God is moving in and through BCM/D churches — from the rich to the poor, around the world and next door.
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19 NIV)
Here are some ways that our churches are impacting our local communities and the world:
Members of Haven City Church, Fells Point, regularly give free Bibles to new church members and to folks around the neighborhood.
“The Colonel” shows his “prized possession” to pastor Josh Turansky. (photo by Josh Turansky, used with permission)
One recipient is a gentleman who is homeless, whom everyone knows as, “The Colonel.”
“He has been a fixture in Fells Point for decades,” said Josh Turansky, pastor of Haven City Church.
Turansky said, The Colonel has known about the church for a while, but wasn’t interested in attending. Although Turansky believes something happened recently — the man changed. According to Turansky, “He has made a deliberate decision to be a part of what we are doing.” He continued, “The first week he was there he came in at the end of the church before the benediction. As I was welcoming people, I saw him and asked, ‘How would you like to introduce yourself?’ He took a minute, then he said, ‘Well, the only thing people need to know about me is that I love Jesus!
“That’s the bottom line. What God is doing for us is forming a church that has people roll into the church parking lot with their Audis and people who roll into the lot with their shopping carts holding their life possessions. That’s been our prayer,” Turansky said.
“I was walking back from a meeting I had in Fells Point a few days ago. “The Colonel” was sitting on a park bench. We got talking, and he wanted to show me his prized possession. He opened up a shoe box, and there was one of our free Bibles.”
Ocean City Baptist Church hosts hundreds of international students each year for Monday night dinners.
Now, the 77-year-old “Colonel,” who really is a veteran, is interested in starting a small group for people, who are homeless.
Ocean City Baptist Church is making plans now for their international student dinners in 2019. Each summer, the church hosts hundreds of students from all over the world for dinner each week. Various churches make and serve food on a rotational basis or as a one-time ministry.
For more information, or if your church would like to be involved next year, contact BCM/D’s International Student Consultant Amy Smith at amy@ocbaptist.com
The Women’s Ministry of New Song Bible Fellowship Church, Lanham, will have a women’s health and wellness seminar starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20.
Dr. Etrulia Troy Lee, author of “You Can Win” and “Eat Yourself Slim & Never Diet Again” is the keynote speaker. Lee is also a holistic nutritionist. This year’s seminar is focused on the topics of healthy eating, mental health, and exercise. There will also be a session on “Understanding the Basics of CPR,” led by Paulette Guy.
The conference is free, but registration is required for lunch and handouts. Register online.
Nanjemoy Baptist Church will have a trunk or treat on the gravel road around their historical graveyard. “Light the Night for Jesus” is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. There will be 20 “treat” stations for kids to visit. This is the second year the church is hosting the event. They had a great turnout last year and they’re hoping that “word of mouth” will draw even more to this fun outreach.