“For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
Ministry to Veterans
Oak Grove Baptist Church (OGBC), in Bel Air, Maryland, had their inaugural REBOOT Combat Recovery Class graduation on June 6, 2019, and they’re planning another session starting this fall.
REBOOT is a 12-week trauma recovery program designed to help veterans, reservists and active duty personnel move past the isolation and desperation they experienced to find freedom in Christ.
LaVerne Cash, who began the program at OCBC, said the REBOOT class is the first course of this nature to be offered in Harford County and the second in Maryland. Cash explained that many programs for veterans treat wounds of the body and mind, but ignore the soul. “REBOOT Combat Recovery treats soul wounds using a unique blend of clinical insight with Christian faith-based support.”
Combat veterans and their spouses teach REBOOT Combat Recovery. They have experienced the hurts and can empathize and understand.
To educate the public regarding the effects of combat trauma on veterans and their families, the church will show the movie”We Are Stronger” from 7 – 9:30 p.m. on August 9, and from 2:30 – 5 p.m. on August 10, in OGBC’s sanctuary. The movie is a fictional depiction of the effects of combat trauma on the life of a combat veteran and his family and his path to healing.
The next REBOOT Combat Recovery class begins on Sept. 10, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and graduation is Nov. 25. The church will provide dinner and childcare. There is no charge for the movies or the REBOOT sessions. A love offering will be collected at the movie showing.
Those wishing to contribute to support the program by mail may send checks to Oak Grove Baptist Church, 2106 Churchville Road, Bel Air, MD 21015. Checks should be made out to Oak Grove Baptist Church with “REBOOT” written in the memo line. Read more about REBOOT in our previous BaptistLIFE article. For more information, contact LaVerne Cash through the Oak Grove Baptist Church office at 410-838-9898.
Annual Father’s Day Car Show Expected to Draw Thousands
Members of Dunkirk Baptist Church (DBC), in Maryland, are revving up for their annual Father’s Day Car Show from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 16. The church has hosted the free show as an outreach for over a decade. Each year over 300 car and motorcycle enthusiasts participate in the show, and over 1,000 people attend, many traveling from various locations in the tri-state area.
Church members provide free food throughout the day. Kids enjoy games, crafts, face painting, and moonbounce inflatables at the “Kid’s Corner.”
The church also uses the opportunity to share the Gospel. There will be three worship sessions. Gary Reick, with the Christian Motorcycle Association, will share at 9 a.m., DBC Senior Pastor Ben Holland will bring the message at 11 a.m., and at 1 p.m. church member Ed Wilcher will share a message. The church’s praise band, youth group, and other church musicians will provide music.
Also at 11 a.m., award-winning author Rick Tancreto will read one of his books with the children in the Kid’s Corner.
Church members will meet and chat with all who attend, provide literature about the church, and offer prayer.
Church Administrator Michelle Duelley, who has been a DBC member for 12 years, said many people have visited the church after attending the car show, and some have made professions of faith and become members.”Our main focus is to share God’s word through community outreach and to plant seeds,” Duelley said.
New Staff
Ashton Baptist Church, in Maryland, called Mr. Carlos Camargo to serve as Music Worship Leader. Carlos had been working with on an interim basis for a few months.
First Baptist Church of Damascus, in Maryland, called Mr. Jeremiah Hilton to serve as their Children’s Pastor.