We are a body of believers committed to worshipping and serving Jesus Christ. As a Nazarene Church, we join with likeminded Christians in spreading the gospel around the world.
The Bel Air Church has a rich heritage that began with a Cottage Prayer Meeting in 1921. The quality of our people is as solid today as it was back in those early beginnings. You will find our church family to be warm, compassionate and hard working. We have a vision to be effective in reaching our community for Jesus Christ. In 1986, we purchased forty-eight acres of land. God has opened the doors to relocate to that property where we have begun to increase our capacity to serve the people of Harford County. We moved to 2430 Conowingo Road in Bel Air, MD in 2001.
The programs and ministries of our church reflect a commitment to the whole family with a wide range of opportunities. Christ reached out to people of all ages and backgrounds and at our church we desire to do the same. That is why you will discover here, ministries geared to various life stages and needs. That is why we have a place for everyone to study the Scriptures, fellowship together and minister to others through numerous service opportunities.
The Bel Air Church has a rich heritage that began with a Cottage Prayer Meeting in 1921. The quality of our people is as solid today as it was back in those early beginnings. You will find our church family to be warm, compassionate and hard working. We have a vision to be effective in reaching our community for Jesus Christ. In 1986, we purchased forty-eight acres of land. God has opened the doors to relocate to that property where we have begun to increase our capacity to serve the people of Harford County. We moved to 2430 Conowingo Road in Bel Air, MD in 2001.
The programs and ministries of our church reflect a commitment to the whole family with a wide range of opportunities. Christ reached out to people of all ages and backgrounds and at our church we desire to do the same. That is why you will discover here, ministries geared to various life stages and needs. That is why we have a place for everyone to study the Scriptures, fellowship together and minister to others through numerous service opportunities.
Birthed in the hearts of some farmers…
The Bel Air Church was born out of a spiritual awakening that touched the lives of several families in rural Harford County, Maryland in the early 1920’s. Glowing embers from the revival fires that had swept America at the turn of the century were still evidenced by the moving of the Holy Spirit in the lives of this small band of believers. United by the experience referred to as Second Blessing Holiness, the group met for cottage prayer meetings and held tent meetings on a regular basis. As a result of their faithfulness and vision, land was purchased in 1931 and plans were finalized to erect a permanent worship facility. Originally organized as the Harford County Holiness Association, this group joined with the Church of the Nazarene in 1932 with eighteen pioneer members.
The Bel Air Church was born out of a spiritual awakening that touched the lives of several families in rural Harford County, Maryland in the early 1920’s. Glowing embers from the revival fires that had swept America at the turn of the century were still evidenced by the moving of the Holy Spirit in the lives of this small band of believers. United by the experience referred to as Second Blessing Holiness, the group met for cottage prayer meetings and held tent meetings on a regular basis. As a result of their faithfulness and vision, land was purchased in 1931 and plans were finalized to erect a permanent worship facility. Originally organized as the Harford County Holiness Association, this group joined with the Church of the Nazarene in 1932 with eighteen pioneer members.
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Characterized by a passion for holiness...
In spite of economic difficulties, the founders of our church demonstrated sacrificial living during the decade of the 30’s and the church continued effective outreach into the surrounding Bel Air community. As the years passed, God directed key men of faith who served as our pastors.
These were pastors with wisdom, full of the Holy Spirit, who challenged and led the congregation into a deeper walk with the Lord by proclaiming the message of heart holiness. As church attendance steadily increased, the need for expanded facilities became apparent. In 1954, construction began on the Sunday School annex which served the needs of the growing congregation. This was just one of many important opportunities God would challenge the church leadership to embrace.
In spite of economic difficulties, the founders of our church demonstrated sacrificial living during the decade of the 30’s and the church continued effective outreach into the surrounding Bel Air community. As the years passed, God directed key men of faith who served as our pastors.
These were pastors with wisdom, full of the Holy Spirit, who challenged and led the congregation into a deeper walk with the Lord by proclaiming the message of heart holiness. As church attendance steadily increased, the need for expanded facilities became apparent. In 1954, construction began on the Sunday School annex which served the needs of the growing congregation. This was just one of many important opportunities God would challenge the church leadership to embrace.
Always making room for more…
The church continued its aggressive campaign to influence lives and lead people to Christ. Within a few short years, more space was needed to adequately meet the growing needs of the church. In 1965, a fellowship building with kitchen and additional Sunday School classrooms were added. The church was making significant impact in the lives of countless people throughout Harford County. Many of Bel Air’s more prominent farmers and businessmen had become active members of Bel Air Church and their influence was being felt, both at church and in the work place.
Following the turbulent Viet Nam era, the decade of the ‘70’s found the church providing expanded creative ministry opportunities through music, drama and personal evangelism. Full time youth directors broadened the avenues of ministry for the church’s young people and the youth were playing an active role in the life of the church.
Along with the unprecedented growth of Harford County during the ‘80’s came a resurgence of new families, both young and old, who discovered the unique love and warmth of Bel Air Church. Sunday School space had, once again, become a premium and the present facilities were proving to be inadequate to serve the growing needs. A second worship service was added, as well as an additional hour of Sunday School classes, to better accommodate the children and the adults now attending.
The church continued its aggressive campaign to influence lives and lead people to Christ. Within a few short years, more space was needed to adequately meet the growing needs of the church. In 1965, a fellowship building with kitchen and additional Sunday School classrooms were added. The church was making significant impact in the lives of countless people throughout Harford County. Many of Bel Air’s more prominent farmers and businessmen had become active members of Bel Air Church and their influence was being felt, both at church and in the work place.
Following the turbulent Viet Nam era, the decade of the ‘70’s found the church providing expanded creative ministry opportunities through music, drama and personal evangelism. Full time youth directors broadened the avenues of ministry for the church’s young people and the youth were playing an active role in the life of the church.
Along with the unprecedented growth of Harford County during the ‘80’s came a resurgence of new families, both young and old, who discovered the unique love and warmth of Bel Air Church. Sunday School space had, once again, become a premium and the present facilities were proving to be inadequate to serve the growing needs. A second worship service was added, as well as an additional hour of Sunday School classes, to better accommodate the children and the adults now attending.
A Church on a Mission…
Perhaps the most significant development over the years is that the farmers who knew the importance of planting seed for the harvest, envisioned a church that would grow the next generation of disciples. Over 20 individuals are presently involved in full time ministry who were once a part of the church. We are thankful that God continues to call our young people in the tradition of Della Boggs, the first teenager from one of those farmer families who served a lifetime in Africa as a missionary.
In the past decade, we have sent mission teams all over the world leaving our impact on places like Thailand, Bulgaria, Romania, Mexico, Guatemala, The Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru and Honduras.
Perhaps the most significant development over the years is that the farmers who knew the importance of planting seed for the harvest, envisioned a church that would grow the next generation of disciples. Over 20 individuals are presently involved in full time ministry who were once a part of the church. We are thankful that God continues to call our young people in the tradition of Della Boggs, the first teenager from one of those farmer families who served a lifetime in Africa as a missionary.
In the past decade, we have sent mission teams all over the world leaving our impact on places like Thailand, Bulgaria, Romania, Mexico, Guatemala, The Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru and Honduras.
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