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The By Heart recitation ministry is a nonprofit organization that equips people to confidently speak Bible passages from memory.
We have found that Scripture recitation goes far beyond memorizing the words of a passage as it also serves as an excellent discipleship activity that leads to a new perspective and deeper understanding of the Bible.
It not only promotes individual spiritual growth, but also encourages everyone around to listen to the gospel message in a way that leads to greater understanding.
We know that the process of preparing to recite a passage of Scripture takes effort, but have repeatedly seen the benefits far outweigh the investment. This is what draws us to promote recitation of Scripture.
Join our online community to learn how to speak God’s word confidently and, if you would like to serve as a leader, then we can give you the tools to start a recitation ministry at your own church.
Books published
by Westbow Press,
a division of Zondervan
8 countries
400+ reciters
12 languages
of reciters will do it again
Articles and videos
published through
By Heart’s social
media channels
By Heart provides a range of services and resources to support and promote Scripture recitation, including:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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