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IN THIS ISSUE
14 COVER STORY: REACHING THE 440 Bay Area is committed to reaching the estimated 440,000 people in Anne Arundel who don’t know Jesus, which is why we’re launching a campus and sending out a church plant in September.
20 JUST LIKE YOU AND ME In this sermon series preview, Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr illustrates how Elijah had all the same struggles, doubts, insecurities and challenges we face. Yet, God used him in incredible ways! If God can use a natural man like Elijah to do miracles, He can use each of us too.
16 LOCAL CHURCH FOR A GLOBAL AUDIENCE Pastor Jorge Solorzano reflects on how Bay Area has supported him in the upcoming launch of Axis Church, which incorporates a multiethnic approach to reaching the international community in the Annapolis area.
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8 JAKE’S EDITORIAL Easton Campus Pastor Jake Wieduwilt shares about how Bay Area Easton had the opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and peace in the midst of a local tragedy.
22 MISSIONS UPDATE: GHANA Fourteen-year-old Karis Barthelemy shares her experience of being on a short-term missions team to Ghana and how God gave her courage to share her testimony with others while being out of the country for the first time.
We appreciate your comments and questions. Please email us at feedback@bayareacc.org and a staff member or elder will respond within 48 hours.
Gatherings: Saturday, 5:20 p.m. & Sunday, 7:50, 9:20, 11:20 a.m.
MAGAZINE CREDITS EDITOR Meredith Thompson ART DIRECTOR Josh Shirlen ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Arianne Teeple LEAD DESIGNER Jake Williams CONTRIBUTORS Jake Wieduwilt Michele Rollins Victoria Cline
On the cover: (l-r) Jason Barthelemy, Greta Barthelemy, Sarah Meehan de Solorzano, Jorge Solorzano Photo by Josh Shirlen
ELDERS Barry Willhite Bill Plenge Bill Smith Chris Heacock Don Wiley Greg St. Cyr J. Upton John Taylor Keith Riniker Ken Gilmore Merrill Hoekstra Peter Godfrey Rich Heath Roger Ishii Tim Grossman Tom Hogan Warwick Fairfax
884 Chesterfield Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401
410.544.2222
BAY AREA LEADERSHIP Allen Smith, Missional Communities Pastor – allen.smith@bayareacc.org 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 Gail Wiles, Campus Launch & Children’s Ministry Director – gail.wiles@bayareacc.org Greg St. Cyr, Lead Pastor – greg.stcyr@bayareacc.org Janet Graves, Women’s Ministry Director – janet.graves@bayareacc.org Jason Barthelemy, Odenton Campus Pastor – jason.barthelemy@bayareacc.org Jeff Supp, Executive Pastor of Operations – jeff.supp@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, Creative Director – josh.shirlen@bayareacc.org Kristin Collins, Annapolis Children’s Ministry Director – kristin.collins@bayareacc.org Leanne Lane, Care Network Director – leanne.lane@bayareacc.org Meredith Thompson, Communications Director – meredith.thompson@bayareacc.org Michele Rollins, Short Term Missions Director – michele.rollins@bayareacc.org Pat Linnell, Teaching Pastor – pat.linnell@bayareacc.org
For a comprehensive list of all Bay Area staff, elders and deacons, please visit bayareacc.org/leadership
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LETTER FROM THE LEAD
STANDING STRONG IN THE LORD THIS SUMMER
ummer for many is about kids being off from school, families enjoying beach vacations, trips to see grandparents, long weekends away, and opportunities for special memories. It’s also a time when we can easily slack off on our spiritual lives. That’s why the apostle Paul reminds us to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Ephesians 6:10). The devil never takes the summer off. He is always prowling around like a roaring lion, waiting for us to drop our guard so he can pounce on us. In Ephesians 6, Paul describes the battle we face. After giving the six pieces of spiritual armor, he adds something indispensable. Read the following verse slowly: “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 Look how many times “all” is used: all prayer, at all times, with all perseverance, for all the saints. Paul is saying that in the midst of the battle, we need to fervently, continually pray for each other. And note the sphere in which we are to pray: in the Spirit. God has placed His Spirit inside us so we can have a relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit continually “intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27). Make it your habit to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you how He is interceding for your situation so that you can pray in agreement with Him. Why am I writing about this? Two reasons.
is against. God is for light, love, unity and life. The devil is for darkness, hate, division and death. He is a liar, deceiver and destroyer. He hates marriage and the church because they are divinely instituted by God. He opposes your time in the Word and prayer, wants you out of community with other believers, and resists your initiatives to tell others about Jesus. Second, the Lord is calling us as a church to apply verse 18 by being more diligent in persevering in prayer for each other. Do you know anyone who does not need prayer? Of course not. So, my challenge to you this month is to “be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” Who do you know that is experiencing discouragement and spiritual defeat? Will you commit to fervently praying for them? And will you give yourself to faithfully praying for your church? As God uses us in greater ways, we are experiencing more and more spiritual attacks. One way to pray is to lock arms with me and many others the second Tuesday of every month. We call this prayer meeting “The 120.” The 120 is a group who, in the spirit of Acts 1:14, are devoted to praying for Bay Area. God has more for our church, and we are committed to faithfully praying toward that end. If you are interested in more information, contact Debbie at debbie.klimczyk@bayareacc.org and she will give you the details. I, probably like you, love summer. And like you, it’s easy to let down my spiritual guard during this time of year. Together, let’s be strong in the strength of His might by praying for each other!
