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LETTER FROM THE LEAD “Fast track.” That’s a phrase I use to describe people I see who are speeding down the track in their relationship with Jesus. Right now there are lots of people at Bay Area on the fast track. I hope you are one of them. When our youngest daughter, Krysia, decided to room with a high school acquaintance, Katie, at Boston University, little did we know how God would work. Katie eventually came to know Jesus. Her mom, Cathy, became fast friends with my wife, Mary Kaye. When Cathy’s mother-inlaw passed away, Cathy became even more open to God. Then a friend from Colorado came to visit who wanted to go to church. Cathy decided to take her to Bay Area and was overwhelmed with God’s presence. The following week she brought her best friend, Denise. Sunday after Sunday they were drawn back, each Sunday leaving with a sense of great joy. Together they joined the Wednesday morning women’s study, began to be discipled by Mary Kaye, and for the first time began to connect in community around God’s Word. Over this
last year both have personalized their faith in Jesus. Last November, Denise’s husband, Glen, started coming. He hasn’t missed a Sunday yet. During the “Make the Trade” challenge, Glenn was perhaps the first person to sign up. This fall, Glenn, Denise, and Cathy will be serving together in El Salvador. Fast track. Similar stories could be told countless times over. They each have things in common. First, almost every story of faith in Christ involves friends reaching out to tell friends about Jesus. That’s what love does: it takes the initiative. The most loving thing we can do for someone is to point them to the One who truly loves them. Another recurring testimony of those on the fast track is how they are experiencing God in fresh ways at our worship gatherings. The Holy Spirit is breaking into lives through song, sermons, and an atmosphere of joy.
People stay on the fast track by spending time in authentic community around God’s Word. Without community and regular Bible reflection, faith begins to bog down. And finally, those on the fast track are “yes” people. Their answer to the Lord is always “Yes.” Whatever the next step of faith is, they are ready to take it. Reaching out to friends, worshiping together, connecting in community around God’s Word, and taking the next faith step keep us speeding down the track with Jesus. As a church, we are here to encourage and help one another get on and stay on the fast track! From here to the nations,
Greg St. Cyr Lead Pastor
We appreciate your comments and questions. Please email us at feedback@bayareacc.org and a staff member or elder will respond within 48 hours.
884 Chesterfield Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401
MAGAZINE CREDITS EDITOR IN CHIEF Josh Shirlen MANAGING EDITOR Meredith Thompson ART Josh Burgin Josh Shirlen Meredith Thompson CONTRIBUTORS Arianne Teeple
On the cover - Caitlyn South Photograph by Josh Shirlen
ELDERS Bill Smith Brian Mallare David McPeak Dennis Brady Greg St. Cyr J Upton John Battan Keith Riniker Peter Godfrey Rich Heath Roger Ishii Tim Dotson Tom Dalpini Tom Hogan Warwick Fairfax
Gathering Times: 8am 9:30am 11:15am
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 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 Rimbey Sacks, Connecting Director – jocelyn.rimbey@bayareacc.org Josh Shirlen, Gathering Team Leader – josh.shirlen@bayareacc.org Leanne Lane, Care Network Director – leanne.lane@bayareacc.org Lynn Dutton, H.R. Administrator – lynn.dutton@bayareacc.org Micah Pringle, Worship Leader – micah.pringle@bayareacc.org Pat Linnell, Teaching Pastor – pat.linnell@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 A P RIL GO&MAKE 3
CONTENT 5 7 9 11 12 16 21 22 25 BOOKS AND MUSIC
This months picks from Worship Leader Micah Pringle and Executive Pastor Ed Kelley
TRIALS, SUFFERING, AND THE GOODNESS OF GOD Thoughts from Teaching Pastor Pat Linnell.
SELFIES
Austin MacCubbin discusses the good and the bad of today’s self-portrait.
MISSIONAL COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Go&Make Managing Editor Meredith Thompson reports on a community for singles.
UGANDA
A short term missions update from Alan Boehm on his recent trip to Uganda.
COVER STORY - UNBOUND
Bay Area’s Easter message and next steps for starting your faith journey.
THE BALL PIT
Creative Director Josh Shirlen explains the meaning of this year’s Easter instillation.
HOPE
Trevin Hoekzema introduces this local outreach partner devoted to helping those in need.
HAPPENINGS
Find out what is happening at Bay Area Community Church and how you can get involved.
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MICAH’S MIX
by: Micah Pringle (BACC Worship Leader)
Jonathan Thulin “Science Fiction”
Vertical Church Band “Church Songs”
My personal taste in music is admittedly pretty narrow at times. (Isn’t all of ours that way if we’re being honest?) So for this recommendation I must set aside what I personally would listen to on an average day. This album is a youthful, electronic pop record that sounds like the kind of music a 13-year-old girl would love to sing along with while riding in the car with friends on the way to the mall. And I mean that in a GOOD way! Have kids? Want them to listen to music that’s infused with truth? Try this one.
BOOK: AUTHOR:
50 People Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Spiritual Giants of the Faith Warren W. Wiersbe
overall commentary but it only covers the NT). Mr. Wiersbe is famous for his individual commentaries entitled the “Be…” series. Look them up, they’re worth having, too.
First of all, Warren W. Wiersbe is a great writer. His commentary on the whole Bible (six volumes) is superb. It is by far my favorite commentary of the whole Bible (MacArthur’s set on the New Testament is the best
Ambient, floaty tones pair with pretty piano hooks in this new album by the Vertical Church Band as they sing anthems about all creation lifting up the name of Jesus. This is the kind of album worth putting on a good pair of headphones to listen to because of the denseness of their sound.
part of the cloud of witnesses faith in the Almighty to help Hebrews 11:1 refers to in the them through. “Hall of Faith” section of that book. If you’ve ever wondered about Dwight L. Moody, A. W. Tozer, People famous such as Fanny C. I. Scofield, or H. A. Ironside, C r o s by, H u d s o n Tay l o r , this is a book worth reading. To Charles Spurgeon, and Oswald quote from the preface, “The Chambers are included. But past isn’t an anchor to drag us there are others who are down but rather a rudder to rarely mentioned including help us navigate the future.” Alexander Whyte and France Enjoy this light, insightful, Ridly Havergal. The bottom poignant book. line is these are people who exercised their faith in a wide Enjoy, disparate way. We have a lot to learn from people who went - Ed Kelley before us, that though they Executive Pastor faced different cultures, they
50 People is Mr. Wiersbe’s effort to introduce the stories of spiritual men and women who changed their world through their faith. The book is around 375 pages, so as you can deduce each person gets on average less than 10 pages dedicated to their story and life. Still each one is fascinating and each one has a point that may resonate with the believer. These could be relied on their transparent
DO YOU ENJOY LEARNING FROM ED? Join him on a tour of the Holy land.
More information on page 26. A P RIL GO&MAKE 5
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Trials, Suffering, and the Goodness of God By: Pat Linnell
A ll pain is purposeful for the child of
God. That does not mean that the trial is easy, fun, or won’t eventually kill you. It does mean that behind every trial in life, for those who love Jesus, there is an Omnipotent Author of that trial whose intention is to refine our character so that we become more like Him. We are often sanctified through our suffering. This truth jumps from the pages of one of the most practical sections of Scripture penned in the New Testament that we simply call “James.” The half-brother of Jesus and pillar of the church founded in Jerusalem writes a short encouragement to struggling believers. James writes: Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (James 1: 16-18) This is a deeply theological and practical text that we need to embrace and live out in faith. Before we examine it briefly,
let’s first examine our own suffering. Perhaps today we are faced with a very hard decision, or a family member who is deeply grieving us, or perhaps loneliness has us in the grip of despair. Trials come in different forms, but they can all lead us to the similar place of questioning God. God are you there? God do you care? God do you want me to be tempted and turn from You? Is that why this is happening? Maybe You are not good after all! It is into this questioning the very character of God that James lobs a truth bomb.
