BCM/D NEWS
Oak Grove Church Offers Easter “Free Gift” Tour
By Mary Frances Tracy
Have you ever wondered what Jesus’ last week on earth was like while He walked through Jerusalem?
Oak Grove Baptist Church will host “The Easter Free Gift Tour” on March 28. They’re setting the stage for the last week of Jesus’ life through recreated scenes of biblical Jerusalem during Holy Week…
God is opening doors through relational evangelism at MCC
God is opening doors for Mountain City Church (MCC) in Frostburg, and its members are walking right through them. The church is ministering in a variety of ways, including through Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM), a growing school partnership, and a ministry God opened at a local Housing Authority complex. Recently, the church received an evangelism grant to assist in these strategic areas.
Asked about an evangelism strategy, Senior Pastor Joe Saweikis said, “It’s about the relationships that we’re naturally building.”
Want to know more about Lent?
By ERLC Staff
Lent is a season of the Christian year that occurs during the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday (excluding Sundays).
As with most issues that are not directly commanded by the Bible, the observance of Lent is seen by most Southern Baptists as a matter of personal conviction and conscience. Lent is not a tradition that is as prominent within the SBC as it is for other Protestant traditions, such as Anglicanism. However, Lent is still a meaningful time for many Southern Baptists who choose to participate in this season of reflection and repentance.
SBC disability ministry emphasis would mobilize entities, conventions and churches
By Diana Chandler
A new ministry emphasis to the disabled would mobilize entities, state conventions, and the Woman’s Missionary Union in evangelizing those with special needs everywhere Southern Baptists share the Gospel.
BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle proposed the initiative to the SBC Executive Committee on behalf of the Disability Ministry Task Force, which he chairs. The EC voted to recommend approval of the emphasis to messengers at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
States Report Cooperative Program Increases (Including BCM/D)
By Scott Barkley (BP)
Several state conventions have reported increases in CP receipts in 2025 and in the first few months of the current fiscal year.
State conventions showing significant percentage gains (since October) include Alabama (6.93), Arkansas (26.31), Georgia (3.8), Illinois (54.76), Maryland-Delaware (6.65), Utah-Idaho (16.95) and Wyoming (7.29).
BCM/D Executive Director Tom Stolle says, “We are thankful for the generosity of churches that affiliate with us. That continued partnership is vital as we seek to push back darkness.”
Tom Stolle: 2026 is the Year of Analysis
By Tom Stolle
I’ve officially called 2026 BCM/D’s “Year of Analysis.” That may not sound exciting, but it’s important. What we’re doing this year will have a significant impact on BCM/D’s future.
Looking back, 2025 was our “Year of Systems.” Our BCM/D staff worked tirelessly to replace our core financial reporting and processing systems, payroll system, and our database—the backbone and repository of our church information. That was a major undertaking.