“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” Ephesians 4:32
Seaside Church helps families affected by special needs
Seaside Church in Lewes, Delaware, sponsored a class for parents of children with special needs to learn how to use “picture notebooks,” provided by Delaware Autism. The notebooks are tools that teachers, students, and peers use for communication at school and home.
The church also provided funds to support the Sussex Consortium, which offers services to students with special needs, to sponsor a therapeutic horseback riding program. Before COVID-19, twenty-three students participated, riding twice a week, but they lost many sponsors and couldn’t continue due to the pandemic. The church’s help allowed them to continue.
Seaside Pastor Charlie Arnold said when the COVID-19 protocol changes, church members will have an opportunity to watch the riding and interact with the families.
Arnold and his wife, Erika, recently celebrated 25 years of ministry with Seaside Baptist Church. Members gave the Arnolds an anniversary cake and a framed copy of the original Cape Gazette newspaper article about the couple when they began their ministry at Seaside. They also gave them copies of their original 25-year-old airfare and car rental receipts.
Members of Seaside Baptist Church in Lewes, Delaware, surprised Charlie Arnold, their pastor, and his wife, Erika, with a 25th anniversary party (photo by Seaside Church Treasurer Terri Barton).
Southern Maryland Men’s Bible Conference
Southern Calvert Baptist Church (SCBC) in Lusby, Maryland, will host the Southern Maryland Men’s Bible Conference on June 18-19. The event is a preaching and worship event for men.
Pastor Steve Ferhman said the men usually attend a retreat in the Rocky Mountains, but it was canceled due to COVID-19. Instead of waiting a year, the church decided to host a local men’s retreat and invite others to join them.
The theme is “Encouraging Men of God.” The speakers will be Dr. Harold Hunter, Dr. Gary Miller, and the Rev. Brad Criss.
Hunter pastored five churches ranging from 42-5,100 members. In 1991, he entered into full-time evangelism, founded “Trinity Crusades for Christ,” and preached hundreds of local crusades. Additionally, Hunter authored six books, participated in radio and television productions, and recorded two Gospel music records. In 2005, he became the fourth president of Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana. He currently serves as the chairman of Trinity College’s board of regents.
Miller has 49 years of ministry service, including 30 years serving as a worship pastor in various churches. He ministered for several years with Hunter as a worship leader in crusade evangelism and as a ministry coordinator. Additionally, Miller wrote over 300 songs. He has been a music producer, orchestrator, and television ministry producer. In 2002, Gary and his wife, Kathy, planted Crossroads Fellowship in Lebanon, Tennessee. In addition to seeing many unchurched souls come to Christ, including many dealing with addiction, joblessness, spiritual bondage, and abuse. Through Operation Rescue and Recovery, birthed at Crossroads Church, they have provided food for almost 30,000.
Criss is a local member of SCBC and is currently the Athletic Director for Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, Maryland. Ferhman said Criss, who was recently ordained, has been working in the educational system for 35 years. “He has seen first hand the impact of fatherlessness and broken homes on boys. His testimony is powerful,” he said.
The first evening session is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on June 18, and the second is from 9:30 a.m. to noon on June 19. The church’s praise band will provide music. The cost is $30 and includes a Chick-Fil-A lunch on Saturday.
All are welcome. Register online.
Blast Off!
Participants in Tri-County Baptist Church’s (TCBC) Sunday Night BLAST children’s ministry in Damascus, Maryland, had their annual rocket launch on April 25, marking the end of their children’s program for the semester. Kids ages three through fifth grade participated in BLAST, which featured a large group session, followed by small groups with Bible memorization, rotation through games, and a Bible lesson. Kris Buckman, who serves as TCBC’s children’s ministry director and as the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware’s children and youth ministry consultant, designed the program.
Children at Tri-County Baptist Church in Gaithersburg decorate rockets with duct tape in preparation for their blast-off party (submitted photo).
Each year in April, the kids decorate rockets and have the launch party. Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles bring blankets and food and come cheer as the rockets take off.
