May News Highlights

This month, we see churches busy planning for the future and celebrating their past! They’re seeing growth, partnering with businesses and striving to be obedient to God, and love each other and their communities! “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” 1 Chronicles 16:24

Ground Breaking
Ocean City Baptist Church and Seaside Academy celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony on May 23 for their highly anticipated “Seaside Athletic Center.” Sean Davis, pastor of OCBC, said there is a lot of excitement surrounding the center, which he said will serve as a hub for community engagement. “This will benefit our church, the school, and the community.”

OCBC Pastor Sean Davis shares the vision for the new athletic center. (Photo courtesy of OCBC)

The 29,000 square foot facility will be the church’s West Campus, providing additional worship space and room for the multiple church programs and Upward Sports, which now draws between 700-1000 children each year. The school will use it for Christian summer camps, educational space and as a gym.

The ceremony included music by Seaside’s Upper School Choir, a message by Davis sharing the vision of the property, the presentation of shovels, and the blessing of the land, dedicating it to God and acknowledging that the land is a gift from God and should be used wisely. Following the ceremony, all enjoyed a lunch provided by the contractor, Henley Construction.

Davis said the actual groundbreaking will be in the summer, but since school would be out, they wanted families to be together to celebrate.

Pro-Life Conference/Free Diaper Drive
Here’s a great way to take a stand for life! The Pro-Life Women’s Conference and National Sidewalk Advocacy Conference have combined to create the Celebrate Life Conference, which will take place in DC from June 27 to 29. 

You can help supply 400,000 diapers and/or receive diapers for your pantry or to give to families in need.

On Saturday, the 28th, there will be a pro-life rally to Defund Planned Parenthood. According to their last annual report, Planned Parenthood took the lives of nearly 400,000 babies while receiving nearly $700 million in taxpayer funds. Following the rally, Everylife Diaper Company is hosting a free diaper drive to honor the lives of the unborn babies aborted by Planned Parenthood — 400,000 diapers representing the lives of these unborn babies.

The BCM/D Christian Life & Public Affairs Committee (CLPC) is a partner in this diaper drive. This is a great opportunity for churches, pregnancy centers, pro-life organizations, and families in need to receive free diapers and take a stand for life. The rally is at 10 a.m., followed by the diaper drive at 11 a.m. 

You can help! Join in person on Capitol Hill, take diapers home with you to your local pantry or to families who you know can use the support, or donate to the Diaper Drive.

Severna Park Baptist Church is Growing Godly Generations
Severna Park Baptist Church (SPBC) is celebrating their 65th anniversary. Started by Glen Burnie Baptist Church to establish a Baptist presence in the area, the founders purchased 6.4 acres of land for $13,000. They held revival services in a house on the property, and later a Vacation Bible School (VBS). The church began to grow, and members thanked God for his blessings. After the first year, the church clerk wrote, “With hard work, sacrificial giving, and earnest devout prayers, the members of this church press on toward a great church in this community.” As SPBC grew, they helped plant First Baptist Church of Crofton and Elvaton Baptist Church, Millersville, and they started a preschool, “Wee Center,” which operated for 40 years.

Severna Park Baptist Church is celebrating their 65th anniversary year. (L-R David Brown, Danielle Brown, Michele Bello, Dempsey Bellow, Bill Bloomquist and Mary Ann Bloomquist (Facebook photo used with permission)

Today, SPBC church continues to press forward! They’re engaging their community and growing. They’ve become strong in their commitment to missions, and they continue to support church plants.

Pastor Dave Brown, who has served with his wife, Danielle, since 2009, has led the church with a focus on “Growing Godly Generations,” and he and Danielle played a significant role in initiating that emphasis. He said, “When we got here, we had two daughters, and they were the first ones who had been in the nursery for a long time.” The excitement in the church grew even more when, just a few months later, the couple announced they were expecting their third child.

Danielle said, “There were mostly senior adults then, but that was fun. They were all so excited to see the kids. It was like having lots of grandparents around.”

More families joined as the Browns and others began engaging the community. Today, Dave and Danielle have five children, Alethia, Amiyah, Audry, Avee, and Zeke, who are all actively involved in the church.

Over the past 15 years, the congregation has transitioned to be multigenerational and reflect the ethnic diversity of the community, comprising members of Anglo, African American, Hispanic, and Asian backgrounds. Beyond family ministry, SPBC has also prioritized missions work, both locally and abroad. They’ve served in Nicaragua for seven years, in partnership with Glen Burnie Baptist Church and later Life Connection Church. The church later served in the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

They engage their community through VBS, their “Easter Journey,” and Trunk or Treat, along with their ministries to and with children, youth, women, men, and seniors. They’ve started a unique ministry to supplement community services by providing bags of food, baby kits with diapers and other baby needs, and hygiene kits. This outreach is spearheaded by The Brown’s oldest daughter, Alethia. It’s her “Capstone Project” (similar to an Eagle Project for boys) through American Heritage Girls (AHG). Partnering with AHG and Trail Life programs has been a blessing to the church. The faith-based scouting type program brings 100 young people to the church each week, and several families have started attending the church as a result of those programs.

