A Chapel on the Hill in Clifton Park
Clifton Park Baptist Church has stood at the corner of Piney Branch Road and University Boulevard in Silver Spring, Maryland since December 3, 1950, when sixty-one people gathered for opening services in what was then called the "Chapel on the Hill," a large white frame two-story colonial house set on nearly two acres. The church grew out of a 1949 vote by members of Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. to plant a mission in the Greater Washington area, and a $42,000 purchase of the Clifton Park property. Dr. William J. Crowder, Director of Missions and Evangelism for the D.C. Baptist Convention, presided at that first service. A year later, in October 1951, the Reverend William J. Millar was called as the church's first full-time pastor, and the congregation was formally constituted with 193 charter members.
Through the 1950s and 1960s, two building phases transformed the property. A 1953 sanctuary and office wing was followed in 1961 by an expanded sanctuary with a steeple, balcony, choir loft, fourteen classrooms, two social halls, a kitchen, and a baptistry. The Reverend Robert K. Kanagy took the pulpit in 1971, and in 1974 the Reverend Gary K. Javens became the third pastor, leading the church through a major capital funds drive that was dedicated on May 1, 1990 before a crowd of about 600. After Pastor Javens retired at the end of 2005, the Reverend Paul A. Clark served as Intentional Interim Pastor and guided the search for Clifton Park's fourth pastor. On February 17, 2008, the church called Rev. Essentino A. Lewis, Jr., who continues to shepherd the congregation today.
A People of Many Nations
Clifton Park describes itself as a congregation of many nations, races and ages, brought into relationship with God and one another through faith in Jesus Christ. Its purpose statement, "Leading The Way. Teaching The Truth. Experiencing The Life," expresses three commitments: bringing spiritual transformation to people near and far, equipping every member with an understanding of God's Word, and growing together as a safe, multicultural community.
The church's statement of faith begins with one eternally self-existent God, sovereign creator of heaven and earth, infinite in power and holy in nature. This one God exists in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each executing distinct but harmonious functions and each worthy of equal honor, confidence and obedience. Salvation is offered as a gift received by repentance, faith and confession of Jesus Christ as Lord; it cannot be earned by good works. Clifton Park's Diaconate oversees the ordinances of the church, including monthly Communion and baptism.
Sunday Worship and Wednesday Prayer
Sunday morning worship takes place at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary at 8818 Piney Branch Road. The service is also livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook, so members and friends who are traveling or shut in can join in real time. The midweek Prayer and Praise gathering meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary and is also offered on Zoom, with the Diaconate leading prayer for the pastor, ministers, staff, members and community.
Visitors arriving for the 10:00 a.m. service will find that programs for children and teens meet during the same hour in age-appropriate spaces. The church building is wheelchair accessible, and a security and parking lot team helps direct traffic on Sunday mornings.
Children, Teens and the AWANA Way
Children and young people are at the heart of Clifton Park's ministry. Infants through age 3 are cared for in the Nursery, which opens at 11:00 a.m. Coordinated by Nana Yaa Gyabaah Poku, the Nursery provides a supportive environment for families so that parents can participate in worship knowing their little ones are safe and being introduced to God's love.
At 11:00 a.m., Kids at the Park offers a kid-friendly worship service for ages 4 to 12 with creative Bible lessons, activities, and praise and worship led by Coordinators Kathy Thorne and Nana Yaa Gyabaah Poku. Children of the King, coordinated by Michelle Freeman, is a dance, flags and drama ministry for ages 5 to 17 that performs on Youth Sundays and at other special occasions. The Junior Ushers, ages 6 to 17 under Rhonda Jackson, learn hospitality by assisting with seating and the offertory on Youth Sundays.
For boys in Grades 6 through 12, Solid Rocks is a monthly mentoring program coordinated by Rev. Glenn Scott that builds practical life, social and leadership skills as young men grow toward adulthood. The Youth Choir, ages 5 to 17, rehearses on the second and fourth Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. under Tony Small, Minister of Music, and leads in worship on Youth Sundays.
Before the worship hour, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., children ages 3 through Grade 5 gather at The Point, the Sunday morning Youth Discipleship space, for Children's Bible Study, while middle and high school students meet separately for Teen Bible Study. Both use culturally relevant, application-centered curriculum.
On Tuesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m., September through May, Clifton Park runs AWANA, which stands for "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed," drawn from 2 Timothy 2:15. The program emphasizes scripture memorization and a clear gospel presentation in a fast-paced, fun format. Clubs are organized by age: Cubbies (ages 3 and 4), Sparks (Kindergarten through Grade 2), Truth and Training (Grades 3 through 6), Trek (Grades 7 and 8) and Journey (Grades 9 through 12). Parents are welcome to stay and watch or volunteer alongside.
Adults at Every Stage of Life
Clifton Park's adult ministries are designed to walk with members through every season. The Women's Fellowship Ministry, chaired by Fania Denton, hosts quarterly women's fellowship gatherings, prayer groups, outreach and service initiatives, conferences and retreats. Quarterly gatherings like the Hat and Tea Event have honored first ladies of the church and offered opportunities for women to connect, grow and serve.
