BAY AREA'S EVANGELISM FOCUS
IN THIS ISSUE
BAY AREA LEADERSHIP ELDERS MAGAZINE
EDITOR
Abbie Hoekstra-Nold
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Josh (Burgi) Burgin
LEAD DESIGNER
Jake Williams
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
Callie Back
Kenzie Riniker
CONTRIBUTORS
Aaron Hixson
Evans Christian
Maggie Smith
Brad Smith
Drew Bennett
Brendan Cothran
Meredith Winter
Alan Newcomer
Andy Gish
Barry Willhite
Bill Smith
Chris Heacock
David Grabau
Diek Van Dillen
Greg Dixon
Greg St. Cyr
John Taylor
Keith Riniker
Ken Gilmore
Kevin Rump
Mat Soltis
Peter Godfrey
Rich Heath
Roger Ishii
Ron Dutton
Russ Decker
Stu Cooper
Todd Dallanegra
Tom Hogan
Warwick Fairfax
COVER PHOTO
Jay Schramek
Aaron Hixson, Teaching Pastor – aaron.hixson@bayareacc.org
Abbie Hoekstra-Nold, Senior Communications Director – abbie.hoekstra@bayareacc.org
Allen Smith, Community and Discipleship Pastor – allen.smith@bayareacc.org
Brendan Cothran, Worship Director – brendan.cothran@bayareacc.org
Brian Hopper, Annapolis Campus Pastor – brian.hopper@bayareacc.org
Drew Bennett, Local Missions Pastor – drew.bennett@bayareacc.org
Evans Christian, Kent Island Campus Pastor – evans.christian@bayareacc.org
Greg St. Cyr, Lead Pastor – greg.stcyr@bayareacc.org
Jason Barthelemy, Family and Care Pastor – jason.barthelemy@bayareacc.org
Jake Wieduwilt, Student Ministry Pastor – jake.wieduwilt@bayareacc.org
Jeff Supp, Executive Pastor – jeff.supp@bayareacc.org
Jocelyn Sacks, Senior Serving Director – jocelyn.sacks@bayareacc.org
Jody Yearwood, Women's Ministry Director – jody.yearwood@bayareacc.org
Kammi McGinty, Care Network & Marriage Ministry Director – kammi.mcginty@bayareacc.org
Kristin Collins, Annapolis Children’s Ministry Director – kristin.collins@bayareacc.org
Kyle Sponaugle, Global Missions Pastor – kyle.sponaugle@bayareacc.org
For a comprehensive list of all Bay Area staff, elders and deacons, please visit bayareacc.org/ourteam
We appreciate your comments and questions. Please email us at feedback@bayareacc.org and a staff member or elder will respond within 48 hours.
ANNAPOLIS
YTD Giving through 10/31/25: $1,064,360
YTD Budget through 10/31/25: $1,094,000
Actual vs. Budget: –$29,640
The financial generosity of our church family helps fuel our mission of making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations. Every gift is used to resource our ongoing ministries at our two campuses, and support dozens of local and global missions partners who are reaching people with the gospel around the world. Want to learn how to manage your finances God’s way? Read our Philosophy of Generosity at bayareacc.org/give
GIVING METHODS
If you would like to give, you can do so at bayareacc.org/give, or by mailing a check to our Annapolis Campus (884 Chesterfield Road, Annapolis, MD 21401). Please be sure to include your campus designation on all gifts.
LETTER FROM THE LEAD
BAY AREA'S JOURNEY
Dear Bay Area Family,
This week on my early morning walk, I bumped into my neighbor walking a Beagle. "Greg, I just got a new dog named Lacy!" he exclaimed with enthusiasm. We chatted, and as I walked away, I felt heavy-hearted. We've shared multiple meals, shoveled snow together, and had many faith conversations, yet I longed for him to have more enthusiasm about Jesus than a new dog.
Then there is another neighbor who has been a dear friend for years. She's the kind of neighbor we borrow a cup of sugar or a bar of butter from when we unexpectedly run out. She shares her deepest struggles with us because she knows we care. We bring God into the conversation, pray with her, and have even given her a Bible and invited her to church. And yet, she gently resists surrendering to Jesus.
These experiences are real, and perhaps you can relate. While Mary Kaye and I are deeply committed to showing and sharing the Good News, we, like all of you, need ongoing encouragement, fresh ideas, and a renewed challenge to live out our faith right where we are.
The Call to Shine Brightest at Home
The truth is, Bay Area has always had a grand global mission focus,
and we always will. But since the early days of our church, our local impact has not been what it could be. One of my favorite quotes from Oswald J. Smith is, “The light that shines farthest burns brightest at home.” Indeed!
Our top priority as a church for this season is to become Good News People in the places we inhabit every day - where we live, work, play and learn. This is our commitment. In this issue of GO&MAKE, you will read more about how we are practically leaning into this mission together.
A couple of years ago, while spending time in prayer and reflecting on all the great things God was doing through Bay Area globally, the distinct impression I received was this: “God desires to use Bay Area in equally great ways locally for His glory as He is using her among the nations.”
Sacrifice for the Mission
Becoming Good News People means having a vision to advance the Gospel through church campuses and plants. That’s why our second major priority is the Kent Island Campus Launch. This isn’t about Bay Bridge traffic or distance; it’s about reaching more people for Jesus.
This effort requires great sacrifice. In the months ahead,
dozens of families will leave the Annapolis Campus for Kent Island, making sacrifices of time and money to launch this new campus. Likewise, the Annapolis Campus will make sacrifices, requiring deeper levels of serving and giving to sustain and expand our ministries here. But as Good News People, it is absolutely worth it.
"Our top priority as a church for this season is to become Good News People"
We are inviting you into this journey of learning and faith - a journey of praying, caring and sharing. As we commit ourselves to embodying the Good News, we will be surprised and delighted by how Jesus uses us. Together, as we take the next step, we will fulfill His mission.
I’m excited for the journey!
"Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?" —Psalm 71:19
From here to the nations, GREG S T. CYR
LEAD PASTOR
Greg St. Cyr is the lead pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a regular contributor to GO&MAKE.
TheGood!?# FighT %$ N
ot many people genuinely enjoy being in a disagreement with someone they love. Even if we’re trying to help someone see the truth about Jesus (something we feel passionate about), the feeling of disharmony that can arise when someone views things differently is AT LEAST uncomfortable, and at worst, UNBEARABLE.
But if we’re going to be Good News people in a world full of bad news, it’s inevitable that we’ll have to wade into discussions where disagreement is unavoidable. So how do we do that well?
I’ll be honest – I’m no expert. I take a back seat to nobody in wanting conversations to feel comfortable and (best case) full of laughter. But here are some principles that could guide us as we try to have salty conversations (the good kind of salty, Colossians 4:6) that leave people wanting more info about the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15). Remember – our goal is not to “win at all costs,” but to genuinely love and respect the person across from us while accurately conveying the good news. It’s about balancing grace and truth (John 1:14).
1. Get Genuinely Curious
Yes, it is important to know what you believe and why you believe it. But it’s equally important to know the human you’re talking to! When discussing salvation or any spiritual topic, start by getting curious about their perspective.
