Convoy of Hope mobilizes, resources, and trains

churches and other groups to conduct community

outreaches, respond to disasters, and direct other

compassion initiatives in the United States and around

the world.

During a Convoy of Hope outreach, free groceries are

distributed, job and health fairs are organized and

activities for children are provided.

The partnership between businesses, suppliers and Convoy of Hope has resulted in many families receiving help. Together we have accomplished the following:

• 300,000 square-feet distribution center• Fleet of 18-wheeler semi-trucks • Experienced logistics and program teams• Ability to gather resources from across the nation• Distributes food across America and around the

world• Conducts events in over 50 cities and 10 countries

each year• Partners with government, businesses and non-

profit organizations to build community unity

• Distributed more than $100 million of food to needy families in the United States and around the world

• Provided food and supplies to nearly 16 million people

• Placed shelters, water purification units and other supplies around the world

• Responded to disasters and crises in nearly 50 countries

• Mobilized more than 200,000 volunteers and over 5,000 organizations to offer assistance to families in need

This is the third year that Convoy of Hope will be

taking place in Frederick. It will happen June 1 at

the E-ventplex at the Frederick Fairgrounds. Much of

the leadership is being provided by NorthStar

Community Church. For more information, visit

hopeforfrederick.com

Convoy of Hope Returns to Frederick

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JASON & PATTY SMITH HEAD TO TX The pastor of Harvest Pointe in Charles Town headed south for new ministry. See page 3 for the whole story

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL SCHEDULE See page 4 for a list of dates and times that our BRBA Churches will be holing their VBS.

YOUR 411JUNE/JULY 2013

News for Blue Ridge Baptists

My job title is "Director of Missions". We have 38 churches of many varying sizes in the Blue Ridge Baptist Association.  One church has an active membership of a little over a dozen people ..... another has over 800.  The question that has been on my mind lately is, "Can a church be too small to be actively involved in missions work?” I think not. I have known too many smaller-membership congregations that have been enormously involved in missions - to believe that size has anything to do with whether or not that local body can or should have direct missions involvement.

MISSIONS DEFINED:Missions is what the church, collectively or as individual members, does to take the love of Jesus Christ to persons outside of the church. Jesus commanded that we "GO" and make disciples of all nations, therefore there is no reason for any local body of Christ to NOT be involved in missions. Being too old or too traditional is no better an excuse than too small or too new.  Any size, age, or style of church can find a way to reach out to an un-reached people group in their neighborhood, or somewhere in the world.

Involvement in missions may include anything from prayer support to engaging in mission action and witnessing. It only takes one person to feed a homeless person a meal and to tell him or her about the hope that is available in Jesus Christ. It only takes one student to tell a fellow classmate that Jesus loves him. But on a larger scale, a whole church could have a project such as cutting wood for the poor in the community for their wood-burning stoves or fireplaces. Or, a church might want to partner with other churches in the Blue Ridge Baptist Association (for example) to send a few members to go on a missions trip to another area of our region, the United States, or the world. Missions involvement is best when approached as a team sport, not necessarily as something to be done by a Lone Ranger.

WHAT ABOUT LOCAL MISSIONS?Our Association tries to plant new churches each and every year to expand the gospel in Blue Ridge.  Most church planters would say that they are home missionaries - on the front lines of trying to reach people with the gospel of Christ.  

The question is - how missional is YOUR church in supporting such work?  When was the last time your church sought to bless a church planter in our region in some way in his work?  Has your church ever sent a few families out for a period of time to help start a new mission work?  Have they ever sponsored a new church plant?  

I have never met a church planter who didn't have a thirst for more help, more people with gifts to be used, more resources - there just never seems to be enough in the first years of a new work to meet the need.  Is it possible that it might be time for your church to consider increasing efforts for the Kingdom in starting or helping a new mission church in it's first 2-3 years?

I would like to recommend that you look into a online source that might increase your church's passion for getting in the deep end of the Missions pool - Beginnings: A One-Year Bible Study for Small Groups and for Starting Congregations, is an in-depth study offered by the WMU store of the SBC with 52 weekly discussions and leader helps. Who knows what God might do - your church might become a great inspiration and help to a church planter to encourage him and help him with needed resources.  

Churches need to be involved in mission endeavors in increasing ways in order to fulfill the great Commission of our Lord.  In Matthew 25:31–46, Jesus directly ties missions to the final judgment when He divided the sheep from the goats based on whether or not a person fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, and visited the sick and imprisoned. There can be no doubt that we are to be involved in missions.

This association is looking at ways that we can better assist your church in this great calling.  In the months ahead - you will find BRBA offering more and more opportunities for your church to get directly involved in mission work. Your association exists to help churches be on mission, taking the love of Jesus to hurting, lost people.

