Team member Danny Beasley was excited to share the story of Jesus using a storying cloth, which chronologically tells the story of Creation to the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, from the IMB.

By Shannon Baker, BCM/D National Correspondent

BELCAMP, Md.—During their fourth trip to West Africa, members from Susquehanna Association and The Church at Riverside in Belcamp, Md., finally got what they were yearning for—the very first Christian convert in the Muslim-dominated village they adopted five years ago.

In 2006, members from the Association ventured into Guinea, traveling hours across rough terrain into deep mountain villages to build relationships with the villagers and ultimately to share the Gospel with them.

Since this time, in three previous trips, the Association has built a well for clean water in the village; provided electronic devices with Old and New Testament books in the village’s native Pular language; and otherwise has patiently built a reputation with the village’s leaders.

Calling this “the climatic year,” team leader Dan Sheffield, the director of missions for the Susquehanna Association, shared that the 2010 team went to the adopted village with a deepened commitment to expose the villagers to the Gospel.

And their faith was met with great success!

A sole convert, accepting Christ in secret so as not to be endangered, agreed that Jesus Christ was the only way to God.

“I want to believe,” the person said. “I want to accept Jesus Christ.”

An International Mission Board (IMB) missionary, on a family mission trip and vacation from working with another African mission group, helped with translation in the village.

He was astounded by the continued openness of the villagers to the words of Christ. The convert was the first profession of faith that he had seen in five years.
“His whole family said it was the best weekend that they have had in ten years,” Sheffield said.

Team member Danny Beasley was excited to share the story of Jesus using a storying cloth from the IMB, which chronologically tells the story of creation to the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.

It wasn’t until the end of the week that he actually had the opportunity. He started telling the story with a handful of children. Before he was finished, over 40 adults gathered to hear the story.

“It made him nervous, but since it was Friday, the Muslim day of worship, Danny ended up presenting the Gospel to more people than he originally planned,” Sheffield shared.

“God has his plans planned. It was a perfect set-up—the perfect day, the perfect place!”

Even with these tremendous occasions, Sheffield was saddened by what he saw at the village this year.

He could hardly recognize some of the villagers from past years because they had lost so much weight. Many looked like they were slowly starving to death.

Even Mamadou, the newest tribal leader, seemed overwhelmed under the weight of the struggling villages he oversaw.

“We think about us having a hard economy, “ Sheffield noted, “but it is affecting the whole globe.”

When Sheffield and his team learned that the villagers only had rice to eat for the past year, they purchased spices and other food items to offset some of their struggles.

The team even left money, intended for food, but most likely will be used to build a new school for the children.

In a very moving speech on the team’s last day, Mamadou expressed his gratitude to the team for their many expressions of love.

“There was no doubt that he knew that we loved him. He felt we were the only people from the outside world who showed interest and wanted to help them,” Sheffield shared.

“Where it goes from here, I have no idea. It’s so exciting,” he added. “When it finally sinks in that God is in control, and we’re just along for the ride, it’s a great sense of relief.”

Severna Park Church called Kera Day as their part-time Worship Director. Day has a degree in worship leadership from Liberty University. She lives in Huntington, Md.

Faith Church, Glen Burnie, had a men’s ministry car care day last month. For $15, men from Faith offered basic car maintenance for single moms and those unemployed or living on a fixed income.

The Band “Remedy Drive” will be in concert at 7 p.m. on May 8.

Linthicum Church had old-fashioned revival services last month preceded by cottage prayer meetings. Special music  was provided by Southern Gospel group, “Refuge.”

Baltimore Association

Beacon Church, White Marsh, offers homework help every Wednesday evening as a community outreach.

Huber Memorial Church has a “temple rebuilder’s” holistic ministry, based on I Corinthians 6: 19-20, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

The ministry will offer several upcoming seminars including a mental health awareness seminar, and seminars for health awareness for the family.

Edgemere Church has a hiking ministry. Church member Bryan Kebeck, also the church’s Sunday worship pianist, leads the ministry. Participants gather at the church at 2:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month and travel to various parks that have hiking trails. About halfway through their two-hour hike, the group breaks for a devotional time and then heads back to the church in time for evening worship.

Peninsula House of Prayer is seeing their Friday evening youth group grow. They now average about 15 young people each week. The church will have a car wash and bake sale on June 12 and VBS in July.

Blue Ridge Association

Greenbriar Church will have revival services May 3-9. Royce Williams will be the guest evangelist. The “Men in Black” will provide Southern Gospel type music every night. The church will host the Gospel Travelers in concert on May 30.

Delaware Association

It’s not too early to make plans for this year’s DBA-sponsored medical mission trip to Moldova/Ukraine which is scheduled for Oct. 24-Nov. 6. The cost is $2,350 and includes roundtrip airfare and trip insurance. Other costs include $10 per day for the Moldovan hosts, meals in transfer cities and personal expenses. For more information, call Mal Utleye, (301) 292-8434.

Eastern Association

First Church, Easton, started three services on Valentine’s Day. The church is preparing for missions trips this summer to Turkey and Mexico.

Ocean City Church has a thrift shop ministry located at their west campus.  They are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Mid-Maryland Association

Gary Scarboro, pastor of Ashton Church, his wife, Terry and their daughter, Hannah, went on a mission trip to Costa Rica with Liberty Christian School, where Hannah attends. The group of about 60 travelled to LaCarpeta, a small town in the middle of Costa Rica. Scarboro said the town has about 100,000 people living about a mile away from a dump. Scarboro said the church they ministered with is like a lighthouse to the community. “There’s poverty there I’ve never seen before—open sores, no money, really depressed.”

Montgomery Baptist Association

First Church, Rockville, has deaf ministry worship services at 11 a.m. and at 4:30 p.m. each Sunday.

Olney Church is having its first “family camping adventure” June 25-27 at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Luray, Va.

Potomac Association

Indian Head Church is partnering with Crossroad Christian Church in St. Leonard, to offer a monthly Angel Food program, providing quality food at reduced rates.

Lexington Park, Leonardtown, Southern Calvert and Emmanuel Churches joined together to have a DiscipleNow program for their youth groups at Lexington Park Church April 23-April 25. The theme was “One” and the scripture was based on Romans 12.

Thirty youth and six adults from Waldorf Church spent an afternoon doing local missions. Some of the team did yard work to help widows in the church while others provided lunch and canned goods for residents in a low-income senior citizens’ development. The activity was part of the church’s Youth On Mission ministry.

The church recently hosted a mother/daughter banquet.

Prince George’s Association

First Church, Upper Marlboro, will have its third annual “Son-Fest” from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 5. There will be children’s games, including a “moon bounce”, entertainment, free food and a classic car show. Other activities include an AWANA High Power Soccer Camp, VBS and an All About Kids Productions camp.

Emmanuel Church, Laurel, will have a community day on June 12. Members will serve free hot dogs, drinks and other food. There will be games with prizes and free clothing give-away.

Susquehanna Association

Every fourth Friday, Pathway’s Church, Forest Hill, teams up with The Church at Riverside, Belcamp, to feed local homeless people throughout the weekends who don’t receive government assistance.

Western Association

First English Church recently welcomed hand bell soloist, clinician and coach Martha Garton for a special concert. The church has its own hand bell choir called the “Grace Notes.” The group plays during worship and also takes their ministry to nursing homes. There is also a children’s hand bell choir called “The Chimes.”

The Western Association’s 62nd annual youth camp will be July 12-17 at 4-H Camp Frame, near Hedgeville, W.Va., with Bible study, missions, worship and good mountain air fun. For more information email camp team leader, Dee Lockard, at Blockard@wmhs.com.

Mid-Maryland Association went for the gold last month – actually, “More than Gold.” The eleven-man team joined other church groups and faith-based organizations in an ecumenical outreach, partnering with the “More Than Gold” organization and with the Salvation Army to “extend the radical hospitality of Christ.”

By Sharon Mager, BCM/D Correspondent

VANCOUVER, B.C.—Mid-Maryland Association went for the gold last month – actually, “More than Gold.” The eleven-man team joined other church groups and faith-based organizations in an ecumenical outreach, partnering with the “More Than Gold” organization and with the Salvation Army to “extend the radical hospitality of Christ.”

The Mid-Marylanders were stationed outside of the figure skating arena in the evenings where team members served hot cocoa and engaged passers- by in conversations. They also gave away free New Testaments and very popular star-shaped multi-colored commemorative “More than Gold” pins.

Joel Rainey, Mid-Maryland Association director of missions, led the team, comprised of a diverse group of Christians from four Mid-Maryland churches that had never worked together before. Rainey said it was evident that God formed the teams.

