Emmanuel Baptist Church — God Grew the Church
By Sharon Mager
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Laurel, is alive. The congregation of over 250 sings with the praise team, engages with Pastor Byron Day during preaching, and serves locally and globally. But that wasn’t always the case. The church is a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
When Byron and his wife, Pamela, arrived in 1991, only three members, who had been through a challenging time, faithfully served, meeting in a double-wide trailer that accommodated 60 chairs. But that small group trusted God to revitalize the church. They prayed—and God answered.
Not by Might
The early years were difficult, but Byron and Pamela were undeterred. Byron said, referring to Zechariah 4:6, “I knew God said this is where I want you to be, and I’m going to build my church. And not by might, or by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord. And so that’s what we took and believed.”
Emmanuel Baptist Church members are fully engaged in the worship time on a Sunday morning. (Photo by Sharon Mager)
With a few members and temporary help from Mount Calvary Baptist Church, where Byron had served as an associate pastor, they pressed forward. Bi-vocational at the time, Byron juggled his accounting job, preaching, administration, lawn care, and cleaning. He said, “I did all the things you have to do, but then, thank God, He began to send people to help, including a couple of men to serve as deacons and ministers, and an accountant who began managing finances. “She’s still our treasurer to this day.”
They continued trusting God to grow the church. Byron said, “We did the standard knocking on doors, sharing the gospel where we could, and prayer walking type of things. But mainly, we grew because the Spirit of God was working, and He was building His church.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say there’s got to be at least a hundred or more people who just said, ‘Hey, I was driving by, and something told me to come in here.’ And that’s basically how we grew.”
Pamela agrees. “From the very beginning, God has amazed me at this little church by the side of the road. People would come in, visit and say, ‘I passed the church all the time, and then I just decided to come in and visit.”
Lynda, who lived in a house across the street, was intrigued by the little church. “I thought, that’s an interesting little building.” When she got a door hanger, that made it even clearer to her to go and check it out. “Immediately when I walked in the door, I felt welcomed — at home. The people were so pleasant. The funny thing is, that at this point in life, I wasn’t a real ‘people person,’ and didn’t like my private space invaded, and they were huggers,” she laughed. “But I enjoyed everything about the service and the sermon, and I said, ‘I’ll come back Wednesday night for Bible study. The rest is history. I’ve hardly missed a Sunday or Wednesday.”
Emmanuel Baptist Church members man a table at Laurel’s Main Street Festival. (Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Baptist Church)
Byron said that as people came in, they began inviting family and friends. “It took about three years to develop a core group of about 30, and then it took off.” God then provided more ministers and deacons to support Byron.
One of those deacons was Van Johnson, currently chairman. Johnson and his wife, Karen, lived nearby but attended a church in Washington. They noticed the little building, especially when the lights came on and cars gathered. “Was it a church? A house? Then one day a steeple went up,” Van said. Through a series of events, God released them from their other church. While praying about where to attend, Van met Byron at a pickup basketball game, and later God led the couple to Emmanuel.
The Church Persevered
In 1998, with help from a Baptist Foundation of Maryland/Delaware loan, the church added a sanctuary wing, essentially creating an L-shaped space from two trailers. They praised God when they were able to pay off the 20-year loan in just seven years.
In 2000, the church began a building program for a new multi-purpose facility, but ran into obstacles with government agencies. Located on I-97, and surrounded by government lands, wildlife property, logistics, regulations, and costs for city water were prohibitive—but they didn’t give up, and over time, God provided a way.
After two decades of waiting, Pastor Byron Day cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the church’s new building. (Photo courtesy of Emmanuel Baptist Church)
Van said, “It took 25 years – and it was hard, but finally in February we moved in. The Lord blessed the whole time.” God even provided a perfect place for the church to meet while waiting for the building to be completed.
“We were looking for a place to worship, and Pam ran into the Maryland City Baptist Church, Laurel, pastor (Mitch Young), at Shoppers. Pam and he began to talk, and she told him we were looking for a place. He said, ‘Tell Byron to come see me and you can use our place.’”
Byron said the partnership turned out wonderfully. “It was just a great time. We had a wonderful relationship with Pastor Mitch and the church.”
Ministering While Waiting
Through two decades of waiting to move, Byron encouraged the church to keep focusing on ministry rather than building. EBC has a strong missions and discipleship program. Locally, the church engages its community through Laurel’s Main Street Festival, shares food monthly at the Elizabeth House, crochets and donates hats to the DC Men’s homeless ministry, makes afghans for veterans, and delivers lap blankets to a local seniors’ center. They also support families through a SHARE food program.
God has used the church internationally as well. One key mission is in Zambia, where they’ve funded four well projects, bringing clean water to about 2000 households. Byron said, “It’s amazing to see God use our resources in this way.”
Byron has also led teams in Senegal, Tanzania, Mexico, Suriname, and other areas through evangelism, pastoral training, and encouraging missionaries.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Faithful Ministry
Pamela is thankful. Members have told her how much they learn under her husband’s teaching, and how they apply it to their lives. “I’ve seen the growth of the members and how they’re trying to live.”
She said, “I’m just amazed at that and how God has kept us here this long. Yes, sometimes we wanted to give up, but He kept us.”
While the church continues to thrive, Byron prays for younger members to step up in leadership. “I believe God is working, and He will continue to raise up leaders for the future.”
After all, it’s His church—and He will build it.
The BCM/D is available to help equip and resource your church! Check out our website or email us at [email protected].
Sharon Mager serves as BCM/D Communications Specialist/News Editor