Unsurprisingly, most people don’t hold their current views just to be difficult; their beliefs are shaped by experiences, hurts, and influences. You are talking to a person made in the image of God—approach them as a whole
person, not a holding tank of beliefs and ideals.
Before you attempt to be understood, seek first to understand them by asking:
• "What's your story about your relationship with God?"
• “Who has most influenced your thinking about God or spirituality?”
• “What do you believe happens after we die, and
why do you think that?”
• “What about Christianity is most confusing or off-putting to you?”
Leading with curiosity ensures you are addressing their actual viewpoint, not a generic argument you’ve heard elsewhere. You might find that their resistance to faith is rooted more in a previous hurt by a church or a personal crisis than a strictly intellectual disagreement. Listen first.
2. Stay Calm and model Christ-likenesS
When the issue is as weighty as eternity and the existence of God, it’s easy for passion to turn into frustration. But remember: there is no scoreboard, and nobody will be crowned the “winner” at the end of this conversation.
Your primary goal is not winning the argument, but pleasing God and modeling Christ-likeness.
The Bible isn’t shy about its view of hasty, excessive words (Prov. 10:19) and flashy anger (James 1:19) – hint: none of it is positive. When discussing profound truth, the calm person who speaks with a measured and gentle tone will always be more persuasive.
Maintain a cool head and an open ear. When it is your turn to speak,
remember that how you say what you say is as important as what you say. The truth of the Good News never needs to be delivered harshly or with contempt. You’re declaring a truth of profound love, grace, and redemption— let your tone reflect that (and remember that the Spirit does the work anyway!) (1 Cor. 3:6).
3. Prioritize RelationShiP and the long Game
It’s rare that we’ll go from curiosity to conversion over the course of one conversation. And to be honest, a noisy dinner table (especially around the holidays) is not the best venue to hash out the intricacies of theology or the nature of faith. As we consider the when/how of conversation and boldness, I think our main message to our friends or neighbors should consistently be: I want you to know that I love you more than I need you to think I am right.
Whenever possible, prioritize affirming the person and the relationship, and then gently invite them to a deeper conversation at a later time.
If things get too spicy, try an exit strategy that preserves the
relationship and opens the door for future dialogue:
“That’s a very interesting point. I’d love to talk more about this someday. Would you be open to grabbing coffee next week so we can really dive into it?”
When we take the approach I’m outlining here, we are essentially communicating a simple equation: You > My View.
This doesn’t mean we hide the ball or pretend the message of the
BYAARO N HIXSON
TEACHING PASTOR
Good News is less important than people. It simply communicates to our family and friends, “You are more to me than an evangelism project.” Your willingness to put the relationship first is often the most powerful witness you can offer.
Let’s be Good News people. And here’s to a season where we show and share the good news of Jesus where we live, work, play, and learn—through our tone, our approach, and our intentional, grace-filled words.
Aaron Hixson is the Teaching Pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a regular contributor to GO&MAKE.
EVANS C HRISTIAN
KENT ISLAND CAMPUS PASTOR
Q&A Get to know Evans Christian
and his
vision for the Kent Island Campus!
When did you first start working in ministry, and what led you to become a pastor?
In my junior year of Bible college, I felt a strong conviction that God was calling me into vocational ministry. I grew up attending church but didn’t know Jesus personally. I knew a lot of Bible stories, but I didn’t know they all pointed to Him. After I came to know Christ, I regretted not understanding the gospel earlier.
That’s what led me to student ministry. I wanted students to hear the good news of Jesus clearly and personally— something I didn’t experience until later in life.
Q: Where were you before coming to Bay Area?
Before coming to Bay Area, I served as a pastor for more than 25 years in two different churches. My first five years of ministry were spent in Silver Spring, MD, where I served as a Student Pastor. From there, God called our family to Buffalo, where I had the privilege of serving in both Student Ministry and Adult Disciple-Making Ministry for 19 years.
For my last three years in Buffalo, I worked at a nonprofit called 716 Ministries in downtown Buffalo. Their mission is to remove barriers, provide meaningful employment, and help refugees reach their God-given potential. It was an incredible opportunity to serve the city and see God at work in very tangible ways.
Q: Is there a specific Bible verse or passage you’re leaning on right now?
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
— 2 Timothy 2:2
This verse captures my heart for disciple-making. It reminds me that ministry is about multiplication, investing in people who will invest in others.
Q: What’s a fun fact most people at church wouldn’t know about you?
For the last 20 years, I had the privilege of chaperoning and teaching high school and middle school students how to snowboard every Friday night. It became the
highlight of my week. There’s nothing quite like watching students grow, try something new, and have fun together.
Q: How do you like to spend a day off?
Walks with my wife, Melissa, working out, biking, running and taking road trips with our family. Doing anything active or outdoors is a win for me.
Q: If you could have dinner with one person (other than Jesus), who would it be and why?
I’d choose my brother, Russell. He passed away when I was 16 and he was 23. I would love to sit with him and hear the story of how he came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior while he was in college. His faith is the reason I went to Bible college, and he even bought me a Bible just a few months before he passed away. That gift changed my life.
Q: What’s your go-to coffee or tea order?
I’m a simple guy—black coffee, no sugar.
Q: What excites you most about the vision for the Kent Island campus?
Honestly, the people. Kent Island is full of friendly, helpful people, and I love that it’s a concentrated community. With one high school, two middle schools, and around 20,000 residents, it feels like a place where deep relationships and whole-community impact are truly possible.
At the same time, the area is growing. There are several new
building projects underway, which means even more opportunities for ministry— students, children, young moms, men’s ministry, and our 55+ community. There is so much potential for gospel impact on the Island.
Q: What’s happening on Kent Island right now?
We’ve already seen God do amazing things. Seventy people came to our first big event, the KI Chili Event. People who have lived on the Island for years and people who are brand new to the area were connecting for the very first time. It was incredibly encouraging.
We’re hoping to launch six to seven Community Groups in January, with Community Group leader training happening throughout November. The renovation of our new building
is moving forward—HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work has been completed, and we expect to be fully ready early next year.
Upcoming Events
December 9: Prayer Night - 6:30 p.m.
December 14:
Christmas Party @ David’s2:30-5:30 p.m.
Our heart is simple: to love people well. We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus on Kent Island. There are more than 150 men, women, and children on the Island who already have a connection to Bay Area in Annapolis, and we long to reach them—and then reach the lost.
Our desire is to represent Jesus to both the found and the lost so that all of us can experience the transforming power of His grace.
BYMAGGIE + BRADSMITH
An Update From Kenya Jesus
is amazing! Jesus shows up in all aspects of our lives, every day. There have been moments where He has been front and center, making a difference in ways we could never have imagined. Some of those moments have come during our short-term mission trips. Through these life-changing experiences, we—and our teams—have seen tremendous opportunities to be good news people to the nations.
We have been beyond blessed to partner with Bay Area Community Church on several mission trips, including Uganda, South Sudan, Egypt, India, and, most recently, leading our first team to Mombasa, Kenya. Beautiful places, beautiful people, and incredible opportunities to advance God’s Kingdom.
