CREDITS
“Make.” The truth is that none of us has a long time to live. Our one and only life is a split second in eternity to invest in the greatest calling of all: to
By Greg St. Cyr
make disciples. with Jesus to make disciples.
I can’t think of a better title
This is why we give messages
to describe us. “Go.” Each of
Jesus came to “seek and save
on “missional life: next
us is sent by Jesus on mission. the lost.” His mission is to
LEAD PASTOR Greg St. Cyr
Christ’s last words: “Go” and
leveled.” And why we are
“Make.” All of us have a
bring about the renewal of all
calling: to make disciples of
things, and central in His plan get in community where you
Jesus.
is people. People all around
can grow as a disciple and
us are loved by God and lost
disciple-maker. Why we plant
I want to say with the deepest
without Jesus. And though
churches and go to the nations.
conviction possible that
God doesn’t need us, He wants And why we are transitioning
no matter how famous or
to use us to “Go” and “Make.”
to 3 gatherings and advancing
successful you might become
the kingdom through
in the eyes of this world,
The most fulfilling life you can Beyond884. It’s because Jesus
nothing you will ever do can
ever have is a life surrendered has called each and every one
compare to being on mission
to God that is obedient to
constantly urging everyone to
of us to “Go” and “Make.”
Cover photo by Josh Shirlen - Araku Valley, India. Tribal territory where BACC is actively involved in training pastors and planting churches.
LETTER FROM “Go & Make” THE LEAD
BACC Elders John Battan Dennis Brady Tom Dalpini Tim Dotson Peter Godfrey Tim Grossman Rich Heath Roger Ishii Brian Mallare David McPeak Bill Smith Greg St. Cyr John Taylor J Upton EDITOR IN CHIEF Josh Shirlen MANAGING EDITOR Arianne Teeple ART Josh Burgin Josh Shirlen
We appreciate your comments and questions. Please email us at feedback@bayareacc.org and a staff member or elder will respond within 48 hours.
MICAH’S MIX I love music. It moves us in powerful ways and that’s why I use music as a means for ministry. Since I’m the music guy, one of the most common things I get asked is, “What bands or songs are you listening to lately?” So here it goes -- my short list of what’s been on rotation in my iTunes. by: Micah Pringle (BACC Worship Leader)
Book: The Hole in Our Holiness Author: Kevin DeYoung Subtitle: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness. So here’s the thing: book titles are misleading. I rarely buy a book by its title, deferring always to “who” wrote it. Our book this month is by one of the smartest preachers in the USA. He writes for the blog-news site “Gospel Coalition” and pastors a church in Michigan. He looks in appearance to be about 19 but he’s a veteran author and speaker! The book addresses a question that most people don’t ask, “What does it mean to be Holy?” He also speaks to why we should care and how one can change if one finds oneself on “the unholy side.” His main theme asserts that Christians, in the main, don’t seem to care about their holiness. Or perhaps at the very least don’t understand holiness. He maintains that many people think the pursuit of holiness is legalistic. Furthest thing from the truth as he argues that being like Jesus, who was holy and pursued it deeply, is our main target. Jesus and Holy go together quite well…the question is “how” do we get there. The book is only 146 pages and has a study guide in the back. It’s a small book and perfect for our day and age. - BACC Executive Pastor Ed Kelley (EK4)
Hillsong - “Zion”
Hillsong’s latest album is a solid offering of modern (and by modern I mean 80’s synthdriven throwback) sounds, beautiful lyrics, and well-constructed melodies. This is a new sound for Hillsong and they did it well.
John Mark McMillan - “Economy”
I keep coming back to this album. John Mark’s lyrics are deep and beautiful, requiring you to listen on purpose to wrap your heart around the message. To give you an idea of his influence on Christian music, he’s the one who wrote “How He Loves Us” (NOT David Crowder, contrary to what some may think). It also doesn’t hurt that the guitars on this album are just incredible. Jesus gave guitarist James Duke the spiritual gift of shredding. (Don’t worry, theologians... that was a joke!)
Johnnyswim - “Heartbeats EP”
This husband/wife duo have been making music for a long time but are just finally making waves. If you’ve arrived early to a Bay Area service within the last several months the chances are good that you’ve heard their music playing. They have a unique folk rock meets blues sound. Between their incredible voices and hopeful lyrics, I promise you’ll find yourself tapping your toe and singing it in your head long after you’ve stopped listening. Don’t believe me? Go to YouTube and search for their performance of “Don’t Let It Get You Down” on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson or “Heartbeats” on Jay Leno. You’ll be hooked.
