Note from Pastor Don - Email Updates

Note From Pastor Don: Get Out and Vote!

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 22:03:03 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

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November 2, 2026

🇺🇸 CHURCH, IT'S TIME TO STAND UP, SHOW UP, AND VOTE! 🇺🇸

We cannot afford to be passionate about the future of our nation while being passive about our responsibility to participate in it!

We have been entrusted with freedoms that generations before us sacrificed to protect. Don't treat those freedoms casually!

PRAY BOLDLY. THINK BIBLICALLY. SEEK TRUTH. VOTE WITH CONVICTION!

Don't allow fear to silence you, anger to control you, or political division to distract you from your greater calling.

And hear me clearly: NO POLITICAL PARTY IS OUR SAVIOR. NO CANDIDATE IS OUR MESSIAH. JESUS CHRIST ALONE IS KING!

Elections matter. Leadership matters. Our communities matter. And how we represent Jesus in the process matters!

CHURCH, DON'T JUST TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PART IN IT!

Get informed. Get on your knees. Get to the polls. And regardless of the results, keep standing for truth, loving people, and proclaiming JESUS!

OUR HOPE IS NOT ON THE BALLOT. OUR HOPE IS ON THE THRONE! 🙌🇺🇸

Why Christians Must Vote

Can I just get real with you?

Every election is a choice between competing visions of what America will become. And the people who show up get to shape that vision. Muslims who vote according to classical Islamic teaching ultimately want a society ordered by Sharia and Islamic dominance. The godless—secular progressives, atheists, and cultural leftists—want a nation where God is removed from public life, biblical morality is treated as bigotry, and the state becomes the highest authority. Other groups have their own clear desires:

Progressive activists and cultural Marxists want equity of outcome, identity-based power, and the dismantling of traditional family, sex, and merit.
Radical environmentalists and globalists often prioritize transnational control and reduced national sovereignty over ordered liberty and human flourishing under God.
Libertarian purists want maximum personal autonomy with almost no moral guardrails from government or culture.
Islamist organizations and many orthodox Muslim voters work toward greater influence of Islamic law, parallel societies, and demographic-political leverage.

None of those visions has the life-changing, hope-giving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ or the proven fruit of Christian virtues—love of neighbor, protection of the vulnerable, the dignity of every person made in God’s image, the sanctity of life, the stability of the family, honesty, self-control, and justice tempered by mercy.

So why would a Christian not want America shaped by the message that has historically produced the freest, most prosperous, and most compassionate societies the world has ever known? Why would we sit out while others energetically vote for visions that reject the very truths that made ordered liberty possible?

We vote because we love our neighbors. We vote to restrain evil and promote good (Romans 13). We vote to protect the space where the gospel can be freely proclaimed and lived. We vote because “We the People” is not a slogan—it’s a stewardship. And we vote with hope, not fear, because our ultimate King is not on any ballot. He is already on the throne.

You’ve got a voice. You’ve got a vote. Use them. God is still sovereign. The gospel is still powerful. And the church that shows up with both conviction and compassion can still make a difference.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 (NLT)

Should Pastors Speak Into This?

Some of the most important conversations happening right now are about the future of this country. Competing visions are on the table: some want an America increasingly shaped by Islamic teaching and Sharia influence; others want a thoroughly secular, godless public square where biblical morality is treated as outdated or even oppressive.

Still others push for progressive cultural revolution, radical autonomy, or various forms of concentrated power. In the middle of all that sits a simple question many pastors feel:

Should I speak into this?

The short answer is yes—carefully, biblically, and pastorally. Here’s why.

The Whole Counsel Includes Public Life

Paul told the Ephesian elders, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). That counsel is not limited to personal salvation and private morality. The Bible speaks to justice, the role of government, the dignity of every person made in God’s image, the protection of the vulnerable, the importance of truth, and the call to seek the welfare of the city where God has placed us (Jeremiah 29:7; Micah 6:8; Romans 13). When those realities are under pressure, silence is not neutrality. It is a choice.