His nature never changes. The sun and moon eclipse, the heavenly bodies spin and cast shadow – but God never turns in this way. His goodness is boundless and unchanging. The ultimate proof of this is found in the final verse from above. God decided on a plan to restore and repair souls in a fallen world. While we were His enemies, stuck in sin, He sent Jesus on a supernatural rescue mission. He gave us a new life and set us apart for His glory.
If God has gone to such great lengths of love to make us His children, won’t He continue to superintend the circumstances of our lives to bring about maturity for our own good? We may always grapple with what God sees fit to allow for our good – the cancer, the loss of a loved one, the prodigal son, the unfair treatment – but in the face of all this, we can know, and perhaps you need to be reminded today, that God is there, He does care, and He is able to work all things together for the good of His children. There is purpose When life falls down around us, one thing in your pain. we can know is that God is good, always. James says that God is the giver of every good thing and every perfect gift and that First he says “don’t be deceived.” Well, deceived about what? Don’t be deceived in your thinking that God is the author of your temptation to sin under the pressure of a trial. God is the author of your trial, not the author of your temptation. The world around us, our own desire, and our enemy Satan all beg us to turn from God when things get hard. James affirms that God will never tempt us, ever, toward evil. This is because He is completely good and altogether unchanging.
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Making Sense of an Ever-changing
Youth Culture By Austin MacCubbin
dubbed the first “Space Selfie.” A selfie could be just you or it could be a group of friends. The key is that it has to be taken by someone in the picture. It’s not really a selfie if someone else takes it; it has to be taken by yourself-ie. Some view the selfie fascination as the continued narcissistic behavior of the current generation, but let’s take a deeper look. Millions of people post pictures of themselves every day. At the time of writing this article I logged into Instagram and within the first 6 posts I found a selfie. I too am guilty of posting selfies to my Instagram, with my wife, my cat, my friends, and my family. There’s nothing wrong with sharing a picture of yourself. “Hey I showered today, I put on clean clothes, I’m professional, and people should know.” These are all great reasons, but what’s our motivation? We all have a desire to be accepted, to belong somewhere. We want to know that we matter and that we have value. This rings truest with today’s teens. The veryv reason I was drawn to keep coming to church youth group was the fact that it was the first place where I felt I belonged. Selfies can be painstakingly taken, posing just right, with the best lighting, for multiple shots. We want it to show our best side and when we’re happy with it, we post it. Then the waiting game begins. We wait for the likes and comments to roll in. “Will it break 100 likes? Will people compliment me?” I remember a student once saying they delete any photo that gets fewer than 100 likes. They present themselves to the world desiring approval. Sometimes they find success, and other times, despair. They worry about how they look in their photos. They stress that another friend will post an unflattering picture of them. They even feel bad about themselves when their photos are ignored. “Do people think I look bad and just aren’t saying anything?” No one likes unflattering pictures of themselves but where do we find value?
id you ever have a Polaroid camera? In 1948 Polaroid introduced the first consumer camera to use instant film. It was a slightly messy peel-apart film, but it could develop pictures instantly with no photo lab required. In 1972 Edwin Land introduced the SX-70 Polaroid camera. This camera changed the landscape of photography. In mere minutes you could have a photo. It automatically printed a ready-togo photo with no mess like the old peel-apart film. I remember finding my father’s as a kid and being so amazed by its instantly printed photos. Taking pictures of friends and myself had never been easier.
D
In 2000 the first camera phone was introduced and the world was never the same. Now we snap pictures everyday on our phones. Instagram is one of the most famous mobile photo-sharing apps, and its icon is directly inspired from the look of the old SX-70 box-style cameras. We loved the instant gratification that was first given to us by Polaroid. Now more than ever we love taking pictures, especially of ourselves. Photographing a self-portrait is now widely known as taking a “selfie.” Whether you use a bathroom mirror or the front-facing camera on your iPhone, this is now a norm within the culture. The selfie has inspired popular music songs and has even been applied to photos retroactively. In 1966 Buzz Aldrin took a photo of himself while on a space walk that has now been
There is a growing trend where people desire to only post things that make your life seem extraordinary. Brian Regan rightly called it “The Me Monster.” For some, life has turned into a competition of “Whose life is the greatest?” posting a selfie with our favorite possessions, on a luxury vacation, or our wealth. This has been named a “wealthie.” Some find their value making the world believe that their life is the greatest, and sometimes we base our value on the measuring stick of other people’s lives, people that we might have never even met. There is nothing wrong with taking a picture of yourself. Don’t be worried by a teenager’s strange attraction to the front facing camera on their smart phone. Instead start conversations on where we find value. Don’t let their self-esteem be based on likes or comments on an electric screen. Let their self-esteem be based on the word of God. Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.” My prayer is that each and every teenager would come to know that very well. Don’t let their value be based on where, or with who, or with what they take their selfies. 2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” My hope is that we would place our value in the eternal not the temporal. Teens want to be accepted, they want to be normal in a time of weirdness and changes. I hope your desire is like mine. To help guide students through these years, talk to them about how they see themselves in light of how God sees them. Because when it comes down to it, no amount of likes could compare to what God thinks of them.
Editor’s note: While selfies may be okay with the right motivation,“duck face” selfies are never okay.
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SPOTLIGHT
ON MISSIONAL COMMUNITY
Of the three core MC focuses – UP, or loving God back; IN, loving each other; and OUT, loving others through serving and sharing the gospel – Dan illustrated he and his fellow MC members focus on UP through the Biblical lessons they share each time they meet and OUT by being missional in their workplaces. But IN, he emphasized, is where the group really flourishes: In addition to sharing meals and updates on what’s happening in their lives, Dan’s extended family members grow close through praying for one another, both in their group setting and individually as things come up from day to day.
By Meredith Thompson • Photo by Arianne Teeple
Enveloped in the rich aroma of curry, Chong stirred the contents of a shallow stainless pot on the stove in her kitchen while Tim diced potatoes and prepared ingredients standing sink-side. Soon everyone would be ready for dinner, and they would crowd as a large family around Chong’s dining room table to talk about how their day went, what their relatives were up to, the highs and lows of various relationships – conversation typical of family dinner tables across the country. Clearing their plates of freshly prepared lamb curry and rice, the members of Bay Area Community Church’s Missional Community for single men and women in their late 30s through 60s shared with and encouraged one another as they enjoyed a meal cooked by several missional community of their own. The March 18 scene at Chong’s Annapolis home was no different than most of the group’s every-otherWednesday gatherings, when food and conversation set the stage for the family of single Christ followers to study God’s word and spend time in prayer together.
SINGLE TO GE T H ER finding family in a
Launched in August 2013, the group was conceptualized by its leader, Dan Staeven, who approached Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr a couple years ago to share his observation that single folks not in their 20s and early 30s were underrepresented in BACC’s group offerings. A Missional Community soon was formed, and the odds seemed to be in Dan’s favor: The first gathering drew 22 women and two men. As the group has evolved, the gender imbalance has evened out, though members are quick to highlight that their MC isn’t a platform for finding relationships, but a place for singles to build and enjoy family-style community.