The Men's Ministry brings men together for fellowship, study and service, while the Senior Adult Ministry (SAM), co-chaired by Thelma Jackson, Brenda Boykins, Yvonne Atis and Florence Walker, welcomes members 55 and older. SAM conducts a weekly Bible study, plans learning activities tied to current events, and runs a sustained outreach to the Althea Woodland Nursing and Rehabilitation Home, including Bible study, social activities, an annual Angel Tree project, and regular visits with residents. The ministry also follows up with hospitalized, shut in and bereaved seniors, and finds time for luncheons, birthday celebrations and trips.
Journey Fellowship Ministry is for young adults ages 21 to 39, whether single, married, with kids or without. Activities take place both at the church and around the region and include group Bible study, dinners, hiking, brunches, paint nights and other fellowship events. For married couples, the Couples Ministry provides training, resources and encouragement grounded in scripture passages from Ephesians 5, Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon, with the goal of marriages that honor God.
Discipleship and Bible Study
Discipleship is the thread that ties Clifton Park's ministry together. Dr. Janet W. Henley, Minister of Discipleship and Congregational Care, oversees the church's disciplemaking work. Her doctoral studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary focused on retaining and assimilating new members through soul care, and that conviction shapes how the church forms people in faith.
The flagship program is Great Commission Groups, where same-gender groups of three or four people meet weekly for study and prayer and regularly for fellowship, evangelism and ministry. The church also runs specialized ministries like Precious Stones (mothers discipling daughters), Solid Rocks (fathers discipling sons) and Rock Solid (college men walking alongside boys).
Adult Bible study hours are scheduled on Sundays from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. (in person) and Wednesdays from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. (virtual). Recent studies have included "The Power of the Names of the Holy Spirit" and "Above All: A Study on Paul's Letter to the Colossians."
Worship, Music and Arts
The Worship, Music and Arts umbrella, chaired by Linda Slaughter, gathers the Music Ministry (choir), Ushers and Greeters, A/V Ministry, Dance Ministry, and the Security and Parking Lot team. Together they shape the worship environment on Sunday mornings and at special services throughout the year.
Outreach on Piney Branch Road: The Service Hub
For more than fourteen years, Clifton Park's Outreach Ministry has operated the Silver Spring Service Consolidation Hub, distributing groceries donated through the Capital Area Food Bank to residents of zip codes 20901, 20903, 20910 and 20912. Groceries are handed out Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Diapers are available by appointment for Montgomery County residents, and clothing is given away on the first Saturday of each month (cancelled if it rains or snows). Case management appointments are made during the Wednesday food distribution hours.
On the first Saturday of every month except January, Project Neighbor Care runs from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m., offering groceries, clothing from the CPBC clothes closet, prayer, and information on additional community resources. Park Pantry (TEFAP, The Emergency Food Assistance Program) provides monthly food for income-qualified Montgomery County residents who have pre-registered through the church office.
Clifton Park's commitment extends to the environment and to the next generation through its Young Growers Club, which uses aeroponic towers in six classrooms and at the Hub to grow nutrient-dense greens and herbs that supplement weekly distributions. Monthly Community Clean Ups from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. keep the surrounding neighborhood tidy, and a Health and Wellness Ministry shares seasonal tips and connects members with Health Ambassadors.
Going Further: Missions and Evangelism
CPBC's missions reach extends internationally. The Missions Ministry partners with brothers and sisters in Haiti, The Gambia and El Salvador, sharing the love of Jesus through both short-term trips and ongoing support. Closer to home, the Evangelism team intentionally goes into the surrounding community each month to introduce Clifton Park to neighbors, share the Good News, and invite people to upcoming events. The annual Sunday of Service in the fall mobilizes the entire congregation into volunteer teams that serve alongside community organizations across the region. Awareness to Action programming equips members to engage social issues in their own backyards with information and resources.
Leadership and Staff
Rev. Essentino A. Lewis, Jr. has served as the fourth pastor of Clifton Park Baptist Church since February 17, 2008, focusing on enhancing the strong foundation needed for added membership and increased scope of ministry. Rev. Glenn Scott serves as Associate Minister and coordinates the Solid Rocks mentoring program. Dr. Janet W. Henley, a native of Jackson, Tennessee and a graduate of Lambuth College (now the University of Memphis at Lambuth), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, leads discipleship and congregational care. Randi Drewry chairs the Outreach Ministry as Outreach Coordinator. The church is also served by a Pastor's Assistant, a Business Manager, and a Diaconate chaired by Deacon Sam Opaluwa with members serving in teams for prayer, communion, baptism and benevolence.
Visiting Clifton Park Baptist Church
Clifton Park Baptist Church is located at 8818 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20903, with the church phone line at 301-434-2456 and general email at info@cpbc.net. Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m., and the church is wheelchair accessible. Children and teens have their own Bible study classes at 9:30 a.m. and age-appropriate programs during and after the worship hour, including Kids at the Park and the Nursery. The building is used during the week for AWANA, midweek Bible studies, support groups, community distributions and rental by outside groups, so there is almost always activity happening at the corner of Piney Branch and University Boulevard.