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IN THIS ISSUE
12 COVER STORY: MISSIONAL SUMMER The warmer months are a great time to not only invest in your walk with Jesus, but also in those around you. From Grace Bombs to yard sales, there are countless ways to live on mission this summer both at home and on vacation.
8 CASELY’S EDITORIAL: MY PRAYER FOR BAY AREA During his final month on staff at Bay Area, Global Missions Pastor Casely Essamuah shares his prayer for the church he will continue to call home.
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16 LEADERSHIP PROFILE: KRISTIN COLLINS Assistant Children’s Ministry Director Kristin Collins shares about her passion for Jesus and people, crediting her father for modeling a life of positivity.
22 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Though Bay Area experienced several setbacks in aquiring steel, construction of the new children’s expansion and student facility is moving forward in Annapolis.
We appreciate your comments and questions. Please email us at feedback@bayareacc.org and a staff member or elder will respond within 48 hours.
MAGAZINE CREDITS Gathering Times: 7:50, 9:20, 11:20 a.m. EDITOR Meredith Thompson ART DIRECTOR Josh Shirlen ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Arianne Teeple ASSISTANT EDITOR Jocelyn Sacks LEAD DESIGNER Josh Burgin GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jake Williams CONTRIBUTORS Casely Essamuah Ed Kelley Megan Achatz Michele Rollins
On the cover: Monica Wotell, Aaron Rosa, Aaron White & Katie Dellinger Photo by Arianne Teeple
ELDERS Barry Willhite Bill Plenge Bill Smith Chris Heacock David McPeak Don Wiley Greg St. Cyr J. Upton John Taylor Keith Riniker Ken Gilmore Peter Godfrey Rich Heath Roger Ishii Tim Grossman Tom Hogan Warwick Fairfax
884 Chesterfield Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401
410.544.2222
BAY AREA LEADERSHIP Brent Squires, Student Ministry Pastor – brent.squires@bayareacc.org Brian Hopper, Annapolis Campus Pastor – brian.hopper@bayareacc.org Casely Essamuah, Global Missions Pastor – casely.essamuah@bayareacc.org Craig Fadel, Easton Campus Pastor – craig.fadel@bayareacc.org Ed Kelley, Executive Pastor – ed.kelley@bayareacc.org Gail Wiles, Children’s Ministry & Weekend Experience Director – gail.wiles@bayareacc.org Greg St. Cyr, Lead Pastor – greg.stcyr@bayareacc.org Janet Graves, Women’s Ministry Director – janet.graves@bayareacc.org Jerry Shirlen, Financial Administrator – jerry.shirlen@bayareacc.org Jocelyn Sacks, Missional Community Director – jocelyn.sacks@bayareacc.org Jonathan Madrid, Worship Leader – jonathan.madrid@bayareacc.org Josh Shirlen, arts – josh.shirlen@bayareacc.org Leanne Lane, Care Network Director – leanne.lane@bayareacc.org Meredith Thompson, Communications Director – meredith.thompson@bayareacc.org Pat Linnell, Teaching Pastor – pat.linnell@bayareacc.org Ron Dutton, Operations Director – ron.dutton@bayareacc.org
For a comprehensive list of all BACC staff, elders and deacons, please visit bayareacc.org/leadership J U N E GO&MAKE 3
LETTER FROM THE LEAD
DON’T TAKE THE SUMMER OFF! n June 21 summer is officially upon us! Most of us love the change of pace summer brings. At Bay Area, we’re gearing up for a fantastic summer of spiritual growth. This month we’ll continue our sermon series called “That’s Not Normal!” looking at the supernatural life we are empowered to live. This series is a great opportunity to bring your friends. In July we’ll launch a teaching on the parables and bring in some of our SENT Network church planters to inspire and challenge us. In August we will dig into the book of James. You might start reading James now.
The Deep Blue and Bay Area Student Ministry will be in full gear with fun events for kids, including Summer Blitz coming up on June 22, and special Sunday gatherings for middleand high-school students on Sundays at 11:20 a.m. in the chapel. Short term mission teams leave for Appalachia in June, followed by July trips to Belize, El Salvador, Ghana, Uganda, Southeast Asia and Poland. Missional communities will continue to do life together. Serving opportunities are ongoing at Bay Area, including serving in our Children’s Ministry. And if you are new or feeling disconnected, let me encourage you to take part in First Step on July 8 or 10.
I’m praying that this summer will be a time of tremendous spiritual growth for you. Toward that end, here is my encouragement for you:
First, make Jesus your highest priority. Attack the summer with the mindset that “my highest priority in life is cultivating a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord.” Don’t let a change in pace, rhythm or travel sidetrack you from your highest priority. The impact of your life is ultimately determined by the depth of your relationship with Jesus. That’s why I want to encourage you to read “a chapter a day for the rest of your life.” Not sure where to begin? Here’s a 100-day Bible reading challenge that will take you into the fall:
• Luke • Exodus • Psalms 8, 13, 27 • 1 Corinthians • Psalms 46, 51, 121
• Philippians • Jonah • Psalms 127, 150 • 2 Timothy
Did you know that it takes the average reader less than four minutes to read an average-length chapter of the Bible? My challenge is to carve out 15 minutes every day to read a chapter, ask the Lord to speak to you, and then talk to the Lord in prayer about your burdens, needs and hopes. Do this and your life will be transformed!
Second, stay engaged at Bay Area. There is never a time of entitlement to check out of church. Make Sunday mornings a priority for you and your family. Stay active in your Missional Community and serving. Exercise the ministry of hospitality by taking the initiative to get to know other people at church. When you are traveling, join us online.
