Our goal is to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.
The enriching experience of being part of a church is not just highlighted on Sundays-
it’s a daily adventure, best explored alongside others who will offer you support and encouragement.
As you take a look around we hope that you would be drawn to embrace the true essence of community.
We’re here for you in love and service, and we’d love to be a part of your journey.
Story that Zig Ziglar tells:
“I was talking to a man who told me he didn’t go to church because “that’s where all the hypocrites hang out” Zig replied, “friend, if a hypocrite is standing between you and God, he is closer to God than you are … so I wouldn’t use that one anymore.”
He’s got a point!
Other Quotes;
“There’s nothing like making you want to reach lost people than seeing lost people come to Jesus. Be a church that gets around lost people.”
“Pray BIG ASK prayers — when the situation looks impossible, pray big. We don’t have a situation problem, we have a faith problem.”
“There is a favor on big, bold prayers. Why? Baby prayers insult God. Where there is a god-given vision, there will be a God-given provision.”
Prayer and Fasting Resources
What is 21 in 22?
21 in 22 (21 days in 2022) is a time where we will intentionally press into seeking God every day in prayer as we believe for Him to move in powerful ways.
What should I fast?
Your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list, more resources can be found online.
Complete Fast
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
Selective Fast
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. One example of a selective fast is the Daniel Fast, during which you remove meat, sweets, and bread from your diet and consume water and juice for fluids and fruits and vegetables for food.
Partial Fast
This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.
Stuff Fast
This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food in the morning and afternoon. This can either correlate to specific times of the day, such as 6:00 am to 3:00 pm, or from sunup to sundown.
Daniel Fast
During the Daniel Fast you will not consume any sugar or sweeteners of any kind, nor will you have any caffeine or artificial chemicals. Many people experience a physical detox during the first few days of the fast, including headaches, fatigue, leg cramps and other typical symptoms. Here is a link to more information. Daniel Fast
Daily Prayer
Prayer not only changes us, but it invites God to work with power to change our circumstances and communities. The greatest movements of God are started and sustained through the united prayers of God’s people.
Creating a Lifestyle of Prayer
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” Mark 1:35
Prayer is most effective when it isn’t something, we do every now and then, but we cultivate when it’s a lifestyle. To understand how to have a prayer lifestyle, we can look at the example Jesus gave during His life on earth.
Have a Certain Time
Jesus got up early in the morning to spend time with His Heavenly Father. Make a daily appointment with God — whether it’s first thing in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening—and faithfully keep it.
Have a Certain Place
Jesus had a specific place where He went to pray. Having a designated place to pray helps us remove distractions and frees us to worship and pray out loud.
Have a Certain Plan
When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He gave them a prayer outline. We call it “The Lord’s Prayer.” This outline, along with several other tools, is available in this guide. As we pray every day, our prayer time plans can vary, maybe including worship music, Bible reading, and quiet time to listen to God. It doesn’t always have to look the same; it just helps when we plan to connect regularly with God.
Prayer Focus
As we set aside time each day, we desire to be in one accord with each other as we come before God. We have a prayer focus outlined each day for the GSBC Family to come together. These focuses are intentional for us as a church to rally around and lift up in unity. We will be praying for our ministries, pastors, people groups, and leaders. This is the moment where the GSBC body can unite together in prayer.
Below is a list of daily topics to guide you, as you pray during the fast:
DAY 1: February 6 2022 – To know God
Deepen relationship: Not just know about Him, but to know Him.
Ephesians 1:17-23
DAY 2: February 7 2022 – Purity
A pure heart – Coming clean and confessing any lingering sin. Clean hearts.
Psalms 139
DAY 3: February 8 2022 – Revelation
Gain wisdom of God, the Word of God would come alive and be real.
Ephesians 3:16-21
DAY 4: February 9 2022 – GSBC
Prayer for the entire ministry, community, leadership, purpose, mission, vision and what God is doing in this season through GSBC.
Ephesians 6:10-24
DAY 5: February 10 2022 – Family
On behalf of those in the family (sickness, hurt, don’t know God).
James 5:13-20
DAY 6: February 11 2022 – Love of God
That His Grace and unconditional love would not just be knowledge but we would experience and live it out.
Philippians 2:12-18
DAY 7: February 12 2022 – Relationships
Deepening, forgiveness, boldness, encouragement.
Ephesians 4:22-32
DAY 8: February 13 2021 – Workplace
Openness, opportunities, salvation, healings to be an everyday lifestyle.
Ephesians 6:5-9
DAY 9: February 14th 2022 – Power
Like in the Book of Acts. The Holy Spirit working through us every day!
Acts 1:8
DAY 10: February 15th 2022 – Direction
On what to do in season, fulfillment of God’s destiny in your life.
