Maryland/Delaware Roundup, May 14, 2020
Moses then summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land the Lord swore to give to their fathers. You will enable them to take possession of it. The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.’” Deuteronomy 31:7-8
Motorcycle tribute for front-line workers
John Willis, the pastor of Freedom Biker Church in New Castle, Delaware, led a Tribute Ride for Frontline Workers of ChristianaCare Hospital on May 12.
Willis thought it would be nice gesture for the church to show their support to the hospital workers with a little bike parade of about 20 to 40 participants.
“We thought that would be really cool. Maybe the guys would rev the engines and blow some horns,” he said.
That number grew as people began to get excited about the idea and the word-of-mouth spread. Over 400 people expressed interest in an event posted on Facebook and Willis and the church led a group of over 200 bikers, with a police escort, around the hospital in a show of support..
Some of the hospital workers lined the road and took photos, and others looked out of windows and waved.
Local television Channel 6 Action News covered the ride.
COVID-19 Coping With Comedy,
In the midst of the anxiety dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, Clinton Baptist Church (CBC) in Maryland, wants to give folks a chance to laugh a bit. The church is hosting a comedy night on Facebook Live and Instagram Live at 8 p.m. on May 15. They’ll feature three Christian comedians: Sean Sarvis, Laughing Lenny, and Teezus.
During this time of the pandemic when people are afraid and there’s so much anxiety and fear, there’s a lack of laughter, CBC Senior Pastor Colin Pugh said. “God laid it on my heart to do a comedy show.”
Pugh talked to his friend, Sean Sarvis, a professional Christian comedian, as seen on HBO, BET, and a variety of other shows, and Pugh asked him if he could get two more comedians to join him for an online show.
“This is a time that we need and it’s important right now – to draw children and adults to come together and laugh, and just have fun.” Pugh said he’s “trying to think ‘out of the box.’”
CBC is growing at an amazing rate online. In the past six months, the church had been averaging 92 people, almost all from the community. They’re multi-generational, Pugh said.
Online, they’re reaching between 500 and 700 viewers, said Pugh. They’ve had three people make confessions of faith through the online service and had one person join the church online.
Pugh said he gives an invitation and has a dedicated phone number at which people can call to talk to him and for prayer.
The church has been very active with groups for women, men, young adults, youth, prayer meetings, and more. They’ve also had special sessions about homeschooling, dealing with student loan debt, and parenting.
They’ve used a variety of online platforms for their ministries.
Additionally, the church has a food pantry and has been feeding over 60 families each week.
Youth prepare food for seniors
The youth ministry leadership at Pleasant View Baptist Church (PVBC) in Port Deposit, Maryland, prepared turkey and ham dinners with the trimmings for seniors and staff at a local senior rehabilitation center on Easter Sunday.
“It was a huge blessing,” said PVBC Associate Pastor Andrew Goins. “They were so surprised.”
Student Leader Robin King works at the center and made the appropriate arrangements. King and Jamie Mock, who also serves as a student leader and as the chairman of the deacons, helped prepare the food. They prepared enough to serve both the day and the night shift. Goins said that often the night shift eats leftovers and so they were especially excited to get the meals.
Goins said King is a great witness for Jesus and that the dinner gave her more of a platform to share the Gospel. King reported that there was a blessing said over the food on the company’s loudspeaker.
King, Mock, and church member Robin England helped to sort the food and get it the center.
A local newspaper published a story about the outreach, giving the church more exposure to the community.
Goins said there are plans to continue to minister to the rehabilitation center as they are able.
Snack bags for hospital workers
London Village Baptist Chapel (LVBC)in Magnolia, Delaware, provided “Thank You Snack Bags” to the night shift at Bayhealth Hospital’s Dover Campus to show appreciation for the continued healthcare that the medical workers have provided amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior Pastor David Moore said LVBC has two health care professionals in the congregation who have continued their nursing during this time. Katye Moore, a nurse and Moore’s daughter, shared that sometimes the night shift staff at hospitals occasionally feel a bit left out. The church responded with the bags of goodies for all of the night shift, including janitorial, clerical and security workers, along with the medical teams.
They made over 200 bags with bottled tea, bags of popcorn, cookies, crackers, candy, and gum. They also included thank you cards, and cards with the church’s contact information.
Updated COVID-19 church information and resources are available at our special BCM/D COVID-19 webpage.
Quotable Quotes
“He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love and covers me there with His hand …” Frances J. Crosby
“Only the supernatural love of God through changed lives can solve the problems that we face in our world.” Billy Graham
“The whole world has its eyes on the region where you and I live and minister … It is amazing to see what resources God is mobilizing to impact our convention. We must dream God-sized dreams.” Dr. David Lee (a former BCM/D executive director)
History Highlights
“One hundred and fifteen children, most from inner-city Baltimore, experienced Christ’s love through Camp Great Adventure, held June 18-23 at CampWoMeTo, Jarrettsville. And 53 of those kids were so moved that they professed faith in Christ as a result. On the camp’s last day, 20 kids were baptized in the cap’s swimming pool.” (From BaptistLIFE on July 2, 1998)
“John Yi was the guest presenter for the Language Leadership Conference held September 28-29 at Skycroft Conference and Retreat Center. Thirty-one ethnic pastors, along with several of their wives and children, attended the event, coordinated by Jimmy Jackson, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware consultant/specialist in the areas of church planting, language, African-American churches, and church restarting.
“The conference’s purpose, Jackson said, is ‘fellowship, continuing education, in-denominational work and assistance in church planting.’” (From BaptistLIFE on October 5, 1998)
Cover photo provided by ChristianaCare Hospital in New Castle, Delaware.