Jesus is working—there’s no doubt about that. We’ve seen
it everywhere: in HIV-affected villages in Uganda, in the leprosy community in South Sudan, and in remote areas of India where so many have never heard the name of Jesus. Today, we want to share a story from our journey in Kenya.
During our time in Kenya, we led a 12-person team of incredible people. We visited several villages where we taught school-aged children about Jesus and had health discussions around the challenges they face. We shared sermons, gave testimonies, and played with countless children at local churches. One of the most memorable places we visited was an island called Watamu.
Even before leaving for Kenya, we were told that Watamu would be challenging—a place where many people don’t know Jesus compared to the other regions we’d be visiting. As a team, we talked and prayed extensively about how to approach Watamu. We knew this was an amazing opportunity to be good news people. It only takes one conversation or one interaction to make a difference. Look at Jesus and His apostles—He didn’t choose people with the highest stature; He chose those who were broken and in need. We embraced the same mindset.
After a long, fun-filled bus ride getting to know the Renewal Project Africa staff, we arrived in Watamu eager to jump in. At first glance, Watamu was unexpected—a beautiful tropical paradise. We quickly heard stories about “The Beach Boys” (not the band!), a group of young men who earn a living offering excursions to tourists.
Our team broke into small groups to evangelize among The Beach Boys. We shared testimonies, talked about how Jesus has changed our lives, and spread the good news to everyone we met. It was eye-opening and incredibly meaningful. The young men were open, curious, and deeply engaged. Some soaked in every word—and for one group, the conversation led to a lifechanging moment.
A few of the young men became so excited as they listened that one team member sensed the moment and asked if they had ever trusted Jesus and been baptized. They said no. Then came the follow-up question: “Would you want to be baptized right now?” They ecstatically said yes. Moments later, they walked into the water and were baptized by one of our team members, with Renewal Project Africa staff standing beside them. It was a beautiful, unforgettable experience—truly a highlight of our time in Watamu and Kenya.
This story reminds us that we can all bring the Good News to people. While short-term mission trips are incredible opportunities everyone should consider, sharing Jesus doesn’t require traveling overseas. We can carry His word into our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our communities—wherever God places us. We encourage everyone to take advantage of those opportunities, at home or abroad. You can have a tremendous impact on others— and grow as a followers of Jesus at the same time!
"While short-term mission trips are incredible opportunities everyone should consider, sharing Jesus doesn’t require traveling overseas."
BYDREW BENNETT
LOCAL MISSIONS PASTOR
or those I haven’t yet had the chance to meet, my name is Drew! I have the honor and privilege of serving as Bay Area’s first-ever Local Missions Pastor. A little about me: I grew up in the Midwest surrounded by cornfields and cows. My relationship with Jesus was cultivated thanks to my mentor, Ray VanderLaan. A trip to Israel with him led me to study Bible at Hope College, hoping to move overseas as a full-time missionary. Later, I moved to Charm City for graduate school to pursue my “visa skill,” public health. While finishing that program, Jesus clearly called me here — to the local church and to be a missionary to my own culture. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” My life is living proof of that.
To date, one of my favorite projects I’ve been able to work on was the Good News series I partnered with Aaron and Greg to create. In this series, we looked honestly at our world. It is obviously broken — pain, injustice, and division are everywhere. These are SYMPTOMS that something deeper is wrong. And if we only treat the symptoms, we won’t get better; we might get worse. The underlying SICKNESS is sin. We “miss the mark,” choosing to define good on our own terms. Humanity has rebelled against God. The SOLUTION to this sickness is found in the birth, life, and death of Jesus, who enters our world, takes on our sin as fully God and fully human, and offers the healing and restoration we can’t produce on our own. The
PROOF that this solution is real is the resurrection — Jesus predicting and then pulling off His own resurrection validates everything He said and did, showing His authority over sin and death. It proves He is who He claims to be. Our RESPONSE is to trust Jesus, turn toward Him, and live the life He leads. Put together, these five movements form a clear logic: a broken world points to a deeper sickness, which requires a divine solution proven by the resurrection, and invites our personal response.
At the core of the series is the image of two chairs. They represent a conversation and a relationship. It’s a simple, triedand-true way to share what Jesus has done for us.
THE GOSPEL IN FIVE STEPS
THE
BEGINNING God Made Us for Good
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” – Genesis 1:31
God created a good world, and He created us to know Him, trust Him, and live with Him in peace. Everything started with beauty, purpose, and relationship. We were made for life with God — that’s our original design.
THE REBELLION We Turned Away
THE PROBLEM Sin Brings Death 1 4 2 5 3
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to our own way…”
– Isaiah 53:6a
Instead of trusting God, we turned away and chose our own path. We live in open and active rebellion with our design and our Designer. This hurts us, it hurts those around us, and it grieves the One who made us.
THE CROSS Jesus Took Our Place
“…the LORD has laid on him the sins of us all.”
– Isaiah 53:6b
“…the free gift of God is eternal life…” – Romans 6:23b
Jesus stepped into our story, took our sin on Himself, and died the death we deserved. Then He rose again to offer us forgiveness and new life — not something we earn, but a free gift God gives to any who wants it through Jesus.
A gospel tool is well and good, but you might be wondering, What does this have to do with me?
I’m not gifted as an evangelist. Well, this year we are focusing as a church on becoming “Good News People.” Whether we acknowledge it or not, we carry good news into a world full of bad news. We want to be the kind of people who show and share the Good News of Jesus so that others might truly live. We want to join Jesus on His
“The wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23a
Sin has real consequences: spiritual death, separation from God, and the brokenness we see in the world and in ourselves. We can’t fix ourselves, clean ourselves up, or earn our way back. We don’t need a moral upgrade — we need rescue.
TURNING OUR CHAIR Trust and Believe
“If you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
– Romans 10:9b
God invites us to respond to Jesus with trust — turning from our old life and turning toward Him. When we believe in Him and receive what He’s done, we’re forgiven, made new, and restored to the relationship we were created for.
mission where we live, work, play, and learn. In other words, we are becoming more like Jesus and helping others do the same. Sharing the Good News isn’t just for experts and extroverts. It’s for everyday people like you and me — ordinary people with an extraordinary HOPE.
So what does it look like to do this? The first and most important step in this journey is prayer. Prayer is the most powerful tool
we have. So join us. Let’s pray by name for people who don’t yet know Jesus.
To help with this, we’ve created a Prayer Bookmark. On it, you’ll find a spot to write seven names — one for each day of the week — of people in your life who don’t yet know Jesus. If you haven’t gotten one yet, you can find them on Sundays at the kiosk just outside the Auditorium doors.
Debt, Dreams, & the Way of Jesus
BYJOSH (BURGI)BURGIN
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
hether last minute gift hustles or postChristmas credit card statements, you may be feeling the financial burden this merry season can bring. Despite being fresh off the financial sermon series Beyond the Bills we could all use a little reminder.
As the Creative Director at Bay Area, you and I may have had a conversation about Christmas or sermon props, but probably not credit cards and Roth IRAs. But we should! I LOVE to discuss personal finance. Or as Greg calls it, theology of wealth.
If you missed the Beyond The Bills sermon series, STOP reading right now!
Go listen to those two foundational sermons at bayareacc.org/archive.
My financial journey actually started right here at Bay Area 15 years ago as I was seeking wisdom in order to clean up my personal finance mess and marry the girl of my dreams.
I was broke, in debt, definitely not generous; but totally in love.
As for my future bride, she had no debt, worked hard, was a dilligent saver and a generous giver. We were as opposite as two people could be.
So I got to work! Literally. I stopped borrowing money and took a second job in order to pay down debt and save up for an engagement ring.
Simultaneously, the Lord used my future mother in law to lovingly challenge my view on generosity and help me personally own the Lord's command to give my first and best to the Lord. Something she had instilled in her daughter from a young age.
"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your
produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine."
Proverbs 3:9-10
It took me over two years to clean up my foolish mess, reorient my financial perspective and finally marry my wife, at which point we started walking this journey together - growing in wisdom and continue seeking tools to help us manage money in a biblical way.
Thus, I want to personally share some practical resources that were helpful for us in taking the next step on our journey and may be for you as well.
Greg asked at the end of the Beyond the Bills series, “what is your one thing?” What is the ONE next step God is calling you to take in your financial life? Maybe you heard that and you’re still not sure, or perhaps you’ve never considered it.
Whether you are trying to decide how to pay for college, start a budget, stop incurring debt or
find a new career, there are biblically-based communities, courses, books, tools and podcasts available to give you direction.
What once were just a couple of books and radio financial call-in shows, have grown into a spectrum of readily availableand dare I say entertaining - help!
When we first got married we enrolled in Financial Peace University
A nine-week financial curriculum produced by Dave Ramsey a radio call in show host of the same topic.
It is now offered as a self-paced online-course or in person classes through a vast network of churches and small groups open to anyone. There is almost always a class being offered somewhere!
It gave us clear baby steps for getting out of debt, handling money, and a community to learn and celebrate alongside.
We were challenged to give faithfully, live below our income, get out of debt and save for the future.
We've actually taken Financial Peace University three different times in order to navigate different seasons of life like insurance, buying a house, drawing up a will or saving for our kids college.
Changing his radio show and company name in 2020 to reflect the vast offerings of help, Ramsey
now boasts multiple podcasts, a budgeting app and growing areas of help, from marriage to mental health, all through the lens of biblical financial wisdom.
"
My personal favorite offerings are the George Kamel YouTube channel and the Smart Money Happy Hour podcast. Both tackle culturally relevant money questions in today’s quick, sarcastic, TikTok-guru-fueled, social media landscape.
Another similar resource is Crown Financial Ministries
Considered the G.O.A.T. of christian finance, Larry Burkett pioneered the modern-day biblical stewardship movement through books and a legendary radio show. He has actually been quoted as an influence of Dave Ramsey who has written and taught similar approaches to getting out of debt and budgeting.
Now forty-three years later, Crown Financial Ministries is an easy to use website filled with biblical personal finance resources that have touched over 50 million people.
Most notably their MoneyLife Personal Finance Study , a 10 lesson self-paced course, that teaches Practical Financial Skills like attacking debt, setting up a spending plan, and creating an approach toward investing.
Either of these resources will help you manage your finances and bring peace. Yet, tools and resources will only get you so far.
True peace is only found in and through JESUS. Greg said it so well in his final encouragement of the series:
"You have the power to be content, get out of debt, and steward your resources well. That power comes by looking to Jesus. Jesus is the perfect Steward who saw everything as coming from the Father. If you look to Him, He will empower you to resist debt, give first and work hard. The ultimate fruit of being a faithful steward is not a large bank account, but the peace, contentment and joy that comes from following His way."
"I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
- Philippians 4:12-13
Did YOU know we offer one-on-one financial coaching at NO COST? Sometimes having a trusted person get into the details with you can bring the clarity needed to take the next right step! For more information email atyearwood@gmail.com or check out bayareacc.org/carenetwork
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. those who build it labor in vain.
Prayer Fueling Ministry
BY BRENDA N COTHRAN WORSHIP DIRECTOR
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
have to admit, I’m a bit of a work-junkie (is that a thing?). Blue-collar or whitecollar, it doesn’t matter. I love improving systems, checking boxes, rolling up my sleeves and seeing the fruits of a job well done. That must be why the biblical metaphor of being a laborer in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 20:1–16, Ephesians 2:10) has always resonated with me. I love that when we say “yes” to following Jesus we also say “yes” to working in His Kingdom and for His Kingdom.
The problem is, if I let myself, it doesn’t take long before I start to over-value my contribution. I start to give myself credit for the results, and I start to push God out of the picture. Can anyone else relate? The passage at the top of this article has been a sobering guardrail for me when my mantra starts to sound like: “look at how much I’m doing for God!” The reality is, God is the ultimate laborer, and God is the ultimate guard over the city. No matter how hard we work, God is the ultimate builder and we can be assured that His work will be completed in the exact way He intends, sometimes in spite of our “contribution.”
carry things in our own strength. As we grow in prayer, we grow in surrendering our will, our agenda and our control; and we begin to accept God’s Kingdom purposes rather than our own. We also begin to align in a greater way with God’s Kingdom priorities and begin working with God and not against Him.
Prayer is a high priority for us at Bay Area. Every Tuesday and Thursday our staff team gathers together in the Chapel to pray for one another, our ministries, our church and more. This time offers us a chance to pause our ministry work and be reminded that ultimately we’re not the ones building the house. We pray before meetings. We stop and pray for one another in the hallways and in offices. We pray at our desks for individuals who have submitted requests at the bottom of the gathering card on a Sunday morning.
In October, Bay Area hosted a Worship + Prayer night. Students, adults and families with young kids came together for extended musical worship, testimonies, communion and prayer reflecting on God’s faithfulness in the past, present and future. One of the most beautiful moments in the evening was seeing our elders and deacons praying for individuals who had come forward to receive prayer. These nights fuel the faith of our church family in powerful ways. They allow us to stop, slow down and seek God together in ways that are not always possible in our Sunday morning gatherings.
What would it look like for you and me to be people of prayer, not just building for God, but to build with Him as we bring about His Kingdom? When we pray, we
"Ultimately we’re not the ones building the house."
So how do we keep ourselves from working God out of the picture? What is the antidote to slipping into self-reliance? I believe that the answer is prayer. In its simplest form, the act of prayer is an acknowledgement that we aren’t doing this alone. When we pray, we are communicating our inability to
You may have noticed recently that at the end of each gathering in the Auditorium and the Chapel we invite individuals who would like to pray with someone to remain seated and a member of the team will pray with them. This small shift has opened the door for many Spirit-led interactions and faith conversations. We continue to have church-wide prayer gatherings on the first and third Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Chapel, and various other prayer groups gather to pray for specific needs (Global Missions, Prodigals, Revival, etc.) throughout the month.
align with God’s purposes, and our faith matures. Knowing that God is the ultimate builder means that we work for His Kingdom, surrendering to His will, and resting in His providence. May we be known as a church that prays.