Jesus Himself addressed both religious leaders and the realities of civil authority. The prophets spoke to kings. The apostles navigated the intersection of faith and public life. A pastor who never helps his people think biblically about the direction of their nation is not protecting the gospel; he is shrinking it.

Speaking Is Not the Same as Campaigning

There is a difference between equipping the saints and becoming a political operative. A faithful pastor does not turn the pulpit into a campaign headquarters or endorse candidates in a way that divides the body or violates the church’s legal standing. But he does teach the biblical principles that should shape how Christians vote and engage. He does name the competing worldviews clearly and charitably. He does remind the flock that the gospel and Christian virtues have produced measurable good in societies—protection of life, elevation of women and children, education, charity, and ordered liberty—and that abandoning those foundations has consequences.

Pastors are shepherds. Shepherds warn the sheep about real dangers. They also point them to green pastures. Both are part of the job.

The Gospel Changes Everything—Including This

The primary calling of a pastor is still the proclamation of Jesus Christ crucified and risen, the making of disciples, and the care of souls. Nothing should crowd that out. At the same time, the gospel is not a private religious hobby. It is public truth. A culture shaped more by the life-changing message of Christ and the virtues that flow from it is better for our neighbors, better for the vulnerable, and better for the free proclamation of that same gospel. Helping people see that is not a distraction from ministry. It is part of loving them and loving the place God has assigned them.

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone or Perfectly

If you are a pastor wrestling with this, take heart. You do not have to become an expert on every policy or match the volume of the loudest voices. You do have to be faithful to the text, clear about the big picture, and full of grace and truth. Teach the principles. Pray publicly for leaders. Equip your people to vote their conscience according to Scripture. Model courage without cruelty. And keep the main thing the main thing—Jesus is Lord of all, including this moment.

God has not called every pastor to the same public emphasis, but He has called every pastor to faithfulness with the whole counsel. In a time when other visions are being advanced with energy and clarity, the church’s shepherds should not be the quietest voices in the room.

You’ve got this. More importantly, the Chief Shepherd has this. Speak the truth in love. And trust Him with the results.

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

2 Timothy 4:2

-- Pastor Don

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

Note From Pastor Don: Battle Ready!

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:38:18 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

October 23, 2026

Battle Ready Week Four.

Church family, I cannot wait to worship with you this Sunday!

There is something powerful about God's people coming together—lifting our voices in worship, encouraging one another through fellowship, opening God's Word, and experiencing the presence of the Lord together!

We need these moments. We need God's Word. We need each other. And most importantly, we need JESUS!

This Sunday, we are continuing our journey through the Armor of God as we focus on a powerful piece of spiritual protection: THE SHIELD OF FAITH!

Ephesians 6:16 (NLT) reminds us:

"In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil."

Church, life has a way of throwing some fiery arrows at us! Doubt. Fear. Discouragement. Temptation. Anxiety. The enemy would love nothing more than to weaken our faith and convince us to give up.

But we were never called to surrender to the enemy. We were called to STAND FIRM in the Lord!

And here's something I don't want us to miss: We were never meant to fight these battles alone!

That's why Sunday matters! That's why gathering as the church matters! We strengthen one another. We pray for one another. We worship together. And we remind each other that our God is faithful, even when life is difficult.

So let me challenge you this week:

Don't just attend church this Sunday—COME EXPECTING GOD TO MOVE!

Come ready to worship with your whole heart. Come ready to hear from God's Word.

Come ready to encourage someone who may be fighting a battle you know nothing about.

And here's one more challenge: Don't come alone! Who is your ONE? Who needs an invitation, a word of encouragement, or someone to simply say, "Come sit with me this Sunday"?

Imagine what God could do if every one of us came expecting Him to work and brought someone along for the journey!

One Church. Two Campuses. One Savior. One Mission.

Whether you worship at Ringgold or GC3, we are one church family, united in Jesus Christ!

I love you, church family! I believe God has great things ahead for us, and I don't want any of us to miss what He is doing.

Sunday. Bring your Bible. Bring your family. Bring a friend. And bring an EXPECTANT HEART!

Let's worship Jesus, love one another, and raise our shields of faith together!