“They worked masterfully together. I can’t speak highly enough about their flexibility and the way God worked through them,” Rainey said.

“… our team was known as part of the ‘hot chocolate’ people,” Rebecca Miller said. Miller and her husband, Dan, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on the trip, are members of Friendship Church. “People were grateful for a hot cup of something to drink while waiting in the rain for long lines of buses, trains and taxis. We were also able to share nightly with the bus drivers and taxi drivers, as they repeatedly lined up hours before the end of the event to ensure rides and fares for the night. It was exciting to see relationships and friendships formed from just a cup of hot chocolate and kindly spoken words. These short conversations led to opportunities for many of our mission team members to share Christ,” Rebecca said.

Shelba Uhrin told of one of those opportunities when the Holy Spirit led the group to pray with a young Olympic event worker. “It was amazing to see a man with a back pack of hot chocolate praying with this boy on the side of the road,” Uhrin said. That young man made a confession of faith.

The commemorative pins were a big hit. “Whether we were traveling on the train, by bus, walking downtown or eating lunch, we had many opportunities to explain the colors of the pin, leading people to the clear message of being a Christian.  More than ten thousand Olympic pins were given away during the Olympic Games by the more than 1,000 “More Than Gold” volunteers. These pins were taken home by people around the globe,” Rebecca said.

Northwest Church member, Charlie Strickland, had a chance to share with a Romanian man while riding on a sky train. “I did not know what I was going to say, but God provided me with the words I needed to share.  I explained to the man how much God loved him, quoting John 3:16. I gave him a lapel pin, tract and a New Testament, and the look of excitement on his face and his reaction was a great encouragement to me. I pray that he will read the materials and come to know the Lord,” Strickland said.

The trip was Mary Jane Wright’s first step into short-term mission work and was life changing. Wright is also a member of Friendship Church.

“I took a step of faith doing it,” Wright said. “My husband passed away in June and I was in church the following Sunday. I saw the information about the mission trip to Vancouver and didn’t realize it was for the Olympics and not for our immediate church.”
Wright didn’t back down, though as the trip got closer, she began to have some doubts.

“I’m 70 years old. I hoped my body would hold together,” she admitted. But her fears were groundless. “It was amazing. Having an intense week of  living  with Christians…it was a beautiful thing,” she said.

Wright shared with two Russian women on a sky train. She gave them the “More than Gold” pins, told them why the group was there and encouraged the women to read the information about Jesus on the back of the card. Wright told the women she would be by the coliseum in the evening thinking she’d never see them again but she was wrong.

“They came across the parking lot with their arms open and hugged me. That pin is going to Russia! I can’t get them out of my mind. I pray for them every day,” she said. “It was one experience after another. The whole world was there.”

Vancouver is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Rainey explained. People celebrate their ethnicities and live harmoniously. And they’re more open than in most cities, he said.

Our group had hundreds of conversations with people,” he said.  And those seeds planted have the potential to go around the whole world.

Crossroads Church is partnering with the Caribbean Student Association from the University of Maryland to help earthquake victims in Haiti. The church is collecting baby formula, baby bottles, wipes, diapers, and clothes, toiletries, hand sanitizers, vitamins, medicines, socks, blankets, mosquito repellent and non-perishable foods. The supplies will be sent to Haiti later this spring.

Glen Burnie Church will have an Easter egg hunt on Saturday April 3. On Easter Sunday, they’ll present the musical “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” at 10:30 a.m.

The church is in the midst of a women’s study on Monday nights called “The Frazzled Female,” based on the book by Cindy Wood.

University of Southern Mississippi college students partnered with New Hope Church, Curtis Bay, to host a sports camp at the Curtis Bay Recreation Center in March. The camp featured sports skills training and a “Courageous Kids” Bible study featuring Bible heroes who stepped out in obedience and faith.

North Glen Church, Glen Burnie, will have a spring festival from 2-5 p.m. on April 24.

Weems Creek Church, Annapolis, student ministry group will be sponsoring a trip to Boston July 12-17. Participants will work with Jan Vezikov, a Russian church planter attempting to reach a Russian population of over 300,000 in the city. The group will make a DVD about the ministry of the church, help with children’s ministry and do evangelism outreach in local communities.

Baltimore Association

Beacon Church, White Marsh, has free movie night for kids the second Friday night of each month. In March, they watched “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Immanuel Church will have an Easter egg hunt on April 11 at 11 a.m. Each month, youth at Immanuel collect food to distribute to groups ministering to the homeless and hungry.

Hazelwood Church had a free snack and movie night last month featuring, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.”

Long Green Church will have a “Lord in the Passover Supper” special communion service on Maundy Thursday and a “Reflections of the Cross” service on April 2.

Blue Ridge Association

First Church, Frederick, had an Easter egg hunt late last month. The church will have a Tennebrae and communion service on Maundy Thursday and the choir will present “Lenten Sketches” by Joseph Martin. Each song and accompanying scripture describes the last days of Jesus’ life.

Myersville Church will have an Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. followed by refreshments.

Delaware Association

Bethany Church members are preparing and delivering Eastern baskets to HIV positive children at Alfred I Dupont Children’s Hospital and to homeless men at the House of Joseph.

Ogletown Church, Newark, will have a resurrection day egg hunt on April 3. Kids will enjoy collecting eggs, eating snacks and hearing the real story of Easter.

Eastern Association

High Tide Church, Frankford, Del., is in the midst of an ongoing Wednesday nght series featuring Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace. The church has a special class called “First Ste” designed for children with their parents.

Fenwick Island Church has worship services at the Brandywine Assisted Living Facility at 3:30 p.m. on the first and third Sundays of each month.

Mid-Maryland Association

The Church at Covenant Park, Ellicott City, hosted the Howard County Cold Weather Shelter for a week in January. Church members partnered with GrassRoots Crisis Intervention Center to provide food, shelter, loving care and friendship to 28 homeless guests.

Montgomery  Association

Twice a year, Redland Church, Rockville, uses the Sunday school hour to teach youth the core beliefs about the Christian faith, such as the beliefs of man, the Bible and the trinity. Following the series, they have Sunday school time called “Bible Answer Man.” Youth are encouraged to ask questions they have been pondering.

Seven Locks Church, Potomac, had Boy Scout Sunday in February. Scouts and their families attended and the boys participated in opening and closing flag ceremonies, greeting and scripture reading.

The church is preparing for its summer children’s programs. They will host an “All About Kids” production June 20-25 followed by VBS July 11-16 then a  sports camp called “Unleash the Power” August 2-6, offered in cooperation with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Upper Seneca Church, Germantown, will have a finance seminar on April 23 and 24. Sessions are from 7-8:15 p.m. on Friday and from 9:30-3:15 p.m. on Saturday. Topics on Friday include the bondage of debt and Biblical principles of stewardship. Saturday’s sessions include myths and religious traditions, Biblical examples related to money and wealth, money management and financial principles according to II Chronicles. An optional session presenting a simple computer EXCEL budgeting tool and other computer-based resources will be available. The seminar is free, and lunch is included, but registration is required. For more information, call 301-972-3686 or email USBC1@comcast.net.

Potomac Association

The “Mission Kidz” group at Bayside Church, Chesapeake Beach, raised $400 for Haiti earth-quake relief by selling baked goods.

Bayside will have an Easter sunrise service at Veterans Park in Chesapeake Beach on Easter morning, followed by morning worship with a cantata at 10:30 a.m.

A student team from Dunkirk Church is serving in the Dominican Republic during spring break. The youth will serve with Iglesia Emmanuel and Viva Kids. Students will build a home for a needy family and do outreach evangelism and children’s ministry, including puppet shows.

Dunkirk members are gearing up for their annual Father’s Day car, truck and bike show planned for June 20.

A mission team from Emmanuel Church went to Haiti last month to help the earthquake victims.

Indian Head Church will host PBA’s semi-annual meeting at 7 p.m. on April 15.

It’s not too early to consider becoming part of the Moldovan mission team Oct. 24 – Nov. 6. For more information, contact Lexington Park Church member Val Ham at bobvalham@verizon.net.

Shawn McBride, pastor of New Life Community Church, Bowie, and founder of “Truth for Young America” will be the guest speaker at the Potomac Association’s men’s retreat April 9-10. The theme is “Save a life, one child at a time—How to be their spiritual mentor and guide.” BCM/D missionary for women’s ministry, Melody Knox, will be the guest speaker at the PBA women’s retreat May 21-22. The theme is “Seasons of Life,” based on Ecc. 3:1-8. Both the men’s and women’s retreats are at Camp Wabanna.