One of those relatives, Sue Moebly, noted the MC’s members are quick to take ownership of the group because Dan makes it a priority to give everyone an opportunity to use their gifts for the benefit of the whole family. She referenced one member who took on the role of sending out the group emails at the first meeting he attended. Though she admittedly came to the group’s inaugural meeting “kicking and screaming” because of the “singles” stigma, Sue quickly found her place within the MC as co-chef with Chong for their family dinners. Additionally, she takes turns leading the lessons, and is there throughout the week for members who need prayer. As a family of singles, Dan and Sue emphasized, their fellow MC members are always there for each other and are quick to help one another in any way needed, from praying for specific needs to lending assistance moving furniture. Like the flavorful ingredients of the lamb curry they enjoyed for dinner, Dan noted the MC’s members bring a rich blend of gifts together that form the perfect recipe for genuine community – one that, he stressed, always props its doors open for more people to join them. Interested in joining a Missional Community? Go to bayareacc. org/missionalcommunities for more information, or to get a taste of what MCs are all about, consider attending an MC Taster to enjoy a light lunch and learn more from MC Pastor Brian Hopper. A P RIL GO&MAKE 11
By Alan Boehm
T
school next door. A sense of appreciation and fondness overcame me for the people of Uganda. I felt ashamed that I concerned myself about what I had left behind at home, when so many were in great need of what we consider basic needs.
With all that said, let me put into perspective why this mission trip was a step of faith for me. I am self-employed, owning a small business where I handle every aspect and every detail. So basically, if I am not there, no business happens. In 2008 my business suffered a major setback, five months before the economy started to tank, and I was facing possible bankruptcy.
As the tour of the farm came to an end, my greatest fear of all surfaced. I knew it was going to happen - I was asked to pray, out loud, over the farm and our day. This was a stretch because I was always taught prayer was private and personal. I have never been lost for words in my life (except when talking to girls when I was a teenager). But when asked to pray where other people can hear me, my throat goes dry, my knees become weak, I break out in a cold sweat, and I start to stutter, not even able to form complete sentences. And then an amazing thing happened. I had just prayed and we were saying “amen” and I had prayed without scrambling for words. My prayers answered again.
here was only one other time in 56 years I had set foot off of American soil and that was 31 years ago. A mission trip? It seemed to be the most logical step if I wanted to grow my faith. I needed to stop trying to interject my desires and wait on the Lord to reveal His plan for me. There is no better way to step out in faith than to travel thousands of miles away, go to a third-world country, have no control over your transportation, and have limited electricity, no hot shower, and no American food.
After having four years of success with a new venture the rug was being pulled out from under me. Having complete trust in the Lord for many years and thinking this business was part of His plan for me, my head was spinning. I knew the Lord, I was in the word, prayed many times a day, and felt the Lord was guiding my every action. I then realized I trusted the Lord but did not totally surrender in absolute unencumbered faith. I always felt I needed to be in control, that I was to forge my own destiny and as long as I believed in Jesus, I was good to go. At this same time, my wife and I had just started attending Bay Area and every sermon Greg preached had a significant impact deep into my into my soul, helping me realize my arrogance. So in 2008, I stepped out in faith and waited on the Lord, turning my everyday existence over to Him. This experience brought me to this point of now leaving my family, my comfortable little corner of Crownsville, and my business behind to board a plane to Uganda. As we were flying away from the U.S., I had no concerns, reservations, or apprehensions. I was at peace knowing the Lord was in control and what was ahead was His plan. When we arrived at Ma Christine’s home we were welcomed with excitement. Once shown where our rooms were, everyone congregated in the living room and when I sat down in a chair, I felt as if I was sitting in my so familiar chair at home. Finally, after saying goodnight we went to our rooms. It was so quiet (and hot), easy to be still and pray for the days ahead, and for the Lord’s blessing on this great adventure. Then the next morning I awoke to reality. No cell phone, no internet/email at my fingertips, no powdered donuts, no hot shower, no country music blaring on the radio and worst of all, no Duck Dynasty. After I got my warm bucket shower and walked outside, I was in awe of the beautiful countryside. As we walked around Ma Christine’s farm, we were welcomed by the neighbors and greeted by the children from the primary 12 GO&MAKE A P R I L
Over the next couple days we visited those who are part of the Precious Souls group and met with HIV/AIDS patients in and around Butiru. Because of the Precious Souls group, there were those on their deathbed a year ago, now strong enough to work again. We also met those struggling because of family situations, whether a second wife being ousted by a first wife or a spouse that is HIV-positive and in denial. You look around at the children affected by all this, the vast amount of basic human needs not being met, and your heart wants to burst with compassion. In most cases, these people have hope of getting better, a love of the Lord, and the desire to take care of their families. I was overwhelmed with a gamut of emotions. I felt helpless to know where to begin or how to help. However, I was fortunate to be working with a wellseasoned team who had been through this before. Not just our team from the U.S., but the Ugandan team that works with these patients day in and day out. They are truly heroes in my book. Upon returning to the U.S. I have thought a lot about Uganda. What do I do next? Did I do any good by going on this mission trip? Was the mission trip for me to help the people in Butiru or for them to help me? Was I personally impacted by this trip? The answer to all of these questions is “yes.” I felt at home there, I felt safe, and most of all, I truly value the friendships I formed. I do not know how much of an impact I made on the people we met in Uganda but I was impacted by them. I feel as though the experience had a greater impact on me than I have been able to process. They are genuinely beautiful people in a beautiful country. I do not know what is next, yet, but I am sure the Lord will let me know. Other things I learned upon returning home - my house was still there, no one needed anything at work, and my wife and family were fine. As always, the Lord had everything in control. AMEN.
“You look around at the children affected by all this, the vast amount of basic human needs not being met, and your heart wants to burst with compassion.�
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LEADERSHIP
PROFILE
lauren Gibeault By Meredith Thompson
“No, no… I don’t want to go, I don’t want to g o ,” Lauren Gibeault would tell her best friend, resisting her tireless invitations to Young Life meetings during their sophomore year in high school. But when Jacqueline showed up at her house one day, came inside and demanded her friend go with her, Lauren finally gave in. The Howard County native grew up in a Christian home with parents who lived out their love for Jesus, though it was not until she became involved with Young Life that Lauren developed a personal relationship with Christ. “I remember people wanting to know me, to know my name, people who cared and were genuine because they loved Jesus,” she recalled of the gatherings she began attending faithfully. “I don’t know that I would have walked into a youth group, it would have been way too intimidating for me … [But] coming to a friend’s house, with leaders who were meeting me where I was and being intentional – that was really what I needed.”
decided to pursue the opportunity and visited Bay Area in August and September. “I immediately felt like this church is alive and the Holy Spirit is really active and moving,” she said, illustrating her first impressions. “Every time we came we felt really welcomed, and just at home and at peace with the whole thing.” On October 1, she joined Bay Area’s staff as an intern who serves as program coordinator for Student Ministry – a role that allows her to not only fulfill her passion for working with youth, but also provide support to the BASM staff and volunteers. Lauren monitors the middle and high school Community Groups, the Student Ministry equivalent of Missional Communities, and assists the nearly 50 volunteer leaders who facilitate those groups. Additionally, she helps coordinate the SALT and LIGHT, or student leadership, teams, and employs her photography skills to document various BASM events. Tied for first with working with amazing fellow church staff members, Lauren most enjoys that her position enables her to get to know nearly every student who enters the Warehouse doors regardless of gender or age through working at the check-in counter and conducting intake with new students. Reflecting on the Young Life leader who had the greatest impact during her teenage years, Lauren highlighted she hopes to mirror that influence through meeting BASM kids where they are, whether in the midst of brokenness or joy, and through speaking truth to them, loving them, and being a committed part of their lives.
Lauren’s devotion to the mission of Young Life – introducing teens to Jesus and helping them grow in their faith – carried over into her college years, when she served as a member of student staff while studying Biblical studies and psychology at Eastern University in Philadelphia. It was there that she met her husband, Mike, who is still living in Philly as he looks for a job that will allow him to relocate to the Annapolis area.
With husband Mike at her side, Lauren enjoys spending her time away from the 884 hiking in Valley Forge National Park and photographing weddings and newborns. “I love capturing life – it’s one of my favorite things to do,” she noted. Spending time with friends and family and getting to know people are two of her favorite pastimes as well.