See you Sunday!

With love and great expectation,

Pastor Don

Connecting People to Jesus and One Another.

Seeing Broken Lives Mended by Christ.

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT! 🎉

We are excited to invite YOU, your family, your friends, and your neighbors to LIGHT THE NIGHT at Ringgold Church!

TONIGHT — Friday, October 23

6:00–8:00 PM

Ringgold Church

This is about so much more than candy, costumes, and decorated trunks. It's about loving our community, building relationships, creating memories, and letting the LIGHT OF JESUS shine brightly!

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:16 (NLT), "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

Here's what's happening tonight!

🍬 Trunk or Treat! Enjoy decorated trunks, costumes, candy, and plenty of smiles! Please remember that all costumes and trunk decorations should be family-friendly and non-scary.

🎉 The Fun Continues Indoors! After Trunk or Treat, head into the church gym for games, snacks, drinks, and wonderful fellowship!

❤️ Something Bigger Than an Event! Every smile, every conversation, and every act of kindness is an opportunity to show our community the love of Jesus!

CHURCH, HERE'S MY CHALLENGE!

Don't just come to enjoy the evening—come ready to be a LIGHT! Welcome someone you don't know. Introduce yourself to a family. Invite a neighbor. Help someone feel like they belong.

You never know how God might use one simple conversation to make an eternal difference!

Let's fill Ringgold with laughter, joy, fellowship, and the love of Christ tonight!

I can't wait to see everyone! Bring your family, invite your friends, and let's make this a night our community will remember!

Let's LIGHT THE NIGHT for JESUS! ✨

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

Note From Pastor Don: Battle Ready!

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 12:50:03 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

October 4, 2026

Battle Ready starts today.

Family, this is the Sunday. Not next week. Not when life settles down. Today.

We gather for worship at 10 AM this morning, and we are opening a series called Battle Ready.

You do not have to go looking for a fight. The fight already found you. Not a culture war. A spiritual war with real names on it — your faith, your marriage, your kids, your peace, the people you love who are still far from Jesus.

Here is the hope: the outcome was decided at an empty tomb. The King has already won.

Here is the honesty: the fight is not over yet.

So we will not sit in the stands. We will open God’s Word. We will learn how to stand — truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer. Already victorious. Not yet finished. That is the ground we live on.

Bring your Bible. Open it. Mark it. Follow along. Don’t just hear a sermon. Meet God in His Word.

Bring someone with you. If you have been drifting, come home this morning. If you are tired, come anyway. The armor is not for the strong. It is for the people who know they need it.

The war is won.

The war is not over.

Worship is at 10 AM.

Let’s get Battle Ready.

See you this morning.

In Christ,

Don

🌧️ PIG ROAST UPDATE

Due to the uncertainty of today’s weather, which is hampering our ability to set up outdoors early, all Pig Roast activities will be moved INDOORS this afternoon.

🐷 Haven’t gotten your tickets yet? There’s still time! You can purchase tickets online or at the Café this morning.

Come ready for a great afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship—rain or shine!

We can’t wait to see you!

Register Here: https://ringgold.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3745098

From Scrolls to Scripture

Have you ever held a Bible in your hands and wondered how it got there?

Where did these words come from? How did they survive centuries of copying, persecution, translation, and travel across languages and lands? And can we really trust that what we read today is what God intended His people to receive?

Those are good questions. Honest ones. And you don’t have to be a scholar to ask them.

I’m glad to invite you to From Scrolls to Scripture, a special three-week class led by Norman Conrad, Curator for American and Biblical Imprints at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Norm has spent years working with rare Bibles, early printings, and the story of how Scripture has been preserved and passed down. He’s the kind of teacher who can take a subject that could feel distant and make it come alive—with stories, artifacts, and a deep respect for the Word we love.

Together we’ll walk the fascinating journey of Scripture: how God’s Word was written, carefully copied, preserved through generations, translated, and ultimately became the Bible we open today. We’ll talk about reliability—not as a debate to win, but as a reason to worship.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Just bring your questions and your curiosity. Everyone is welcome—longtime believers, new believers, seekers, students, and anyone who has ever wondered, “How did we get this Book?”