A CAUSE WORTH JOINING Cause. Something all of us long for. We were made to be part of something bigger than ourselves. The ultimate is God’s cause to advance His kingdom. Beyond884: Room for People is a multi-faceted cause that is about just that: kingdom advancement. Through it we hope to see more people have a place to worship Jesus throughout the greater Annapolis area, to see our children discipled, to defend the unborn, and to start a new church in our nation’s capital. As if that weren’t faith-stretching enough, the cause also includes training leaders and pastors in South Sudan and planting churches and caring for orphans in India. What’s the motivation behind this cause? God’s love for people. People matter to Jesus. He came to seek and save people from the dire consequences of their sin. And Jesus sends us to be a part of that mission. In Mark 2:1-12, four men joined the cause. They were desperate for their paralytic friend to meet Jesus. A crowd stood in their way. Undaunted, they removed the roof above Jesus and lowered the needy man down on his pallet. In doing so, they modeled the greatest act of love, that of bringing another person to Jesus. We believe God has called us, the people of Bay Area, to fully embrace God’s love for people. Love always takes the initiative. Always. For us, that means making room for adults and children to gather and be transformed by the God who loves them. It means getting behind the Annapolis Pregnancy Clinic to protect the unborn created in His image. It involves planting a new church in D.C., strategically positioned next to Howard University. It means building an orphanage and ministry headquarters in India and a high school and pastors’ training center in war-torn South Sudan. It involves a commitment to free up more resources to fund other kingdom work in the years to come. Love always sacrifices. Always. For us, that means making sacrifices financially in order to serve people whom God loves. To date, 519
SPOTLIGHT
ON MISSIONAL COMMUNITY Matt and Amy Holley’s
By: Brian Hopper & Michaela Graf-Jones
households have given or pledged more than $4.13M to the cause of Beyond884! To God be the glory! Our goal is to break ground in late December on a chapel and children’s ministry wing so that no one will be turned away from meeting Jesus. We are trusting God to raise at least $400k more in pledges by the end of the year. Once God provides more room for people here, we’ll begin to resource the other exciting aspects of the Beyond884 vision! Perhaps you are new to Bay Area or have been here for a while and are still contemplating this cause. Ask the Lord, “Is this a cause You want me to join?” We hope you’ll lock arms with the hundreds of people at BACC who believe God has called us to advance the kingdom by making room for people from here to the nations! For more information, stop by the Beyond884 kiosk in the lobby or go to www.beyond884.com. - By Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr
One of the defining characteristics of a Missional Community at Bay Area is living together as extended family. When a healthy Missional Community gathers, it often takes on the feel of a Thanksgiving dinner - and this is exactly how Matt and Amy Holley’s MC is best described. Matt, Amy, and their four children began to attend the MC that meets in Bowie about two years ago. But shortly after joining, their former group leaders were called away with the military. The sense of extended family had already had an impact on them because of the new relationships they formed. The bond they felt was so strong; they knew they needed to keep the group together at all costs. After much prayer, Matt and Amy hesitantly agreed to take over the leadership. Though both had previously led in ministry in their former church, leading a MC was new to them. Nonetheless, with some training and a good measure of faith, they stepped out and began leading the group, and they haven’t looked back since. This sense of extended family permeates everything the Holleys’ Missional Community does. Because they all share the same stage of life together, they naturally have a lot in common, a fact that helps them stay close relationally. As Matt puts it, they “do everything together.” Every couple of months the adults have a social event that is specifically for them, kids safely at home with a babysitter. Occasionally, the guys have separate get-togethers where they can just hang out. The women make sure to have “girl time” where they can grow closer together and share life experiences. Amy describes it as “a place where [the women] can be frank and honest with one another.” The women act as accountability partners with one another in areas ranging from motherhood to reading their Bible every day. Adding to that extended family feel are the children. Their MC has an even child-to–adult ratio (16:16), so naturally the group can get a little chaotic at times. There’s “…a very fun, family type of chaos… but, chaos nonetheless,” says Matt. Since the kids are a big part of the community’s DNA, they try to incorporate them as much as possible; activities and outings like bowling nights are planned with them in mind. At the weekly meetings on Fridays, there is a fun dinner where the kids are invited to join. Recently, they enjoyed a “no hassle” dinner where everyone brought their favorite breakfast cereal and wore pajamas to create a fun, friendly environment. Sometimes, the imagery of extended family can take on a closed group feel. But Matt and Amy’s MC has learned to remain open. Like a family member bringing a friend to Thanksgiving dinner, so the Holleys have remained open to those outside the group. In short, they are missional. Being missional may seem like a hard job in a group with so many kids, but the members of the group find little ways to make it work. Relaxed social events are a key factor. Members can invite their unreached friends to events such as bowling night where casual conversations can lead to deeper spiritual discussions. In November, Rachel Pletts will be performing in the Holleys’ home, providing another opportunity to invite neighbors and friends. In the end, “Friendship is primary,” Matt explains. This is part of their success. The all-inclusive relationships being built around Jesus in their group is the key to that community feel. “They’re our family,” Amy says.
LEADERSHIP PROFILE
E L D ER B ILL S MITH BY MEREDITH THOMPSON
Bill Smith met his roof crashers in the halls of Meade High School at the age of 17. The son of a Baptist father and Lutheran mother, the teen didn’t realize at first that his new group of friends from classes and the drama program were followers of Christ, but they wasted little time exposing their true identity.
Severna Park United Methodist Church. Through a yearlong, indepth analysis of the Word known as The Disciple Program, Smith became a ravenous student of the Scriptures and discovered what is today one of his primary ways of connecting with God in study.
