Go & Make Issue #48 (September 2017) by Bay Area Community Church

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IN THIS ISSUE 16 COVER STORY: DESIGNING BAY AREA Ravi Waldon and Andrew Beyea, the architects who have designed all three phases of Bay Area’s Annapolis campus, share about their passion for using architecture to serve God and His Church.

5 LETTER FROM THE LEAD: SABBATICAL REFLECTIONS As he returns from a three-month sabbatical, Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr shares some of what the Lord revealed to him during his time away for our church family.

12 GRACE BOMBS DROPPED AND RECEIVED We’ve wrapped our seven-week series on Grace Bomb but the bombs keep dropping around Maryland. Those who have Grace Bombed others and received Grace Bombs share their stories, printed here as inspiration for others to keep the movement going.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s a joy to be part of telling our church family’s story. We love hearing about the ways God is breaking into the lives of those who attend Bay Area and how He is using us to expand His Kingdom. But we know there are many stories worth sharing of which we’re simply not aware.

Hey Bay Area Family, If we haven’t met, my name is Meredith. I serve as the editor of GO&MAKE, and I’d like to invite you to be a part of this magazine. During my personal time in the Word, I’ve been reading the book of Acts. Recently, I came across a short story about Peter in Acts 9:32-34 that reminded me why we publish GO&MAKE. Let me share it with you: “Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.’ Immediately he got up. And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”

That’s where you come in. We would love to have you submit your story for consideration for a future issue of GO&MAKE, or perhaps a video testimonial or other means of encouraging our church family. If God has been doing an amazing work in your family, Missional Community or in the life of someone you know, we want to hear about it. Let us know how He’s answered prayer, used you to Grace Bomb someone, called you to step out in faith in a new way – whatever it might be. While we can’t guarantee that we’ll share every story, we’d certainly like to tell some of them. In just a sentence or two, you can submit yours at www.bayareacc.org/story. We look forward to hearing accounts that will help others “turn to the Lord”!

Meredith Thompson is the Communications Director at Bay Area Community Church and serves as editor of GO&MAKE

It was that last line that struck me: They saw him, and they turned to the Lord. I thought, “That’s why we publish GO&MAKE.” We tell the stories of what God is doing in people’s lives for others to see the Lord at work and hopefully turn to Him. It’s my prayer that the pages of this magazine would be used to point people to Jesus.

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 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 Alex Williams Bill Smith Bryan McFarland Diane Smith Rachel Perry

On the cover: Andrew Beyea and Ravi Waldon Photo by Arianne Teeple

Gathering Times: 7:50, 9:20, 11:20 a.m.

ELDERS Bill Smith Chris Heacock Don Wiley Greg St. Cyr J. Upton John Taylor Keith Riniker Ken Gilmore Roger Ishii Tim Grossman Tom Dalpini 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, Missional Community 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 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 Rachel Perry, Guest Services Director – rachel.perry@bayareacc.org Ron Dutton, Operations Director – ron.dutton@bayareacc.org Tres Cozad, Technical Director – tres.cozad@bayareacc.org

For a comprehensive list of all BACC staff, elders and deacons, please visit bayareacc.org/leadership SE P T E M B E R GO&MAKE 3

Y E A R - O N E G OA L $3,500,000 AMOUNT RAISED $1,686,281 A M O U N T TO G O $1,813,719

T H E D E S C E N DA N TS P R O J E CT. O R G

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Transitions. As you read this we’re all transitioning from summer to the more routine life of fall. Kids are back in school. Summer vacations are fond memories. For most, life settles down a bit. Right now, I’m in transition from three months of a glorious sabbatical. First, let me say a big thank-you to the elders for allowing our pastors and directors the grace of a sabbatical break every seven years. Mary Kaye and I visited family and vacationed in Florida. I built my deck and bookshelves for my study. All great stuff. But most significantly, I was freed from ongoing responsibilities to unhurriedly focus on the Lord, His Word, prayer and fasting, and the reading of great saints like Bill Bright, Charles Stanley, Oswald J. Smith and many others. With all this time to reflect, what was the Lord saying? Too much to include here so I’ll limit myself to three things:

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL CONFESSION

We are a people who want to feel good, to be happy and entertained. We dismiss, rationalize and minimize sin. Ever mindful of Isaiah 59:26, “your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear,” my prayer has been, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 “You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.” James 4:2-3 And finally…

TEN MINAS

In Luke 19, Jesus tells the parable of a nobleman who went to a distant country, leaving his slaves with 10 minas to invest (a mina is about 100 days’ wage). One slave made 10 minas, another five, and one hid his. We as a church are like the slave who has been used to make five minas. We thank God. But, God is extending an invitation to us. It’s as if He is saying, “You’ve been faithful, and now I want a 10-mina return from you. Trust Me for much more.” Here is what is on my heart as I return from sabbatical: God wants to give an increase to every person who calls Bay Area their home, and to multiply what He’s done by bearing a “10 mina” return. But that will only come if you and I are people of personal confession who travail in prayer and stand in great faith upon God and His Word. I hope you will commit yourself with me to this pursuit. It’s good to be back! From here to the nations,

THE NEED TO “TRAVAIL” IN PRAYER

Travail – that’s an old-fashioned word for painful or laborious effort. Moms in delivery know what it means to travail. Our prayers are too often in the form of popcorn, or shot up quickly at the start or end of the day asking for God’s blessing. God, out of His goodness, wants to shower us with deep, abiding, unimaginable blessings. But they do not come when prayer is minimized or viewed as optional. “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

Greg St. Cyr Lead Pastor

Greg St. Cyr is the Lead Pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributer to GO&MAKE.

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By Casely Essamuah

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hat’s the question I have been asking this season, and the follow-up question is “and how do you sustain that?” Needless to say, I have had several answers, but the really interesting ones have been from those who invested time, resources, prayer and effort in serving outside their comfort zone this summer. They are those who went on a short term missions trip, one of the 16 that we sent out this season. Ask that question of Amy who went to Ghana, or Zach to Brazil, or Tom to Poland, Johnita to El Salvador, or Suzi to Uganda, and almost invariably the answer will be that it was not only joyful, but life-transforming. They have a larger view of God, His church and His world. They left what was familiar to experience the unfamiliar, and returned home with a family that they had gained in the process. Several of them discovered gifts that they didn’t know they had, and surprisingly when they used those gifts, God moved in the hearts of those they served. I was on a different track as I served in one of the largest Muslim countries in Asia. Alongside workers who have dedicated over 20 years of their one-and-only life to reaching Muslims, I often asked this question and had extremely interesting responses. One shared of the joy he had in hosting a monthly discipleship training program where people walked three hours each way to attend. And this went on for 15 months. Many of his students share the good news of new life in Christ through the ordinary networks that they have. Another worker shared the story of a former gang leader who came to know Christ, and has already through his network brought 1,000 people to faith. Without much formal education, he still disciples the leaders of these believers. He said while many may not necessarily be interested in the validity of truth claims, a transformed life always attracts a positive response.

