Maryland/Delaware Roundup, September 9, 2022
“Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (Acts 14:17)
Retirements — Well Done Good and Faithful Servants!
Church members enjoyed sharing and honoring the couple with gifts and words of encouragement. Members told stories about the couple’s kindness, their love for his congregation and community, and their faithfulness to God.
Robin made a confession of faith at Carrollan Woods Baptist Church in New Carrollton under the leadership of William “Bill” Viel. He pastored throughout Maryland/Delaware and began the Inner Harbor Ministry. Robin said Viel mentored him and taught him to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Ron Smith retired from First Baptist Church of Havre de Grace earlier this year. (photo courtesy of Ron Smith)
Locally, they helped with transitional housing and ministering to those who are in need. They’ve also had “biker” worship services and family festivals.
“We’ve had challenges, but we’ve walked through them together,” Ron said. “We’ve been incredibly blessed.”
Ron is now available for pulpit supply. Email him for more information.
Note: If your pastor has retired recently or is planning to retire soon, please email us with an announcement at [email protected].
Release the Peace!
Lexington Park Baptist Church (LPBC) is hosting an event called “Release the Peace” from 2-5 p.m. on Oct. 9. Pastor Chris McCombs explained St Mary’s County has lower crime statistics compared to other areas, but there has been growing violence including gang shootings and murder. Police recently found a shallow grave near LPBC where a mother and child were buried.
The Rev. Charlie Wharton, a chaplain with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and liaison for local churches, called local pastors and, voicing his concern, asked,“ Where’s the church? “Where’s the moral voice?” How were local churches going to respond?”
McCombs said there is a strong interdenominational, multi-ethnic and racial group of pastors who work together, “The Christian Fellowship of St.Mary’s County,” who rallied in response to the need. On a Sunday in March, a group of chaplains and pastors from the group spoke at a rally outside of Great Mills High School, praying and speaking against the violence.
Then, in June, they had a “Walk for Peace,” and about 60 people marched up and down Great Mills Road, where most of the violence has been occurring. Potomac Baptist Association Director of Missions Fred Caudle joined the march.
At the upcoming “Release the Peace” event, McCombs said there will be food, games, bounce houses, and more fun for families. In addition, many community agencies will be represented, including the local food bank, representatives from emergency medical services, police and fire companies, and churches. There will also be scripture reading, exhortations, prayer, and multiple bands.
Robin and Margaret plan to stay at the church. They are both Sunday School teachers and they’ll continue in those capacities and serve in other areas as needed.
First Baptist Church of Havre de Grace (FBC Havre de Grace) had a retirement dinner for Ron Smith and his wife, Fern, in April at the Vandiver Inn. At Smith’s request, BCM/D Evangelism and Church Consultant John Gauger, and John Manry, the pastor of North Harford Baptist Church were the guest speakers. “Both men have been encouraging and affirming of me through my time as pastor. They are very wise and Godly. I was blessed,” he said.
Members and friends of The Christian Fellowship of St.Mary’s County had a “Walk for Peace” up and down Great Mills Rd, an area where much violence has occurred. (photo courtesy of Chris McCombs)
McCombs said the “Release the Peace” is a big event to bring awareness to the problem and seek peace, but it’s not the end. “It will hopefully be a catalyst for other things to come. We want to build momentum from this.
“We pray that God will release peace over lives and over the community,” said McCombs.
Los pastores, predicadores, plantadores y aquellos interesados en el ministerio de habla hispana están invitados a un “Taller de exposición bíblica de 2 Timoteo” del 22 al 24 de septiembre en la Iglesia Bíblica Capitol Hill en Washington, D.C. El taller es presentado por el catalizador de plantación de iglesias de BCM/D Alejandro Molero en asociación con Charles Simeon Trust.
Según el sitio web de la organización, “La misión de Charles Simeon Trust era y es “promover el crecimiento del evangelio de Jesucristo en todo el mundo mediante la capacitación de la próxima generación de expositores bíblicos.” El ministerio lleva el nombre de Charles Simeon, un evangélico y entrenador de predicadores en Cambridge, Inglaterra, quien ministró durante 54 desafiantes años (1783-1836). El taller es presentado por el catalizador de plantación de iglesias de BCM/D Alejandro Molero en asociación con Charles Simeon Trust.
“Charles Simeon Trust es el mejor en entrenamiento de predicación expositiva,” dijo Molero. “Son famosos a nivel nacional y mundial por enseñar excelentes habilidades hermenéuticas y homiléticas. Ahora, por primera vez, está disponible en español y lo tiene más disponible acá en nuestra región.”
Molero está muy entusiasmado con este evento. Es parte de su iniciativa para fortalecer la capacidad de los pastores y predicadores para enseñar la Biblia fielmente y es además, una oportunidad para descubrir y desarrollar potenciales plantadores de iglesias dentro de las iglesias locales que tenemos.
Él espera organizar un total de ocho talleres en los próximos tres años.
Quotable Quotes
“Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.” D. L. Moody
- In January 1975, William Heaps was ordained as the first deaf deacon in a hearing congregation in the history of Maryland Baptists. He served at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bel Air. Later that year, the first Deaf Retreat was held at Western Maryland College. (later retreats were held at Skycroft Conference Center)
- In 1903 E. B. Hatcher became Executive Director. His tenure as leader of the Maryland Baptist Union Association (MBUA) was during the Progressive Era in America. Associational structures for delivering ministry and cooperating with existing ministries began in earnest–an active, hopeful reform spirit. Half of all Marylanders lived in Baltimore. Hatcher initiated a training school for women church workers. Sunday School, evangelism, and youth work surfaced.
Upcoming BCM/D Events
Sept. 22 — BCM/D Town Hall Meeting — Join us from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. for a time of communication, collaboration and celebration. We’ll celebrate what is going on in our two-state convention and eleven associations. We’ll communicate with one another specifically about things that have a direct impact on our convention as a whole. Our goal is to have proposed resolutions and proposed changes to our constitution available for discussion. This gives us time to deliberate and refine these items prior to our Annual Meeting. We will not only discuss resolutions, motions, and proposed constitution changes designed to help us work more effectively, but we will also hear about other opportunities to partner together.
Sept. 24 — Going Beyond Live With Pricilla Shirer — An Event for Women Seeking Jesus. Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena at UMBC .
Oct. 8 — AAF Presents BCM/D Pathways: Prevention and Protection — We all know that physical, sexual, and emotional abuse occurs regularly, and the church is not immune to this sin. Most of us don’t know how to handle it when it happens, and many churches aren’t equipped with policies or resources to deal with sexual assault or other kinds of abuse. This training session will help equip you with knowledge about how abuse occurs among vulnerable people groups who may be more susceptible to harm from others inside their communities
Nov. 6-7 — BCM/D Annual Meeting Clarion Resort LaFontaine Bleu Hotel, 10100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD
