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IN THIS ISSUE
14 COVER STORY: SERVE LIKE JESUS Two years into their time at Bay Area, Randy and Kelly Stiles share about their passion for serving across various ministries.
12 LEADERSHIP PROFILE: AUSTIN CAMPBELL A South Carolina native, Bay Area’s new technical director tells his story of coming to faith and pursuing his love of music and calling into ministry.
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8 BRIAN’S EDITORIAL: SATURDAY NIGHT Annapolis Campus Pastor Brian Hopper unveils exciting news about Bay Area’s plan to launch a Saturday night gathering on September 15.
4 LETTER FROM THE LEAD After spending a Sunday serving in The Deep Blue, Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr shares about the joy of helping disciple our kids in Children’s Ministry.
We appreciate your comments and questions. Please email us at feedback@bayareacc.org and a staff member or elder will respond within 48 hours.
Gathering Times: 7:50, 9:20, 11:20 a.m.
MAGAZINE CREDITS EDITOR Meredith Thompson ART DIRECTOR Josh Shirlen ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Arianne Teeple LEAD DESIGNER Josh Burgin GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jake Williams CONTRIBUTORS Bailey Godfrey Brian Hopper Ed Kelley LeNiza Arellano Michele Rollins
On the cover: Randy & Kelly Stiles Photo by Arianne Teeple
ELDERS Barry Willhite Bill Plenge Bill Smith Chris Heacock David McPeak Don Wiley Greg St. Cyr J. Upton John Taylor Keith Riniker Ken Gilmore Peter Godfrey Rich Heath Roger Ishii Tim Grossman Tom Hogan Warwick Fairfax
884 Chesterfield Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401
410.544.2222
BAY AREA LEADERSHIP Brent Squires, Student Ministry Pastor – brent.squires@bayareacc.org Brian Hopper, Annapolis Campus Pastor – brian.hopper@bayareacc.org Craig Fadel, Easton Campus Pastor – craig.fadel@bayareacc.org Ed Kelley, Executive Pastor – ed.kelley@bayareacc.org Gail Wiles, Children’s Ministry & Weekend Experience Director – gail.wiles@bayareacc.org Greg St. Cyr, Lead Pastor – greg.stcyr@bayareacc.org Janet Graves, Women’s Ministry Director – janet.graves@bayareacc.org Jerry Shirlen, Financial Administrator – jerry.shirlen@bayareacc.org Jocelyn Sacks, Missional Community Director – jocelyn.sacks@bayareacc.org Jonathan Madrid, Worship Leader – jonathan.madrid@bayareacc.org Josh Shirlen, arts – josh.shirlen@bayareacc.org Leanne Lane, Care Network Director – leanne.lane@bayareacc.org Meredith Thompson, Communications Director – meredith.thompson@bayareacc.org Pat Linnell, Teaching Pastor – pat.linnell@bayareacc.org Ron Dutton, Operations Director – ron.dutton@bayareacc.org
For a comprehensive list of all BACC staff, elders and deacons, please visit bayareacc.org/leadership A U G U S T GO&MAKE 3
LETTER FROM THE LEAD
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A few Sundays ago I had the joy of serving birth to 1-year-olds in The Deep Blue, our Children’s Ministry, for all three gatherings. What a joy! What love poured out to our kids! What remarkable volunteers! And what exhaustion (at least for me)! My time in The Deep Blue gave me such renewed appreciation for those who serve so joyfully and faithfully. I can’t say thank you enough to the hundreds of people who pour themselves out in showing love for our children at Bay Area. Deeply impacted by my time, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you about the importance of Children’s Ministry. Did you know, that according to research from the Barna Institute, 76 percent of those who claim to believe in Jesus came to faith between the ages of 5-13? George Barna concludes, “Investing in children will have five to eight times the impact of investing in adults. The greatest evangelical window currently available is among young children.” This is why we are so committed to having the absolute best Children’s Ministry possible to help parents disciple their kids. Children are among our highest priorities! And what is it that we teach the children? The 1- to 5-year-olds learn over and over again three simple truths:
• God made me. • God loves me. • Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Wow! What an impact these three biblical truths are having in our little ones as they learn from the loving hands of those serving.
For kindergarten through fifth-grade, the journey toward Christlike character continues as they learn:
•I need to make a wise choice. •I can trust God no matter what. • I should treat others the way I want to be treated. In a world filled with challenging choices that can have devastating consequences, children are taught to apply godly wisdom. When trials come, kids are learning to trust God. When self wants to be king, they are being taught to treat others the way Jesus would. One particular Scripture that God has used in my life to elevate my heart and commitment to the children of Bay Area is Judges 2:10, which says: And all that generation were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel. When the generation of people under 20 years old who had wandered in the desert passed away, there arose another generation that did not know the Lord. Let me apply and comment on Judges 2:10 on behalf of the leadership of Bay Area: “By God’s grace, not on our watch!” This is why we are investing in the building expansion for our children. This is why we are committed to raising up so many people to serve our children. This is why we are committed to relational ministry with our children. Always remember that as a church, we love your children! The hundreds of children (along with students) coming to Bay Area represent the next generation God has called us to reach.
From here to the nations,
Greg St. Cyr Lead Pastor
Greg St. Cyr is the lead pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributor to GO&MAKE.