If you’re interested in growing in prayer, the next Worship + Prayer night is coming up on Thursday, January 29 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. You can also check out the prayer page on the website to learn more about the prayer opportunities that exist at Bay Area. Psalm 127:1 ESV
Love God And Do What He Says
Jim Hiskey Shares His Heart For Bay Area After Seven Decades Of Following Jesus
BYMEREDI TH WINTER
im and Lorraine Hiskey were born four days apart, “just a couple of potatoes out of the great state of Idaho,” in Jim’s words, and have known each other for 84 years. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in October, and together have three children, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
One of four siblings, Jim grew up in a Mormon home. Two lifealtering events – one thrilling, the other devastating – opened the
door of his heart to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.
At the age of 17, Jim accomplished his dream of winning the state amateur golf championship. “I got a big trophy, put it in the front room, and everybody came up (and) celebrated,” Jim recalled. “And after that, I thought, ‘What’s this about? I mean, is that all there is to life? Where do I go now?’”
Left feeling empty, Jim knew there had to be more to life than
athletic achievement. Tragedy struck during his junior year of college, layering anger on top of emptiness. His older brother was killed while serving in the Air Force.
“I stuck up my fist toward God and I said, ‘Why’d You take him? Why don’t you take me? I’ve got a lot of things wrong with me, but nothing’s wrong with him.’ I was angry,” Jim shared, reflecting on losing his mentor and best friend.
“And I went into this period for 20 months of agnosticism. I was
just lost, really. That was the most miserable time of my life. I was actually playing some of my best golf, and I even met Lorraine during that time, but nothing really satisfied me.”
Then, the “big event” happened.
Students from Cru (then Campus Crusade for Christ) came to Jim’s dormitory, shared the gospel with him and his younger brother, and asked if they wanted to learn how to follow Jesus. His brother insisted they take the students
up on their offer, and after listening to them for an hour, Jim was skeptical. It all sounded too simple. They explained Ephesians 2:8 – that you can’t earn salvation, only accept it –and invited the brothers to say a sinner’s prayer.
Jim “prayed the prayer,” and nothing happened – so he thought. He began reading the Bible and heard a message in which Cru founder Bill Bright referenced C.S. Lewis’ argument about whether Jesus was a liar, lunatic or Lord.
Saying Yes To God: A Life Devoted To Making Disciples
Along with his brother, Jim played the PGA Tour early in his career. Someone once told Jim that his claim to fame was that he made the least money of anyone to ever play the PGA Tour.
But winning was not why God called Jim to play professional golf; evangelizing golfers around the globe became his mission on and off the links. The PGA Tour Bible study started with a handful of participants and has grown exponentially to reach hundreds of thousands of people.
In the mid-1970s, Jim answered a phone call from a man in England named James Houston, asking if he would help start an institute in the States with the help of another willing participant. “I
thought, ‘Gee, I don’t need any more ministry. I’ve got more than I know what to do with,’” Jim admitted. “But I said, ‘Well, (Houston) knows a lot of people.’ I said, ‘Who is it?’ and he said, ‘John Stott.’ I said, ‘Okay, what date?’”
Stott helped Jim and Houston launch the C.S. Lewis Institute in 1976. The institute exists to “develop wholehearted disciples of Jesus Christ who will articulate, defend, share, and live their faith in personal and public life,” and today has 29 programs across four continents.
“Love God, and then do what He says to do, and leave the consequences with Him. It’s as simple as that, you know –answer the phone,” he said.
Jim couldn’t justify categorizing Christ as a liar or lunatic, so he decided He was Lord.
That was in 1957; now, nearly 70 years later, Jim knows that moment was the most significant in his entire life.
“Love God, and then do what He says to do, and leave the consequences with Him.”
Insights From 68 Years Of Following Christ
Jim will tell you that Lorraine is at the top of the list of ways God has been faithful to him. “I have no ministry without her,” he said, noting that she has borne many burdens with him over the years and has been his great helper and gift.
Since 1957, the Lord has revealed many things to Jim and has never stopped challenging him to grow as a disciple. Presently, he is working on reflecting the heart of Jesus. A yolk hangs in Jim’s foyer, a gift from his children, inscribed with Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
“This is something I’m learning now at 89, I’m working on this,” Jim said, noting he has opportunities to be gentle and humble nearly every day. “That’s a great lesson I learned about discipling myself right there, those two words.”
A lesson he learned earlier in life was the joy of biblical generosity. Decades ago, a fellow golfer inserted a nickel into a soda machine and asked Jim if he was going to get a Coca Cola, too. “No, I got to save my money,” Jim
said. Saving $0.05 earned Jim a nickname that spread rapidly and stuck: Tightwad.
He made the leap from Tightwad Hiskey to Generous Jim while on staff with Cru. He raised $300 a month in support to live off of, and giving 10% of that to the church was a challenge for him. But as he opened his fist, God opened the storehouses of heaven (Malachi 3:10). When the Hiskeys’ fridge broke, the Lord blessed them with a $5 replacement. When Jim’s car needed repairs, the work cost less than a quarter of what he anticipated. He gave the difference away and discovered for the first time what it meant to be a cheerful giver. God has led him along a journey of extravagant generosity since.
A Message For The Bay Area Family
As he approaches the age of 90, Jim has given thought to what his parting words might one day be.
“For more than 20 years, I thought what I'd say to my family and loved ones if I had one last
For 60 years, Jim and Lorraine have prayed for revival. Each morning at 7:14 a.m., an alarm goes off on Jim’s phone, reminding him to pray 2 Chronicles 7:14.
“We begin by kneeling. We begin by (praying), ‘Lord, show me if there’s something displeasing in my life. I’m willing to turn around.’ And then we pray for those around us, and we pray for the church. The church has got to be awakened,” Jim said, adding, “Then pray for more laborers … we need to pray for more and more church planters.” (Matthew 9:37-38)
Christ’s love for the world is what keeps Jim inspired with gospel vision.
“Don't miss a day without reading the Word. It doesn't matter if it's even five verses, just a short Psalm. Don't miss a day.”
breath would be ‘Seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Love Jesus passionately, obey Him precisely. You know, not get ahead of Him, not get behind Him, just walk right with Him,” Jim shared. “But I’d add one more thing now.”
Although it’s woven throughout Scripture, Jim didn’t always grasp the concept of fear of the Lord. He shared a story to help the church apply the often-misunderstood spiritual imperative. Decades ago, Jim was playing in the U.S. Open, and the golfer behind him was Sam Snead – one of the top players in the world for nearly four decades. Jim literally trembled at the thought of a golf giant like Snead witnessing him tee up and swing. Somehow, Jim managed to play well, but the experience stuck with him.
“I think of that as somewhat of what it means to fear God,” Jim explained. “It means to have such
a high regard … a reverential awe of God. Do we have this? Do we have a reverential awe of God?” (Proverbs 1:7; Hebrews 12:28-29).
