BCM/D GMB Welcomes New Leadership and Gives Thanks for God’s Blessings

By Sharon Mager

CROWNSVILLE, Md. — Newly elected Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) President Ron Blankenship called the Dec. 2 General Mission Board (GMB) meeting at South Shore Church to order, welcoming board members and acknowledging the faithful service of outgoing President Fred Caudle.

GMB President Danny Moore shares with the board. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

GMB President Danny Moore, also newly elected, shared committee assignments, expressed gratitude for board members, and affirmed the privilege of serving alongside BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle. Moore said, “He loves the Lord, and he’s also opened doors for ministry to take place in ways that we have never seen before and ways for us to reach people that maybe we forgot or passed over along the way.”

In an opening devotional, Moore turned to Esther 4:14 and read the well-known verse, “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Moore said to board members, “We are not in a royal position. We’re in a humble position, but we are in a position to make a difference.” He challenged members to be able to say, at the end of their terms, “We did make a difference. We were faithful and God blessed.”

Executive Director’s Report

BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle thanked those who attended The Gathering. He said the election of officers was “truly historic” as three Directors of Missions (DOM) were elected as convention officers — Montgomery Baptist Association DOM Ron Blankenship as president, Mid-Maryland Baptist Association DOM John Mackall as vice president, and Arundel Baptist Association DOM Greg Kame as second vice president.

BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle shows off his new Skycroft t-shirt during his report. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

Referencing Ephesians 4:1–8, Stolle reinforced the “One” theme from The Gathering: “We are One. One body. One spirit. We follow Jesus.” Unity, he emphasized, begins personally — recognizing believers are called, bought with a price, and urged by Paul to “always be humble and gentle.” Unity also requires sacrifice, as reflected in Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet and going to the cross. “He modeled sacrifice… He put others before Himself.” Christians demonstrate unity when they put others’ needs first “for the sake of unity, for the sake of love.”

Stolle shared that when he was young, his mom wanted him to learn guitar. He took lessons for two years before he and his mom knew it wasn’t going to work. That’s when he discovered that numbers came naturally. “Numbers made sense to me,” he said. That was his gifting, not playing guitar. However, learning guitar did give him an appreciation for guitar music and the people who played it, he said. Similarly, individuals in churches may not be gifted in all areas, but when they are exposed to ministries they’re not gifted in, they might develop an appreciation and love for them and realize their value.

Likewise, different churches excel in unique ministries as each believer has unique talents and spiritual gifts.

Stolle said, “As I’ve served the BCMD for over 21 years, I’ve gained an appreciation for all the many things our churches do. Things I would have never thought of. Imagine 400 plus churches… God uses all of them to do so much more than we can do alone. And this is what being one is all about.”

Staff Updates

Stolle expressed deep appreciation for BCM/D’s staff, praising their love for Jesus and commitment to churches. He shared an update about how the different teams are serving churches.

• Regarding church multiplication, led by State Director of Church Planting Jamie Caldwell, Stolle announced 13 new church plants and an emphasis on caring for planters and their families.
• Stolle highlighted the Missional Impact Team led by Associate Executive Director Mark Dooley. This team includes poverty and disability ministry and Disaster Relief. Dooley is overseeing evangelism efforts, which are a significant part of compassion ministries. Stolle said, “We can and should help people, but that help should not be separate from the gospel because what they really need is Jesus. That’s where our priority has to be in everything we do.” In 2026, there are plans for evangelism training events at Weems Creek Church, Annapolis and Skycroft Conference Center, Middletown.
• Stolle shared that he was called to lead a national SBC disability task force, saying Maryland/Delaware will “lead the way… to help churches all around the country, praise the Lord, and embrace individuals with disabilities.”
• Formation and health initiatives led by Director Dan Hyun provide prayer support, counseling partnerships, and pastor-strengthening events, such as the Dec. 4 pastor’s conference, “Equipped for Every Good Work.”
• Jeremy Dickson directs the Church Strengthening Team, which hosted the BCM/D Church Leadership Conference (CLC) in August to equip and encourage
  

  Second Vice President and Arundel Baptist Association Director of Missions Greg Kame greets President and Montgomery Baptist Association Director of Missions Ron Blankenship. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

  churches. Stolle said, “We’re rolling out a NextGen conference next year… to connect young people with their future call. We are also excited about what’s happening in our churches in terms of men’s and women’s ministry and collegiate ministry and young people’s ministry and so many other things.” Stolle said he sees incredible potential for the George Liele Leadership Institute, in its third year and now offering credit through Lancaster Bible College. Though created by the African American Fellowship of the BCM/D, Stolle emphasized,“This is for all of our churches.”

• Regarding Women’s Ministry, Stolle said that has “exploded.” He said, “We have to have two “Revive” Conferences next year because we don’t have a church big enough in our convention to have all the women in one.”
• Stolle reported that Skycroft Conference Center enjoyed its largest summer camp ever — over 3,200 campers — reporting 78 salvations, 40 baptisms, and 82 ministry callings. Skycroft is now running ten weeks of summer camp.
• He affirmed BCM/D Operations Director Megan Jones for leading her team in major operational advances, including new financial systems, improved giving tools, enhanced payroll, and a soon-to-launch database to strengthen engagement.
• Stolle also commended Director of Communications/Women’s Ministry Somer Phoebus and her communication team in all that they’re doing, especially in the area of social media presence.

BCM/D Children’s & Youth Ministry Consultant reports for the Sexual Abuse CARE team. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

(You can also read team reports from The Gathering here.)

Miscellaneous Business

In miscellaneous business, BCM/D Children’s & Youth Ministry Consultant Kris Buckman reported on behalf of Keith Myer for the Sexual Abuse CARE Team, explaining that the team helps churches “set up safety systems… to protect the vulnerable.”

Buckman shared that leadership is “really close” to full compliance with the constitutional amendment. She said the goal was never disaffiliation: “The goal of this is to have people sit up and take notice and make sure that our churches are some of the safest churches in the state of Maryland/Delaware.”

Buckman and others on the team discovered many churches were unaware of the risks, and they welcomed guidance. She said, “Almost every pastor or church that we talk to… usually is fully 100% on board.”

President’s Address

Ron Blankenship, in his first president’s address to the GMB, focused on the theme, “What does real success look like in the Kingdom of God?” He used the scripture passage from Mark 10:35-37, where James and John privately asked Jesus, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

Jesus taught the disciples, “— the least is the greatest” (Luke 9:48). Weakness, Blankenship said, is where strength is born. Paul himself had to learn that lesson through suffering, setbacks, and surrender.

Blankenship has served in ministry for 46 years — as pastor, church planter, and director of missions. He said that some ask how he’s stayed in ministry that long.

He answers them, “I have not stayed in ministry — God has kept me in ministry.”