About Us

The By Heart recitation ministry is a nonprofit organization that equips people to confidently speak Bible passages from memory.

2

Books published
by Westbow Press,
a division of Zondervan

The Art of Reciting Scripture book cover
The Art of Leading Scripture Recitations book cover

27

Years
experience reciting
and coaching reciters
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8 countries
     400+ reciters
           12 languages

97%

of reciters will do it again

70

Articles and videos
published through
By Heart’s social
media channels

Board of Directors

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Thomas Griffin

Executive Director
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Jimmy
Martin

Secretary

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Jessica Hermann

Media Director

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Darren
Ho

Treasurer

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Ryan
Awori

Compliance Officer

We envision a future where:

By Heart Statement of Faith

As adopted by the National Association of Evangelicals.

Leader Endorsements

By Heart has equipped hundreds of people to speak God’s Word confidently.

Our church recitation ministries

Our partners
support organizations

International Baptist Convention

The IBC’s ministry leadership conference in Croatia in March of 2021, which included a By Heart recitation workshop, was a groundbreaking event in the development of By Heart and introduction of Scripture recitation to the member churches of the IBC. The friendships and trusting support between By Heart and the IBC continue to grow.

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Partnering with By Heart

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Churches

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Schools

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Technology creators

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Church support organizations

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Seminaries and theological institutes

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Language translators

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Videographers and video production companies

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Speech and debate associations

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Bible memory organizations

By Heart’s mission is to promote Scripture recitation so that it becomes a natural part of Christian
worship services, discipleship programs, and outreach. If you would like to partner with us,
please send an email to info@byheart.org or call +49 15208645137.

What does By Heart offer in partnership?

We collaborate with partners to create, develop, and disciple. To achieve our mission, we are building an international network of members and affiliates. Your motivation to partner with us may be one or more of the following:
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Workshops for reciters, leaders, and schools

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Tools for selection, memorization, and study of Scripture

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A video library of recitations

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Connections to a community of Scripture reciters

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Social media channels promoting Scripture recitation

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Two books on Scripture recitation

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Curated collections of Bible passages

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Support the Mission

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, By Heart is supported by the generosity of like-minded donors. Your contribution helps us provide resources, coaching, and support to institutions and churches, enabling them to experience the transformative power of Scripture recitation.

Nonprofit Oversight Organizations

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By Heart (EIN 87-4161552) is recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

Tom Griffin

Executive Director

Tom is a technical consultant for a global software and hardware company. Holding a degree and teaching credential from the University of California, Davis, he taught physics and chemistry for 13 years in the United States, Belgium, and Germany before switching to high-tech.

Tom has delivered Scripture recitations for two decades in California, at Valley Bible Church, and in Germany at the International Christian Fellowship. He founded the By Heart recitation ministry and has written two books on the topic of Scripture recitation. Tom and his wife have two grown daughters and reside in Frankfurt, Germany.

Jimmy Martin

Secretary

Jimmy Martin is an international interim pastor whose last assignment, 2003 to 2020, was as General Secretary of the International Baptist Convention, a family of international English-language churches distributed across 25 countries.

Jimmy earned his Master of Divinity, Master of Religious Education, and Ph.D. (Archaeology and Biblical Backgrounds) degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas. He served as a pastor for 20 years in the United States and Germany and currently lives in Texas, USA, having retired in December 2020 after living in Germany for 28 years. He and his wife, Laurie, have three daughters and nine grandchildren.

Jessica Hermann

Media Director

Jessica serves with her husband in the youth ministry at Christlich-Freikirchliche Gemeinde and is a regular contributor to the Danny Forshee Evangelical Association Daily Devotionals. She comes from Texas, and previously served as the University Ministry Director at Great Hills Baptist Church. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Theory and Christian Studies and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Dallas Baptist University.

Jessica lives in Mettman, Germany and is a passionate disciple maker who sees recitation as a powerful tool in discipleship and loves the opportunity to help other churches implement a culture a recitation.

Darren Ho

Treasurer

Darren is the founder and executive director of The Restored Leader, a values-based executive leadership organization. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Darren is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) of the International Coach Federation and has a Master of Arts in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Originally from the Los Angeles area, Darren is a first-generation American citizen. He and his wife and three children currently reside in Indianapolis, Indiana. Before that, the Ho family lived in Asia and Europe for 11 years and, as a result, are passionate global citizens.

Ryan Awori

Compliance Officer

Ryan founded and runs Elakistos Biosciences, a biology research business working with international clients. He graduated with a doctorate in Biology from the University of Frankfurt in March, 2021, and completed an Afrika Kommt Fellowship at the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Department, Merck Healthcare KGaA in Darmstadt, Germany.

Ryan and his wife and daughter live in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a member of the Nairobi Baptist Church and a former member of the International Christian Fellowship in Oberusel, Germany, where he contributed numerous recitations and assistance in growing the ministry.

Find your Voice

Stories

Praise

Instruction

Get started Reciting


Stories

Use your Narrative voice to bring Ruth, Solomon, Peter, the Prophets, and so many more stories alive

Praise

Give voice to the praise of your heart with psalms and exaltation. Declare the glory of God and deity of Christ

Instruction

the voice of wisdom, counsel, and admonishment to shape lives