“They invited me to this lock-in, and of course the gospel was preached, there was music and all that,” Bill recalled. “I didn’t understand theology, the Trinity, any of that stuff; I just knew God was God and Jesus was Jesus. But this particular night the idea that Jesus actually died for me became extremely real, palpable, tangible, and I started to walk with Him at that point.”
The couple began attending Bay Area Community Church in 2002, where Bill has served as middle school leader and participated in nearly a dozen mission trips to Poland, while Diane served as Children’s Ministry Director. Four years ago, Bill was nominated by the body of Bay Area to serve as an elder, and after a phone call from Greg St. Cyr, began to consider the opportunity seriously. “I started praying over it and felt extremely humbled. I still do. There’s not a day … that goes by that I don’t look in the mirror and think, ‘You are an elder at Bay Area Community Church.’ It’s the first thing I think of when I wake up,” he emphasized.
A novice in his faith, Bill went to a local bookstore, purchased his first Bible and started reading it. He walked to the chapel on Fort Meade every Sunday, and began attending a small group with his Christian peers on weekends. He continued pursuing the Lord throughout earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Texas, but his greatest stint of spiritual growth came several years later after he and wife Diane relocated to Millersville and began attending
As chairman of the elder board, Bill facilitates monthly elder meetings, approves the church budget and maintains communication with the
Executive and Lead Pastors. Additionally, he and his fellow elders of the Bay Area body meet with people for prayer, teach, discuss matters of doctrine and oversee the church’s position papers. Of the elders’ role, he highlighted, “We have to make sure that what is taught from the front, what is sung from the front, what people see in the building, the ministries that we have and the things that we give to – everything that Bay Area is doing has to correspond to our mission of making passionate, maturing followers of Christ from here to the nations.” When the self-taught software engineer isn’t focused on his job or serving the church, Bill spends his spare moments elbow-deep in grease fixing people’s cars or tuning up the project piece in his garage: an ’87 BMW 635CSi. An avid John Grisham reader, Bill dons the despised black and gold each fall to faithfully cheer on the Pittsburgh Steelers, though he claims the Ravens and Redskins are his second and third teams, if there are such things. With serving the church as one of his main priorities, Bill noted the elders adhere to the concept of mindshare
and constantly center their thoughts on building up the community of Bay Area. “I’m really excited about what God is doing at Bay Area Community Church – all the elders are,” Smith said with a smile. “I’m very excited about Beyond884, working with the pregnancy clinic, planting a church in D.C., our ministries in Sudan and India, all the things we want to engage in as far as Beyond884 goes. But the most exciting things are watching lives being changed in missional communities, people coming forward and being baptized, seeing children in the Deep Blue growing in their faith and influencing their parents, and watching the youth growing in their faith and participating in community.”
WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE AN ELDER WHO MODELS THE MISSIONAL LIFE LIKE BILL. - Greg St. Cyr
Despite his excitement over how God is using Bay Area to expand the Kingdom locally, regionally and globally, Bill maintained the importance of remaining humble and ascribing all glory and greatness to God. “It’s easy to look at what God is doing at Bay Area and say, ‘Wow! Look what we’re doing.’ It’s easy to put ‘we’ in place of ‘God,’” he illustrated. “Every day I pray that we would stay humble; that we would submit to [God’s] leadership, will and direction; and that we would do as Ephesians 5 says and make the most of every day because the time is short … This is the Lord’s work, and we’re just participating in it.”
BY: JOCELYN RIMBEY
Things are happening at Bay Area Community Church. Big things. You can feel it here on a Sunday morning as people gather together to worship and learn. You can feel it on a weekday evening at a local home as a group of believers gathers together for missional community. You can feel it in the faith stories, the baptisms, and the missional moments that are shared. Bay Area Community Church is growing. We’re blossoming in a city that needs Jesus. We’re entering a blessed wilderness of a land we’ve never been before and trusting God for the results. As we take this step of faith, Bay Area desired to have a clear picture of our identity as passionate, maturing followers of Christ, especially as we flourish in this community. The result of this desire is new branding for Bay Area Community Church. This is no re-invention. Our core identity as followers of Jesus has not be altered or shifted. Rather, our new look is a continuation in a long story of God’s grace on one of His local churches: us.
I sat down with Josh Shirlen, who oversees art and communication, to talk about Bay Area’s new look. [Jocelyn Rimbey]: Josh, can you tell us a little bit about Bay Area’s new branding design? What is the idea behind it? [Josh Shirlen]: When I think about the new logo, I think about it being unashamedly Christian, clean and simple. It is transparent, which in a way represents our lives: transparent to others and not just ourselves. We’re open to others. It is also really bold, which represents us in our faith. It also resembles something like the Red Cross, some type of life saving logo which I think really represents our new trajectory as people on a searchand-rescue mission for Jesus to bring
people the Good News. Our logo is a “living logo” because we really value creativity at Bay Area. We have a strong media department and we don’t want our logo to dominate all of the creative we are coming up with. So now we have this living logo that can take on different colors and layouts which can complement what we are doing with our creative elements. [JR]: Why is Bay Area so passionate about visual arts, media, and creativity? [JS]: It is increasingly more apparent that visual arts and media are shaping culture. People are receiving information, digesting it in new ways. They are increasingly more connected to visual art as well as music. We are more than just artists. Our
creative team is made up of believers who feel a call in our lives to reflect God’s creative nature. So when we make things, we are making them as our form of worship and when other people are able to enter into worship with God through the things that we make, you see a really perfect picture of the creative ministry of Bay Area. Our big thing that we ask is, “How are we reflecting who God is through the things we are making?” [JR]: Why did the church decide to take the next step in branding? [JS]: The truth is that it has been several years since we have really been clear in what our brand is. I think that is because of the transition that we have been in. I think we are still in that, but we are gaining more clarity about who we are. Even though our mission has not changed, our demographic, our make-up has changed. We’ve grown rapidly. Whenever you see that kind of momentum shift, it brings clarity to who you are and where you are going. It forces that. It also invites new visual media to help define it. So, in this season at Bay Area, we really are seeing a lot of clarity on who we are and we are seeing a lot of excitement come in our growth. It seemed like an appropriate time to use branding to help give clarity to who we are.