Trinity Church, Waldorf, had a youth Sunday last month. Students in grades 6-12 participated in music, ushering, speaking and other ministries. The church has a youth worship service on the last Wednesday of each month.

First Church, Waldorf, recently had their annual stewardship banquet. The event is designed to thank members for their support for the local church and missions and to encourage future giving and support.

Over 40 youth from First Waldorf travelled to Woodbridge, Va., to attend Planet Wisdom, a youth conference hosted by youth evangelist Mark Matlock and well-known radio personality, Dawson MacAllistar. One Waldorf youth made a confession of faith.

Prince George’s Association

Clinton Church has rooms available for meetings, events, receptions and other activities. For more information, call (301) 868-1177.

Members of El Bethel Church, Fort Washington, have been fasting for 40 days in preparation for upcoming mission trips including ministries to Haiti, Oklahoma, New Orleans, Alaska, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ghana.

The youth of Emmanuel Church, Bowie, participate in ministry during the worship services on the third Sunday of each month. Youth read scripture, pray and share announcements. Recently the church hosted a youth breakfast.

Forestville New Redeemer Church had an ushers and hospitality ministries annual day. The theme was “Servants: welcoming you in the spirit of Christ,” based on Phil. 2:5-7. The guest preacher was Kendrick Curry, pastor of Pennsylvania Avenue Church in Washington, D.C. The special service was followed by a fellowship brunch.

Prince George’s Association sponsored a church panel discussion dealing with the topics “Women in Ministry” at First Rock Church, Washington, D.C., last month.

Susquehanna Association

First Church, Perryville, will have an Easter “Sonrise” service at 6:30 a.m. on April 4 at Perryville Park followed by regular morning worship at 9:315 a.m. The church has a men’s Bible study led by pastor John Gauger. A recent lesson was on usng the method of paraphrasing to better understand the Bible.

Oak Grove Church, Bel Air, has a 5565 dinner club. Senior adults ages 55-65 meet quarterly at various local restaurants for a time of food, fun and fellowship.

Western Association

Disaster relief came home at Christ Memorial Church, Westernport, on the weekend of March 13.

As rain poured in Western Maryland and warmer temperatures melted snow, flooding caused evacuations and Christ Memorial became a temporary shelter.

Church members quickly brought food, blankets and other sleeping supplies.

Tim Levert resigned as pastor of Crossroads Church, Severn. Levert accepted a position as a youth pastor at a church in Columbus, Ohio.

The church gave Levert, and his wife, Tasha, a love offering and a scrapbook of pictures and mementos commemorating their time in Maryland.

Part-time associate pastors, Rick Kellner, Melba Miller and Chris Wirt, have accepted increased pastoral roles. Kellner is serving as the interim.

Lake Shore Church, Pasadena, has called a new pastor, Blaine Welker, who will begin ministering March 21.

Baltimore Association

Grace Place, Baltimore, a multi-site campus of North Arundel Church, celebrated its one-year anniversary on Jan. 17 with a special worship service and fellowship dinner.

The church is starting a coffeehouse ministry. The Christian rock band Holy Smoke played at the coffeehouse on Feb. 6.

Youth at First Church, Dundalk, prepared and served spaghetti dinners for Valentine’s Day.

The women’s ministry of Woodbrook Church will have an afternoon tea on March 27. Ladies are encouraged to break out their fancy dresses, hats and pearls, bring their tea sets and join in the affair.

“We fancy up the hall as much as possible. We put white tablecloths on all the tables and decorate with flowers. Members of the church and community lend us tea sets,” Karen Rodriguez, coordinator said.

The tea party begins with prayer. This year, Rodriguez said, they’re going to have a “Clue” type game. Everyone will be given a clue as they enter the hall and they’ll have to socialize with other guests to solve the puzzle and win prizes.

Rodriguez said church members and friends donate food and prizes. Along with the tea, ladies delicately munch on quiches, sandwiches, appetizers, fruit and sweet treats.

Blue Ridge Association

First Church, Frederick, has a worship service designed for young adults called “Refuge.” Worship is informal and features acoustic music.

The church’s youth had a winter “wonderfest” in January with an afternoon of ice skating, hot chocolate, food and a movie.

The men of First Church, Thurmont, meet monthly for breakfast at Mountain Gate Restaurant.

Delaware Association

Ogletown Church, Newark, will host the women’s conference, “Fresh Grounded Faith” on Mar.19-20, featuring national speaker and author, Jennifer Rothschild. Rothschild lost her sight at the age of 15 and now travels, teaching women to “walk by faith and not by sight.” She has shared her message at the Women of Faith conferences, on Dr. Phil and Good Morning America. Her books include “Lessons I learned in the dark;” “Fingerprints of God;” and her newest, “Fresh Grounded Faith.” For more information about Rothschild, see: www.jenniferrothschild.com. Singer Kathy Troccoli will join Rothschild. Troccoli has had 17 number-one radio hits, 19 Dove Award nominations, two Dove Awards and three Grammy nominations.

General seating is sold out, however, the church has opened up overflow seating where visitors can watch the conference via a live simulcast. Rothschild will make a live appearance in the simulcast area. The cost is $39. For more information, see Ogletown’s website, www.ogletown.org

Eastern Association

Michael Wilt, April Alvino and Martin Chavez, from Grace Church, Seaford, led a multi-church mission team of 17 people, including two teens and two translators, to Nicaragua from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6.  Other churches participating included Faith Community Church, Gambrills, First Church, Seaford, and Bayview Church, Seaford.

While on route, the team discovered that a laptop computer, cash and other items had been stolen. They also endured some transportation challenges when the departing plane from Managua, Nicaragua had a flat tire on Dec. 5, and the departure had to be delayed a day. But the team arrived home safely and gave all the praise to God.

Mission team members worked with the association of Baptist Ministers International helping churches and schools. They repaired and painted a baptismal pool, did some structural and landscaping work and provided four new teachers’ desk and chair sets, a new four-drawer file cabinet, a new captain’s chair for the principal and 50 renewed students desks. With remaining funds they bought 20 gallons of paint for the classrooms. In addition, the team participated in a sixth grade graduation ceremony, and an Anniversary celebration service, socializing with the children and people of Nicaragua and sharing Christ as they went.

The team also spent time working to educate new Christians, teaching them how to minister, read and present the Bible.

The brotherhood men’s ministry at Immanuel Church, Salisbury, has a monthly men’s breakfast. Men enjoy a time of fellowship, a devotional, and sometimes a mission activity. In February, the men invited the women. They cooked and served pancakes, sausages, scrapple, eggs, potatoes, sweet rolls and other breakfast foods for the women and they cleaned up afterwards It was a special Valentine’s treat to show the women they’re appreciated.

Mid-Maryland Association

Northwest  Church, Reisterstown, will present the Eater Pageant, “The Promise” March 26, 27, and 28 and on April 2, 3 and Easter Sunday. Friday and Sunday shows, including Easter Sunday, are at 7 p.m. Saturday’s matinee’s are at 2 p.m.

The musical is about the life of Jesus as told through the eyes of a grandfather to his grandchildren while they are looking for dinosaur tracks. When they begin discussing an upcoming birth in the family, the grandfather tells the children how all life is precious and about God’s promise and how He gave His own son. The play takes the audience back to the time of the prophets and continues through the birth of Christ, His life, death and resurrection. The program features the works of many musical artists including Claire Cloninger, David T. Clydesdale, Gloria Gaither, Mark Hayes and Sandi Patti.

Tickets are free, however, the church is asking for non-perishable donations for the food pantry or for baby supplies for Alpha Pregnancy Center in Reisterstown. For more information, or for tickets, call 410-833-7220 or visit the website, www.northwestbaptistmd.org.

Kenny Heath, Western Association director of missions, hosted a “Memories of the Big Band Era” for a seniors’ luncheon at South Columbia Church.

Montgomery Association

Kensington Church recycled their Christmas tree. They decorated it with socks throughout January and February and donated them to a local shelter.

Redland Church, Rockville, has a scholarship fund, provided by church members, to fund mission trips, retreats and other special events for youth who need the extra helping hand.

Ruth Sentelle, a Redland Church member, is a watercolor artist. She recently had several of her paintings displayed at the Yellow Bran Studio in Glen Echo Park.

Potomac Association

Lexington Park Church’s youth ministry had a sweetheart banquet with Lebanese cuisine. The evening included a coffee bar, door prizes, entertainment and childcare.

The youth of First Church, Waldorf, celebrated the blizzards of 2010 with a “whiteout party” with an “official” snowball battle, open gym time and pizza.

