were in Cincinnati, but then he wasn't in the hospital, he was home. He was so confused. After about 4 hours of my trying to convince him, he finally took the medicine. No idea why? And we went to bed. We both passed out. Today he has been cooperative so far. Nurse tried three or four times to put one in but no success. She was going to see if they have time to do an ultrasound IV, whatever that is. Dr. Came in while I was writing this. They got the results of the culture and it responds to the general antibiotics they are using. She is hoping to get one more day of intravenous medication and he can probably go home tomorrow. If they ever get an IV in and he pulls it out, they will just switch him to oral which isn't quite as good. I think that the condensed version of what is going on today. The lady that walked him yesterday came in but it was when he was getting poked for an IV and said she would be back tomorrow. More later. Kathryn S. April 12, 2024 Barb (SIL) sent this at 10:46 am on my Brother, Jerry! K: He slept all day yesterday but last night he kept trying to get out of bed but is hooked up to lots of machines so can't get out of bed. And then he was trying to pull off the wrappings around the IVs in his arm but I managed to stop him. It's usually as he feels better he starts doing that.. Dr. came in this morning and said h\there is bacteria growing on urine culture and infection in his prostate. Still running a light fever and is just going to eat breakfast. Looks like he will be here a couple more days at least. Cathy just came to relieve me so I can go home and take a shower and a nap. I will try to be better at keeping you posted but if I don't, just remind me. (w/ heart emoji) Kathryn S. April 11, 2024 Update on my brother, Jerry Schroy April 11, 2024 - Jerry had blood in his urine so took him to the doctor this morning. He said possibly passed a kidney stone or UTI. Sent him for an X-ray and urine sample. About 8:30 pm he started with a fever and it shot up to 102.5. He was extremely restless and flailing his arms and rolling around. Anyway, I called 911 and we are now at the ER. About 3:12 am: They are starting him on 2 antibiotics. I told them he is just getting better from c-diff. About 7:40 am: They just admitted him. Possible UTI and possible pneumonia. I believe the UTI and question the pneumonia. I hope this is a short stay. He does not do well in hospitals. About 7:53 am Pray that all the antibiotics don't bring back the c-diff. Message from my SIL: Barb Schroy Mable W. April 9, 2024 Update on my cousin Debbie Bentley. She has transitioned home with the Lord. Please pray for you husband Tommy, daughter Brittany, and grandson Justin as they grieve and adjust to love without her. Thank you for your prayers. Mable W March 26, 2024 Update my cousin Debbie Bentley has chosen Hospice over home health. She has been battling pancreatic cancer. She has a blood clot and an an infection in her liver. Don't know the details of why it has come to home health or Hospice. Please pray for her husband Tommy daughter Brittany and grandson Justin. Amy W. March 25, 2024 Hi,. I would like prayer. For helping from a stroke. Thank you and God bless you Mable W. March 23, 2024 Please pray for my cousin Debbie Bentley. She is in the hospital with pancreatic cancer. She has a blood clot and infection in her liver. She was admitted yesterday. Mary W. March 8, 2024 Prayer Warriors Please pray for Jerome, my neighbor who surrendered his life to Jesus several months ago,as he is going in today, Friday the 8th, for a much stronger chemo treatment. His prognosis is not good. I'm very thankful that one of his relatives will be staying with him as he recovers from this treatment. May he sense God's presence. Praying God's truths. ”For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.“ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Kathryn S. March 5, 2024 Steph Bretz has COVID with a 102.2 fever. And she isn't feeling good at all. Pray for her!

Men’s Ministry Click Here for Church Events Living as Men of God It is our desire for the men of Vertical Church to glorify God and be conformed into the image of Christ. With this in mind, we seek to equip men to serve, love, and lead their own families and our local church. We offer men’s grace groups, sessions for deeper study, and special events (like our annual retreat) in order to build up the men of Vertical Church and create a culture where men can grow in their love for Jesus Christ while pursuing Him together in friendship with other men. For upcoming men’s ministry events, check out our church’s events registration page by clicking the link. “For those He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29 “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13–14

Contact Us GET IN TOUCH Contact & Visiting Info Address VERTICAL CHURCH 1290 OLD HENDERSON ROAD COLUMBUS, OHIO 43220 Worship Gathering SUNDAYS AT 10:00 AM Phone Number 614-477-7600 Student Ministry Grace Groups Children’s Ministry Worship Service Contact a Member of Our Staff Submit Thanks for submitting!

