Pastor's Pen - Jan. 2026

Dear friends,

It has been a wonderful experience getting to know you and getting acquainted with the workings of Calvary Baptist Church here in Belmar, NJ. I started a mere two months ago as your new pastor.  I had actually been doing pulpit supply at the church since mid-March, so, I did have some time to get to know those of you whom I met during that time period. 

What has it been like being the pastor of our church? Well, for one thing, I have been enjoying getting to work with Pastor Nancy, Terri King, Wendy Dart, Russ, Paula, the new Administrative Assistant, not to mention those of you who attend the church regularly.  And everyone has been so easy to work with.

On Christmas Eve, I saw a small group of people put on what was a magnificent demonstration of praise and worship to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Terri King and her husband Sandy played the keyboard and bass guitar, respectively, as our choir and special singers both on a Zoom service and in an In-Person service, sang their hearts out.  And that message was recorded on livestream to be viewed by anyone on this planet who has the internet.The possibilities are endless. Jesus said, “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.” Matthew 14:14 NLT

As we enter 2026, in the Year of our Lord, let us come before the Lord with a humble spirit. Let us wait (or trust) upon the Lord. “For those that wait upon the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NLT

God will guide our church.  Of that I have no doubt.  Where He will take us, I am not sure. But I do believe there are people here who have great faith like Pastor Nancy, Terri King, Wendy Dart, Steven, Russ, and Rich, Denise Thomas, Miss Bee and Miss Elizabeth, Katie Kennedy, Mukesh Singh and Kavita Singh, Lori and Andy Tonti, Kaitlin, Barbara, Brother- Phil Powe, Sister Mary, and Diana, to name a few.  We are the Caleb’s and Joshua’s of our day. We need to trust the Lord that he is going to take us to the promised land. Numbers 13:30-33 Let us have no doubts. If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

May 2026 be the year that we see the Lord’s hand move on the people of Calvary Baptist Church. I for one am excited about what the possibilities will be.  Are you with me? Let’s go!

In Jesus name, Amen.

Looking forward to serving you in 2026.

In Christ,
Pastor Dwayne