Third, take advantage of the summer to reach your neighbors. Be proactive and intentional. Summer is an easy time to hang out with those around us because interaction increases with summer weather. Be agents of grace bombs and be sure to talk about your faith, church and Jesus in a natural, conversational way. Err on the side of boldness. Pray and believe God to use you to reach those God has placed in your life.
Fourth, take a vacation. One regret I have in raising my family was not making vacations a high enough priority. This summer, be sure to make a family memory by carving out time to enjoy loved ones. Whether the beach, city, travel or staycation, be proactive and creative to make cherished memories.
And finally, get some rest! Most of us live life at an accelerated pace. It’s not the pace that does us in. It’s the lack of recovery. You can run a marathon by sprinting if you sprint for 100 yards and then walk to recover, then sprint another 100 yards and recover, etc. But you can’t sprint without taking breaks. We tend to live at sprint pace, neglecting the need to walk. Take time to “walk” this summer and you’ll find yourself more in tune with the Spirit, healthier emotionally and relationally, and more productive in all you do.
Join me in making the summer of 2018 one of the best! From here to the nations,
Greg St. Cyr Lead Pastor
Greg St. Cyr is the lead pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributor to GO&MAKE.
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By Pat Linnell
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he Bible says that we have a massive inheritance waiting for us. When I think about an inheritance my mind goes to all the equity, estates and other material belongings that will get passed down when family members ahead of us kick the bucket and leave things behind in their wills. No doubt that these can become very tense times in family life, as siblings and other random next of kin who you never knew were even related to Old Aunt Nell all want to get their fair share. But far greater than money, the inheritance that Scripture speaks of is all the goodness of an eternal relationship that we get to look forward to when we die. Not many of us are looking forward to the prospect of death, but for the believer in Christ, death is the doorway to take us to our faithful lover. You can look forward to a face-to-face relationship with Jesus and experience unfiltered and uncorrupted love that can only be shared in heaven where sin and its effects have no home. The Apostle Peter was once a fisherman before he met Jesus, and becoming a leader in the early church was looking forward to this time when he wrote: “According to (God’s) great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
An imperishable kind of life is the kind of life God lives, and we get to look forward to. And the way the Bible describes it, we won’t be weird disembodied souls, but will have new resurrected bodies – physical bodies, built to last for eternity in the presence of God. Second, it is undefiled. Peter is saying that our heavenly inheritance is pure, perfect, never corrupted. This makes me think about the time that the beginning of the Bible describes at creation when Adam and Eve had a perfect and pure relationship with God – the time after they met each other for the first time and before the whole apple incident. This was a time of simplicity and purity in the relationship between God and man – a time of direct and personal communication, sharing and love. This was also a time when adults experienced pure childlike innocence. This was a picture of life as God intended, and our heavenly inheritance will be such a life.
“ Iitslifethatdoesn’t wn idowne,vo elrses thenewcasrmg e,lets scufedp,alyedouot,r becomesachy”.
This ex-fisherman captures pages worth of theology in just two verses. First he gives us the reason we have an amazing inheritance – namely God loving us instead of immediately punishing us for what we do deserve (great mercy) and giving us a regenerated spirit (born again), which gives us a living hope (as opposed to a false or dead hope), based on the accomplishment of Jesus, all of which is verified in His resurrection. Then he describes this inheritance in three ways. First, it is imperishable. This is a foreign concept for us in our everyday lives – because everything on Earth is subject to death and decay. Eventually, the new car loses that new car smell, the shoes you wanted to keep pristine get scuffed, new songs get played out, and the invincible feelings of our youth give way to weird aches and pains that you can’t even trace to an injury. Everything is winding down – but our life to come after death with Jesus is not subject to decay. It is life that doesn’t wind down, never loses the new car smell, gets scuffed, played out, or becomes achy.
And third, it is unfading. What a promise this is – because we have only experienced fading in this life. One of the few things I retained from college was the concept of “diminishing marginal utility,” which is pretty much a fact of life. The excitement and rush of experiencing something new creates value in our lives for a while, whether a new book, a new song, or a new recipe. But with every additional reading, hearing or meal, the value that adds to our lives will at some point vault to a plateau and then begin to diminish. We get used to things, and there is a fade factor.
This is not the case with the life to come with God in heaven – getting to know God will never get faded, because enjoying life with God can never get old, as His creativity, beauty and knowledge are boundless. This characteristic of God’s nature is probably why our relationships with other people are the most fade-resistant experiences we can have today, since people, created in the image of God, are beings intended for relationship, discovery and growth. So it may be that the relationship with your most favorite person today is just a small example of the unfading joy you will have with Jesus, who embodies our heavenly inheritance.
Pat Linnell is the teaching pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributer to GO&MAKE.
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My Pr a y e r fo r B ay A r e a By Casely Essamuah
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I am often asked, “What do you have to say to Bay Area after 13 years of service?”