responding to the over 5,000 questions they receive every three months in response to their articles. Though these questions range from relationship, marriage, job and family issues, they are an open door for transmitting spiritual truth. They report the joyful news that several have been won for Christ’s kingdom that way. Several others shared of how they enable others to serve, and that in turn gives them tremendous joy. One final response, worth citing in full, came from one of the workers who pulled up a quote on his phone: “ The religion of Christ is the religion of JOY. Christ came to take away our sins, to roll off our curse, to open our prison house, to cancel our debt; in a word, to give us the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Is not this joy? Where can we find a joy so real, so deep, so pure, so lasting? There is every element of joy - deep, ecstatic, satisfying, sanctifying joy - in the gospel of Christ. The believer in Jesus is essentially a happy man. The child of God is, from necessity, a joyful man. His sins are forgiven, his soul is justified, his person is adopted, his trials are blessings, his conflicts are victories, his death is immortality, his future is a heaven of inconceivable, unthought of, untold and endless blessedness. With such a God, such a Savior, and such a hope, is he not, ought he not, to be a joyful man?” (Ocatavius Winslow in The Sympathy of Christ) What gives you joy and how do you sustain it?

Casely Essamuah is the Global Missions Pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a regular contributer to GO&MAKE.

One of the ministries that we support prints a magazine in a local language to be a bridge for sharing the gospel. Their most significant outreach, however, is through

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BE POWERFUL BE IN CHARGE BE PREEMINENT BE THE BEST BE THE ONE BE ULTIMATE BE COMMANDING BE PARAMOUNT BE FIRST BE OUTSTANDING BE MATCHLESS be great

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by Pat Linnell

THE the

almost half a million people in Anne Arundel and Talbot counties that research shows are not following Jesus need great churches. We need to be great. You need to be great. Bay Area Community Church needs to be great. And we need hundreds, if not thousands, more churches to be great. And I am not talking about being bigger, better and faster. I am not talking about being the coolest church in town. I am not talking about great in the way the world thinks about being great. We need to be great in the Kingdom of God. How do you define being great, anyway? When you’re the boss? When you are self-sufficient? When your kids are all-stars at school or their sports? Chances are you want to be great in your life, or you desire your kids to have many great accomplishments. So what is it that you are aiming for? And what makes a church great? When the preaching is good, the songs are enjoyable, the children are happy, and parking is easy? Good news is that both for your personal life and the corporate life of the church, Kingdom greatness is defined the same way. We learn this lesson from a story in the Bible about the two sons of Zebedee, James and John. They, along with Peter, were the three closest disciples of Jesus. They may have been Jesus’ cousins from Mary’s side of the family, as well. When getting close to the end of Jesus’ ministry, the time when He had his sights set toward Jerusalem, the boys’ mom approached Jesus with a request – let James and John sit on your left and right when you rule your Kingdom. Of course a mom would want this for her boys, and this request was not void of faith that Jesus would one day rule. But this request was a worldly one – to rule, to have power, to be set, to be looked up to, to be the

top dog, to bask in status, to shine in glory. Jesus sets the record straight. He says that who ends up in power first of all is determined by God the Father; Jesus, after all, is simply submitting to His heavenly Father’s will. And more than that, He explains that true greatness in the eyes of God is not those who climb the ladder, but rather those who come off it. Jesus says that unlike the great worldly rulers who are like lords, we ought to be great by serving like slaves. Great people serve. Great churches serve. And Jesus has led the way. In his own words Jesus says, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” We don’t naturally wake up thinking, “Gee, I want to give of myself today.” But when we are learning from Jesus, and taking seriously what He says, He can change that. He can help you grow to be more servanthearted, more loving, more kind, more grace-filled. He can help you be great. And that is what our world needs. It needs you to be great.

Pat Linnell is the teaching pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributer to GO&MAKE.

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C O L L E G E

T H E

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M I N I S T R Y

F I R S T

U P D A T E

Y E A R

For the past year, I’ve had the privilege of developing the college ministry here at Bay Area, which was born out of a desire to continue discipling young adults after high school graduation. This past year has been full of blessing and God’s provision in this new ministry. Our primary vision is to see our young adults ages 18 to 25 grow in their understanding of Jesus, learn what it means to be in community with fellow believers, and make disciples from here to the nations.

In summer 2016 we started a college Missional Community with close to 40 students attending each meeting every Tuesday. During the school year, we have students from a number of local schools including University of Maryland Baltimore Campus and Anne Arundel Community College. During the summer, our numbers almost double as out-of-state students return home. Each week we share a meal together, then either study the Word and have discussion, have a worship night, or have outreach events for students to invite their friends to experience community. Our mission is to see our young adults engage their classmates and friends with the love of Jesus. Throughout the year we offer several events as opportunities for our students to continue to grow in community and invite others. This past year, some of those events included a college Orioles night, a Christmas coffeehouse party, worship nights and hangout times in Annapolis. Many students have taken the initiative to plan events outside of our Tuesday Missional Community meetings.

It has been a great encouragement to see our students build community and friendships in the ministry. We also have two retreats, fall and spring, to help equip students to better engage their peers with the love of Jesus. Twenty attended our first spring retreat this past May, where we were able to enjoy God’s creation in nature and learn more about spiritual disciplines. This October, we are planning our College Fall Retreat, which is open for registration. I have been able to personally disciple several of the young men of the group and enjoy spending time with them on a weekly basis. As our community continues to grow, we are always looking for more adults who feel the call to invest in these young adults’ lives. This fall, we are looking to equip our students to go out and spread the Gospel. The Grace Bomb series has been especially helpful in illustrating how easy it is to bless others. We also plan to utilize organizations like Ravi Zacharias International Ministries to help strengthen our students’ knowledge and faith in Jesus. We continue to offer

opportunities to serve alongside fellow believers at Bay Area, and we also plan on continually opening opportunities up for others to hear the Gospel and to be invited into community. Throughout this year, I’ve witnessed many young adults grow spiritually. I think of David, a student at the school of dentistry in Baltimore, who has been intentional about reading God’s word more and has been faithful to learn more of who God is. I think of Matt, a student at AACC who has a strong passion to disciple others, specifically abroad. I’ve been able to minister to Matt as he has processed God’s plan for his life while in Maryland. We have been blessed to see God working throughout this first year with Bay Area’s College Ministry. Many have built great relationships within the community and our students strive to seek Jesus as well as help each other seek Jesus. We look forward to seeing God work in these students’ lives to reach their peers on campus and beyond.

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ate July through early September, we were in a seven-week series called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grace Bombâ&#x20AC;? that illustrated the many ways God has graced us with unmerited favor, culminating in the greatest Grace Bomb of all: Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we follow His lead in loving and serving others. Over 10,000 Grace Bombs have gone home in the pockets of our church family to be passed along to others in our community paired with a random act of generosity, kindness or service. Both Grace Bombers and Bombees have been sharing their stories at gracebomb.org. We hope the selected few stories below are an encouragement and inspiration for how you can keep this movement of love going.

