By Sharon Mager
COLUMBIA, Md. — The BCM/D General Mission Board met on Sept.10 for the final session of 2024 before the annual meeting, “The Gathering,” in November. Board members were upbeat and praised God for how He is moving throughout Maryland/Delaware as staff members shared blessings and future plans. BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle thanked God that Cooperative Program (CP) giving which funds international, national, and state missions, is up by 9.2% from last year and cooperative engagement has been increasing. The upcoming BCM/D annual meeting, “The Gathering,” has already seen strong registration numbers.
GMB President Byron Day tells the board to rest in the Lord. (Photo by Ellen Udovich)
Stolle told the board, “Sept. 15 marks my 20th anniversary with the BCM/D. I have served in many capacities and seen God work in tremendous and amazing ways. However, I am overwhelmed by what He is doing in Maryland/Delaware at this moment in time. By ourselves, it would be impossible — but God!”
GMB President’s Remarks
Byron Day, GMB president, encouraged board members to remember to delight in the Lord and to rest in Him, quoting Philippians 4:6, “…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Day said, “It’s not until we let go that we experience that peace. On the cross, Jesus said, Father, I commit my spirit. I’m letting go. I’m counting on you to get me up on the third day.”
Jesus slept in the boat in the midst of the storm. Peter was asleep when the angel came and woke him up in jail. Paul and Silas were singing in jail. They knew how to rest in God.
“We’ve got to learn how to rest. Rest in the Lord,” he said.
Jim Jeffries, the pastor of LaVale Baptist Church, takes a moment to wave! (Photo by Ellen Udovich)
Executive Director’s Report
Tom Stolle, reflecting on the third quarter to date, shared about blessings at Skycroft Conference Center, which sold out, even with an extra week added, and those weeks were fruitful, with many students making confessions of faith, rededicating their lives and feeling called to ministry.
Regarding disability ministry, Stolle said there were 40 guests (plus buddies and volunteers!) at the “Everyone Belongs Camp” at Skycroft. In 2025, the fifth anniversary, the camp will transition to welcome families.
Stolle cited 700 women at the Revive Women’s Conference in March, followed by 550 men attending “The Whole Gospel for the Whole Man” conference.
Collegiate ministry is also exploding. “We have nine established Baptist ministries on Maryland/Delaware campuses and developing ministries in eight,” he said.
“Our Disaster Relief DR/ BCM/D Ready ministry continues to be an incredible vehicle for serving our communities. We’re seeing more older teens and young adults attending training and sometimes bringing their parents, as well as first-time volunteers showing up for hard work with the goal of loving those in crisis.”
Looking ahead, Stolle shared a renewed emphasis on church planting, especially with Richard and Payton Pope, who joined the staff to work in this area.
Partnership will continue to be a priority. “We want to continue to forge partnerships with other like-minded believers to advance the gospel in various areas.”
BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle tells messengers, “Sept. 15 marks my 20th anniversary with the BCM/D. I have served in many capacities and seen God work in tremendous and amazing ways.” (Photo by Sharon Mager)
Additionally, he said the convention will continue to resource and equip our churches in the area of sexual abuse prevention and protection.
Budget Discussion
Stolle presented the 2025 budget, emphasizing areas of support for the BCM/D values, including a renewed emphasis on church planting. BCM/D Church Planting Director Jamie Caldwell also mentioned how much the addition of Richard and Payton Pope will help support and build Maryland/Delaware church planters. Additionally, funds will be allocated to planting churches and sending churches.
Church Partnership Missionary Jeremy Dickson shared an emphasis on holistic transformation. Dickson said, “I will be putting my particular focus on providing a formative path for every pastor of our convention who desires it.” Dickson also encouraged GMB members who serve as senior pastors to attend the Pastor’s Conference following “The Gathering” on November 11-12.
Emily Reedy, sharing about Skycroft Conference Center, told messengers, “God is at work at Skycroft, not just at summer camp but all throughout the year. In 2024, Skycroft is slated to have seen approximately 17,000 guests.” Building on the positive momentum, Reedy said she would work with leadership to identify strategic future improvements to the property so that Skycroft can continue to offer high-quality experiences in a beautiful setting for campers and retreat guests alike. Additionally, another week will be added to the camp in 2025.
Eli Choi, pastor of Home Church, Frederick (left), and Jay Beard, pastor of First Baptist Church of Thurmont, pray at the Sept. GMB meeting. (Photo by Ellen Udovich)
Messengers will have the opportunity to vote on the budget at the 2025 budget at “The Gathering.”
The Gathering
Megan Jones, BCM/D director of operations, encouraged messengers to register for “The Gathering” on November 10-11 at Ashore Resort and Beach Club in Ocean City. “We’ve opened registration early this year and have 165 registered individuals. Jones said she anticipates a large attendance. Space is limited for breakout sessions. Register online.
President’s Remarks
Fred Caudle, BCM/D president, emphasized remaining with Jesus, sharing from Mark 3:13-18 where Jesus prayed all night before choosing His disciples. Jesus gave the example of what we’ve been called to do. Caudle said we get in the habit of moving forward because “we’ve been down this road before, and we’ve handled this issue.” But the Bible never told us that every situation would have the same response, said Caudle.
“Jesus, being fully God and fully man, He knew who the 12 were, but prayed all night long. Jesus prayed to the Father, showing a relationship. He invited those he wanted and they came to him. We’ve were summoned and came to him. The question is, what did He call you for?
Caudle said, “God’s hand is on the BCM/D not because he called us to preach, or the power to drive out demons. His hand is on us because He called us to be with Him, and He is with us. The question is, how much are we with Him?
“Until we do the first thing, be with Him, there’s no possibility to preach the Gospel. Oh, we can get up and say a few words, but it’s not anointed. There’s no possibility whatsoever to preach without first being with Jesus. We can sound good and look good, but the only time the Holy Spirit. anoints us is when we are with Jesus. It’s the same with any other title that He would give us to do.
“We’ve got a lot to do in 2025. We have a great opportunity to be in fellowship in Ocean City. in November. Before that we have 11 associational meetings to be together. None of that will mean anything unless we first commit to being with Jesus.”