First, the devil and his demons are real, and they want to destroy you. Anything that God is for, Satan
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.
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WHAT’S
NEXT? By Pat Linnell
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t’s hard these days to remember a time when you were not able to reach out and grab your phone and have instant access to everything. In some ways, many of us are even addicted to our tech. We binge-watch our favorite shows, order stuff from Amazon, scroll social media while throwing out a few likes, text our loved ones, get anywhere with the best routes to avoid traffic, shoot HD video, and take amazing photos – all thanks to our little computers in our pockets that have given us permission to stay connected all the time. Sometimes I find myself reaching for my phone when it’s not even there. So yeah, there might be a downside to being constantly connected – but by and large our devices add great value, and without a doubt our world would be a different place without the smartphone. Something that did not even exist a few decades ago is completely commonplace now. Think back, if you are even able to, to the time when you had to share a landline in the house, a dial phone, or even a rotary phone. Or maybe even when the PC was just coming out, and you had to listen to that long dial-up process with AOL to get on the internet. My kids will never know a world without WiFi! The technological revolution has undoubtedly taken another giant leap forward thanks to some forwardthinking companies like Apple and Microsoft. Wouldn’t you agree?
– but they’re not enough. Now we can be mobile, ready and on WiFi everywhere when we shift our thinking toward the lifestyle of a missionary and begin to see each day and each person as a potential opportunity to display the good works we have been created for. I believe the concept of Grace Bomb is like the first-generation iPod. It seemed cool, but there was a learning curve. Who ever thought we’d want to carry all of our music around in our pockets? But after a while, this became the norm. Similarly, ordinary church folks and church leaders will need time to strengthen infrequently used faith muscles. I don’t think people will always need to keep Grace Bomb cards in their pockets, but for now they are needed like training wheels, reminding us that the Lord may lead us to engage any person on any day in all kinds of different ways. The power of God resides in the people of God, as therein lies the Spirit of God. Friends, you are “Grace Built” people designed to “Grace Bomb” people, and you don’t have to wait until the next organized event to put your faith into practice. You can start changing your world today. The outcomes of your Grace Bombs are not the point, but your obedience to practically find ways to love and bless your neighbor is. God loves obedience.
This same kind of thinking is needed in the missional endeavors of the collective efforts in the Western Church. In a lot of ways, when it comes to listening to Jesus as He says to love our neighbors, it’s like we are stuck in the ‘80s. I mean, Stranger Things Season 3 was great nostalgia, but I don’t want to go back to those days. This is part of why I am so pressed to spread a concept like Grace Bomb around the country.
By Grace Bombing you are joining a movement of obedience that has the potential to create a revolution in the Church – one that I feel is desperately needed. As you are filled with the love of Jesus and the truth of your identity in Him, be bold as you freely give slices of that love away, and in doing so watch as you begin to set a new standard, leading the church out of the old way of “outreach.”
When it comes to the majority of church people in the majority of the churches – from everything I can see, with a few exceptions – we have a mindset that to get online we have to sit and wait for dial-up, and to make a phone call we have to wait for our sister to GET OFF THE PHONE.
And as you have already heard, after 15 years of personally being invested in by Bay Area – by her leadership and her people, wrapped in love, covered in grace, and blessed with wisdom and friendship – I feel that Jesus has prepared me to lead the Grace Bomb movement and help His amazing bride walk into her bright and dial-up free future. If the Lord leads you to help me in this revolution, you can find out more info at www.gracebomb.org.
What I mean is, putting Jesus’ words into practice to love our neighbors has been stuck in a rut for quite some time. Congregations wait for a few leaders to organize events, trips and activities – and if those dates work in the calendar they will participate or perhaps give money to support the cause. Meanwhile, they have encountered hundreds of people every day who the Lord may have intended for them to personally, lovingly interrupt with a touch of His Grace. Don’t get me wrong – trips, events and group activities are good things and are used in great ways
See you soon!
Pat Linnell is the teaching pastor at Bay Area Community Church and a monthly contributer to GO&MAKE.
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EASTON UPDATE By Jake Wieduwilt
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aston, Maryland; you likely pass through it on your way to Ocean City. You might even peel off of Route 50 to get some coffee at the original Rise Up when traffic gets backed up on your way there. But, if you pay attention, you will see that Easton has so much more to offer than a quick caffeine fix on the way to the beach. Easton is full of art, history, galleries, agriculture and festivals, and is a city where the name of Jesus is being spread and shared on the Eastern Shore. It’s also the home of Bay Area’s Easton Campus, which meets weekly for our Sunday gathering at the Easton Family YMCA. On June 6, tragedy struck Easton at the YMCA. That morning a 72-year-old man died after being severely injured by a robber with a knife in the men’s locker room. The YMCA is the front porch of Easton. No matter where you come from or who you are, the YMCA is a place you can call home. And on that day the familial, safe space was disrespected and defiled. Not only did this hit our community hard, with the YMCA being a foundation for the people here, but it hit our church family hard as well. The YMCA may just be a gym and community center to some, but on Sunday mornings a team of dedicated volunteers from over six ministry teams transform the gym into a place of worship. Many people have made life-changing steps in their faith in this very place. This place where death has now stained the ground. It would have been easy to feel down and overwhelmed with grief in this situation, but we as the Easton campus felt that God had uniquely orchestrated our relationship with the YMCA staff and members to share the glory of God’s peace and truth in the midst of this darkness. Our staff and church members rallied around the YMCA staff by praying with them, counseling them, and even serving lunch for them on their first working day after they reopened. We also joined with other key church leaders in our community to host a candlelight vigil in honor of the victim where our campus pastor shared a gospel message and explained how God is the ultimate authority and source of hope in the lives of all people. Tragedy is never easy and inevitably brings pain, but it was an amazing experience to see God be glorified in
the wake of our pain and suffering. We continue to support the members and staff of the YMCA and are grateful to the Lord for this partnership we have to make a difference both physically and spiritually in our community. Along with serving our community here in Easton, our campus also raised up two elders this year. Chad Negal and Roy Madsen have faithfully and diligently been training and studying over the course of several months to be entrusted with this critical leadership position as elders of our Easton campus. We are grateful and excited to see the name of Jesus flourish on the shore under their care and guidance. We have also experienced exciting growth in our Student Ministry. Not only have we significantly increased our reach to students here in Easton, but several of them made commitments to follow Jesus for the first time this past winter! We also welcomed five new adult community group leaders this season and have already seen the Lord working in students’ lives as they connect with adult believers and walk through their faith with them. This was a huge answer to prayer for me as I believe God has big plans for the students here in Easton, but I simply did not have the capacity to disciple each student individually on my own. God has sent many faithful workers to our Student Ministry, and I know His name will be lifted high each week as they continue to serve Him. If you’re ever on the Eastern Shore, we would encourage you to stop by and see all that God is doing through Bay Area across the bridge. We seek to honor and be obedient to all that God is calling us to in Easton, and we have seen the fruits of our labor through making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here in Easton to the nations.