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BOMBS DROPPED I bought eclipse glasses online several weeks ago so all in the office would have the opportunity to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. Not that big a deal, but I knew that no one else would think ahead.

I was in line in a drive-thru at Chick-fil-A in Chester. I noticed the driver behind me was a young mother with her child in the back seat. I decided any young mom could use a break from having to pay for a meal, so I told the cashier in the drivethru that I wanted to pay the bill of car behind me, BUT she had to promise me she would give them the Grace Bomb card. The cashier smiled widely and said, “Sure.” Then she looked down at the card I’d handed her and said, “This is SO COOL!” I had a feeling that she might have seen the card before. I was hoping she had. I hadn’t felt so good about doing something so simple and unexpected for a total stranger in a long time. I hope the driver behind me checked out the website to understand further the gift of Grace, given by Jesus and meant for all of us to share with others, strangers and all.

A close friend just learned her mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. I felt led to send her an anonymous bouquet of flowers to hopefully brighten her day a little. In the return address I left gracebomb.org.

We went to dinner as a family at the Double T Diner in Annapolis. We started a conversation with the waitress and it was her first day on her own. She did a great job and we had a lot of fun with her. We were getting ready to pray before our food came and asked her if there was something we could pray for. She looked at us and said “Really?” A big smile came across her face. Her boyfriend’s apartment had just flooded in the storms a few hours prior that night. She asked for the sun to come out and dry everything up quick. They are low on funds and cannot afford to take any action at this point. We prayed for that very thing right then and there. She asked what church we attended and we told her Bay Area, and she said she just started attending Light House in Glen Burnie. She also told us she was getting baptized the next Saturday! We left her a note about how much we enjoyed her serving us and that we’d be praying for her continued walk with the Lord. We Grace Bombed her and left a tip the same amount of the bill. Our boys were excited to participate and even pitched in with their own money.

We have been paying the toll for the person behind us for three weeks now, having the cashier pass the card along. Today, the cashier said, “This is the second one I’ve passed along today, what is it?” I told him to check out the website and that grace is a free gift. He smiled and said he liked that and would check out the website. The older couple behind us whose toll we paid were all smiles the whole way home behind us. I know this because we were in very heavy traffic and there were not many smiling faces around.

I have been out of work for a few months now and have been an Uber driver to bring in some income. During this grace Bomb series, I have been giving free rides to people and handing out the card. Not only have I been able to talk about grace and at times, share about the love of Jesus, I have been grace bombed myself - by Jesus! I have been so down about our family’s struggling situation, not realizing Jesus is grace bombing me with every ride I give. He is lovingly reminding me to continue to follow Him and He will provide our needs. Thank you so much Jesus! Through Uber, I have found a part-time office job with a local company. The position may turn full-time and our family will be all right.

My 8-year-old twins grace bombed some homemade cookies on the Riva fire station. The entire crew was extremely grateful and even insisted on a photo with the girls in front of the fire truck, which made their day. Great guys doing great things - worth every chocolate chip!

I Graced Bombed the McDonalds that I frequently drive through for my morning iced coffee. I drove up to pay and told the cashier that we were going to have some fun this morning! He looked at me strangely, and I explained that I had three Grace Bomb cards from my church and gave him $20 to pay for the next few orders that came through. All he had to do was give them a card and let them know someone paid ahead. He was excited to do it and I gave him $5 to get some lunch!

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BOMBS RECEIVED A very nice lady left me a $100 tip! Thank you so much!

I was at the Annapolis Mall food court, and my cup was empty. This sweet young man from your church offered to take my cup up for a refill. When he brought it back he handed me a grace bomb card! It brought me so much joy to have my Coke refilled.

My sweet new neighbors Carmen, 6, and Marissa, 10, baked me my favorite peanut butter cookies. They had asked me a week before about my favorite cookie, just in conversation, so I thought. I had taken a much-needed personal day off from work this week and came home to a plate of fresh, homemade, delicious cookies! Feeling blessed. What a great way to share some love; can’t wait to pay it forward!

Late on a Sunday afternoon, I was guarding a busy pool. I had had no time to eat and the sun was right in my eyes. One family with four children was grilling hotdogs and hamburgers. I was starving, and they must have seen that (don’t know how? Interesting, isn’t it?). A few moments later, they gave me a wonderful hotdog accompanied by a huge hamburger. I was so grateful and suddenly out of nowhere, one of their boys gave me a card, yelling “You have been GRACE BOMBED!” It made me laugh, and smile for the rest of the day. Good people still exist, don’t they?

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While I was sitting at the front desk at my job, a therapeutic massage place, a man came in with a smile and he greeted my co-worker and I. He said, “Here you go, maybe you can get a coffee or two. You have a great day!” He handed me a Starbucks gift card worth $10. It was such a nice surprise after having a hard week. I will definitely be “bombing” someone in the near future.

you'vE been

I stopped for coffee before work when my car battery died. A kind couple gave me a jump and the lady passed the Grace Bomb card to me. Will definitely pay it forward.

Upon traveling more than 24 hours to return home from a Bay Area short term mission trip, we found “Welcome Back” balloons tied to our mailbox with a Grace Bomb card attached. What a joyful sight after a long flight.

I was at the Annapolis Mall when this lady came up and gave me a free milkshake card for Chick-fil-A. She gave me the card and I was so happy to get a free milkshake.

gracebomb.org On my way to give fresh herbs from my garden to two friends, I stopped at Starbucks and the lady in front of me brought coffee for me and my wife. I was at work, I’m a waitress. I had the nicest family. They were very polite and the children were very happy and energetic. Once I cashed them out, the two children found me before they left and handed me two notes that read “Thank you for the wonderful food, you’re wonderful at your job!” It really made my day because my day didn’t start off too well. It put a smile on my face and I was very appreciative of their letters. Along with the letter they also gave me a business card that said “You’ve been grace bombed!”

PARDON OUR DUST Descendants Project construction is underway, which means the east entrance doors will be closed during the build. The east parking lot will remain open. Please use the front doors, and utilize the drop-off lane for those who cannot walk long distances.