Lauren began her career in education, but her passion for ministering to youth tugged at her heart and she kept her ears tuned toward the Lord’s leading in that direction. In July 2014, she received a phone call from Bay Area Community Church’s Student Ministry (BASM) Pastor Brent Squires, who said, “Hey, I got your name through a mutual friend – I’m looking to hire a staff person, would you be interested?”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had to trust God as much as in this part of my life – my husband’s job is up in the air, the Lord had to remove so many barriers for me to be here – so that’s been really cool,” she said, highlighting how God has been present throughout her transition onto BACC staff. “I do feel like Bay Area is the right place for us, and I’m really happy to have a church family now. I love it here and want to invite everybody!”
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“I really appreciate how quickly Lauren is able to build meaningful relationships with people and create an atmosphere of f r i e n d l i n e s s .” - Brent Squires
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UNBOUND
A PERSPECTIVE ON EASTER BY GREG ST. CYR
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phenomenon broke out in Europe earlier this year in a most unexpected place. Pearlfisher, a design agency in London, decided to help their employees experience some freedom. Freedom to create. Freedom to have fun. Freedom to enjoy life. They did so by turning part of their studio into an adult ball pit. From the moment grown-ups first lunged into the pit, they were filled with an overwhelming sense of freedom. In many ways they became unbound. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually, we are either free or bound. Our physical freedom, to move through our days as 16 GO&MAKE A P R I L
we wish doing what pleases us, and our emotional freedom, to pursue happiness by whatever means excite us, are easy to understand. But what about spiritual freedom? It’s the most important way a person can be free. In fact, a person can be bound physically and emotionally, but free spiritually, and find themselves completely free. The opposite of being free is being bound. That’s how we feel far too often. Bound in anxiety or frustration or pride. Bound by insecurities, addictions, loneliness, fear, greed, or peer pressure. Yet something inside us longs to be unbound.
blindness. Pilate was bound by personal ambition. The crowd was bound by false political hopes. They were desperately bound and willingly bound. Yet the sad thing was that they On the eve of Christ’s death, we read in John 18:12 that “the didn’t know it. band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.” A better word than “bound” to describe Jesus is boundless. Boundless in love for us, boundless in forgiveness, boundless Yet the truth is Jesus was the only one unbound. All those in grace and freedom. around Him were bound up people. Judas was bound in greed. Peter was bound by fear. The soldiers were bound Yet, in one sense, He did allow himself to be bound. Though by arrogance. The religious leaders were bound by spiritual infinite, He chose to be bound by flesh so that we could be set Unbound. In one word, that’s Easter.
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free. On Good Friday, the Boundless One allowed Himself to be bound for you and me. Bound by the Jews in the garden. Bound by the Romans on a cross. Bound that we might become unbound from that which binds us: sin. We are people bound by our pride that makes life all about us. Bound by our fear that fills us with doubts. Bound by our anger that fills us with bitterness and violence. Bound by overindulgence, a restless heart, and an immoral or undisciplined life. Bound by deceitfulness or a life that is rebellious or never satisfied.
irresistible laughter and joy. You feel free! This is a picture of the spiritual freedom of new life in Jesus. Jesus wants us to be truly free, and that means being free from our sin. If you’ve yet to experience the freedom Christ offers, if you are still bound by your sin, He’s calling you to jump in. Jesus is inviting you to believe in Him as the eternal Son of God
Right now you can trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord and be unbound.
We are bound by our sin. Romans 3:10-12 says, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” And because of our sin, the Unbounded One was bound to the cross. He was bound that we might be redeemed. To be redeemed is to be purchased out of and set free. That’s what Jesus makes available to us through the shedding of His blood. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, “You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” In boundless grace and love He was bound to the cross. Bound during three hours of darkness during which our sin was placed on Him. Bound as He satisfied the justice and holy wrath of God. Yet on the third day, He rose from the grave in unbounded glory, having defeated death and sin. On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and John raced to the tomb where He had been laid. Looking in, they saw “the linen wrappings lying there.” Three times in John 20 the linens in which Jesus was wrapped in death are mentioned. The wrappings lying there were a sign that Jesus could never be bound by the sting of death or the power of sin, a sign that Jesus had risen victoriously from the grave. They were a sign that Jesus is forever unbound. And now the boundless One extends an invitation for us be set free. Set free from our sin, selfishness, destructive patterns, and most importantly, separation from a God who loves us, who offers us eternal life, and who has a purpose for us. In John 5:24, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” Freedom from death to life, life with God now and throughout eternity – that is what it means to be free. So how are we to respond to what Jesus has offered us? It’s an amazing reality that can be hard to comprehend. I’m reminded of the Pearlfisher ball pit. Think about a time you jumped into a ball pit and were enveloped by thousands of plastic balls. In the pit, you feel physically free. Suddenly, a strange sense of euphoria comes over you that brings about 18 GO&MAKE A P R I L
who took on flesh in order that you might be set free. Right now you can trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord and be unbound. Thirty-seven years ago, I prayed this prayer and my life was forever changed. Yours can be as well. Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. This Easter, may your life be a reflection of the freedom God has made available to you through Christ’s death and resurrection.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin … So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” - Jesus (John 8:34,36)
Bound Everyday By Pat Linnell
A typical morning at the Linnell house is a flurry of breakfast requests, spills, coffee, coffee spills, getting kids dressed, kids spilling things on themselves now that they are dressed, my laptop on the kitchen counter from checking emails just before the kids were up, an iPad with cartoons playing, an almost toddler dropping bananas on the floor to let me know he is done eating (or just for the fun of it), hair brushing, teeth brushing (on good mornings), a mix of quiet and crazy, all before the rush out the door to continue the day. For most people, we just jump into each day, giving little thought to the things that bind us, the superficial or deep things that we’ve heard about from Greg. The things that bind us are sneaky. And that is a problem. We just go through our routines thinking everything is OK. For instance, I don’t wake up in the morning thinking, “Wowzers, I am bound by my career success,” which is a bummer of a thought. Instead I mask it by thinking, “By golly, how many emails can I check before the kids wake up?” Again, I don’t naturally wake up thinking, “What does Jesus want me to do today?” Instead it’s “How quickly can I get to accomplishing my goals for today?” Most of the time, if I am honest, I am bound by my agenda – my plans, my way, for my life. Perhaps you share in this with me, thinking freedom is found in accomplishing all of our hopes and dreams. But what if Greg is right, and true freedom is found in knowing
Jesus, and pursuing His hopes and His dreams for our lives? There are many things that compete for our hearts, many things by which we are unknowingly bound that keep us from the joy of life that our hearts so desire. Perhaps we need to first unearth what binds us so that we can truly walk in the newness of life, coffee spills and all. Let’s pause for a moment, right here in this article, to give thought to some normal ways that most of us are bound, without even knowing it. Greg mentioned this already. But fear of what? For many, it’s fear of the outcomes of taking Jesus too seriously. We say, “If people find out that I love Jesus, they’ll think I’m a prude, or craycray, or a Bible thumper.” Or, “If I really surrender to Jesus, He is going to send me to live in a hut in Africa.” What’s really at risk here is not our safety or our livelihood, but our will.
Fear
There are things we believe about ourselves that may have been true once, before we trusted in Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. But now, through the Gospel we are new creations, the old has gone and the new has come – our sin, guilt, and shame have been removed as far as the east is from the west. This is new and great truth to believe about ourselves. We are not bound by what Jesus has forgiven, but many cannot take the needle off of the broken record of distorted self-perception.
