“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus — he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh) — and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:19-25)
Ordination
Living Water Baptist Church (LWBC) in Severn, Maryland, ordained church member Rony Alvarez to the Gospel ministry on Sept. 29.
Alvarez has been a member of LWBC since 2010. He leads Bible studies, preaches, and teaches. As the congregation expands with young couples, Alvarez is now involved in establishing a children’s ministry.
Living Waters Baptist Church ordained Rony Alvarez to the Gospel ministry.
“I first felt the call to ministry before the birth of my daughter, during a time when I was certain that pursuing my Master of Business Administration was the right call. But the Lord had other plans, as I would come to learn through the bending and submission of my will to His,” he said. “I quit my MBA program and enrolled in seminary instead.”
Alvarez said he will continue working with and motivating young people. “I hope to encourage them to truly grasp the Gospel,” he said. He wants to equip the youth to be able to impact their communities through small groups and to help them to “embody the idea that ‘church’ is not just a building where we corporately worship God once a week, but a living and breathing community of believers.”
The church had a celebratory meal after the ordination.
Potomac Baptist Association (PBA) Annual Meeting and Retirement Celebration
Churches in the Potomac Baptist Association (PBA) will have their annual meeting on Oct. 24 at The Church at St. Charles in Waldorf, Maryland. A ministry expo will start at 6 p.m., followed by a business meeting and a time of worship. Refreshments will be available during the expo.
Joe Blanton, the pastor of Cobb Island Baptist Church in Maryland, will share the evening’s message.
This year’s meeting will include a retirement celebration for PBA Director of Missions Keith Corrick, who has served in ministry for 37 years. In addition to serving as the director of missions for over six years, Corrick pastored four Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) churches for 31 years, including 13 years as pastor of Hughesville Baptist Church in Hughesville, Maryland.
Korrick will officially retire on Dec. 31, but he will remain active in church service. “I still plan to serve in ministry … as the Lord leads,” he said.
50th Anniversary Celebration
Members of Kettering Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, will celebrate their 50th Jubilee Anniversary later this month with several special worship events at their Legacy Center.
They’ll kick off the festivities with a revival service starting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 23. Patrick Walker, the pastor of The New Macedonia Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., will be the guest speaker.
Guests can return to the center on Oct. 26 for a concert featuring Gospel singers Todd Dulaney and Maranda Curtis. The concert is free, but tickets are required. Reserve tickets by calling the church office at 301-627-9500.
On Oct. 27, Joel Gregory will speak at the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services. Gregory is the director of the Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
The church invites all to attend and join in the celebration of this golden anniversary.
International Vocal Concert
Marbury Baptist Church in Marbury, Maryland will welcome “Lyra” in concert at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11. The a cappella vocal ensemble is from St. Petersburg, Russia.
The group will perform a variety of music, including chants from the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian folk songs.
According to the group’s website, they received the Montreux International Choral Festival diploma and were winners at the Coleraine International Music Festival in Northern Ireland.
There is no charge for the concert, but the church will take a love offering for the group. Church members will serve light refreshments after the concert.