Maryland/Delaware Baptists help church meet needs

WESTERNPORT, Md. — In November 2022, BCM/D Children’s & Youth Ministry Consultant Kris Buckman, on behalf of the BCM/D, wrote a BaptistLIFE online article and shared it on social media, issuing a plea for help on behalf of the Bruce Outreach Center (BOC) in Westernport. Each year BOC has a Christmas store for families in the church and community who are struggling to make ends meet, but last Christmas, BOC really needed a helping hand to pull it off.

BOC — a church/community center/homeless shelter/daycare/recreation facility/thrift store/transitional apartment housing all rolled into one building — occupies the former Bruce High School and has worship services in the school auditorium. The upkeep expenses are huge, and it takes a tremendous amount of financial, physical, and emotional energy to keep up with the maintenance. The church and town have been struggling over the past several years after Luke Paper Mill closed in 2019, which was a huge hit costing the community over 670 jobs. Add to that an opioid epidemic and then Covid. Both affected Allegheny County exceptionally hard and impacted BOC members who dealt with deaths in their congregation, it has been a challenge to meet needs.

Hunter Cowan, daughter-in-law of BOC Senior Pastor David Cowan, organizes the annual Christmas “store.” Hunter said the help was a tremendous blessing. “We were able to help 80 families. That’s a 50% increase over what we usually do. I was personally blown away! One gentleman saw the post, drove up to the church, and donated a bunch of boxes of toys!” Hunter excitedly shared that with the outpouring of donations, the church had enough toys to help a local school provide gifts for families in need.

Hunter shared that the toy store is private. “We schedule appointments to provide people dignity. There’s only one person who is with the family, not several on the side watching.” People in and out of the church are appreciative of the gifts and the opportunity to give.

Below are a few responses:

“This past year was really hard for us. We were worried, like most parents, that we wouldn’t have gifts under the tree. I was able to buy a few things, but it was BOC that helped put a smile on all of our faces on Christmas morning. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of this church family. We take care of each other without making whoever we are helping feel like they are a burden. I didn’t feel like a burden. Thank you all.”

“The gifts provided for me were such a huge blessing. We have several kids, and with so many things having higher prices, the burden of buying gifts for under the tree can be quite a stress. So the help we were given through these extra gifts for each kid lifted a stress off of our shoulders that would otherwise have taken from us some of the joy of the season. I know it’s not about gifts that we celebrate, but having that not be a burden to us helped us to really focus on the real reason we celebrate.”

“I had the honor to take some time to purchase toys for three beautiful children. As I shopped, I witnessed to a few people about our church supporting our children. I was able to extend an opportunity for them to visit us. I let them know about our ministry to assist and build the community. Our ministry extends to providing showers for the homeless and food for families who need a little help. (We also supply) clothing to those who need clothes, including winter jackets, to ward off the cold. Most of all, it is being available to minister to people where they are. I spoke up about upcoming ministries to help those who struggle with drugs and alcohol. I encouraged them to stop by and meet the ‘family.’ I feel that while I was doing this, I was ministered to as well.” 

Do they have a lot of people who return and visit the church? Not really, Hunter said, but that’s not the reason they have the “store.” They’re planting spiritual seeds. People are very grateful, she shared. But most don’t want to attend church. “Unfortunately, a lot of people have been hurt by churches. We talk to new people every day. One person said, ‘you’re lucky I’m standing here. I hate church. Church has hurt me.’ Many are hurt, and we’re re-sowing them the love of Christ. They don’t understand they’re not being hurt by Jesus but by people. The main thing is that we pray with them.” 

BOC has tremendous opportunities for outreach. Mission teams are welcome! Your church can make a difference throughout the year. Email Hunter to see how your church can help!

Feature photo courtesy of BOC,  used with permission