My initial response is to say that I’m not leaving, as I will be worshipping here when I’m not traveling and my family will continue to call Bay Area home. But when I step back there are some biblical examples that come to mind. The first is 1 Samuel 12:23, where the prophet Samuel said, “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.” Samuel was in transition as the people of Israel had requested a king and his role was being redefined. Samuel assured the people whom he had pastored all his lifetime that it will be sinful on his part not to continue in his prayer ministry for them. That sounds harsh in our ears. Really, a sin not to remember someone in prayer? But come to think of it, what’s the greatest gift we can give one another? To pray for one another. Prayer has no boundaries and no limitations. Connecting our hearts with others to that of the Almighty God is priceless. And prayer is that act of worship where we don’t necessarily seek to change God’s mind but seek that we will be changed to bear whatever He allows to come to us through His nail-pierced hands. A popular hymn states it this way: What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer! What then is my prayer for Bay Area Community Church? For that I go to the experience of the early church in Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” A dispirited bunch of Jesus followers, probably hiding from what they perceived to be possible persecution, have their lives turned around when the Holy Spirit visits them in tongues of fire. And in the ensuing months, these qualities defined them: First, they were a learning church, devoted to the apostles’ teaching – in other words, the diligent study of God’s Word. It is noteworthy that after what seemed to be an out-of-the-ordinary, out-ofthis-world experience of Holy Spirit baptism, they didn’t neglect their intellect but rather resorted to focused instruction on the Scriptures. The second quality was fellowship, which means our initial union with God, (1 John 1:3, 2 Cor. 13:14),
which then results in fellowship with others. In a world increasingly and sadly defined by who is in and who is out, whether it is ethnicity, nationality, culture, gender, political affiliation, age or even shade of Christian belief, the authentic Christian church is always making attempts at breaking down these barriers to bring all under the umbrella of a loving heavenly Father, a caring and compassionate Savior and an empowering Holy Spirit. A practical outcome of this is a love that pours out in voluntary sharing of resources so that the impoverished among us, whether down the street or across the oceans, can believe in a generous God because of our generosity. Thirdly, my prayer is that Bay Area will continue to be, and be even better, a worshipping community. Whether it’s when we meet in Missional Communities or when we gather on Sundays, I pray that our times focused on giving God His worthiness will be joyful and reverent. The spirit of wonder and humility that characterized the early church should be ours as well. The last quality is not something that the early church did, as much as it is something that happened to them: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). The natural outcome of a church that seeks to know the mind of Christ in the Scriptures for daily living – a chapter a day for the rest of my life – and that is genuine about community life and worship is a church that attracts many who need to know the Savior. So you have your marching orders, as I do. How can I pray for Bay Area? Remembering that as Oswald Chambers says, “Prayer does not equip us for greater works — prayer is the greater work. . . . Prayer is the battle, and it makes no difference where you are. However God may engineer your circumstances, your duty is to pray. . . . Wherever God has placed you and whatever your circumstances, you should pray, continually offering up prayers to Him. And He promises, ‘Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do…’ (John 14:13). Yet we refuse to pray unless it thrills or excites us, which is the most intense form of spiritual selfishness. . . . When you labor at prayer, from God’s perspective there are always results.” (My Utmost for His Highest, Oct. 17)
Casely Essamuah is the global missions pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a regular contributer to GO&MAKE.
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STARTING
JUNE 3 - AUGUST 26 11:20 AM SUNDAYS IN THE CHAPEL
Middle & High School students only. For details on BASM summer events and activities, check out www.bayareacc.org/students.
We would love to have you pick at least three Sundays this summer to serve in any of our Children’s Ministry environments: Tidal Pool • birth - age 2 Coral Reef • ages 3-5 Submarine Canyon • kindergarten - fifth-grade sign up online at bayareacc.org/summerserve M AY GO&MAKE 11
By Meredith Thompson
f you read Greg St. Cyr’s letter in this issue, hopefully you were encouraged not to take the summer off spiritually. The warmer months are a great time to not only invest in your walk with Jesus, but also in those around you. From Grace Bombs to yard sales, there are countless ways to live on mission this summer both at home and on vacation.
1. Meet Your Neighbors. If there are 440,000 people in Anne Arundel County and 29,000 people in Talbot County who don’t yet know Jesus, then the odds are good that about 80 percent of your neighbors need to hear the gospel. Do something intentional this summer to get to know them: set a playdate for your kids and spend time with the parents, invite a family over for dinner, or better yet, invite the whole neighborhood to join you for a barbecue.
2. Drop A Grace Bomb. “MOWING GRASS IS IN”
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Random acts of kindness and generosity are a simple yet effective way to love people. When you cross the Bay Bridge to head to the beach, pay the toll for the guy behind you. While you’re outside cutting your grass, cut your neighbor’s grass too. Leave big tips. Bring a friend lunch. Change someone’s tire.
3. Support A Missionary. It may be too late to join a summer short term mission team, but it’s not too late to join in the work they’ll be doing over the next few months. Serve the nations this summer by financially supporting someone you know who is going on a mission trip, and commit to praying for their team as they prepare and take the gospel to the nations.
4. Broaden Your Circle. “COMFORT ZONES ARE SO LAST SEASON”
In the context of sharing the gospel, we often talk about people of peace – individuals who are friendly toward us and are open to having spiritual conversations with us. If you can’t think of at least a handful of persons of peace in your life, then commit to finding some this summer by broadening your social circles. You can meet new people by joining a rec sports team, taking a class at community college, starting a golfing foursome or taking up a new hobby like paddleboarding.
5. Bring Up The J Word. The most important thing you can ever do for a person is tell them about Jesus. Don’t be afraid to start a spiritual conversation with the person sitting next to you at the pool, a parent on your kid’s team, or a stranger at a baseball game that has dragged into 14 innings. Remember, you’re only responsible for sharing the good news; the results are up to God. Don’t feel equipped? Download our Share the Gospel resource at bayareacc.org/share.
“PRIME TIME TO SHARE THE GOSPEL”
6. Make Some Money – And Then Give It Away. “PERFECT YARD SALE WEATHER”
Summer offers plenty of ways to make a little cash – declutter your house with a yard sale, help your kids develop an entrepreneurial spirit with a lemonade stand, or make your teen get off the sofa to cut grass around the neighborhood. Extra income provides a great opportunity to teach your family to grow in generosity. Once you’ve made a few bucks, give it away as a family to a local nonprofit, your church or someone you know who’s in need.