Wednesday | October 7 | 6:00 PM at Ringgold Church

I hope you’ll come. Not because you have to know everything about manuscripts and translations, but because the God who spoke these words also preserved them—and He still speaks through them today.

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

Note From Pastor Don: Living In Community

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 22:01:45 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

September 25, 2026

Family,

I need to say this plainly: you are already in a battle.

Not a culture war. Not a personality clash. A spiritual war with real names attached to it—your faith, your marriage, your kids, your purity, your peace, the people you love who are still far from Jesus.

Some of you feel it every day. Your head is on a swivel. You are fighting for your faith while everyone else’s seems to be climbing. You are asking, “God, where are You?” You are tired. That is not weakness. That is awareness.

Here is the hope I want ringing in your chest before you walk in next Sunday: the outcome was decided at an empty tomb. The King has already won. And here is the honesty that keeps us from pretending: the fight is not over yet. Already victorious. Not yet finished. That is the ground we live on.

That is why we are beginning a new series on Sunday, October 4 called Battle Ready.

We are going to open God’s Word and learn how to stand—not run, not freeze, not play church. Stand. Truth. Righteousness. The gospel. Faith. Salvation. The Word of God. Prayer. This is not hype and it is not fear. This is a church refusing to sit in the stands while the enemy comes after the people Jesus died to save.

I am asking three things of you.

1. Be here Sunday, October 4.

Clear the calendar. Bring someone with you. If you have been drifting, this is a good Sunday to come home.

2. Bring your Bible.

We teach primarily from the New Living Translation. Don’t just hear a sermon. Open the Book. Follow along. Highlight. Underline. Write in the margins. Date the verses God uses to speak to you. We do not gather around a preacher’s opinions. We gather around the living, powerful, life-changing Word of God.

3. Come ready to take a next step.

A disciple is not somebody who has it all figured out. A disciple says, “This is my next step of obedience.” For some of you that step is Jesus. For some it is getting back in the Word. For some it is putting on the armor you have left in the closet. For some it is getting in the fight for someone else’s soul.

I believe God still wants to do more in this church than we have seen. I also believe the enemy does not roll over when God starts moving. So we will not be passive. We will clear the way. We will equip for battle. We will deploy for impact.

The war is won. The war is not over. Let’s get Battle Ready.

I love you. I am praying for you. I will see you Sunday.

In Christ,

Don

From Scrolls to Scripture

Have you ever held a Bible in your hands and wondered how it got there?

Those are good questions. Honest ones. And you don’t have to be a scholar to ask them.

Wednesdays | September 30 – October 7 | 6:00 PM at Ringgold Church

Pig Roast on October 4

There’s something special about gathering around a table together. Good food. Easy conversation. Kids running around. The kind of afternoon that reminds us we belong to one another.

I’d love for you to join us for a Family Pig Roast on Sunday, October 4, beginning at 4:00 PM at Ringgold Church.

Come enjoy delicious food, warm fellowship, and fun for the whole family. This is a simple, joyful afternoon—no program to sit through, just time to be together.

Cost: $10 per person or $30 per family

Please sign up in advance so we can plan the food and have enough for everyone.

If you’ve been looking for a low-pressure way to invite a neighbor, a coworker, or someone you’ve been praying for—this is a great one. There’s room at the table.

P.S. Sign-ups help us plan well. If you can let us know you’re coming, we’d be grateful.

Register Here: https://ringgold.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3745098

MEN' BREAKFAST: Let’s Start the Day Together Before the Pig Roast

Before the food hits the tables and the afternoon fills with family and fellowship, I want to invite you to something quieter—and just as important.

Sunday, October 4 | 7:00–9:00 AM | Ringgold Church

Men from both campuses are gathering for a simple kickstart to our annual pig roast: a hearty breakfast, the sunrise, and time to pray over the church together.

No agenda to impress anyone. Just brothers around a table, watching the light come up, and asking the Lord to bless His people as we gather later that day.

