Top view of hand holding teal ribbon on dark background with copy space. Cervical and ovarian cancer, sexual assault, pcos, ptsd, anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and scleroderma awareness concept.

By Sharon Mager

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — Kettering Baptist Church celebrated their 55th anniversary during a worship service on October 27 with special music and praise and a presentation honoring the churches that planted them over five decades ago. Senior Pastor Bucas Sterling III presented representatives from Berwyn Baptist Church, College Park;  Kent Baptist Church, Landover; and Landover Hills Baptist Church with plaques of appreciation along with checks for $20,000 each. Sterling said, “I believe in acknowledging those who have invested before you, those whose shoulders we stand on. We’re not doing it and didn’t do it by ourselves.”

Current and past members of Kettering Church’s dance ministry praised God through creative movement and music. The church’s mime team also participated. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

Worship time featured a mass choir with special guests, J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise. The choir and Hairston brought people to their feet, clapping and raising their hands in praise. Under the direction of Deena Richardson, Kettering’s dance ministry team shared a huge interactive worship experience using the theme “The Winning Season.” In addition to the current team, members from the past two decades joined in as part of the “legacy ensemble.” Each dancer wore a “Jesus #1” sports jersey and waved ribbons. They danced on the platform, up the aisles, and high-fived the congregation members, who also got to use ribbons to wave in praise. The mime team also joined in the celebration, all set to the song “You Will Win” by Jekalyn Carr and choreographed by Richardson and the mime team.

The anniversary ministry shared that Kettering Church was founded as a Southern Baptist Church mission on October 17, 1969, under the sponsorship of the three Prince George’s County churches. The first services were held at Kettering Elementary School, and in 1972, the mission (church plant) began building a worship center at its former site at 1 Kettering Drive, which was dedicated on April 28, 1974. It became incorporated as Kettering Baptist Church on April 4, 1973.

The church has grown from 200 in 2000, to over 1300 members and an unknown following on local and national radio, as well as international outreach through streaming platforms. The church built the 50,000-square-foot Legacy Center and had its first service in the new building on Christmas 2016. Seven years later, they had a mortgage-burning service.

Sterling told the congregation, “When we began… Kettering, the community, was being built. Back in those days, a long time ago, when they would build a community, Christians would decide we need a church in or next to that community. So when the Kettering community was built, these churches came together and invested resources, people, time, and energy in getting a church started.

He presented plaques and checks to Dr. Decarlo Coley, the pastor of Kent Baptist Church and his wife Towanda; Martha Bent, the wife of Pastor Keiffer Bent, who accepted on behalf of her husband and the Berwyn Church family; and Dr. Patricia Chittams, the wife of Ralph J. Chittams Sr., the pastor of Landover Hills Baptist Church.

Decarlo responded, “I am overwhelmed by your kindness. I wasn’t around in 1969, but I heard so much about the relationship between Kettering and Kent.” He thanked the church on behalf of the current church and the generations that came before.

Bucas Sterling III (center) presented plaques and checks to (l-r) Rev. Dr. Decarlo Coley, the pastor of Kent Baptist Church and his wife Towanda; Martha Bent, the wife of Pastor Keiffer Bent on behalf of her husband and the Berwyn Church family; and Dr. Patricia Chithams, the wife of Ralph J. Chittams Sr., the pastor of Landover Hills Baptist Church.

“Martha said, “We are a church that loves the Great Commission, and we are really seeing God’s hand. You have answered our prayers. The Bible says the prayers of the righteous availeth much.”

Patricia said, “I’m overwhelmed. On behalf of my husband, the trustees, and the members of Landover Baptist Church, all I can say is thank you. God is amazing. You have blessed us mightily. I just have no words. For everyone who is here and those who are not, it is our duty as Christians to bring together the people of God. You all were planted for such a time as this.”

If your church is interested in supporting or sending church planters, our BCM/D Local team stands ready to assist you. We would love to help you take your next steps! Just  email our team.

Feature photo: (l-r) The Rev. Decarlo Coley, who pastors Kent Baptist Church, Landover, and his wife, Towanda; Martha Bent, the wife of Kieffer Bent, pastor of Berwyn Baptist Church; and Dr. Patricia Chittams, the wife of Pastor Ralph Chittams, Sr., who pastors Landover Hills Baptist Church, are surprised as Pastor Sterling announces the gift of $20,000 to each church. (Photo by Sharon Mager)

Sharon Mager serves as Baptist Communications specialist and BaptistLIFE editor.