This month’s news features anniversaries and transitions — celebrating the past, looking to the future, and trusting God all along the journey!
Middle River Celebrates 80th Anniversary
Middle River Baptist Church (MRBC) members and friends celebrated their 80th anniversary with a weekend of worship, remembrance, and music on April 5-6. The event was the culmination of months of preparation. Spearheading this effort was Milly McDaniel, chairman of the history committee, who guided the congregation on a “train ride” through time, sporting a conductor’s hat and sharing weekly “history moments” leading up to the celebration.
History Committee Chairman Milly McDaniel (right) greets church member Shirley Cosgrove at the Middle River Baptist 80th anniversary worship service. (Photo by Sharon Mager)
McDaniel gave members a glimpse into Middle River’s early days, recalling the role of the Glenn L. Martin Company in transforming the area during World War II. “Martins” supplied aircraft for the war and hired thousands of people. McDaniel said the Middle River community, with about 300 residents, swelled to 43,000 and later 50,000 residents. This growth led to the establishment of a much-needed Baptist presence in the community — MRBC.
The church began with a Vacation Bible School in 1943. By 1945, the church was formally constituted, and the congregation quickly began building their first sanctuary. They had their first service in 1946, and the building was filled with standing-room-only attendance, and people gathered outside. Sadly, a devastating fire destroyed the entire structure at the end of that same year. But the congregation rallied and erected an even larger building that was officially dedicated in 1949.
“God had great plans for Middle River,” McDaniel reflected, noting that the church has faced its share of blessings and challenges over eight decades, but God has been with them through it all. Two charter members are still part of the congregation, Mary Helen Blackmon and Nancy Walker Sweeney.
The anniversary weekend kicked off Saturday evening with a musical extravaganza that united past and present members. There was a mass choir and several ensembles, including the “Praise Offering” group, a quartet of former members, solos, and a four-hand piano duet. Several Baltimore Baptist Association pastors attended, and some participated in the music.
On Sunday, former pastors Don Satterwhite, Alan Ray, and Glenn Leatherman returned to join the festivities, each sharing fond memories and encouragement for the congregation. Satterwhite led a special Bible study session for youth and adults. Ray gave the morning message, and Leatherman congratulated and encouraged the church before praying at the start of the “meet-and-greet” session afterward. BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle brought greetings and thanked the church for decades of giving themselves to sharing the gospel.
Satterwhite encouraged members to remain steadfast in their faith and mission. “You are sent,” he reminded them. “If you know Jesus as Savior, you are the light of the world. Don’t hide your light. We are to be sent to our family, friends, and neighbors.”
Three former pastors participated in Middle River Baptist Church’s 80th Anniversary celebrations — (l-r) Alan Ray, Don Satterwhite and Glenn Leatherman. (Photo by Steve Fair)
Ray encouraged members to balance remembering the past with looking to the future. “We have this moment today. We have to seize the moment,” he said. “But should we not remember?” He emphasized that while we shouldn’t dwell on the past, we can learn and grow from it. “There are benefits to remembering what God has done. Remembering is the foundation on which faith is built. When we see what God has done, we start to know who God is.”
Current Pastor Mike Hyatt concluded the celebration, encouraging members to remember, “We are on a journey to heaven,” and the church is an outpost of heaven and should strive to reflect it. Reading from Revelation, Hyatt described heaven as holy, with people from every tribe, tongue and nation, praising God with loud voices. He encouraged members to ”run the race to the end.”
Bucas Sterling II 25th Pastoral Anniversary
Kettering Baptist Church( KBC) had a two-day celebration on the first weekend of April, honoring the 25th pastoral anniversary of their leader, Bucas Sterling III, and wife, First Lady Carolyn Sterling. The festivities commenced on Friday, April 4th, 2025, at The Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, where the theme ’25 Years of Sowing a Legacy’ set the tone for an elegant and engaging banquet.
The anointed artistry of special guest Pastor John P. Kee enriched the evening and served as a heartfelt tribute to Pastor and First Lady Sterling’s quarter-century of dedicated service at Kettering and their 40 years of vocational ministry. The warmth of the occasion was amplified by the recognition of Pastor Sterling’s foundational influences: his mother, father, brother, and their three children.
Bucas Sterling II with his wife Carolyn at a special celebration for the couple as they celebrate 25. years at KBC. (Photo courtesy of KBC)
One of the highlights of the evening was an award presentation from WAVA FM 105.1 radio, celebrating the pastor’s impactful ministry, community engagement, and his beloved radio program, which was called “a powerful testament to a legacy built on faith and love.”
The celebration continued on Sunday, April 6, during the morning worship service, as the KBC congregation gathered to further honor Pastor and First Lady Sterling. The service featured inspiring ministry presentations and a special Senate Citation recognizing Pastor Sterling’s profound service and impact extending far beyond the church walls, acknowledging his positive contributions to the wider community, carrying political, civic, symbolic, and inspirational weight.
Pastor W. Clyde Pearson was the special guest and encouraged and challenged the congregation. The joyous occasion culminated in a time of fellowship and continued appreciation for the Pastor and First Lady Sterling.
Written by Anniversary Ministry Chair, Cara Gettridge
Transitions
Earlier this month, Pennsylvania native Chris Mauger was installed as the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Sunset Beach, Pasadena. Mauger and his wife, Debbie, are former missionaries. He was called to missions following a short-term missions trip to Romania.
On the church website, he writes, “Part of the preparation included selling my house and moving to North Carolina for seminary. While at the seminary, my wife and I prayed separately about joining the mission field. On September 25, 2004, with my wife and three children, I began a new stage in my spiritual journey by moving to India.” The family returned to the United States in 2024.
Chris Mauger is the new pastor at Grace Baptist Church of Sunset Beach. (Photo by Mark Dooley)
Chris said, “I love meeting people both in my area and wherever I travel. Each time I speak with the local people, I learn from them and use that information to develop contextually appropriate ways to present the gospel.”
On June 1, 2025, Akin Omisanmi will be installed as the pastor of the New Southwest Baptist Church in Baltimore. On the church website, Omisanmi wrote, “Our vision is to create a space where people can encounter God’s love with fewer distractions and more opportunities to grow in faith.
“The building that currently serves as our meeting place was built in 1892 and has served many purposes over the years. With a seating capacity of 150, it’s been a vital space, but it needs significant renovations to better serve our growing congregation and mission.”
Many churches have stepped up to help finance this large effort or to provide volunteer assistance with the work. To learn more about how you can contribute or get involved, visit the website: https://campaigns.tithely.com/74210…/building-renovations
Preventing & Dealing with Burnout in Ministry
The Montgomery Baptist Association (MBA) invites everyone to a training session on preventing and dealing with burnout in ministry, led by MBA Director of Missions Ron Blankenship. The meeting will be held on Zoom from 7 to 8 p.m.
Other upcoming meetings offered by the MBA include “Developing a Vision Statement for Church Revitalization” on June 24, led by Phil Hurst, the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, Hyattsville; and “Churches Reaching their Communities Through Fun Outreach Events,” led by Danny Moore, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Damascus on August 26.
Join the Zoom Meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88528380679?pwd=ZVYcCNgDofNOApanfbyytwFTZe3i7h.1
Meeting ID: 885 2838 0679
Passcode: 870017
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