Each year, we honor the life and work of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the annual offering for North American missions named after her. As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate and supporter of mission efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led women to unite in mission endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman's Missionary Union, for which she served as the first corresponding secretary.

Annie believed in Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed that belief in tangible ways. She spent a great amount of time typing and handwriting letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy and all were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our mission efforts. In 1893 alone, she wrote almost 18,000 letters!

Annie also never hesitated to use her hands to reach out to hug a child or distribute food and clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands held her own Bible as she studied to know how best to share Gods love with others. And, most important, Annie was

a woman of prayer, folding her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and for those they were helping discover Christ.

Annie rallied churches to give more, pray more, and do more for reaching people for Christ. As we continue to unite to make her vision a reality in North America today, we can be confident that her legacy will also be ours.

Please be in prayer for all of our S.B.C. Missionaries throughout North America. Please consider showing them your support by giving generously through your church to support this important offering.

T H E N E W S J O U R N A L O F T H E B L U E R I D G E B A P T I S T A S S O C I A T I O N

A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 2

Your

Your Role in Missions is ImportantIf you are a follower of Jesus, you are a vital part of the task to fulfill the Great Commission. Paul says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Jesus has commissioned us to be His heart, His hands, His voice. Through praying, giving, and going, Southern Baptists have fulfilled this legacy for more than 160 years.

Yet billions remain lost, and I fear that time could be running out for them. If we are to do what is necessary to reach these lost people, we must pray more intentionally - and give more sacrificially than ever before. As your Director of Missions, I pray that your church takes seriously your role and responsibility for helping reach the nearly 3,800 unengaged, un-reached people groups that missionaries are trying to reach in our world. As Easter approaches, your church should try to meet a giving goal for the Annie Armstrong offering to support North American Missions. Just as we give to spread the gospel across the globe, it is also important to do our best to reach vast pockets of lost people who matter to God right here in North America - most of whom (statistics tell us) are in cities and major metropolitan areas.

Our North American Mission Board is undergoing a reorganization of sorts - called the "Great Commission Resurgence", that should re-prioritize SBC structure so

that we can make the most of our ministry resources to reach the lost of North America. I encourage you to go to anniearmstrong.com and see what God is doing through SBC missions as you consider what you will give this Easter. There

you will find prayer guides, and a video library that will help you see first hand what God is doing through your support of Southern Baptist Missions. The national goal is to reach $70,000,000.  What is YOUR church's goal to reach the lost in North America?

Blessings,

from your Director of Missions - Bruce Conley

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Congratulations to Pastor Jonathan Beall and his wife Jamie on the birth of

their son, Isaac.

Baby Isaac was at born at Meritius Medical Center on Saturday, March 10 at 2AM.

He weighed in at 9 pounds and 2 ounces. He was 21.5 inches long.

Jonathan is the Lead Pastor at Adamstown Community Church.

The Beallʼs also have a daughter named Caroline.

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MYERSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH is seeking a part-time Pastor to serve their church. Interested parties should send their resumes to the Association office.

SMITHSBURG VALLEY CHURCH seeks a Worship Leader to lead our contemporary service and a team of volunteer musicians. He/she will oversee the worship team, encouraging their spiritual journey. The position requires 10 hours per week of prayer, preparation, and music ministry. Visit our website to hear our music style and pastorʼs teaching: smithsburgvalleychurch.com. Pastor Allen Youngbar at 240-527-9991 or allen@smithsburgvalleychurch.com.

FBC BRUNSWICK seeks a Minister of Children and Youth. This is a small but growing church that is looking for someone to provide oversight and leadership to these ministries for 16 - 20 hours per week. Please contact Pastor Phil Graves at 301-788-7424 for further information. VIRGINIA AVENUE CHURCH is in search of a Senior Pastor. Contact the BRBA office if you have any questions.

SOUTH END CHURCH is searching for an Associate Pastor. Contact the BRBA office if you have any questions.

YOUR ADIf your church is interested in placing an ad in our newsletter, please get the information to Mae Argilan at mae@blueridgebaptist.org

Church Spotlight - Tri-State Community Church

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We had our first visitors - a husband, wife, son and son's friend on Sunday, February 26. That family came back with another mother and son, March 18. Another family also attended for the third straight Sunday yesterday. Attendance was an exciting 18 yesterday - more than double what we started with. To God be the glory! We also praise the Lord for the Cruz family who have been with us from the beginning and my parents who have attended and helped out in many ways. My wife, Billee Jo, has also started a once-a-month children's class. Our son, Caleb, who plays guitar and sings has been leading worship music and our daughter, Bethany, has been running the powerpoint for the music. Caleb has also been building a worship team with friends he has played with before. He was able to attend the worship session at In-Service and gained some valuable information about building a worship team. Yesterday we had two playing guitar and leading singing and we also have a young man playing djembe each week.   

