It has been a rainy week, but thank God for the beautiful green all around our area.
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Churches in Maryland/Delaware recently celebrated groundbreaking, anniversaries and other exciting happenings. Others did community outreach, drawing hundreds of people and having Gospel conversations.
Sycamore Hill Church broke ground on an expansion project Terry Foester, associate pastor, said has been “a long time in the making!” Through their “Living Stones” capital campaign, the church has pledged nearly half of the $4.5 million needed to add more space for discipleship and youth ministry, and eventually, later, a new worship center.
A Sycamore Hill founding member, Jack Hill, officially “broke ground” at the church’s ceremony on May 6.
The church bought an old school building and later renovated it for a children’s wing. Currently, at the Hockessin campus, they’re meeting in a gymnasium that seats 200 and having two services.
The church had a groundbreaking ceremony after church on May 6, spending time reflecting on God’s provisions and blessings, giving thanks for what He’s done, and trusting Him for the future.
“It’s very exciting,” Foester said.
The church’s Wilmington campus meets at the Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts and uses LOMA Coffee, which the church owns, as an outreach to the community.
Kensington Baptist Church is faithfully reaching the nations through English as Second Language and citizenship classes. The citizenship classes are for internationals preparing for the naturalization test in the fall or later, or for those who want to learn the basics of American history and government. The English classes focus on conversation and writing. Both classes begin May 21.
Dr. Ron Blankenship, Montgomery Baptist Association director of missions, will lead a conference for new and prospective directors of missions
Ron Blankenship, Montgomery Baptist Association director of missions, will lead a conference for prospective and new directors of missions prior to the annual Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) meeting in Dallas. Blankenship will share about, “Ethnic Church Planting and Integrating Language Pastors into your Association.”
Communidad de Fe Church celebrated their third anniversary on April 14 with a special service and dinner. The church was founded by Julio Mejia.
Cresthill Church had a yard sale and over 100 sellers participated. Margot Painter, the wife of Pastor Jimmy Painter, said it was an incredible outreach. The large parking lot was more than filled.
Sarah Nagel, who participates in the church’s young adult group and sings with the praise team, mans the soap and bath salts table at Cresthill Church’s yard sale.
They had children’s activities during the yard sale—”cereal and cartoons,” “activities and crafts” and “popcorn and movies.”
The youth/young adults sold homemade soaps and body scrubs with Bible verses attached. Food truck vendors offered cookies and milk and individuals from the community offered ethnic dishes.
Vendors could donate leftover items to Extend a Hand Ministry, which provides necessary household items for former homeless in the community.
The church had many opportunities to meet and chat with people from the community. Members greeted visitors giving them bags printed with the church name and filled with information about Cresthill. Another team purposefully walked around talking with people, telling them about upcoming events and inviting them to the church. Painter said many reported having significant conversations with several families.