“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life — that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” 1 John 1:1-4
Churches serving their communities
Randall Blackmon, the pastor of Faith Baptist Fellowship Church (FBFC) in Cambridge, Maryland, wrote in a BaptistLIFE online submission, “God is providing our church opportunities to be on mission for Jesus as we minister His love and care to those in our community and around the world.”
FBFC church members were at work on Oct. 1, assembling and praying over care packages which they would deliver to community servants at the sheriff’s department, as well as the Cambridge police, EMTs, fire department workers, and medical staff. Packages included bottles of water, cookies, chips, mints, and other goodies, along with hand sanitizing wipes, copies of “Our Daily Bread” devotionals, and invitations to the church.
Pastor Colin Pugh II and First Lady Jeanette greet drive-by well-wishers (photo by Amelia Pearson/PW Photography).
“We are grateful to the LORD for their efforts in providing us security and assistance every day,” Blackmon wrote.
“… For there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God” (Romans 13:1).
Since the pandemic started, members of Clinton Baptist Church (CBC) in Maryland have provided groceries to 70 families, 5,000 meals to seniors in Prince George’s County, and 150 bags of school supplies to students.
COVID-19 pivot for their anniversary celebration
On Oct. 4, members of CBC celebrated Pastor Colin Pugh II’s birthday, along with his and first lady Jeanette’s first anniversary of ministry with the church.
During the morning livestream, the couple received with a plaque and card.
The congregation had a drive-by celebration in the afternoon. Colina Pugh, Pastor Pugh’s twin sister, owns the balloon business Cheek2Cheek and arranged a variety of large displays in front of the church. Colin and Jeanette stood outside greeting their guests — many wearing masks with the CBC logo.
“It was so much fun,” Colina said. “We had a huge celebration planned but, with the pandemic being so prevalent, we had to pivot to a more responsible, safe celebration. It was amazing and there was such a great energy.” Over 185 cars drove by to honor the pastoral couple. “We had music playing and a cheering squad. People from all areas of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia came out to celebrate and to give love and well-wishes praise God and how He is truly moving at Clinton Baptist Church.”
The youth of South End Baptist Church volunteer at Skycroft
Youth volunteers from South End Baptist Church in Frederick, Maryland, did some missions work at Skycroft Conference Center on Oct. 3. They cleaned signs, restocked wood sheds, cleared wood from fallen trees, and did some string trimming.
Youth from South End Baptist Church cleaned signs, restocked wood sheds, cleared wood from fallen trees. and did some string trimming (photo submitted by Skycroft Conference Center).
during this season,” she said.
Prayer ToursTM
Georgette Littlejohn, a member of New Hope Baptist Church of Prince George’s County in Fort Washington, Maryland, created a women’s prayer and sharing platform called “Prayer Tours”TM.
Littlejohn submitted information about the ministry to BaptistLIFE through the online submission form.
She wrote, “I have birthed the vision that God ‘downloaded’ to me in early January, not knowing it would be for such a time as this. I created Prayer ToursTM. It’s a safe space for women to come and receive prayer and talk about current issues and things they are experiencing in their lives.” The ladies have been meeting online every Friday since late February.
Additionally, Littlejohn launched Ignite-HER Country Club on Oct. 3. “It’s an online membership for women where prayer is at the premise of all we do.
“I also pray Mon-Sat at 11 a.m. on Facebook in my public group, Prayer ToursTM. On Sundays, I do an early morning sunrise prayer.” For more information, or to join, visit the website.
Blessing Box
SONRISE Church in Berlin has a “Blessing Box,” built by a church friend Rick Clements. The box offers free canned goods to passersby. It’s a convenient opportunity for them to take what they need or to donate items.
Quotable quotes
“… It is infinitely better that the profane and loose be unmasked than to be muffled up under the veil and hood of traditional hypocrisy, which turns and dulls the very edge of all conscience either toward God or man.” — Roger Williams
Franklin Wilson (1822-1896) was the first state executive director of the Maryland Baptist Union Association and served for forty years from 1847 to 1887. After leaving the pulpit, he turned his energies to the office of executive secretary and editor of the Maryland Baptist paper, “The True Union,” a forerunner to BaptistLIFE.
In 1847, the Maryland Baptist Union Association and the Southern Baptist Convention appointed Noah Davis, a former Virginia slave freed with money from Baltimore Baptists, as a missionary among African-Americans in Baltimore. (Adapted from Gofwd, a Southern Baptist Retrospective, a publication of BaptistLIFE.)
Korean pastor Samuel Cho and his wife, Young, started Nepal Baptist Church of Baltimore in 2005. In 2009, they started Bhutan Baptist Church of Baltimore.
Cover photo: Members of FBFC prepare care packages for local community servants (Facebook photo, used with permission).