Dave said, “The highlight for me has been seeing the transformation of families and young people over the years. We’ve seen toddlers grow up, graduate, and remain connected to the church. That’s what we want—to pass the gospel from one generation to the next.”

The church officially celebrated their anniversary on May 25 with during worship with video tributes from current and former members, testimonies, and reflections centered on Psalm 100, which honors God’s faithfulness across generations.

Valley Church Sees New Growh
Valley Church, Jefferson, is seeing growth! Pastor Larry Nelson said the church had been averaging 35-45 people for some time but has grown to 40-60 within the past four months. Nelson, amazed, said they rose to 80 on Palm Sunday and 110 on Easter.

He attributes the increase to “fervent prayer.” The church has been praying for God to send people and leaders,” he said. A group meets every Wednesday from 11 – 12:30 to pray, and then they pray again on Sunday mornings.

“God is answering those prayers, Nelson said. He added that the church is diligent in preaching the Word and loving members, “We care about people,” Nelson said.

First Anniversary
Pine Grove Church, Elkton, a church replant, will celebrate their first anniversary since thier replant on at their 10:30 a.m. service on June 1. Pastor Ben Eller said, “This will be the first time in over 15 years that our building has hosted a children’s Sunday School class. We will also be holding a fellowship dinner after the morning service in our Fellowship Hall — the first time for that in many years as well.’ Read more about Pine Grove Church here.

Clinton Baptist Church Annual Community Baby Shower
Clinton Baptist Church is having amazing success with their partnership with MedStar Health. Following their inaugural joint community baby shower at CBC, their second event drew more families, and MedStar kicked off their new PG Healthy Start program at the event.

Clinton Baptist Church is having tremendous success in their partnership with MedStar. They recently hosted their second community baby shower. (Photo courtesy of Clinton Baptist Church)

In an article by MedStar News, they write, “A new program aiming to significantly reduce infant mortality and improve maternal health is now available to families in Prince George’s County. MedStar Health launched PG Healthy Start at the second-annual Community Baby Shower and Resource Fair held Saturday, April 12, at Clinton Baptist Church.

“In Prince George’s, the maternal mortality rate is 50% higher than the national average and 40% above the average rate in Maryland. Currently, only about 55% of women in the county receive prenatal healthcare.

“Coming into this year, following the success of last year’s event, we are striving to do bigger and bigger things, offering more support for new and expecting parents,” said Pastor Colin Pugh II of Clinton Baptist Church. “Now with the PG Healthy Start Program, families have even more opportunities to connect with local organizations, explore baby essentials, and participate in valuable workshops. I am thankful for our partnership and am excited to serve and love our community with the love of Jesus Christ. We grow, we serve, we love!”

Read the entire article here (the above information was used with permission by MedStar).

Kettering Baptist Church

Before and after the program, attendees can participate in fellowship with refreshments, photo booths, and speak with event partners. They may even get the chance to win a giveaway!

Learn more at. Just Distinctly – WAVA Women’s Event Tickets, Fri, Jun 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite Use code WAVAFM at checkout for discounted tickets.

Just Distinctly – WAVA Women’s Event Tickets, Fri, Jun 20, 2025 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite (submitted by Kettering Baptist Church)

Obituary: Alesia “Lisa” Moss

Alesia “Lisa” Moss, the wife of Brian Moss, the lead pastor of Oak Ridge Church, Salisbury, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on May 19.

“Born, December 8, 1960, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Ann Owens and the late, David Massa. Lisa grew up in Henryetta, Oklahoma, where she attended 2nd-12th grade. She was a cheerleader for the Henryetta Hens during Middle School. She often recited her favorite cheer from those days: Ra ra ree, kick ’em in the knee! Ra ra rass,…kick ’em in the other knee!

Lisa graduated from Henryetta High School in 1979 and then attended East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, where she received a BA in Human Services with a concentration in Rehabilitation Interpreting in 1983.

After college, she worked in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a Freelance interpreter. She then worked full-time at the Children’s Medical Center in Tulsa for 2 years. After working at the hospital, she went to work for Buford Properties Inc. for 2 ½ years. In April 1987, she met and married the love of her life, Brian Moss.” (The above information was posted on the Holloway Funeral Home Website. Read the entire obituary here)

News Highlights is curated by Sharon Mager. Send your news and photos to [email protected]