Lies
Just an hour before penning this paragraph, I was reading and writing in the public square, Pain a.k.a. Starbucks, where a middle-aged woman talked loudly and unfiltered about what sounded like everyone who has ever crossed her, hurt her, or neglected her. I felt for her friend across the table, as her ranting at times was inappropriate and merited at least a PG-13 rating. Yet underneath what seemed like a segment of Desperate Housewives, I heard her frequently mention the death of her mother, and how she was struggling with that. I could see and hear this woman’s pain under the surface, and while she had a pretense of strength, her pain consumed her. In America today the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness is alive and well. Many are bound to the hamster wheel of accumulating things that make us feel safe and secure. When what is comfortable and convenient for us trumps our personal holiness and character, we are not free, but are anchored to a sinking ship. The big problem with being bound to success, status, and stuff is that the more we acquire, the more we desire. Satisfaction in earthy things is like a bubble that pops once you catch it.
Comfort
We could go on and on with a list of these silent killers that grip our hearts and consume our minds every day. And as Greg has said, our sin is the greatest killer of all, but thankfully we no longer have to be bound by sin, or any other effect of sin in a messed up world, as we trust in Jesus and seek His will in all things.
Experiencing the Boundless Christ By Brian Hopper
I remember the scene like it was yesterday. The room was packed. The sun was shining through the windows on either side of the stage. There was a slight musty smell in the air. Behind the podium was an older, gray-haired gentleman who spoke with the confidence of a pro athlete and the gentleness of a grandfather. Everything he said seemed to resonate with me. I found myself yearning for more of what he was talking about. And before I knew it, he offered an invitation to anyone who wanted more of this life he was describing to come forward and make a decision for it. I was compelled to stand up and take the walk. That decision would alter my life forever. If you haven’t guessed it, it was the moment I placed my faith in Jesus. I was in a small church where an older pastor preached from Romans 8. He finished his message with an invitation to accept Christ. I had heard the gospel before, but never felt led to “take the walk.” But this day was the day, the appointed time for me to come forward, renounce my sinful ways and accept Jesus by faith. I remember it like it was yesterday. Soon after returning to my seat, I wondered, “What do I do now?” Thankfully, I had some close friends with me who helped show me the way.
What do I do now? Our desire here at Bay Area Community Church is to help everyone from here to the nations become passionate, maturing followers of Jesus. Simply put, that means being a disciple. A disciple is a student, one who commits to receiving truth and grace from Jesus and responding by applying that truth and grace to their life. Once you believe that the Boundless One was bound to the cross in your place so that you can live an unbound life in Him, there are several essential next steps to take in becoming a disciple of Jesus.
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Tell a friend.
If you haven’t yet, make sure you tell someone about your recent decision to trust Jesus and/or be baptized. That person will not only want to celebrate your new life in Christ with you, but also help begin to answer questions for you and help guide you along in your new relationship with Jesus.
Get a Bible.
Make sure you get a copy of the Bible, namely one that you can understand (as opposed to the big book written in old English that sat on your parents’ living room table forever). Greg and Pat regularly preach from the NASB version of the Bible. The NIV is also a good version to read. The difference in translations of the Bible is how well they adhere to the original languages of the Scriptures. Some are strict, while others capture the same meaning in language that is easier to read. Both of the versions above are easily read and understood.
Don’t doubt.
After making a commitment to Christ, many people will begin to wonder if what they did made any difference, or if it was even real. Wondering what happened is one way we begin to question or doubt our newfound faith. Frankly, the enemy – who doesn’t want your life to change – will throw doubts your way. These could come in the form of friends who mock you, or perhaps well-intended
family members or coworkers who question why you did what you did. In the end, we encourage you avoid doubting the prompting that led you to accept Jesus and be reassured that you are secure in Jesus’ love and what He did for you. The person (above) with whom you shared this news can help remind you of this truth.
Don’t walk alone. You can get connected in a variety of
ways. We recommend exploring your relationship with Jesus by attending Discovery, or joining a Learning Community on Sunday mornings that will help you learn about our faith and your new life in Jesus. You should also consider joining a Missional Community, where you can connect with other believers who are following Jesus. All of these are important next steps in following Jesus. By taking them, you will begin to experience the boundless Jesus whom Greg shared about above in your life. We welcome you to the family of God and are blessed to know that we will share a new, unbound life together both now and for eternity! If you have any questions or are unsure about what to do next in your journey, please contact me at brian.hopper@ bayareacc.org.
He’s calling you to jump in
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UNBOUND BALL PIT By Josh Shirlen
cbsnews.com
As part of my routine when helping create works of art for the church, I ask God to help me understand, in a fresh way, His heart for the people at Bay Area. The prayer goes something like this: “God, what do you want to say?” and “How can it be said in a way that we will hear it?”
God, what do you want to say? When Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr explored the scripture for what God would have him preach this Easter, something different stuck out to him. It was the cloths, the linen cloths that wrapped Christ’s body and were left behind when He rose from the dead. It was the cloths that both Peter and another disciple in John 20 saw that ultimately convinced them that Christ had risen, had defeated death, and was without a doubt the Son of God.
huffingtonpost.com
So, our creative team discussed this. What was the significance of the cloths and what was God trying to teach us about Himself through this passage? After a lengthy time of creative brainstorming, it was clear to us that what God wanted to teach us this Easter was found in the account of the linen wrapping, so we developed the theme “Unbound” based on John 20. “Unbound” is a message of freedom. It’s an acknowledgement that we have all been bound by our sin just as Christ allowed Himself to be bound by garments worn by the dead. It’s also a celebration: Because Jesus was unbound from those linens, we too can be unbound from the sins that bind us. I sent the blog post to the other members of our team. Everyone agreed that this was the creative direction to go How can it be said in a way that we will hear it? to help our church celebrate the resurrection, the truth that we are unbound from sin, this Easter. It was only a couple days after we had decided that Unbound would be our theme. We were convinced we had our message, The plan was to build a large ball pit and invite the church but we had nothing in terms of how to communicate it visually to participate in an interactive metaphor of being spiritually through art. However, I felt strongly that we should defy unbound. We would also scatter thousands of balls around expectations about what an Easter celebration would look like. the building to serve as an invitation to “jump in.” I was surfing a blog I look at regularly when I came across a story from London. A design firm called Pearlfisher had created an adult ball pit in their studio and invited the public to enjoy it for free. I clicked on the video link and it immediately struck me as a metaphor for being unbound. As I watched the footage of the Brits frolicking in the balls, I realized that none of them could do what they were doing if they were physically or emotionally bound. They were free. It was a picture of our spiritual reality made possible through Christ’s resurrection.
While the idea was risky in terms of whether or not people would get it, as a creative team we are committed to taking thoughtful risks in the hopes that people hear and experience the love of Jesus in new and life-transforming ways. It’s our prayer this Easter that, through simple plastic balls, each person who attends a gathering at Bay Area would celebrate the freedom that Christ bought for us, and become unbound.
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LOCAL OUTREACH
HOPE for all By Trevin Hoekzema
Photos by Arianne Teeple
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O
ne of my favorite places on earth is Appalachia, the land of seemingly endless mountain ridgelines, babbling brooks, and countless amounts of wildlife. Almost every season, my family goes to my uncle’s cabin in western Maryland to take in the joys of the beautiful landscape and refreshing air. It wasn’t until recently that I thought about what it would be like to live there, to call that place home, and to have deep family history in the region. Many people who fall into that category also fall desperately below the They sensed poverty line. Despite the an urge from rich wilderness, many of the people of Appalachia suffer the Holy Spirit greatly from poverty. It is that to not just help side of Appalachia that Leo one or two kids Zerhusen and his wife Diane started reaching out to over out, but to do 15 years ago.
something big, to give hope to as many as possible.