Jake Wieduwilt is the Student Ministry Pastor at Bay Area Community Church Easton.
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AUGUST 24 Join us for a special Saturday night gathering and stick around for food trucks, outdoor games and more!
SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN US FOR THESE EVENTS!
PRAY WITH THE
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We’re all called to pray. Will you answer the call to pray for bay area? Join us on the second tuesday of each month to pray together for our church’s ministries, partners and kingdom advancing initiatives. WANT MORE INFO? EMAIL debbie.klimczyk@bayareacc.org.
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join us for our annual
BACKPACK DRIVE FIRST TWO WEEKENDS IN AUGUST
8/3 - 4
&
8 /10 - 11
AT BAY AREA
Bring a $25 donation and fill a backpack with school supplies for an Anne Arundel County child in need.
SAVE THE DATE AND JOIN US FOR THESE EVENTS!
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UGANDA
SOUTHEAST ASIA
FROM HERE TO THE NATIONS Each year, we send short term mission teams to 11 countries around the world and support 10 global missions partners across four continents.
GHANA
SOUTH SUDAN
INDIA
RUSSIA
INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING A GLOBAL MISSIONARY OR GOING ON A SHORT TERM MISSION TRIP? GO TO BAYAREACC.ORG/MISSIONS TO LEARN MORE OR APPLY.
BELIZE
APPALACHIA
POLAND
GLOBAL PARTNERS
BAY AREA
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Reaching The 440 By Meredith Thompson
Jason and Greta Barthelemy
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n September 15, Bay Area will send out its largest missions team ever, to a destination just 10 miles up the road: Odenton, Maryland. Children’s Ministry volunteers, ushers, greeters, worship leaders, audio and light technicians, Student Ministry volunteers, ambassadors, coffee servers, parking attendants and more will come together as one team with one mission: making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations. Emphasis on the “from here.” It’s the same mission that every shortterm global team has before them, too: carrying out Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples of all nations – including our own. At the heart of everything that Bay Area does is Jesus’ command to help people come to know and follow Him, from sending out short-term missions teams to reaching people locally through launching campuses. In Anne Arundel County alone, it’s estimated that 440,000 of the county’s 580,000 residents don’t know Jesus. That’s three out of every four neighbors living in our communities. That’s a massive mission field. And, it’s why Bay Area has a vision to reach “the 440” primarily through adding campuses. In 2016, Bay Area became a multisite church with the launch of our Easton
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campus, which God continues to use greatly to draw people to Himself on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Odenton will be our third campus, with more to come as God leads. Western Anne Arundel County is densely populated and highly transient, home to many who work at Fort Meade and NSA, or commute to D.C. and Baltimore. Yet, it isn’t home to enough thriving, gospel-centered churches, creating a need for a church that can serve as a spiritual home for the tens of thousands living nearby. Our multisite strategy is part of a twopronged approach to reaching people in our immediate communities. We want to welcome as many as we can to Bay Area, but we know that campuses alone won’t reach everyone. That’s why we are also firmly committed to supporting the work of church planting through the SENT Network, which has launched 20 flourishing churches in the Mid-Atlantic region with another 10 in the pipeline. On August 17 and 18, we as a church will have the joy of commissioning both our Odenton Campus team and a church planting team being sent out from within our own church family to establish Axis Church. Read more about Axis and their mission to reach a multiethnic community right in the heart of Annapolis in the next article. Back to Odenton. It’s a huge mission, and it’s going to take a huge missions team to carry it out. The harvest is
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plenty, but the workers are few. Would you consider being one of them? Every Sunday, our Odenton Campus will require 150 serving across all ministries to reach people effectively. Roughly 60 team members will commit each week to disciple children and students, serving as a second spiritual influence in their lives and partnering with parents to lead them closer to Jesus. Another 10 will help lead people into the presence of Jesus through creating a distraction-free worship environment on the tech and worship teams. Dozens will be friendly, welcoming faces as people enter the campus – perhaps the first taste of Jesus a visitor will have at Bay Area Odenton – while serving in the parking lot, at the doors and as ambassadors. There are many roles to play on this mission team, and God has wired every one of us uniquely to serve one another with the gifts He’s given us. If you live in the greater Odenton-Crofton-Gambrills area, will you answer the call to join this local missions team and serve at our Odenton Campus this fall? You don’t have to be a seasoned missionary; you just need a willing heart and a love for people. Learn more about Bay Area’s Odenton Campus and serving opportunities at bayareacc.org/odenton or email Campus Pastor Jason Barthelemy at jason. barthelemy@bayareacc.org.