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and the wonders that he has done … so that they should set their hope in God. Psalm 78:4,7
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pproaching 15 years of being married, I have found that Kristen and I have a well-worn path for our nighttime routine. While it has ebbed and flowed with the addition of the kids, it basically stays the same: snack, show, foot rub, bed. This all happens in about one hour, once the last child has given up the fight of breaking out of their room for the tenth time. And let me tell you, we have to work for that hour. This recent season of life has us losing our minds on the daily at bedtime, in trying to get our four kids to sleep at a normal hour. The problem is it only takes one of the four to light the fuse for all of them to ignite. At night our kids are like the Velociraptors from Jurassic Park that test every weakness of their parameters. They appeal their basic needs: “Dad, can I have some water?” “Could I have some bread?” As if they had been deprived of food all day. If that doesn’t work, it is a bathroom break, like they were holding back when they already went before bedtime. And they have even learned to appeal their spiritual needs: “Dad, can we read the Bible?” Or they ask a probing question like “Dad, where is heaven?”
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The problem with all of these things is that they were all covered in the first two hours of the bedtime process. All these probes are being launched after we have eaten, talked, read, prayed and said goodnight. It seems like our kids must exhaust every possible option to stay up late before they give up the ghost and turn into those little sleeping angels. I am in touch with the reality that this situation exposes areas where our parenting needs to step it up, more so than our kids need to. Whatever the causes of the typical Linnell bedtime, once the flurry subsides the parents’ hour begins. I wish I could say we were constantly reinventing this hour, keeping it fresh and exciting, but we have happily fallen into a rut. Some sort of high-calorie, high-gluten snack is made or warmed up in the microwave, then we plop down to watch a couple shows on Netflix. I can count on one hand the programming we’ve soaked in night after night. The top three have to be the American version of “The Office,” “Shark Tank” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” I have to admit, I feel like I’m taking one for the team with plowing through seasons of “Grey’s.” It’s a little too soap opera (read “sketch”) for me, but I get pulled in to the drama with the medical side of the show, with its emergency surgeries, shocking hearts back to life, pushing “eppies,” and wondering which patients were going to make it through surgery.
I am the first one to admit that I do not like to get called out or rebuked when I am wrong. As I just alluded to, children have a way of exposing the shortcomings of the parents, rather than being the cause of the problems themselves. But I don’t want to hear that. I want to hear that I am perfect, I work hard all day, I deserve to check out at night with my wife, and that I am doing everything right with my kids who turn into gremlins after 9 p.m. I am quick to see the problems with my kids, and slow to see the problems that I am causing. I am that way with most people actually – easily seeing the faults of others, perched high above them on my gold-plated pedestal. I actually have a visceral reaction in being told I’m wrong most of the time. Whenever I get an email pointing out a mistake I’ve made or questioning a decision, my first reaction is to print it out, crumble it up, and punt it across the room. I want to punt rebuke.
“ He always works for free: His surgeries are Grace Bombs.”
The upside usually seems to be worth it for the patient: healing, wholeness, restoration, better quality of life – if they pull through. In some ways the surgery is like a gift or a new lease on life. This is true in real life, not only in the show. Physicians look to heal, and surgery – though painful and perhaps risky – is a means to that end. Perhaps you’ve lived through a helpful surgery and are aware of this personally.
One of the biblical ways to think about God is that He is like a physician, a healer. He is not a TV actor who portrays a doctor, or a doctor that is looking to make money or build a practice. But He does long for healing, wholeness, restoration and a better quality of life for His patients. God does perform spiritual surgery to bring about spiritual blessing, and He always works for free: His surgeries are Grace Bombs. But like most surgeries, there will likely be some pain, perhaps side effects, that don’t always feel good on the road to healing. One of the most common spiritual surgeries that God performs is the act of a timely rebuke, or to put it another way – getting called out when you are wrong.
But God uses rebuke as a tool, as a surgery, as a Grace Bomb. And because He is an all-knowing and all-powerful spiritual being, He won’t kill anyone on the table. He is able to correct us in such a way that while it may hurt, we will pull through. We will heal. We will be better off than we were. Through the Bible God speaks truth into our priorities and personal lives, to the big picture and the little details, and in many ways His truth will heal us.
But our chest may have to be cracked open to get to the heart, sometimes without much anesthesia, without being put to sleep, and perhaps even without warning that it’s coming. Where is God calling you out today? Where are your priorities misplaced or your desires misguided? Where has the Physician been wanting to heal you, but perhaps you’ve been running the other way? Maybe today is the day to hop on the table and let the Doctor do His work by surrendering to His will for your life.
Pat Linnell is the teaching pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributer to GO&MAKE.