Prince George’s Association

The “Repairers of the Breach” men’s ministry conference kicked off its inaugural meeting Jan. 15, 2010, at Sharon Bible Fellowship Church, Lanham, at 7 PM. The special guest was “Amazing Gospel Sounds” a group of men who received Christ while incarcerated. They now sing and share testimonies. Upcoming conference dates are: April 16, July 16, and Oct. 16.

Harold Dugger, pastor of First Church of Capitol Heights, is Prince George’s Association’s men’s ministry leader. Dugger works with the PGBA’s church development team to prepare for the conferences.

“Objectively, our mission is to help men to develop and execute comprehensive understanding of their roles and responsibilities: God, family, church and community,” Dugger said, explaining that he hopes to accomplish that goal through the light of Biblical principals, profession, practice and great fellowship.

Dugger explained that men from several churches had been meeting together under different leadership.  As they fellowshipped together, they began inviting other churches. The leader of that ministry felt God was leading him in a different direction. As the leader of the PGBA’s men’s ministry, Dugger took over that responsibility.

The new ministry builds on the original and is called, “Repairers of the breach” based on Isaiah 58:12, “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in,” (KJV).

The men now meet quarterly for two hours. Each session is different. Sometimes they’ll have special guests, including health professionals to address men’s needs, question and answer times, break-out sessions, open forums, panel discussions and open dialogue.

“We’ll keep the subject as relevant as possible,” Dugger said.  At the end of the meeting, someone will give a special presentation of the word of God. Afterwards, the men share a meal.

“Some men come to church and don’t understand their role and responsibility. We wan to make sure we have healthy men in our congregations and community

In addition to the quarterly conferences, Dugger said the men meet monthly to do evangelism walks. They’ll pick a community, prayer walk, hand out tracks and minister to people.

They’ll also meet once a year for a conference retreat at Skycroft Conference Center. This year the conference is scheduled for Aug. 26- 28.

Men are responding. One hundred eighty men came to the January conference. About 50 show up regularly for the evangelism walks.”

Susquehanna Association

In the midst of a snowy February, Towne Church, Joppa, had a kids’ swim party at a local swim club.

Calvary Church, Rising Sun, hosted the Susquehanna Association’s annual WMU salad banquet. Women brought their favorite salads and recipes to share.

Pleasant View Church, Port Deposit, is hosting a “girl’s night out” at Sandy Cove on March 11. It’s a chance for ladies to get away, relax, eat and enjoy each other’s company.

On Jan. 31, the church celebrated pastor David Hall’s 20th year as senior pastor of Oak Grove Church, Bel Air. Also on Jan. 31, Hall and Brian Watts, minister to young adults and interim minister to adults, announced that Oak Grove is planting a new church in Aberdeen. Oak Grove will be the parent church. Watts will be the planter. The new church is expected to launch in March 2011.

Western Association

Second Church, Cumberland, sent a missions team to New Orleans late last month to help with the ongoing rebuilding from the damages from Hurricane Katrina. The team sold soup and sandwich lunches after church during January to help raise funds for the trip.

Glen Burnie Church called Robert Rudman as their new senior pastor. Rudman is from Cleveland, Ohio. He has served churches in Virginia, Florida and South Carolina.

Rudman attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned degrees in pastoral studies and evangelism and church growth. His wife, Mary, is a registered nurse working at Baltimore Washington Medical Center.

Lake Shore Church, Pasadena, hosted homeless visitors in December as part of the Arundel house of Hope Winter Relief program. Members treated their guests to meals, haircuts, music programs and companionship in addition to a comfortable place to sleep for the night.

When another church couldn’t fulfill their obligation, Lake Shore stepped in and hosted their guests for another weekend. It turned out to be the weekend of Dec.18 when Pasadena received close to 20 inches of snow. Fortunately, the guests arrived before the storm hit. Instead of leaving in the morning, they stayed at the church, grateful to be able to sleep in where it was warm and cozy.

Baltimore Association

Members of Streetlite Christian Fellowship, Federal Hill, and its campuses participated in a 21-day “Daniel’s Fast,” to observe the spiritual discipline of fasting, with an emphasis on prayer.

Reisterstown Church is in the midst of an “Experiencing God” study using the new updated materials with additional testimony and illustrations now available.

Colonial Church, Randallstown, and Baltimore County Government officials partnered to host a Martin Luther King Celebration Day at the church on Jan. 15. Special speakers included Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Superintendent of Baltimore City Schools, Joe Hairston, and Delegate Adrienne Jones.

Robert Anderson, senior pastor of Colonial Church, offered a commencement and closing prayer and a time of spiritual reflection.

The event also included the announcement of the fifth annual “Content of Character” honorees. In conjunction with Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs sponsors the award program, honoring a man, woman, boy and girl, who have made significant contributions to their communities.

One of the honorees was Colonial member, Shakera Kyle. The 17-year-old New Town High School student has made all state choir for three years, all county choir for four years and the Baltimore High School Honors Jazz choir for one year, participated in the American Music Aboard European Gold Tour choir singing in five countries, and is very active in her school government. Shakera was recently accepted to Syracuse University where she will study architecture.

Blue Ridge Association

Fellowship Church, Middletown, will have a Purim Party this month. Children will dress in Esther and Mordecai costumes. As the story of Esther is read, listeners will use noise makers and cheer as Mordecai and Esther are mentioned and they’ll boo and hiss when Haman’s name is read. Church members will bring traditional Hamantashen filled triangular pastries.

In addition to celebrating Purim, the church has had Passover meals and Hanukkah celebrations, learning about and celebrating Christianity’s Jewish heritage.

Delaware Association

The Delaware Association sponsored its annual medical mission trip to Moldova on Oct 25-Nov. 7. Team members were Mal and Mary Utleye and Jesse Pratt, Hockessin Church; Gayle Clifton, pastor of Upper Seneca Church; Ricky and Barbara Matney, Greensboro Church, and Robert Johnson, Bethany Church.

Mal Utleye said the goal of the annual trip is to draw non-believers to the clinics so the team could minister to them both spiritually and physically. Utleye said many believers gave up their clinic appointments for those who were unchurched.

One thousand five hundred seventy-six people from 39 villages came to the clinics. Approximately 47 percent were unbelievers.

The $12,000 for medicine was provided by churches and friends from across the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D), and from Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.  Several Ukrainian and Russian churches contributed this year.

Donations for medical supplies for the 2010 Moldova trip can be sent to: Delaware Association, 967 North State St., Dover, DE 19901. Checks should be made payable to: Delaware Baptist Association and designated for the Moldova/Ukraine medicine.

Every year, Lewes Police Department hosts an annual “Lewes Night Out,” in conjunction with the national night out campaign to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, and to strengthen community partnership and spirit.

Other community groups are invited to participate, including Seaside Church, Lewes.

Eastern Association

Eastern Association churches have been meeting together weekly at Immanuel Church, Salisbury, on Sunday nights.

Each week, a different church brings the music, gives an update on what’s happening in their church, and the pastor of the guest church for the week gives the sermon.

Faith Fellowship, Cambridge, sponsored a mission trip to the Operation Christmas Child distribution center in Charlotte, NC, to pack shoeboxes filled with gifts for shipment to children throughout the world. Twelve members of the congregation, joined by 32 others from 13 different churches in Maryland and Delaware, departed Dec. 1 and returned Dec. 4. Randall T. Blackmon, pastor of Faith Fellowship accompanied the group. Plans are being made for a return trip in December 2010. For information, contact Shirley Kailianu at (800) 877-5026 or email tidewatermotorcoach@comcast.net.

Three representatives from Grace Church, Seaford,–Mike Wilt, April Alvino and Martin Chavez–along with members of four other churches recently returned from a mission trip to Nicaragua. Goals for this trip were to repair and paint a baptismal pool, structural and landscaping work, and purchasing new desks for a school. The team was able to complete all their projects with the exception of the student desks. In addition to the work that was accomplished, the team participated in a 6th grade graduation, an Anniversary celebration service, and socialized with the children and people of Nicaragua, sharing the good news of Christ.

Ocean City Church Pastor Terry Davis retired in December after serving the church for 31 years. Davis’ son, Sean, is succeeding him.

Mid-Maryland Association

About 300 people representing at least 70 churches attend Community Bible Study (CBS) at Westminster Church every Wednesday morning. Larry Steen, pastor of Westminster Church said it’s exciting to see that many people coming in on a weekday.

A spin-off group started in Eldersburg and Steen said that’s now growing like crazy.

“I like to think its doing our part to minister to the entire church community in Westminster. God has really blessed this. People are hungry for an in-depth Bible study.”

Steen said that though the study is not sponsored by Westminster Church, several Westminster Church members are involved and people have joined the church as a result of coming to the study.