Leo and his wife saw that the people of Appalachia often lacked basic necessities: food, clothing, and shelter. They took it upon themselves to try to put a dent in at least one of those problems. They rallied friends, family, and their church to help them try to provide clothing for all. Their efforts were blessed, and they were able to provide much. As their outreach grew, they started looking closer to home, at their jobs in Anne Arundel County’s school system, and saw children going to school with so much need. These children were sitting in class not learning efficiently because they did not have the tools and resources necessary to be successful. As teachers, Leo and Diane witnessed this firsthand and wanted to do something. Their involvement in Appalachia had grown a lot, and they felt like they could do more closer to home. They sensed an urge from the Holy Spirit to not just help one or two kids out, but to do something big, to give hope to as many as possible. So they started a nonprofit organization with a fitting name: HOPE For All. Since its start in 2004, HOPE has evolved from just helping students to helping anyone in need. HOPE’s mission is to provide service to people who do not have sufficient resources to provide for their own needs in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, and the Appalachian region. Here’s just a quick glimpse at some of the services they offer: Provide school supplies primarily to local schools where teachers and counselors discreetly administer the supplies to students who don’t have the means to obtain them. Collect and distribute basic needs (e.g. clothing, shoes, bedding/linens, household items, infant items) directly to citizens living locally and in the Appalachian region. Provide basic furniture, kitchen, and household items available through the “Turning Houses into Homes” program to benefit families leaving shelters, homeless situations, or other situations to reestablish living on their own.
For over 10 years, Leo, Diane, and HOPE’s team of volunteers have made a significant impact on Anne Arundel County and Appalachia.Their programs align with Bay Area’s vision to see people positively impacted in the name of Christ. We want to continue to align with HOPE by helping meet some of their current volunteer needs. Are you interested in playing an active role in helping HOPE? Right now, they have three opportunities available to get involved: Pickup and delivery assistance during the week or weekends (once or twice a month). Intake volunteers to meet the families and assess what is needed (once or twice a month). Specific donations: new pillows, twin size blankets, twin size comforters, toasters, dressers, and any clothing donations. If you’d like to get involved with HOPE, email hopeforall72@gmail. com, or contact Bay Area for more information at outreach@bayareacc.org.
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CARE NETWORK
HAPPENINGS
BAPTISM Wo u l d y o u l i ke t o b e b a p t i z e d ?
There are times when every one of us experiences difficulties such as the loss of a loved one, a serious illness, divorce, job loss, addiction, discouragement, spiritual crisis, loneliness, parenting difficulties and many other challenges. God’s intention is that we engage with others and not walk alone through these circumstances! And Jesus wants to see us through the challenges instead of avoiding them or going around them. The Care Network is a free, confidential, Christ-centered ministry that assists those seeking help by serving as a bridge to hope and healing through a variety of resources. We offer appropriate referrals and resources such as a Care Coach, a Missional Community group, financial assistance, Celebrate Recovery, Christian Counselors, or an appropriate agency or program in the community. If you need some help or have questions, email Leanne at leanne.lane@bayareacc.org for more information.
For more information... • K-5th: contact gail.wiles@bayareacc.org • 6-12th: contact brent.squires@bayareacc.org • Adults: contact arianne.teeple@bayareacc.org CELEBRATE RECOVERY Celebrate Recovery is for anyone seeking a richer life through worshipping God and being in community with others. Don’t let your hurts, habits and hangups keep you isolated. Let Celebrate Recovery be a place of healing, hope and community for you! We meet every Monday night, even on holidays, at 7 PM for worship, a lesson/testimony, open share groups, and fellowship. We share a meal together every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from 6-7 PM. The 3rd Monday is a potluck dinner. Stop by our kiosk in the lobby every 1st Sunday of the month to talk with Celebrate Recovery representatives and learn more. Contact Tom at tmuth57@gmail.com or Leanne at leanne.lane@bayareacc.org for more information.
C ON N E CT W ITH B AY 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 blue shirt in the lobby after each Sunday gathering or visit us online at www.bayareacc.org/new
CELEBRATION PLACE This is a free, 52-week complementary resource for children, ages 1-12, of parents attending Celebrate Recovery on Monday nights. So while adults explore topics that bring healing and wholeness, children discover the same truths in age appropriate ways. There is limited space, so please be sure to secure a spot for your child/children. Contact Jen Marshall at celebration.place.group@gmail.com for more information. A P RIL GO&MAKE 25
PREMARITAL MENTORING Did you get engaged or are you thinking about getting engaged? Premarital mentoring is just what you need! Strong marriages are the cornerstone of a healthy, Jesuscentered family. Our marriage ministry equips future and existing marriages with the tools they need to make it in marriage. The premarital mentor program pairs couples with marriage mentors, couples who have been married for 10 + years, to help prepare them for marriage. It doesn’t matter whether a Bay Area pastor is officiating at your wedding, being prepared is the key! This is the best gift you can give each other as you start your life together as man and wife. Contact Todd & Kim Christner at premarital.ministry@bayareacc.org for more information. MARRIAGE MINISTRY Have you been married 10+ years and have a deep desire to see couples start and stay strong in their marriages? This ministry team seeks to encourage existing marriages through the development and scheduling of enrichment opportunities throughout the ministry year. Some of these opportunities are learning communities, marriage workshops, special events and small group Bible studies. If you have a heart for marriages and want to serve on this team or learn more about the Marriage Ministry at BACC please visit bayareacc. org/marriageministry or contact Leanne at leanne.lane@ bayareacc.org for more information. MARRIAGE LEARNING COMMUNITY A new marriage focused learning community begins Sundays April 12 - May 17 at 11:15 AM in The Docks. Join us as we learn some principles for growing a great marriage God’s way! We will use Stephen Arterburn’s book The 7-Minute Marriage Solution. Based on his research and work with hundreds of couples in New Life Marriage workshops, you will learn new tools he recommends to build strong marriages. This is great for all couples whether you are engaged, newly married, struggling in your marriage or loving your marriage and want to learn some good tools to pass along to the next generation! Sign up at bayareacc.org/learningcommunities PRODIGAL CHILDREN SUPPORT Luke 15: 11-32 tells us the parable of the lost son. He leaves home, lives his life the way he wants to and thankfully, he eventually returns to his father. This child has become known as the “Prodigal Child.” While this parable is part of Jesus’s messages describing God’s love for all of us, for some families it is reality. The journey/ trial of having a prodigal is incredibly challenging. If you are a parent that has a prodigal, you are not alone. Contact Leanne at leanne.lane@bayareacc.org for more information about how BACC can lend support & encouragement to you. HOSPITAL/HOMEBOUND VISITATION If you or a loved one is in the hospital or homebound we would love to serve you. Contact us so that we can learn more about how to be of assistance. Contact Leanne at leanne.lane@bayareacc.org or phone at 443-837-3718.
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT The Deep Blue is excited to introduce Janine Tillman and Kimberly Chiang as the new leaders for our Wave Riders play and support group for nursery and preschool families. Both Janine, from Pennsylvania, and Kim, from North Carolina, were led to Bay Area and are grateful to call BACC home. Between them they have six children under six. Yes, they are busy mom’s and they are looking forward to connecting with other new families. Janine and Kim say they are both “positively giddy” about joining and being in community with other parents through Wave Riders. Both ladies will be handing out postcards with Wave Rider information in the Tidal Pool and Coral Reef on Sundays. They would love to meet you, please stop and say hello! Connect with them on Facebook to see all the upcoming events and happenings at facebook. com/waveriderplaygroup. For more information contact Vanessa at vanessa.hinton@bayareacc.org
THANK YOU Did you know that we have some very dedicated volunteers for Dive 45? What is Dive 45 you ask? It is a series of events for our 4th and 5th graders to come together, invite their friends, and have a fun time hanging out and playing laser tag, watching movies, playing water games, tye dying t-shirts, and many more activities! Our last event, which was Laser Tag, brought out over 120 kids and 12 volunteers. We just want to say thank you to everyone who has helped this past year, it has been amazing seeing the growth and excitement in BACC’s 4th and 5th graders!