There is a quote that I like about Steve Jobs from Walter Isaacson. “Was he smart? No, not exceptionally. Instead, he was a genius. His imaginative leaps were instinctive, unexpected, and at times magical. Like a pathfinder, he could absorb information, sniff the winds, and sense what lay ahead.” I’ve really tried to put that kind of thought into our branding. It’s not what is every other church in the area doing, but what is the Holy Spirit at work doing? What is coming next? Trying to tap into that. [JR]: How is the updated branding going to help us achieve our mission of “making passionate maturing followers of Christ from here to the nations”? [JS]: Basically, we are using every resource we have to do that. Where art and creativity are able to draw people in and introduce them to Jesus, and then help them see their calling as a missionary, then we are going to use [our branding] in that way. [JR]: Where will people see all of the new branding?
[JS]: We are really excited about Go & Make because it is going to take what we already had in connections and allow us to add more info for people to get a feeling for what is going on. In addition, this publication is going to be able to really tell great stories about who we are as a people and how our mission is being accomplished. Go & Make is the charge that Jesus gave us in the Great Commission: to Go & Make disciples. That is what we are all about. The magazine will be telling stories of how God is using us to accomplish that. So the magazine should encourage the body, give a resource of how they can get connected better and be involved in the family here. It’s also a missional tool. It is something you can take home, put on your coffee table, and when you have people come over, it is going to be something they are going to want to pick up and look at. We are committed to great journalism and great artwork. [JR]: What are you personally most excited to see roll out? [JS]: I’m personally most excited about two things. One is just brand clarity because I think it’s going to help us have a common identity as a church and that is going to increase communication and increase our focus and clarity of what we are about. So those things are going to be huge for us across all ministries and all different kinds of people. I am hoping that brand clarity is going to unify us in our identity.
[JR]: When did the conversation about new branding start? [JS]: The conversation about new branding started about [laughs] two years ago. The path forward just hasn’t been clear until recently. There was something about seeker- sensitive logos you see so many churches have. You aren’t sure if you are going into some kind of investor’s office or if you are going into a church. I feel a pretty strong conviction that the time for that has passed and people want to be a part of a church that is unapologetically Christian. Even people who are not sure about Jesus are interested in a church that is just upfront regarding what they are about. There was a time for the old and I think that time is passing.
[JR]: Part of the branding update includes this magazine. What can people expect from Go & Make? What stories are they going to hear?
[JS]: It is interesting how many places this kind of visual stuff is taking place that you wouldn’t notice. It is an overhaul on a lot of things from the decals on the doors to the little logos on connections. We’re introducing new things like outerwear for different ministry personnel and updated graphics for the Bay Cafe.
The second thing is Go & Make. Telling the story and testimony about how we are taking ground for Jesus is going to be a huge encouragement to people and just something to celebrate. I also think Go & Make will be awesome because it is another avenue for people to get involved. We have this ministry called Storytellers. I’m excited to see people using their gifts of creativity - writing, photography, videography, the art forms that go into a publication like that seeing more people get involved in that.