Men of all ages are welcome. Fathers and sons. Grandfathers. Young men still figuring out the road ahead. If you’ve never come to something like this before, this is a good one to start with.

Come hungry. Come as you are. We’ll eat, we’ll pray, and we’ll ask God to put His hand on Ringgold, on GC3, and on every family who will sit down with us that afternoon.

I’d love to have you there.

Grateful to walk with you,

Don

P.S. If you can come, just let us know so we can plan breakfast. And if you know a man who needs an invitation, bring him.

Register Here: https://ringgold.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3847303

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

Note From Pastor Don: Back To Church Sunday!

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 21:01:09 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

September 18, 2026

Friends,

This Sunday, September 20, is Back to Church Sunday—and I wanted you to hear it from me first: we are looking forward to seeing you.

If you’ve been here every week, come ready to welcome someone. If it’s been a while, this is a good Sunday to walk back through the doors. If you’ve never been, you are invited. There is a place for you.

Church isn’t a performance to attend. It’s a family gathering around Jesus—His Word, His table, His people. Some of us come with joy. Some come tired. Some come with questions. All of us come needing grace. That’s why we gather.

I’d love for you to join us this Sunday. Bring someone with you if you can. Sit where you’re comfortable. Stay afterward and say hello. You don’t have to have it all together. Just come.

We’re saving a seat—and we’re glad you’re part of this story.

From Scrolls to Scripture

Have you ever held a Bible in your hands and wondered how it got there?

Those are good questions. Honest ones. And you don’t have to be a scholar to ask them.

Wednesdays | September 23 – October 7 | 6:00 PM at Ringgold Church

Pig Roast on October 4

There’s something special about gathering around a table together. Good food. Easy conversation. Kids running around. The kind of afternoon that reminds us we belong to one another.

I’d love for you to join us for a Family Pig Roast on Sunday, October 4, beginning at 4:00 PM at Ringgold Church.

Come enjoy delicious food, warm fellowship, and fun for the whole family. This is a simple, joyful afternoon—no program to sit through, just time to be together.

Cost: $10 per person or $30 per family

Please sign up in advance so we can plan the food and have enough for everyone.

If you’ve been looking for a low-pressure way to invite a neighbor, a coworker, or someone you’ve been praying for—this is a great one. There’s room at the table.

P.S. Sign-ups help us plan well. If you can let us know you’re coming, we’d be grateful.

Register Here: https://ringgold.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3745098

MEN' BREAKFAST: Let’s Start the Day Together Before the Pig Roast

Before the food hits the tables and the afternoon fills with family and fellowship, I want to invite you to something quieter—and just as important.

Sunday, October 4 | 7:00–9:00 AM | Ringgold Church

Men from both campuses are gathering for a simple kickstart to our annual pig roast: a hearty breakfast, the sunrise, and time to pray over the church together.

No agenda to impress anyone. Just brothers around a table, watching the light come up, and asking the Lord to bless His people as we gather later that day.

Men of all ages are welcome. Fathers and sons. Grandfathers. Young men still figuring out the road ahead. If you’ve never come to something like this before, this is a good one to start with.

Come hungry. Come as you are. We’ll eat, we’ll pray, and we’ll ask God to put His hand on Ringgold, on GC3, and on every family who will sit down with us that afternoon.

I’d love to have you there.

Grateful to walk with you,

Don

P.S. If you can come, just let us know so we can plan breakfast. And if you know a man who needs an invitation, bring him.

Register Here: https://ringgold.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3847303

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

Note From Pastor Don: Back To Church Sunday - Coming!

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 22:00:58 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

September 11, 2026

Church Family,

I'm really looking forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!

We’re continuing our short series called ONEvite, which is leading us toward Back to Church Sunday on September 20. And throughout these weeks, I want us to keep asking one simple but important question:

Who is your ONE?

Who is the one person God has placed in your life that you can pray for, encourage, have a conversation with, and invite to church? Don’t underestimate what God can do through one simple invitation. Your invitation could be the beginning of someone’s life being mended by Christ.