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By Brian Hopper
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S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT Back in the ‘70s there was a one-hit-wonder by a band called the Bay City Rollers. This hit, which I loved, spelled out the letters of Saturday... night. It was a classic! Maybe you remember it. Maybe you don’t. Maybe I’ve just grossly aged myself! Search it on Spotify or whatever music service you use to hear it. In its time, this song was awesome. As a kid, I used to go rollerskating every Saturday night at a rink in Pasadena (yes it’s true), and when the DJ played that song, the place went wild. I had so much fun with my friends skating to that song, all shouting “S-A-TU-R-D-A-Y Night!” Clearly, there is something special about a Saturday night. Fast forward to now, our church and what we believe the Lord is calling us to, and that song comes screaming back in my mind - this time for a different, perhaps more sanctified, reason. There is something about a Saturday night though, wouldn’t you agree? And as a church, we see an opportunity to reach people on a Saturday night who would never grace the doors of our church on Sunday morning. And that is why, starting September 15, we are launching our Saturday night gathering. This is something that we have been working on for months behind the scenes, and as you can imagine takes a whole different level of work and commitment from our staff and volunteers. But, what we see is a new opportunity for people to hear the gospel, to be part of a church that preaches the Word, and to encounter Jesus through our worship together. See, for many in the service industry, or families whose kids are in sports leagues and travel teams, Sunday mornings are not an option. My youngest daughter is a professional baker and works in the wee hours of the morning up until lunch. When she heard that we were going to start a Saturday night gathering she said she wished she could find a church in her city that did that so she go to Saturday, make dinner afterward, reflect on the music and Word and then be able to work Sunday morning without feverishly racing to try and make it to church - which doesn’t always happen. I think this is the sentiment for many of us - just having another option. In fact, I’ve heard from so many already who have caught wind of the news and are excited about it. Like us, they know people who desire to attend one of our gatherings, but for whatever reason are unable to or are unable to
make it consistently. This is what a Saturday night gathering will do for us. So, we are excited about this new opportunity to open the doors of our facility and invite everyone in. Here are the details if you haven’t heard them yet. Saturday gatherings will begin September 15 at 5:20 p.m. Initially, we’ll offer Children’s Ministry for kids ages birth through 5 years old (not yet in kindergarten), then transition into full Children’s Ministry. We will meet in the auditorium and our gathering will match exactly what happens on Sunday morning (same announcements, same worship, same message, etc). It’s our hope that the 5:20 p.m. start time will allow families with young children to grab dinner beforehand, folks without kids to enjoy dinner and have time to do other things after the gathering, and everyone to avoid Renaissance Festival traffic both when it closes at 6 p.m. and on Sunday mornings. For our staff and volunteers, this will be a stretch. We estimate we’ll need approximately 90+ folks (not including staff) who would be willing to serve our family as ambassadors, greeters, ushers, children’s leaders, audio/visual techs and more to help Saturday night replicate a Sunday morning. There are many ways to serve and we would love to have you be part of the team. Please consider joining us to help make Saturday night a place that welcomes and serves people. You can sign up at bayareacc.org/serve. So, Saturday night is coming. It’s going to be amazing. Maybe the Bay City Rollers will have a second career as that song continues to play in my head! I am eager to see how the Lord uses this to reach people here in Annapolis as we seek to make passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations. We hope you’ll join us and bring others with you. See you Saturday night!
Brian Hopper is the Annapolis Campus Pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a regular contributer to GO&MAKE.
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Did you know there are several ways to give at Bay Area? In addition to cash or check, you can give via:
A recurring gift with your credit or debit card, or bank account transfer.
The Bay Area app
Giving Kiosks in the Annapolis Campus lobby OFFICE BAY CAFÉ EAST EXIT
CHAPEL WEST EXIT
AUDITORIUM
In June 2018 we launched a 24-month generosity initiative called Unrivaled; through June 2020, all giving will go toward our goal of $16,500,000.
You can learn more or give online at
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bayareacc.org/give
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LEADERSHIP
PROFILE:
AUSTIN CAMPBELL By Meredith Thompson rowing up in upstate South Carolina, Austin Campbell longed for more to do than his small hometown of Campobello had to offer. Now, the 31-year-old technical director looks back on his childhood in the country with fondness, whether it was spending summers working on his grandparents’ farm or bush hogging fields with his father (that’s cutting grass for you city folk). “It was a different childhood,” he reflected, noting that he was raised in a Southern Baptist church by parents who were driven by their faith in Jesus. “We went to church because that’s just what you did in the South,” Austin explained. “We were at church all the time.” At 8 years old, he got baptized because he believed it was the right thing to do, though looking back he recognizes he didn’t have a grasp on what it truly means to follow Jesus. As a teen, he participated in mission trips around the country that centered on meeting physical needs through service projects. When Austin was 15, a pastor came on stage during camp and placed an empty chair before the students. “If Jesus was sitting in this chair, what would He tell you?” he asked them. Austin remembers the moment vividly: He felt the presence of God and heard Him say that He had something more for the redheaded high-schooler, that He was calling Austin to something greater. “That meant truly giving my life to Him,” Austin recalled 16 years later. After a couple years of pseudo-touring with a small pop punk band, Austin traversed his home state to the coast to
pursue music at Charleston Southern University, a small Southern Baptist college several miles north of its historic namesake. After a discouraging course with a brutal music teacher, he decided that he “sucked terribly” at the art form and diverted his studies to becoming a youth pastor. He soon realized he lacked the passion for kids necessary to cut it as a youth leader, and Austin ultimately set his sights on a double-major, graduating with a degree in theology and psychology with a music minor. Post-grad, he split his time between working as a behavioral therapist and “trying to become a rock star,” earning his master’s in theology while touring as a musician. Shortly after a large multisite church in South Carolina launched its Charleston campus, Austin began playing on the worship team, though he admits his church background left him skeptical of churches that size. “I would sit in the seat and poke holes in the message theologically, find things I disagreed with,” he confessed. “Finally, God got ahold of me one day. I was on stage playing, and I remember seeing the people – like, actually seeing the people for the first time – and realizing that God was up to something there, that He was doing something incredible in the lives of this incredibly diverse group of people – which for Charleston is a new thing. I realized, ‘That’s only Jesus and I can get behind this.’” Austin dove deeper into serving at church, arriving at 4:30 a.m. on Sundays to help set up what was at the time a portable campus. A year into his time there, he was presented with the unexpected opportunity to join staff as the Charleston
campus audio coordinator. “It was a crazy journey where God brought my call into ministry and my love for music and melded them into this thing that, when I got my call into ministry, I didn’t even know existed,” he said. Five years into the role, Austin began to feel a tug toward transition. He had done as much as he could there, and wanted to go somewhere where he could make a difference – a place that he could help elevate to the next level to expand Jesus’ reach further into the community. Alluring locales like Southern California and Colorado topped his list of places to consider moving; Maryland, on the other hand, was not on Austin’s radar, though it turns out it topped God’s list for him. A series of interviews and a weekend visit led Austin to accept the position of technical director at Bay Area in March 2018. Today he oversees AVL, working to integrate audio, lighting and video into a seamless whole during Bay Area’s weekend gatherings. Outside of church, the self-proclaimed food-and-wine nut spends his time cooking with his girlfriend, going to concerts, playing music and reading deep theological books. For three years now, Austin has undertaken an intense study of World War I history, a pursuit he admits is odd, even nerdy, but fascinating. Enthusiastic about his new role and church family, and motivated by the untapped potential he sees at Bay Area, Austin shared that it’s his desire that he and his team of volunteers would be able to create transformative moments each weekend so that people can encounter Jesus.