The Church at Covenant Park, Ellicott City, had a couple’s spaghetti and game night fellowship recently.

Montgomery Association

Seven Locks Church, Potomac, will sponsor a women’s conference on Mar. 13 featuring counselor, writer, wife and mother, Tasha Levert. Levert is the author of “Stories of Hope for the Sleep Deprived.” The cost is $30.

Potomac Association

Hughesville Church held a sports banquet last month, where Charles Alsheimer, field editor for “Deer and Deer Hunting” magazine, was the guest speaker.
Potomac Heights Church, Indian Head, had a women’s waffle brunch.

Prince George’s Association

First Church, Laurel, recognized senior pastor, Stanley Beall’s, tenth anniversary as pastor of the church. Bob Ryerson, chairman of the personnel committee presented Beall a plaque and a love offering by the congregation.

Susquehanna Association

The women’s ministry of Oak Grove Church, Bel Air, hosted “A Day of Beauty.” Ladies came and brought their friends for a time of pampering.

The women received a massage and had their hair styled and make up applied while listening to jazz, snacking on finger foods and chocolates and sipping tea.

Afterwards, Shannon McFerren, leader of the women’s ministry, took digital photos of the ladies. McFerren, after retouching the photos, emailed the photos to the women.

A local restaurant donated free dinner coupons, so the “prettied” up women could go home and ask their husbands and boyfriends to take them to dinner.

McFerren said the free pampering was for the ladies in the church to invite their friends to a non-“churchy” event. While there, the ladies received information about other upcoming women’s ministry events.

McFerren said the event was her first “act of kindness” outreach since recently becoming the head of the women’s ministry.

Men recently had their own “man day,” shooting hoops, doing target practice and eating barbecue.

Western Association

LaVale Church hosted about 400 boys from Juvenile Service’s Greenridge Youth Center for a Christmas party in December. The boys enjoyed a spaghetti dinner and magic show by church member Darla Lewis. They also had a great time singing Christmas carols, especially the “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

Obituary

Whitney Dale Grimley died on Dec.1 after a lengthy illness. Services were held at Cresthill Church, Bowie. Grimley was well known in the convention, serving as associate and senior pastor in many Prince George’s churches including Berywn, Clinton, Central and Greenbelt. He was also named honorary pastor of Cresthill Church where he served until his death.

Grimley loved serving in churches, singing in choirs and helping where needed. He recently began a “Sam’s Club” – senior adult ministry at Cresthill. He also led the church through a constitution and by-laws revision and a long-term visioning process.

“He was very active. If he could get to church, he was there,” Kay Grimley, Dale’s sister said.

Grimley also served the Prince George’s Association as moderator, vice-moderator and mega focus leader.

“As director of missions, I could always count on his support and honest evaluations as we planned together. Dale had the unique ability to deal with the fine details. He loved constitutions, by-laws and policy manuals and people,” Ron Rogers, former PGA director of missions wrote in an email about his friend.

Grimley enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Dale Grimley is survived by his wife, Diana, and his children: Wendi Haselberger, Benjamin Grimley and Staci Grimley. He is also survived by his brother Edward and sisters Linda Herrara, Peggy Ahmay, Donna Kauffman and Kay Grimley and grandchildren: Hailey, Kortni, Ashlei, Emili and Erin Haselberger.

Crossroads Church, Odenton, will have a Christmas community outreach on Dec. 13. For the first part of the afternoon, the church will  have family fun time with crafts, refreshment, and pictures with Santa. Later, parents are encouraged to leave the kids and go do some Christmas shopping, or other errands while the children enjoy stories, snacks and movie time.

First Church, Eastport, had an ordination service for their new pastor, Mark Jones, on Nov. 14, followed by a fellowship lunch.

Lake Shore Church, Pasadena, member Jaime McFarland has taken the event of the joyous but traumatic premature birth of her youngest child Molly and used the experience to help others struggling through similar situations. McFarland began Molly’s Mission after the baby girl was discharged from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Anne Arundel Medical Center in August 2008. The mission’s goal is to support parents dealing with premature birth experiences and to encourage medical workers who labor day and night to save these tiny infants.

Jaime’s daughter, Molly, was born on June 8, 2008 (at 27 weeks), weighing just two pounds, nine ounces.

“It was the scariest and most difficult time in our lives,” Jaime wrote on her blog, mollysmission.wordpress.com.

As Jaime and her husband, Robert, kept vigil by their baby daughter’s side at the neonatal unit, they grew close to the staff and met many other parents of premature children who, like the McFarlands, were feeling the angst and fear of the situation. The McFarlands know how much an encouraging word means and the importance of being able to share with others who can truly empathize.

Jaime’s realization of that need encouraged her create “Molly’s Mission.” The group hosts fundraisers to help the local NICU’s. They also have “preemie” clothing drives. Jaime is now collecting “preemie” parenting books and periodicals for a resource library so parents can read them while they are attending to their children in the NICU.This Christmas the volunteers will deliver dinner to the Anne Arundel Medical Center NICU.

For more information about Molly’s Mission see www.mollysmission.org.

On Nov. 15, Severna Park Church voted to call their new pastor, Dave Brown. He is currently the associate pastor of Southern Calvert Church. Brown plans to be on the field y mid-December.

The Church at Severn Run will present the musical “That’s The Good News” on Dec. 11 and 12 at 7 p.m.

The church will be a site for winter relief Jan. 11-18. This is the church’s third year participating with Arundel House of Hope to provide shelter to the local homeless.

Severn’s women’s ministry will host a women’s candlelight service at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7, featuring a reading of “The Paper Bag Christmas” by Kevin Alan Milne.

Severn has called Earl Gray as its new connection pastor. Gray began his ministry on Oct. 19.

Baltimore Association

Riverside Church celebrated its 125th anniversary on Oct.18 with morning worship followed by lunch and concert by the Oak Grove Quartet. A special anniversary service began later in the afternoon.

Special guests included BCM/D executive director, David Lee; Baltimore Association director of missions, Bob Mackey; pastor of The Church on Warren Avenue at Federal Hill, Lyn O’Berry; pastor of First Church, Brooklyn, Louis Paradiso, and deacons Larry McLucas and Earl Seymour.

White Marsh Church had an arts and crafts bazaar last month to support Stauros Ministries, a ministry for those addicted to alcohol and other drugs and for their families.

Blue Ridge Association

Myersville Church will have a Christmas cantata titled, “The Dawn of Redeeming Grace” during the morning worship on Dec. 20. The church will also have a candlelight Christmas Eve service.

Members of NorthStar Church, Monrovia, will enjoy a time of holiday fellowship at a Christmas dinner at Ceresville Mansion on Dec. 6.

Rock Spring Church, Kearneysville, WV, will host “A Night in Bethlehem” from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 18. The interactive Christmas program will feature a busy marketplace where families can make crafts, snack on goodies and visit a petting zoo. The “people of Bethlehem” will share the excitement of the special night. For more information, call (304) 724-1942

Delaware Association

Seaside Church, Seaford, had a hand washing station and gave away free balloons at the annual “Pumpkin Chunkin,’” an event in Delaware that draws over 80,000 each year.

“We are the only church there,” Charlie Arnold, pastor of Seaside said. “They only let one kind of each vendor participate.”

This year, Arnold performed two marriages on the field. The couples were referred to Arnold through the Pumkin Chunkin staff. Arnold counseled the couples prior to marrying them. One couple came to Seaside Church the week after the wedding.

Eastern Association

Berlin First Church members will have a ministry table and share hot cocoa and Christian tracts during the annual Berlin holiday parade.

Church members recently collected and distributed coats for the needy. At Thanksgiving, the church served over 300 meals to the community.

Fifty volunteers from Faith Fellowship Church (FFC), Cambridge, will work at the Operation Christmas Child packing plant in North Carolina Dec. 1-8.

Randall Blackmon, pastor, heard about Mid-Maryland Association’s annual trip and was excited at the idea of incorporating a trip like this into FFC’s Acts 1:8 strategy.

“We had been giving shoeboxes for years. I thought, let’s go the next step…let’s get in the middle and see the boxes go all over the world,” he said.

First Church, Easton, will have the children’s musical “The First Day of Christmas” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16.

Lynnhaven Church, Pocomoke, will have their annual “Walk Through Bethlehem” from 6-9 p.m. on Dec.12, 13, and 18-20.

Pastor Kerri Hinton said the program draws about 3,500 each year.

They gather in the fellowship hall to hear Christmas carols from local groups while they wait to enter the “city.”

Each group has a guide. Along the way, they see a potter making pottery, blacksmiths and carpenters working in their shops. They can smell the fish as they cook. “Bethlehem” is also alive with the sound of animals—live ones including a camel, horses, donkeys and sheep.

