Calvary Baptist Church

This past weekend 16 youth and 3 adult leaders from Calvary’s Youth Group joined up with over 65 students and adults from our ABCOPAD region for the annual Winter Blast Retreat at Camp Ichthus. The weekend was filled with fun and fellowship, crazy games, powerful worship, and Biblical teaching. The highlight of the event is evening snow tubing at Blue Mountain Ski resort. What a great time to get away from the world for the weekend and grow closer to Jesus and each other!

On Sunday, Feb 2, as we kicked off a new worship series and the start of Black History Month, we welcomed ABC-USA General Secretary Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain as our guest preacher. The worship service featured not only her inspiring message but a guest vocalist and our new choir director’s debut. Afterwards, we filled out the fellowship hall to eat scrumptuous food at our 3rd annual Soul Food Luncheon. Rev. Dr. Jacobs-Strain gave a short presentation about American Baptists and answered a few questions

Dr. D. Blake Smith D. Blake Smith is a native of Texas and has served in various capacities of church music ministry leadership for over 17 years, including in Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian churches. His father was a Baptist music minister and member of the Texas Gospel Hall of Fame, though Blake went on to follow a very different musical career path, pursuing a professional operatic singing career, earning a doctorate, and eventually joining the faculty of the University of Delaware School of Music. He is currently in his eighteenth year at UD and serves as Coordinator of the Voice Area and Artistic and Creative Director of the university’s opera and musical theatre company, UD Lyric Theatre. He lives on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with his wife, Noélia, and son, Dalton.

During the cold the homeless of Newark are cared for by 5 Newark churches on a rotating basis. Sunday, Calvary Baptist Church extended the normal Code Purple hours due to the storm. We turned it into a football playoff fest. It was indeed festive. UD provides dinner, Friendship House coordinates, and a whole host of volunteers keep people safe. There is no government involvement. Just people living their faith.

On a cold MLK day, 10 Calvary members joined others at the Friendship House clothing bank for a day of service. We sorted dozens of bags of clothes and had a great time doing it. Calvary is proud to partner with Friendship House in this ministry. Individuals in need of clothing can place orders for what they need at empowerment centers, and it is given free of charge.

On Saturday, Calvary ladies and friends enjoyed a luncheon with activities focused on the mind, body and spirt. One participant said, “Yesterday’s Wellness Retreat was absolutely amazing! Every workshop was top-notch, offering valuable insights and inspiration. Pam’s message was both relevant and relatable, leaving a lasting impact. And let’s not forget the delicious food and the joy of connecting with one another in fellowship. It was truly a wonderful way to kick off the New Year! Thanks for inviting me.”

On Wednesday evening, we completed another round of our annual service project of filling and wrapping ditty boxes for seafarers coming in and out of the Port of Wilmington around Christmastime. Thanks to all who donated and organized!

Last Sunday afternoon, Calvary hosted its annual Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat. Pumpkin painting, giant Jenga, bowling and carnival games were featured for friends and families who came out on a beautiful day!

This past weekend the Calvary Youth Group served as the hands and feet of Jesus in the city of Philadelphia. We joined approximately 70 youth from 6 churches for a time of fellowship, worship, and service with The Philadelphia Project. On Saturday we worked at Roxborough Church helping with various projects including removing AC units from windows, turning over plots in a community garden, moving tables for a flea market, and re-stocking a recently renovated kitchen. In the evenings there was plenty of time for games and fellowship along with a moving worship experience that challenged our students. Sunday morning we went back to Roxborough Church to worship with their congregation before heading home.

On Sunday, more than 15 people decided that a little drizzle couldn’t spoil their fun and came out for a wagon ride and bonfire complete with hot dogs, s’mores, and even a game or two.