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SERVE LIKE JESUS WITH RANDY AND KELLY STILES By Meredith Thompson
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R
andy and Kelly Styles began attending Bay Area in September 2016, a month before they were married in the chapel. They had been watching online for several months prior, reluctant to leave the great teaching at their former church but hungry for more opportunities to serve.
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Serving was something ingrained in both of them well before they married. Randy had volunteered at races and triathlons, getting his kids involved with small tasks like handing out water. For Kelly, serving was modeled during childhood summers spent with her dad, who, with her stepmother, was heavily involved in the local church. Despite both working full time – Randy as an IT consultant and Kelly as a budget chief – the newlyweds decided together that serving would be a high priority for their blended family, which includes four kids ages 8-12 who often serve with them. They started simple at Bay Area, responding to an ask for people to come help assemble Christmas decorations in 2016. The following spring, they helped set up for a Marriage Ministry event. Then, in summer 2017, they found their niche: serving in The Deep Blue with kids.
With a heart to assure parents that their kids are safe and well-taken care of, Randy will sometimes focus on one child to help them feel comfortable in their environment. He gave an example of a nonverbal child with a disability who was struggling because he wasn’t used to a new volunteer in his room. “Sometimes it’s just about connecting with him, so I built a paper airplane for him to get him to focus,” Randy shared. Kelly told the story of a child she worked with for seven months before his family moved away. A hyper kid, he would be the one to jump on your back or easily get distracted, she explained. “He would constantly bring in toys, so we got to the point where he would walk in and I’d say, ‘All right, show me your hands and pockets.’ He would empty everything out for me to give back to his mom and dad,” she illustrated with a laugh.
“Yes! Well, no… I mean they are my Deep Blue kids,”
The Stiles have come to care for the kids in Children’s Ministry as if they’re their own. On Christmas Eve, a parade of little ones showered Kelly in hugs, prompting someone to ask if they were all her kids. “Yes! Well, no… I mean they are my Deep Blue kids,” she had to explain.
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“I have a picture of us together on Christmas Eve. … When he left, we were all in tears. I crochet, so I went out and made him a granny square – basically, there’s a middle and an edging – that was red in the center, white in the middle and blue on the outside. He was very anxious about leaving, so I gave it to him on Christmas
“ If you can instill in your kids that being in church is more important than being on a soccer field, you’ve won.”
Eve and I said, ‘The center is Jesus’ blood that was spilled for us, the white shows we are now sin-free because we live in Jesus’ redemption, and the blue I want you to remember The Deep Blue by.’” In addition to serving in Children’s Ministry, Randy and Kelly have served in the Bay Café, Kelly has helped out at Kids Blitz twice, and Randy has ushered. When Christmas 2017 rolled around, they brought the whole family to church to help assemble snowflakes. An engineer by education, Randy sketched out templates for the geometric decorations. “[Some Sundays] I just go to Dax and say, ‘Hey man, where do you need help?’” Randy said. Quick to acknowledge that they aren’t a perfect family, Randy and Kelly explained that they love serving not only
for the relationships they’ve formed, but also because of the growth they’ve experienced. They truly feel a part of Bay Area, and noted their walks with Jesus are stronger Monday through Saturday because of it. Living the busy Annapolitan life with four kids and demanding jobs, the Stiles encouraged others at Bay Area who might be hesitant to jump in and serve with them, noting that it’s valuable to find the time and it’s easy to serve. Randy emphasized that serving with the kids is not only a joy, but also simple because of the detailed curriculum and instruction provided. “It’s basic; it’s not like you need a theology degree,” he said. Kelly added, “I’m very lucky that my husband has set a priority for making decisions in our family, and it’s God first, marriage second and kids third. If you can instill in your kids that being in church is more important than being on a soccer field, you’ve won.”
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the kids of
Bluefield, West Virginia By LeNiza Arellano
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LeNiza Arellano, her husband Nick, and their children Zeina, Evelyn and Harrison served with Bay Area’s Appalachia Short Term Missions Team Two in June 2018.
There is a hidden treasure in Bluefield, West Virginia. It’s a magical place filled with precious souls gifted by God for His people to care for. These precious souls bear His image. These tiny image bearers are children of Bluefield residents and they come from all different backgrounds, mostly what society would call “underprivileged.” God has called His people to care for them – because they have not only physical needs, but also a need only His people can deliver, the gospel. In the heart of Bluefield off a rather deserted street you will find an old brick high school turned into a mission field. This old brick building is known in the community as The Wade Center. Every day, 50-100 children walk into the Wade Center for out-of-home care. The Wade Center provides before- and after-school care along with full-day summer care. As you can imagine, the Wade Center has become a second home to these kids where staff, volunteers and missions teams meet many basic needs. The Wade Center not only provides clothing, meals and a space for them to play and be tutored, but also provides folks who deeply care for them.
