Pastor John E. Ashbrook with the Lord

http://www.obf.net/aboutus.htm
The Ohio Bible Fellowship was formed on January 12th, 1968. This collection of Pastors and their churches left the Independent Fundamental Churches of America because of the IFCA’s drift into new evangelicalism. The Preamble of the Ohio Bible Fellowship Constitution states that it is a Bible separatist organization* which warns against the dangers of mediating positions and has a ministry of warning for the protection of the churches (II Corinthians 6:14, 17; Romans 16:17; Ephesians 5:11; II Timothy 4:2). Their positions are based on the HOLINESS of God which is the root of all of God’s moral attributes (Leviticus 20:26; II Peter 1:15, 16). They believe that church history demonstrates that churches, schools and biblical movements tend to drift from their founding principles over time, and they strive not to do this, but to remain “true” to God. Their publication is the Ohio Bible Fellowship Visitor.

Dr. Ashbrook was a great blessing to Christians in Fayette County, Pennsylvania when he came to preach for our Faith Bible Conference. His sermons, although often discussing separation, were focused on Christ and His atoning work. Dr. Ashbrook never failed to keep our attention while drawing us closer to the Savior. His love for God and sinners was evident.

L Strickler

I had the treasured experience of preaching for Pastor Ashbrook and the OBF at their annual camp retreat several years ago. I appreciated him then. I appreciate him now. He was a true fundamentalist in every good sense of that word.

Pastor Mike Harding

I first heard John Ashbrook preach while I attended BJU in the 1960s. I then had the privilege of meeting him in 1972 when he invited a summer team from Clearwater Christian College to speak in his church. I was the faculty spokesman for the group so he had me speak to the teens at Camp Peniel. He had me into his home for a meal and took me to meet his aging father, William Ashbrook, a fighting fundamentalist of the first order. John was the most gracious host to our group and was a great encouragement to me in my youth. Since then, our paths crossed occasionally—when I would speak at Camp Peniel or at an OBF conference or he would speak at DBTS. I made the mistake of calling him “Doctor.” The title seemed to fit. He kindly but firmly reminded me that he had no earned degree; his preference was always “Pastor.” He was never my pastor, but he certainly was a fine mentor. He is one of the last of a dying breed of stalwart separatistic intelligent defenders of the Faith. The light of fundamentalism will be dimmed by his absence.

Gerald Priest

I had the privilege of teaching at Mentor Christian School and attending Bible Community Church in the late 80s. Pastor Ashbrook was very influential in my life during those years. I am thankful to have been taught by him. I will attend the funeral on Friday. Here is a list off 15 things I learned from him:

1. A strong quiet spirit is an asset. Steady and faithful most always beats loud and fast.

2. Good humor adds a sweet fragrance to a man.

3. The Sabbath is important- honor it.

4. If you’re in his Sunday School class, always, always do your lesson- he will ask.

5. Education begins with the fear of the Lord- make sure your children are taught by Christians.

6. Marrying a Proverbs 31 woman has an immeasurable wealth associated with it.

7. A Presbyterian form of Church government is the best one.

8. Grilled Cheese sandwiches make a great meal for hospitality on a Sunday night.

9. When you stand up and talk in church always face the largest number of people and speak clearly.

10. God is Sovereign…period.

11. Teaching people how to sing is really important.

12. Everyone in the church has a gift…coxed them into using it.

13. Math can help you paint a perfect 3-point arc on a basketball court.

14. You can be a Fundamentalist your whole life and people still like you.

15. The Scriptures are paramount…study them diligently and live them completely.

God bless his memory…

Bill Roach

[Bill Roach] I had the privilege of teaching at Mentor Christian School and attending Bible Community Church in the late 80s. Pastor Ashbrook was very influential in my life during those years. I am thankful to have been taught by him. I will attend the funeral on Friday. Here is a list off 15 things I learned from him:

1. A strong quiet spirit is an asset. Steady and faithful most always beats loud and fast.

2. Good humor adds a sweet fragrance to a man.

3. The Sabbath is important- honor it.

4. If you’re in his Sunday School class, always, always do your lesson- he will ask.

5. Education begins with the fear of the Lord- make sure your children are taught by Christians.

6. Marrying a Proverbs 31 woman has an immeasurable wealth associated with it.

7. A Presbyterian form of Church government is the best one.

8. Grilled Cheese sandwiches make a great meal for hospitality on a Sunday night.

9. When you stand up and talk in church always face the largest number of people and speak clearly.

10. God is Sovereign…period.

11. Teaching people how to sing is really important.

12. Everyone in the church has a gift…coxed them into using it.

13. Math can help you paint a perfect 3-point arc on a basketball court.

14. You can be a Fundamentalist your whole life and people still like you.

15. The Scriptures are paramount…study them diligently and live them completely.

God bless his memory…

Bill Roach
Didn’t know the man, but he left a worthwhile list to be remembered by. Good stuff.

Lee

As a Southern Baptist boy coming into Biblical Fundamentalism through the new evangelicalism of Campus Crusade
and Inter-Varsity Fellowship, I appreciated anything John Ashbrook wrote about Biblical Separation. In addition to
his father’s THE NEW NEUTRALISM, Ashbrook’s AXIOMS OF SEPARATION and FAMILY FUNDAMENTALS really helped
me understand the “whys” in addition to the “whats”. His OBF articles were always “on target”. I think a good epitaph
for him would be, “He Stood!” Happy to honor his life and legacy. Captain Joe Henderson