Trinity Bible Church Celebrates 50th Anniversary

In 1968, the United States sent a manned spacecraft to orbit the moon, Senator Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated, the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War were in high gear, and Peggy Fleming won a gold medal in figure skating.

Closer to home, in Severna Park, a small group of Christians started a ministry now known as Trinity Bible Church, which would quietly transform the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people throughout the years. Members of the church are celebrating its 50th anniversary in August.

Under the leadership of Pastor Dale Chapman, that small group began meeting at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company in August 1968 and moved to Farmers National Bank in November.

They bid farewell to Chapman just six months later when he was called to evangelism ministry. Pastor Peter Vroom began ministering at the small church in 1969 and would go on to lead the church for two decades.

The congregation began to expand and moved to the former St. John Catholic Church building in Severna Park, restoring the vacant building, and had their first worship service there in July 1969. The church continued to grow, so it moved to Severna Park High School’s auditorium temporarily before permanently settling on 8 acres of land on Truck House Road, where it’s been for the past 43 years.

Michael Martin became pastor in 1989 and led the church faithfully until his retirement in 2014. The current pastor, Stephen Mitchell, served as youth and associate pastor for seven years before stepping into the lead role.

“Trinity had a strong history in the charismatic movement,” Mitchell explained, referring to a trend similar to Pentecostalism that swept the nation in mainline churches between the mid ‘60s to mid ‘80s. Mitchell said many people were being healed physically and spiritually during that time and that vitality continues in the church today.

“Our emphasis is on God’s word and the authority of scripture,” Mitchell said. “We’ve seen, as culture shifts, some churches shying away from that, but we hold on to it.”

Reflecting on the spiritual highlights throughout the years, Mitchell said the church has a healthy emphasis on missions near and far. In fact, the church supports 21 missions and organizations, including Teen Challenge, pregnancy centers, prison ministries, Happy Helpers for the Homeless, Salvation Army, Baltimore Rescue Mission, Helping Up Mission, human trafficking organizations and many more. Trinity also has a nursing home ministry.

Internationally, the church has sent teams of adults and teens to various countries, including Haiti and Jamaica, to help with building projects and evangelism.

Trinity has ministries for all age groups. Throughout the month, in addition to the Sunday worship, it has Bible studies, men’s breakfasts and women’s studies, and children’s ministries, including Vacation Bible School in the summer.

The church’s youth group, “Refuge,” has grown especially strong, Mitchell said, meeting the many needs of many local youth in need, offering them a loving safe harbor. The youth meet weekly on Wednesday nights and also bimonthly at the home of youth minister Zachary Smith. They have retreats, giving then opportunities to take time out and connect with God, an important part of the youth ministry, Smith said.

“Our vision is to be a multi-generational, multi-ethnic, Bible-believing, spirit-led church, and our mission is to reach people with the love and message of Jesus Christ, and make disciples who will make a difference,” Mitchell said. “Our church motto is 'Living God's Love', and I'm proud that our church stands by biblical truth but is also a loving and welcoming atmosphere.”

The church will have an anniversary celebration on August 18 and 19. Members will start with dinner at the church on August 18 when they will reflect on their blessings, and on August 19, they’ll have a special 50th anniversary worship service at 11:00am.

“Greater things are yet to come,” Mitchell said.