PARENT DEDICATION Are you desiring to dedicate your child? Parent Dedication is more than an event, it’s celebrating your decision as parents to raise your child to follow Jesus. Registration for our next event opens online Sunday, April 5. Parents must attend an orientation prior to the event. Register your family today and see more details at bayareacc.org/deepblueevents
ISRAEL TRIP Informational Meeting on Israel Trip Pastor Ed Kelley is leading a trip to Israel in March 2016. If you would like to learn more about this trip join us for a Q & A at 9:30 AM on June 7 in the Loft above the Chapel. Info: ed.kelley@bayareacc.org
CONNECTING MINISTRY
DISCOVER BAY AREA New to Bay Area? Welcome! Join us in the Bay Cafe for Discover Bay Area on April 12 (postponed a week due to Easter) from 12:30-1:30 PM to learn more about who we are, what we are about, and how you can get plugged in. Free lunch included. No RSVP needed and everyone, including kids, is welcome. We hope to see you there! The following Discover will be on Sunday, May 3.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES KIDCARE TEAM MEMBERS Our team consists of individuals who have a heart for kids. Our workers are paid and we are consistently looking to add to our team. We provide KidCare to all ministries of Bay Area from The Well, Celebrate Recovery, Missional Communities, and different events throughout the year. If you or someone you know are interested in joining, contact Jen at jen.marshall@bayareacc.org or visit the Children’s Welcome Desk on Sundays for more info.
LEARNING COMMUNITIES Learning Communities are smaller groups of people that meet in “The Docks” (the building in Bay Area’s east parking lot) with the focus of learning, applying, and living out the Bible. We offer many different courses not only to help you develop theologically, but also in your character development and practical lives following Jesus. Sign up at bayareacc.org/learningcommunities. Here’s what’s coming up this month:
EXPERIENCING GOD STARTING APRIL 12, 2015 (8 WEEKS) | 11:15 AM This Learning Community helps the mature Christian further his/her relationship with God to help them know and do the will of God. Through examination of biblical and contemporary illustrations, participants will understand and apply seven realities of experiencing God over the course of eight weeks. Ready to take some big steps of faith? Well this is step one. WAIT-WHAT?? DIGGING INTO THE CRAZINESS OF EASTER STARTING APRIL 26, 2015 (4 WEEKS) | 9:30 AM Jesus died, Jesus came back to life in a real body, then he appeared to float up into heaven, and after that the Holy Spirit comes to earth to live in believers. Why did all of that happen, what do we learn from it, and how does it impact our everyday life? Dig into some of the most important historical events that have most important implications for your life today.
FINANCIALS Operating Budget Financial Update February 28, 2015 New Fiscal Year Began September 1, 2014 Fiscal Year Giving Goal
$3,832,000
YTD Giving Goal YTD Received YTD Actual vs. Goal FEBRUARY Giving Goal FEBRUARY Received
$1,919,267 $1,918,816 $(451) behind $276,684 $252,520
Original Building Debt Status as of February 28, 2015 Balance Due Fiscal YTD Donations
$ 1,817,996 $ 21,400
For weekly financial updates, please visit us online at www.bayareacc.org/financials
Please be sure to designate all Building Fund donations MARRIAGE LEARNING COMMUNITY on the Memo Line of your check: “One & Only Life” STARTING April 12, 2015 (8 Weeks) | 11:15 AM for Original Building Debt or “Beyond884” for the new A new marriage focused learning community begins Sundays Building Expansion. Please note all undesignated checks April 12 - May 17 in The Docks. Join us as we learn some will go toward the General Operating Fund. principles for growing a great marriage God’s way! We will use Stephen Arterburn’s book The 7-Minute Marriage Solution. Based on his research and work with hundreds of couples in How Do I Support The Cause of New Life Marriage workshops, you will learn new tools he Beyond884: Room For People? recommends to build strong marriages. This is great for all Preferred Methods (no fees charged) couples whether you are engaged, newly married, struggling in your marriage or loving your marriage and want to learn Direct Debit: Go to www.beyond884.com/give to download some good tools to pass along to the next generation! the form. Mail completed form to the BACC Finance Department and we will debit your checking account STARTING POINT directly each month. STARTING APRIL 12, 2015 (8 WEEKS) | 9:30 AM Starting Point is for people who are curious about God, have a Personal Check: Write “Beyond884” on the memo line and new relationship with Jesus Christ, or are returning to church drop it in the offering basket on Sunday or mail the check to after being away for a while. In this group discussion based BACC (884 Chesterfield Road, Annapolis, MD 21401). learning community, they will walk through some of the fundamental beliefs of Christianity. Got big questions? This Bank Check: Process through your bank’s Bill Pay service is your place. online for a bank check to be sent to BACC. Be sure to note “Beyond884” on the memo line.
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GATHERINGS SATURDAY NIGHT SINGALONG Our next Saturday Night Singalong will take place on May 2 at 6 PM. Kidcare will be provided for children ages 1-pre-K. The children are also welcome to worship right alongside the adults, and there is a specially designated area for them to do just that! It’s the perfect opportunity to come with your friends, family, or Missional Community and worship through music, prayer, and testimony. Contact Micah at micah.pringle@bayareacc.org
GLOBAL MISSIONS
LOCAL OUTREACH LOCAL SERVING OPPORTUNITIES Missional Communities often don’t know how to get involved with serving locally. We’re here to help. Email outreach@bayareacc.org to start the conversation. There are many organizations in the Annapolis area that will be blessed by your involvement; we’d love to connect you with them.
MEN’S BIBLE STUDY MEN’S MORNING BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays from 6-7:30 AM in room 236. Email Dennis at dbradylaw@aol.com for more information.
MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES
SHORT TERM MISSIONS Short term mission teams will be traveling to 7 different countries during the Summer of 2015. Have you been considering how you might take part in Make The Trade? The February 28 registration deadline has passed but if you are still interested in Making the Trade, email Casely at casely.essamuah@bayareacc.org to see how you can get involved. *Note: All trips are subject to change based on leadership availability MALAYSIA • June 22 - July 6
EL SALVADOR • May 30-June 7 • June 13-21 • July 4-12 • July 11-19 • July 18-26 • November 7-15
POLAND • July 22 - Aug 3 • October 12-21
BRAZIL • July 10-18
INDONESIA • August 14-24 INDIA • May 9-19 GHANA • June 4-14 • July 16-26
LONG TERM MISSIONS If you have been on a short term mission in the past and are interested in doing missions long term, take a look at the Missions Next Forum. It’s a 2 day conference May 8-9 that will help you with the next steps in global missions. Go to finishers.org for more information. 28 GO&MAKE A P R IL
MISSIONAL COMMUNITY TASTER Get a taste of what a missional community is through our MC Taster event. Join us on April 19 following the 3rd gathering (around 12:45PM) for a light lunch and some info from our Missional Community Pastor, Brian Hopper. We’ll spend about an hour together in community with each other, in loving God, and thinking about how to engage those around us. RSVP online at bayareacc.org/mctasterrsvp or email mc@bayareacc.org for questions.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE AMBASSADOR TEAM: Our ambassadors are passionate about connecting with new visitors, answering questions, and helping others connect into the Bay Area family. As we open the chapel and our family grows, we need extra hands on deck to help get folks plugged in. If this sounds like you, join us! Contact jocelyn.rimbey@bayareacc.org AUDIO/VIDEO TEAM: We’re looking for a few more passionate, committed people to partner with our Sunday production team. Contact micah.pringle@bayareacc.org
BAY CAFÉ & EXPRESSO BAR: Do you love coffee and lattés? Enjoy hospitality? We would love for you to serve in the Bay Cafe and/or Espresso Bar. Contact sherri.raimondo@bayareacc.org CHAIR MINISTRY: Serve on the chair set-up/teardown team. Contact ron.dutton@bayareacc.org CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Do you have theatre experience and appreciate energetic environments? Our elementary large group time may be your perfect fit. Contact aimee.coyle@bayareacc.org COMMUNION TEAM: Contact arianne.teeple@bayareacc.org PARKING MINISTRY: Serve by directing traffic and greeting those arriving at church. Contact Steve at parking@bayareacc.org SAFETY TEAM: If you are passionate about safety or have experience in security, law enforcement, EMS or First Responders, come be part of helping our church stay safe. Contact Ed at safety@bayareacc.org WOMEN’S MINISTRY: KidCare volunteer opportunity to watch the children of those attending the Single Moms Bible Study starting April 11 from 9:30 - 11 AM. Contact: janet.graves@bayareacc.org
PRAYER MINISTRY Did you know BACC has an entire ministry devoted to prayer? The BACC Prayer Ministry is made up of teams of individuals devoted to gathering in prayer for the church worship gatherings, the pastors, our missional efforts and missionaries, the ministries of the church, those who are sick or saddened by grief, and those who are wrestling with life’s struggles. The Prayer Ministry provides an opportunity for us to gather together and share our hearts with our Father who loves us. Let’s pray together. The prayer room is located on the second floor of BACC. Also, every Sunday immediately following the Gatherings in the auditorium members of our prayer team will be up front and to the right of the stage if you would like someone to pray with. For more information about prayer or the teams, go online to bayareacc.org/prayer or contact Pat at pat.linnell@bayareacc.org
WOMEN’S MINISTRY From HERE to THERE. “A disciple who is fully trained will be like his teacher” Luke 6:40. At The Well, our women’s Bible studies, we grow from HERE to THERE in our relationship with God. No matter your starting point, God desires a closer relationship with you.