HOPE IN THE
CITY
Every Sunday afternoon from 3:30-5pm (right
when the 1pm NFL game is ending and the 4pm game begins) we spend time in one of the most marginalized neighborhoods in our city called Newtowne 20. Many children are living below the poverty line, many fathers are not present or have left, grandmothers dot the skyline, rising and praying for the neighborhood. We organize a kickball game and the children spread the word. Before we know it, 20+ children from the neighborhood are playing or watching the game. One week we brought Doritos for a snack, the next week we brought fresh fruit and we didn’t mind that it cut into the Good Humor Man’s profits. We share the simple and profound hope and life that Jesus offers humanity through the gospel. We sit in small circles with the children, making disciples by reading the Scriptures, listening to the ups and downs of their week, praying with them, and inviting them to be obedient to Jesus
BACC Church Plant “Downtown Hope”
along with us this week. We are training the teenagers to be leaders to the children, we are training ourselves to see the world through a new lens of “we” and not “us and them.” We all leave loved and nourished by God’s grace among us. Last week an eight-year-old named Sean professed faith in Christ. This missional community team, made up of 5 people from our church and 5 people from the neighborhood, is now coming together. We are praying for the Lord to raise up a young man from within the neighborhood whom we can train, resource, and who can eventually lead a new church expression in that very neighborhood. The goal is not to get Sean into the church, the goal is to get the gospel of Jesus into Sean. And now that the one who raised Christ from the dead indwells his 8-year-old body, we might be surprised what kind of church grows out of him. At some point on our journey each of us, as followers of
Christ, have to wrestle with the challenging words that Jesus Himself speaks to us in Matthew 28 - to go into the world making disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to become obedient to Him. Tragically, when most of us look at the landscape of our lives as Christ followers, we do more staying in comfort zones than going to the world and very few of us have ever made a disciple. Think about the hours and hours you have spent in endless Bible studies, church meetings and programs. Have you ever made one disciple? Some of us have been sitting in pews for more than twenty years and have never made one disciple. And yet, this is Jesus’ last word to us. Downtown Hope is a church organizing as a movement, existing to see the gospel of Jesus spread throughout our city, region and world by making disciples. We do this by first, repenting and believing the gospel for our hearts daily, abiding in Jesus, remembering that we have been purchased at a great cost and following the very One who laid His life down. In Jesus we are found to be forgiven, free, raised from the dead, rescued. It is out of this reality that we then join God as we are sent to our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors who are spiritually dead, living without hope and without God in the world and desperately looking for life. By His grace we are laying a foundation for a gospel movement in our area along with many other believers and churches, joining Jesus Himself in His global restoration project. As He says in Revelation, “I am making all things new” and echoed in Colossians that He is, “reconciling all things to Himself”. It will be five years this January since we were sent out and we continue to thank God for BACC, our sending church, as we continue to partner together for the gospel! Feel free to let us know if you or your missional community is ever interested in joining one of our missional communities as we make disciples throughout our city and region!
By Joey Tomassoni Lead Pastor of Downtown Hope info@downtownhope.org
BAPTISM Wo u l d y o u l i ke t o b e b a p t i z e d ? • K-5th contact: gail.wiles@bayareacc.org • 6-12th contact: brent.squires@bayareacc.org • Adults contact: arianne.teeple@bayareacc.org
HAPPENINGS
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES 8 AM “Awakening Prayer” Every Sunday, all ages welcome 9 AM “Boiler Room” 1st & 3rd Sundays, adults welcome 9 AM “Do Drop In” 2nd Sunday, all ages welcome 9 AM “Missions” 4th Sunday, all ages welcome 10 AM “For Israel” 2nd & 4th Sundays, All Ages welcome 10:20 AM “With Worship Pastor” 1st Sundays, all ages welcome 11 AM “Repentence” 2nd & 4th Sundays, adults welcome 7-8 PM “Prayer For The Brokenhearted” 1st Thursday of the month, all are welcome 7-8 PM “Revival Prep Team” 2nd Thursday of the month, all are welcome 7-8 PM “20 something team” 2nd Friday of the month, all ladies age 20-29 welcome “Prayer For Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr” Participate in praying for Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr by receiving prayer requests monthly via email. Monthly group prayer time will vary. Info: John Taylor at 443-324-5560 or Penny Flora at 410-7660445. Prayer Chain To submit/receive prayer requests email lyndabill@verizon.net Want to talk about prayer? Info: John Taylor at seabury2317@verizon.net or 443-324-5560 or Penny Flora at sweetpflora@aol.com or 410-766-0445.
CONNE C T If you’re new, re-newed or just have a question, we’d love to see you and help you take your next faith step! Please join us in the foyer after each gathering or email us your questions at feedback@bayareacc.org.
FINANCIALS Operating Budget Financial Update September 30, 2013 New Fiscal Year began September 1, 2013 Fiscal Year Giving Goal YTD Giving Goal YTD Received YTD Actual vs. Goal MTD Giving Goal (SEP) MTD Received (SEP)
$ 3,503,500 $ 267,660 $ 327,918 $ 60,258 22.5% Ahead $ 267,660 $ 327,918
Building Debt Status as of September 30, 2013 Balance Due Fiscal YTD Donations
$ 2,109,556 $ 9,600
For more detailed financial updates please visit us online at www.bayareacc.org If you would like your Building Fund donations to go toward Existing Debt, please write in your check memo “One & Only Life”. All other Building Fund donations will go toward “Beyond884”.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Operation Christmas Child: If your family is packing an Operation Christmas Child Box, please drop your box off by Sun., Nov. 17th at the Children’s Welcome Counter. We will be delivering the boxes on Nov. 18th. Thank you in advance for blessing another child around the world. For more info contact: chyloe.cheetham@bayareacc.org Take it Home Event: As part of our desire to partner with families, we want to provide an afternoon of family fun. Join us Sun., Nov. 10th at 12:30 p.m. in the Deep End as we create a family project together while encouraging faith conversations. We will call these projects “Take it Home” and will do this first one as a church family. Then, once a quarter, you will be able to pick up a “Take it Home” project for your family to do together at your home. Parent Dedication Registration: Desiring to dedicate your child? Register online at www. bayareacc.org. Orientation classes are Nov. 10th at 11 a.m. in room 236 or Nov. 18th at 6:30 p.m. in room 218. For more information about dedicating your child contact: gail.wiles@ bayareacc.org
KidCare Team Do you have a heart for children? Join Bay Area’s KidCare Team. Opportunities available for adults and teens 6th grade and up. If you would like more information about becoming a part of our paid team. Contact: courtney. gregory@bayareacc.org November’s Volunteer of the Month Each month you will see people from The Deep Blue that serve within children’s ministry are making a difference in the life of the kids and families here at BACC. We want the BACC family to know these people a little better and this is a way for us to say thank you for their service. Help me in thanking Kim Abramo for her many years of service in children’s ministry. I recruited Kim back in the fall of 2005 to start a children’s welcome counter. This was to help new families feel comfortable and welcome as they check their children into our program. She was also tasked to create picture ID’s for all of our volunteers. Since then, she has taken on numerous tasks and responsibilities to help families have a better visitor experience. When Kim is not at the church, she is a wife to Michael and mother of two children, Alex and Logan. Her family is a karate family and she is an adrenaline junkie. She loves to scuba dive, zip line and ride roller coasters. She wants to skydive soon.