Buckman uses the opportunity for an object lesson. Will the rocket launch by itself if it’s placed on the ground? What if we put an engine in it? What if we attach the rocket to the launch pad and leave it there? Nothing happens unless we push the button. The creator knows what the creation is designed to do. “We need God in our lives so we can do all He created us to do,” she tells her audience.
Then Buckman shares the Gospel, using a presentation created by LifeWay — God rules; We sinned; God provided; Jesus gives; and We respond. She then shares the plan of salvation through the ABCs — Admit you are a sinner; Believe in Jesus Christ; Confess your faith in Him, and tell others.
For more information on hosting a rocket launch for kids or about starting a Sunday Night BLAST program, email Buckman.
Supporting Ghana orphanage
The Family Cathedral Baptist Church in Frederick, Maryland, will embark on a journey to Bodwease Royal Seed Orphanage in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday, May 15. Part of the church’s mission, through the Family Cathedral Baptist Foundation (FCBF), is to provide shelter to the homeless, food for the hungry, quality water, and medical supplies.
They seek donations of food, detergents, disinfectants, bleaches, medical supplies, and other household items and equipment.
For more information or to donate, visit the FCBF’s website.
Church celebrates 75th anniversary
Lexington Park Baptist Church in Maryland will have their 75th anniversary celebration on June 13 in the afternoon with food, games, music, and a special anniversary worship service at 6 p.m.
While plans are still in the works, the church seeks to reach out to past members who would like to attend. They’re also seeking memorabilia to add to the celebration.
The community is invited. More information will be forthcoming. Email or call the church office at 301-862-2552 for more information.
Tobacco Prevention Workshop
Colonial Baptist Church in Randallstown will have a Tobacco Prevention Workshop at 1 p.m. on May 1. The guest presenter will be Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, M.D., M.H.S., a pulmonologist and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Galiatsatos will share about the dangers of vaping, cigarettes, and second-hand smoke.
There will also time for questions and answers and gifts for attendees.
For more information or to register, email the church health ministry or call 410-655-1080.
Outdoor Spring Outreaches
Severna Park Baptist Church in Maryland will have outdoor family movie nights on the last Fridays of April, May, and June. On April 30, the fun will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Families can bring goodies or buy their meals or snacks from on-site food trucks. At dusk, the movies will begin. On April 30, the feature film will be “The Incredibles.” Kids are encouraged to dress up as their favorite “Incredibles” characters for free snack prizes. All children will receive superhero-themed take-home bags.
The church’s chartered American Heritage Girls Troop 0152 will have a craft/vendor fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 15. American Heritage Girls is a Christian-based scouting-type program. For more information about the organization, the event, or to rent a table, email the troop.
Members of North Harford Baptist Church in Jarrettsville, Maryland, are welcoming spring with a free festival, offering games and other activities for all ages. Church members will provide grilled burgers and hot dogs. The fun starts at 4 p.m. on May 22.
Northpoint Baptist Church in Dundalk, Maryland, will have a “Here Comes Summer” outdoor concert featuring Stauros Alive, a testimony band affiliated with the addictions ministry of the same name. Church members will serve refreshments. In case of rain, the event will be indoors.
Clothing swap
The Women’s Ministry of Elders Baptist Church in Sykesville will have a clothing swap from 8 a.m. to noon on May 1. There will be clothes for all sizes, from babies to young adults and teenagers. Folks can bring in gently-used clothing to swap or stop by to shop.
The event is an outreach and a time for the church, friends, and neighbors to get together, swap clothes, and chat.
History Highlight
William Crane, a businessman, created and financed “The True Union,” a predecessor of BaptistLIFE. Crane was an active layman in local, state, national, and international Baptist mission work. He taught Sunday School for forty-seven years. He considered Bible study important for every Christian and had cards printed with a plan for reading the whole Bible in a year and handed them out to all who would take them.
Quotable
“You can never learn that Christ is all you need until Christ is all you have.” — Corrie Ten Boom