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7. Help Your Kids Understand The Ball Field Is A Mission Field. Many of our kids will go places this summer that take them outside of their usual friend circles, whether it’s a little one at soccer camp or a teen working a first job. Teach your kids that they can be ambassadors of Jesus wherever they go this summer through good sportsmanship, praying for people they meet, telling new friends about Jesus, and putting others first.
“JESUS IS PORTABLE”
8. Keep Serving Others. “PUT ME IN COACH”
It can be easy to focus on ourselves during the summer as we center our calendars on catching some R&R and feeding our passions and interests. This might mean we have to be even more intentional about serving others than we are during the school year. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of opportunities to invest time in other people over the summer: you can coach a little league team, volunteer at a camp or summer program, or even serve in Children’s Ministry at church.
9. Be A Spiritual Initiator. Don’t let your personal enjoyment of summer quench the Holy Spirit’s direction in your life; keep your eyes open to the opportunities around you. Take time to stop and pray with a struggling coworker. Provide a friend with accountability. Be careful not to breeze past someone in need. Start a Bible study with your family that gets everyone into the Word regularly (I’m looking at you in particular, dads).
10. Prioritize Your Spiritual Health. “A CHAPTER A DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE”
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One of the best things you can do for the people around you is ensure that you’re in a right relationship with God. Personal time in the Word and prayer are critical to becoming more like Jesus. Commit to reading a chapter of the Bible every day (for more on that, see page 5) – even when you’re on vacation – and set a daily prayer rhythm. Continue to worship and sit under the Word every Sunday, and keep meeting with your Missional Community throughout the summer.
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IP PRO H S R E FI D A
ristin Collins would dance in an elevator with you if it would cheer you up. She’d give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. The 30-year-old Tennessee native has an unmistakable passion for bringing joy to people’s lives – something that was modeled for her throughout her childhood by her father. Kristin grew up an only child in a suburb of Knoxville; though she hasn’t lived in Tennessee in nearly a decade, her southern accent still gives her away. Her father was a pastor and counselor, and Kristin recalls seeing churches grow from meeting in her basement to renting spaces to finding permanent locations. She can’t remember a time she didn’t know Jesus. In college, the University of Tennessee grad studied art with a focus in oil abstract painting. It was during her undergrad years that she met her husband, Matt. They became best friends and married in 2009. Nine years later, they have four cats together, which Kristin loves with just about the same fervor as she does people – and she really loves people. Within a year of exchanging vows, Matt’s job in the Navy led the young couple to Virginia Beach for two years, where they began the adventure of building a life of their own before moving to Annapolis. For several years, Kristin worked at a small church doing administrative work and working with the youth. She admits she struggled to view her role as ministry, though God ultimately changed her heart, telling her, “You’re actually doing ministry; you’re not just a secretary.”
personality lends itself well to the role, in which Kristin helps champion the CM vision and strategy, welcomes families on Sundays, supports events and manages some of her fellow CM staff. She’s grateful for a job in which she can show people Jesus’ love through her speech and actions – especially the parents of the roughly 400-500 kids who attend the Annapolis campus each week. “That’s my favorite part of the job – on a Sunday morning, I love getting to introduce a new family to Bay Area, letting them know number one, this is where your kids will be and they’re going to have an absolute blast; number two, let me show you where you’re going; and number three, here’s where the coffee is,” Kristin explained. “I think God wants me to be a light to the kids and a happy person that they can trust,” she added, noting that she loves seeing the kids each week and knowing that what her team of staff and volunteers does helps shape their walks with Jesus. “We’re setting them up with the Family Map to start this incredible faith journey.”
furry friends dying. “I tell myself they’ll all join me in heaven, and we’ll deal with that when I’m in heaven,” the self-proclaimed crazy cat lady said with a laugh. Though she admits it may sound cheesy, she really loves happiness and kindness. The outflow of that is evident to those who spend any amount of time around her. “My dad always did such a good job of being happy no matter what,” she said, explaining that her penchant for positivity is inspired by her father and the overwhelming love of Jesus. Whether it’s through a warm smile or a kind word, it’s Kristin’s hope that all who interact with her would know that she cares for them and is willing to walk through life with them regardless of their circumstances. She’s always prepared to minister to others, believing God has equipped her with a friendly face to do just that.
With people at the top of it, Kristin’s list of loves is lengthy and includes cats, cooking, cupcakes, painting, crafts, photography, flowers and spending time with Matt. She loves all animals and considered becoming a vet, though she couldn’t handle the thought of
In winter 2017 God led Kristin and Matt to Bay Area. Kristin took a few months to refill her cup after having poured out in ministry for several years, but when she saw a job posting to join Bay Area’s Children’s Ministry (CM) team in summer 2017 she knew her break was over. In September Kristin joined Bay Area’s staff as program coordinator; today she serves as the assistant director of Children’s Ministry. Her vibrant, friendly J U N E GO&MAKE 17
Jesus serve like megan + david C R O U T
By Megan Achatz
n
ewlyweds David and Megan Crout had been church-hunting for several months when they visited Bay Area Community Church on the first Sunday of Advent in December 2016. Almost immediately, the couple realized they had found their church home. “Less than 10 feet in the door, I turned to him and said, ‘We’re not leaving,’” Megan recalled. That same Sunday, David and Megan attended an event to learn about Missional Communities, and by the end of the week they had attended a Christmas party with an MC of which they are still a part today. When they heard a message to Serve Like Jesus last spring, both Megan and David were eager to get more involved at Bay Area. Each found areas of service that piqued their interest, but soon realized that God was leading them down paths that diverted from their
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original plans and was instead guiding them to opportunities perhaps outside of their comfort zones. Megan originally planned to volunteer with young children in The Deep Blue, but found the Lord calling her attention to Bay Area’s women’s ministry, The Well.
or playing a guitar solo, both are committed to creating an authentic, excellent environment for people to connect with God. Buoyed by the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 4:8-9, the pair focus their eyes, thoughts and actions on serving the Lord rather than their own interests.
