Easter Egg Hunt 2012Inviting all children and their parents up to 5th grade for a fun filled morning. We will start the morning off at 9:00am with a pancake breakfast. At 10:00am we will have a rotation with a craft, storytime, and an egg hunt. We are planning for a great morning!
This Month @TowneCheck back soon for updates!
Rock SolidYoung Adult MinistryCheck back soon for more updates!
R.E.A.C.H.Reaching Every Available Community Household is a dynamic prayer and outreach based church growth and discipleship strategy for the twenty first century church. On October 29th, from 8:30-12:30 we will be doing a church wide training on how to incorporate this outrach model in our church. We are encouraging every member to come to this training event and get a passion to reach the lost in our community. Lunch will be provided for all who attend. This R.E.A.C.H. strategy will lead our church family in an entry- level prayer, outreach and discipleship process through our existing Sunday School ministry. It intentionally involves every active member of the church from the youngest child to the oldest adult. It provides an opportunity to grow for members who have never shared their faith as well as those who are experienced in personal evangelism. It mobilizes the entire church body in intentional discipleship through evangelistic prayer and outreach.This powerful process also has the support of cutting edge research. Information based upon the study of thousands of churches across North America is revealed and utilized in this comprehensive plan.
Discover TowneOn Sunday afternoon, October 16th we will be doing an afternoon event to help new or prospective members learn more about Towne. We will meet from 3:30-5:00pm, followed by a dinner together. During this time we will talk about the purpose of the church, what we believe, what it takes to be a member, and some of our ministry opportunities. Please sign up on the board in the welcome center.Email info@townebaptist.org for more information
Contact UsTowne Baptist Church536 Trimble RoadJoppa, MD 21085info@townebaptist.org 410-679-2030Whether you need prayer or have a question about our church, we want to hear from you. Please fill out this form to send us a message or call us on the phone between 9-5pm, Monday through Friday.
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Contact UsTowne Baptist Church536 Trimble RoadJoppa, Maryland 21085Whether you have a prayer need or a question about our church, we want to hear from you. Please fill out the form and let us know how we can help you. You can also call our church office between 9:00am-4:00pm during weekdays.INFO@TOWNEBAPTIST.ORG 410-679-2030
Sunday SchoolIt's one thing to come and worship, but its a completely different thing to be a part of a family. At Towne Baptist Church we are a family and a lot of our family time takes place in our Sunday School classes. Our Sunday School classes take place at 9:45am on Sunday mornings and are designed for every age group. Your class is a place where you can share your prayer concerns, meet people your age, and learn from God's Word. From infants to seniors, there is a community of people to be a part of your life. For more information, download our Sunday School Class Guide.
Home GroupsWe are currently in the process of developing a home group ministry. These groups will meet throughout the week in homes throughout the Joppa area. Please check back soon for more information. For a closer fellowship with other believers, check out our Sunday School ministry.
Prayer MeetingEvery Wednesday night we gather for corprate prayer. We believe that prayer is the power behind our lives and our church as we seek God's will. Come join us as we share our burdens with one another and cast them before our God. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)[6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Community OutreachWe love Joppatowne and the surrounding communities. It is our desire as a church to be known as a church that truly cares for those around us and a place where people are shown the love of Christ. We reach out to our community to meet their physical needs so that we can tell them about their greatest spiritual need for a Savior. Below are just some of the opportunities our church does to give back to the people around us:Free EventsThroughout the year we offer free events for the community. We have done free car washes where we also gave away free lunch. When Hurricane Irene hit and many in our area lost power, we provided free hot meals to anyone in the community. We put on free block parties to allow families in the community to have a blast in a safe environment. If there is a way to give back to the people of our community we want to be the church that responds!Food PantryOn the first and third Sunday of the month, following the worship service, we have an open food pantry to those in the community. There is no need to go hungry, we receive food donations throughout the year and give those donations directly back to those what need it the most.Right now we are in need of the following items: Spaghetti, Tuna ,Beef Stew and Soup, Packaged Fruit, Coffee, Juice, Cereal, Hot Chocolate Mix, Instant Breakfast, Pancake Mix and Syrup.Treasure ExchangeTwice a year our church puts on an event called a Treasure Exchange. We ask church members to bring in old items they are no longer using and we have a free “garage-sale” like event. This allows people in our community to be blessed by someone else’s extras.