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hired another architect. They told him, “Ravi, we love you, but we don’t think the firm has a passion for the work.” He gave notice three months later and set out to launch Waldon Studio Architects. ears into a successful career as an architect, Ravi Waldon had never lost a project before – but that streak ended in 2002. Yet the defeat was an answer to prayer. Content where he was, working within a larger firm as a studio that focused on churches, Ravi pondered for over a decade whether he should branch out and start his own firm. He prayed at a men’s retreat, “Lord, if the passion for designing churches isn’t in the firm that I’m at, I will start a firm if that’s Your will.” A month later, he did a master plan for a large nondenominational church in Howard County. They interviewed him and his boss for the project, but they

avi grew up in a Methodist home in a small town in Illinois and came to faith as a high-school sophomore through a ministry similar to Young Life. That same year, he began to feel a calling to be an architect that was confirmed during his junior year at the University of Maryland. “I got real serious about my faith then,” Ravi recalled. “I said, ‘Okay, I’ve always wanted to be an architect but I’ve never really asked God what He wants me to do. And if He wants me to be an architect, what do architects do for God?’” A couple weeks later, a missionary group came to speak SE PT E M B E R GO&MAKE 17

at his church. Their topic of choice that evening was what architects do for Christ – another confirmation. Ravi served there as an usher – it was a little church in a shelled-out real estate office where you were either inside or outside, he described. When the pastor prayed, the ushers held latecomers outside until the pastor said amen. In 1976, one of those latecomers was a young lady named Heidi. Ravi ended up co-leading a college and career group with her, and in 1982, he put a ring on her finger. She supported him 20 years later when he woke up one February morning and told her he believed it was time to quit his job and launch Waldon Studio. His first project was designing a nondenominational church in Annapolis that had met in schools around the area for 15 years. Situated at the corner of Crownsville and Chesterfield roads, the church was designed to reflect its commitment to reaching the greater Annapolis community. A large glass wall in front portrayed John’s description in Revelation 4:6 – “and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.” Through the windows, the true church – followers of Jesus – was visible. The curved bulkhead inside was a nod to the church’s aquatic setting – the Chesapeake Bay area. With some architects, you buy a specific look or aesthetic, Ravi explained, but Waldon searches for a story to tell, and Bay Area Community Church’s story centered on a water theme.

s Bay Area began to take form, Ravi brought on a summer intern named Andrew Beyea. He was familiar with the Syracuse student – Andrew was his nephew. “Deciding to be an architect is partially Ravi’s fault,” Andrew said, placing partial blame for his passion on his uncle. “I remember a time we were driving around Maryland with him, and he was pointing out buildings he designed. I just thought that was really cool – to have left your mark on a community like that.” Born in Maryland, Andrew grew up in New Hampshire with a latent desire to return to his home state. In junior and senior high, he thought he was good at math, science and drawing, so architecture would be a natural fit. As it turns out, he now realizes, architecture is more about design, creative thinking 18 GO&MAKE S EP TEM B ER

and problem-solving. Fortunately, he was good at those too. Every summer during college Andrew interned at an architecture firm; he spent the summer of ’05 at Waldon Studio and fell in love with the staff culture. The fact that they were serving the Kingdom through church design was something he really connected with, too. Andrew grew up in a Christian home and came to faith at 6 years old. In college, absent parents leading him to church, he had to answer questions about faith from his friends on his own. Andrew grew in his faith then and began to view his relationship with God differently. A member of Syracuse’s Class of 2007, Andrew worked for a year in Massachusetts, married his high-school sweetheart Amanda, and moved to Baltimore to work for a couple of architecture firms in the city. He designed elementary schools, multi-family dwellings, hotels, resorts and other large-scale spaces. Simultaneously, the recession was unkind to his industry and his firm; they had to cut their staff team in half, and while Andrew made the cut, he began to feel it was time to move on. In 2011, he reached out to Ravi to see if Waldon had need for another architect. They did. One of his early projects at Waldon was an addition to a church in Annapolis – one he had walked the grounds of during his internship years earlier as his uncle undertook his first project as Waldon Studio. Bay Area was ready to build phase two of its facility, which included a chapel and children’s wing expansion. Andrew knew he wanted to draw on the water theme prominent in phase one, and as he met with church leaders he learned about the capital campaign for the build. “Beyond 884 wasn’t just about this building, this congregation, but about reaching out into the community with [supporting] the Pregnancy Clinic and internationally to India and South Sudan,” Andrew explained. “That was really exciting to me – I had never been part of a church capital campaign that didn’t just focus on a building. … So we were looking for a form for the chapel that expressed that. Tying in with the nautical theme, we came up with the boat shape – and the boat is moving away from the building, like the church is reaching out to the community.” While he was getting to know Bay Area better through the

project, his small church of about 125 was dwindling in the absence of a lead pastor and was headed toward closing. He and Amanda began looking for a new church, ultimately choosing the one he was working on as their home church. They were drawn in part by the way Bay Area uses art to communicate the gospel. “I believe art and design are a reflection of our Creator,” he said, noting that he loves to watch the building serve as a canvas at Christmas and Easter and during various sermon series.

t was about the same time that Ravi and Heidi began searching for a new church. They had been at the same small Bible church for 38 years. “There was nothing wrong with that church, but eventually we felt like a part of the furniture and really wanted to shake it up a little bit in our spiritual life,” Ravi explained. They began attending Bay Area five years ago. Both Ravi and Andrew noted how important it is to serve their church family. Andrew signed on as an Ambassador to help answer questions and give directions on Sunday mornings – after all, he already knew a lot about the church. Ravi had served in just about every position from treasurer to elder at his former church; today, he enjoys getting to know people while making their lattes at the espresso bar. Heidi and Amanda both serve in Children’s Ministry, as well. With construction already underway on phase three, Ravi and Andrew are again thinking about Bay Area not just on Sundays, but Monday-Friday as well. Andrew is the primary designer of the new student center and children’s wing expansion set to open in 2018. “That kind of youth space is something not a lot of churches are willing to invest money in,” Andrew said, noting he’s really excited about the space. “I think it’s really amazing that the church is placing such a high priority on children, and how to keep children and teenagers engaged and interested in coming to church.” That priority is reflected in the design of the space, which elevates relational spaces throughout for groups of four, 10 or 120 and any size in between. Andrew listed a few highlights of the student space, including a café and outdoor areas. Younger generations are looking for connections with nature, he explained, adding he hopes students will be able to connect

with God’s creation directly while using the space. He looks forward to his 3-year-old son Coleman using the space years down the road.

avi and Andrew work with 26 other team members at Waldon Studio Architects, which has been involved in over 200 church projects. Waldon has become a national leader in church design, but houses of worship only account for about 40 percent of their portfolio. From Florida to Maine, their projects have included schools, community centers, senior living facilities, some sports and rec spaces – even some medical facilities. “Those other projects help give us an outside perspective on church design, help us understand what people outside of the church are being exposed to and what they’re relating to so that when we design a church it doesn’t feel too churchy,” Andrew highlighted. When they’re off the clock, both Ravi and Andrew enjoy playing golf – though Andrew admits he’s not very good at it. The younger architect also loves to spend time with his family, draw (he’ll nerd out over pens if you raise the topic with him) and drink copious amounts of good coffee “the way God intended it – black.” Ravi, a father to two adult sons, spends his free time pursuing model railroading and going for drives in his “toy” car – a 2008 BMW hardtop convertible. Both have a passion for the work that they do because they recognize that it’s for the Kingdom. “To think about God directly using our hands to draw what He wants us to is really kind of cool,” Andrew illustrated. “I love creating things, coming up with new ideas, but I realize any idea I come up with, and any skill that I have is something that I’ve received from God.” Ravi offered a similar sentiment. “It’s a joy when your faith and your work are one and the same. The idea of calling has always been what drives me and motivates me. Architecture as a career is difficult – it has lots of ups and downs and things out of your control, but it’s that sense of calling that we get to serve the church, and that’s my little place in God’s Kingdom,” he shared. “I feel as surely called to do what I do as a pastor feels that they’re called to be a pastor.”

