Some Maryland/Delaware churches are over 200 years old. Others have just begun, and still others are marking milestones in their journeys—anniversaries, ordinations, and the “everyday” outreach that churches use to draw people, to share the Gospel and change lives forever.
“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.'” (1 Samuel 7:12)
Village Church, Baltimore, is celebrating their tenth anniversary.
The Village Church, Baltimore, celebrated their 10th-anniversary last weekend. On Sept. 14, the church kicked off the weekend’s events with a worship concert. Two past worship leaders, Cameron Warne and David Parker, and current leader Jason Melani, along with other musicians who moved on to minister at other churches returned for the evening and presented the music for the first half of the concert. The current praise band followed with the second set.
On Saturday, members enjoyed a celebratory banquet. One young woman presented the church with a special gift—a cross made from the building’s original door and hinges. The door was ruined when it was kicked in during a robbery attempt. The woman’s late husband lovingly collected the pieces and she had them made into the cross.
A Village Church member presented this beautiful cross, made from the church building’s original door.
Pastor Dan Hyun said he was also very pleased when the church recognized his wife, Judie, with a bouquet of flowers. She received a standing ovation. Hyun noted Judie is often in the background doing much work. “There is no ‘Village’ without her,” he said. The anniversary celebration continued through worship on Sunday. “I had such a rush of different emotions,” Hyun said, referring to the various events commemorating the anniversary.
Kevin Cox, Sr. was ordained to the “ministry of the Gospel” at Oak Grove Baptist Church.
Oak Grove Baptist Church (OGBC) ordained Kevin Cox, Sr. to the “ministry of the Gospel,” at a special service on Sept. 9. Ordained men in the church laid hands on and prayed over Cox. OGBC Senior Pastor Jim Testerman led the prayer of dedication. Cox has been involved in a variety of ministries at the church for over 25 years. He and his wife, Elizabeth (Betsy), have been married for 31 years and they have three adult children and two grandchildren with another grandchild “on the way.”
“I was saved as a pre-teen at Carsin’s Run Baptist Church during a church revival at the age of 11,” Cox said. He surrendered to vocational ministry in 2014 and was licensed to preach. Currently, he serves as the minister of Sunday school and small groups and Betsy serves in the nursery.
White Marsh Baptist Church will host their annual “Fall Back in Love” outdoor concert starting at 5 pm on Sept. 22. The church’s praise team will sing a variety of love songs through the decades including favorites from the Beatles, The Carpenters, and Captain and Tennille. Pastor Dave Tierney will share briefly following the music. Folks are invited to bring chairs, blankets, and picnic dinners and snacks. The church will provide free popcorn and snow cones.
Emmanuel Church, Huntingtown, will have a car show on Sept. 22.
The church uses the concert as a time of fellowship and outreach to the community. Tierney shares with the visitors that there are many kinds of love, but that God’s love is above all. The praise band also plays several worship songs near the end, to give visitors a sampling of Sunday morning worship time.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Huntingtown, will have their annual car show from 9 am to 2 pm on Sept. 22. There will be food, entertainment, music, games, door prizes and more. The free event is an outreach to the community.