Ephesians 5:15-21
DAY 11: February 16th 2022 – Churches
We love the Church pray for Sustained growth, depth and commitment. Pray for the pastors and leaders.
Hebrews 13:17-25
DAY 12: February 17th 2022 – World Crisis
Breaking the dark principalities in our World (persecution of Christians, COVID-19, abortion, false religions, poverty, sex trafficking, justice).
Matthew 6:1-14
DAY 13: February 18 2022 – Open Heaven
Angels to be released, blessings to be granted, visions of God, divine strategy. Breakthrough!
Acts 2
DAY 14: February 19 2022 – City/State/USA
Move of God in every level of infrastructure in our nation. Revival in America!
Psalms 85
DAY 15: February 20 2022 – Personal Revival in Prayer
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:5-15
DAY 16: February 21 2022 – Personal Revival in Bible Reading and Meditation
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalms 119:11
DAY 17: February 22 2022 – Personal Revival in Sharing the Gospel
” But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
DAY 18: February 23rd 2022 – Personal Revival in Giving
“But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
2 Corinthians 8:7
DAY 19: February 24th 2022 – Personal Revival in Church Worship
“..not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:19-25
DAY 20: February 25th 2022 – Personal Revival in Service to Spiritual Family
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:7-11
DAY 21: February 26th 2022 – Personal Revival in Serving the Community
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:31-46
DAY 21: February 26th 2022 – Personal Revival in Serving the Community
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”Matthew 25:31-46
CORPORATE PRAYER & WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
Along with fasting, prayer, and scripture reading, we will also be providing three corporate prayer and worship experiences. We are gathering on February 9th, 16th, and 23rd, for a time of worship and to pray for the ministry, purpose, mission, and vision of GSBC. Join us from 7-8 pm at GSBC and/or online as we lift up the community, leadership, gatherings, and everything God has called the ministry of GSBC to do in this season. We feel it is important to have a corporate prayer and worship experience together. You can join us in person, however, we recommend the elderly and those with underlying health issues to join us online, as the worship experience will be streamed live on our Facebook page (GSBCDE). We ask you to join us!
Our Church History
It was a seed of prayer that was planted by many to start a new American Baptist church in the Bear, Delaware area. It dug its roots in 1989 and sprouted into the Good Shepherd Baptist Church (GSBC). A steering committee cultivated the budding church in its first year until Rev. Sean Lee was named founding pastor.
The central meeting place was at Glasgow Pines Community Center in March 1990. A 4-week phone-a-thon was conducted, with volunteers from other American Baptist Churches making 14,514 phone calls to inform the community about the formation of the new church. On Mother’s Day of 1990, GSBC held its first worship service with 138 people in attendance. The subsequent weeks saw an average attendance of about 60 people.
Over the following months, fellowship continued to grow, as did its ministries and weekday programs. Before long, GSBC has outgrown the Community Center. And the search for affordable property began. Within a short time, the Lord led the search team to its present property, a four-acre lot. In January 1991, it held worship services at May B. Leisure Elementary School. In April of that year, GSBC celebrated the signing of its Constitution and dedication of the newly acquired land.
In April 1992, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new church building. The exterior structure was contracted out. And it took a village to construct the interior with the heartening participation of GSBC members, along with volunteers from several churches in the area, as well as from other East Coast churches. While the building was still a work in progress, GSBC conducted services on the property grounds under a large Army tent. What an exciting time that was in the life of the church. GSBC celebrated its first worship service and completed construction in November 1992.
Growth in the new building continued, with membership peaking at about 150 members. Near the beginning of 1995, special approval was obtained from the County to expand the burgeoning Sunday school classes into the main floor of the church house, while funds were collected for a new education wing. During that period, GSBC shared in over 100 baptisms, 12 weddings, 30 children dedication, and more than 200 souls won for Christ.
On June 8, 1997, Rev. Peter Ely was installed as the first permanent pastor since the founding of the church. Prayer teams were implemented, and they would provide prayer for individuals following the worship service. During this time, a praise team was also formed. Many outside groups began using the facilities, including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Mom’s Club, Autistic Group from Newark High School, and a local Jazzercise group. Also, another newly formed church – Grace Tabernacle American Baptist Church began using the facility for worship, Sunday school, and weekday Bible study and prayer.
On July 4, 2001, a new education wing was completed and approved for occupancy. These additions were afforded, in part because insurance money was made available ($22,300) from damaged water pipes in the church house. In fact, this was just the amount needed to complete the project. The reason funds were low was that the church attendance had dwindled to less than 35, even as the building expanded.
