Steve Stroh Discusses St. Marys Jericho Walk and Growing Faith-Based Programs for Students

Steve Stroh joined WCSM’s Spectrum to discuss the annual Jericho Walk currently underway in St. Marys, along with his continued work with young people through Kingdom Harvest Ministries and other faith-based programs.

Stroh, who retired from the construction industry about seven years ago, previously served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and remains involved with area students through coaching and ministry. He said much of his current work is with Kingdom Harvest Ministries, a release-time Bible education program serving students in several area school districts.

Jericho Walk Continues This Week

The St. Marys Jericho Walk began Sunday and will continue throughout the week. Stroh said participants are welcome to attend as many or as few evenings as their schedules allow.

Each gathering begins with a passage from the Book of Joshua and an explanation of the purpose behind the walk. Participants can then walk around the school grounds or remain in one location to pray. After approximately 20 to 30 minutes, the group gathers again to share what they prayed about and close the evening together.

Stroh said the idea dates back about 15 years. He was working in youth ministry with a friend, Pastor Raj from the Lima area, who had been involved in a prayer gathering before the beginning of the school year. The two discussed doing something similar in St. Marys and developed the Jericho Walk, drawing its name from the biblical account in the Book of Joshua.

The first St. Marys event consisted of a single night. Beginning the following year, organizers expanded it to seven consecutive evenings, reflecting the seven-day story of the Israelites marching around Jericho.

The prayers are not limited to students.

Stroh said participants pray for teachers, administrators, coaches, bus drivers, cooks, custodians, volunteers, parents and anyone else who enters or works in the schools.

“We want that school to be a sacred, holy place,” Stroh said, adding that organizers believe prayer can have an impact throughout the school community.

Holding the event shortly before classes resume is intentional. Stroh said students and parents are already moving through school buildings for open houses, schedules and other preparations, making it an appropriate time to focus on the upcoming school year.

The walk is also open to the entire community and is not affiliated with one particular church. Stroh said participants have included students, teachers, coaches, athletes, members of numerous churches and people who may not regularly attend a church but want to support local students.

Over the years, the event has expanded beyond the St. Marys Memorial High School and Middle School campus. Stroh said organizers now also visit West Elementary, East Primary, Holy Rosary Catholic School and area preschools to pray around those buildings.

Kingdom Harvest Ministries Reaches Area Students

Stroh also discussed his involvement with Kingdom Harvest Ministries, a voluntary release-time Bible education program.

The program began around 2018 or 2019 and allows participating students, with parental permission, to leave school property for religious instruction at an off-campus location. Stroh emphasized that participation is voluntary and no school funding is used for the program.

Kingdom Harvest currently has programs involving St. Marys, Celina, Parkway and Wapakoneta, with discussions taking place about expanding into additional communities.

In St. Marys, students in grades one through 12 participate. Younger students walk with chaperones to nearby locations, while middle and high school students are transported by bus to local churches, including Wayne Street and Zion Church. Students are then returned to school following their classes.

Classes are offered four days a week in St. Marys and range from approximately 15 minutes for some younger students to 40 or 45 minutes for middle and high school participants.

Stroh said the program is designed to supplement the work already being done by parents and local churches.

“Our goal is to just help out the parents and the churches by teaching the kids about Jesus,” Stroh said. He added that organizers also hope students become involved with local congregations.

Stroh said he has witnessed positive results, including families beginning to attend churches and students being baptized. He also said schools have provided positive feedback about changes they have noticed in participating students.

Stroh Optimistic About Younger Generation

During the interview, Stroh also addressed challenges facing teenagers, including the influence of social media and the amount of information young people encounter every day.

He said students continue to look for adults who will listen to them and genuinely care about them.

“Most kids really haven’t changed much,” Stroh said. “They just want somebody that cares about them, that’ll listen to them.”

Stroh said students frequently ask difficult questions during Kingdom Harvest classes and that he does not pretend to have an immediate answer when he does not know one. Instead, he researches the question and talks with others before responding.

Despite frequent criticism of younger generations, Stroh said his experiences with students leave him encouraged about their future. He pointed to students praying with teammates, participating in church and youth activities and becoming increasingly willing to share their faith with friends.

“I’m pretty excited about this next generation,” Stroh said.