Tom Swilley, chairman of the Executive Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church there recently said these words, “The greatest joy we do as Christians is to testify of the Lord Jesus Christ ....and, being involved in missions is the greatest opportunity a church will ever have." 

Personally .... I think he hit the nail on the head!

Blessings,

HOW INVOLVED IS YOUR CHURCH IN MISSIONS?From Bruce Conley

Your Director of Missions

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The past six years have been an amazing journey for our little family.  Six years ago my wife, Patty, and I were expecting our first child.  We were going through some difficult trials in ministry, but God had blessed us with a child that we had hoped for many years to welcome into our world.  As Eliana Grace was born, God began to stir in our hearts that He was releasing us for our current ministry to explore His next step for our lives.  During the search process, we discovered that Eliana had hearing loss in one ear, but were reassured by the doctors, audiologists, and others that she would compensate.

After a short time, God opened the door for our family to move across the country from Texas to Charles Town, West Virginia.  Within our first year of being at Harvest Pointe, we discovered that Eliana's hearing loss was much more severe than we had known.  It was progressive and in both ears.  Our church family rallied around us as she received hearing aids, we moved to Maryland for her to attend Maryland School for the Deaf, and when she received Cochlear Implants just over a year ago.  Through all of this God has shown us very clearly that we were in the right place for Him to use us within the local church, but also so that He could meet our needs as a family.  Also, during this time we welcomed our second daughter, Anaiah Faith, who is now a bubbly talkative two year old.

As Patty and I were thinking about Eliana's future at this first of this year, with her entering Kindergarten this fall, we began to consider where she would be going to school.  Her needs had changed since receiving the implants and we wanted God's best for her.  Just weeks, later a church that I previously worked on staff at in Austin, Texas contacted me to see if I would be interested in returning. During our first visit there, we visited Live Oak Elementary School that is just five minutes from the church and serves as the regional school for the deaf for the area. We were impressed with the school and believe that it would provide the ideal mix of interaction with hearing children and adults, while still having access to all the services that she might need as she transitions to hearing and speaking. After a second interview visit, the church offered me a position starting on July 1.  Initially, I will be serving as a Small Groups Pastor at Hill Country Bible Church-Austin (a church-planting church of 5,500) focusing on moving the small groups within the Brushy Creek neighborhood to become more missional.  The long-term hope is to launch a campus of Hill Country within the neighborhood that consists of well over 20,000 people.

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Ministry SpotlightJason and Patty Smith

SUMMER MISSIONARIES set to Return

God has moved mightily over the last five years in our family and in the Harvest Pointe family.  He has grown us together into one body committed to serving in good deeds and sharing the good news.  We will forever be linked to the people that God has brought into our lives and we have grown so close to over our time here.  The future is bright for Harvest Pointe and we are excited for all the great candidates that we have already seen to move the church into its next chapter.

Overall, God has moved our family into a new chapter of our His story of our lives in service to our Savior.  We are excited about Eliana starting Kindergarten at a school that can meet her unique needs and also the other services that are available in the Austin area to aid her. Patty will be rejoining a good friend in working in Project Management/Graphic Design.  Anaiah will be starting pre-school.  Our story is one of God's love, mercy, and faithfulness.  It is a story of a family that has been committed to following Jesus Christ wherever He leads no matter the cost.  It is a story of a family that has been mentored, embraced, and changed by the people that we have been able to be connected with in church over the years.  It is a story that carries on.

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Editor’s Note: We are praying for Pastor Jason and his family as they embark on a new ministry calling and adventure, and lift up Harvest Pointe Church as they seek a new pastor/leader

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Over the past several summers, BRBA has employed summer missionaries to assist our churches with their summer projects, including Vacation Bible School, Performing Arts camps and mission outreach.

This summer, both of our former missionaries return as a tag team to help our churches. Both Christie Clark and Elizabeth Conley have agreed to return. While much of their time is already spoken for, we do have a few spaces left. If you would like to use one of them this summer, please contact Mae Argilan at mae@blueridgebaptist.org or 240-818-8760 to check their availability.

In the past few weeks, it’s been decided that I will no longer serve the North American Mission Board as a Church Planter Catalyst, effective 1/1/14.

This was a mutual decision between NAMB and myself. Under NAMB’s SEND North America strategy, each CPC was expected to plant a minimum of three churches per year. The association I serve as an associational missionary (equivalent to your director of missions), Western, will probably not average even one church plant per year, given our population and other contextual circumstances.

Since Bruce is not funded in any way by NAMB (I currently receive ¼ of my salary and my insurance from the Board) a suggestion was made in January by BCM/D’s David Jackson that your association be added to mine, solely in regards to CPC territory. I’m grateful to him, and to you, for accepting this idea. It has helped me become more connected to you and your churches, with whom I’ve had a heart connection, ever since I pastored east of you, in Carroll County, back 20-some years ago.