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Poland: When 1 One Person Believes By Bill & Diane Smith

20 GO&MAKE S EP TEM B ER

Fast forward to English Camp 2017. Tomek, with Ewa proudly looking on, stepped to the microphone to give his testimony: “I came to an English Camp in 2007 where I heard the gospel. At that camp, I placed my trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior.” Tomek went on to share that after that first English Camp, he and Ewa lived separately until they got married. He explained that with Christ’s help, he was able to forgive his strict and distant father, and he was even able to share the gospel with him. Before Tomek’s father died, he placed his trust in Jesus. Several Americans from Bay Area who had served at that first English Camp in 2007 were among the audience during Tomek’s testimony, and there was not a dry eye among them.

“Pray for us! We are going to meet with Tomek and Ewa. It’s going to be a very difficult conversation…” Damaris Otremba barely had time to ask for this prayer as she crossed the hotel dining room, joined her husband, and sat down with Tomek and Ewa. It was a difficult conversation. Tomek had come to the English Camp at the request of his girlfriend, Ewa. He was an avowed atheist attracted to new-age philosophy. Ewa was raised in a believing home, but had moved in with Tomek. The couple was not yet married. While the American team from Bay Area prayed, Damaris and Tomek Otremba, Polish church planters, poured both grace and truth into this couple. The year was 2007, and this was the second English Camp with the Otrembas and Genesis Christian Community in Poznań, Poland.

after year. Because Bay Area sends a short term mission team every year, we get to see God’s faithfulness to His people and to His word. In the case of Tomek and Ewa, God has grown them into leaders within the Genesis Christian Community. Tomek serves as an elder, and Ewa coordinates the children’s ministry. As a couple, they organize and administer the English Camp.

“ Why should we go if maybe only one person would become a Christian?”

Since 2006, Bay Area has partnered with a mission organization called International Messengers to organize evangelistic English camps in Poland. For one week we teach English to campers of all ages using the Bible as our textbook. Camp activities include worship, games, skits, a late-night coffeehouse, a bonfire and a closing banquet. As our friendships with the Polish campers develop, we are able to share Christ with them in ways that are deep and authentic. The highly relational nature of the camp allows us to explain and model the truth of God’s grace to campers who are trapped in a cultural practice that emphasizes religious rule-keeping over relationship with the Jesus. It often takes several years for the seed of truth to take root in the lives of the Polish campers, and we see many of the same families returning to camp year

God’s faithfulness is also keenly felt on the American side. Veteran members of the team tell stories of God’s amazing provision for past camps and His bold movement in the hearts of the campers. Even the youngest members of the team sense that the Holy Spirit is at work in Poland, as then 10-year-old Max Burkhardt discovered in 2014. During the team debriefing session at the end of the trip, each person was given the opportunity to share how they had seen God at work during the week. When it was his turn, Max said, “When we were first talking about going to Poland, I didn’t really want to go. I didn’t understand why we should go so far away. Why should we go if maybe only one person would become a Christian? But this week I realized that when one person becomes a Christian, it starts a fire in them and that reaches to their family and from generation to generation.” And this is our prayer for Poland: That God would light a fire in the hearts of many in Poland, like Tomek and Ewa, that would “reach from generation to generation” and would turn the whole nation to Jesus.

SE PT E M B E R GO&MAKE 21

CHANGING OUR TIMES TO SAVE YOU TIME Beginning September 10, our new gathering times will be

7:50 a.m. 9:20 a.m. 11:20 a.m.

We want everyone who comes to Bay Area to have the best Sunday morning experience possible, and we recognize that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t include sitting in traffic getting in and out of our parking lots. To improve traffic flow both inside and outside of our facility, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re shifting our gathering times to allow more time between the two most well-attended gatherings.

20 min

3 mi 11:32 AM

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TRAFFIC ON ROUTE Continue straight on Chesterfield Rd

at Bay Area By Rachel Perry Bay Area Community Church is an ever-growing community with lots going on. Sometimes, it’s hard to get connected and find your niche in such a big place. That’s why we’re introducing First Step, a brand-new event starting on October 1. It’s a fun, one-hour gathering where you’ll learn about who Bay Area is, what we believe, and how you can get plugged into community and serving! So whether you just walked through our doors for the first time or have been around for a while, this is the event for you. At the event, you’ll hear from our ministry leaders as well as meet and connect with the other folks in attendance. Coffee, snacks and KidCare are provided; we’ll meet in the new Bay Café classroom. There are three times you can attend in October:

• Sunday, October 1, at 7:50 a.m. • Sunday, October 1, at 9:20 a.m. • Tuesday, October 3, at 7 p.m. Take your first step at Bay Area by signing up today at bayareacc.org/firststep to attend one of the gatherings. Our next First Step event will be January 2018. Looking for our next Ministry Partner Orientation? You’ll find it at Second Step. After you’ve completed First Step, we’d love for you to join us at Second Step! At Second Step, we’ll go more in depth into Bay Area’s history, ministries, leadership and what it means to be a Ministry Partner (our version of membership) at Bay Area. You’ll have a chance to hear any questions answered when you meet with an elder the following week. At that meeting, you’ll decide if you would like to sign the Ministry Partner Commitment. Prior to attending, we’ll also ask you to complete an application and write out your faith testimony so we can get to know you better, as well as review our position papers and beliefs. Second Step will be on Sunday, November 5, from 1-4 p.m. Lunch and KidCare are provided. The next opportunity will be February 2018. For more information, visit bayareacc.org/firststep or email rachel.perry@bayareacc.org.

SE PTE M B E R GO&MAKE 23

For more info email leanne.lane@bayareacc.org

When experiencing the loss of a loved one, there is a deep, prolonged impact caused by the death of a spouse, child, family member or close friend. The griever needs ongoing support and encouragement. The GriefShare Support Group is a weekly support group to help those grieving by providing a safe place to walk through this time with the support of others.

Beginning Thursday, September 14 6:45-9 p.m. at Bay Area Community Church

CONNECT WITH US.

