The PrimeTimers at Bethel Baptist Church (MMBA) honored Jimmy Jackson and his wife, Cleo, for 60 years of service to the Lord and the thousands of people who have been touched and blessed by their faithfulness.
Blue Ridge Baptist Association is starting an Evangelism Training Center to help Christians learn how to share their faith. BRBA Director of Missions Bruce Conley said the association will use a variety of resources including Evangelism Explosion; “Just Walk Across the Room,” based on a book by Bill Hybels; Billy Graham School of Evangelism resources and Saddleback material. The association hopes to have two to three training events each year.
The first session will be an evangelism training event sponsored by Covenant Baptist Church, Shepherdstown, W. Va., on Aug. 18, working with Evangelism Fellowship Training.
Following the training session, participants will be invited to go to “Bike Night” in Martinsburg, W. Va., to get some hands on time witnessing and sharing Gospel information to those interested.
Canton Baptist Church (BBA), Baltimore, opened its outdoor venue, “The Dock @ Canton” in May. The outdoor covered patio area has a cool, outdoor cafe type feel. It’s ideal for the many dog walkers who daily pass the church. In fact, Steve Wolverton, pastor of Canton Church, took notice of those people and thought an outdoor venue would be a perfect way to connect to the neighborhood.
On opening day, the church offered food and drinks and pet-related activities in an effort to get to know the dog owners. The Sunday following the opening day, several of those people returned and sat outside to listen to the service.
College Parkway Baptist Church (ABA), Annapolis, has a topical Sunday school class called “The Shuffle.” Ron Wilson, who teaches the class, said it’s designed for people who don’t want “homework” type classes, but still want challenging deep studies. The current session is called “Tough Questions Tackled.” Participants were asked to submit questions in a drop box anonymously. Wilson said that relieves the awkwardness of asking hard questions in a public setting.
First Baptist Church, Elkton, (SBA) has called Greg Weigel as associate pastor to education and discipleship. He comes to Elkton from Ogletown Baptist Church. He and his wife Cindy began their ministry on May 6. The senior pastor is James S. McBride.
First Baptist Church of LaPlata (PBA) is reaching out to their community this summer. The church had Vacation Bible School and backyard Bible clubs last month and is now in the midst of hosting an Upward flag football and cheerleading camp.
Fort Washington Baptist Church (PGBA) will host the Prince George’s Baptist Association’s next roundtable discussion on Nov. 3. The topic is “Should Christians join fraternities, sororities and secret orders?” and it’s the second of a two-part series.
Iron Hill Baptist Church (DBA), Newark, had their tenth annual Father’s Day car and bike show on June 17. About 80 cars were registered. Church members served about 600 hot dogs, water bottles, chips and sno-cones. They also had a moon bounce and a kids’ train. 
Linthicum Baptist Church (ABA) women are making dresses and pants to send to a missionary in Haiti and also yarn dolls to send to a journeyman in Madagascar to give to children as he goes to different villages to spread the Gospel.
Redland Baptist Church (MBA) will have a handbell camp from 9 am-noon Monday through Thursday from Aug. 20-23. Each child will learn to play English handbells and have fun doing crafts, learning American Sign Language, and playing games.
Upper Seneca Baptist Church (MBA), Germantown, had an official dedication service for their new church sign on June 10.
Western Baptist Association churches are in full swing in their annual fair and special event summer ministry. Churches volunteered at Grantsville Days and the Allegany County Fair. This month they’ll be at the Garrett County Fair. Volunteers man baby comfort stations, providing clean, safe areas to care for their children’s needs. They also give away free walking sticks. The sticks have beads on their handle that the volunteers use to share the Gospel.
OBITUARY—William Harold Lipham, Sr., of Tucson, Ariz., passed away on July 1, 2012 after a valiant fight against leukemia. He is survived by his wife of almost 53 years, Carol Jean Lipham, and their family: son Douglas W. Lipham, daughter-in-law Shannon, and grandsons Kyle and Jaxyn of Monroe and Kannapolis, N.C.; son Steven W. Lipham, daughter-in-law Beverly and grandsons Camden and Aidan of Gallatin, Tenn., and son William (Bill) H. Lipham, Jr., daughter-in-law Judy and granddaughter Ella of Tucson, Ariz.
Lipham was born in Pensacola, Fla., on Feb. 25, 1936, and was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. He served 56 years as a Southern Baptist minister in Texas, Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky and Arizona. In Maryland, he served at Calvary Baptist in Bel Air, Md., Indian Head Baptist and Elkridge Baptist. He was a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to the International Mission Board, SBC, in Richmond, Va.