CARE NETWORK
DIVE 45 Calling all 4th & 5th graders. Join us Nov. 15th from 7-9 p.m. for a movie night, bring a friend and wear your favorite PJ’s as we play games, watch a movie and much more. Snacks will be provided. For more info contact: tammy.taschenberger@ bayareacc.org Child Baptism Class Is your child interested in being baptized? Do they have questions about what it is? We have resources for you on our website at www.bayareacc.org under our children’s ministry parent resources. We will also have a class for any child interested in being baptized on Nov. 3rd at 10:30 a.m. in room 236. A parent is required to attend with their child. RSVP is not required but appreciated so we have enough supplies for everyone. For more information contact: gail. wiles@bayareacc.org
What is Celebrate Recovery? Celebrate Recovery is a biblical and balanced program that helps us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits. CR meets every Monday night at BACC from 7-9 p.m. Come at 6:30 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Monday for dinner before CR starts! Celebration Station is a complimentary children’s resource to Celebrate Recovery and available for the children ages 5-12 of attenders, with the nursery also available. While adults explore topics that bring healing and wholeness, kids discover the same truths in age-appropriate ways. Come to the kiosk in the lobby on Sun., Nov. 3rd to learn more. Contact: Mark at markcelebrates@gmail.com or Kym at kymcelebrates@gmail. com
Holiday Grieving Resources For some people, the holiday season feels anything but merry. Maybe you’ve lost a loved one, you may be recently divorced, or perhaps you live alone and the holidays only magnify your isolation and lack of family or close friends. There are two resources at the lobby information counter that will be available to help you cope during this holiday season. If you would like to speak with someone about the heaviness this time of year brings for you, contact The Care Network at leanne.lane@bayareacc.org or call our confidential line at 443-837-3718.
intentional gathering with your neighbors, friends, and/or co-workers who have yet to meet Jesus. Then register your gathering with the Women’s Ministry by Nov. 24th. We will have a team to pray for your outreach and would like an update afterwards to share with our Women’s Ministry. For more information or to register your gathering, contact janet. graves@bayareacc.org. Also, visit us at www.bayareacc.org for ideas on how to get your gathering started.
Hospital Visitations If you or a loved one is in the hospital or homebound, we’d love to be of help. Contact the church at 410.544.2222 or email leanne.lane@bayareacc.org.
MEN ONLY Men’s Morning Bible Study Tuesdays from 6-7:30 a.m. in room 236. Contact: Dennis at dbradylaw@aol.com Men’s Bible Study Fellowship Tuesdays from 6:45-8:45 p.m. Men are encouraged to bring their school aged children to participate. Contact: Chris at heacock308@yahoo.com
WOMEN’S MINISTRY Women’s Power of the Purse Event Join us for Power of the Purse, a Women’s Ministry event to support those affected by human trafficking, on Fri., Nov. 8th from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. in The Warehouse. Come hear a speaker and purchase gently used purses with all proceeds going to support women in residence at Samaritan Women, in Catonsville, MD. To find out how you can make a difference locally to stop human trafficking check out www. thesamaritanwomen.org. To RSVP for this event or for more information contact janet.graves@bayareacc.org. Women of Legacy (age 50+) Join us Nov. 11th from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in The Warehouse at BACC. We will prepare baskets for our Christmas outreach ministry to single moms. On Nov. 25th from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in The Warehouse we will meet to discuss the topic “Reasons for Giving Thanks” as a way to usher in Thanksgiving week. Along with their leader, Cedulie Sanchez, this group welcomes women to join in coffee and conversation, serve single Moms and pray for those in need. They often arrange potluck lunches together and discuss the book, “Teach Us to Number Our Days” by David Roper. For more information, contact Cedulie at luisandcedulie@gmail.com. Quilts for Kids We meet on the third Saturday of the month. Please join us on Sat., Nov. 16, from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for our next quilting workshop. Be sure to bring your sewing machine, sewing supplies & your lunch. Quilt kits and fabric to get you started are provided. For more information, contact Janet Hogan at annapolisqfk@gmail.com. Christmas Gatherings Start planning now to participate in our “Women’s Christmas Gatherings.” Here’s how. Choose a date between Dec. 1-7. Partner with another BACC friend or spouse, and plan an