THE WELL MORNING STUDIES NEW! SINGLE MOMS BIBLE STUDY & DISCUSSION GROUP Join us for the “Cherished by Jesus” Bible study led by Debra Morris from 9:30 - 11 AM on Saturdays, April 11 & 25, May 9 & 23, and June 6 & 20. Debra is a certified Therapist & Christian Counselor, Bible study leader, facilitator of divorce recovery groups, and a recent speaker at our Single Moms Brunch. Topics will include: Parenting as a single mom, healing old relationships wounds, healthy boundaries, deepening my walk with the Lord, and more. Register at bayareacc.org/women/spiritualgrowth for the study and KidCare. We hope to offer free KidCare. If you are interested in serving in this capacity please contact Janet at janet.graves@bayareacc.org OTHER EVENTS WORKSHOP FOR TEACHING THE BIBLE Popular Bible teacher, author, and retreat speaker Marilyn Anderes, will offer a workshop for women interested in developing their ability to teach the Bible. Join us on Saturday, April 18 from 9 - 11 AM at BACC. Contact Janet at janet.graves@bayareacc.org or go online at bayareacc.org/womensevents to reserve your spot. MOTHERS BRUNCH Join us for a time of encouragement for your mothering journey at our Mothers Brunch on May 3 from 9 AM - 12 PM, noon at BACC in The Warehouse. Special speaker, Mary Kaye St. Cyr, will share from her godly wisdom and experience as a mother of four, now grown, children. We will also have break-out groups where BACC Moms will encourage you for your specific stage of parenting. Cost is $10. Register at bayareacc.org/womensevents AN AFTERNOON WITH ANNA The Bible tells us about Anna, a widow and prophetess who devoted herself to prayer and ministry in the temple. She serves as an example for all women and especially for those suffering loss. For many women Mothers Day brings a reminder of pain. That day may include memories of miscarriages, infertility, singleness, terminated pregnancies, or estrangement/loss from your children or mother. We want to invite you to join other like-hearted women for lunch on Mother’s Day, May 10, at 1 PM at Lebanese Taverna Cafe at the Annapolis Harbour Center on 2478 Solomons Island Road in Annapolis. Contact Lori Hopkins to R.S.V.P. at lorirode@gmail.com WOMEN OF LEGACY (55+) This group of women meets to encourage each other in their walk with Jesus and to leave a lasting legacy for others. The next meeting is April 13 from 10:30 - 11:30 AM. We will be listening to speaker Bette Christian on the topic “Repurpose, Renew, & Rejoice.” On April 27 we will discuss the topic “The Grander Curves of A P RIL GO&MAKE 29
MIDDLE SCHOOL ALL-NIGHTER Middle school students, we’re staying up all night! Can you survive? Get ready for a fun night of activities including QUILTS FOR KIDS bowling, Sky Zone (It’s an indoor trampoline park!), and Join us as we take donated fabric and make quilts for kids in everyones favorite late night diner, Double T Diner! We’ll shelters and hospitals. Our next sewing workshop is Saturday, start here at Bay Area and party till the break of dawn. April 18 from 10:30 - 1:30 PM in room 235. Come and learn Registration opens Sunday, April 29 for $50. Space is limited to sew or learn a new pattern. Janet Hogan will demonstrate so make sure you don’t miss out. how to make an Illinois Roads Quilt. Kits will be available. Please bring your sewing machine, sewing supplies and your lunch. If you would like a quilt kit, have a quilt you would like to donate, or have questions, contact Janet Hogan at annapolisqfk@gmail.com Character” from the book Teach Me To Number my Days. Contact Cedulie Sanchez at luisandcedulie@gmail.com
STUDENT MINISTRY
LEADER SPOTLIGHT While new to our ministry this year, Keith Good has made such an impact on the guys he works with. When he is not mentoring to our 12th grade guys, Keith goes to school for hospitality and business management. A fantastic cook, he is currently a chef at Brickhouse of Shadyside. Keith is such a great small group leader because he teaches our students to take the most out of life. We are so blessed to have Keith on our team and we know our high school students appreciate having him as well. Brittany White is one of those people who just tries to live life to the fullest. An avid lover of football and pumpkin anything, Brittany has a deep passion for showing middle school students the love of Christ. She is an avid traveller whose bucket list includes visiting every national park in the U.S. Brittany is also a lawyer, which definitely comes in handy when debating with students on anything from biblical truths to which flavor of ice cream is the best. We are grateful to have Brittany working alongside us to mentor to our middle school students.
MIDDLE All Middle Schoolers are welcome to come out April 10 from 7-9 PM for our Super Hero themed Club 678! Invite your friends and dress as your favorite super hero. We’ll be having Super Hero themed dodge ball. Don’t forget to bring a few bucks for the snack bar. Club 678 is our monthly fun outreach for middle school students to invite their friends to church. Club 678 happens on the second Friday of every month. 30 GO&MAKE A P R IL
High school students, join us every Wednesday from 6:30 - 8:30 PM in The Warehouse for our mid-week gathering where students grow deeper in their walk with God through group-based discipleship. Each Amplify gathering features free food, games, and gender/grade specific Community Groups led by trained and caring adult leaders. Students will experience true community and discipleship in the context of their peers; all in a fun environment. Contact Brent at brent.squires@bayareacc.org for more info.
FRESHMAN AGAIN LEARNING COMMUNITY This Learning Community is open to all current high school seniors and will meet for six Sunday sessions at 9:30 AM in “The Loft” above the new chapel. Participants should register on-line to be assured a spot in the class. There is no cost for this learning community and resources will be provided. The six week sessions will include: Introduction and Overview, What Is Truth?, Spiritual Independence, College Life, Time/Money, and Writing Your Life Story. Register at bayareacc.org/basm-freshman-again
WOULD YOU RATHER READ GO&MAKE IN A DIGITAL FORMAT? View it at BAYAREACC.ORG
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