@bayareacc

EARLY BIRD SAVINGS AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME Register Online using tour code: Kelley18 RegisterNow.ittworld.com For further information: ed.kelley@bayareacc.org â&#x20AC;¢ 443.837.3708 SE PTE M B E R GO&MAKE 25

CARE NETWORK

HAPPENINGS

BAPTISM

Sometimes life hands us struggles: loss of a loved one, serious illness, parenting difficulties, divorce, addiction and many other challenges. These difficult circumstances can cause us to isolate, yet God never intended that we walk through them alone. He is in the business of comforting, restoring and renewing all things for His glory. Your circumstances are not beyond that; He longs to reach you with His redemption and grace. We want to walk with you through this season of life. The Care Network is a free, confidential, Jesus-centered ministry that assists those seeking assistance. We provide hope and healing through a variety of resources both inside and outside the walls of Bay Area. Let’s partner through these struggles together. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org

Wo u l d y o u l i ke t o b e b a p t i z e d ? For more information... • K-5th: contact gail.wiles@bayareacc.org • 6-12th: contact brent.squires@bayareacc.org • Adults: contact dax.clinkscale@bayareacc.org

CELEBRATE RECOVERY Celebrate Recovery (CR) is for anyone seeking a richer life through worshiping God and being in community with others. Don’t let your hurts, habits or hangups keep you isolated. Join us on Monday nights from 7-9 p.m. for community, worship and teaching. Want to learn more? Join us at our CR Taster gathering on the first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. for dinner, conversation and a chance to experience what it’s all about. KidCare is available. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org

CONNECT WITH BAY AREA If you’re new or just have a question, we’d love to meet you and help you get plugged in. Look for a member of our connect team in a black shirt in the lobby after each Sunday gathering or visit us online at bayareacc.org/new.

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DIVORCECARE SUPPORT GROUP Have you walked down the path of divorce? Perhaps you have experienced the encouragement and support of others through a DivorceCare Group or some other format. We are looking for women and men who feel a calling to be part of this new ministry opportunity at Bay Area. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR PREMARITAL COUPLES Occasionally, couples who are living together enter our Premarital Ministry. 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

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP When experiencing the loss of a loved one there is a deep, prolonged impact caused by the death of a spouse, child, family member or close friend. The griever often needs ongoing support and encouragement. This Christ-centered support group meets weekly to help those grieving by providing a safe place to walk through this time with the support of others. This group is led by trained lay-leaders who have benefited by the GriefShare program and have a heart to come alongside others in their grief. Join us on Thursdays, September 14 - December 14 from 6:45-9 p.m. in the Kelp Forest Room in the Children’s Ministry wing. For info or registration, email leanne.lane@bayareacc.org. PREMARITAL MENTORING Are you newly engaged? We want to partner with you as you establish a strong, Jesus-centered life with your future spouse. Through premarital mentoring you’ll be paired with trained marriage mentors (couples married 10+ years) who will equip you with tools and resources you’ll need to succeed in marriage. Info: premarital.ministry@bayareacc.org MARRIAGE MINISTRY UPDATE Through our partnership with marriedpeople.org we help couples grow closer to Jesus and to each other in their marriages. Their strategy has helped us create large-group experiences, small-group events and individual couples’ activities. We host large-group events, like the Great Date Night; small-group events such as marriage-focused Learning Communities, or weekend retreats; and events for individual couples, like Date Nights Out that include KidCare. Sign up for Bay Area’s weekly email update at bayareacc.org to stay up to date and receive a link to the MarriedPeople Monthly Ezine. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org MARRIAGE MENTOR GROUP EXPERIENCE: COMING SOON This short-term group will be led by trained facilitator couples who have a heart for marriages to be healthy and all that God wants them to be. Based on an inventory of questions called REFOCCUS this group is ideal for married couples who wish to spend time and energy on their relationship, but desire a little direction and skill building assistance in doing so. The inventory consists of seven topic sections including Marriage as a Process, Intimacy, Compatibility, Communication, Commitment, Empty Nesters and Ministry Marriages. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org MARRIAGE MINISTRY TEAM - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Our marriage ministry team seeks to encourage and equip couples to start and stay strong in their marriages. If you have a passion to help strengthen marriages and have been married for 10 or more years, come be a part of this ministry. Read more at bayareacc.org/marriageministry. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org

ISRAEL TRIP 2018 INFORMATIONAL MEETING Sunday, October 1 from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. in Dock B. Considering going on the October 2018 trip to Israel but have some questions? Here’s your opportunity to field questions, review the 10-day itinerary in detail, and talk to Pastor Ed Kelley about the experience of visiting the Holy Land for this Biblical tour. The trip is October 15-24, 2018, and costs $3,892. Register at registernow.ittworld.com with tour code: Kelley18. Info: ed.kelley@bayareacc.org. $100 discount expires Oct 15.

GUEST SERVICES 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 how you can 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 at bayareacc.org/firststep to attend one of the gatherings: Sunday, October 1 at 7:50 a.m., Sunday, October 1 at 9:20 a.m., Tuesday, October 3 at 7 p.m. in the Bay Café classroom. The next First Step opportunity is January 2018. Info: rachel.perry@bayareacc.org Looking for the Ministry Partner Orientation? You’ll want to attend Second Step, a new version of our Ministry Partnership process. Be sure to check out the rest of this month’s magazine for an article all about Second Step.

MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES We are all about 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. If you are new or simply looking to get plugged in, there are two ways to get connected into a Missional Community: OCTOBER Join us for First Step on Sunday, October 1, or Tuesday, October 3. First Step is an opportunity to learn about who Bay Area is, what we believe, and how you can get plugged into community and serving. To find out more visit bayareacc.org/firststep. NOVEMBER Join us for our Missional Community Taster on Sunday, November 12 from 12:45-2 p.m. in The Bay Cafe. The MC Taster is a lunch and info session dedicated to learning more about our philosophy about community. It’s a great chance to get a “taste” of what community is like. KidCare is available pending registration. RSVP online at bayareacc.org/mctaster.

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP MEN’S MORNING BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays from 6-7:30 a.m. in room 236 at Bay Area. Info: Jim at jlradcliffe@hotmail.com MEN’S EVENING BIBLE STUDY Sundays from 6-8 p.m. in room 235 at Bay Area. 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 MEN’S BREAKFAST Saturday, September 16 from 8-9:30 a.m. in the Auditorium Join us for The Line: God ‘N Grits, a men’s monthly breakfast. The Line is an opportunity for men of Bay Area to gather around good food and conversation, and maybe walk out with more than just a full stomach and a few laughs. Register today at bayareacc.org/mensbreakfast. Info: bob.gregory@bayareacc.org SE PT E M B E R GO&MAKE 27