Student Ministries: For more information contact: brent.squires@bayareacc.org • SUNDAY Fusion Middle School Gathering @ 9:30 a.m. in The Warehouse • SUNDAY Fuel High School Gathering @ 11 a.m. in The Warehouse • WEDNESDAY Amplify High School Gathering from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in The Warehouse Communications: Feel free to connect with us in a variety of ways: • Simply Text: Text Joinfusion1 (for Middle School) to 40650 or Joinfuel1 (for High School) to sign up for our text message updates. Texts are generally sent out once a week with reminders for that week’s events. Texts are also sent out in case of event cancelations. • Parent Link: Go to our page on www.bayareacc.org and click on the link to see our monthly calendar and get access to parenting articles and tips sent out monthly through our newsletter. • Weekly Email Newsletter: Contact one of the Student Ministry staff and request your email address be added to receive our weekly emails sent out containing event details, sermon points, and any other pertinent information for that week. • Online: Get Student Ministry information through our website at www.bayareacc.org/ministries/student-ministry • Facebook: A great way to get updated information on any upcoming gatherings as well as any cancellations that might occur. “Like” us on Facebook at BACC Student Ministry. • Contact us: Get in contact with one of our staff anytime by email or phone. • Brent Squires (Student Ministry Pastor) brent.squires@bayareacc.org 443-837-3736 (office) 443-534-7680 (cell) • Austin MacCubbin (Middle School Coordinator) austin.maccubbin@bayareacc.org 443-837-3737 (office) 240-682-3247 (cell or text) • Michaela Graf-Jones (Intern Program Coordinator) michaela.grafjones@bayareacc.org 443-837-3726 (office) 267-614-9445 (cell or text) • Ashleigh Bicevskis (Intern Gathering Coordinator): ashleigh.bicevskis@bayareacc.org
High School ‘Black & White’ Thanksgiving Dinner Students, join us on Wed., Nov. 20th from 6:30-8:30pm in The Warehouse for our annual pre-Thanksgiving Day dinner. Free dinner, games, dance party, prizes, etc. Attire: wear anything that is black and white – formal, informal, or casual. For more information, contact brent. squires@bayareacc.org.
nothing to eat until they return to school on Monday morning. The Middle School students at Bay Area have partnered with a missional community to provide food for these less fortunate students that live only a few miles down the road. We are collecting none-refrigerated food items, bottled water, drinks, and snacks that can be prepared without more than a microwave as some of the students are homeless. Middle School Club 678 A monthly Friday night hang out for middle school students to have fun, hang out and invite their friends. Join us on November 1st from 7-9 p.m. in The Warehouse at BACC and wear your teams jersey for our football bash theme. For more information contact austin.maccubbin@bayareacc.org VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
New High School Series “Is there a God? What does the Bible say about creation and evolution? Why is there so much brokenness in the world?” Using Genesis 1, 2, and 3, this series addresses all these questions in a way that will challenge Christians, while including people who are not Christians in the conversation. Join us Sundays at 11 a.m. in The Warehouse for this exciting, relevant teaching series. Sunday, November 10: This talk uses both the Bible and recent scientific discoveries to explain why the existence of God isn’t just possible; it’s the most logical explanation. Sunday, November 17: What does the Bible teach about creation and evolution? This talk looks closely at Gen. 1 & 2, and reaches some surprising conclusions. Sunday, November 24: No Fuel gathering due to middle school Alive Conference. Sunday, December 1: This talk shows how sin entered the world, how we’re the ones to blame, but how Jesus has provided an answer. Amplify: Wednesday Night High School Gathering A mid-week high school gathering on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in The Warehouse where students grow deeper in their walk with God through group-based discipleship. Join us for food, games and grade/gender-specific community groups lead by trained, caring adult leaders. Students will experience true community and discipleship in the context of their peers, all in a fun environment. For more information contact brent. squires@bayareacc.org Alive Middle School Conference Alive is a weekend Conference for Middle School Students to worship with over 3,000 of their peers, hear from some amazing speakers, and take advantage of several seminars that will bolster their faith. Where: Ocean City, MD | When: Nov. 22-24 | How Much: $120 Registration information is available online at www.bayareacc.org and at the student ministry kiosk. For more information contact austin.maccubbin@bayareacc.org.
Name: Vickie Chambers Volunteer Role 9th/10th grade girls Length of Volunteer Service: 3 years Favorite Color: Green Favorite TV Show: Parenthood Favorite Food: Grilled Cheese Name: Jim O’Brian Volunteer Role: 7th Grade Guys Length of Volunteer Service: 3 years Works at: the Y of Central Maryland Favorite Game: UNO Favorite Show: America’s Got Talent
Our Community Group leaders are the heartbeat of our student ministry. They are on the frontlines of building relationships and providing discipleship to our students. Effective ministry would be impossible without them. We are glad to have these leaders serving within the student ministry. For information about serving within student ministry, contact Brent Squires at brent.squires@bayareacc.org.