Jim believes Bay Area is “on the right thing, exalting Jesus.” He desires to see God’s Kingdom come at Bay Area, and he believes that will happen through church members calling on the Lord to reign as King.
“It would be great to hear a lot of people saying, ‘Reign Lord Jesus. Reign right now, we’re in a jam. We need You to reign, Your will to be done on earth,’” he said.
Having read the Bible through annually for six decades, he emphasized that Scripture reading is critical in the life of the believer as well.
“Don't miss a day without reading the Word. It doesn't matter if it's even five verses, just a short Psalm. Don't miss a day. A chapter a day will keep the devil away,” he said. Jim added that Scripture memorization is one of the greatest favors Christfollowers can do for themselves. He shared that he memorizes about a verse a week.
“But if you live long enough, you learn a lot of verses,” he added with a laugh.
Based on a lifetime of discipleship that will leave a great Kingdom legacy, Jim encourages his church family to love God and do what He says - building their lives around these principles.
Along with Greg and former Global Missions Pastor Casely Essamuah, Jim shares a vision of Bay Area touching every nation, all 17 regions of the world. He hopes the church will continue to invest in people who multiply disciples 30-, 60- and 100-fold (Mark 4:20).
A NOTE FROM GREG ON JIM HISKEY
A Gift Of Vision And Servanthood
One of the greatest gifts from God is a spiritual mentor. For more than 20 years, Jim Hiskey has been that gift to me. Mentors model the way of Jesus - they live a life worthy of imitation, offering deep wisdom, prayer and shared experience.
Jim’s greatest contributions to my life, beyond his constant prayer covering, have been inspiring radical vision and modeling humble servanthood. He has challenged me not just on what I did, but on who I was becoming, often saying, “Focus more on the person you are becoming than the things you are doing.”
His vision is boundless and infectious. When facing impossible goals, he declared, “Let’s believe God to be in 200 nations!” When confronting a crisis, he offered perspective: “This trial is good for you. It’s a steppingstone and not a stumbling block.” And he has always pointed me back to the
essential core of discipleship: “This is the work of God that you believe in the One He has sent.” He taught me that growth requires surrender: “Greg, you want to be a dead man. A dead man has no will of his own.”
I have shared my deepest struggles and celebrated my greatest joys with Jim, and he has helped me grow more emotionally and spiritually mature.
On January 27, 2024, I called my 87-year-old mentor and asked what he was doing. His reply perfectly encapsulated his life’s work: “I’m just thinking about how to change the world. I’m working on the Lord’s vision.”
That unwavering focus, even now, is why I love Jim Hiskey.
GREG S T. CYR
LEAD PASTOR
Why We're Actually Going To Church GEN
BYKENZI E RINIKER
CREATIVE COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
uring our Sunday gatherings, if you ever find yourself looking around you may have noticed that there is not a lot of Gen Z at Bay Area. There are Millenials, Gen X and Boomers throughout our Sunday crowd but only a handful of Gen Z. Although this sounds like a problem, that might not be the case. For those born from 1997 to 2012, cultural Christianity is statistically lower than our previous generations. Cultural Christianity, where church attendance is driven by habit, social pressure, family expectations or even just to have the exterior look of “godliness,” but missing the transformative piece of the gospel, is a very
real problem we face today in churches across America. But, Gen Z doesn’t attend church to check off a box. For Gen Z, there’s little social reward for going to church. While they may be fewer in numbers, they are attending for the right reasons.
You may be asking yourself, “who is this kid?” Hi, I’m Kenzie Riniker and I work on the Communications Team here at Bay Area. In my office, my Millennial coworkers have dubbed me as the “resident Gen Z.” Throughout the work week, you’ll catch me forcing my generation's lingo and phrases upon them, and frequently joking about how “old” I am.
As someone born during the year 2000, the thing that led me to placing my faith in Jesus was the amount of noise going on in the world and in my own life. I was desperate for peace in my life and Jesus offered it to me for the simplest price of relationship with Him. It’s been my easiest yes. This is true for many others as well. Gen Z unfortunately inherited a world of unprecedented anxiety, climate crisis, economic uncertainty and what researchers aptly call a "meaning crisis.” We are facing a world of chaos with no direction, where moral rules are cast aside in the name of freedom. AI, social media and the hyper-digital life have left many feeling detached. In a world full of way too much noise, many are asking where is the truth?
(Before I go any further, I do want to throw out a caveat that this isn’t the case for all of Gen Z and this can apply to those outside of this generation as well. I am writing this piece based on current statistics and giving insight based on my experience and those around me.)
Gen Z has been known to say “give it to me straight” and see through the superficiality of religious accessories. It’s no surprise this generation has turned to Christianity. Many news articles have described this as a revival. My understanding of revivals is usually about mass conversion. I personally don’t see this as revival but think of this as more of a reformation.
You may be familiar with the 1517 Protestant Reformation which was led by this guy named Martin Luther in Europe. Martin Luther’s disappointment in the lack of spirituality in the Roman Catholic Church ultimately led him to write the 95 Thesis.
I see similarities in my generation as they re-examine the faith of their parents and grandparents that may have been influenced by the American gospel. They are asking, “What's true? What's actually necessary to follow Jesus? How can I actually transform my life?” Gen Z is reforming their faith!
I like to think of my generation as the “prodigal son” generation, in the way that many of us ran away from institutional religion growing up and are now rediscovering God’s love that was waiting at the door the whole time. We left the churches we grew up in thinking we knew better, and when re-engaged with our faith we realized Jesus was so much more than we experienced. In other words, in our lostness we made assumptions about the Church and who God was based on what we experienced. When we returned we found a God who rejoiced in our return and with a community that welcomed us in.
The prodigal son barely stepped foot on his fathers land and the father was immediately there celebrating his return - and this is the heart of the Father that my generation is finding. Gen Z is discovering the character and
“In a world full of way too much noise, many are asking where is the truth?”
nature of God. It’s less of “How can I be good?” and more of “Who is God, really? And why does it matter to me?”
There are others here in my generation that feel the same way. It is so important that there’s a space for this generation and others to find community, grow together, and, most importantly, worship the Lord together. Here at Bay Area, in September, we started a quarterly worship night for the 20+30’s Ministry called Crossroads. What do we categorize as the crossroads stage of life? Good question! The ‘Crossroads stage of life’ is the time in life where you may be in the workforce, college, living on your own, living with parents or starting a family. It’s a mixed life-stage that can’t be categorized at a specific age and it currently includes the lower half of the Millennial and upper half of the Gen Z generations. Our vision for this ministry is to prepare and equip those in their 20's and 30's range to take the torch to the next generation. Every generation has this responsibility and I believe this is why we’re reforming our faith. Christianity has taken many forms but Jesus remains the same throughout all of it.
Throughout the midst of an everchanging, unpredictable and unstable world, our desire is to come together in worship of God, putting our worries aside, and remembering that we are part of the unchanging, steadfast, and unshakable Kingdom of God. Over the course of the two gatherings we’ve had, we’ve seen folks excited to be a part of this community! If you find yourself in a similar place, we would love for you to join us! Our next gathering is on January 16, 2026. I hope to see you there!