Our Policies Refund and Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Vertical Church Columbus (“The Church”) is committed to ensuring the privacy of all users’ (“Users”) information. Application of privacy policy This privacy policy applies to all personal information submitted by Users through Vertical Church Columbus’s website (the “Website”), and through the Pushpay mobile payment application for use on iOS and Android smart phones (the “Application”). Personal information The Church will collect general information about you, such as your name, address, contact details so the Church can contact you. We may also collect this and other types of personal information during the course of dealing with you, for example when you wish to obtain goods or services from the Church, when you register for conferences or events, and when you participate in Church activities or complete other forms. The Church will not collect any personal information about visitors to the website except when they knowingly provide it. ​ In order to make a payment to Vertical Church Columbus all Users will need to submit certain personal information about themselves (as prompted by the Website and/or Application), including their name, phone number, postal and email address. Users may be asked to submit further information from time to time. Use of information and data The Church will collect general information about you, such as your name, address, contact details so the Church can contact you. We may also collect this and other types of personal information during the course of dealing with you, for example when you wish to obtain goods or services from the Church, when you register for conferences or events, and when you participate in Church activities or complete other forms. The Church will not collect any personal information about visitors to the website except when they knowingly provide it. ​ In order to make a payment to Vertical Church Columbus all Users will need to submit certain personal information about themselves (as prompted by the Website and/or Application), including their name, phone number, postal and email address. Users may be asked to submit further information from time to time. Consent By accessing the Website and/or using the Application, all Users consent to the collection, use, disclosure, storage and processing of their information in accordance with this privacy policy. Changes to privacy policy The Church may amend or update this privacy policy from time to time, with or without notice to Users. All Users agree to be bound by the privacy policy that is in effect at the time they access the Website or use the Application. Protection of Personal Information The Church takes precautions — including administrative, technical, and physical measures — to safeguard your personal information against loss, theft, and misuse, as well as against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Retention The Church will retain your personal information for the period necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Refund Policy Online contributions to the ministry Vertical Church Columbus are considered to be non-refundable. The refund policy for specific events is determined according to the nature of event. The event refund policy is posted within the event registration form.

Do you ever feel like you’re a pretty decent person, always trying to do the right thing and be your best self? Even though you’re doing well, do you still feel like something is missing? Perhaps you are feeling lost, uncertain, or searching for meaning and purpose. ​ The good news is that God desires to know you and have a personal relationship with you through His Son, Jesus Christ. So, how do you start a relationship with God? How to Know God Follow Jesus Christ Following Jesus means living a life that reflects His love, grace, and truth. Read the Bible, pray, attend a local church, and surround yourself with other believers who can encourage and support you in your faith. Knowing God is a personal relationship that begins with acknowledging our need for Him, believing in Jesus Christ, confessing our faith, and following Him. If you have taken these steps or have questions about starting a relationship with God, please reach out below. Contact Us May you experience the joy and peace that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! Receive Jesus Christ into Your Life Confess your faith in Jesus Christ. Confessing means to openly declare that you believe in Jesus Christ and that you want to follow Him as your Lord and Savior. The Bible Says “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” If you would like to have a relationship with Christ, simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart: “Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and Savior of the world. I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the grave so that I might have eternal life in heaven with You. I believe that through Your sacrifice, I am a new person. Forgive me for my sin and fill me with Your Spirit. I accept You as my Lord and Savior, and Your free gift of eternal life. Amen.” Turn Away From Your Sins The Bible instructs us to “Repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.” To repent means to change the direction of our lives. Rather than running from God, we should run toward Him. Believe That Jesus Died On The Cross For You The Bible tells us that “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” This is the gospel — or “good news” — that God’s love for us is so great that He sent His only Son to die for us, even though we didn’t deserve it. Acknowledge Your Need For God The first step in knowing God is to acknowledge your need for Him. You were created by God for a purpose, and your life has meaning and value. However, sin has separated us from God, and we need to acknowledge our need for His forgiveness and restoration. The Bible says, “no one is good — not even one.” Recognize that you are a sinner and fall short of God’s perfect standard. If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, congratulations! The next step is to declare your faith through baptism. Learn more about baptism at Vertical Church so we can celebrate with you and encourage your walk with Jesus. Learn More About Baptism