There have been a total of 8 servants of God who each became an instrumental part in laying down the spiritual brickwork of GSBC over time:
Rev. Sean Lee (1990 – 1996)- Rev. David Darodd (1996 – 1997)
- Rev. Peter Ely (1997 – 2002)
- Rev. Steve Smith (2002 – 2003)
- Rev. Rick Hill (Aug – Dec 2003)
- Rev. Robert Zimmerman (2004 – 2005)
- Rev. Leland Maxson (2005 – 2007)
- Rev. William Offutt (2007 – 2010)
- Rev. Gregory Ellis (2010 – 2013)
A new chapter was penned in 2013 as two separate churches intertwine and recognize the mutually beneficial decision to join as one.
It became evident that each was the answer to the other’s prayer. The merger marks a major turning point in the history of GSBC.
Healing Water Bible Church International (HWBCI) was a next-door neighbor, affiliated with Southern Baptist Church. Though it had its humble beginnings in 2004 meeting in a trailer at the parking lot of Ogletown Church, its stable growth ultimately reached the full capacity of its subsequently owned residential property in Porter Road, utilized as a church facility. Facing zoning issues, HWBCI became an itinerant church with provisions saved up, actively looking for a permanent place to pitch in its pegs.
It was a complementing union, supplying what the other needed. HWBCI had to live out to its name to heal, as it served as the lifeline for GSBC to continue in its course pulsating in its mission to cater to the community where it’s planted. The HWBCI congregation voted in favor of the merger, in line with the recommendation of its Senior Pastor Jessie Arce who piloted a new disposition of embracing cultural diversity for the heavily Filipino congregation. And in turn, GSBC found its doors bustling with foot traffic. The combined leadership decided to align itself with “organizations of like faith” so that we can officially continue to voluntarily cooperate with any bible believing church, association, and convention of same faith and practice.
God breathed life into the situation. But it also called for its members to get out of their comfort zones and stretch their faith to far greater heights than they’ve ever been. A lot of changes were introduced and it inherently became a pruning phase for the Church body.
Amid all the moving parts, investing in the younger generation to bring about youthful energy into the mix remained a high-priority objective. The big push in this direction will sustain the generational balance and ensure the longevity of the church, training its future leaders and activating them now to participate in the overall commission.
A second vocational position was imminent to close the gap of engaging younger demographics. In 2012, Pastor Daniel Vaughan was hired into the role of the first Student Pastor and hoisted in the middle of the action for this divinely appropriated progression. In 2016, his function expanded as the Associate Pastor also.
In June 2016, the GSBC leadership challenged its members to be mission-minded through the Capture The Vision (CTV) capital campaign. The church embarked on a major renovation of the facility to create an open layout at the rear end of the building and have a conducive and inviting fellowship hall. The intention was to build a community hub, strengthening local missions and outreach, while promoting biblical generosity.
It was timely and fitting that in February 2017, GSBC welcomed its third pastoral staff in the person of Pastor Paul Vaughan who now serves as the Discipleship and Outreach Pastor. He has filled a real need to equip and train all the Elders, Deacons, and Ministry Leaders to be cognizant of the Purpose, Mission, and Vision (PMV) of the church. He is looking to mobilize all the small groups to march forward in one accord.
Pastor Jessie Arce
GSBC Discipleship, Missions & Outreach Pastor
Pastor Carlos Xavier Jr.
GSBC Student Pastor
The Piggy
Pastor Paul Vaughan
GSBC Senior Pastor
Throughout its history, GSBC has established a stronger sense of identity, survived transitional periods of internal conflict, and emerged with a new vision and excitement for ministry. It continually pursues to reach into the community as a colorful mosaic projecting the diversity of the people it serves. The Gospel is for all regardless of background, age, ethnicity, or social-economic status. GSBC welcomes everyone into the family.
We are Disciples making Disciples through:
- Genuine Relationship
- Sacrificial Service
- Bold Evangelism
- Committed Community
Come Visit Us!
Address: 2274 Porter Road, Bear, Delaware 19701
Telephone: (302) 834-2928
Worship Times Sunday Morning
09:30 AM and 11:00 AM
W
Please connect with us!!!
Text Welcome if you are a Guest,
Text Connect if you are a Mission Partner,
Text Yardsale to sign up and keep informed about our Yard Sale,
to 302-205-0558
GIVE
Our God is a God of abundance and He loves to give. He sacrificed willingly on the cross and then invited us into fullness of life. As His children, we are called to imitate Him. Our generosity in giving is a demonstration of God’s character and a response to what He has done for us.
You can use or share this link for Tithes and Offerings;
You can SCAN the QR Code.
You can also mail in your Tithes and Offering to:
GSBC
2274 Porter Road
Bear, DE 19701
Thank you for giving to the Lord!
Jessie Arce, January 9, 2021 - 12:50 am
Revival of Mission Partners and Community.
Cheri Adams, November 22, 2020 - 4:00 pm
Please pray retired Pastor Jeff Clark of Virginia, whose wife passed this past week. Pastor Clark and his wife led me to salvation many years ago, and you never met a more faithful and loving pastor and wife. May God comfort Pastor Clark as he grieves the loss of his wife. Also, for my Aunt Aloma as they have been her very good friends ever since they met at Liberty College many years ago.
