Since November, 2008, Pastor Herb Koonce has been the Pastor of the newly formed Central Baptist Church. Saved at the age of 18, he attended and graduated from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri after sensing the call of God to the ministry. From there he moved to Canton, Ohio, receiving an additional degree in Religious Education from Malone College. Asked to join the staff at the Canton Baptist Temple, a fruitful ministry was begun directing the Young Married Couples and leading the Sunday School ministry that numbered in the thousands.

After ten years in Canton, the Lord led Pastor Koonce to New England where he had the privilege of leading a growing church in the Springfield, Massachusetts area as well as teaching at the Boston Baptist College. Approximately forty individuals from that church have entered some aspect of full-time ministry during and after his tenure there.

From1998 – 2008, Pastor Koonce ministered at the Calvary Bible Baptist Church of Westerville where he served as Senior Pastor for 7 years.  

 In November, 2008, under the firm leadership of the Lord, Pastor Koonce, along with a faithful group of individuals seeking an independent Baptist Church, began the Central Baptist Church meeting in a beautiful conference center in Westerville.  Future plans are to expand their outreach into the greater Columbus area. 

 Pastor Koonce met his wife Judy at the Canton Baptist Temple in Canton, Ohio and in November 2009 they celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary. Besides being his trusted helpmate, Judy has led various ladies ministries in each of the churches they have served in, and continues to speak in Ladies Conferences throughout the United States.  At Central, she assists in Ladies ministries, counseling, and outreach ministries.

The Koonces have three children - Todd, Shawn, and Heather; each serving the Lord faithfully and two of whom are in full-time ministry.

Pastor Koonce's greatest joys: "Knowing Christ as Savior; having my wife as my best friend; having children who love and serve the Lord Jesus; ministering God's Word to God's people, seeing them mature in Christ and leading the Lord's church to win and disciple people for His glory."