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Beloved,

In accordance with recent news and status of Delaware’s State of Emergency, we want to assure the committed community that the Eldership has discussed and are following the adjusted requirements. That being said, the Eldership has updated the preventative measures for the health and safety of GSBC.

In compliance with Governor John Carney’s FOURTH REVISION TO THE TWENTY-SEVENTH MODIFICATION to the State of Emergency Declaration, effective December 14, 2020, we will begin to allow our mission partners to attend Sunday services starting Sunday Nov 08, 2020, yet encourage all to worship remotely from home, as Gov. Carney has declared that;

“PHASE 2 ADDITIONAL BUSINESS RESTRICTIONS, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 14, 2020:
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Modification and the Phase 2 Reopen Plan, effective
December 14, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. E.D.T., the following additional restrictions shall apply:
1. Determination of Maximum Occupancy. Maximum occupancy for all businesses and
indoor spaces open to the public is as follows:
a. Notwithstanding the indoor gathering occupancy limits set forth in Paragraph
N.2, Houses of Worship may continue operations or reopen provided, however,
that the total number of guests permitted in a House of Worship at any one time
shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of that House of Worship’s stated fire
occupancy. For the purposes of this paragraph, political gatherings shall be
entitled to the same occupancy parameters as Houses of Worship. For the
purposes of this paragraph, a funeral mass, memorial service, visitation, wake,
or viewing within a House of Worship or funeral home shall be entitled to the
same occupancy parameters as Houses of Worship.”

We will also stream our live service to the Mission Hall and the Double room as needed to maintain our social distancing and occupancy compliance.  We do this to allow as many of our flock to experience fellowship during worship to the fullest extent possible while still worshiping Our God with the utmost of safety in mind.

We will continue to hold our services online as well, and encourage those at high risk to continue worshiping with us online until such time that you feel comfortable returning to our in-person fellowship of believers.

The following signage will be posted on all normal entrance doors prior to our “opening service” to be held Sunday May 31st, 2020. Please read and be prepared to follow these directions:

There may or may not be any child care provided at this time so children should be prepared to remain with their parent/guardian at all times.

COVID-19 continues to pose a serious threat to our community. The Eldership encourages all vulnerable individuals, including those at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and those 65 and older, to continue to shelter in place.

This is most important: We ask you to contact your small group leaders as to which service you are being asked to attend. If you are not part of a small group, please contact Pastor Jessie directly.

*** Special Note ***

Again, we encourage the beloved not to forsake meeting together. Please use the gift of technology to continue to meet together on Sunday services and be discipled throughout the week. We encourage our families to tune in service together and use our RightNow media services to start a daily family discipleship. Let us continue to display the truth that “… God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (1 Timothy 1:7).

In Christ,

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.  

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.  

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).

 

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.

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.

• 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.

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.