Even with the addition of Blue Ridge, the “3-per-year” expectation was not going to be met, and Bruce and I don’t see that coming at least for a few years yet. Also, taking time to fulfill my CPC role was taking time away from what I believe is my primary calling from the Lord, ministering as “a pastor to pastors”.

So, even before we could really begin our “official” relationship comes to an end. BUT, our real relationship between our associations continues! Another factor in my decision is that the way in which the Lord is already successfully planting churches in our two associations is getting the job done without needing NAMB assistance. Those resources, therefore, can be used somewhere else; Bruce and I will continue to minister to our two associations and team up on a “regional” church-planting strategy, tailor-made for western Maryland and nearby West Virginia and Pennsylvania!

Before the end of the year, I will continue to pray for each of you and your churches every Saturday, and am willing to help you in any way in regards to church planting. Already, churches in our two associations help each other(for instance, Deep Creek Lake Resort Ministries), and I would welcome other ways we can work for the Lord, side by side.

Thank you, and God bless!

Kenny Heath to Step down as Church Planter Catalyst

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From June 23 - 28 First Baptist Church of Brunswick, Faith Baptist Church and Summit Trace Church will be partnering with Lamplight Artists to present a one-week performing arts day camp for kids.

Designed for kids who are entering grades 2 through 8, ALL ABOUT KIDS PRODUCTIONS is a high-energy, kid-

oriented performing arts day camp. Music, acting, stage movement and dance are combined with Bible study, hands-on instruction, plenty of laughter, and just the right amount of hard work to create an awesome week of challenge and growth. Kids learn Biblical principles for life’s choices as they enjoy a great week in the performing arts!

For more information or to register your child, please visit lamplightartists.com/camps/first-brunswick. Scholarships are available. Please contact Kimberly Walter at 301-834-8166 for information.

Vacation Bible School is on the way. Here is a list of dates and times for the churches in Blue Ridge...

June17 – 21! Paramount !! 6:15 – 9:00 PM!23 – 27! South End! ! 5:30 – 8:00 PM!! ! Pleasant Valley! 6:30 – 8:45 PM!! ! Greenbrier! ! 6:00 – 8:30 PM24 – 28! 2nd Baptist !! 6:00 – 8:30 PM! ! Covenant! ! 9:00 – 11:00 AM!

July8 – 12! FBC Hagerstown!6:00 – 9:00 PM21 – 26! Faith! ! ! 6:00 – 8:30 PM!28 – 2! Battlefield! ! Evening29 – 2! New Hope ! ! 6:00 – 8:30 PM29 – 4! Adamstown! 6:00 – 8:00 PM

August5 – 9 Smithsburg Valley 8:30 – 10:30 AM

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ALL ABOUT KIDS PRODUCTION CAMP

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June 3 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Christian Skate Night at Turner Skate Palace on Virginia Ave. in Hagerstown.

July 1 - 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Christian Skate Night at Turner Skate Palace on Virginia Ave. in Hagerstown.

Save the Date: We will have our Fall Youth Night at Skycroft on Sunday Night October 13, from 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM.

We had over 50 students and Adults attend our last Youth Night. It was a fun time of games in the open gym, food

from the snack bar, praise music with the band Pure Reliance, and a devotional challenge from Pastor Phil from FBC Brunswick. We look forward to having your church youth group join us in the fall!

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Harvest Pointe Community Church is a a in search of a Senior Pastor to lead the church into the future.

Faith Baptist Church is looking for an Associate Pastor of Family Ministry.

Myersville Baptist Church has called John Sumpter (a native Marylander) as their new Pastor.  Expectations are that John and his family will be on site sometime this summer to start serving the greater Myersville area.

Tri-State Community Church in Hancock is having a community pig roast on Saturday, July 6

starting at 1:00 PM (rain date Sunday, July 7 at same time).  Food, music, games, activities - lots

of FUN and everything FREE.  There will be a flag raising ceremony and a recognition of local

officials and agencies.  If you are part of the Blue Ridge Baptist Association this is

your church plant, and you are invited to participate in this exciting ministry God has given us

to reach this awesome community for Him.

Dates of importance:

Sunday, June 2 at 5:00 PM - fellowship/planning evening

Saturday, June 15 and 29 at 9:00 AM - work days for flyer distribution, and building and

grounds preparation (including putting up our beautiful new sign provided by BRBA)

Saturday, July 6 at 1:00 PM - COMMUNITY PIG ROAST

Sunday, July 7 at 11:00 AM - Special worship service to culminate this exciting weekend and

to officially launch this work of God and ask His blessing on it.

Please plan to attend any or all of these activities.