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orge Solorzano and a team of 12 families are preparing to launch the SENT Network’s newest church plant, Axis Church, on September 8 at the middle school campus of Annapolis Area Christian School. Jorge and his family spent 10 years ministering in El Salvador before being called to a new mission field -- his wife Sarah’s home country, the United States. The transition required a step of faith for the Solorzano family to overcome challenges like finances, a language barrier and moving to a new country with cultural differences. The Lord gave Jorge a passage – Micah 2:13 – during this journey as encouragement and a promise. The verse says, “The One who breaks open the way will go up before them,” and the Lord has fulfilled His promise by providing for Axis Church to be established. Reflecting on his partnership with Bay Area, Jorge recalls four important aspects of ministry he has learned through his time as a pastoral resident and Ministry Partner of the church that he wants to incorporate at Axis: the example of Godly character that Bay Area’s leadership provides, their passion for Jesus, their love for the lost both locally and globally, and the level of excellence put into their work for the Kingdom. The mission of Axis – “to
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inspire people to make Jesus the center for the axis for your life” – is grounded in these aspects and reflects how the church seeks to serve the Annapolis community in the future. Axis Church presents a new opportunity for more people to come to know Jesus in the greater Annapolis area because of who its mission is primarily aiming to reach. Axis will be a multiethnic church, meaning that people from all backgrounds and ethnicities will worship Jesus under the same roof, and Axis will be intentional about reaching a global audience within the city of Annapolis. “The Annapolis area is becoming more diverse every day … and there is a need for a church with healthy doctrine to take a multi-ethnic approach to ministry to reach this diverse population,” Jorge said, explaining Axis’ choice to target a multiethnic audience. “God has called us to make disciples of ALL nations,” he added, noting he considers Axis an expansion of Bay Area’s reach to do just that. As a foreigner himself, Jorge understands people enjoy interacting in a welcoming environment that reflects who they are, and that is why he was intentional in building church leadership that is diverse. This multiethnic approach provides the needed connection for
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people who are not originally from the United States and are looking for a community. The location of Axis helps establish a community of believers because it reaches people where they live in their own backyard and reaches out as a neighbor to present the Gospel and bring people together through worship. Jorge and his family, along with the Axis core team, have been called to the mission field of the City of Annapolis to reach a cross-cultural neighborhood through their ministry, and they are excited to see how God will reach a global audience through their local church plant. And Bay Area is excited with them! “Every day we dream about the expansion of God’s Kingdom through all of us. How will the world be reached? Through making disciples who grow existing churches and birth new churches!” said Lead Pastor Greg St. Cyr. “This is why we are so excited about Axis Church. God is and will use Jorge, Sarah and the core team from Bay Area to powerfully advance His Kingdom both locally and globally.” Bay Area will officially commission the Axis team on August 18, and we hope you will partner in prayer with us for Jorge, his family and the core team as they begin this exciting faith journey with God!
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CHURCH PLANT
A Local Church For A Global Audience
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Jorge and Sarah Solorzano
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LEADERSHIP
PROFILE:
JEFF SUPP By Meredith Thompson
eff Supp’s family experienced a remarkable transformation when he was 14 years old. The second-youngest of four kids, Jeff grew up in a Philadelphia suburb in a churchgoing family who, he admits in hindsight, didn’t really understand the gospel. They knew the stories of the Bible, knew they were supposed to do the right thing in life, but they didn’t know Jesus. That changed when his older brother visited a student ministry at another church and came to faith. Soon, Jeff began participating in the ministry as well, and through a gospel presentation following a movie in a Christian theater, he too trusted Jesus. One after the other, his entire family came to faith within a year, and all of them were baptized together – except for the brother who first came to faith and had already been baptized. God breaking into the hearts of every member of the Supp family altered the trajectory of each of their lives, and today they all serve in some form of ministry, from pastor to elder to student ministry volunteer. Jeff has given a quarter-century of his life to vocational ministry as a pastor, though that wasn’t his plan when he graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in engineering. The lifelong Bucks County resident began his career at a pharmaceutical company, and assumed he would end it the same way. But as he voluntarily taught in the high school ministry of the church where he came to faith, Jeff felt a conviction that if he was going to teach
the Bible, someone needed to teach him the Bible. He began taking classes one at a time at a local seminary with no intention of pursuing a degree or career change. Yet after three years, he started to sense that God might be doing more in his life than he had anticipated. He prayed with his wife, Robin, whom he met as a teen through the same student ministry, and together they decided that Jeff would go to seminary full time to determine if God was calling him to vocational ministry. Just before completing his masters of divinity, Jeff was required to do an internship at a local church. Upon completion, they invited him to join the pastoral staff. He served there for the last 25 years, providing leadership for nearly every area of ministry spanning operations to facilities to family ministries and more. Recently, a shift in that church’s leadership structure opened the door for Jeff to consider a new season of ministry. He asked God for two things as he began his search: that he would not personally generate the opportunity that God would provide for him to take, and that it would be within two-and-ahalf hours of home so that he and Robin would not be far from their parents or their three adult children. Both prayers were answered when a friend forwarded a job profile for a pastoral role just a couple hours down I-95, in Annapolis, at a place called Bay Area Community Church. As God would have it, Jeff was unanimously selected by Bay Area’s search team to join the staff as executive pastor of operations.