WOMEN'S MINISTRY

At Bay Area, we invite women to join us on a spiritual journey in community with others. We call it The Well. Like the woman at the well in John 4, Jesus meets us where we are and invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. Check out our upcoming fall Bible studies and events for The Well below. For more info or to register visit bayareacc.org/women/spiritualgrowth. All Things New: A Study of 2 Corinthians Wednesdays, September 6 - December 13 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The same timeless message that encouraged the believers then will encourage you in your daily life today. Cost is $15. Wednesday Morning KidCare KidCare available for ages birth - preschoolers for Wednesday morning Well participants with advance registration. Cost $60/1 child, $80/2+ children. Registration is now open. Space is limited. Info: dax.clinkscale@bayareacc.org I Peter: A Living Hope in Christ Tuesdays, September 12 - November 28 from 7-9 p.m. Look beyond your present circumstances to our future inheritance described in a video study by Jen Wilkin. Learn about your true identity in Christ, and our need for humility and submission to Christ and one another. Cost is $15. Info: cmbernie@thekraftfam.com Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story Tuesdays, September 19 - November 28 from 7-9 p.m. Do you need a better understanding of the overall thread that connects the people, places and promises of the Bible? From Genesis to Revelation we will see how the whole Bible has one seamless story. Join us for a video study by Angie Smith. (Beginners welcome but all invited). Cost $15. Info: janet.graves@bayareacc.org ON THE GO Tuesday, September 12 - Run & Brunch Now that the kids are back in school, it’s a perfect time to get back to running again with other Bay Area women. Meet at the Annapolis Harbormaster’s office 1 Dock Street Annapolis at 9:30 a.m. for a 2-4-mile run. After a quick change, we’ll go to Iron Rooster for brunch together. Register at bayareacc.org/womensevents Info: Tricia Lascola at tlascola@gmail.com August 2018 - Women’s Fellowship Cruise to Bermuda Join other Bay Area women for a 5-night women’s fellowship cruise from Baltimore to Bermuda on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas in August 2018. You can find out more information on Sun., September 17 at 8-9 a.m. in Dock A, and on Wed., September 27 at 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. in The Bay Cafe. Info: Lynn Riley lriley1137@comcast.net 28 GO&MAKE S E P T E M B E R

QUILTS FOR KIDS Sat., September 16 from 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Join us as we make quilts for kids in shelters and hospitals using donated fabrics. Meet in the Docks at Bay Area. Come and learn to sew a new pattern. Kits will be available. Please bring your sewing machine, sewing supplies and your lunch. If you would like a quilt kit, want to donate a quilt, or have questions, contact Janet at annapolisQFK@quiltsforkids.org WOMEN OF LEGACY (55+) This group meets to encourage each other in their walk with Christ and to leave a lasting legacy for others. Join us on second and fourth Mondays at 10:30 a.m. We will meet on Sept. 11 to share about our memorable summer moments experiencing God’s grace. On Sept. 25, we will have special guest Dee Kruse share about her mission trip to Poland. A potluck lunch will follow. Info: Cedulie Sanchez at luisandcedulie@gmail.com VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Christmas Outreach Lunch for the women at Curtis Bay. We partner with Drink at the Well, a local nonprofit organization, to prepare this special afternoon for the women on Sunday, December 10. We can use your time and talents to help organize the event, provide and serve the food, and set up and clean up. Join us for our Christmas event planning committee meeting on Sunday, September 24 at 8 a.m. Info: janet.graves@bayareacc.org

GLOBAL MISSIONS SEND: Interested in sending others through prayer or giving? Give to a short term missionary or team at bayareacc.org/stmgive. For prayer information email michele.rollins@bayareacc.org.

PRAYER MINISTRY Jesus lived a life of unceasing prayer that connected Him to the Father. We too long to be devoted to prayer. Our Prayer Ministry is comprised of individuals dedicated to gathering in prayer for all aspects of Bay Area life: our gatherings, communities, pastors, missions and so much more. Individuals are also available to pray with you on Sunday mornings after each gathering (front and right of the Chapel stage). For more information visit us online at bayareacc.org/prayer. Info: pat.linnell@bayareacc.org

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY WAVE RIDERS PLAY GROUP Come check out this family play and support group with fun activities, book clubs and socials that offers a space for parents to share parenting knowledge, resources and experiences. Check our Facebook page at facebook.com/waveriderplaygroup or email Brittany at brittany.dunklin@bayareacc.org for more details. NURSING MOTHERS Children’s Ministry offers two locations for nursing mothers during Sunday gatherings. If you would like a quiet place to nurse, visit our Tidal Pool area and we will direct you to a room equipped with glider rockers. If you would like a place to nurse and hear the gathering during the 9:20 and 11:20 a.m. gatherings only, visit our Children’s Welcome desk and you will be directed to our Children’s Ministry director’s office.

STUDENT MINISTRY HIGH SCHOOL FALL RETREAT The high school fall retreat will be September 22-24 at Bethany Beach, DE. Students will enjoy a weekend deepening their faith, spending time with friends, and enjoying time at the beach! Registration will be available online and at the kiosk until September 10. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL RETREAT The middle school fall retreat will be October 13-15 at Camp Wabanna in Edgewater, MD. This will be a great time for students to go away for a weekend with friends and leaders to grow in their faith, enjoy a bonfire, play crazy games, and have a blast with friends! The cost is $150 per student, which includes lodging, meals and activities for the weekend. Registration for the retreat will be available online and at the kiosk from Sept. 2 - Oct. 1. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUB678 Club678 is our monthly middle school hang out night during the school year. Our September Club678 will be on Friday, September 8 from 7-9 p.m, and our October Club678 will be on Friday, October 6 from 7-9 p.m. Club678 is a high-energy evening, full of activities and prizes. This event is free. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org

COLLEGE MINISTRY YOUNG ADULT MC Our desire is to see young adults connect in community where they are loving God, serving others and growing spiritually together. Missional Communities are a great opportunity for young adults (ages 18-25) to do this weekly. Our Missional Community currently meets every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. For location information please email bryan.mcfarland@bayareacc.org.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE AMBASSADOR TEAM If you have a passion for people and Jesus and have attended Bay Area for at least six months, the ambassador role is for you. Come help newcomers get connected. Info: rachel.perry@bayareacc.org AUDIO/VIDEO TEAM We are looking for a few more passionate, committed people to partner with our Sunday production team. Info: tres.cozad@bayareacc.org CHAIR MINISTRY Serve on the chair set-up/tear-down team. Info: chairs@bayareacc.org ESPRESSO BAR TEAM Serve as a barista after one of the gatherings once a month. Training provided. Info: sherri.raimondo@bayareacc.org CHILDREN’S WELCOME TEAM Welcome and assist new families through the C h i l d r e n ’s M i n i s t r y e x p e r i e n c e o n S u n d ay s . Info: courtney.gregory@bayareacc.org CHILDREN’S SET DESIGN TEAM Serve on the set design team for our Preschool and Elementary Large Group spaces. Email brittany. dunklin@bayareacc.org for preschool and aimee. coyle@bayareacc.org for elementary. GOLF CART DRIVERS Looking for friendly folks to pick people up in the parking lot before gatherings to ease their walk into the building. Must be 21 or older and have a clean driving record. Info: gail.wiles@bayareacc.org

COLLEGE FALL RETREAT - OCTOBER 6-8 Registration is open online and at the kiosk. Space is limited. Info: bryan.mcfarland@bayareacc.org

PARKING MINISTRY Serve by directing traffic and greeting people as they arrive. Info: parking@bayareacc.org

GET CONNECTED For more information on upcoming college ministry events email bryan.mcfarland@bayareacc.org

PRESCHOOL TEAM Serve the youngest at Bay Area on our Preschool team on Sunday mornings. Info: courtney.gregory@bayareacc.org

