LPBC Provides Labor of Love to Help Skycroft
MIDDLETOWN, Md. — Partnering with the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and Skycroft Conference Center, Lexington Park Baptist Church (LPBC) sent a ten-man crew to Skycroft Conference Center to repair the deck outside of the center‘s HeBrews Coffee & Ice Cream Shop. The church provided the labor, BCM/D supplied the materials, and Skycroft provided lodging and food.
Ethan Carpenter works on deck boards (foreground), with Scott Porter and Chris Bologna. (Photo courtesy of Lexington Park Baptist Church) .
The whole project started, as many great things do, with a conversation and handshake. LPBC Lead Pastor Chris McCombs was at Skycroft to minister to parents and guardians during the summer “Everyone Belongs Camp” for youth and young adults affected by disabilities. While standing outside on the deck at HeBrews talking with BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle, McCombs pointed out the repairs that were obviously needed on the deck. Stolle said the work was on the list, but not scheduled. McCombs offered to rally some folks at LPBC and take care of the job. Stolle, in turn, offered to provide the supplies through BCM/D – Skycroft if the church did the work. Then they shook on it.
Skycroft Director Emily Reedy agreed that the deck project was a priority and was happy with McComb’s offer. She was even more pleased when, within a few months, McCombs had coordinated with her team, organized the logistics and completed the job.
McCombs said, “Our church is blessed with a professional contractor who works at Patuxent River Naval Air Station (Scott Porter) and another who works with building contracts with the county (Chris Bologna). Those two know how to build to code. We met with Jim McBride Jr. (Skycroft facilities manager) and Emily Reedy to determine what lumber and supplies we needed.”
With eight people each day, McCombs said the group completed the project in two days, tearing out and replacing boards and repairing steps and railings on the deck within two days on Nov. 3-4. Porter served as foreman, and Bologna as second in command.
Pastor Chris McCombs formed a team to respond to a need at Skycroft. (Photo courtesy of Lexington Park Baptist Church)
“It was a good time of fellowship,” McCombs said. The Skycroft staff graciously accommodated the men, providing lodging and meals, giving them time to spend together in fellowship.
Porter was a great foreman, pushing the group forward to finish the job, said McCombs. He chuckled and said, “I was like the union boss. I would be the one saying, ‘It’s time to go to dinner. They have milkshakes! We have to get our milkshakes.”
Reedy said, “I’m truly grateful for Pastor Chris. He followed up, followed through, and they did a great job.’
McCombs said there’s more than the physical labor. They prayed over the deck, that as thousands walk on it, sit out drinking coffee and eating ice cream, they might hear the gospel, respond, and get make a profession of faith.
“We felt we were paying it forward, building something that will benefit the kingdom of God now and in the future. I felt joy in my heart to know I’m giving something back that God can use until I retire and beyond.”
Your Church Can Partner With Sycroft!
Does your church have people with construction skills — drywall, painting, electrical? You, too can partner with Skycroft to help provide labor that can be used for the kingdom of God. Each year many make decisions to follow Christ, to rededicate their lives, or to give their life in vocational ministry.
Scott Porter and Chris Bologna, who led the mission team, work on the HeBrews deck. (Photo courtesy of Lexington Park Baptist Church)
Some work needed includes the following:
- Landscaping
- Deck work
- Tree-falling (cutting down dead trees)
- Interior painting
- Lighting projects for electricians
- Siding on lodges
Email [email protected] for more information. If your church does partner, Skycroft will provide lodging and food. Reedy said serving in this way benefits Skycroft and the many who use the facility and provides an opportunity for a mini-retreat for your church. Work during the day and spend the evening together having fun, encouraging one another, eating together, and having a campfire.
For those close to Middletown, another way to help at Skycroft is to volunteer on Sundays — perhaps once a month for a few hours, assisting the housekeeping staff. Reedy said this would be an excellent opportunity for retirees who want to lend a helping hand, and it would truly be a blessing to the Skycroft staff.
For churches that would like to help but don’t have the skill set in the congregation, contact Skycroft for small project opportunities that may be available.
Additionally, you can help by praying and giving. You can give online at https://bcmd.org/give/ and designate Skycroft on the drop-down menu, or send a check, designated “Skycroft improvements,” to BCM/D 10255 Old Columbia Rd, Columbia, MD 21046,
Feature photo: Greg Mabry, Keith Brooks, and Chris McCombs were on the church volunteer team at Skycroft Conference Center. (Photo by Lexington Park Baptist Church)
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