“I grew up a very strict tomboy and really got along much better with guys than with girls. While I thought I wanted to work with children, I found God instead providing me with an opportunity to develop relationships with and interact with women,” Megan said. With professional experience in event-planning, she eagerly stepped into a role of helping coordinate the events and activities of The Well.
Through their commitment to serving like Jesus, the couple has seen God provide for their needs in ways they never could have imagined. “Serving doesn’t really feel like a sacrifice when you see how much God pours back into you,” David said.
Today, Megan works closely with Women’s Ministry Director Janet Graves on a multitude of tasks aimed at further growing the ministry. She has developed a huge heart for the women of The Well, and envisions ways to bring even more people under its umbrella. Inspired by Christ’s words in Matthew 6:25-26, Megan has learned to take comfort in the truth that God will provide for the needs of the women’s ministry in addition to her own - in every way possible.
As a result, the pair find themselves only wanting to do more in His name. David, who never envisioned himself as a leader, is now part of the worship leadership team. Megan is co-leading a class focused on developing and training leaders for The Well. This summer they will go on their first short-term mission trip as a married couple to Belize, where they will help implement a Vacation Bible School program for kids and construct a home for a family in need.
David prefers to serve in a capacity that does not draw attention to himself, but, with encouragement from his wife, ultimately expressed interest in playing with the worship band. “Believe it or not, I actually do not like to be on stage in front of people,” he said. “But then I learned that my former guitar teacher not only attends Bay Area but also plays in the worship band, in addition to three other guys from our MC. When God gives you signs like that, it’s hard to ignore them.” One of David’s favorite aspects of playing in the band is that the focus is on worship and not on himself. “On stage, our aim is to create an environment of worship in which we draw attention away from ourselves and instead provoke a faith response within the church body,” he explained. David has seen tremendous growth in his own faith as a result, as he challenges himself to live out every aspect of his life in the same manner in which people see him worshipping on stage. In their respective areas of service, Megan and David share a similar aim in how to bring glory to God through their works. Whether it’s coordinating a day-long women’s conference
When asked for words of encouragement for others who are considering serving the church family for the first time, David urged, “If you feel even the slightest inkling to do something for God’s kingdom, just do it.” Megan added, “It’s a willing heart God wants. It’s not what you do, it’s who you are doing it for.”
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By Michele Rollins
aybe you meant to join a short term missions team this summer, but never quite got around to it. Maybe your summer schedule amidst vacations, weddings, kids’ activities and work just didn’t allow for the preparation and travel necessary to serve outside of Annapolis or Easton. Or maybe you’ve never even considered serving away from home until right this second, flipping through the pages of GO&MAKE.
In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” and part of that is certainly going – leaving our place of comfort and familiarity. But going doesn’t always involve airplanes and passports, and the main verb here is actually to make disciples. In fact, as we look at the history of missions and the current march toward globalization, more and more people from other nations who don’t know Jesus are coming to us – to Annapolis, Washington, D.C., and the Eastern Shore. You may already be interacting with the nations – in your workplace or school,
at the mall, in your local nail salon, in your neighborhood. Or you may have to be more intentional – finding an ESL class to serve or volunteering with World Relief in Baltimore or other immigrantcentered organizations. Is it possible that God has brought the nations to your door this summer for a purpose? If it’s possible, then what do we do with this opportunity to reach the nations here at home? There’s a simple strategy that helps us build relationships regardless of ethnicity – you can use this tool for your neighbor from Pennsylvania as well as your coworker from Pakistan or your classmate from the Philippines. It even
comes with a fun, easy-to-remember acronym: BLESS. How can you BLESS the nations this summer? Just as with any other facet of our lives, building relationships with our international friends begins with prayer. Ask God to help you see those around you who may have never even heard His good news before. Process these opportunities with your missional community, pray together for a specific people group, neighborhood, or individual. Ask God to show you divine appointments with people He wants you to BLESS. Then…
BEFRIEND
Be a friend. Think about how you treat your friends – how you speak with them, pray for them, share life with them. There’s no need to be weird here or over-complicate this part – look for people, strike up a conversation, and then…
LISTEN
Before you talk – listen. Asking genuine questions with genuine interest not only helps you get to know your new friend, but also helps express your care for them and share God’s story in a very personal way. Think about what you might share with a new friend and let that guide your conversation – information about your family, where you live and work, what you enjoy doing in your spare time, or the things that make up your day-to-day life.
EAT
There’s something about sharing a meal that builds relationships and leads to good conversation. If your friend is from another culture, this is also an opportunity to honor your friend’s culture by learning about and trying their food! Invite them to your home, go out to eat, or accept an invitation to their home… you’ll be glad you did.
SERVE
As you get to know your friend, look for a way that you can serve him or her. Be creative, and offer a Grace Bomb – do something kind with no strings attached. Serving doesn’t have to cost money, but the thoughtfulness with which you serve can pay dividends in your relationship.
SHARE
Over the last days and months, you’ve had the opportunity to build a relationship and trust with your new friend, and you may have gotten to learn and experience a new culture! Prayerfully ask God to show you the opportunity to share your faith – to verbally share what you believe – at just the right time. Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers – you just need to be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).
It’s going to be a great summer, friends. Let’s spend every day with eyes open for the people God loves – from here to the nations. How might God be calling you to BLESS the nations this summer right here at home?
CONSTRUCTION MOVES FORWARD IN ANNAPOLIS S t e el . S te el. Steel.