Center this past June, while serving alongside our own children. We led lessons, crafts and games that related to that week’s lesson about Paul’s first missionary journey. That’s a big topic for elementary-age kids, you may think, but with some creativity and tools that Bay Area has already been teaching us, we were able to make a big impact on tiny souls. I co-led the Bible lesson along with one of my closest friends, Sarah Wieduwilt, and what a time we had! We encouraged the kids to memorize an important event in Acts 15 where Peter stood up at an elder meeting and proclaimed the truth:
“ we believe through the grace of Jesus we are saved.” Acts 15:11 We simplified Bay Area’s Share the Gospel illustration for them, and by the end of the week we had about 50 tiny missionaries in training. We were amazed at how much the children retained, even when sometimes it seemed like they weren’t listening! One thing I discovered on this trip was that when you bring your kids along for a Jesus ride, the journey isn’t always smooth. But, remember this: there’s grace for that.
Vacation Bible School is a big deal each summer. The kids eagerly anticipate field trips, sports, games, crafts and Bible lessons. They get the opportunity to have a great summer, learn more about Jesus, connect with returning missionaries and meet new ones as we arrive to assist the program.
Our littlest guy, Harrison, seemed to have the hardest time adjusting while our two older girls were thriving. Two days into the trip I began to regret bringing him, but the Lord remained faithful in revealing His purpose for our son. Along with VBS, we were assigned to outreach projects in the community. The first was a nursing home visit where Harrison’s sweet personality shined the brightest. He was able to bring a sense of joy that the adults who went with him couldn’t offer. By the end of the week, he didn’t want to leave.
Seven other adults and I had the great pleasure to become missional moms and dads to 60 children at the Wade
The next outreach project became our main focus and quickly snowballed into providing our team a deeper bond with
the community and the Wade Center interns. There is a Wade Center family who has recently been affected by a drug-induced fatality. The woman who passed left two children behind and her mother obtained custody of them shortly after. A team of Bay Area missionaries as well as one intern from the Wade Center got to share God’s love by painting the children’s new rooms to help with the transition. It’s amazing what a simple act of service can do for the spirit. During this project, an intern shared her testimony, which included a traumatic event that she experienced. She revealed that she had only told one other person prior to this moment. Two of our team members said they felt the Holy Spirit’s presence and were able to speak into her life and encourage her to press into God in her time of suffering. That night, at our team debrief, she shared what had happened with the whole group and that that day was the first day she felt peace since the incident happened. We were able to pray over her and encourage her, and it was a bonding experience I will never forget. The interns we had only met two days before became family that night. My hope and prayer is that as you read about the image-bearers in Bluefield and the precious souls in need of the gospel, you would be encouraged to become a sent one to this region of the world. If you feel unqualified, remember the woman at the well who was far from “qualified” to share the good news of the grace she received from Jesus. She was a woman, probably uneducated, and a Samaritan. A known sinner in her own community, when Jesus forgave her she went and told everyone about the Messiah, her Savior. She was a sent one, unqualified, but Jesus broke through and because of her testimony many Samaritans became believers. Do you have a testimony? Do you have a story of Jesus breaking through in your life? Are you willing? Then you are qualified.
“ Do you have a testimony? Do you have a story of Jesus breaking through in your life? Are you willing?” A U G U S T GO&MAKE 19
MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP: THE GROSSMANS By Michele Rollins
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hen you hear Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr talk about our mission statement, he often says something like, “If you don’t love our mission statement, this may not be the right church for you.” That’s not meant to be exclusive; it’s simply meant to emphasize how strongly we believe in what we’re called to do as a family of believers at Bay Area Community Church: making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations. Rooted in the Great Commission, it’s what focuses our ministries and guides our priorities. And it’s a mission that we’re each invited into – not as spectators but as participants. That’s why we use the term Ministry Partner rather than member to describe those who have taken the step of officially linking arms with Bay Area Community Church – people like Ty and Jenna Grossman.
“ Any time there’s an opportunity to lead something, you own it more; you learn the Scriptures more and have to lean into Jesus more. In turn that’s grown us closer to Jesus.”
Ty and Jenna had been attending Bay Area for about 13 years when they decided to become Ministry Partners. They didn’t become Ministry Partners right away, but as they stepped into greater leadership roles, they decided that they agreed with what Bay Area was doing and wanted to be a part of it. “We love all the different opportunities that Bay Area gives folks to get involved,” Ty shared. “It really hit us last summer going to El Salvador on a missions trip, that Bay Area has the organized leadership and heart for the nations that gives people in Easton a chance to go and serve Jesus with their skills.”
Now parents of two young children with a third on the way, they serve in Children’s Ministry at the Easton campus each week. “We serve because it … benefits the next generation,” Ty explained. It also allows parents to sit in the gathering undistracted, hearing and applying the Scripture to their lives so that they, like Ty and Jenna, can become passionate, maturing followers of Jesus. In addition to serving in The Deep Blue, Ty and Jenna lead a Missional Community, helping other adults and families become passionate, maturing followers of Jesus. They’re growing as followers of Jesus – and following Jesus means being on mission with Him. “For us, being Ministry Partners has given us lay leadership opportunities that have grown us,” Ty and Jenna shared. “Any time there’s an opportunity to lead something, you own it more; you learn the Scriptures more and have to lean into Jesus more. In turn that’s grown us closer to Jesus.” It’s grown their kids, too: their two girls, ages 3 and 5, love being part of their extended church family. “They are surrounded by a family of believers, which is going to pay dividends later” as they grow and make their faith their own, the Grossmans noted. Being so involved hasn’t always been easy, Ty admitted, “But laboring together is well worth the hard work. To watch Jesus work and people’s lives changed is pretty awesome.” Ministry Partners at Bay Area are people who are continuing to grow as passionate, maturing followers of Jesus and who are committed to partnering with Bay Area to reach others from here to the nations. If you’re already linking arms with us – following Jesus, growing yourself and serving others – thank you! Or maybe, like Ty and Jenna, you’re ready to lock arms with Bay Area, to be a part of the life change that happens when people follow Jesus as His disciples. You can start by attending First Step on September 9 at the Annapolis Campus, where you’ll meet other like-minded people and learn more about partnering together. See you there!