Missions OpportunitiesTowne Baptist Church gives over 14% of our overall budget to north American and international missionaries. In addition to this giving, we feel it is important to be “hands-on” with missions ourselves. Church-Wide Missions TripEvery other year, Towne Baptist Church does a church-wide, family missions trip. On this trip, we partner with different local churches somewhere between 5-6 hours away. During this week long trip, the church helps with local Vacation Bible School programs, ministers in nursing homes, carries out construction projects at the church and to those in need. This is a great way to introduce our families to missions work and grows our church together as we sacrifice for others. International Missions TripWe are currently targeting the spring of 2013 as our first international missions trip from within our church. We are praying about where God would have our church go and looking at contacts within South America.Missions TrainingThroughout the year, we teach our young people what it means to live on mission. Every Wednesday night we teach children and teens through programs like Global Ambassadors, Royal Ambassadors, Challengers, and Act Teens.
Discipleship ClassesOn Sunday Evenings at 6:00pm, Towne offers several discipleship courses to help believers dig deeper into God's Word. These classes cover a range of issues dealing with everything from theological knowledge to practical issues as we live out our faith every day. Current Discipleship Classes 1) Prodigal GodBased on the Prodigal Son Parable of Luke 15. This class is taught by Pastor Ron Slayton. 2) Becoming a Contagious ChristianHow to have confidence for personal evangelism.This class is taught by Pastor Phil Gifford.
Prayer MeetingEvery Wednesday night we gather for corprate prayer. We believe that prayer is the power behind our lives and our church as we seek God's will. Come join us as we share our burdens with one another and cast them before our God. [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
Contemporary WorshipOur contemporary worship service takes place at 8:30am on Sunday mornings. While the preaching and teaching is the same for both services, this service is designed to be more informal. This is a great service for a new Christian or someone exploring what Christianity is all about. The worship music is lead by our contemporary band and features many of the modern worship, theological sound songs being written today.
Traditional WorshipOur traditional worship service takes place at 11:00am on Sunday mornings. While the preaching and teaching is the same for both services, this service is designed to be more formal in nature and will be familiar to those that have grown up within the church. The songs for worship are mostly traditional hymns. This service also features our worship choir.
ContactOur contemporary worship service takes place at 8:30am on Sunday mornings. While the preaching and teaching is the same for both services, this service is more informal. The musical worship is lead by our contemporary band and features modern worship songs.
Our BeliefsHere are our beliefs taken from the Baptist Faith and Message as revised in 2000.I. The ScripturesThe Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.Exodus 24:4; Deuteronomy 4:1-2; 17:19; Joshua 8:34; Psalms 19:7-10; 119:11,89,105,140; Isaiah 34:16; 40:8; Jeremiah 15:16; 36:1-32; Matthew 5:17-18; 22:29; Luke 21:33; 24:44-46; John 5:39; 16:13-15; 17:17; Acts 2:16ff.; 17:11; Romans 15:4; 16:25-26; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-2; 4:12; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19-21.II. GodThere is one and only one living and true God. He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being, the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being.A. God the FatherGod as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.Genesis 1:1; 2:7; Exodus 3:14; 6:2-3; 15:11ff.; 20:1ff.; Leviticus 22:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chronicles 29:10; Psalm 19:1-3; Isaiah 43:3,15; 64:8; Jeremiah 10:10; 17:13; Matthew 6:9ff.; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mark 1:9-11; John 4:24; 5:26; 14:6-13; 17:1-8; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 4:6; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; 12:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 1 John 5:7.B. God the SonChrist is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever present Lord.Genesis 18:1ff.; Psalms 2:7ff.; 110:1ff.; Isaiah 7:14; 53; Matthew 1:18-23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16,27; 17:5; 27; 28:1-6,19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:1-18,29; 10:30,38; 11:25-27; 12:44-50; 14:7-11; 16:15-16,28; 17:1-5, 21-22; 20:1-20,28; Acts 1:9; 2:22-24; 7:55-56; 9:4-5,20; Romans 1:3-4; 3:23-26; 5:6-21; 8:1-3,34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1-8,24-28; 2 Corinthians 5:19-21; 8:9; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:7-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:13-22; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; 4:14-15; 7:14-28; 9:12-15,24-28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:22; 1 John 1:7-9; 3:2; 4:14-15; 5:9; 2 John 7-9; Revelation 1:13-16; 5:9-14; 12:10-11; 13:8; 19:16.C. God the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.Genesis 1:2; Judges 14:6; Job 26:13; Psalms 51:11; 139:7ff.; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28-32; 