BCM/D NEWS
Emmanuel Church: Pickleball and Jesus
“We call it our PB&J ministry — Pickleball and Jesus,” Emmanuel Church, Huntingtown, Senior Pastor Rick Hancock says with a chuckle, sharing about the church’s popular new ministry. “It’s a lot of fun, and it’s going really well.”
Pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in the United States, and it’s really popular at Emmanuel. Each Monday evening, the church’s gym is filled with the sounds of paddles hitting balls, the squeak of shoes, and the chatter and laughter of pickleball players.
Colin Pugh: 10 Commitments for the New Year
By Colin Pugh
As we step into 2026, many people make traditional New Year’s resolutions. And resolutions are good—but what if we moved from casual resolutions to intentional commitments? And what if a church collectively made those commitments?
Commitments shape habits, and habits shape lives.
This year, I’ve compiled ten commitments designed to help each of us grow deeper in Christ and stronger as a church family.
Oak Ridge Church Makes Room for Everyone at Santa’s Wonderland
For thousands of families on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Oak Ridge Church’s mid-December Santa’s Wonderland has become a much-anticipated annual tradition with Christmas movies, story time with Mrs. Claus, family carriage rides… and even a live Nutcracker performance by the Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre.
This past Christmas, they offered a sensory-friendly night designed for families who often find large holiday events overwhelming.
Theology of Christmas needs more emphasis, profs & pastor say
By David Roach
NASHVILLE (BP) – No matter how many times Michael York preaches on Christ’s incarnation, it never ceases to amaze him.
“The eternal God, the second person of the Trinity, entered into humanity as a baby in His mother’s womb and was born without the musculature in His neck to even hold up His own head,” said York, pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Ashland, Ky. “
FBC Perryville Brings Good News of Great Joy to their Community
Perryville’s annual Christmas in the Park brings the community together for small-town American fun, featuring a Christmas shopping village, music, vendors, and a community parade…
One of the floats making its way down the road belonged to First Baptist Church of Perryville—a flatbed trailer topped with a large, red-wrapped Christmas gift and a banner reading, “Jesus is the Greatest Gift of All.”
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas — Let’s Talk About Gifts!
By Tom Stolle
For many of us, Christmas brings a mix of joy, reflection, warmth, and memories. We think about the birth of our Savior—Emmanuel, God with us. We gather with family and friends, we exchange gifts, and we celebrate the greatest gift ever given — Jesus.
I find myself thinking a lot about gifts. Not just the ones we wrap and put under a tree, but the gifts God gives…