Faith Church Embraces a Season of Renewal

By Sharon Mager

ELKTON, Md. — Two years ago, Faith Church in Elkton, Md., was struggling. Attendance was dwindling and the average age hovered around 70. Today, the congregation is alive with new families, baptisms, and fresh excitement about what God is doing in their midst.

Pastor Richard Berry and his wife, Sandy, are excited to see God grow Faith Church in Elkton.  Sandy, sings on the praise team, teaches Sunday school, and helps encourage new families. (Photo submitted)

When Pastor Richard Berry, with his wife, Sandy, accepted the call to lead Faith Church in 2022, he did so with the understanding that the church would enter a season of rebirth. With years of ministry experience—including serving as a pastor, church planter, and 18 years in chaplaincy—Berry knew the challenges of revitalization, but he also trusted God’s power to bring renewal.

A hospice chaplain, lovingly serving terminal patients for seven years before ministering at Faith Church, Berry said, “I wasn’t interested in helping a church ‘die well.’ I wanted to see a church live and grow.” That’s what he gently told the leadership.

He lived in the area, knew the church and several of its members, and was aware that they were without a pastor. When they called him to fill the pulpit, he agreed. When they asked him to be considered for the permanent pastor position, he was kind but frank. He told them they were dying. He gave the search committee a copy of Thom Rainer’s book, The Autopsy of a Deceased Church, and told them he would only consider coming as pastor if the church agreed to a “rebirth.” They said yes and were supportive. After a three-month interim, God made it clear that Berry should stay at the church.

Building Bridges
From the beginning, Berry emphasized relationships as the key to growth. “Most of our 14 baptisms thus far this year have come through families reaching family members,” he explained. “Building bridges through relationships has been our most effective way of evangelizing.”

They’re also using outreaches like outdoor concerts and a family fun day with bounce houses and games to engage the community. At their family fun day, 13 families filled out visitor cards and showed interest in the church.

Family Fun Day brought many families to Faith Church, Elkton, resulting in several joining the church. (Photo submitted)

Berry has also been strategic in his preaching, meeting people where they are. “I preach more topically, and I preach in a series, trying to address people’s needs,” he said. One example was a series called “Resetting My Life.” He explained, “I launched it right after Easter, when families were already inviting loved ones. Most everybody’s lives are a mess, so people were interested. Several families came back, and by the fifth message, they felt at home. That’s where a lot of our baptisms came from.”

New Ministries Taking Root
Faith Church is now growing younger. Berry said many baptisms in recent months have been adults in their 30s and 40s. Younger families are becoming part of the body, and a children’s ministry that launched just a year ago is already expanding. The women recently had a ladies’ tea, and a new men’s ministry is gaining traction. This year, the church will be a drop-off point for Operation Christmas Child’s shoebox ministry.

Stories of Changed Lives
Perhaps the most powerful evidence of God’s blessing is the stories of transformation. Church member Richard Banks recently re-engaged in his faith. He was all in and excited. His new life influenced his family. Banks recently had the joy of baptizing his daughter, Lindsey, and her husband, Kyle Gardner.

Another story comes from the church’s willingness to support community groups. When Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) needed a place to meet, Faith Church opened their doors.

Church member Richard Banks recommitted his life to Christ. He recently had the joy of baptizing his daughter, Lindsey, and her husband, Kyle Gardner. (Photo submitted)

Berry said, “We cultivated relationships with several who attend AA and they got to know us. Some of them started attending our worship services. One man gave his life to Christ and then went forward with baptism and membership. A woman from the group began attending over a month ago and brought her husband, who had never been to a church in his life. They’ve been here every week since they visited.”

Looking back over the past two years, Pastor Berry said there have been ups and downs in the rebirth process. “It hasn’t been an easy journey, but we’ve turned a corner. God’s blessing us, and we’re excited about what He’s doing.”

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Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D Stories Editor