About Us

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

Why recite Scripture?

Scripture recitation gives a new perspective and deeper understanding of the Bible.

It promotes discipleship and encourages everyone around to listen to the gospel message in a way that leads to greater understanding.

Reciting a passage of Scripture takes effort, but the benefits far outweigh the investment. That is why we promote it.

 

What is Biblical Storytelling?

Biblical storytelling means internalizing Bible passages and then speaking them in a way that is authentic and compelling while maintaining the integrity of the original text.

The word “storytelling” may be misleading because it is meant to include not only stories, but also teachings, psalms, and encouragement. That is why we prefer “Scripture recitation.”

 

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

26

Years
experience reciting
and coaching reciters
World map with fifteen locator pins - light green

8 countries
     400+ reciters
           12 languages

92%

of reciters will do it again

55

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

How We Prepare you

By Heart provides services and resources:

  • Workshops for individuals interested in presenting a recitation
  • Videos showcasing people reciting Scripture
  • Books to help reciters prepare and leaders inspire
  • Coaching and support for recitation ministry leaders
  • Bible passage compilations designed for creative recitations

Board of Directors

Adult man with button-down shirt and kind smile

Thomas Griffin

Executive Director
Middle-aged man smiling wearing button-down shirt
Jimmy
Martin

Secretary

young lady with curly hair smiling
Jessica Hermann

Media Director

Man smiling in a sport jacket
Darren
Ho

Treasurer

young adult man with folded arms, shaved head, and mustache smiling
Ryan
Awori

Compliance Officer

By Heart Statement of Faith

As adopted by the National Association of Evangelicals.

We envision a future where:

Endorsements

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

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.

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