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By Sharon Mager
 
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. — Metanoia Church is growing in community, actively engaging their neighbors and leaving the growth and increase to God. In May, the church moved to the historic Emory United Methodist Church building (established in 1837, before the Civil War). Metanoia meets at 11:30 a.m., and the UMC congregation meets at 9:30 a.m. They used funds from a Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Strengthening Churches Grant to help with moving costs and outreach.
 

Church member Antoinne Colbert sorts clothing for their free yard sale. They collected donations to assist Hurricane Helene victims. (Photo used with permission, courtesy of Metanoia Church.)

Once there, they hit the ground running! When the city of Ellicott City (EC) hosted its annual Main Street Music Festival in September, Metanoia Church held a block party in the church parking lot. Christian musicians provided music and other volunteers served snacks and played games. In October, the church had a free community yard sale. Members brought giveaways and received donations to help Hurricane Helene victims. And on Dec. 6, Metanoia members participated in EC‘s “Midnight Madness.” They had a table with a “Spin the Wheel” Bible Trivia game. Pastor Jaimison Parker, who began ministering at the church in 2023, said people like the game, and it’s a unique way to meet the community. The church also gave away homemade cookies and cocoa along with tracts and information about the church.

 
Parker said, “The missional events have allowed us to share the gospel with many neighbors in Old Ellicott City, and we’ve recently had some visitors attend after connecting with our community through these events.”
 
 
The outreach is also affecting church members. Parker sees them growing in their desire to reach the community for Christ and developing a kingdom-seeking mentality that is becoming contagious. “Members are proposing and initiating ideas and looking for opportunities to serve,” he said. The congregation is growing slowly and deeply as they faithfully share Biblical truth, fellowship with one another, and serve their community.
 
 
The church is developing a deep sense of community as a body, expressed by several members in Parker’s “Meet the Church” videos on Facebook. Several emphasized the benefits of small groups, where they’ve developed close relationships and helped each other grow spiritually.
 
 
Church Member Tim Elliott said, “We have a tight group of people who reach out to anybody and bring them in with open arms.” He added that he, his wife, and children are thankful for the friendships they’ve made.
 
 
Another member, Jacob Hooper, said he, too, appreciates the friendship. “No one is a stranger,” he said. Others expressed similar sentiments.

Parker expressed appreciation for the support from the Mid-Maryland Baptist Association and several Maryland/Delaware churches that have partnered in various ways — providing financial help, sharing leaders to assist with music, doing missions work together, and more. Partnering churches include Bethany Church, Columbia; The Garden Church, Baltimore; Burtonsville Baptist Church, Aletheia College Park Church, and Catonsville Baptist Church.

Ezra and Josiah Parker have fun at the community block party in September. (Photo used with permission courtesy of Metanoia Church)

For more information about Strengthening Churches Grants, visit our website.

Sharon Mager serves as communications specialist and BCM/D News & stories editor.

Feature photo shows members hosting Bible Trivia and handing out tracts and information about the church at Ellicott City’s Midnight Madness. (Photo used with permission courtesy of Metanoia Church))

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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