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DOOR PRIZES • OUTDOOR GAMES LOTS OF GRILLED FOOD
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TAKING A PROACTIVE STANCE As many of you know, the country has been focusing on abuse of all types for a couple years now. Child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and the like. Regardless of your political persuasion, personal feelings/thinking or experience on these topics, there is no doubt that these issues are serious. In fact, I’ve received several inquiries as a direct result of all the media surrounding #MeToo. The inquiries usually are about whether or not Bay Area has a policy covering how to handle these kinds of things. The answer is yes. We’ve had it for quite some time, and it’s modeled after Willow Creek Community Church’s governance on this topic. Just so you know, both Children’s Ministry Director Gail Wiles and Student Ministry Pastor Brent Squires have established procedures and policies for protecting children and students, reporting abuse, etc. as well. In addition, our pastors, directors and staff have been informed by yours truly of our policy quite recently at a staff meeting. Just want to make double-sure everyone is on the same page with these topics. One would think that this sort of thing doesn’t ever occur in a house of worship, but it does from time to time (it certainly is rare though). The key is to talk to one’s staff (which we have), make sure the volunteers know what to do if something is observed (which they know), and keep bringing it forward to increase awareness for the future (which we are). Bottom line (one of my favorite phrases!): If you see or hear something, say something. If it’s connected to the children or student areas, then obviously speak directly to the leadership there. If you have ANY question about anything along this line and you don’t know who to talk with, come see me or Greg and we’ll discreetly look into it. As a church, we don’t want to have our head in the sand about anything that is going on in our culture so I wanted to take this moment and let you all know that we’ve discussed this, strategized about it, and have robust systems in place to engage it if it should ever raise its ugly head here. The safety of every child, student and person here at Bay Area is our goal. If you have any questions, give me a shout: ed.kelley@bayareacc.org. Yours,
Ed Kelley Executive Pastor
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CARE NETWORK
HAPPENINGS OUR MISSION Making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations
OUR VISION There are five things we desire for every follower of Jesus who calls Bay Area home to do:
CONNECT IN COMMUNITY SERVE LIKE JESUS GO ON A MISSION TRIP SHARE THE GOSPEL WORSHIP TOGETHER
YOUR FIRST STEP New to Bay Area or want to get involved? Join us at First Step, a fun, one-hour gathering where you’ll learn about who we are, what we believe, and what your next steps are to get plugged into community and serving at Bay Area. Coffee, snacks and KidCare are provided. Take your first step at Bay Area by signing up today to attend one of the gatherings: Sunday, September 9 at 9:20 a.m., Sunday, September 9 at 11:20 a.m., or Tuesday, September 11 at 7 p.m. in the Bay Café classroom. Register: bayareacc.org/firststep For those who have already completed First Step, our next Second Step gathering is Sunday, August 26 from 12:30-4 p.m. Register: bayareacc.org/ membership
BAPTISM WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BAPTIZED? For more information, contact: K-5th: gail.wiles@bayareacc.org 6-12th: brent.squires@bayareacc.org Adults: kayleigh.vaughn@bayareacc.org 24 GO&MAKE A U G U S T
Sometimes life hands us struggles: loss of a loved one, serious illness, parenting difficulties, divorce, addiction and other challenges. These difficult circumstances can cause us to isolate, yet Jesus never intended that we walk through them alone. The Care Network is a free, confidential, Jesus-centered ministry for those seeking assistance. We provide hope and healing through a variety of resources both inside and outside the walls of Bay Area. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org
DIVORCECARE SUPPORT GROUP Mondays through 9/17, 6:45-9 p.m. Are you separated, in the process of divorce or already divorced? Don’t walk through this difficult time alone. DivorceCare is a support group led by trained facilitators who have experienced divorce and rebuilt their lives. Each week the group features practical information, biblical teaching and encouragement to help you move forward. Register: bayareacc.org/register Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org
DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS SUPPORT Sunday 8/12, 2-3 p.m. Alzheimer’s disease is life-changing for our loved ones and those who are caregivers. The Dementia Caregivers Support Group provides a place to connect with others who truly understand what you are going through. This will be a place to talk through challenges and learn about resources. This group will meet on the second Sunday of each month from 2-3 p.m. Register: bayareacc.org/register
GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP Thursdays starting 9/13, 6:45-9 p.m. The next 13-week session of GriefShare will begin on September 13. Registration will open on August 12 at bayareacc.org/register.
MARRIAGE MINISTRY TEAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Our Marriage Ministry events team seeks to encourage and equip couples through a variety of events and activities. These include Learning Communities, The Great Date Night, Date Nights OUT and conferences. If you have a passion to help strengthen marriages and have been
married for 10+ years, come be a part of this ministry. Learn more at bayareacc.org/marriageministry.
TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR PREMARITAL COUPLES We believe strongly that the best way to honor God before marriage is to remain pure and live separately. We’re looking for folks who have temporary space in their homes that could be used in order to fulfill this desire. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org
ENGAGED? We want to partner with you as you establish a strong, Jesus-centered life. Through premarital mentoring you’ll be paired with trained marriage mentors who will equip you with the tools and resources you’ll need to succeed in marriage. Info: premarital.ministry@ bayareacc.org
EMPLOYMENT DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR 24 hours per week. The Digital Communications Coordinator will serve on the Communications Team with the Communications Director. Their primary responsibilities will include managing and updating Bay Area’s website and social media accounts, as well as assisting with digital marketing and other communications projects.
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR 24 hours per week. The Communications Coordinator will serve on the Communications Team with the Communications Director. Their primary responsibilities will include facilitating and executing weekly communication requests; coordinating the development, writing and editing of GO&MAKE content; and assisting with communication elements of weekend gatherings, event marketing and special projects.
KIDCARE TEAM MEMBERS Our KidCare team has a need for adults who have a heart for kids. We provide KidCare for all ministries and various events year-round. Currently, we have an urgent need for KC workers on Wednesday mornings during the
women’s Well Bible studies. Want to join our team of paid workers? Email KidCare Coordinator Dianna at dianna. jeglum@bayareacc.org.
in person and get your books on Sundays 8/26, 9/2 and 9/9.
ASSOCIATE WORSHIP LEADER
Would you like to paddle the waters of downtown Annapolis? Meet at Annapolis Canoe and Kayak at 311 Third Street in Annapolis. Rentals start at $20/hour. The group will do a 1- or 2-hour paddle and go for lunch afterward at Boatyard Grill in Eastport. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org
40 hours per week. The role of the Associate Worship Leader is to contribute to building a worship culture at Bay Area by leading worship at multiple venues, assisting the leadership of a campus, ensuring all worship experiences are executed with excellence, developing leaders and recruiting volunteers. For more info and to apply: bayareacc.org/jobs
WOMEN’S MINISTRY Register for studies and events at bayareacc.org/annapolis/women.
THE WELL “ENTRUSTED” BY BETH MOORE Tuesdays, 9/11-12/11, 7-9 p.m. We were never meant to walk alone. Join others in small groups and get God’s heart for discipleship in Paul’s final letter of 2 Timothy. You will be encouraged to guard the gospel that has been entrusted to you and pass it on to the next generation through Beth’s teaching videos. Cost $15.
“SEAMLESS” BY ANGIE SMITH Wednesdays, 9/12-12/12, 9:30-11:30 a.m. “Seamless” provides an overview of the story of the Bible. It covers the people, places and promises of the Bible, tying them together into the greater story of Scripture. Whether you’ve grown up hearing Bible stories or you’re exploring Scripture for the first time, the full story of the Bible can be overwhelming. Study it as a whole to gain clarity and confidence in your understanding of Scripture. We meet for videos and small groups to discuss our homework. Cost $15. Info: laurie.gregory@bayareacc.org
KIDCARE
KidCare is available for ages birth preschoolers for Wednesday morning Well participants with advance registration. Cost $60/1 child, $80/2+ children. Space is limited. Info: dianna.jeglum@bayareacc.org Online registration for The Well and KidCare starts 9/1. Register
ON THE GO: KAYAKING Friday, 8/10, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
QUILTS FOR KIDS Saturday, 8/18, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in The Docks Join us as we make quilts for kids together. Bring your sewing machine and we will provide the quilting fabrics. Bring your lunch to eat together. Info: annapolisqfk@gmail.com
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY DIVE 45 INFLATED Friday, 8/17, 7-9 p.m. Children entering fourth- or fifthgrade this fall won’t want to miss Dive 45 Inflated. From 7-9 p.m., kids will enjoy playing on inflatables, games and pizza for dinner. The cost is $15 per child, and inviting fourth- or fifthgrade friends is encouraged. Register: bayareacc.org/register
MOVE UP SUNDAY Sunday, 9/2 Children entering Kindergarten through fifth grade will move up to their new classes in the Deep Blue.
PRAYER MINISTRY Our Prayer Ministry comprises individuals dedicated to praying for all aspects of Bay Area: gatherings, pastors, missions and more. Individuals are also available to pray after each gathering (front-right of Chapel stage). Info: bayareacc.org/prayer
MISSIONAL COMMUNITY Being connected with others helps us grow in our love for God, for each other, and for our neighbor. You can find out more about Missional Communities at bayareacc.org/ missionalcommunities.
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP MEN’S MORNING BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays, 6-7:30 a.m. in room 236 Info: jlradcliffe@hotmail.com
MEN’S EVENING BIBLE STUDIES Sundays, 6-8 p.m. in room 235 This study is geared toward helping men draw closer to Jesus while discussing and discovering God’s answers for the challenges men face at home, work and in society. Info: bob.gregory@bayareacc.org
Thursdays, 7-9 p.m. in room 235 Join Bay Area men to spend time in the Word and prayer, for fellowship and discussion, and for discipleship. Info: sam.logan@gmail.com
LEARNING COMMUNITIES CHRISTOLOGY: A THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE 8/19-26, 9:20 a.m. in Dock B Over the years there have been a lot of misconceptions about who Jesus was/is. This short two-session class will take a look at the major issues surrounding Jesus including His connection with the Father and the Holy Spirit; His divinity and humanity while on earth; and the various errors that denominations/ religions have taught. This class will be fast-paced and focused on the person of Jesus.