28:19; Mark 1:10,12; Luke 1:35; 4:1,18-19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49; John 4:24; 14:16-17,26; 15:26; 16:7-14; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4,38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17,39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1-6; Romans 8:9-11,14-16,26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 3:16; 12:3-11,13; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16; 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:14; 3:16; Hebrews 9:8,14; 2 Peter 1:21; 1 John 4:13; 5:6-7; Revelation 1:10; 22:17.III. ManMan is the special creation of God, made in His own image. He created them male and female as the crowning work of His creation. The gift of gender is thus part of the goodness of God's creation. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.Genesis 1:26-30; 2:5,7,18-22; 3; 9:6; Psalms 1; 8:3-6; 32:1-5; 51:5; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 17:5; Matthew 16:26; Acts 17:26-31; Romans 1:19-32; 3:10-18,23; 5:6,12,19; 6:6; 7:14-25; 8:14-18,29; 1 Corinthians 1:21-31; 15:19,21-22; Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:21-22; 3:9-11.IV. SalvationSalvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace.Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour.Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. Justification brings the believer unto a relationship of peace and favor with God.Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life.Glorification is the culmination of salvation and is the final blessed and abiding state of the redeemed.Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:14-17; 6:2-8; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:21-26; 27:22-28:6; Luke 1:68-69; 2:28-32; John 1:11-14,29; 3:3-21,36; 5:24; 10:9,28-29; 15:1-16; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:30-31; 17:30-31; 20:32; Romans 1:16-18; 2:4; 3:23-25; 4:3ff.; 5:8-10; 6:1-23; 8:1-18,29-39; 10:9-10,13; 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 1:18,30; 6:19-20; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:22-25; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:8-22; 4:11-16; Philippians 2:12-13; Colossians 1:9-22; 3:1ff.; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:1-3; 5:8-9; 9:24-28; 11:1-12:8,14; James 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:2-23; 1 John 1:6-2:11; Revelation 3:20; 21:1-22:5.V. God's Purpose of GraceElection is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Believers may fall into sin through neglect and temptation, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, and bring reproach on the cause of Christ and temporal judgments on themselves; yet they shall be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-8; 1 Samuel 8:4-7,19-22; Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 31:31ff.; Matthew 16:18-19; 21:28-45; 24:22,31; 25:34; Luke 1:68-79; 2:29-32; 19:41-44; 24:44-48; John 1:12-14; 3:16; 5:24; 6:44-45,65; 10:27-29; 15:16; 17:6,12,17-18; Acts 20:32; Romans 5:9-10; 8:28-39; 10:12-15; 11:5-7,26-36; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 15:24-28; Ephesians 1:4-23; 2:1-10; 3:1-11; Colossians 1:12-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10,19; Hebrews 11:39–12:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:2-5,13; 2:4-10; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:19; 3:2.VI. The ChurchA New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.Matthew 16:15-19; 18:15-20; Acts 2:41-42,47; 5:11-14; 6:3-6; 13:1-3; 14:23,27; 15:1-30; 16:5; 20:28; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 3:16; 5:4-5; 7:17; 9:13-14; 12; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11,21; 5:22-32; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 2:9-14; 3:1-15; 4:14; Hebrews 11:39-40; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Revelation 2-3; 21:2-3.VII. Baptism and the Lord's SupperChristian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.VIII. The Lord's DayThe first day of the week is the Lord's Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.IX. The KingdomThe Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the Kingdom may come and God's will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10,23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10,16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6,9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22.X. Last ThingsGod, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:8-9; 19:28; 24:27,30,36,44; 25:31-46; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:43-48; Luke 12:40,48; 16:19-26; 17:22-37; 21:27-28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:24-28,35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 5:1ff.; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff.; 2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:27-28; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:7ff.; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14; Revelation 1:18; 3:11; 20:1-22:13.XI. Evangelism and MissionsIt is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 6:1-8; Matthew 9:37-38; 10:5-15; 13:18-30, 37-43; 16:19; 22:9-10; 24:14; 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-18; 24:46-53; John 14:11-12; 15:7-8,16; 17:15; 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2; 8:26-40; 10:42-48; 13:2-3; Romans 10:13-15; Ephesians 3:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:5; Hebrews 2:1-3; 11:39-12:2; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 22:17.XII. EducationChristianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus Christ abide all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is, therefore, a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. Moreover, the cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the churches. An adequate system of Christian education is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ's people.In Christian education there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility. Freedom in any orderly relationship of human life is always limited and never absolute. The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists.Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9,14; 6:1-10; 31:12-13; Nehemiah 8:1-8; Job 28:28; Psalms 19:7ff.; 119:11; Proverbs 3:13ff.; 4:1-10; 8:1-7,11; 15:14; Ecclesiastes 7:19; Matthew 5:2; 7:24ff.; 28:19-20; Luke 2:40; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Ephesians 4:11-16; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 2:3,8-9; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17; Hebrews 5:12-6:3; James 1:5; 3:17.XIII. StewardshipGod is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer's cause on earth.Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:30-32; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:1-4,19-21; 19:21; 23:23; 25:14-29; Luke 12:16-21,42; 16:1-13; Acts 2:44-47; 5:1-11; 17:24-25; 20:35; Romans 6:6-22; 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2; 6:19-20; 12; 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 12:15; Philippians 4:10-19; 1 Peter 1:18-19. XIV. CooperationChrist's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.Exodus 17:12; 18:17ff.; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:3-4; 2:68-69; 5:14-15; Nehemiah 4; 8:1-5; Matthew 10:5-15; 20:1-16; 22:1-10; 28:19-20; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff.; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1ff.; 4:31-37; 13:2-3; 15:1-35; 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:5-15; 12; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 1:15-18. XV. The Christian and the Social OrderAll Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth.Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 6:2-5; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:13-16,43-48; 22:36-40; 25:35; Mark 1:29-34; 2:3ff.; 10:21; Luke 4:18-21; 10:27-37; 20:25; John 15:12; 17:15; Romans 12–14; 1Corinthians 5:9-10; 6:1-7; 7:20-24; 10:23-11:1; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 6:5-9; Colossians 3:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Philemon; James 1:27; 2:8.XVI. Peace and WarIt is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9,38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36,38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:1-2.XVII. Religious LibertyGod alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7,24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.XVIII. The FamilyGod has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God's pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalms 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 1:8; 5:15-20; 6:20-22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6,15; 23:13-14; 24:3; 29:15,17; 31:10-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
Our PurposeTowne Baptist Church exists to help believers fulfill a simple threefold purpose. We seek to worship God, grow together, and reach our world.Worship GodEvery person will find his or her greatest fulfillment as they worship God. This is the very reason that we were created. At Towne our first and foremost goal is to glorify God in our lives and our church. This happens both individually and corporately, in the private lives of all believers and as we gather together to celebrate what Christ has done in our lives. Grow TogetherAs we come together as individual believers, our goal is also to grow together as disciples of Jesus. We believe that God uses the context of the local church to best help individual believers grow in their new life in Christ. At Towne we seek to create a community where discipleship is normal for every believer. This growth happens within our Sunday School classes, small groups, and discipleship classes. Reach our WorldThe gospel is the greatnest news that this world has even know and Christ has given a clear commission to all believers to take this message into all the world. Towne Baptist Church seeks to help every believer fulfill this commission both locally and internationally.
WOMEN'S MINISTRYTBC's Women's Ministry is still in its infancy stage, but there are several great opportunities.Ladies Annual Retreat2012 Retreat was at the Hilton Garden Inn, Kent Island, March 2-4. It was a wonderful time of spiritual growth and togetherness as we participated in David Platt's study of the Book of Ruth.Ladies Bible StudyTuesday Evenings at 7:00 p.m. the Women meet at the Church for a weekly Bible Study. Starting May 15, 2012 they will be starting "He Speaks to Me: preparing to hear from God" by Priscilla Shirer. Please sign up in the lobby or contact the Church Office if you want to join in.Sunday mornings at 9:45am, TBC offers a ladies Sunday School class. This class uses the regular Sunday School material, but is lead by women and focuses on ministering to women.