Vertical Students The student ministry at Vertical Church is focused on encouraging and discipling our junior high and high school students as they grow in passionately following Jesus Christ and also in building relationships with each other. Discipling the Next Generation We would love for your student in middle school or high school to join us every Sunday evening from 6:00–8:00 pm. Each meeting is led by our Pastor of Student Ministry and ministry volunteers; students enjoy relevant Bible teaching, small groups, food, and a chance to hang out with other great students! For more in-depth information, please reach out to Pastor Bryan Nass or check out upcoming special events on our church’s events registration page. Click Here for Church Events Parent Email Opt-in Make sure you're up to date with what is going on with your students. On average we’ll send less than one email a week, so you don’t have to worry about spam.

Serve “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” Romans 12:4–6 Our current areas of service: Children’s Ministry Student Ministry Worship/Production Greeters Ushers Coffee Cart Safety Facilities Click Here to Fill Out a Serving Interest Form The Word of God in Action God has called all believers to participate in the Great Commission: to glorify Him by making disciples of Jesus Christ. He equips believers for this mission with Spirit-empowered gifts that help reach the lost and build up the church. If you would like to learn more about how you can use your gifts to serve at Vertical Church, click the link and a ministry leader will be in contact with you.

Sundays at 10:00 AM 1290 Old Henderson Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220 Fervent Worship A typical service begins with the worship band leading the congregation in singing vertically-focused worship songs in a contemporary style. Scripture-Driven Teaching Every week, Pastor Luke studies the Word of God and delivers a message centered on Scriptural truths and personal application to our everyday lives. Community We gather together to worship God in community. Our weekend service provides opportunities before or after the service to fellowship and connect with one another. What to Expect at Vertical Church FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What to Expect Do I have to be a Christian to come? Absolutely not! The church is open to all who seek God and the truth that He has given to mankind. Just don’t be suprised when we talk about Jesus. Do I need to bring a Bible? Everyone is encouraged to have a copy of scripture at home for personal study, but no worries if you need a copy; our ushers would love to provide you with one! Where do my kids go during service? Right off of the lobby, we have four safe, secure children’s ministry rooms for your children to learn and play during the entire service. The Vertical Kids ministry is open for toddlers–6th grade students where they will have engaging, age-appropriate curriculum to draw their hearts toward Jesus. Learn more about our children’s ministry here. Weekend Services at Vertical Church

