Jim McBride Sr. Blessings Through Ministry
DOVER, De. — On June 30 James (Jim) McBride Sr. served his final day as senior pastor of New Harvest Baptist Church, Dover Delaware. After his last sermon on June 25, the church had a luncheon to celebrate his third and FINAL retirement. McBride has served in ministry for over 55 years. He grew up outside of Washington DC and attended Landover Hills Baptist Church as a child. He attended Mars Hill University in North Carolina, where he achieved his bachelor’s degree in religion and met his wife, Daphne, a North Carolina native. The two celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in the month of June as well.
Jim McBride Sr., with his wife, Daphne, has served Maryland/Delaware for over three decades. (Photo courtesy of McBride family)
After serving as a pastor for many North Carolina Baptist churches, where Jim worked to receive his master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, he and Daphne were appointed as home missionaries in 1990.
In 1990 Jim and Daphne moved to Maryland with their two kids, Jim Jr. and Tonya. Jim became the Delaware Baptist Association (DBA) Director of Missions (DOM) and served in that role for over 18 years. In his time as DOM, he started many programs, some of which are still around today. This extensive list includes growing the organization to over 30 churches, overseeing migrant ministry on the Eastern Shore, and working to strengthen the Baptist Student Union (BSU) at the University of Delaware.
One of the highlights through the years as a DOM was starting the Raceway Ministries at Dover Downs, now celebrating 30 years. This ministry, which he began with his son Jim Jr., has become a family affair. Twice a year, Raceway volunteers minister to drivers, first responders, parking attendants, employees, and mainly the fans. Jim served as the second-ever president of the National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries and was an integral part of expanding raceway ministry throughout the country.
He has many stories from the race track. “Many years ago, when Katrina hit and people were displaced, a family came to Delaware from New Orleans and went to the track. The daughter was walking around and saw the (ministry) tent, and asked if she could help. After being partnered with Pastor Greg Weigel to volunteer, (First Baptist Church, Elkton,) she came to know the Lord and kept coming back. Through this interaction, she came to know the Lord. That’s a pretty good example of how God takes bad experiences and uses them for His glory.”
Another highlight of his ministry was participating in BCM/D Partnership Missions trips to Moldova and Scotland. “It was a wonderful experience to meet Christians from outside the United States. I loved preaching over there. It was a unique experience.”
In addition to his DOM role, and the many ministries associated with it, Jim has been a pastor, and served in multiple Maryland/Delaware churches including South End Baptist Church, Frederick (twice); Shelbourne Baptist Church, Baltimore, Interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Elkton, and his last church, New Harvest Baptist Church.
(l-r) Mike Robles, Jim McBride Sr., Sam Robles, and Daphne McBride at a celebration dinner. Mike Robles is McBride’s son-in-law and Sam is his grandson. (Photo courtesy of the McBride family)
Jim said, “We continue to praise God for his many blessings and opportunities to serve Him through 55 years of ministry.” He said he wants to thank everyone he has met from all over Maryland and Delaware who has offered him fellowship and welcomed him into their churches. Additionally, he is thankful for all the blessings God has given him, especially his family.
Lastly, he loves to see the blessings his family has received. His daughter Tonya McBride Robles is currently COO at the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, and his son Jim McBride Jr is the facilities manager at Skycroft Conference Center (Jim Sr. was also involved, working with others in the founding of Skycroft in the early 70’s), and he is thankful for his three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jim has now celebrated his 56th wedding anniversary, his 78th birthday, and his final retirement within the month of June. He and Daphne will be taking off the remainder of July and part of August, traveling to see the family and friends they have made along the way.
Ben McBride is a summer communications intern with the BCM/D. He’s also Jim McBride’s grandson. Ben added the following personal congratulations to Jim McBride:
After attempting to remain impartial within the article, I want to say one thing to Pastor Jim McBride Sr, or as I knew him first, “Poppy,” Thank You. As one of your three aforementioned grandchildren, thank you for being such as great example to me, and every person you have encountered in your career, an example of how to be overflowing with God’s grace and God’s love. You have set a great example for your children and grandchildren, and we want to say HAPPY RETIREMENT, hopefully, this is the last one. We all love you and congratulations.
Feature Photo: Jim McBride Sr., Ben McBride, and Jim McBride Jr. at a Raceway Ministry event in 2017. This photo was originally published in 2017 in the article, “The Roar of the Engines, the Need of the Crowd,” by Sharon Mager.