About Us – Immanuel Baptist Church

History of Immanuel:

Immanuel is a glorious 124 years young. The church began meeting in downtown Baltimore in 1897. Due to various reasons, in its infancy the church was forced to meet in several locations, including a local brewery. God was faithful as the church went through periods of struggle and growth just as the nation did with wars and the depression. Immanuel was sustained by the faithfulness of God and the commitment and sacrifice of its people.

In 1961, the church purchased a new campus where Immanuel Baptist Church would gather and live out its calling at the corners of Frankford and Sinclair Lanes for almost 25 years. Due to a tremendous opportunity and a changing community, Immanuel purchased 10 acres of farmland in the White Marsh/Rosedale area in 1984.

Immanuel Baptist Church began meeting at 5050 Bucks Schoolhouse Road in 1986. In 2021, we moved yet again, but this time just across the street. We are now located in our new building at 5041 Bucks Schoolhouse Road.

Throughout the 124-year history of Immanuel, a couple of things have remained constant: First and foremost is God’s unfailing and steadfast love for His people. The second is a group of committed disciples who believe in the mission of the church and have sacrificed for its continued work. Immanuel has been blessed throughout the years with people who have loved Jesus and His church and shown it with their actions.

Statement of Faith

We believe and take the Bible as our sole authority in matters of faith, worship, and doctrine. It will also be our guide for conduct and practice. The following Baptist acronym is a brief synopsis of our major beliefs. To find a more detailed list refer to the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.

We voluntarily band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ personally committed to sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind. The ordinances of the church are believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

In core beliefs – we have unity: 4 We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. 5 There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all. – Eph 4:4-6 (NLT)

In indisputable beliefs – we have liberty: 1 Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about doubtful issues….Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls…So then each of us will give an account of himself to God….So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.” – Romans 14:1,4,12,22 (NLT)

In all our beliefs – we show love: 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. – 1 Cor 13:2 (NLT)

Values

Bible as our sole authority

“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right.” – 2 Tim 3:16 (TLB)

Since God’s word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, the Bible is our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the Bible say?” The Bible is the basis for all we believe.

Autonomy of the local church

“Christ is the head of the church, which is his body. He is the first of all who will rise from the dead, so he is first in everything.” – Col 1:18 (NLT)

Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, committee, group or family. We believe each faith family is responsible and accountable to God to determine its strategy, structure and style.

Priesthood of every believer

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. – 1 Peter 2:9 (HCSB)

The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service, regardless of his or her vocation. Every believer has direct access to God through prayer and Bible reading.

Tithing

“A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” – Leviticus 26:30

Tithing is God’s choice for the support of the local church. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard of giving.

Immersion

“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.” – Col 2:12

We practice baptism by immersion under water- the way Jesus was baptized, and the way the Bible commands.

Spirit-Led living

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

The only possible way to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.

Telling others about Christ

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” – 1 Peter 3:5

It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God brings us into contact.

Immanuel is honored to be served by the following people:

Pastor Jeff Shultz

A native of St. Louis, MO PJ is a life-long Cardinals fan but loves them O’s almost as much. Still dreaming of an O’s and Cardinals World Series. He graduated from Huntington University in Huntington Indiana and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City MO.

PJ has been active in vocational ministry since 1986 and has served as Pastor at Immanuel since January 1, 2002.

He will happily tell you he has “way outkicked his coverage” with his wife, Aubrey, his partner in life and ministry. The Shultzes have four children, three grandchildren and three dogs.

Shelby Tolson, Deacon

Shelby loves Immanuel and has been attending since he was 2 weeks of age (he thanks his mom!). Shelby and his wife, Beth, got together as juniors in high school and have been together ever since. They were married in 1987. Their daughter, Kara, and son-in-law, Jordan, live in Salisbury, MD. Their son, Jeff, daughter-in-law, Tori, and their two sons live in Telford, PA. Shelby absolutely loves small groups and the relationships they forge and has taught, at various times, 2nd graders to adults over the last 20 plus years. Shelby has also humbly served in Immanuel’s deacon ministry since approximately 2005.

Roger Leidner, Deacon

Roger grew up in Hawthorne. He is a big sports fan and hopes to see the Orioles in a World Series; 83’ was a long time ago. Roger would settle for just being able to go to the ballpark to watch a game. The beach is his playground. He has grown up at Immanuel. Roger loves his family and his Immanuel church family. Most importantly Roger was saved when he was seven. Roger wants to know “Who’s ready for volleyball in ten minutes?” (inside joke)

Ken Snodgrass, Deacon

Ken grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Penn State (engineering). Ken has been in various church leadership positions including Bible Club director, youth leader, church elder, and pastor. Ken met his wonderful wife, Esther, when they were co-members of a gospel pantomime troupe. Ken’s family, including their three children met Immanuel via AWANA in October, 2005, and became members in June, 2012. Fun fact: Ken works for DS Thaler & Assoc. LLC, which is the civil engineering design firm for the new church property, and Ken performed design of the storm facilities for the new campus.

George Drasal, Deacon

George is a native of Baltimore and has been a deacon since 2012. As a servant he is responsible for seeing our church grow through his service as a deacon and his role on the audio/visual ministry team.

His desire is to see everyone in our area know and love Jesus. He loves new tech gadgets, a hot cup of earl grey tea, and his family, although not in that order!