Shepherds come running into the town to tell about angels visiting them and the visitors follow the shepherds to the manger where they see Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. Afterwards, a guide leads the visitors back to the church to hear the “rest of the story.” A very short presentation of the life of Jesus, including his death and resurrection is shared. Afterwards, folks are invited to speak to counselors if they would like more information.

Mid-Maryland Association

Westminster Church will have “All Day Missions” on Dec. 6. Special guests will be John Warnken and his wife Barbara. The couple served as missionaries in Senegal, West Africa, for 24 years. They now are representatives of New Tribes Mission.

Also on Dec. 6, the children’s ministry will present a parade of flags.

Montgomery Association

Redland Church’s singles group had a Sadie Hawkins dinner last month. The single ladies provided dinner for the single guys.

The Afghan-Iranian Christian Fellowship, a mission of Seven Locks Church, Potomac, licensed Abdullah Shokouhi into the gospel ministry. The AICF church ministers to Farsi-speaking people in the Potomac area.

Potomac Association

First Church, LaPlata, filled Christmas stockings for disadvantaged children in Charles County.

The women of First Church meet monthly for breakfast, and then they visit church members who recently had surgery or who have been ill.

The church’s Women on Mission have been collecting coats, hats, gloves and toiletries for men at the Robert Fuller House, a transitional facility for homeless men.

The Psalm Singers at Hughesville Church will present “The Best Christmas Present Ever!” at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13. The adult choir will present “The Name…Jesus,” a Christmas musical at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 20.

Prince George’s Association

Manna Ministry, an outreach of New Song Church, Bowie, is striving to provide food for 500 people the week before Christmas through Angel Food Ministries. A box of food that will feed a family of four for one week is $30. Manna Ministry is seeking sponsors to help provide the funds to make that goal a reality. For more information about the church’s Manna Ministry, email Mannaministries500@gmail.com or call (301) 809-9871 ext. 18.

Susquehanna Association

Oak Grove Church had “Man Day” in October with basketball, ATV riding, target shooting, food on the grill and a Bible study.

Western Association

Members of Second Church, Cumberland, will travel to Jenkins, Ky., on the weekend of Dec. 18 to deliver 50 food baskets the needy.

Miscellaneous

Facius Alfreide, pastor of First Haitian Berachah Church, Seaford, traveled to Haiti last month to give school supplies and children’s clothing to Baptist schools and orphanages.

The Western Maryland Resort Ministry is in need of hand warmers, baggies, hot chocolate packets, small packs of tissues, lip balm and tea bags. The team gives these items away at various events and at ski lodges in an effort to build relationships and share the Gospel. For more information see www.deepcreeklrm.org.

COLUMBIA, Md.—They’re just simple shoeboxes, wrapped in Christmas paper and filled with crayons and coloring books, small toys and toiletries but they may be the first and only gift some children will ever receive. Operation Christmas Child, sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, provides churches, individuals, families and community groups an opportunity to give these gifts to impoverished and hurting children around the world.

Joel Rainey and his wife, Amy

The program began in 1993 with 28,000 shoeboxes being delivered. In 2008, more than 7.9 million were received and transported to children throughout the world. Boxes are sent to various countries including: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia, Kenya, Kosova, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Romania, Serbia, Swaziland, Ukraine and Zimbabwe, China, Sudan, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Uganda, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Each year, at least 200 BCM/D churches collect shoeboxes for Operation Christmas child. They give to show Christ’s love and to provide families and individuals a simple, inexpensive, effective way to be on mission.

Some churches are taking another step and going to the processing center to help with the final preparations for shipping out those lovingly packed boxes. Those plant volunteers will be the last to touch the shoeboxes until a little boy or girl eagerly unwraps it.

Amy Rainey, wife of Mid-Maryland director of missions, Joel Rainey, leads a group of volunteers from Mid-Maryland Association (MMBA) each year to Charlotte, N.C., the local packing facility for the northeast.

“Once people actually get there and see it work, it’s almost an addiction,” Amy said. Volunteers always want to go back. In fact, she added, they bring back information from the plant to eagerly share with their churches, encouraging others to join in.

The volunteers check each box and remove any inappropriate items and add other small gifts, if necessary. They pray over the boxes, that God will use each one for His glory and that the hearts of the recipients will be tender.

In addition to the shoeboxes, the children receive a “Greatest Gift” book, that tells the story of Christ from His birth to His ascension.

“It’s a door opener for the Gospel. That’s the whole point behind it,” Amy explained.

The processing has been changed from year’s past, Amy said. Teams used to perform one part of the process along the line, but now, when a group goes in to work, they take care of it all and the packages are prepped, packed and ready to go international.

“By the time our team is finished, the box won’t be opened until the child opens it,” Amy said.

The trip offers participants a time to fellowship and enjoy some of the season together. Some workers wear Santa hats or reindeer ears as they work and Christmas carols play throughout the day.

It also offers opportunities to share the Gospel, even while packing. Amy said many temporary workers are hired to help with the work and many of those workers are not believers and are not affiliated with any church. Amy had an opportunity to share Christ with one of those temps.

“I was witnessing in a Samaritan’s Purse warehouse. If you keep your eyes open you can be on mission anywhere,” Amy said.

Twenty-eight volunteers from six churches, many outside of Mid-Maryland, will work at the plant during the first week of December.

Grace Church, Pasadena, is helping the needy in Anne Arundel County by providing food to the North County Emergency Outreach Network (NCEON). A local grocery store donated bags to the church and members distributed them throughout the community asking neighbors to fill them with non-perishables to be picked up later in the month.

New Hope Church, Baltimore, hosted the ABA annual meeting on Oct.12. The church set the hall up in café style with tablecloths on the round tables and baskets of treats. The New Hope praise team led the music and worship time. Director of Missions John Brittain shared highlights of the past year, rejoicing in what was and is and challenging church leaders to grasp what could be.

John Brittain

Brittain said the association is shifting from a church health to a missional church strategy. He introduced “God’s Plan for Sharing: Arundel,” the Association’s vision for using the SBC’s GPS initiative in and around Anne Arundel County. Brittain repeatedly used the phrase, “outside the walls” and continually encouraged churches to move through their churches to reach out to their communities and beyond.

Brittain also encouraged messengers to be trained as “yellow hats” in the SBC’s disaster relief ministry and to encourage other church members to also be trained and involved.

Kendall Miller, pastor of Weems Creek Church, was moderator for the meeting and led messengers through the business session.

Messengers and guests watched a video showing New Hope’s ministry and the church’s new plant in Curtis Bay. Brittain praised God and congratulated New Hope for their successful ministering in the area.

Messengers and guests gave over $300 to New Hope for Curtis Bay.

Baltimore Association

Middle River Church, Baltimore, had a note burning celebration on Oct. 25.

North Point Church, Dundalk, is preparing for the holiday season. They’ll have a Thanksgiving Praise service on Nov. 25 and their annual Christmas Cantata on Dec. 20 and a special concert by well-known singer/songwriter Bill Itzel on Dec. 27. All of the events begin at 7 p.m.

The church is still celebrating their summer successes. Members worked with a mission team from Stony Hill Church from North Carolina, through a partnership with Embrace Baltimore, to have backyard Bible clubs in the North Point Village neighborhood in Dundalk. Twenty-three children attended and several of the children accepted Christ. The mission team also helped promote VBS for the following week, which drew an average of 32 children each night. North Point members gave out 35 bags of school supplies on the last evening of the VBS to help needy children in the neighborhood. On closing night parents and friends attended a “Family Night,” which included snacks, refreshments and a performance by Christian children’s entertainer, “Apple John.”

Members of the North Carolina mission team also put a new roof on part of North Point Church and they installed ceiling fans and lights in the fellowship hall.

Salem Gospel Church ministers to many refugees from war-torn countries. Recently the church received over six families with more than twenty children who arrived from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The families lived in a refugee camp in Tanzania for more than seven years and were recently resettled in Baltimore. Adrian Ngudiankama, pastor of Salem Gospel Church, said the families need clothing, shoes and some household supplies. The church also needs volunteers to teach English and to help with after school care for the children. To volunteer or contribute to this ministry, contact Adrien N. Ngudiankama, at (240) 595-2127.

Woodbrook Church is ministering to the needy in a variety of ways. The church is hosting “Operation Joy” to benefit the Baltimore County Public School’s Office of Homeless Education program. Church members, friends and those in the church’s “Wee” School, Woodbrook’s preschool, are bringing new clothing, toys, gift cards, toiletries and other items to be distributed to the county homeless shelters. Church members are also collecting gently used blankets and winter clothing for needy people in the Appalachia area.