I also want to encourage us to begin—or get back into—a simple practice:

Bring your Bible to church every Sunday.

Yes, you can read Scripture on your phone, and we’ll continue putting Scripture on the screens. But there is something valuable about having your own Bible open in front of you.

Follow along. Take notes. Highlight. Underline. Write in the margins. Put a date beside a passage that God uses to speak into your life. Make your Bible personal. A well-used Bible should look well-used!

If you’re wondering which translation to bring, I teach predominantly from the New Living Translation (NLT).

Why the NLT?

Because I want people not only to hear the Word of God, but to understand it. The NLT communicates the meaning of the original biblical languages in clear, natural, everyday English. It is especially helpful when Scripture is being read aloud and when we are teaching people at different places in their journey with Jesus.

But whatever faithful translation you use, bring it. Open it. Mark it. Know it. Live it.

My prayer isn’t simply that we become people who listen to sermons. I want us to become people of the Word—people who know what God has said, believe what God has said, and build our lives upon what God has said.

So this Sunday:

Bring your Bible.
Bring a pen.
Bring an expectant heart.
And bring your ONE!

We don’t gather around the opinions of a preacher. We gather around Jesus and the living, powerful, life-changing Word of God.

I can’t wait to worship with you Sunday!

We are Better Together!

Pastor Don

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

Note From Pastor Don: Kingdom Growth Report

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 22:01:24 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

August 7, 2026

July Celebrations & Grateful Hearts

Church Family,

I just wanted to pause and share a few things that have my heart full this week.

What a joy it is to watch the Lord at work among us. In July we saw tangible evidence of His faithfulness in several areas, and I don’t want any of it to pass without celebration and thanks.

First, thank you for your generous response to the RACK special offering. You gave $1,321. In addition, $861 was given toward the RACK One Fund focus. These gifts matter. They represent more than numbers on a page—they represent hearts that are open and hands that are ready to serve.

We also celebrated Vacation Bible School with 30 kids joining us. Watching those children hear the gospel, laugh, learn, and encounter Jesus is one of the sweetest privileges we get as a church. Thank you to every volunteer, teacher, and helper who made that week possible.

And look at this: $1,074 was raised for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. That means gifts are already being prepared that will travel across the world and land in the hands of children who need to know they are loved by God. What a privilege to be part of that.

Finally, six people completed Partnership 101. We celebrate each of them. Taking that step of belonging and shared mission is no small thing, and we are grateful for their yes.

Church, I am deeply thankful. Thankful for your generosity. Thankful for your service. Thankful for the quiet, faithful ways so many of you are leaning into what God is doing among us. These are not small things. They are signs of life and fruitfulness.

I am encouraged for the days ahead. The Lord is still writing the story, and He continues to invite us into it. Let’s keep our eyes open, our hands ready, and our hearts soft. There is more yet to come.

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the recent church survey. Your honest feedback, questions, and thoughts matter deeply to us. We do not take your voice for granted, and we are grateful you chose to share it.

The Becoming ONE FAQ booklet is still available this weekend.

This booklet was created to address the questions we have received over these past months, as well as the questions that surfaced through the survey. Our hope is that it will bring clarity, reduce uncertainty, and help all of us walk forward together with greater understanding and unity as we continue becoming ONE.

Please pick up a copy this weekend. Take it home. Read it prayerfully. Bring your questions if something still feels unclear. We are committed to walking this journey with transparency and care.

I am grateful to be on this road with you. Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

With love,

Don

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

Note From Pastor Don: Looking Forward To Sunday

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 22:02:08 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

July 31, 2026

Church Family,

This coming Sunday, we will open God’s Word to Psalm 42 — a psalm that meets us right where many of us live. It is honest about the downcast soul, the deep thirst for God, and the quiet battle that can go on inside us. It does not rush us past the struggle. Instead, it teaches us how to speak hope to our own hearts and lift our eyes again to the One who is our salvation.

If you have been feeling weary, frustrated, or like you are still very much a work in progress, I want you to know this message is for you. You do not have to have it all together to come. The God who meets us in Psalm 42 is not waiting for us to feel strong. He invites us to come thirsty, honest, and still learning how to stand.