Witness God’s Word commissions us to make disciples of Jesus Christ by sharing the good news about Him with others. THE GREAT COMMISSION Every Christian is on mission proclaiming the name of Jesus in Columbus and beyond. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Romans 10:14–15 ​ God has called all believers to participate in His Great Commission: to glorify Him by making disciples of Jesus Christ. Just as the early church did throughout their communities, we seek to spread the name of Jesus through the city of Columbus. Take a look at our current ministry partners and outreach opportunities below and read further to find which opportunities might be a good fit for you! Our Local Outreach Partners Alicia’s Closet Alicia’s Closet is a nonprofit organization serving the foster care community in Central Ohio (Columbus/Franklin County and surrounding areas) and Northwest Ohio (Fremont/Sandusky County and surrounding areas). They provide infant to young adult sized clothing, shoes, coats, diapers, wipes, baby accessories, and other essentials, at no cost to families. By supplying much needed items to those who have been affected by foster care, Alicia’s Closet helps create a sense of comfort, normalcy and dignity during a very difficult, uncertain time. In the process, they also hope to create genuine connections and provide support to families/caregivers. Learn more at aliciasclosetcolumbus.org . Sign Up International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) IFI has been operating in the Columbus area for over 40 years. The organization began right here at Ohio state and has expanded throughout the country and to Canada. IFI strives to make international students and college faculty feel welcome in the United States and share the gospel with them. The main ministry of IFI is providing hospitality and small group Bible discussions for International students, professors, and their families. Volunteers from Vertical Church can serve as mentors, leading small group Bible discussions, or assisting with any of the events that IFI hosts throughout the school year. If you are a person who loves getting to know other’s stories or you’re interested in sharing the gospel in an international context, this could be a great outreach opportunity for you! Learn more at columbus.ifipartners.org . Sign Up LifeWise Academy LifeWise Academy is a Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) program which provides Bible-based character education to public school students. Under RTRI laws, students can be released from public school during the school day to attend religious classes, provided the program is off school property, privately funded and parent-permitted. The LifeWise curriculum is designed to take students through the entire Bible, beginning in Genesis and ending in Revelation, over the course of five years. Each lesson reviews a Bible passage as well as a “Living LifeWise” character trait. The lessons’ order and activities are flexible and can be modified as the teacher finds necessary. Download a sample of the curriculum here . Learn more at lifewise.org . Sign Up Cornerstone of Hope Cornerstone of Hope is a nonprofit Comprehensive Bereavement Support Center serving children, teens, and adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. It is dedicated to providing support, education, and hope for the grieving, guided by the Christian values of compassion and service. Cornerstone of Hope Columbus offers individual counseling, support groups, summer camps, and memorial events. Its clinical supervisors and staff have extensive experience working with grief and trauma. Its counseling services are conducted by licensed clinicians and Master’s level interns under the supervision of our professional staff. Financial Assistance is available for those who qualify. Learn More Cru Ohio State RealLife (Cru Ohio State) is a place where students bring students to grow in our understanding of who God is, who he says we are, and how that impacts our lives. You can expect stories of how God is at work in the lives of other students, worship led by the RealLife band, and a practical teaching from one of Cru’s staff members. RealLife gathers Thursdays at 8:00 PM for worship, stories, talks from the Bible, and opportunities to connect with college students who are pursuing Jesus. RealLife’s “home” is Hitchcock Hall 131. Learn More The Covering The Covering is a ministry of Central Ohio Living Free. It exists for the redeeming of women’s lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ in a Christian home: rebuilding family. Its vision is to equip and empower families in God-centered homes to live out the gospel to the glory of God. Founded on the conviction that women are created in God’s image and that no woman is beyond God’s reach, the Covering believes that Jesus — brought to trial, executed, buried, and brought to life again — offers hope, healing, and a new purpose for each life. He can make even the most broken people and situations whole again. Through an amazing awakening to new hope and life purpose, those who once were broken, can begin a new life as a daughter, wife, mother, and friend! Learn More

