Answered Prayers Mark First Year for Dwell City Church

By Sharon Mager

BEL AIR, Md. — Dwell City Church, a young church plant in Harford County, celebrated their first anniversary on March 16, and members are praising God for His blessings and answered prayers.

Dan Hyun led a prayer training for Dwell City Church earlier this year. (Photo courtesy of Dwell City Church)

The church was planted by Co-Pastors Chris Myers and Steven Wilhoit. The two leaders previously served at Connecting Church, led by Pastor Phil Gifford, which became the sending church for the new congregation.

They launched with six families—about 30 people, including children. Today, the church averages between 60 and 70 people on Sundays, meeting at Harford Day School, a partnership Myers said has worked well for the congregation.

Sharing about the unique name, Myers said it came from Psalm 107, referring to the people of Israel as they wandered through the wilderness.

“The people were in a desert and in desperate need of God. They cried out to God because they didn’t have a city to dwell in. And then God answered them and provided them a city to dwell in, and He comforted them.”

Myers and Wilhoit believe the passage reflects the heart behind the church’s mission. They desire to be a biblically accurate, healthy church that walks alongside individuals on their spiritual journeys. Their goal is not only to share the gospel and see people saved, but also to disciple them and reach the next generation for Jesus. Part of their strategic discipleship is an emphasis on prayer.

Myers said, “This was our first January, our first New Year’s event as a church. We wanted to be intentional about the culture we established. We wanted to start out the year with a focus on prayer.”

The church kicked off 2026 with a 21-day prayer emphasis from Jan. 1–21, providing members with a calendar of specific prayer requests. The season concluded with a three-hour prayer training session led by BCM/D Director of Formation and Health Dan Hyun. Adults and youth participated, and there was a separate activity for children.

Hannah Wilhoit was one of the many who attended the prayer training at Dwell City Church. Adults and youth of all ages participated. (Photo courtesy of Dwell City Church)

Myers said, “It was not just a seminar cerebrally where we just learn about prayer, but we actually were intentional to pray.

“We want to cultivate that habit of not only praying by yourself in your (prayer) closet, but also being intentional about praying together in groups.”

He emphasized that prayer is not a technique but a relationship.

Myers said, “One of the quotes that Dan had shared was that ‘Prayer is the sweet fruit of a restored relationship with God.’ And that’s kind of the message or the theme that we were presenting that entire season.”

And God has been answering the church’s prayers.

“We’ve seen God move in people’s lives in miraculous ways, some that medical science cannot answer,” Myers said, adding that the experience has been especially significant for the church’s growing number of new believers. They had nine baptisms last year.

“They are seeing God at work. It’s not just something that happened 2,000 years ago, but they’re seeing God is still moving and active today.”

Myers said these moments help encourage believers who sometimes struggle with doubts about prayer.

“If you’ve been a Christian for a long time, you will go through seasons of thinking, ‘Is my prayer even working?’ So, it was important—and obviously a grace of God—to answer prayer in the way that He has for our young church.”

The church will continue to focus on prayer and discipleship. They plan to start 2027 off once again with a prayer initiative—and they’ll share with one another how God is answering in mighty ways.

For information about how the BCM/D can equip and resource your church, or to discover how your church can be involved in church planting, visit our website.

Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D content & stories editor.