I would love for you to be with us as we open this psalm together — to worship, to listen, and to remind one another that our hope is in God.

This weekend the Becoming ONE FAQ booklet will be available.

Please pick up a copy this weekend. Take it home. Read it prayerfully. Bring your questions if something still feels unclear. We are committed to walking this journey with transparency and care.

I am grateful to be on this road with you.

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday.

With love,

Don

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

Note From Pastor Don: At The Movies

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 22:01:24 GMT

Specific Details for Ringgold and GC3 Locations

July 24, 2026

At The Movies

Church Family,

This is the last weekend of At the Movies, and our hope is that you have enjoyed this summer series with us.

A lot of thoughtful work happens behind the scenes each week—our staff and many church partners prepare the clips, the messages, the environments, and the details so we can all gather around stories that point us back to Jesus. We are grateful for every person who has served in that way.

This weekend we conclude with Collateral Beauty.

As always, please use your own discretion when viewing any of the movies in their entirety. This weekend we especially encourage parents to use caution. We have rated this film RC/GC3 – 13. Some material may not be appropriate for children under the age of 13.

We invite parents to take their children to Ringgold Kids during the adult worship service so they can be cared for in an age-appropriate environment while the adults engage the message.

Looking forward to finishing the series well with you this weekend.

Even in the middle of summer, we are already preparing our hearts for Christmas through Christmas in July.

This year our monthly outreach and giving focus has centered on two meaningful ways we get to love others well: Operation Christmas Child and Random Acts of Christmas Kindness.

During Vacation Bible School our kids raised over $1,000 specifically for shipping Shoebox gifts in October. That amount covers the shipping for 100 boxes. What a beautiful picture of the next generation already learning the joy of generous living.

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness (RACK) is our December outreach. Families whose children participate in Micah’s Backpack monthly food program during the school year are invited to take part. Through RACK we provide gifts for the children and food for the entire family during Christmas break. Your financial support directly helps us determine how many families we can care for each year.

Would you prayerfully consider giving toward these efforts this month? Every gift helps us send more shoeboxes around the world and bless more local families right here at Christmas..

This Sunday we will take a special offering on campus as part of our Christmas in July focus.

Your gifts will help cover the shipping for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and strengthen Random Acts of Christmas Kindness so we can provide gifts and food for more local families this December.

You can give in person this weekend or digitally anytime at

https://ringgold.churchcenter.com/giving

Thank you for the way you continue to open your hands and hearts. Every gift makes a difference.

Grateful to serve alongside a generous church family,

With gratitude and hope in Christ,

Don Conley

Ringgold + GC3

Lead Pastor

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

July 4th - Happy 250th Birthday USA!

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:01:15 GMT

Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

Dear Church Family,

As we stand just a day away from America’s 250th birthday on the July 4th, my heart is full of gratitude and hope. This weekend is not only a national celebration—it’s also the release of a powerful new film that brings to life the early years of George Washington.

Today, Friday, July 3, “Young Washington” opens in theaters nationwide from Angel Studios. The movie tells the story of a young man facing war, betrayal, impossible choices, and the forging of a leader’s character long before he became the Father of our Nation. It’s a timely and stirring reminder as we mark 250 years of freedom.

Friends, the historical record about George Washington is clear and encouraging. The people who knew him best—pastors, family, and close companions—testified that he was a Christian in both faith and practice.

His very first general order as commander of the Continental Army wasn’t about battle plans. It was a call for the troops to attend divine worship and to live with holiness—so they could seek God’s blessing and help. Later at Valley Forge, he reminded his officers that while being a good patriot and soldier mattered, “it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”

Even more moving is the testimony of his adopted granddaughter, Nelly, who lived with George and Martha for twenty years. She described how every morning he would close himself in his study for an hour of Bible reading and prayer—sacred time no one was allowed to interrupt. She told of his bold prayers, even laying hands on the sick and crying out to God. When asked about his faith, she wrote: “As well might you question his patriotism as his Christianity.”

