From youth and young adult ministries to a recent merger with First Baptist Church of Glenarden to create a new school, the First Baptist Church of Highland Park is working to provide safe spaces to allow young people to learn about and praise God.
“We are trying to work internally as well as externally to help the young people in this community because the needs are great,” said the Rev. Henry P. Davis, pastor of the Baptist Church of Highland Park. “Our theme this year is ‘Level Up,’ because we don’t want people to be satisfied in your faith.
Highland Park is located in the middle of an inner Beltway community filled with apartment complexes and children. Davis said working with children, teens, and young adults is a big part of their ministry. This year, Highland Park will offer everything from math tutors to school supplies, book bags and even haircuts.
“We want to do everything we can to make sure these students are successful,” Davis told The Informer.
First Baptist Church of Highland Park has dozens of ministries to engage the community, such as the Rev. Altheria Barnette’s work as minister of Youth and Family, to the Rev. Angela Taylor’s efforts as minister of Missions and Outreach,
Shelia Dent, superintendent of the church’s Sunday School, said that they have programs ranging from children’s worship on Sunday mornings to the young adult ministry that takes place on Saturday nights.
“Church is just not 11 a.m. on Sunday morning and it’s not just in the building,” said Dent whose daughter, Jordan “JD” Dent is leader of The Plug Young Adult Ministry Saturdays at 6:30 p.m.
“The Plug Young Adult Ministry is special because we create an environment for young adults to come as they are,” JD Dent told The Informer. “We have an open and safe space that allows young adults to establish and nurture their relationship with God, to ask questions about the things they’re reading about during their Bible study, and learn how to apply biblical principles to their everyday life. “
The ministry leader emphasized the programming provides young adults opportunities to praise God in ways that resonate with them.
“The Plug also allows young adults to authentically praise and worship God whether that’s through song, dance, spoken word or spiritual events.”
School Merger Creates More Opportunities to Engage With Youth
The Highland Park church’s youth ministry isn’t limited to weekends.
First Baptist Church of Highland Park and First Baptist Church of Glenarden have come together to create a new private elementary school for Pre-K 4 to 8th Grade students. The new school- Prince George’s Christian Academy- combines Shabach Academy and Highland Park Christian Academy on two campuses. Students grades Pre-K to 3rd will be at the First Baptist Ministry Center and the campus from grades 4th to 8th will be at Highland Park.
Davis told The Informer that collaborating with First Baptist Church of Glenarden Pastor John K. Jenkins is a way to build on the visions both churches had with their academic institutions.
“We are stronger together. It is going to take the two of us to go to another level and create a college preparatory program to the 12th grade,” Davis said. “We needed each other. We want to develop premiere programs, but keep the focus on Christ and there is hunger out there.
First Baptist Church of Glenarden’s Pastor John K. Jenkins also emphasized the new academy will present more opportunities for youth Christian formation.
“We are one school,” Jenkins said in an interview. “We hope to add a grade a year. Our expectation is to work collaboratively to impact our children with the most excellent Christian education that they can receive.”For more information about Prince George’s Christian Academy visit pgcacademy.org.