Living Out the Mission
Every year, we get to see glimpses of how God uses ordinary acts of generosity from our church family to bring hope and dignity to people across our county. Here’s a recent story from one of our AACPS teachers who had a front-row seat to how Bay Area is impacting local students and families.
ack-to-school season is always filled with so many emotions and tasks— excitement, joy, fear, worry, preparation, new beginnings, and building relationships. I’ve experienced this from the teacher, parent, and student perspective, and I’ve learned that each person feels the start of the year differently. I’ve always been thankful for opportunities like the Walk the Walk Foundation’s backpack drive, which blesses children and families with muchneeded supplies.
I’ve been a teacher for 18 years, and my main goal is for every child to feel loved and cared for in the classroom. Many of my students come from homes or backgrounds where their needs aren’t easily met. Some are homeless, some are refugees, some are in foster care, and
some come from very difficult situations. Years ago, I remember watching a volunteer from BACC roll a cart full of backpacks down the hallway to our guidance counselor. Those backpacks didn’t just provide supplies— they created a compassionate first interaction with families and gave teachers a meaningful way to welcome students.
I now teach Pre-K at a public elementary school in our county, and this year I had the joy of receiving one of the backpacks donated by BACC for a student in my class. When the guidance counselor brought it down, I recognized the colored tag and wondered if there might be a note inside. Sure enough, there was—a handwritten message and a drawing from another child in our church family. I know that at KidsCon this year, kids
wrote postcards to include in the backpacks. What a joy it was to be on the front lines, handing that gift to a student who needed it.
In my mind, it isn’t just a backpack filled with paper, pencils, glue, or markers. It’s a tangible expression of value—to a child and to their family. It’s a reminder that they are seen and cared for by someone they will never meet.
As the teacher, it brought me encouragement. For the family, it brought support they couldn’t provide on their own. And for the student, it brought a sense of belonging and peace as they started a new year with what they needed. These are the things I think about whenever our church comes together to bless families in need through something as simple—and as meaningful—as a backpack.
Sincerely,
a grateful AACPS teacher
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Adult Ministries
Our adult ministries include Men’s, Women’s, Community Groups, Life Groups, and Family and Care Ministries. The budget for these ministries is $501,000 committed to helping you grow as disciples who make disciples.
Global Missions
Globally we have partners sharing the good news of Jesus in 14 of the 17 regions throughout the world. Our budgeted commitment to support these ministries is $647,000. In addition, in last fiscal year we sent 10 short-term missions teams, 8 countries, with 106 participants and an investment of $332,000 selffunded support.
Fun Facts
Investing in You, Neighbors, Nations
Following are some statistics on the investments Bay Area makes in each of its program areas. All numbers are based on budgeting for fiscal year 2026 which covers the period September 2025 through August 2026 and includes salaries allocated to each ministry group.
Next Generation
One of the values at Bay Area is investing in Generations to Come.These ministries include children, students and young adults. Total budget for these ministries is $722,000
MINISTRY PROGRAM AREAS
Local Missions
Our Extravagant Generosity value relates to both local and global investments. Local missions include our local partners such as CRU, SPAN, Younglife and HOPE as well as the back-to-school backpack drive and our partnership with Times12. The budget allocation to local is $484,000.
Did you know that it costs about $16,000 for our Chapter A Day books every year?
When you think about how high your BGE bill is each month, consider our energy bill which averages about $12,500 per month! For reference, the average house BGE bill is $168.64 per month.
$12,500 $168.64 Did you know that our building has 22 bathrooms? That is a lot of toilet paper and paper towels, not to mention water!
Debt is less fun, but our debt obligation has gone from roughly $8,500,000 to $2,850,000 in just about 6 years. Debt payments for next fiscal year total $586,824.
GATHERING TIMES
ANNAPOLIS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 23
7 p.m.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
Let us know which gathering you're coming to starting in November at bayareacc.org/christmas or join us online at 2 and 4 p.m. & 4 2 6 8 p.m.
CARE NETWORK
HAPPENINGS
DivorceCare Support Group
Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m., Virtual Meetings
DivorceCare is a weekly seminar/support group that will help you heal from the hurt of separation and divorce. It’s a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. Learn practical information and gain hope for your future.
GriefShare Support Group
Thursdays, 6:45-9 p.m., Virtual Meetings
GriefShare provides support to anyone struggling with the deep pain of loss of a loved one. It is a 13 week support group led by people who have experienced their own pain from loss and want to help others through the difficult days ahead.
Caregivers Support Group
Every 4th Monday, 7-8 p.m., Virtual Meetings
If you are in a season of caregiving and need support from others experiencing a similar season, then join the group once a month for a time of discussion, devotions and prayer meant to encourage you as you do the challenging work of caring for a loved one.
Learn more about these groups and more at bayareacc.org/carenetwork.
Meal Train Ministry
Are you in a season where meal preparation feels overwhelming? Maybe you are welcoming a new baby, recovering from surgery or walking through an unexpected challenge? Or maybe you are interested in blessing others by providing meals during their time of need. Head to: bayareacc.org/carenetwork to request support or sign up to serve.
CARE NETWORK (CONTINUED)
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Care Coaching
If you are walking through a challenging season of life and would like someone to come alongside you, a care coach could be beneficial for you! Or, if you have walked through a significant trial and feel God’s calling to comfort another experiencing similar suffering, please email Kammi McGinty at Kammi. McGinty@bayareacc.org to discuss how you can get plugged in to serve.
Preschool Play Date
February 10, 2026
Join us at the Annapolis campus for a Valentine's Day Preschool Play-Date! Crafts and fun will be available for preschoolers and parents. Come meet other families and have some fun! Coffee, tea and light snacks will be provided. Parents and their crawlers and walkers are also welcome! Head to our website to let us know you're coming: bayareacc.org/annapolis-events
Parent Dedication
March 1, 2026
Join us at the Annapolis campus for Parent Dedication. This is an opportunity for parents to reflect on what will matter most in your child’s life, discuss values and decide what actions you can take that will have the greatest impact on your child’s future. Register on our website: bayareacc.org/annapolis-events
CONNECTING
First Step
January 18, March 15
If you're new around here, we'd simply love the chance to meet you! Join us between gatherings in the Chapel for a brief time of getting to know each other a little better and an opportunity to answer any questions you might have. Find more details and sign up on our website at bayareacc.org/nextsteps.
COMMUNITY + DISCIPLESHIP
Feeling led to host a Pilot Community Group?
Pilot Community Groups are a taste of Community Group life at Bay Area. They are the main vehicle to get you into longterm community and connection.
If you would like to know more about how to lead or get connected in community, head to bayareacc.org/community or email Christian Landry at christian.landry@bayareacc.org.
Pursuing the Heart Workshop
April 6, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Annapolis Campus
ALL CAMPUSES
In this workshop, you will learn how to draw out someone’s heart by asking questions in order to discover what the Holy Spirit is doing in their lives.