BY ED K E L L E Y
That’s been the key commodity during this expansion of our children’s wing and addition of our student facility. We ran into a steel shortage issue in the fall, seemingly, then a fabrication problem, then contractual snafus all centered around steel. Bottom line: We were delayed in structural steel hitting the ground. We changed vendors with the steel fabrication both in the structural side and the ancillary indoor material. But now we’re on track all the way around, and you can see the steel going up on both sides of the building. Just so you know, a project like this is lined up way in advance. That is, we make a GANTT chart that times everything out including requisitions and the crews involved, and sequences each kind of subcontractor work so as make sure each sub can do their part, because most work on a project this size has pre-requisite parts. In other words, one subcontractor can’t start until the other one has done their bit. 22 GO&MAKE J U N E
Well, when an important item like steel is delayed, the subs have to be released and rescheduled, which of course is a major headache. It can result in a different price from the subs and needing to sequence the whole job again (assuming the previous subs are not assigned to other jobs outside of ours and are even available). As you can tell it gets very complicated very quickly! Not to mention expensive…. When you hear “change order” in regard to construction, think “cha-ching.” Rarely are change orders saving the project money, and these steel issues have definitely cost us, which means we’ve had to cut back in other areas. We are in the throes of value engineering the project and are pretty much set now with the final push to December (our scheduled opening month). Value engineering means we’re cutting back some of the finishes we had planned and changing some things in order to meet our deadlines and efficiencies. While we’ve been waiting, we’ve been remodeling what we can inside the old Warehouse. In addition, all the civil engineering has been going forth in a timely matter. Currently, one-third of the steel has been here for a month or more (on the children’s wing side) and the erection crews have been putting it up and setting up decking, etc. The other side’s steel arrived mid-May and is being put up as I write this article. At this point in time, the building is scheduled to open December 20. We were shooting for September 15 before; that tells you how much of an issue the steel has been.
Onc e it ’s o pen th ou gh , th e ch ildre n an d s tu de n ts w il l ha ve t he best fa c ility in all of M arylan d. Our building is already the focus of articles in WSX (Architecture Monthly). Obviously, we’re proud of this in that we want to do the very best we can for the Lord’s effort with Bay Area. Everywhere in the Bible we see God’s people giving the very best for the Kingdom (the temple); we’re trying to put the very best building together for the Lord to use for a long time. It should be inviting to families both of Bay Area and folks who are new. Regarding the extra parking spots, the permitting is underway and par usual we are in wait mode for approval from the county, but we’re working through other plans that hopefully will make the parking and traffic a bit better in the near future. If you have any questions, give me a shout at ed.kelley@bayareacc.org.
J U N E GO&MAKE 23
CARE NETWORK
HAPPENINGS OUR MISSION Making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations
OUR VISION There are five things we desire for every follower of Jesus who calls Bay Area home to do:
CONNECT IN COMMUNITY SERVE LIKE JESUS GO ON A MISSION TRIP SHARE THE GOSPEL WORSHIP TOGETHER
YOUR FIRST STEP New to Bay Area or want to get involved? Join us at First Step, a fun, one-hour gathering where you’ll learn about who we are, what we believe, and what your next steps are to get plugged into community and serving at Bay Area. Coffee, snacks and KidCare are provided. Take your first step at Bay Area by signing up today to attend one of the gatherings: Sunday, July 8 at 9:20 a.m., Sunday, July 8 at 11:20 a.m., or Tuesday, July 10 at 7 p.m. in the Bay Café classroom. Register: bayareacc.org/firststep For those who have already completed First Step, our next Second Step gathering is Sunday, August 26 from 12:30-4 p.m. Register: bayareacc.org/ membership
BAPTISM WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BAPTIZED? For more information, contact: K-5th: gail.wiles@bayareacc.org 6-12th: brent.squires@bayareacc.org Adults: kayleigh.vaughn@bayareacc.org 24 GO&MAKE J U N E
Sometimes life hands us struggles: loss of a loved one, serious illness, parenting difficulties, divorce, addiction and other challenges. These difficult circumstances can cause us to isolate, yet Jesus never intended that we walk through them alone. The Care Network is a free, confidential, Jesus-centered ministry for those seeking assistance. We provide hope and healing through a variety of resources both inside and outside the walls of Bay Area. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org
DATE NIGHT OUT Saturday, 6/9, 5-9 p.m. Take time to have fun and focus on your marriage! Couples are invited to come to the Bay Cafe Classroom first for a short and fun group time then you’ll be dismissed for your date. There will be door prizes but you must be there to win! KidCare is available for $10 per child, ages infant - 10 years old. Register: bayareacc.org/register Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org
REFOCCUS MARRIAGE GROUP Fridays beginning 6/15, 7-9 p.m. This group is for married couples who want to spend time on their relationship, but would love direction and skill-building assistance. The REFOCCUS inventory is taken independently by each couple to discuss sensitive issues privately. If comfortable, couples are invited to share difficult issues with the group. The course will include an intro and seven sections: Marriage as a Process, Intimacy, Compatibility, Communication, Commitment, Ministry Marriages and Empty Nesters. If you are interested in attending or being a facilitator couple, email leanne.lane@bayareacc.org.
PREMARITAL MENTORING The premarital mentoring team is looking for couples to come alongside engaged couples. If you are married 10+ years and have a passion for helping couples start their marriages in a Jesus-honoring way email premarital.ministry@bayareacc.org.
TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR PREMARITAL COUPLES We believe strongly that the best way to honor God before marriage is to remain pure and live separately. We’re
looking for folks who have temporary space in their homes that could be used in order to fulfill this desire. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org
ENGAGED? We want to partner with you as you establish a strong, Jesus-centered life. Through premarital mentoring you’ll be paired with trained marriage mentors who will equip you with the tools and resources you’ll need to succeed in marriage. Info: premarital.ministry@ bayareacc.org
MARRIAGE MINISTRY TEAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Our Marriage Ministry events team seeks to encourage and equip couples. If you have a passion to help strengthen marriages and have been married for 10+ years, come be a part of this ministry. Learn more at bayareacc.org/marriageministry.
EMPLOYMENT KIDCARE TEAM MEMBERS Our KidCare team has a need for adults who have a heart for kids. We provide KidCare for all ministries and various events year-round. Want to join our team of paid workers? Email KidCare Coordinator Dianna at dianna.jeglum@bayareacc.org.
ASSIMILATION COORDINATOR 29 hours per week. The Assimilation Coordinator will oversee and provide leadership to our assimilation pathway which includes First Step and Second Step. Primary responsibilities include overseeing the scheduling, planning, and executing of each First Step week and Second Step.
ASSOCIATE WORSHIP LEADER 40 hours per week. The role of the Associate Worship Leader is to contribute to building a worship culture at BACC by leading worship at multiple venues, assisting the leadership of a campus, ensuring all worship experiences are executed with excellence, developing leaders and recruiting volunteers.
COLLEGE MINISTRY COORDIATOR 40 hours per week. The College Ministry Coordinator will build a ministry that engages college-age people, reach out to students at
Anne Arundel Community College (and other local students), and fully incorporate them into the life of the local church at Bay Area.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY ASSISTANT Part-time position; assists with the implementation of our vision and strategy in Children’s Ministry as it pertains to parents, volunteers, potential volunteers and children of our Children’s Ministry environments at Bay Area. This person will work with the Children’s Coordinators to ensure all details are covered for Sunday mornings and other events. For more info and to apply: bayareacc.org/jobs
WOMEN’S MINISTRY Register for studies and events at bayareacc.org/annapolis/women.
THE WELL Boundaries (Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend) Wednesdays, 6/6-27, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Join us for a four-week study of the Boundaries book. We will learn that by setting appropriate limits, we can improve the quality of our relationships in every area of life: marriage, family, friendships, church and the workplace. Order the expanded and updated Boundaries book online. Info: bettechristian@comcast.net
Fully Surrendered study and workout class Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6/21-8/7, 7-8:30 p.m. Join us for an in-depth look at God’s calling for us to be a living sacrifice for His glory using Lysa Terkeurst’s “Made to Crave” video and discussion series. We will follow this with a workout each week. All fitness levels and eating styles are welcome. Cost $25. In addition, please order Made to Crave Participants Guide at christianbook.com. Info: kaycee.rump@gmail.com
SPIRITUAL BREATHING WORKSHOP Tuesday, 6/19, 7-8:30 p.m. As believers sometimes we have a hard time seeing, hearing and believing God. In this workshop, we will do an interactive Spiritual
Breathing activity where we will explore and then exhale our hindrances and inhale by connecting with God through praying the Scriptures. Info: sarahemeehan1@gmail.com
LIFECRAFT: CAKE DECORATING Monday, 6/25, 7:-8:30 p.m. Join us to decorate a summer-themed cake taught by cake baker Sarah Wieduwult. Bring three baked cakes (rounds 6x2”, any flavor), your own cake board or cake plate and a flat cake spatula. You’ll take home your decorated cake at the end. Cost $10 to cover the frosting for the cake and cupcakes to decorate and eat that night. Info: sarahwieduwilt@yahoo.com
ON THE GO: RUN AND BRUNCH Tuesday, 6/5, 9:30 a.m. - noon Want to meet other runners? Meet at the Annapolis Harbormaster’s office, 1 Dock Street at 9:30 a.m. for a 2-4 mile run. After a quick change, we’ll go to Iron Rooster for brunch together. Info: Tricia at tlascola@gmail.com
FELLOWSHIP CRUISE TO BERMUDA August 25, 2018 Don’t miss this five-night cruise from Baltimore to Bermuda on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas. Special guest Easton Worship Leader Rachel Pletts will perform a concert for us on the ship. Excursions and other group activities available. Invite your spouse or make it a girls trip. Info: Lynn at lriley1137@comcast.net
ABUNDANCE WOMEN’S CONFERENCE Saturday, 9/29, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Join us as we head to Richmond for this one-day women’s conference. Group tickets are available now but we need to see how many women would like to carpool to attend this event. Go to lifeway.com/abundance to learn more about the speakers and other event details. Cost: $59. Email janet.graves@bayareacc.org if you’d like to purchase your ticket with our group.
WOMEN OF LEGACY (55+) Monday, 6/11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Join us for a special lunch together for our last Legacy group until September. Info: Cedulie Sanchez at luisandcedulie@gmail.com
QUILTS FOR KIDS Saturday, 6/16, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in The Docks Join us as we make quilts for kids together. Bring your sewing machine and we will provide the quilting fabrics. Bring your lunch to eat together. Info: annapolisqfk@gmail.com
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP MEN’S MORNING BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays, 6-7:30 a.m. in room 236 Info: jlradcliffe@hotmail.com
MEN’S EVENING BIBLE STUDIES Sundays, 6-8 p.m. in room 235 This study is geared toward helping men draw closer to Jesus while discussing and discovering God’s answers for the challenges men face at home, work and in society. Info: bob.gregory@bayareacc.org
Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. in room 235 Join Bay Area men to spend time in the Word and prayer, for fellowship and discussion, and for discipleship. Info: sam.logan@gmail.com
MISSIONAL COMMUNITY Being connected with others helps us grow in our love for God, for each other, and for our neighbor. You can find out more about Missional Communities at bayareacc.org/ missionalcommunities.
