A New Season at Whitehall Baptist Church

By Sharon Mager

ACCOKEEK, Md. — When Brian Bailey first received a phone call asking him to consider becoming pastor of Whitehall Baptist Church, he was already deep in prayer, asking God for direction.

Brian Bailey and his wife, Tammy Terrell Bailey, are thrilled to be at Whitehall Baptist Church. Brian calls Tammy his best friend, encourager, prayer partner, and faithful companion. He said, “It’s her love for God, her love for people, and passion to care that encourages me daily.” (Photo courtesy of Whitehall Baptist Church)

“I was praying with ‘agitation,’” Bailey said. “I was saying, ‘God, what am I doing? What do you want me to do?”

Then his phone rang.

On the other end was Whitehall Baptist Church Pastor Doug White, who was retiring after serving the church for 14 years. White asked Bailey if he would consider becoming the church’s next senior pastor.

Bailey was amazed at God’s immediate answer to prayer.

He and his wife, Tammy Terrell Bailey, were members of Kettering Baptist Church, where Brian served as young adult pastor. He had felt called to pastoral ministry, and, in addition to ministering to and with young adults, he had been preaching at various churches and speaking at ministry events. He and Tammy had been seeking God’s will, and they knew Whitehall was where God wanted them. Bucas Sterling, pastor of Kettering Church, has been very supportive of the couple, encouraging and mentoring Brian for years.

A New Beginning

The church officially called Brian as pastor, and he began serving in January as their first African American pastor in their more than 70-year history.

Members of Whitehall Baptist Church participate in a “beautification day.” (Photo courtesy of Whitehall Baptist Church)

Located in southern Prince George’s County, Whitehall Baptist Church has navigated decades of change as the once-rural area has grown into a bedroom community for the Washington, D.C., region.

“When I got here, the church had about 17 active members,” Brian said. “But those members were open and available and ready to look at being revitalized from the bare bones.”

Since January, the church has already seen significant growth, nearly tripling to more than 50 members in just a few months through prayer, outreach, and fellowship.

Family, friends, other pastors, and ministry leaders joined the congregation in welcoming Brian and Tammy at their installation service in February. Despite snow in the forecast, the church was filled to overflowing. Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Church Strengthening Director Jeremy Dickson brought greetings from the BCM/D, and Pastor Colin Pugh of Clinton Baptist Church served as the emcee. Joshua Bleeker, one of Brian’s professors at Dallas Theological Seminary, flew in from Nebraska to bring greetings, and Brian’s family traveled from North Carolina. Bucas Sterling shared the sermon.

The Connecting Season

Under Brian’s leadership, the church is focusing on engaging their community. The church vision is, “To become the dwelling place where people are connected, rooted, and transformed in Christ.”

Their mission is “to offer new life through Christ, develop believers, and love people.”

“I tell people we’re not a perfect church — we’re a praying church,” Brian said. “We want to introduce people to Christ and love people well.”

Bucas Sterling, the pastor of Kettering Baptist Church, shared the message at the installation of Brian Bailey.

The church is emphasizing relationships, prayer, and community engagement. They recently held a church beautification day and a park health walk led by the women’s ministry. They host family-and-friends fellowship brunches on the fifth Sundays.

They also partner with several local groups, including a Christian homeschool organization, Alcoholics Anonymous, and a home-inspection training academy. They also have an upcoming marketplace initiative designed to help connect and serve people in the community.

Legacy

Brian said he was honored to receive the baton passed on by Pastor White, who served the church faithfully. He acknowledged the church’s legacy and those who came before him through the years. Behind the church stands the original tobacco barn that once housed Whitehall Baptist Church before the current building was constructed. Some of the wood from the barn was later used to build the original pulpit and a pew now displayed in the church lobby. “The barn is a beautiful memory of the history of the church,” Brian said. “I love that we get to see what God has done and to dream about what God is going to do next.”

Marian Yates, aunt of Whitehall Baptist Church Pastor Brian Bailey, shared an emotional message during his installation service, reflecting on watching his calling develop over the years and encouraging him to remain grounded in prayer, Scripture, and humility. (Photo courtesy of Whitehall Baptist Church)

Brian also expressed thankfulness for all who have been assisting with the revitalization efforts — facility construction and improvements, grounds maintenance, AV and streaming equipment, software assistance, and ministry infrastructure development. He also expressed appreciation for a BCM/D revitalization grant and “the tremendous encouragement and financial seeds sown by Kettering Baptist Church.”

Brian and Tammy both work full-time in counseling and mental health professions while serving in ministry. Brian acknowledged the challenges of balancing bi-vocational ministry but said he remains deeply grateful for the opportunity to pastor this church.

“It’s so very fulfilling,” he said. “I’m honored to do the work of the Lord.”

For information about church revitalization, email Jeremy Dickson.

Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D Content & Stories Editor.

(Feature photo courtesy of Whitehall Baptist Church)