Sharon Mager/Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware

PENNSVILLE, N.J. — The smell of popcorn wafts through the air, ball players are raring to go, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” plays through the sound system, and parents are ready to cheer their kids on. It sounds like an everyday American Little League baseball game, but this league is different. With absolute joy on their faces, some waving their hands, these young players are affected by various disabilities. Some are in wheelchairs, others are non-verbal.

WELSH, W.Va — McDowell County, West Virginia, sits quietly tucked away in coal country, its towns brimming with history and hardship. Once a thriving hub during the height of the coal mining industry, the community has seen a decline that has left many residents struggling to get by. The already hard-hit area faced a significant challenge in late February when flash floods tore through the town of Welsh, leaving homes severely damaged and families distraught.

LANHAM, Md. — Despite an expected snowstorm, more than 100 people attended the third annual George Liele Missionary Breakfast at Sharon Bible Fellowship Church earlier this month.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. – It started out as an average Sunday evening at Tri-County Baptist Church on Sunday, Nov. 3. Seventeen preschool and elementary-aged kids in the church’s “Sunday Night BLAST” program were busy in their classes. But then everything changed quickly. At about 6:40 p.m., Pastor Travis (T.J.) Johnson was in the sanctuary when he heard a huge noise in the foyer.

JARRETTSVILLE, Md. – For the Evans family – Verla, her son Mark, his wife Harmony and their daughter Phoebe – Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is a family affair. Sometimes family togetherness means using a chainsaw or clearing debris after a storm. Other times it’s sanitizing a basement after a flood.

OCEAN CITY, Md. (BP) – The air crackles with excitement at Ocean City Baptist Church (OCBC) as members prepare to welcome 300-plus international students for a hot, homemade meal.

BERLIN, Md. — For years, Berlin First Baptist Church children’s director Shannon Diehl pondered the idea of the church hosting a Vacation Bible School for children affected by disabilities. It seemed like a natural fit for the woman with a background in working with young children with developmental delays. But fear kept her from doing it.

CLINTON, Md. (BP) – More than 500 pregnant women and new moms crowded Clinton Baptist Church May 11 for a Community Baby Shower and Resource Fair. The church linked arms with one of its favorite long-time partners, MedStar Health of Southern Maryland, for the win-win event.

BALTIMORE (BP) -- The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26 after being hit by a cargo ship stunned families in and around the city. Divers are working to recover those still missing. People are traumatized, and many said they cried as they saw footage of the bridge as it fell into the water.

LANHAM, Md. (BP) – As the first term of the George Liele Leadership Institute comes to an end, leaders are thrilled with the response.