“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28
“Freedom from Addiction”
Watersedge Baptist Church in Dundalk, Maryland, will have a “Freedom from Addiction” service at 6 p.m. on November 8, presented by Stauros Ministries, the American expression of the Irish-based Stauros Foundation. Several people formerly addicted to alcohol and other substances will share their testimonies of hope, and Stauros Alive, a band, and ministry of Stauros, will lead a time of worship. John Burghauser, a pastoral care worker with Stauros, will share the evening message.
John Burghauser serves as a pastoral care worker with Stauros Ministries
John and his wife, Peggy, are members of White Marsh Baptist Church (WMBC)in Perry Hall, Maryland, and both serve as missionaries for Stauros. John, with Peggy’s support, mentors those who struggle with addiction as well as their families.
After abusing multiple substances for more than two decades, John’s lifestyle threatened to destroy him and his marriage before he surrendered his life to Jesus. He became involved with Stauros in 2000. Tom Eakins, a Stauros Community Pastor from Ireland, visited White Marsh Church and shared about new life in Christ. He read from 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (KJV).
The testimony and scripture made a profound impact on John and allowed him to see himself through the eyes of Jesus. God gave John a desire to become involved in Stauros and to come alongside those battling addiction as a friend and mentor, giving them the support and encouragement needed to move towards the goal of recovery and a new life in Christ. He became the first full-time pastoral care worker for Stauros in America.
An introvert by nature, John struggled to be comfortable in most church services, often designed for extroverts. He discovered many people recovering from addiction deal with similar issues. As part of his outreach, he now teaches church leaders about developing a welcoming culture, specifically related to addiction, through one-on-one counsel and church workshops.
All are welcome at the service. Those interested in Stauros Ministries can email John or visit the Stauros website.
Canton Baptist Church welcomes new members
Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, began meeting for worship in May, utilizing indoor and outdoor venues. They are continuing Bible studies on Zoom and YouTube.
On October 12, four people joined the church and Senior Pastor Steve Wolverton baptized two of them — Deijah Price and Judy Howe. Wolverton called the Sunday a “Glory Day.”
Canton Baptist Church Senior Pastor Steve Wolverton baptizes Deijah Price, who joined the church by baptism. Her husband, Brandon, joined by letter. (photo submitted by Canton Baptist Church).
Revival service
Camp Wo-Me-To in Jarrettsville, Maryland, will have an outdoor “Mountain Revival Service” at 4 p.m. on October 24. The event will include a time of worship, testimony, a message, and communion. The Women on Mission camp has not been able to operate due to COVID-19 restrictions. The service will include an offering to help support the camp’s operations. Those who plan to attend should bring chairs and masks.
Multi-denominational worship service
Conowingo Baptist Church (CBC) in Maryland is partnering with other community churches of various denominations to present an outdoor “Worship Night” at Janes United Methodist Church (JUMC) in Rising Sun, Maryland. It will run from 6 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. Joshua McCord, the senior pastor of CBC said he and other local pastors felt they should intentionally meet and evangelize together, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. “We felt it is a perfect time to break down walls and say, ‘let’s unite on what we agree with.’”
Each year on Halloween, Rising Sun has a “Spooktacular” event with trunk-or-treats and other activities throughout the city, but due to COVID-19, the organizers have canceled those events. McCord thought it would be the perfect time to do a multi-denominational outreach.
JUMC is right in the center of Rising Sun, making it the perfect venue for the service, McCord explained. CBC has an ongoing relationship with JUMC. “Steve Basht, their senior pastor, helped us get our men’s ministry started before he was a pastor,” McCord said. In addition to Janes UMC, CBC will partner with Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, also in Rising Sun; Ebenezer United Methodist Church; and New Victory Christian Church.
Pastor Reggie Sheppard, the senior pastor of New Victory Christian Church, will share the evening message and CBC’s praise team will provide the music and worship.
McCord said other congregations are welcome and urged to participate.
The churches will also set up tents where passersby can stop and pick up free Bibles, tracts, and free candy.
“I’m excited. We haven’t had anything like this in the area,” McCord said, emphasizing that the churches seek unity. “We hope this event allows the full body to feel more united than it has for a long time. We want to be a light in a time of darkness.”
Sowebo Community Church in Baltimore will have a “Community Farm Day & Bonfire” from on Oct. 31 from noon to 4 p.m. at 4325 Federal Hill Road. Folks of all ages can enjoy music, snacks, hayrides, a petting zoo, fishing, and more. Costumes are welcome. Registration is required.
“Drive-Thru” Trunk or TreatWMBC will have their annual trunk or treat, but they’re doing it “COVID-19 style.” Participants will decorate their vehicles as in the past, but this year, to ensure social distancing, families will be invited to drive from car-to-car to see the uniquely decorated vehicles and to receive bags of goodies.
The Transformation Center (TTC) in Baltimore distributed diapers for 719 children in two hours on Oct. 18. Their next diaper distribution day will be from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 12, though families can receive food, pet supplies, and diapers on Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m.
Camp Wo-Me-To in Jarrettsville, Maryland, will host an outdoor “Mountain Revival Service” at 4 p.m. on October 24. The event will include a time of worship, testimony, a message and communion.
In 1990, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) established a partnership mission with Long Island Baptist Association, New York.
In 1950, Camp Wo-Me-To began with the Woman’s Missionary Union of Maryland’s purchase of 148 acres in Harford County for $7,655.
1982, Kenneth Lyle became the BCM/D’s executive director. Under his leadership, the BCM/D missionary spirit nurtured by the northeast expansion found new direction through partnership missions.
(History Bites are taken from “Gofwd, a Southern Baptist Perspective,” a special feature publication of BaptistLIFE)
“We should not behave as if there is a limited supply of love. God did not limit His love to us. There was a cross on Golgotha’s hill to prove it. In fact, the more we give of ourselves to others in the name of Christ, the greater our capacity to receive His love.” — David Lee (a former BCM/D executive director)
Cover Photo: Steve Wolverton, the senior pastor of Canton Baptist Church, baptizes Judy Howe, a new believer (photo submitted by Canton Baptist Church).