In his new role, which he began in July, Jeff is responsible for ensuring that all of the operational components of Bay Area – finance, IT, facilities, HR and others – are running effectively and in a way that supports the church’s ministries. Ultimately, he desires to help Bay Area achieve its God-given vision by making sure the best infrastructure, systems and support mechanisms are in place. In his free time, Jeff is an adventure junkie and an athlete. He loves spending time in nature, whether hiking, backpacking or white-water rafting. A former college football player, he takes exercising and staying in shape seriously. And, of course, keeping up with college football. Over the years, Jeff has spent a lot of time camping and enjoying bonfires with his family in their backyard; now an Annapolitan, he looks forward to getting out on the water locally. “I’m really enjoying the team and everyone I’ve interacted with so far, and I’m excited about where the ministry is going,” Jeff said of Bay Area after just a few days on the job, observing that everything his new church home does centers on a singular goal: helping people come to know Jesus. “That leads to big dreams and big opportunities – so big that God has to be a part or it’s not happening. If we could do it on our own it’s not big enough; it doesn’t require faith, it doesn’t require the power of God. But the vision of Bay Area Community Church clearly requires the power of God and the movement of His Spirit among His people, and that’s the kind of vision that a church should have.”
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By Greg St. Cyr
m I alone, or is there something in your heart as well that longs to see God do great things? Are you, like me, tired of not experiencing the power of God in your life? Welcome to a study of the life of Elijah and Elisha throughout the month of August.
At every turn Elijah was characterized by a readiness to trust and obey. As a result, he did not hesitate to risk his life in rebuking king Ahab with these cutting words: “…because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel.” Wow! That’s faith in God!
the victory on Mount Carmel, he “ran for his life” (1 Kings 19:3) from Jezebel and then plunged into the depths of despair and discouragement, asking the Lord to “take away my life” (19:4). Yet God was ready and eager to meet him at his point of need. That’s true for us as well. Like Elijah, we don’t always get it right. But like Elijah, God meets us where we are and is ready to use us to do great and mighty things!
Of all the Old Testament prophets, Elijah stands out as perhaps the most powerful of all! Under the reign of ungodly King Ahab and his evil Phoenician princess, Jezebel, Israel has plummeted to new depths of depravity. The 10 northern tribes are rapidly usurping the God of Israel with Baal, the Canaanite deity.
Elijah’s overwhelming burden was to turn the hearts of the people back to God. Because of that, he witnessed God perform miracle after miracle through him. From calling fire from heaven to consume burnt offerings, to seeing God provide food through ravens and
If ever there was a need for God’s power to be put on display, it was then. For just such an occasion, God has prepared a very normal man to do supernatural things. What I find most encouraging about all the miracles God uses Elijah to do is the little comment James makes in his epistle:
“ He was just like you and me. That means that if God can use a natural man like Elijah to do miracles, he can use each of us.”
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours…” James 5:17 In other words, Elijah was just like you and me. He had all the same struggles, doubts, insecurities and challenges we face. And yet, God used him in incredible ways! That’s why I’m excited about this summer series on Elijah and his mentee, Elisha. In a culture that has forsaken Jehovah, Elijah and Elisha become models of how to live in a society given over to idolatry. The most important thing about Elijah was his zeal for the Lord. Two times Elijah declares, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts.” This is the thing that sets him (and us) apart: passion for the Lord. Such zeal brought about incredible boldness. Standing before 850 false prophets on Mount Carmel, Elijah forces a decision: “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.”
an inexhaustible jar of oil, to bringing a child back from the dead, to dividing the Jordan river, Elijah was the channel through which God displayed His power and glory. That’s the dream that I have for myself and all of us: that we would be channels of God’s power and glory. When it came to his earthly departure, Elijah, like Enoch, did not physically die. Instead, he was taken up by a chariot and horses of fire into a whirlwind that brought him to heaven. Amazing! To repeat myself, what is so encouraging about Elijah is that he “was a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17). He was just like you and me. That means that if God can use a natural man like Elijah to do miracles, he can use each of us. Lest you think that Elijah was some kind of unnatural saint, his story includes several occasions in which he becomes fearful and even depressed. Following
For the last 10 years of Elijah’s life, he poured himself into his disciple, Elisha. That too is a model for us. Elisha was from an affluent family, and yet leaves behind his earthly possessions in order to follow the unique call God has for him.
Elisha’s parting request of his mentor was that he would receive a double portion of the spirit of Elijah, which the Lord graciously granted. Though they had different personalities and backgrounds, Elisha models compassion, faith, courage, wisdom, sympathy and more. There is much to learn from these two prophets, so I encourage you to prepare yourself for this series by diving into 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 8. I close with the important question the Lord asked Elijah two times. I hope you will take a few minutes to ponder it. The question God asks is, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (19:9, 13). It’s a great question to ask yourself: “What am I doing here?” Elijah was just like you and me, and God used him mightily. He wants to do the same through you!
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Ghana: An Eye-Opening Mission
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WITH KARIS BARTHELEMY
n July, 14-year-old Karis Barthelemy traveled to Ghana with a Bay Area short term missions team. While in Ghana, Karis’ team helped lead a National Leadership Camp for high school students, and she had the opportunity to share her testimony and pray with her peers.