In an effort to raise awareness and money for world hunger, the church had a hunger banquet. Allison Stone, who coordinated the special lunch, said members and friends sacrificed what they would have spent going out to lunch and instead donated the funds to the Assistance Center of Towson Churches and to Heifer International.

Lunch featured meals of rice, beans and chicken. Throughout the afternoon there were tents set up with facts about organizations that dealt with hunger and poverty.

Blue Ridge Association

First Church, Frederick, partnered with a local elementary school in October to provide food to struggling families. They loaded backpacks with food needy kids could take home. The church also helped the school’s staff to provide gently used clothing to the families.

Church members worked to bless the staff by writing thank you notes to teachers and other school workers for the services they provide. On Oct. 31, members washed the school staff’s cars.

Delaware Association

Delaware Association pastors and lay leaders met for the association’s annual meeting on Oct. 2, at First Southern Church, Dover.

The evening began with a picnic style dinner with sandwiches, salads, fruit and cupcakes. Afterwards, First Southern’s praise team led in worship. Clayton Clark was the moderator and introduced interim director of missions Mal Utleye.

Utleye said the association is continuing its search for a permanent director of missions. He also updated church leaders about the Association’s missions involvement in Moldova.

Blake Hardcastle, campus ministry director ministering at the University of Delaware, told messengers that students are not only growing, but also learning to disciple others.

Mitch Dowell, executive director of Embrace Wilmington, spoke of the wonders of light and challenged messengers to truly let their lights shine. Dowell encouraged church leaders to come and join in partnering with Embrace Wilmington, explaining that Embrace is seeking to come alongside the churches and help them and partner with them to advance Christ’s kingdom.

Messengers signed commitment forms to prayerfully commit “…under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, to Embrace Wilmington and all those in the Delaware Association who might be touched by this ministry.”

Eastern Association

Allen Memorial Church, Salisbury, will have a comedy night at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 featuring Christian comedian Michael Jr. The comedian has appeared on late night TV including “The Tonight Show” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” Tickets are $12.50 and can be purchased at the church, Jack’s Religious Gift Shop or at The Gospel Store.

First Church, Cambridge, hosted “Fun in the fall for senior adults” last month featuring “The Marshmallow Quartet” and “Funny things happen to us on our way to heaven.”

Mid-Maryland Association

Bethel Church, Ellicott City, will host the music group Calling Levi at 11 a.m. on Nov. 1.

Columbia Fellowship will partner with St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church to present “Communication Skills for Extraordinary Marriages” at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1.

Mason Dixon Church, New Freedom, Pa., had a special men’s night last month. The guys enjoyed a dinner then heard guest speaker David Wheeler, professor of evangelism, student ministries and homiletics at Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

Mid-Maryland Association has moved its office. Their new address is 1036 Circle Drive, Suite 104, Eldersburg, Md.

With the move, the association office will also become more virtual. The Association will still maintain a field office, but the ministerial staff will work from home offices, providing greater mobility and saving resources. 
Montgomery Association

Kensington Church collected clothing to help tornado and flood victims in Burkino Faso.

Greenridge Church, Boyds, had a men’s sporting clay fun shoot last month for a time of fellowship and outreach. Participants each got fifty targets at ten stations. Afterwards they enjoyed “potbelly” sandwiches.

Church members participate in local missions each month by providing, preparing and serving dinners at the Frederick Rescue Mission.

Potomac Association

Hughesville Church will have a fall festival and deacon chili cook-off on Nov. 1 at noon. The event will feature games, prizes, food and a chili contest.  Admission is a canned good item for the church’s Thanksgiving baskets.

Lexington Park Church has self-defense classes for seniors. Those 55-years-old and older meet from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Thursdays. Students learn about financial fraud, online security, managing medications, emergency preparation and physical defense. The physical techniques are designed to help a victim escape and include such methods as striking using a claw hand to the eye or face or kicking to temporarily stun the attacker.

“The goal for the seniors’ classes is to improve personal safety through proactive strategies,” Darlene Gentry, a member of Lexington Park and the class instructor said. Gentry explained that seniors are often targeted for property crimes. They’re also at higher risk for injury during robberies.

Classes begin with prayer and members of the church’s women’s ministry, Women of Promise, are on hand to give encouragement and pray for those seeking extra help. Fellowship is a large part of the classes’ ministry as the participants get to know each other and share their experiences and fears.

Gentry teaches self-defense classes for all age groups throughout the year. Last summer she taught a class for a group of seven teens ready to go off to college.

“This is an opportunity to show the love of Christ by attending to this basic need,” Gentry explained.

Sometimes, she said, people come to the class after a traumatic event. Gentry remembers one woman who drove two hours to come to a class after she was robbed. Other students were attacked by boyfriends. Many victims are traumatized.

Gentry began teaching self-defense after one of her students in a Chemistry lab class at St. Mary’s College approached her for help after being date raped. Gentry found that these types of assaults were common on college campuses. She spoke with a counselor who advised Gentry to begin teaching some self-defense classes.

“I had been studying martial arts for a long time,” she said. “It was something I could do.” She developed the classes with the help of the counseling center and Maryland Coalition against Sexual Assault. Later, she became certified by RAD Systems, Rape Aggression Defense.

Gentry said the classes provide some assurance that students know people care about them and that they’re not alone.

Prince George’s Association

First Church, Crofton, is participating in an Angel Tree program, collecting Christmas gifts to be distributed to needy families through Christmas stores sponsored by Baptist Family & Children’s Services.

On Nov. 22, church families will bring their favorite foreign foods to an international missions potluck dinner. After dinner, there will be a presentation about the years’ past missions trips and the upcoming missions opportunities.

Kettering Church, Upper Marlboro, celebrated its 40th anniversary with revival services with guests David Keyser, pastor of Potter’s Place Christian Fellowship in Leonard and Reynold Carr, Prince George’s Association director of missions.

Bucas Sterling, III, pastor of Kettering brought the final message. The church also had a celebration concert featuring a variety of special musical guests.

Susquehanna Association

First Church, North East, had an operation Christmas Child motorcycle rally last month with food, music, a silent auction and games for the family. The guest speaker was John Cook, Founder/Director of Indigenous Ministries International.

Church members and friends brought filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. Children helped decorate and wrap the boxes, which will be sent to Samaritan’s Purse to be shipped to needy children around the world.

All the funds from the rally were sent to Operation Christmas Child. Shoeboxes will be dedicated on Nov. 15.

Oak Grove Church, Bel Air, had a family Olympics day with food and games such as “corn hole” toss, horseshoes, races, and more. Local businesses donated award prizes.

“The idea is for youth families to get together with other families for fun and support. We hope these events will eventually grow into a student ministry support structure for each other,” Ralph Batykefer, minister to students, said. Local businesses donated prizes.

Western Association

Thomas Winborn is the new pastor of Welsh Memorial Church, Frostburg. He and his wife, Carol, moved to the area from Enterprise, Ala.

Second Church, Cumberland, will host an international mission study on Dec. 5.

Miscellaneous

Inner Harbor Ministry is preparing for its annual Thanksgiving Day feeding ministry. This year’s ministry is being organized so that volunteers have specific jobs including preparation, serving, cleaning-up, clothing disribution and other services. Churches and individuals that want to help should call Monica Good, (410) 978-7286 or Mark Good, (410) 292-1824.

First Church, Edgewater, has a monthly coffeehouse featuring local musicians. Church members sell hot dogs, nachos with cheese and other food and snacks along with a variety of beverages. The auditorium is decorated with net type of décor and each table has a fish bowl for band donations. Upcoming bands include “Uprising,” on Oct. 23 and “Beyond the Veil” on Nov. 20.

FBC Edgewater joined with Riva Trace Church, Davidsonville; Chesapeake Christian Fellowship; Mariners Church, and Bay Area Community Church for a See You at the Pole party prior to the event. Youth and their leaders from all of the churches met at Camp Wabanna in Edgewater. The evening included food, a live band, speakers and a time for small group prayer.

Members of Glen Burnie Church were do-si-doing around their church’s back parking lot last month during their barbecue and square dance party. The evening included dancing, food, and old-fashioned fun.

The church’s senior group, Silver Sages, will travel to the American Music Theater in Lancaster, Pa., for the Mark Lowry Show on Oct. 10.