CONNECTING MINISTRY DISCOVER Whether you need to learn more about faith or about Bay Area, exploration might be on the top of your mind. Join us in the Bay Cafe after the 11 a.m. gathering on the first Sunday of every month for Discover Bay Area. Together we’ll explore our history, our vision, our mission, and how you can get plugged in to the family life here. A light lunch is included. For more information, email jocelyn.rimbey@bayareacc.org.
NAVIGATE You’re a Christian and you’ve got the basics down. Now what? Join us on Sat., Nov. 16 for Navigate Discipleship as we learn best practices for prayer life, receiving and responding God’s word, and thriving in community. You’ll participate with and learn from our pastors and ministry directors at Bay Area. This will be a “hands on” day, so come eager to learn and Backpack Buddies There are several students at Fort Meade Middle School on do. Lunch is included! For more information, email jocelyn. the assisted meal program that go home every Friday with rimbey@bayareacc.org.
GLOBAL MISSIONS Short term missions in 2014: Last year over 65 people participated in short term missions with Bay Area. If you missed out on the experience, now is your chance to get involved- or if you went and want to go again, even better. We are excited to continue our partnerships with our friends around the globe in the 2014 short term missions season. Below you will find a list of the countries, dates, descriptions, and how to take the steps towards going. INDIA Date: January 5-15, 2014 (tentative) Cost: $3,000 Plan to have 2 teams: Team 1: Be a part of the church planting movement by encouraging pastors and worshiping with newly planted churches in the tribal regions of India. We will also spend time and play games with Indian children in one or more children’s homes/orphanages. Team 2: Spending time with Indian youth, playing volleyball, hanging out, and showing them the love of Christ. UGANDA Date: January 5-15, 2014 (tentative) Cost: $3,500 Come to Uganda to minister to members of the Precious Souls Support Group made up of Ugandans who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. We will also be supporting a local church plant, providing project management and maintenance to the mission home where we stay and continuing to build on the relationships that started back in 2005. Over the last 5 years we have seen many miraculous recoveries once the sick were embraced by the support group and encouraged/enabled to seek medical care. Adults and college age welcome! EL SALVADOR Date: June/July TBD Join this mission team to the mountainside village of Guayabo to present a VBS program to dozens of local children OR outreach at the local college through teaching classes and running a conference. POLAND Date: July 17-27 (subject to change) Come to Poland and be an active part of the revival of Christianity in Eastern Europe by teaching the love of Jesus and the English language. The team will teach teens and preteens English as a second language. Training is included in preparing to go. GHANA Date: July 28-Aug 3 (subject to change) On this mission to Ghana we’ll share Jesus with the youth of the Scripture Union Ghana through Bible studies, service projects, sports and worship. The team will travel from Accra to several cities around the country, experiencing the variety in the culture in this great nation. If you are at all interested in joining one of these missions trips, please email trevin.hoekzema@gmail.com. He will provide you with additional information and next steps on how to apply.
Lunch with a Global Missionary Participate in two seperate interactive luncheons from 12:302 p.m. in the Bay Cafe with two Bay Area missionaries. First Pastor Victor, a missionary to El Salvador, on Nov. 3 and second Scott H, a missionary in Southeast Asia, on Nov. 10. They will share about their experiences with their families, give us tangible ways to support them prayerfully, and answer any questions. Please RSVP by emailing trevin.hoekzema@ bayareacc.org.
LOCAL OUTREACH Build your own nativity Sign up TODAY at our kiosk for a November building workshop where you can learn and build your own nativity and help people remember Jesus at Christmas. Info: Phil Monetti 410-969-2468 or Phil@TheIntegrityTeamInc.com. Local outreach Task Force The lost, poor, broken, lonely, and needy live right out our front doors. Do you have a heart for reaching out to them? Be an active part of loving on our community by joining the local outreach task force. Email Trevin for more information at trevin.hoekzema@bayareacc.org. Walk Of Christmas Gift Drive Imagine if you were not able to provide Christmas for your children this year. It would be heart-breaking for the whole family. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many households in Anne Arundel County. Help show Jesus’ love by joining Walk the Walk Foundation in sponsoring local children this Christmas season for their Walk Of Christmas Drive. Your involvement would provide gifts, bikes & more for the children in our community. They also have lots of volunteer opportunities for all ages. Visit the Walk The Walk Foundation at their kiosk November 17, 24, or Dec. 1 in the lobby for more information and to get involved. Can’t wait that long? Email Chelsea at chelsea@wtwf.org.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE Bay Café: Interested in serving in the Bay Café? Contact grace.roath@bayareacc.org Greeters: Interested in greeting attenders and newcomers on Sundays? Contact jocelyn.rimbey@bayareacc.org Celebrate Recovery: Serve in audio and/or visual aspects of our Monday Gatherings from 6-8:30pm. Contact leanne. lane@bayareacc.org Chair Ministry: Serve on the chair set-up/tear-down team. Contact ed.kelley@bayareacc.org or call 443-837-3710 Parking Ministry: Serve by directing traffic and greeting those arriving at church. Contact Steve at castlelot@msn.com