LOCAL OUTREACH GRACE BOMB: KEEP THE MOVEMENT GOING A Grace Bomb is a surprising gift meant to make someone’s day better. We hope everyone at Bay Area will be a part of this movement to bless Annapolis and Easton! Pick up more Grace Bomb cards at any information kiosk on a Sunday morning or download your own at gracebomb.org. WALK AND RUN FOR LIFE - SEPTEMBER 16 Register today for the Walk and Run for Life. Set on the historic Belvior Scott’s Plantation in Crownsville, the Walk and Run for Life is an important event to raise funds for the Pregnancy Clinic to save women and babies from abortion. Join us for the 5k Trail Run, the family friendly one-mile Life Walk, and fun kids activities. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Register today and start raising funds and win great prizes! You can be a voice for Life. Info: walkandrun.org

SAFETY TEAM Are you passionate about safety or have experience in security, law enforcement, EMS or First Responders and want to serve in this area? Info: safety@bayareacc.org WOMEN’S MINISTRY Serve on an event planning team or in discipling other women. We would love to get to know you and see how your gifts can be used. Info: janet.graves@bayareacc.org USHER TEAM Serve as an usher during any of our three gatherings in either the Chapel or Auditorium spaces. Info: gail.wiles@bayareacc.org

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LEARNING COMMUNITIES Learning Communities are intended to strengthen your Biblical knowledge, character and/or ministry skills. They are also an opportunity to get to know others at Bay Area in an environment of learning. Sign up at bayareacc.org/learningcommunities. IMARRIAGE LEARNING COMMUNITY Sept. 10 - Oct. 15 @ 11:20 a.m. in DOCK A (left side) Our marriages need us to be proactive and purposeful in order to grow and flourish. Join us in this six-week study, as the Bay Area Marriage Ministry team will facilitate a discussion of Andy Stanley’s iMarriage materials to help us learn to transform our expectations and look to God to help us experience marriage as it was designed. Register at any kiosk or at bayareacc.org/learningcommunities. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org. PRIMAL - MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Sept. 17 - Nov. 5 @ 9:20 a.m. in DOCK A (left side) In “Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity,” author Mark Batterson challenges and encourages us to rediscover Christianity in its simplest, most radical form. Join us for this six-week men’s study as we discuss ways to live out our faith and impact the world through a sanctified imagination, renewed mind, and reinvigorated soul. THE LINE - MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays, Sept. 13 - Nov. 1 @ 7-9 p.m. in DOCK B (right side) From movies and television to print media and the internet, men are constantly faced with the assault of sensual images. It is impossible to avoid such temptations but thankfully, not impossible to confront them and gain victory over them! Join the men of The Line as we tackle “Every Man’s Battle.” FREED UP FINANCIAL LIVING Oct. 8 - Nov. 12 @ 9:20 a.m. & 11:20 a.m. in DOCK B (right side) Oct. 11 - Nov. 15 @ 7 p.m. in DOCK A (left side) How do you relate to your money? Does it tend to be your servant or your master? Ultimately, is it really your money at all? Do you seek the peace and freedom that comes from managing your finances according to Biblical principles? Join us in a six-week class to learn practical tools to help you become a better manager of your personal and family finances in the areas of planning, earning, spending, debt, saving and giving. Info: neal.schaefer@verizon.net

FINANCIALS Annapolis Campus Operating Budget Financial Update As of August 20, 2017 New Fiscal Year Began September 1, 2016 ANNAPOLIS CAMPUS Fiscal Year Giving Goal

$ 4,792,000

YTD Received YTD Goal YTD Actual vs. Goal Month To Date Received Month To Date Giving Goal

$ 4,644,953 $ 4,690,980 $ (46,027) -1.0% Behind $ 270,351 $ 303,060

EASTON CAMPUS FISCAL YEAR GIVING GOAL $ YTD Received YTD Goal YTD Actual vs. Goal Month To Date Received Month To Date Giving Goal

$ $ $ $ $

187,000 163,179 183,400 (20,221) -12.4% Behind 12,286 11,460

Annapolis Campus Outstanding Building Debt $3,250,144 (as of 7/31/17) For weekly financial updates, go to bayareacc.org/ financials. Please indicate any designated gifts on the memo line of your check or use the drop-down box online to select your desired giving fund. Note: You will need to donate via check if the fund to which you wish to give is not listed online. All undesignated checks will go toward the general operating fund.

How Can I Participate In The Descendants Project? Pledge cards are available on Sundays at the 3D model and online at bayareacc.org. For gifts other than cash, contact our finance team at finance@bayareacc.org.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

How Can I Continue To Support Bay Area’s Building Funds?

KIDCARE TEAM MEMBERS Our KidCare team has a need for individuals 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? Visit the Children’s Welcome counter on Sundays or email our KidCare Coordinator Dax at dax.clinkscale@bayareacc.org

GIVING METHODS

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY PRESCHOOL ASSISTANT We are currently seeking a part-time preschool assistant for Children’s Ministry at Bay Area. This person works closely with the Preschool Coordinator by assisting with all Sunday morning gatherings and other weekday responsibilities. These include volunteer recruitment and management, communicating with parents, and prepping curriculum. Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented, and possess strong interpersonal skills and a positive, can-do attitude. Info: gail.wiles@bayareacc.org 30 GO&MAKE S E P T E M B E R

eCheck: Go to bayareacc.org/give to give online through your checking account through a one-time or recurring donation on My Bay Area. Personal Check: Write “Building Fund” on the memo line and drop it in the offering basket on Sunday or mail the check to Bay Area (884 Chesterfield Road, Annapolis, MD 21401). Bank Check: Process through your bank’s Bill Pay service online for a bank check to be sent to Bay Area. Be sure to note “Building Fund” on the memo line.

MINISTRY PARTNER ORIENTATION If you call Bay Area your home church and you’re ready to move toward membership at Bay Area, come to our next Ministry Partner Orientation. We will meet on Sunday, September 17, from 1-4 p.m. We will spend time understanding the history, structure and doctrine of the church. We will also share about making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations. RSVP: easton@bayareacc.org

EASTON CAMPUS HAPPENINGS DISCOVER BAY AREA Join us on Sunday, September 3, immediately following the 10 a.m. gathering. If you would like to hear the basics about our church’s mission, key ministries, and get basic questions answered, don’t miss Discover Bay Area. It will last about 25 minutes and no RSVP is required. Kids are welcome to sit in the meeting as well. We hope to see you there.

MISSIONAL COMMUNITY TASTER At Bay Area, we have groups that meet in homes throughout the week called Missional Communities. These are a great way to build relationships and strengthen your faith. If you want to find out what they are and how to be involved in one, come join us for the Missional Community Taster on September 21 at 7 p.m. Want more info? Email dustin.carpenter@bayareacc.org.

WALK

RUN FOR LIFE AND

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Support the Annapolis Pregnancy Clinic’s mission to provide free services that help pregnant women choose life. Learn more and sign up or sponsor a participant at www.walkandrun.org.

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