PRAYER MINISTRY Our Prayer Ministry comprises individuals dedicated to praying for all aspects of Bay Area: gatherings, pastors, missions and more. Individuals are also available to pray after each gathering (front-right of Chapel stage). Info: bayareacc.org/prayer
GLOBAL MISSIONS GO
Take the next step in your walk with Jesus and share God’s love in one of 10 locations worldwide. Fill out the GO Form: bayareacc.org/stm
SEND
Interested in sending others through prayer or giving? Give: bayareacc.org/ stmgive. Prayer info: michele.rollins@ bayareacc.org. J U N E GO&MAKE 25
SERVE LIKE JESUS INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT SERVING AT BAY AREA? Below, you’ll see a list of some of our most immediate serving needs. For a complete list of serving opportunities, and to sign up, go to bayareacc.org/serve. AMBASSADOR TEAM GREETER TEAM AUDIO/VIDEO TEAM CHAIR MINISTRY ESPRESSO BAR TEAM CHILDREN’S WELCOME TEAM CHILDREN’S SET DESIGN TEAM PARKING TEAM PRESCHOOL TEAM
OCEAN CITY DAY TRIP Monday, June 18 High school students are invited to join us for a day trip to Ocean City, MD. Registration can be found online at bayareacc.org/annapolis/students. The deadline to register is Sunday, June 10. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
GUPPY GULCH DAY TRIP Thursday, July 19 Middle and high school students are invited to join us for a day trip to Guppy Gulch, a water adventure park on a water-filled quarry with zip lines, water inflatables, a blob, kayaks and more! The cost is $50, which includes transportation, admission to the park and lunch. Registration will open on Sunday, June 17. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
SAFETY TEAM WOMEN’S MINISTRY USHER TEAM
STUDENT MINISTRY BASM SUMMER GATHERINGS Sundays, June-August, 11:20 a.m. in the Chapel BASM Summer Gatherings will be held in the Chapel for the months of June, July, and August. We will have our Student Ministry worship team, live Biblical teaching on our student summer series, and the opportunity to connect with other students and student ministry leaders. Info: lauren.gibeault@bayareacc.org
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CINEMA June 15, 6-9 p.m. July 13, 6-9 p.m. Summer Cinema is our monthly middle school movie and hangout night during the summer. It’s a free, high-energy evening full of activities, games, and a featured movie. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
BIG BEACH WEEKEND 2018 August 3-6 High school students are invited to join us for one of the region’s finest high school retreats! Big Beach Weekend will be held at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference. Cost is $325. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org 26 GO&MAKE J U N E
FINANCIALS On June 1, 2018, Bay Area began a two-year generosity initiative called Unrivaled that will fund our ongoing ministry at all campuses, construction of our new student center and children’s addition, and expansion of Christ’s reach from here to the nations. Our two-year giving goal is $16,500,000. Look for an update on participation and giving in the July issue of GO&MAKE!
MAKE A COMMITMENT
Our primary goal in Unrivaled is 100 percent engagement - that every person at Bay Area would ask what it means to put God first in their finances. To make a commitment, pick up a commitment card at an information counter or go to baccunrivaled.org/commitment.
GIVING METHODS
COLLEGE MINISTRY YOUNG ADULT MISSIONAL COMMUNITY (AGES 18-25) Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Missional Communities are a great opportunity for people to connect in community where they are loving God, serving others and growing spiritually together. Info: bryan.mcfarland@bayareacc.org
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY WAVE RIDERS PLAY GROUP Tuesday, 6/12, 10 a.m. at Bay Area Monday, 6/25, 10 a.m. at Sandy Point State Park Come check out this family play and support group with fun activities, book clubs and socials that offers a space for parents to share knowledge, resources and experiences. Info: facebook.com/ waveriderplaygroup
KIDS SUMMER BLITZ Friday, 6/22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Children who are completing kindergarten through fifth-grade are invited to Kids Summer Blitz, a funfilled event for kids to kick off summer. Invite all your elementary-age friends for gameshow-style competitions, beach balls, lights, dancing and all the summertime excitement a Friday evening can hold. Cost: $10 Register: bayareacc.org/register
You can give toward your Unrivaled commitment through the offering during the gatherings, online at bayareacc.org/give, or by texting BACC + amount to 30131 (ex: “BACC 50” to give $50). Info: baccunrivaled.org Questions: finance@bayareacc.org
EASTON CAMPUS HAPPENINGS
CHURCH PICNIC Sunday, June 10, 1-4 p.m. Join us for one of our best annual events: a church picnic with inflatables, food, boat rides, games and swimming! The church will provide chicken and drinks, but we would love it if you would bring something to share as well. If your last name begins with A-R, please bring a side dish such as pasta salads, fruit, veggies, green salads, etc. If your last name begins with S-Z, please bring a dessert such as pies, brownies, cookies, etc. There is limited seating but plenty of space, so please feel free to bring extra chairs and blankets.
THANK YOU
to everyone who made a commitment and stepped into the ring to fight for greater surrender, faith and generosity!
UNRIVALED baccunr ivaled.org J U N E GO&MAKE 27
KIDS
SUMMER
FRIDAY, JUNE 22 6:30-8:30 P.M.
Children who are completing kindergarten through fifth-grade are invited to Kids Summer Blitz, a fun-filled event for kids to kick off summer. Invite all your elementary-age friends for gameshow-style competitions, beach balls, lights, dancing and all the summertime excitement a Friday evening can hold. Cost: $10
BAYAREACC.ORG/REGISTER 28 GO&MAKE J U N E