Q: Why did you decide to serve on a short term missions team this year? I felt God calling me, and I asked myself, “Why wouldn’t I go on a missions trip?” I don’t have anything holding me back, so why should I not go and serve God’s Kingdom? It was a very new experience – I’d never been out of the country before and the culture was very different, but along the way I was so encouraged by people who knew me or who had been to Ghana before, and that was so helpful.
Q: I f you had to describe your trip in one word, what would you choose? I would say it was eye-opening, not only with the culture being completely different but also the experiences and encounter with God. One thing that God did for sure was give me courage. I have a shy personality and don’t like speaking in front of people, but I prayed a whole lot before giving my testimony to lots of people and wasn’t really nervous. I felt calm, and it felt very natural to speak. I felt complete peace. That was not through my own abilities, because I know I’m not good at that. It was God showing up for me.
Q: Is there a moment or story that was significant for you? Every time I gave my testimony, I would start by saying, “Hi, my name’s Karis. I’m 14 years old.” Every time, I would have to stop then because I would get the biggest reaction; they would be so loud and cheer. I’m tall and people thought I was older, but it surprised them to have someone their age sharing with them.
Q: W hat did you learn about God during this trip? I didn’t expect to encounter God as powerfully as I did; I thought this was for the people I was going to reach. I knew I was going to see God, but I didn’t know how. Having witnessed what He did is amazing. He really showed me that His love isn’t limited to loving me for what I do – it’s unconditional. I know I didn’t always know or do the right thing while I was there, but He did everything for me. It wasn’t because I got everything right, but nevertheless He was faithful. I think that’s something that will stay with me, the depth of His love. His love is so deep – even when I don’t love Him the same way.
Q: H ow do you think this experience has changed you? One thing that stuck out to me was the worship – how open it is and how expressive people are. I thought about the worship in America and how unresponsive it can be at times. It caused me to compare the two and think about how I express worship. It kind of makes you want to do that – to be that one person at church that feels free to express yourself. Maybe not the dancing part, but the expressive worship, for sure.
Q: W hat would you say to someone who’s considering joining a short term missions team next year? You don’t have to be free from doubt to go. I think any trip would be a good, unique experience no matter where it is that you want to go. Doubt is normal, but you can still have the assurance of knowing that that’s where God wants you and that you’re doing what you
should be doing. God will show you that you’ve done the right thing. For me, the courage that He gave me to share and the provision for travel and everything, that just assured me that this was where I was supposed to be.
We asked Karis’s mom, Greta, to share about her experience as a parent sending her teen overseas to serve. Here’s what she had to say: It was interesting; it was a completely different experience than I thought it was going to be. I was surprised by the level of peace we had. Karis had a fantastic team that we had so much trust in – it was helpful to know who was going and to be fond of those people. We felt like, “God’s got this; it’s ok. This is good.”
Q: How would you encourage another parent? Realize that it’s a faith journey for you, too – really entrusting your child to the Lord. Knowing that no matter where you are, you’re not in control anyway, and you’re not any less safe if you’re in God’s will. So if you’re in Africa or walking down our street, you’re no less safe in either place. We have this false idea of control, and in this you realize, actually I don’t have control. I have to decide: do I trust God or not? And once you grasp that God is in control, has her days and my days numbered, and has a plan, you can just rest in that. If you would like to learn more about short term missions at Bay Area, go to bayareacc.org/stm.
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BAPTISM
HAPPENINGS OUR MISSION Making passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations
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 might be in order to grow in your spiritual journey. Snacks are provided. Take your first step at Bay Area by signing up today to attend the gathering on July 7 or August 4.
YOUR NEXT STEP If you are a part of Bay Area and are wanting to take your next step in your spiritual journey, Next Step is for you! Next Step is a onehour gathering designed to help you grow as a disciple through community and/or serving. Join us the second Sunday of the month to connect in community and to check out our serving opportunities. Hope to see you there!
BECOME A MEMBER Are you interested in joining our church family? Here at Bay Area, we call our members Ministry Partners because we are committed to partnering together to make passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations. For those who would like to learn more about becoming a Ministry Partner, the next Ministry Partner Orientation is September 29 from 12:30-4 p.m. To find upcoming dates or register for First Step, Next Step or Ministry Partner Orientation, go to bayareacc. org/nextsteps.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BAPTIZED? For more information, contact: K-5th: thuli.leigh@bayareacc.org 6-12th: brent.squires@bayareacc.org Adults: shari.brandt@bayareacc.org
CARE NETWORK There are times when every one of us experiences challenging circumstances, losses, relational pain and difficult transitions in our lives. God never intended that we go through these experiences alone. The Care Network provides a variety of resources, trained volunteers and referrals to professional counselors that can help you to move forward. We desire to provide hope and healing through a variety of resources both inside and outside the walls of Bay Area. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org Phone: 443-837-3718
DIVORCECARE SUPPORT GROUP Mondays through 8/12, 6:45-9 p.m. Room 237
REFOCCUS MARRIAGE WORKSHOP Thursdays, 10/3 - 11/21 7-9 p.m., Student Ministry Wing Interested in hitting the “refresh” button for your marriage? Join us for REFOCCUS. Led by trained facilitators, each session includes refreshments, games and godly, purposeful conversations with other married couples. Register: bayareacc.org/register
ENGAGED?
