“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13
Arkansas mission team serves Georgia Avenue Baptist Church
A mission team of 28 volunteers, with over 20 high school students from Unity Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas, has been serving the incredibly diverse Georgia Avenue Baptist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland., July 7-14. The team, after riding on a bus for over 14 hours, led a Bible camp for kids, did a variety of cleaning, painting and yard work around the church, shared during the worship services as well as with the church’s senior’s group, and also handed out 1,000 flyers for GABC’s upcoming VBS.
Youth from Unity Baptist Church in Hope, Arkansas served seniors at Georgia Avenue Baptist Church.
GABC Senior Pastor Tim Bonner was overwhelmingly grateful and pleased with the team. At least three children committed their lives to Jesus, and others came forward for prayer.
“A few parents also made professions of faith,” Bonner said. The parents of the younger kids stayed with their children during the kid’s camp, and they too heard the Gospel. “All the youth are trained for follow up and salvation counseling. We, as the host church, are reaping the benefits.” Bonner said the congregation has been encouraged through the team’s ministry.
During a senior’s lunch, a large group of teens not only sang, led hymns, shared a devotional and a few object lessons, but they also sat with and conversed with the seniors, swapping stories, and chatting about the differences in Arkansas and Maryland. Many youth discussed their plans for the future.
Several of the teens said that the trip has cemented their relationships with each other.
“It’s a good bonding experience,” said Annabeth Martin, who reiterated what several youths were quick to point out – “We don’t have our phones.” They sang and played games together on the bus.
Members of the mission team led a time of singing hymns.
Martin said one of the trip highlights for her has been working with the children. “I really like interacting with kids, talking to them and getting to know them,” she said.
“It’s really about people,” Ashton Kenzel added
Above all, serving Christ motivates the team. “We really like ministry,” Annabeth said. It’s never about going to see things. It’s not about the fun parts, it’s about ministry. “
Tim Rowe, a youth who serves with recreation, puppets, and music, said he especially enjoys the bonding experience and also the diversity at GABC.
Other teens agreed that meeting people from over 30 countries at the church has been a unique and positive experience.
Brady Whatley, one of the young team members said above all, “We like to serve and see people filled with joy,
They ministered at the church several years ago and contacted Bonner about returning. Unity Baptist Church Youth Pastor Jay Pollen, who leads the group, said the team enjoys visiting the area and fellowshipping with the folks from GABC. They will be with the church for worship on July 14, and then they’ll return to Arkansas.
Church plans ahead for Operation Christmas Child
Faith Baptist Fellowship Church (FBFC) in Cambridge, Maryland, prepares for Operation Christmas Child (OCC) throughout the year. Each month, the church has specific items to collect for the shoeboxes that will be sent around the world. July’s items are soap and lip balms. Other specific items are requested monthly, said Chris Harrison, who coordinates OCC for FBFC.
The church also raises funds to send the boxes. Harrison said the shipping price has risen to $9 per box and that can be costly, especially for a small church. FBFC is hosting a yard sale on August 24 to offset the charge. Half of the proceeds from the yard sale will be used for a future mission trip, and the remainder for OCC shoebox shipping costs. If there are leftover funds, Harrison said the church will send the money to OCC to help offset other church’s shipping costs.
Night of Praise
The Arundel Baptist Network will host a “Night of Praise,” from 6-8 p.m. on July 28 at Severna Park Baptist Church (SPBC) in Maryland. Lake Shore Baptist Church in Pasadena, Maryland; Uplift Through the Word Ministries in Severn, Maryland; SPBC and Life Connection Church in Severn, Maryland, will share music. A catered dinner will be provided prior to the event from 5-6 p.m. For more information email arundelbaptistnetwork@gmail.com.
International Day
Colonial Baptist Church in Randallstown, Maryland, will have an “International Day” on July 14. Following the worship service at 10:30 a.m., with an international theme, the church will have a multiculutral dinner with music provided by a steel drum band.