Changed people change the world around them. Because of that, Oak Ridge Baptist Church recently threw a party honoring all of the church members who’ve “rounded all the bases” (took all four C.L.A.S.S.es —Christian Life and Service Seminars—offered by ORBC).  Over 450 church members have completed all classes, culminating with CLASS 401, since the class system was implemented in 1999.  “We wanted to celebrate those people who had gone through all of the classes,” explained Heather Smith, who played a huge role in organizing the event.  So, she went on, “We threw them a huge graduation party.” Titled “Home Run Heroes,” this baseball-themed celebration held on October 15 th was more than just a great party (though sources say organizers knocked the festivities aspects of the event out of the park, too!).  But the celebration was also a fantastic chance to equip the Home Run Heroes (over 150 of whom were in attendance) with information to make them aware of se...

Ordinary People. Empowered by God. Doing What Jesus Did. Wherever They Are.  These are the words members of Oak Ridge Baptist Church live by when they engage in the PEACE Plan—our church-wide commitment to Promote reconciliation, Equip servant leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick, and Educate the next generation.  More than words, however, the PEACE Plan in Action is about showing the love of Jesus in tangible ways in and beyond our community. PEACE in Action has been busy lately:  over the summer, one especially notable project was a completely member-led and organized remodeling project for Ms. Sharon, one of ORBC’s own whose name came up when member Danny Guzman turned to our church family with a goal: “I’m looking for someone who could use a real blessing.”   Two different people approached Danny to direct him toward Ms. Sharon, of whom Danny said, “She is such an awesome lady, and her need was great.” In the midst of a battl...

When God says go, Margo Nolan goes. The former Oak Ridge Baptist Church member lives her life with a focus on impacting eternity.  The latest evidence?  She felt God calling her to move to Hagerstown, Maryland. So what did Margo do? She moved. “This is it, this is where I’m supposed to be,” Margo says of her new community, where she works with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to bring hope and healing to those incarcerated at the jail, the detention center, and the rehab centers of Hagerstown. Margo has a track record of going where God sends her.  Before selling her home and taking a rather literal leap of faith by trusting God and moving hours away to pursue her latest adventure, Margo was a striking example of how much God can use just one person to work the PEACE plan here at Oak Ridge.  Over the years at ORBC, Margo has completed mission work in China and Peru, volunteered down the street four days a week in a Bennett Middle Scho...

It's not often that public schools open their doors to Christian speakers, allowing them to freely share their faith. But that's exactly what happened when Wicomico High School invited Danny Guzman of ORBC’s “The Landing” to speak to the entire freshman class last month.  In response to the rising opioid crisis in our area, Wi-Hi hosted a symposium designed to assist students in making wise choices.  Themed, "Be a Hero," the focus was on drug awareness, and Danny represented The Landing and ORBC as one of several presenters. Danny shared that he was approached by one of Wi-Hi's teachers, Amanda Ault, a fellow ORBCer who is active in our Wi-Hi School Partnership.  Amanda asked if Danny would like to be involved at her school’s symposium when she learned about The Landing, ORBC’s recovery program that exists to give students age 12-17 a safe space to find freedom and victory over hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Amanda and Danny first connected at...