Anonymous, October 29, 2020 - 5:33 pm
Dear Lord, I pray for our country, as divided as it is right now, to seek you first as we gather to vote. Grant us Your peace during the process, and may it be fair and just. Be with us so that there be NO rioting after the results are posted. In Jesus' precious name. Amen.
Follow Us on Social Media!
We are so glad you have chosen to connect with our Church Family here at Good Shepherd. You can watch our recorded services or live streams here or on our Facebook Live page directly. We would love to stay in contact with you and keep you informed of all of the events going on at Good Shepherd. Please click on the Join Us button or Connect with GSBC here!!!
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Small Group Feels Like Family
We’re not meant to navigate life alone. We flourish when we have meaningful relationships around us. Church is a wonderful place to look for a caring support system. But sometimes, it’s easy to feel like you are flying under the radar and could quietly fade away in a crowd. And it is unfortunate that for some, the church doors are taken for spinning turnstiles that allow people to just walk in and out, without tangible life change. But there’s surely more to it than that. The antidote to feeling disconnected is to become part of a small group! It promotes a close-knit sense of belongingness. Your presence counts. It feels like family, but it transcends the linear definition of family by blood or legal bonds.
What is a small group? It’s a group of people that come together on a recurring basis, usually weekly, and they share life together. The relationships formed in this manner reinforce the concept of kinship through shared values and beliefs.
Here are some of the things you can expect in a small group:
- Everyone is acknowledged, regardless of where they are in their spiritual walk. We can all learn from the array of experiences represented by each person from different phases of life.
- Know clearly which things are shared with confidentiality, and relay them only to God in prayer.
- Some are talkers while some are natural listeners. Don’t force transparency if they are not ready for it.
- Always steer through the challenges of life through the lens of the Word of God, and not your own subjective personal opinion
- Friction may happen but we offer grace to one another other.
- Small group is meant for outreach, to bring people together and get connected.
- The group ideally needs to breakout and multiply when you reach a certain maximum number.
Small group is life changing. There is an overflow of unconditional, non-judgmental support for one another. Relationships carry over outside of the group meetings, forming life-long friendships and accountability. Whether you are single or married, young or old, or anything in between, being part of the small group yields many benefits. Be part of one now and see people in a whole new set of light.
Click here to see what others think about being part of a small group.
The Goal of Ministry
Ministry is an overflow of God’s love that is demonstrated by service to others. There’s intentionality in meeting people where they are at and ushering them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. But it is only effective when you start with God. He is the One who empowers and enables you to be a spring of blessing for others. It is very much an inward process of filling up the heart before any outward expression occurs. Ministry is never one-dimensional nor should it ever be. It’s not just evidence of elbow grease for the sake of busyness – it’s more meaningful than that. It is relational and personal in nature. As J.R. Briggs puts it: “Faithful ministry isn’t a project. Ministry is people. The administrative elements of ministry should only be tools that lead us to building relationships with others.” It calls for compassion as you work out peeling away the layers of people’s instinctive barriers. It is a continual commitment to stand by a person, waiting for them to become receptive to what you are teaching or sharing. It is discipleship in action.
It may sound as though it requires much from you. And so often we find ourselves wrung out of energy and we reason out that we don’t have the time to commit to something that will pull us away from our already beefed-up schedules. But every burnt out soul needs refreshing. And in Proverbs 11:25, it says: A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. So inspect closely the order of your priorities. See if there are any honest opportunities to re-align them, because there is truly nothing more fulfilling than taking part in the work that God is doing through people and toward people. There are many opportunities from where you’re standing. Go ahead, and look around you. Ministry can purposefully be accomplished in the home, in church, in school, in your place of work. Wherever your mission field is, you are to display and magnify the very character of Christ in your interactions with people.
Here is a List of the various ministries at Good Shepherd Baptist Church
Click on any one of them for a full description of that ministry.
Every believer is called to ministry. And every ministry should be doing The Great Commission. This, below, is the goal of ministry. Are you on point?
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age – (Matthew 28: 19-20).
Every Church Relies on the Word of God. However, in todays world, it takes more to reach and educate a fallen world.
In our resources page, you will find links to both companies and resources currently used by #GSBCDE and links to companies #GSBCDE is considering using to help us move forward with our Purpose, Mission, and Vision.
Feel free to see where we are, and where we are going. If after prayerful consideration, you feel you would like to make recommendations or suggestions for other resources, we would truly love to hear your input.
We believe that the Holy Spirit can and will inspire people to serve in this way. This may be the next step in your spiritual growth, don’t be shy. Contact one of the Elders and share your ideas with us.
Be Blessed, and Be a Blessing!!!