We are located at 326 E. Main Street, Hancock, MD.  You can reach Pastor Alan Myers @

(301) 302-6412 or pastor@tri-state.cc.  We also encourage you to visit our new web

site: www.tri-state.cc

Set to have “Official Launch”

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Birthdays

JUNE1 John Koontz8 Ricky Simpson14 Michell Simpson17 Kathy Rickard27 Duane Musgrove28 Joanne Jordan

July4 Gary Buchman9 Gordon Fox11 Kimberly Walter18 Bruce Conley

Anniversary

June8 OyerlyJune8 MusgroveJune11 MarsicoJune12 PopeJune20 EubanksJune23 PowellJune28 RichJune28 BuchmanJuly 18 JordanJuly 23 BeallJuly 23 Stalls

Event Calendar

June 1 - Convoy of Hope at the Frederick Fair Grounds.

June 1 - Your Shape for Church Planting - at the BCM/D. $10 per person. Visit bcmd.org/your-shape-for-church-planting for information and registration.

June 5 -8:00 am - Pastor’s Fellowship Breakfast at Bonnie’s at the Red Byrd in Keedysville.

June 11 - 12 - Southern Baptist Convention in Houston, TX.

June 16 - Baptist Men’s Day (SBC)

June 23 - Mission: Dignity Sunday - (SBC)

June 30 - Citizenship and Religious Liberty Sunday - (SBC)

July 3- 8:00 am - Pastor’s Fellowship Breakfast at Bob Evans on Route 40 in Frederick.

July 12 - 13 - Mother Daughter Camp at Camp Wo-Me-To. $70 per person. Visit bcmd.org/mother-daughter-camp for details and registration.

July 14 - 17 - Girl’s Camp at Camp Wo-Me-To. Cost is $185 per person. Visit bcmd.org/girlscamp for registration and information.

July 21 - Love Loud Sunday (SBC) - See namb.net/loveloud for more information

August 1 - 4 - Boy’s Camp at Camp Wo-Me-To. Cost is $185 per person. Visit bcmd.org/boys-camp-2013 for registration and information.

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Pleasant Valley Baptist Church - Rohrersville:PVBC is looking for a couple of women who love working with nursery and preschool age children to assist with their Vacation Bible School this summer during the last week of June 2013. In exchange, they will send workers as needed in YOUR VBS! For more information contact Sherrie Clark 240.818.5508, or e-mail claytonandsherrie@yahoo.com.

We will have a VBS recognition service on June 30 from 9 - 11 AM

Tri-State Community Church - Hancock:Will be officially launching their church on July 6 at 1 PM with a Community Pig Roast. There will be food, music, and a whole lot more(rain date July 7).

South End Baptist Church - Frederick:Will have it’s Vacation Bible School Kick off event on June 22.

Adamstown Community Church - Adamstown:Will have a Family Carnival event on August 4. They will also begin having Team Kids the first Friday of every month.

Faith Baptist Church - Knoxville:Will have their VBS Friday Family Celebration on July 26 at 6 PM.

West End Baptist Chapel - Hagerstown:Will hold it’s annual church picnic on Sunday, June 2 at Celebration Farms in Hagerstown. The picnic begins at 1:30 PM.

In the ChurchesParamount Baptist Church - Hagerstown:PBC Youth will be on a mission trip in Gatlinburg, Tennessee from June 23 - 28.

The church will be hosting a family cook out and devotion of June 5 at 6 PM. Smithsburg Valley Church - Smithsburg:The Deep Creek Lake Ministries mission trip is June 20 - 23 for all ages - $10/person. Contact Jess 240.469.8767 or Kim 301.992.4171.

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

Pastor Jeff Moss who has been having issues with his heart.

Harvest Pointe as they search for a new pastor.

Battlefield Bible Church’s David Hays as his wife Ilze as they are expecting a child.

Karen Fogg from First Baptist Brunswick as she continues to recover from a stroke.

Erin Youngbar from Smithsburg Valley as she battles cancer.

John Sumpter, the new pastor of Myersville, as he moves his family to Maryland this summer.

All our church’s summer outreach programs.

The Potomac Baptist Association as the search for a new Director of Missions.

Please pray for 2 churches that are considering joining our Association.

Pray for our pastors as the continue to minister in our churches.

Pray for an unspecified request from one of our pastors who is recently had by-pass surgery.

Kenny Heath our Catalytic Church Planter.

Rob Welty who is having some health issues.

Pastor Luis Serrano and the new Hispanic mission church that is forming in the Frederick, MD area.

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BRBA has acquired a used 15 passenger-van that will be available for our churches to use beginning mid June. The van was purchased from the Mid-Maryland Association and is in good shape.

This is the second van that Blue Ridge has added to our fleet. Our churches are welcome to reserve it for mission trips, Vacation Bible Schools, or any other projects.

To reserve the van. please complete the reservation form on our website (blueridgebaptist.org) or contact Mae Argilan at mae@blueridgebaptist.org or 240-818-8760.

New 15 Passenger Van

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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