My BCM/D Family August 11
The Harvest Church, a new plant in Rehoboth, Delaware, had their first public communion and baptism service on the sands of Lewes Beach. They gathered together to worship, pray, have communion, and baptize eight people.
The Harvest Church Pastor Chris Baber baptizes Max Huhn on the beaches of Lewes, Delaware. (Photo by Giselle Borja)
Pastor Chris Baber said the church just finished their first Vacation Bible School and several children made professions of faith. The kids, along with some who made decisions from some of the church’s outreaches, all wanted to be baptized. “We wanted to have the baptisms in the ocean out in the public for people to witness. We got there at 6 pm and the beach was still packed. We did the baptisms in front of everyone. Afterward, we took communion, then gathered around an acoustic guitar and sang “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” Baber said people gathered around during the baptisms to watch and many clapped.
One of the baptismal candidates was Baber’s son, Roman. (see feature photo)
Maryland Chinese Baptist Church, which began meeting at Viers Mill Baptist Church earlier this year, baptized three people on August 6 at a joint worship service. Pastor Lemuel Chen shared that Covid hit their church very hard, but they are gradually rebuilding. The church is pleased to meet at Viers Mill and have the fellowship of the three other churches that meet in the building.
The Arundel Baptist Association invites all in Maryland/Delaware to Youth Fusion, a special youth event from 4-7 pm on Sept. 16 at Annapolis Area Christian School. A Day
Lemuel Chen, the pastor of Maryland Chinese Baptist Church baptized XiangJia Li at their meeting place, Viers Mill Baptist Church. (Photo by Sharon Mager)
Awaits will provide the music. This band also provided music for this year’s ReBoot Camp at Skycroft in January. Also, the speaker from ReBoot, Richard Pope, the pastor of Canvas Church in Salisbury will be the guest speaker and Spoken Word Artist Kevin Faris will share. There will be games and a barbecue dinner.
The event is free, but registration is requested to allow organizers to provide adequate supplies. This event is for all youth across the convention and youth leaders are encouraged to bring their groups. Register online.
Maryland/Delaware youth groups are invited to attend Youth Fusion, sponsored by the Arundel Baptist Association.
“Gospel and Abuse” With Mez McConnell in Person
The Garden Church, Baltimore, will host “Gospel and Abuse” with Mez McConnell, a pastor in Scotland, church planter, and author. He is known for his work in urban ministry and his efforts to reach out to disadvantaged and marginalized communities in Scotland, particularly in areas with high levels of poverty, addiction, and crime.
He is the founder and director of 20schemes, a ministry organization that focuses on church planting and gospel-centered outreach in Scotland’s housing schemes (low-income neighborhoods). The organization seeks to bring the message of Christianity and practical help to people living in difficult circumstances, often struggling with various social issues.
Mez McConnell is a pastor in Scotland, a church planter, and an author.
He is also an author. Some of his books are “Church in Hard Places: How the Local Church Brings Life to the Poor and Needy” and “The Creaking on the Stairs: Finding Faith in God Through Childhood Abuse.” Register online.
Dr. Bob Roberts at Covenant Church
Bob Roberts Jr, the founder of GlocalNet, a ministry dedicated to mobilizing the church for transformation in the public square, and co-founder of Multi-Faith Neighbors Network (MFNN) will share at Covenant Church, Shepherdstown, West Virginia on August 20 & 27. Roberts also founded and led Northwood Church in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, for the past 34 years.
Step Up Men’s Conference
First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro will host Step Up, a men’s event, from 6-9:30 pm on Sept. 23. The event is being planned by several Maryland/Delaware churches across associations. The evening will include worship, challenge, and prayer. The keynote speaker will be FBCUM Lead Pastor Zach Schlegel, with testimonies by Richard Pope, the pastor of Canvas Church, Salisbury, and Chris McCombs, the pastor of Lexington Park Baptist Church. The cost is $10 and includes a meal. Register online.
Youth Explosion and other Galilee Baptist Ministries
Galilee Baptist Church, Suitland, has a youth emphasis called “Youth Explosion” throughout August. They kicked it off with a youth revival on Facebook Live. On August 26 they’ll have a “Back2School” Bash with a bookbag giveaway, then on August 27 Voices of Triumph Youth Choir and Sacred Wings of Worship Youth Dancers will share.
The church is active!! Other outreaches include a Joy at Noon daily prayer line for prayer and encouragement. They also have a prayer emphasis for their Wednesday virtual services, focusing on “What is prayer,” “Prayer is a Privilege,” “Two Kinds of Prayer,” “Why do Some Prayers go Unanswered,” “Reverence in Prayer,” “Praying for Others,” and more. The church also has weekly Gospel aerobics classes on Zoom. In September, they’ll be celebrating their 69th anniversary.
Feature photo: The Harvest Church Pastor Chris Barber, with his wife, Alexis, baptizes their oldest son, Roman.