We want to thank Bruce Conley and the Blue Ridge Baptist Association for partnering with us in this work of the Lord in Hancock. We are also praising the Lord for Pastor Shane Wilt and West End Baptist Chapel who will be working with us in this ministry. We are also very grateful to the many churches and individuals who have provided the furniture and equipment. Belonging to the body of Christ is a wonderful thing and we look forward to the opportunity to be an encouragement to you as you have to us.

We will have our first Communion on Sunday, April 1. We will also be planning some work days and outreach events in the near future. Please pray for us as I have been praying for 35 families I am familiar with in the area - most of which do not have a church home. Pray for us as we make a decision regarding the building in which we have been meeting. We have the opportunity to go from renting it one day each week to renting seven days a week and are praying for financial wisdom.

More great news: we just had our first salvation decision as I just came from the home of one of the families that have been coming to church, and the wife prayed and asked Jesus to be her savior! I thought you and others would want to join me and the angels in heaven in celebration. The husband shared that he has already trusted Jesus as Savior so praise the Lord for this as well. - Alan Myers, Sr., Hancock Church Planter/Pastor

Church Multiplication Workshop

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The Arundel Baptist Association is hosting a special event of which we'd like you to be a part. Let me ask you a question. Do the words birthing a new church, church multiplication, or church planting interest or excite you? If so, you are invited to attend ourChurch Multiplication Workshop Thursday, April 19, 20129 AM to 8 PM(3 sessions in one action-packed day) at North Arundel Church7610 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Glen Burnie, MD  If you are a church planter/church planter's wife, pastor (full-time or bi-vocational), staff member, church member, or a friend of the ABA, you are welcome to attend any or all of this event.

 • Kevin Marsico, church planter-pastor of NorthStar Community Church and

church planting consultant for the North American Mission Board will be presenting

 

• James Pope, church planter-pastor of North Arundel Church will be sharing the NAC Story  

$12 registration fee includes lunch & dinner(scholarships are available)  For more information, or to register for this event, call Cindy at the ABA office 410.647.0507 or email info@arundelbaptist.info

Maugansville Moves and Gets a New Namea message from Pastor Scott Johnson

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Maugansville Baptist has moved and is changing its name to Hopeful Baptist Church. As of Feb. 29th we officially began having services at Van Lear Brethren In-Christ in Williamsport. All 100% of membership came out to the new location after we moved and set up everything.

New Service times are:Sunday school 2:00 PM - 3:00 PMWorship 3:15 PM - 4:15 PMWednesday Bible Study 7:00 PM

Come visit or send someone who says they sleep in. I am very blessed to be a part of a church body that does not care where we go or when we meet as long as we can continue to study the Bible and disciple others together as the body of CHRIST. This is one tough group of dedicated Christians.

Pastor Scott

April 27 6:30-9 PM, April 28th 9 AM- 2:30 PM

Cost $40.00 per couple

Location: First Baptist Church of Inwood, Hosted by New Hope Church (BRBA)

Contact information: Pastor Don Cherry, (304) 821-1366 or decjazz@juno.com

Cut off date: April 15th

Light refreshments will be provided Friday evening and Saturday morning, Sat lunch is to your pleasure. Local venues available: King's pizza, KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, Dairy Queen, The Dining Room

Maryland Marriage Alliance is needing the help of conscientious Christians and local churches to assist in the gathering of signatures for the referendum that will take place  this Fall regarding the same sex marriage legislation. For info or to sign up visit www.marylandmarriagealliance.com/

For the first time in MD/DE Disaster Relief history, all of our DR ministry areas were active at some point during the year.  Here's a quick overview of 2011 deployments and drills: May:

Chaplains and two chainsaw recovery units deployed to North Carolina in response to tornadoes.

 June:   

Chaplains and the laundry unit  served in Vermont in response to the Lake Champlain flood.    One feeding unit and chaplain unit served as part of the American Red Cross regional sheltering drill in Baltimore. 

 July:  Chaplains and a recovery unit responded to mud-out needs in Vermont as a result of the Lake Champlain flood. 

September:Chaplains, assessors, Incident Command teams, feeding volunteers and chainsaw recovery teams served in Southern Maryland in response to Hurricane Irene.   A feeding unit responded to provide meals for the Red Cross shelters on the lower Eastern Shore.  The laundry unit deployed to both Queen Anne's County and Port Deposit in response to storm-related flooding. 

 October:

MD/DE DR volunteers continued to provide leadership and assistance as Southern Maryland churches finished up remaining cleanup/chainsaw jobs. 