CHURCH HISTORY: THE BIG EVENTS 9/9-10/7, 9:20 a.m. in Dock B Executive Pastor Ed Kelley and recent seminary grad Colleen Forsythe team up to bring you the fascinating and impactful events of world church history. This course will discuss the development of theology through the early Church, the emergence of the Roman Catholic Church, the key figures in the Middle Ages, and the issues of the Reformation (among many other topics). This Learning Community will closely mirror what you might find in an undergraduate Bible college course, so sign up and expect to really dive into this fun and sometimes crazy history of the Church. Register for Learning Communities at bayareacc.org/ learningcommunities. A U G U S T GO&MAKE 25
SERVE LIKE JESUS INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT SERVING AT BAY AREA? Below, you’ll see a list of some of our most immediate serving needs. For a complete list of serving opportunities, and to sign up, go to bayareacc.org/serve. AMBASSADOR TEAM GREETER TEAM AUDIO/VIDEO TEAM CHAIR MINISTRY ESPRESSO BAR TEAM CHILDREN’S WELCOME TEAM CHILDREN’S SET DESIGN TEAM PARKING TEAM PRESCHOOL TEAM SAFETY TEAM WOMEN’S MINISTRY USHER TEAM
STUDENT MINISTRY BASM SUMMER GATHERINGS Sundays, June-August, 11:20 a.m. in the Chapel BASM Summer Gatherings will be held in the Chapel for the months of June, July, and August. We will have our Student Ministry worship team, live Biblical teaching on our student summer series, and the opportunity to connect with other students and student ministry leaders. Info: lauren.gibeault@bayareacc.org
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CINEMA Friday, 8/10, 6-9 p.m. Summer Cinema is our monthly middle school movie and hangout night during the summer. It’s a free, high-energy evening full of activities, games, and a featured movie. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILY PICNIC Sunday, 9/9, 1-3 p.m. Middle school students and their families are invited to join the Student Ministry staff for a family picnic. The picnic will be held at Camp Barrett (approx. 1 mile from Bay Area) directly after the 11:20 a.m. gathering. This free picnic lunch will have optional swimming, ga-ga 26 GO&MAKE A U G U S T
ball, kickball and more. You can also meet your student’s leader for the upcoming year. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
HIGH SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY Sunday, 9/9, 4-7 p.m. High school students are invited to a Block Party as we wrap up summer and kick off the school year. The block party will be held at Camp Barrett (approx. 1 mile from Bay Area). We’ll have swimming, ga-ga ball, a bonfire, tons of food and more! More details are available at the student ministry kiosks. A $5 donation is recommended. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
COLLEGE MINISTRY YOUNG ADULT MISSIONAL COMMUNITY (AGES 18-25) Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. Missional Communities are a great opportunity for people to connect in community where they are loving God, serving others and growing spiritually together. Info: lauren.gibeault@bayareacc.org
GLOBAL MISSIONS GO Take the next step in your walk with Jesus and share God’s love in one of 10 locations worldwide. Fill out the GO Form: bayareacc.org/stm
SEND Whether you can travel on mission this year or not, there’s still a way for you to be a part of what God is doing among the nations through Bay Area. Give: bayareacc.org/stmgive
PRAY We’re looking for committed people to pray for our missionaries and global partners. This team meets second and fourth Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Prayer Room. Info: ccback@verizon.net Pray for short term missionaries: michele.rollins@bayareacc.org
COMMUNITY OUTREACH BACKPACK DRIVE Sundays, 8/5 and 8/12 The Walk the Walk Foundation will bring their trailer for us to pack backpacks with school supplies for the coming school year for children living below the poverty line in Anne Arundel County. Our goal is to pack 500 backpacks! Join us for this opportunity to bless our neighbors. Info: alex.williams@bayareacc.org
FINANCIALS On June 1, 2018, Bay Area began a two-year generosity initiative called Unrivaled that will fund our ongoing ministry at all campuses, construction of our new student center and children’s addition, and expansion of Christ’s reach from here to the nations. Our two-year giving goal is $16,500,000.
FINANCIALS - ALL CAMPUSES Giving in June 2017: $357,848.97 Giving in June 2018: $593,330.48 Giving participation in June 2017: 722 families/individuals Giving participation in June 2018: 868 families/individuals
MAKE A COMMITMENT
Our primary goal in Unrivaled is 100 percent engagement - that every person at Bay Area would ask what it means to put God first in their finances. To make a commitment, pick up a commitment card at an information counter or go to baccunrivaled.org/commitment.
GIVING METHODS
You can give toward your Unrivaled commitment through the offering during the gatherings, online at bayareacc.org/give, or by texting BACC + amount to 30131 (ex: “BACC 50” to give $50). Info: baccunrivaled.org Questions: finance@bayareacc.org
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BAY AREA? For the most up-to-date calendar of events, or to register for any of the events listed in GO&MAKE, go to bayareacc.org/register.
September 22 Register today to run the 5k Trail Run, or walk the family-friendly Life Trail. For details go to www.walkandrun.org
You shop. Amazon gives. Shopping online? Consider using Amazon Smile. When you do, they will donate a portion of your purchase to the charity of your choice. Select Bay Area Community Church and support our ministry with every purchase you make.
smile.amazon.com A U G U S T GO&MAKE 27
B AY A R E A C O M M U N I T Y C H U R C H
W E E K E N D G AT H E R I N G S NEW! S AT U R DAY E V E N I N G
5:20 PM Introducing Saturday night gatherings! Starting September 15.
S U N DAY M O R N I N G
7:50 AM 9:20 AM 11:20 AM 28 GO&MAKE A U G U S T