We want to partner with you as you establish a strong, Jesus-centered life together. 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
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 through the help of this group. Each week the group features practical information, biblical teaching and encouragement to help you move forward. Register: bayareacc.org/register
CARE NETWORK SERVING OPPORTUNITIES CARE COACHES
CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP Sunday, 8/11, 1-2:30 p.m., Room 237
DIVORCECARE
This support group is now open to ALL Caregivers. Being a Caregiver can mean many things, from caring for the very young to providing adult services and taking care of aging adults. The needs can vary involving medical, physical and/or emotional care. Our group is a safe place to engage with other caregivers, obtain new resources, share challenges or joys and be encouraged. No registration is necessary, just come! Info: msbellamy77@gmail.com
NEW GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP Thursdays, 8/12 – 12/19 6:45-9 p.m., Room 237 This Christ-centered support group
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meets weekly to help those grieving by providing a safe place to walk through this time with the support of trained facilitators who have experienced loss and come through with hope and healing. Cost: $15 Register: bayareacc.org/register
Are you a man with the gifts of compassion and mercy who desires to help others in a coaching role? Care Coaches are maturing followers of Jesus who are compelled by God’s work in them to walk alongside hurting people as they discover the joy of a deepening relationship with the Lord. Training is provided. Have you experienced divorce and have a heart to help walk with others through this life change?
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT TEAM This team is looking for couples to assist with a variety of events throughout the year.
GRIEFSHARE
Have you participated in a GriefShare Support Group and benefited from this ministry now have a heart to serve others? Training is provided. Info: leanne.lane@bayareacc.org
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY WAVE RIDERS Are you a parent of nursery- or preschool-age children looking to be in community? We invite your family to be a part of our Wave Riders play group that meets twice a month from 10 a.m. to noon. 8/6: Sandy Point Park Beach 8/20: Quiet Waters Park
DIVE 45 INFLATED Friday, 8/16, 7-9 p.m.
Children entering fourth- or fifthgrade this fall won’t want to miss Dive 45, where they will enjoy playing on inflatables, games and snacks. The cost is $15 per child, and inviting fourth- or fifth-grade friends is encouraged. Register: bayareacc.org/register
EMPLOYMENT VISUAL ARTIST, STUDENT MINISTRY Full-time, 40 hours/week. The Visual Artist is responsible for conceptualizing and creating meaningful art, primarily in the areas of photography, videography and graphic design, to help Bay Area and Bay Area Student Ministry (BASM) reach people for Jesus.
CAMPUS WORSHIP COORDINATOR – ODENTON Part-time, 20 hours/week - The role of the campus worship coordinator is to contribute to building a worship culture by leading worship at the Odenton campus, managing teams, assisting the campus leadership, ensuring all worship experiences are executed with excellence, developing leaders and recruiting volunteers.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY COORDINATOR – ODENTON
Part-time, 25 hours/week - Leads with and upholds the Children’s Ministry strategy to families and volunteers.
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. Want to join our team of paid workers? Email KidCare Coordinator Ellyn at ellyn. watson@bayareacc.org. For more info and to apply: bayareacc.org/jobs
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 Giving in June 2018: $562,938.93 Giving in June 2019: $617,969.47 Giving participation in June 2018: 823 families/individuals Giving participation in June 2019: 833 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
GLOBAL MISSIONS
SERVE LIKE JESUS Below is a list of some of our current serving opportunities. For more information, and to sign up, go to bayareacc.org/serve. AMBASSADOR TEAM GREETER TEAM AUDIO/VIDEO TEAM CHAIR MINISTRY CHILDREN’S MINISTRY ESPRESSO BAR TEAM CHILDREN’S SET DESIGN TEAM PARKING TEAM PRESCHOOL TEAM SAFETY TEAM WOMEN’S MINISTRY USHER TEAM OPERATIONS TEAM
COMMUNITY OUTREACH BACKPACKS FOR KIDS 8/3-4 & 8/10-11
Bless children in need in Anne Arundel County by filling a backpack with school supplies. $25 donation per backpack. This will take place at the Annapolis Campus after each gathering out on the West Lawn.
TUTORS NEEDED
STAIR Inc. (Start The Adventure In Reading) is in need of tutors for the underprivileged children of Annapolis who struggle with literacy. There is a need for male tutors, but all are welcomed. Training provided. Info: alex.williams@bayareacc.org
GO
Take the next step in your walk with Jesus and share God’s love in one of 10 locations worldwide. Learn about our locations and partners: bayareacc. org/missions. Join a short term missions team: 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 by financially supporting others. Give: bayareacc.org/stmgive
PRAY
Join with others to be encouraged and pray for our missionaries and global partners. This team meets second and fourth Sundays at 9:20 a.m. in the Prayer Room. Info: ccback84@gmail.com
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 online at bayareacc.org/ missionalcommunities.
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 A U G U S T GO&MAKE 25
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP MEN’S MORNING BIBLE STUDY Tuesdays, 6-7:30 a.m. in room 236 Info: sales@ecosoils.net
MEN’S EVENING BIBLE STUDIES Sundays, 6-8 p.m. in room 235 This study is geared toward helping men draw closer to Jesus, 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 Study 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 using the book “The Measure of a Man: 20 Attributes of a Godly Man” by Gene Getz. Come ready to be challenged to grow as a follower of Jesus. Info: sam.logan@gmail.com
MEN’S BARBECUE Saturday, 8/24 at 2 p.m. in the East Parking Lot
Join us for an afternoon of fun outdoor activities and grilling. Test your mettle on the mechanical bull, your wits at trivia and maybe even walk away with one of dozens of door prizes we will be giving away. Everyone gets a T-shirt and if you bring a friend, you can get a limitededition Men’s Ministry hat. Register: bayareacc.org/register
MEN’S BREAKFAST Saturday, 9/21, 8-9:30 a.m. Join us for The Line: God ‘N Grits, a men’s monthly breakfast in the auditorium. The Line is an opportunity for men of Bay Area to gather around good food and maybe walk out with more than just a full stomach and a few laughs. Register: bayareacc.org/register
STUDENT MINISTRY SUMMER CINEMA Sunday, 8/9, 6-9 p.m.