Twenty-five 25 Asian Baptist churches joined in a Sept. 13 Asian Concert of Prayer with approximately 200 attendants filling up the newly built sanctuary of Hanuri Korean Church in Silver Spring, Md. The entire 2.5 hours were infused with powerful praising and praying aloud in four different languages, including Korean, Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese, with English sub-titles available. The prayer concert ended around 8:30 p.m., culminating in a time of intercessory prayer in small groups of 3-4 individuals, with people praying in their native tongues. Organizer Robert Kim, BCM/D language churches missionary, shared that the night of prayer was much like the Pentecostal scene in Acts 2, where people from different cultures and linguistic backgrounds gathered to pray. To view more photos of this exciting night, visit online at www.baptistlifeonline.org.

New Hope Church, Pasadena, will host this year’s Arundel Association annual meeting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 12.

North Glen Church, Glen Burnie, is partnering with God’s Helping Hands ministry to provide 100 children from the poorest region of Kentucky with Christmas gifts. Sponsors receive the name of a child in need then buy them requested clothing and a toy.

Members of North Glen are driving to Garrett in December to deliver the gifts and to throw a Christmas party for the children. In addition to sponsors, the church needs donations of cleaning supplies and non-perishable foods as well as funds to help offset the travel costs. For more information, see http://northglenbaptist.com/giftsforgarrett.

Baltimore Association

Bethlehem Church will have a fall revival from Oct. 22-24. Pastor Darnell Ransom will preach on Oct. 22. Stephen Hardnett, pastor of New Christian Bible Church, will be the guest speaker on Oct. 23 and on Friday, Oct. 24; “Joy Night” there will be a celebration in song and praise. All services begin at 7 p.m.

Long Green Church, Glen Arm, will have its fifth annual women’s conference on Oct. 17. The event is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the church and features guests Joella Trueschler and Debbie Reynolds.

Trueschler has a passion for reaching German youth and equipping them to share the gospel. She and her husband Bryan live in Phoenix, Md., and are waiting to serve Young Life Berlin in Germany.

Reynolds is a resident of Woodbury, Conn., and is called to missions. She spent five weeks ministering in Southeast Asia in January. She volunteers at drug and alcohol rehab center and serves the poor. She is involved in mission education at her church, leads a co-dependency program and volunteers at a drug and alcohol rehab center. The cost of the conference is $15 and includes a continental breakfast and light lunch. For registration information see the church website, http://www.longgreenbc.org.

Stauros Ministries, sponsored by White Marsh Church, will host an annual men’s retreat on Oct. 3 and 4 in Frederick. Guests will stay in Elim House, a cabin that Stauros members recently built on donated property.

Dave Tierney, pastor of New Day Church, Baltimore, will be the guest speaker. Jeremy Suits, who has been helping with fellowship exercises, such as building Elim House, will share his testimony of coming to know the Lord.

Stauros is an international organization dedicated to helping those struggling with alcohol and drug addictions and to offering support to their families. It differs from 12-step approaches to addiction, offering one-on-one support and a belief that once one is free, he or she is free indeed.

The local chapter is the only one of its kind in the United States. http://www.staurosministries.com.

Woodbrook Church members had a book sale and raised $415 for literacy programs in Haiti.

The church will have a scarecrow festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 17. The event will feature a scarecrow making station, children’s activities and refreshments.

Blue Ridge Association

Ender Zambrano, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispania, Hagerstown, and his family are moving to Gaithersburg to start a new church.

Four summer missionaries helped spread the word this summer at a Hispanic apartment complex. The young adults prayer walked and gave out literature about the new church and they gave away free school supplies. Aidsa Zambrano, wife of Primera Iglesia’s pastor Ender Zambrano, said the missionaries’ work was very fruitful. Language was not a barrier and, in fact, the Hispanics were very receptive to the young English-speaking missionaries.

“We know sometimes Hispanics won’t receive from us, but if English speaking people go and give something they receive it very easily,” Aidsa said.

One woman the missionaries visited offered her home for Bible studies.

The Zambranos are praying for a lay pastor to continue to minister to the Hagerstown congregation.

Rock Spring Church, Shenandoah Junction, W.Va., had a Labor Day celebration and potluck picnic on Sept. 6 followed by a paint ball tournament.

Delaware Association

The women of Iron Hill Church meet on Tuesday evenings for a time of study and fellowship. The ladies have been studying “Extraordinary Women,” by Julie Clinton.

Seaside Church, Lewes, sponsored an event for neighbors to come meet and greet members of the Lewes Police Department. Church members provided chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, drinks, information about the church and tracts as well as an opportunity to stop by and pray.

Eastern Association

First Church, Easton, sponsored a concert by the African Children’s Choir at Easton High School auditorium last month.

The choir is comprised of very needy African children. Most of the kids have lost either one or both of their parents to poverty or disease. Children selected for the choir spend five months at a training academy where they learn songs and dances, attend school, play and attend Sunday school at a local church. The choir raises awareness to the plight of African children and it raises funds to provide food, shelter and medicine for those kids. For more information see www.africanchildrenschoir.com.

FBC Easton will have a fall festival on Oct. 31 on St. Michael’s Road with food, games and more.

Mid-Maryland Association

Mt. Airy Church will host local Christian music artists Bill and Karen Itzel in concert on Nov. 16.

Thirty-six members of Westminster Church traveled to Hunterville, W.Va., for a mission trip. The team did a variety of repairs for the elderly and the needy including installing a heater, removing tree branches, adding gutters and working on roofs and decks. They also ministered to shut-ins, conducted a VBS, visited at a prison and helped with a free yard sale. Church members also brought a trailer of items for the free sale.

The church has a First Place program that meets on Thursday mornings. The classes focus on putting Christ first in all areas of life and living a healthy lifestyle that includes memorizing scripture, eating healthy foods and exercising.

Montgomery Association

The youth of Georgia Avenue Church, Silver Spring, had a bake sale to help support ”The Great American Bake Sale,” an effort to end childhood hunger.

Kensington Church celebrated Grandparents Day on Sept. 13, encouraging members to bring their grandparents and for grandparents to invite their grandchildren. A light carry-in lunch followed the service.

Seven Locks Church, Potomac, has a coffeehouse for young adults. Church members bring their music, poetry and even YouTube videos to share.

Viers Mill Church will celebrate their 60th anniversary on Oct. 24 and 25.

Potomac Association

First Church, St. Charles, has a divorce care support group that meets on Thursdays. Those divorced or separated are invited to come for support and encouragement.

Church members regularly lead worship services at Morningside House assisted living facility each Tuesday evening.

Val Ham, a member of Lexington Park Church, recently returned from her annual trip to Moldova, teaching at summer camps. Ham took five youth and four adults. The team spent ten days working with the young Moldavians studying Philippians as well as reading Kay Arthur’s book, “Lord, Heal My Hurts.”

Times are changing in Moldova and Ham is heartbroken to learn that the government is being more restrictive.

In a Lexington Park Church newsletter, Ham writes, “I was sad to hear that the parliament passed an amendment that does not allow the Gospel to be taught in summer camps. Five camps had already been closed this summer. It is harder to be a Christian in Moldova.”

Ham is thrilled, however, to see the fruit of many years of ministry. “Two of the girls I have worked with for the past five years went to Nepal this year to teach leaders how to disciple new believers,” she said.

Leonardtown Church started a third worship service that will meet at their Christian Life Center. In January, the service will move to an off-site location.

Prince George’s Association

Maryland City Church called Mitch Young as their full-time pastor.

Oxon Hill Church had a Filipino open house for new teachers coming to Prince George’s County from the Philippines, providing them warm clothing, linens and kitchen items to help them in their transitioning time.

Susquehanna Association

Pleasant View Church, Port Deposit, had an apple festival outreach last month with food, fun and fellowship with an autumn apple theme.

North Harford Church’s Children’s Choir will be performing an original musical drama entitled “Seeking Treasure” on Sunday, October 25th, at 6:30 PM. The Children’s Choir leaders wrote the script, using songs written by the pastor. The plot centers around a children’s explorer club finding a special book in the attic of an old house which teaches them of true treasure.

Towne Church, Joppa, youth have been studying the book, “Crazy Love.” In conjunction with the study, the teens meet on Sunday nights for a live band, video clips and to play the game “Towne Has Talent.”

The youth group will travel to Liberty University’s annual “Scaremare” Halloween program on Oct. 30-31. While at LU, the teens will watch a Liberty football game.

The Church at Riverside, Belcamp, had a blow out block party last month with games for all ages, crafts, horseback and pony rides, free food, contests and much more.

Western Association

Grace Church, Cumberland, will host a mission team from Owingsville, Kentucky on Oct. 8-11. The team will prayer walk, renovate the youth area and help build a retaining wall.

Women on Mission at Second Church, Cumberland, had a WMU Worldcrafts party. The Worldcraft items are handmade crafts from around the world. Proceeds help the crafters support their families and provide schooling for their children.