As we celebrate 250 years and as “Young Washington” hits the big screen, I believe the Lord is inviting us to remember the foundation:

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” — Psalm 33:12 (NLT)

This isn’t just about looking back. It’s a call forward. Like Washington, may we guard our private devotion with God, live unashamedly for Christ in our public lives, and pray with bold faith.

Here’s my invitation to you this weekend:

Go see “Young Washington” as a family or with friends (in theaters July 3). Let it spark good conversations around the dinner table about faith, leadership, and God’s hand in history.
Take time on July 4th to thank God for His providence over our nation and to pray for a fresh move of His Spirit in our land.
And personally—let’s examine our own lives. Is there a sacred daily time with the Lord? Are we living with the “more distinguished character of Christian” in every sphere God has placed us?

We are better together. Let’s be a people who shine the light of Jesus brightly in this generation.

I’d love to hear how God uses this weekend in your life. Just hit reply and share what He’s stirring in you.

With love and great hope in Christ,

Pastor Don Conley
Lead Pastor
Ringgold Church & GC3

I’m thrilled about what’s ahead this July—At The Movies!

Each week we’ll step into powerful stories from the big screen and discover how they point us straight to the life-changing truth of Jesus. It’s going to be fun, relevant, and deeply meaningful as we laugh, reflect, and encounter God together as ONE Church family.

Whether you’ve been walking with us for years or this is your very first Sunday, there’s a seat for you. And it’s the perfect time to bring your neighbors, friends, and family along!

I can’t wait to see how God uses these messages and the conversations they spark. Let’s make July a summer full of hope, connection, and fresh encounters with Jesus.

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702

USA 250 Celebration!

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 22:00:56 GMT

250 Years of Freedom: Gratitude, Prayer, and Hope

Dear Church Family,

As July 4th draws near, our nation prepares to mark its 250th birthday. This is a sacred mile-marker—an invitation to pause with grateful hearts and celebrate the remarkable story of the United States of America.

This is a time for patriotism. It is a time to honor those who sacrificed so we could enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted. Most of all, it is a time to thank God for His sovereign hand upon this nation through the centuries—through wars and peace, prosperity and hardship, progress and struggle. We have not been perfect, but we have been preserved. That is grace.

We especially cherish the religious liberty that allows us to gather freely, open God’s Word without fear, and proclaim the Gospel boldly. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT).

The psalmist reminds us, “What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance” (Psalm 33:12 NLT). And the greatest freedom we possess is not political—it is spiritual: “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17 NLT).

As we celebrate, I invite you to join me in praying two specific prayers this week:

A Prayer for Gratitude and Celebration

Gracious Father, thank You for 250 years of Your watchful care over this nation. We praise You for the freedoms we enjoy and for the countless ways Your hand has guided, corrected, and blessed us. Give us humble, thankful hearts. Help us honor the sacrifices of those who came before us and live as faithful citizens who point others to the hope we have in Jesus. May this anniversary stir fresh gratitude in us and renewed love for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Prayer for Those Who Will Try to Use This Time to Promote Other Ideologies

Heavenly Father, we lift up those who may attempt to use this national celebration to advance agendas that divide rather than unite, criticize rather than appreciate, or distract from genuine gratitude. Guard this moment, Lord. Soften hearts, open eyes, and redeem even these efforts for Your purposes. Give Your people wisdom, grace, and courage to respond with truth and love. May Your Spirit bring unity where there is division and draw many to the true freedom found only in Christ. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Let these prayers guide your time with the Lord and your conversations with family and friends leading up to July 4th. Choose thankfulness. Choose unity. Choose hope.

I am grateful to serve Jesus alongside you in Ringgold, Frederick, and beyond. May the Lord bless you and your family with a meaningful celebration filled with joy and peace.

With a grateful heart,

Pastor Don Conley
Lead Pastor
Ringgold Church & GC3

LOCATIONS

Ringgold Location (10 AM Service time)

14416 Barkdoll Road

Hagerstown, MD 21742

Frederick Location (10:30 AM Service time)

2100 Rosemont Ave.

Frederick, MD 21702