Middle school students can join us for Summer Cinema! Students can come hang out at The Warehouse, enjoy the café, and watch a featured movie. This event is free and students are encouraged to bring friends. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
SUMMER NIGHTS Sunday, 8/11, 6-9 p.m.
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classic summer picnic games and tournaments including cornhole, gaga ball, basketball and more. Students are encouraged to bring a friend. Register: bayareacc.org/register
HIGH SCHOOL POOL PARTY Wednesday, 8/21, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
High school students can come join us for our monthly pool party! This is a casual event, designed for students to come together to hang out with friends. Students should bring a friend and a snack to share. This event is free and does not require registration. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
MIDDLE SCHOOL MYSTERY TRIP Wednesday, 8/14, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Middle school students are invited to join us for a Mystery Trip! The cost is $30 and includes transportation and activity. Students should bring a bagged lunch or money for lunch with them. Registration opens online 7/14. Info: tim.agnolutto@bayareacc.org
MIDDLE SCHOOL FALL RETREAT Friday-Sunday, 10/27-29
Middle school students are invited to join us for our annual middle school fall retreat! The retreat is held at Camp Wabanna in Edgewater, MD, and is a weekend designed intentionally for middle school students to engage in exciting activities and encounter Jesus. Registration opens 8/11. 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
WOMEN’S MINISTRY Register for studies and events at bayareacc.org/annapolis/women.
THE WELL
Like the women at the Well in John 4, women meet Jesus in His Word in community with others at Bay Area. Register in the Annapolis Campus on 8/25, 9/1, and 9/8. Online registration opens 9/1.
JOSHUA: WINNING THE WORRY BATTLE Wednesdays, 9/11 - 12/4 , 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Rather than just applying cliches to our worry battles, we will learn through the life of Joshua how to fight our worries by faith in God’s promises. Video teaching, small group discussions, and weekly homework will equip us for walking in peace and victory. Book cost: $15. Info: laurie.gregory@bayareacc.org KIDCARE Kidcare is available for babiespreschoolers during Well a.m. Info: ellyn.watson@bayareacc.org
FINDING I AM Tuesdays, 9/10 - 12/3, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
We will explore seven I AM statements made by Jesus in the gospel of John. Each will teach us about the life-giving provision of God to us through Christ that applies to our daily lives. The video teaching set in the Holy Land will make the Bible come alive for us. Book cost: $15. Info: cmbernie@thekraftfam.com.
SUMMER CONNECTING ACTIVITIES QUILTS FOR KIDS Saturday, 8/17, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in The Docks Join us as we make quilts for kids. Bring your sewing machine and we will provide the quilting fabrics. Bring your lunch to eat together. Info: annapolisqfk@gmail.com Subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter at bayareacc.org/ annapolis/women.
TAKE GO&MAKE WITH YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO! BAYAREACC.ORG/ GOANDMAKE
ODENTON CAMPUS HAPPENINGS FOOD TRUCK THURSDAYS Thursdays, 8/14 & 8/28, 4-8 p.m.
Enjoy your favorite cuisine and join us for a time of outreach and fellowship as we introduce Bay Area Odenton to the neighborhood and give out invitations to church. Info: jason.barthelemy@ bayareacc.org
MINISTRY PARTNER ORIENTATION Sunday, 8/18, 12:30-4 p.m. at Bay Area Annapolis Campus Are you interested in joining our church family? Here at Bay Area, we call our members Ministry Partners because we are committed to partnering together to make passionate, maturing followers of Jesus from here to the nations. Join us at orientation to learn more about how you can become a partner.
WAL K RUN and
FOR LI FE
BLOCK PARTY Saturday, 9/7, 3-7 p.m. Join us for an evening of free fun for the whole family as we enjoy food and get to know our neighbors in Odenton.
GET CONNECTED IN ODENTON Want to serve in Odenton or get plugged into community? Email Campus Pastor Jason at jason. barthelemy@bayareacc.org.
STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH BAY AREA ODENTON! FOLLOW US AT FACEBOOK. COM/BAYAREAODENTON AND ON INSTAGRAM @BAYAREAODENTON
Support the ministry of the Pregnancy Clinic at their annual fundraiser, a 5K run and 1-mile walk.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 walkandrun.org A U G U S T GO&MAKE 27
ODENTON CAMPUS SUNDAY GATHERINGS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15 AT 9:30 AND 11 AM!
Invite neighbors and friends and join us weekly for the same great worship, relevant biblical teaching, Children’s Ministry and more. Children who are completing kindergarten through fifth-grade are invited to Kids Summer Blitz, a fun-filled event for kids to kick off summer. Invite all your elementary-age friends for gameshow-style competitions, lights, dancing and all the summertime excitement a Friday evening can hold. Cost: $15
BAYAREACC.ORG/REGISTER bayareacc.org/odenton
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