Every child deserves a church where they are safe, valued, and protected. Every volunteer deserves the training and resources to serve with confidence. Every church deserves someone they can call when difficult questions arise.
The churches of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware have made a clear commitment to protecting the vulnerable. By unanimously adopting a constitutional amendment requiring affiliated churches to implement abuse prevention measures, our churches declared that creating safe ministry environments is not optional—it is part of who we are.
Now we have the opportunity to turn that commitment into action.
Your gift to the Compassion Ministries Offering helps churches of every size fulfill that shared commitment. While some churches have the resources to build strong prevention systems on their own, many smaller churches simply do not. Your gift helps provide expert consultation, policies and procedures, screening systems, volunteer training, crisis guidance, and ongoing support to churches across Maryland and Delaware at no cost to them. It also helps churches access background checks, specialized abuse prevention training, counseling resources for survivors, and assistance when financial barriers stand in the way of creating safer ministries.
The impact of prevention is profound. Adults who receive abuse prevention training are better equipped to recognize grooming behaviors, respond appropriately to disclosures, and identify concerning situations before abuse occurs. Prevention efforts also increase the likelihood that abuse is recognized and reported earlier, helping protect others and opening the door to healing.
When one church is stronger, we all become stronger.
Whether your church has already established a comprehensive prevention system or is just beginning the journey, your gift helps ensure that every BCM/D church—regardless of size or budget—has access to the resources needed to protect children, students, and vulnerable adults.
Together, we can build a convention known not only for proclaiming the gospel, but for protecting the people entrusted to our care. Together, we can make BCM/D churches among the safest places for families to worship, grow, and belong.
Abuse prevention is one of five focus areas supported by the Compassion Ministries Offering (CMO)—alongside disaster relief, disability ministry, evangelism, and poverty assistance. As we enter the CMO Week of Prayer, September 13–20, we’re asking every BCM/D church to pray and give toward this work, so that no church has to build a safe environment alone. Learn more and give at bcmd.org/cmo.
