COLUMBIA, Md. — At a special called meeting, messengers unanimously approved the sale of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware’s office building at 10255 Old Columbia Road in Columbia.

BCM/D President Fred Caudle welcomed those in attendance Sept. 25 at South Shore Church and introduced the topic of the proposed sale. Caudle told messengers when he realized most of the staff works in the field serving pastors and church leaders, it made sense to sell.

“I saw the opportunity for an increase of ministry and missions in our area,” he said. “I believe the Lord’s hand has been on the BCM/D. A lot of things are happening in our state convention, and I believe this is another opportunity to see the Lord move.”

South Shore Church in Crownsville, Md., has offered space to the BCM/D for offices and meetings.

Executive Director Tom Stolle told messengers the building sale was contingent on two approvals — the General Mission Board, which voted unanimously for the sale, and the BCM/D messengers.

“We wanted to bring it to you because we want to be transparent, and we want you all to know what’s happening,” Stolle said. “It’s your convention. So the purpose of this meeting is to ask you, the messengers, to approve the sale.”

Stolle expressed his excitement at the opportunities the sale could provide. He emphasized the convention’s mission to intentionally assist in strengthening, equipping, resourcing and multiplying churches in an effort to fulfill Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8.

“Selling the facility will allow more resources to push forward an indigenous church planting movement in Maryland/Delaware, facilitate an even closer partnership with our local associations, equip and resource cooperative churches to minister to their congregations and local communities, develop leaders, serve the marginalized and provide better resources over time to develop a comprehensive/cooperative system addressing church revitalization,” he said

Stolle also referred to being able to do needed maintenance, repairs and renovations at Skycroft Conference Center, which he said “populates heaven,” with thousands of individuals who have made spiritual decisions through the years.

God’s hand has been on the sale process, Stolle added. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, very little commercial property was available. Now, vacant buildings are all around. “When God laid this on our hearts to sell the building, my first thought was, ‘God, is it going to sell?’ but I was reminded that the building would sell when God said it would sell.” Stolle praised God that the building, priced at market value for a property in good condition in Columbia, brought a strong offer.

State Director of Church Planting Jamie Caldwell and Church Partnership Missionary Jeremy Dickson shared their support for the sale.

Addressing messengers, Caldwell said, “I want you to envision investing in the next generation in our churches so that we might raise up workers for the harvest from the harvest; so that we disciple and evangelize the neighbors around us and raise them up into ministry and then send them out. When we do it that way, we’re not saying goodbye to some workers or planters but to kids who we’ve seen grow up, who we’ve invested in, and who seem like family to us. The sale of this building will allow us to fund them more and better — to sustain their ministry in thousands of different ways that we’re excited about.”

Dickson highlighted the incredible growth in campus ministry and the need for funds to support the volunteers serving on campus. He also spoke of the need for more space for the women’s and men’s conferences and an upcoming requested leadership training event in 2025. Funds from the sale would help support these opportunities to help strengthen and equip Maryland/Delaware churches.

Many messengers expressed their support for the sale. Theresa Sassard, a messenger from Middle River Baptist Church and the executive administrator for the Baltimore Baptist Association (BBA), said the association sold two buildings and gave a third away. They used the funds to better equip and serve BBA churches. “It’s about being in the field, interacting with pastors and missions and ministry where you are,” she said.

James Dixon, pastor of El Bethel Church, Ft. Washington, said, “Tom … I sense peace in your heart about it, so I’m in agreement.”

Bill Warren, pastor of Allen Memorial Church, Salisbury, said, “I was president of the convention when Tom and I talked about this years ago. We were in full agreement then that we should sell the building. I hope we do that today. Why should we sell it? We don’t need it!”

Byron Day, president of the state’s General Mission Board, said, “I praise God and look forward to all the wonderful, great things He’s going to do.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — This article originally appeared at BCMD.org.)