2011 Was a Busy Year for MD/DE Volunteers

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Please continue to pray for our Disaster Relief Teams as they respond in 2012. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, the next training is on April 14 at Allen Memorial. You can visit bcmd.org/2012-dr-trainings for more information.

It is with joy and excitement that Emmitsburg Community Bible Church invites you and, if possible, your spouse to share in a few days of rest and refreshment at Middle Creek Bible Conference Center near Gettysburg Pa.

You have worked hard for a long time and as you read this you are preparing for extensive Easter services. We want to provide you an opportunity to take a break and to:

• Laugh – we deal with so much stress, death, discouragement, problems, and we need to be able to laugh

• Worship – without thinking of what you will be preaching in a few moments. You just need to be able to worship with no expectations

• Rest – take a walk, go skiing at Ski Liberty, visit the Battlefield, or just take a nap without worrying about the phone ringing

• Be Encouraged – Our speaker is in the Pastor Encouragement business. Some-times we just need someone to remind us that what we are doing matters

There will be sessions for couples, and breakout sessions just for pastors and some just for pastor’s wives (led by Rodetta Cook, Ron’s wife).

The Cost

This is the exciting part, just $25.00 per per-son for the first 40 people who register. We have been given funds by the BCMD and an anonymous donor to cover the costs of the first 40 people. We want this to be for as many pastors and spouses as can attend. However, this is not limited to couples. Pastors may attend alone and room with other pastors who do the same. (If more than 40 register the costs will be $150 per person.)

For more information and to register, contact:

Gary Buchman pastorgarybuchman@gmail.com P.O. Box 1201, Emmitsburg MD 21727 Office: 301-447-6565

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April 16 ‐ 18, 2012 | Middle Creek Chris6an Retreat Center | Fairfield , PA 

IMPACT Frederick 2012

This summer 450 students from the Frederick area and elsewhere along the East Coast are going to do a weeklong mission trip to repair 40-45 homes in Frederick County. The event is being hosted by Hometown Hope, which includes Lakeview Church, Summit Trace Church, and First Baptist Church of Green Valley. The Frederick County Board of Education has already given approval to use Linganore High School as a place for the students to sleep, eat, and worship.

You have two ways that you can be part of this event. First, you can be a Participating Church by having your youth groups and students sign up to be part of the work crews. Second, you can become a Partnering Church by adopting a worksite. Adopting a worksite means your church provides lunches for the work crews. By doing so, you will be building a relationship with the homeowner and the neighborhood that will last beyond when the work crews leave.

If you are interested or would like more info, check out our website – www.impactfrederick.org or send an email to HometownHope@gmail.com. Donʼt miss out on this opportunity to IMPACT the Frederick Community with the love of Christ.

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Birthdays

APRIL4 Debbie Buchman9 Kevin Marsico12 Donna Rose

MAY2 Jennifer Powell2 Lori Goforth10 Shawn Scheffers20 Jim Goforth21 Dan Housam22 Aaron Miller26 Ken Stalls

AnniversariesApril 12 GravesMay 8 ScheffersMay 10 GoforthMay 13 KraussMay 19 ArgilanMay 23 Cherry

Event Calendar

Apr 1 - SBC Seminaries Sunday

Apr 1 - Language Music Celebration - 5:00 PM at Global Mission Church in Silver Spring. See bcmd.org/music-celebration for more information and registration

Apr 4 - Pastorʼs Fellowship Breakfast 8:00 AM at Bob Evans on Route 40 in Frederick

Apr 14 - Disaster Relief Training 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM at Allen Memorial Baptist Church. See bcmd.org/2012-dr-trainings for more information

Apr 15 - Life Commitment Sunday

Apr 22 - Cooperative Program Sunday

Apr 29 - Deacon Training at Paramount Baptist Church from 3:00 - 6:30 PM with Dr. David Lee. This event is free and open to all churches. Contact the church at 301-739-2821 for information and registration.

May 1 - 25 - BCM/D Annual Health Kit Collection see bcmd.org/healthkits3 for more information.

May 2 - Pastorʼs Fellowship Breakfast 8:00 AM at Red Byrd in Keedysville.

May 6 - Senior Adult Sunday

May 20 - 26 - Baptist Association Emphasis - bulletin inserts are available to any church that would like them. Please contact mae@blueridgebaptist.org with your desired quantity.

May 21 - 23 - Ports of Call Older Adult Retreat at Skycroft. For information and registration visit bcmd.org/ports

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Summit Trace Church - Frederick:Summit Trace moved to a new office location. Sunday April 1st we will have lunch at the new space at 3886 Roundtree Road, Unit 2, Jefferson, MD 21755.

2012 Women's Ministry Spring Retreat for Ladies 18 and older: Ruby Slippers- "It's All about the Shoes". The cost is $100 for the weekend, $60 for a single night. We will provide additional information, driving directions, etc. for those that sign up. Join us for the weekend as we un-wrap biblical femininity. What if our femininity is a gift from God?   