About Vertical Church Mission & Purpose The mission of Vertical Church is to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment by making disciples of Jesus Christ. ​ Matthew 28:19–20 — “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ​ John 13:34–35 — “A new command I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Our History Vertical Church began in the Spring of 2010 when Pastor Luke & Jensine Ahrens and a group of believers began praying about starting a new church in Columbus. Vertical Church launched their first service on October 10, 2010. Over the next ten years, Vertical Church met in various schools and continued to develop. In the fall of 2021, God blessed the Vertical Church family with a permanent church home near OH-315 and Henderson Road. “Our vision is to be a church that is faithfully committed to making more disciples and stronger disciples of Jesus Christ with an effective witness and mutual ministry.” — Pastor Luke Ahrens Grace Groups Worship Service Children’s Ministry Student Ministry Our Principles The focus of ministry at Vertical Church is to glorify God by fulfilling the mission that Jesus gave His followers to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to follow His ways (Matthew 28:19–20). Vertical Church makes disciples of Jesus by encouraging them to worship Christ, walk with Christ, work for Christ, and witness for Christ. WHO WE ARE Witness for Christ Sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ is a vital aspect in the life of a growing disciple. At Vertical Church we encourage believers to share the Gospel with those around us in loving and intentional ways. Find Outreach Opportunities Work for Christ One of the great joys of being a disciple of Christ is by serving Christ and one another. We encourage all those in the Vertical Church family to use their time, energy, and talents to build the Kingdom of God and care for one another. Work on a Service Team Walk with Christ Growing in your walk with Christ is best achieved in rich community. The Vertical Church family encourages everyone to join a Grace Group where you experience fellowship, applicational study in God’s Word, and mutual ministry. Vertical Grace Groups are a warm, relational setting where you can get to know other believers and grow as a disciple. Join a Grace Group Worship Christ God’s Word admonishes us to worship together regularly. We worship together as a community through music, prayer, and the preaching of God’s Word every weekend. Visit a Worship Service Relentless Prayer Followers of Jesus have special access to our Heavenly Father — we are invited to come boldly before God to ask for grace and mercy at any time (Hebrews 4:15–16). Jesus encouraged us, His disciples, to boldly and relentlessly petition our Heavenly Father for our needs (John 15:7–8, Luke 18:1–8). Life in the Spirit The Holy Spirit is our redemptive Advocate (Romans 8), giving us spiritual life, indwelling us, and sealing our salvation and adoption into the family of God. The Spirit leads and empowers us to grow as faithful disciples of Jesus as we worship, walk, work, and witness for Christ (Philippians 3:3; Galatians 5:16, 25; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11; Acts 1:8). The Gospel of Jesus The Gospel is the Good News of reconciliation with God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:34–43)! We believe this reconciliation comes not by our good works, but by God’s grace (underserved favor) through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1–10) — our only hope for salvation. We celebrate the Gospel and seek to share this Good News with other people around us (Romans 6:23; Acts 1:8). The Word of God We believe the Bible is the critical foundation that we must build our lives upon. The inspiration, sufficiency, authority, and inerrancy of Scripture are critical to experiencing the life transformation God intends (Hebrews 4:12). We love God’s Word and seek to study (Psalm 119), meditate (Psalm 1), and apply (Luke 6:46–49) the Bible to every area of our lives. Our Pillars More About Our Theology WHAT WE BELIEVE Our Leadership Luke Ahrens Senior Pastor & Lead Elder Matt Rickly Worship & Administrative Pastor Claire Bauer Administrative Assistant Bryan Nass Church Planting Pastoral Resident Megan Winkler Children's Ministry Director Staff Luke Ahrens Senior Pastor & Lead Elder Tom Heyl Elder Elders Deacons John Buk Deacon — Ushers Mark Knore Deacon — Benevolence Rick Howard Deacon — Facilities Ron Townsend Deacon — Finance Travis Vulich Deacon — Finance Amber Bernal Coffee Cart Jensine Ahrens Women's Ministry Director Kristen Martin Outreach Revonne Hammond Greeting Team Lead Rick Ross Security Team Ministry Leaders We seek to glorify God by fulfilling the mission the Lord Jesus gave His followers to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to follow His ways.

Walking with Christ is not a journey to take alone, but with others in community. Grace Groups "God led me to Vertical Church back in 2017 as I was going through one of the most difficult times in my life. Over time, several members of the Winkler Grace group invited me to attend their Grace Group, so I finally went. Everyone was so open and friendly. I could not help but be encouraged and drawn into this caring group of people who were so dedicated to loving others and growing deeper in their relationship with Jesus. Over the next 3 years, these same people supported me through my trials and helped to meet my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in so many ways. I cannot imagine how I would have been able to endure if it had not been for the wonderful people God put in my life through my Grace group." John "Some of our most meaningful friendships and deepest sense of community at Vertical have come through our involvement in a Grace Group. We recently had our second child at 29 weeks and had a lengthy stay in the NICU with her. Our grace group surrounded and supported us through setting up a meal train, childcare for our toddler while we went to the NICU, painting our daughter’s nursery, taking our puppy to the dog park, and so many prayers and words of encouragement. It is even clearer to us why God designed believers to live in community. We were already doing life with this group and when circumstances got challenging for our family, they were some of the first to step in. God has used them over and over again in both of our lives to keep us grounded in Truth and walking faithfully with Him. It is a blessing to walk alongside them!" Megan “I love our small group. Not only do we get to dive into the word, but we have intentional prayer time, deep conversation, accountability, and sweet fellowship. We are able to serve each other in the ways each of us need the most because we’ve really grown to know each other. Community is powerful, and it’s a gift to follow Jesus TOGETHER.” Morgan Testimonials Participation in a Grace Group is the very best way to know others — and be known — at Vertical Church. It could be said that we are a church made up of Grace Groups. Our Grace Groups offer the opportunity for regular life-on-life engagement within the family of God. We strongly encourage everyone who attends Vertical Church to join a small group. We have Men’s Groups, Women’s Groups, and Mixed Groups that meet on different nights of the week throughout the city. If you’re interested in seeing a full list of our Grace Groups, check out our “Groups” on our Church Center App. Click Below to see a list of our current groups. Current Groups Bringing our Community Closer We strive to follow the example set for us by the early church: And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42–47