We are blessed at TBC with a great team that oversee our youth ministry. This team has a passion to see our teens grow deeper in their faith as well as create an enviorment for our teens to have fun. As we are currently without a youth pastor, these volunteers have taken the lead and God is working great things in our youth group. Thanks Scot Griffiths, Melinda and Fred Marzan, Dave and Melissa Graham, and Bobby Alexander!
Kim joined our team in June 2011. Kim serves as the church secretary and provides help with administrative needs. Kim grew up as the daughter of a pastor. She is a veteran of the U.S. Army who is married to Jule and together they share 5 children and 4 grandchildren .
Pastor Aaron B. Stewart was born and raised in Sparrows Point, Maryland. He is a 1985 graduate of Sparrows Point High School. Aaron was a music major at Carson-Newman College and graduated in 1990 with a B.A. in Religion, Music Minor. Aaron has been married to his wife, Cindy, since 1993 and have a 2 year old daughter.
Pastor Ron Slayton has been very active at TBC over the years. He currently serves as associate pastor, but has previously served as Chairmen of the Deacons for the past 20 years. Ron was ordained in 1980 and has received his education from Southwestern Seminary Extension Program. Ron and his wife Sheila have been married since 1980 and have a son, David, a daughter, Becky, and a son-in-law John.
Pastor Phil Gifford has been serving Towne as its Senior Pastor since October 2010. Prior to coming to Towne, Pastor Phil has served as the Associate Pastor of Worship at Bethel Baptist Church in Yorktown, VA and the Worship Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Johnstown, PA. He has his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Liberty University and a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty Theological Seminary. He is currently working toward the final steps of a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. "It is my desire to take the Word of God and teach it in such a way that people will relate to it in a powerful way and through it be changed by the gospel. My passion is to build up worshippers of our Lord through discipleship, evangelism, mission's work, and preaching." Pastor Phil GiffordPastor Phil has been married to his wife Pam for six years and they have 2 children. He enjoys running, outdoor activies, working on home improvement projects, reading, and spending time with family.
STUDENT MINISTRYWe are a group of students from 6-12th grades who come together to worship God, build friendships, and help serve others! We would loveto have you come visit us at one of our events or any of the three weekly times we come together! Weekly ScheduleSunday Morning Sevices: 8:30, 11:00am Sunday Morning Bible Study: 9:45am IMPACT: Sundays: 6:00 to 7:00pmMission Study Wednesdays: 7:00pm Upcoming Events
CHILDREN'S MINISTRYThe Children's Ministry exists to provide our children with an understanding of God and His Word. We want to partner with parents to equip you to better disciple and grow your children. Our children's ministry focuses on children from birth to fifth grade.Weekly Activities-Nursery care for newborns to 3 years old for all worship services-Children's church during worship for ages 4 through 3rd grade-Sunday School classes for all ages-Wednesday Evening Mission's StudiesAnnual Events-Easter Egg Hunt-Vaction Bible School-Family Activities-Christmas Party
MUSIC MINISTRYContemporary Worship Team: All in AweThis group leads our 8:30 a.m. contemporary worship service. They are an energetic group of talented musicians that like to rock out for the Lord.They are in awe of who God is and that He would choose to use them to grow His kingdom.Sanctuary Choir: Voices of PraiseThis group leads us into worship during our 11:00 a.m. traditional service. This group of believers loves God and loves to worship through the gift of music. Through the use of hymns, anthems, southern gospel, and contemporary songs this group leads the church into an atmosphere of worship and praise. They love coming together as one to lift their voices of praise.
One Starry NightDecember 9, 7:00pmDecember 10, 6:00pmCome join us for a live nativity, interactive Bethelehem experience. Celebrate Christmas by traveling back in time to that one starry night when Jesus was born. Meet and talk to characters around the Bethelehm scenes and enjoy a live nativity with real animals. Celebrate Christmas in a special way at One Starry Night!
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Worship Times:Contemporary 8:30amSunday School 9:45amTraditional 11:00am
CLICK FOR DIRECTIONS536 Trimble RoadJoppa, MD 21085410-679-2030
...Worship God, Grow Together, Reach our World