Fellowship - Middletown:Holy Week Services:

• April 4, Wednesday – Seder service and meal, 6 PM.

• April 6, Friday – Good Friday prayer vigil.

• April 8, Sunday – Sunrise service, Fellowship Breakfast, Resurrection Day Worship.

IN THE CHURCHESSouth End - Frederick:On April 1 at 10:30 AM we will present our Easter Cantata "I Know My Redeemer Lives!”.On April 5 at 7 PM our Maundy Thursday service culminating with the Lord's Supper.On Easter Sunday we begin at 7 AM with a Sonrise Service, then a breakfast at 8 AM, followed by Sunday School at 9:15 AM and then our Easter Service at 10:30 AM.Our Ladies will have a "Spring Social" on the 28th of April from 2-4 PM. 

Smithsburg Valley - Smithsburg:We have added two new staff members - Josh Youngbar is our Creative/Technical Director, and Erin Youngbar is our Children/Student Ministries Director.

New Life Community Church - Inwood:We welcome Tracy Willett as our new Director of Children Ministries.

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Pleasant Valley - Rohersville:PVBC invites everyone to attend a new worship experience at Easter time – THE LIVING PORTRAIT. This will be a live dramatic performance depicting Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper”. With 12 apostles seated at the table, the story of the Last Supper will come alive like never before. Leonardo da Vinci - the artist who painted this well known work - will reveal his inspiration for the masterpiece, and music will be presented that is reflective of the event. Come hear each Apostle testify about his personal relationship with Jesus, and what was to take place on that faithless night. You may never be able to look at the work “The Last Supper” the same way again! Admission: $ 0.00

DATE:  April 7th, 2012 at 6:00 PM (please come 10-15 minutes early).

WHERE:  Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 3346 Gapland Road, Rohrersville, MD  21779 (refreshments and fellowship will be offered after the service).

MORE INFORMATION:  Brother Clayton Clark  (301) 432-2621.

Paramount Baptist - Hagerstown:Join us Sunday, April 8 for our Easter musical “Never Thirst Again”.

First Baptist Church - Brunswick:We will be hosting an ALL ABOUT KIDS PRODUCTION camp the week of July 8 -13. Registration is now open. You can register your child in 1 - 6th grade at www.lamplightartists.com/first-brunswick.

Virginia Avenue - Hagerstown:The Jacobs Brothers will sing on Thursday, April 12 at 7:00 PM.Join us for an old-fashioned, ice cream social on Sunday, June 24th, at 5:30 PM.

Crossroads Community Church - Falling Waters:We called Eric Kersten to be our Senior Pastor in March 2012.

Adamstown Community Church - Adamstown:We invite you to join us for the ordination of our pastor, Jon Beall on April 29 at 6:00 PM.

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Prayer LightsPlease be in prayer for Frank Pilcher, Director of Missions in Tri-County Association in the WV panhandle, and current Church Planting Strategist for the WV Baptist Convention as he recovers from a recent heart attack.

Ken Stalls needs your prayers as he recovers from some recent health problems. Pray for all the churches in the Blue Ridge Baptist Association, that this would be a banner year of inviting friends and neighbors to church for the Easter season in each church.  Pray for decisions to be made for Christ as the story of Christ's sacrifice is shared with those who are lost and need salvation.

 Pray that the Annie Armstrong offering that supports North American missions and missionaries will not only meet - but exceed all goals this year. Pray for our Director of Missions, Pastor Bruce Conley who will undergo a scheduled surgery on Tuesday, April 10th at Washington Hospital Center. Pray for a successful procedure, and a speedy recovery. Pray for Pastor Tim Bean of Marbury Baptist Church in the Potomac Association. He was in a serious car accident with neck and back injuries. His surgery at Washington Hospital Center was successful, and he suffered a fractured spine that required two rods and twelve screws to be placed.  Pray not only for his healing, but also for his family - wife Linda and son Taylor. Pray for  PROJECT JERICHO, a effort under way in Caracas, Venezuela by IMB missionaries, and churches in the Caracas Baptist Association to reach that city for Christ in April - and beyond.  IMB has a "Caracas for Christ" team in place, because that capital city is the LEAST evangelized city in South America, with less than 2% of it's population claiming Christ as Savior.  For more information on how you can pray and help go to www.proyecto-jerico.org /en Pray for a possible new Chinese mission church plant that may be locating in the Frederick / Urbana area. Talks are under way. 

20810A National PikeBoonsboro, MD 21713

T H E N E W S J O U R N A L O F T H E B L U E R I D G E B A P T I S T A S S O C I A T I O N

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