Our BCM/D Family May 23

Spring is in full bloom, and churches are gearing up for summer activities. Send your news and photos to [email protected].

Thirty-eight ladies from Jessup Baptist Church, Elvaton Baptist Church, Millersville; Lake Shore Baptist Church, Pasadena; and Glen Burnie Baptist Church gathered for a spring retreat at Skycroft Conference Center. Shannon Baker, the director of communications for the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey, was the guest speaker.

Brenda Fahey, the Sisters in Christ leader at Jessup Baptist Church, organized the event. Jessup has been hosting the event for about a decade, and other churches have joined. Fahey said the retreat is an opportunity for the women to get together and be refreshed, with teaching sessions, praise and worship, games, and free time.

“We had so much fun,” Fahey said. Some of the ladies stayed up late playing board games, cards, and charades-type games and did crafts. Baker said she joined in the fun and stayed up until midnight. “I had a blast,” she said. Fahey said, “I’m staying up next year.”

The theme was “Prevailing Grace, and based on the accounts of the lives of Abraham and Sarah. Baker said, “God’s purpose prevailed through every stage of their lives, even when they made poor choices. God’s will prevailed through all the seasons to shape them into His image and for His perfect purpose.” And He does the same for us.

Forty-nine women have registered for next year’s retreat.

Bluegrass Fellowship
Maple View Baptist Church, Joppatown, will have a Bluegrass night on June 23 at 6 p.m. Pastor Craig Mele said he and several others enjoy bluegrass—“the old-fashioned kind,” he said. An informal bluegrass band played at nearby Bel Forest Baptist Church, Bel Air, and a few from Maple View went to visit. They had a blast and invited the musicians to play at Maple View.

All are welcome, and refreshments will be served. Any donations from the event will be used to erect a pavilion on the property, which will allow the church to do more outreach in the community.

Pine Grove Baptist Re-Boots
Pine Grove Baptist Church, Elkton, is essentially “re-booting” as a congregation after being inactive for a number of years. They recently called Ben Eller as pastor. Eller was the pastor of Maple View Baptist in the 1990s. They will adopt a new constitution and bylaws on May 26 and have their first worship service on June 2.

Transitions
Brent Brewer, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Laurel, is resigning at the end of July. He and his family are being called to Denver, North Carolina, where Brewer will serve as executive pastor. In a Facebook post, Brewer wrote, “As many of you are aware, our ministry in Maryland after almost 30 years is coming to an end. We love Maryland, the people, and the culture. We have such fond memories of the five churches that we have been privileged to serve. We will miss the dear saints of First Baptist Church in Laurel – they have been a wonderful church family these last eight years. We will be transitioning at the end of July/first of August. This location will put us closer to family. Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you once again for all the prayers and support as we head to our next assignment.”

AWANA Awards
Lake Shore Baptist Church, Pasadena, had its final awards night for AWANA, with 23 “clubbers” earning medals for completing their handbooks. The guest speaker was Steve Gambrill, known as “The Extreme Balloon Man.”

Anniversaries
Liberty Christian Church, Reisterstown, will celebrate its tenth anniversary on May 26. The event will feature special guest singers, food trucks, fellowship, games, and more.

Agape Church, Washington D.C.  celebrated their 33rd anniversary on May 19. Jessie Arce was the guest speaker