In the workshop, you'll get a biblical understanding of the heart, develop skills that will help you be a more holistic and Spirit-led disciple, and get in touch with your own heart and practice pursuing the hearts of others. Learn more and register: bayareacc.org/annapolis-events
Where are you feeling called to serve on mission this year? Can't join a team abroad but want to serve by praying and supporting financially? Read full team descriptions, complete our Short-Term Missions interest card and more at bayareacc.org/stm.
Indonesia (special needs): April 12 - 25
Kenya 1 (adult/family w/teens):
June 18 - 30
GLOBAL MISSIONS GLOBAL MISSIONS
El Salvador (VBS/sewing): June 27 - July 4
Kenya 2 (BASM students): July 18 - 31
Belize 2 (BASM students): July 19 - 25
GLOBAL (CONTINUED)
Poland (Family camp): July 22 - August 3
Peru: August 7 - 15
Spain: August 17 - 25
Appalachia (Gifts for Children): early December
Applications for all summer teams will close on March 1, 2026
Global Missions Prayer
2 and 4th Sunday, Prayer Room
Remembering His Works
February 1, 2026
Remembering His Works is a story telling event which will combine a church wide celebration of the addition of our new Global Partners from Indonesia, and the addition of Oceania, a new region, to the Bay Area map with stories from the mission field.
Short-Term Missions
Interest Fair
February 8
Curious about where in the world you can serve? After each gathering on the 8th, join us in the Bay Cafe for a ShortTerm Missions Interest Fair.
SOULS World
Missions Conference
February 21
This year’s Global Missions Conference invites you to explore what it means to live as people of both Good News and Good Deeds, at home and around the world. Come ready to be inspired, connected and reminded of the incredible story we get to be part of — the Good News of the Kingdom!
MARRIAGE MINISTRY
Premarital Ministry
If you are seriously dating or engaged, we have mentors who are trained to come alongside you to prepare you for your marriage. A mentor couple will meet with you for at least six private sessions to discuss key topics that will allow you to discover how well you agree and how you can better align before you marry. To learn more visit our website: bayareacc.org/premarital-mentoring-faqs
If you are planning your wedding and would like to learn more about marriages at Bay Area, head to: bayareacc.org/marriage
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
Friday, March 12, 2026
Mark your calendars, save the date and stay tuned for another fun date night planned for Friday, March 13, 2026. Rumor says the students will be hosting another murder mystery dinner theatre. Stay tuned and check back in January to see if the rumor is true!
Men's Breakfast
January 17 and February 28, 2026, 8-9:30 a.m.
Join the Men’s Ministry every 3rd Saturday of the month for a time of fellowship over breakfast in the Student Ministry Warehouse. Learn more and register: bayareacc.org/annapolis-events.
Men’s Retreat
January 30 - February 1
Come join the men of Bay Area for a Men's Retreat at White Sulphur Springs Retreat Center in Manns Choice, Pennsylvania. This year's topic is focusing on growing as whole-hearted disciples. Learn more and register: bayareacc.org/annapolis-events.
STUDENT MINISTRY WOMEN'S MINISTRY
Amplify Christmas Party
December 17, 6-8:30 p.m.
This will look like a normal Amplify with some Christmas magic sprinkled throughout. There will be an ugly sweater contest, some fun activities throughout the hang out time, games and then in your community groups you will celebrate the end of the year with a Christmas Party.
BASM Serves
December 18, 5-8:30 p.m.
BASM is partnering with Walk The Walk Foundation to help with their gift distribution. This is such a sweet time to serve families who might not otherwise be able to have Christmas gifts!
Amplify Resumes
January 7, 2026, 6-8:30 p.m.
You can join us Wednesdays every week until May. This spring we will be looking at the books of Psalms, Jonah and more. This is a great way to grow your faith and build community.
Worship Wednesday
February 4, 2026, 6-8:30 p.m.
A dedicated time during Amplify where students will engage in worship led by other students.
More events and information can be found on our website: bayareacc.org/annapolis-students
Women’s Quiet Retreat
January 10, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
We hope you will join us for our annual Women’s Quiet Retreat: Dressed for the King. Mindy Gallegos will help us discover how garments in the Scriptures can become a picture of God’s grace to us through a study she created after being inspired by a monthly devotional guide, “Garments of Grace, Clothing in the Bible” from Today in the Word. Head to our website to register online!
Women’s Bible Study
Through Bible study, we hope to provide a place of faith engagement where women grow in knowledge and love for the Lord, in love for one another and the church, and are equipped to teach and encourage other women with Biblical truth. Women's Bible study groups meet weekly on Monday evening, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
Women’s Book Club
January 15, 6:30-8 p.m.
We hope you can join us for our upcoming Book Club! We will gather and connect with other women for an enjoyable evening as we share our thoughts about the book Faithfully Different: Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture by Natasha Crain.
Moms In Prayer
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30-8:15 p.m.
Do you find yourself worried over your children’s future? Do you find yourself concerned about the choices they are making now? Do you ache to see the Lord’s hand in your children’s lives? Moms in Prayer is for you!
Women of Legacy
2nd and 4th Mondays, 10:30 a.m.-noon
ALL CAMPUSES
Are you a Bay Area Woman 55 or older? We have a wonderful fellowship group for you! The activity at each meeting varies but always includes connecting with your peers, enjoying one another’s company and encouraging each other spiritually. We would love to have you join us soon!
Word & Prayer
2nd & 4th Sundays, 8-9 a.m.
Gather with other women to go deeper into God’s Word together in Room 236. We’ll focus on the Scripture passage for the upcoming Sunday message—allowing space to listen, reflect, and respond before the gathering begins.
You can learn more about all these happenings and more online: bayareacc.org/women.
Crossroads Worship & Prayer
January 16, 7 p.m.
Hey 20 and 30’s! If you are someone who is looking for a community of believers in a similar stage of life as you, we would love to invite you to join us on January 16 for a Crossroads Worship and Prayer Night.
Singles Potluck dinner
December 13, 6 p.m.
Come join the Over 40 Singles on Saturday, December 13 for a Potluck Dinner and White Elephant Gift Exchange! Learn more and register: bayareaccorg/annapolis-events
Worship and Prayer Night
January 29
Join us for an evening of worship and prayer to fuel our faith as we exalt Christ through singing and seek the Father's heart through prayer. We will hear testimonies from individuals in our church family about God's faithfulness in a variety of beautiful and difficult seasons. More info to come: bayareacc.org/annapolis-events
chapter a day 365-day guide
and journal
Chapter A Day this year will be uniquely ordered to align with our priority of evangelism and helping you grow as a Good News Person.
To aid with that, we’ve oriented things a little differently. Every 30 days or so there will be a new chunk of chapters that fit thematically together around a facet of Good News. You’ll jump around the Old and New Testament, even seeing a few repeated chapters over the course of the year.
We pray that you will be enriched in your understanding of the Good News of Jesus, and empowered to show and share this Good News where you live, work, play and learn so that others might live.
Get your copy of Volume 8 on December 28, 2025 and January 4, 2026 at the East kiosk outside the Auditorium.