Northwest Baptist Church gathers on Westminster Road in Reisterstown, in the northwest corner of Baltimore County that also reaches nearby Owings Mills. The congregation has grown into a multi-ethnic, multi-generational reflection of the surrounding area, with a clear mission summarized in four short verbs: lead, lift, love, and live all for Jesus. Worship takes place in person and online every Sunday at 10:00 AM, and the church runs a wide range of ministries for every age, stage, and background.
Half a Century on Westminster Road
Northwest's story began in 1968. The first eleven years were turbulent, but the small congregation was able to purchase land, build a home, and watch many people come to life in Christ. On December 2, 1979, the church called its fifth pastor, Gary Glanville, who would shepherd the body for the next thirty-seven years. During that era, the church's "Promise" play and "Mega Sports & Art Camp" reached hundreds of families in surrounding communities.
After Pastor Gary's retirement in 2016, the church entered a difficult rebuilding season. Interim pastor Fred Dyer helped steady the church until Chris Davis was hired as Senior Pastor in July 2019. Over his six-year tenure, the church ordained two new elders, Chris Blanchard and Dean Nuckols, and continued to see people saved, baptized, and added to the community. In 2026, Justin Seager was ordained as another elder, and Kareem Smith joined the elder team as Senior Pastor.
Lead, Lift, Love, and Live for Jesus
Northwest describes its mission as the Great Commission and the Great Commandments combined into a brief sentence: to lead people to Jesus, lift believers up in Jesus, and love and live for Jesus. That four-part rhythm - lead, lift, love, live - is also the church's motto.
The mission rests on eight core values that the church calls its foundational pillars: doing church biblically, as discipleship, simplistically, excellently, collaboratively, as a family, graciously, and Spirit-led and Christ-reflecting. Northwest is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, and its statement of faith aligns with the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.
Sunday Mornings at 10:00
The Sunday worship service begins at 10:00 AM, both in the sanctuary and via a live stream. Children stay with their families for the opening portion of worship and are then released during the preaching time to their own classes. Nursery care for newborns through two-year-olds starts at 10:00, and preschool (ages 3-5) and elementary (kindergarten through 5th grade) classes meet at 10:30. Youth group, for 6th through 12th graders, gathers in the youth room right after the service, normally between 11:45 AM and 12:30 PM.
On the first Sunday of most months, the congregation shares communion together. On occasional fifth Sundays, the morning takes a different shape with prayer and a family gathering after the service.
Kids and Youth: From Nursery to 12th Grade
Children's ministry at Northwest, led by Ashleigh Ryan, runs Children's Sunday School every week and adds seasonal events throughout the year: a Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt in the spring, the Mega Sports and Art Camp during the last week of June, a Trunk or Treat on the last Wednesday of October, and a Christmas party with a puppet show in the winter.
Wednesday nights from September through May are the focus of "Youth Ready!" - the church's name for its 6th through 12th grade ministry. Students meet at 6:30 PM for fellowship, worship, prayer, and Bible study designed to ready them for life, for their faith, to overcome, and to be used by God. Younger children (Awana) also meet at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays during the school year.
A Hispanic Church Within the Church
First Hispanic Baptist Church of Reisterstown (Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana de Reisterstown) shares the Northwest Baptist campus and serves Hispanic families in Reisterstown, Owings Mills, and the surrounding area. Pastor Guillermo Escobar leads the work, with Sunday worship for adults, youth, and children from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, and Wednesday evening prayer and Bible study held in homes at 7:00 PM. The Hispanic ministry is associated with the Mid Maryland Baptist Association, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and the Southern Baptist Convention.
Celebrate Recovery and Divorce Care
Celebrate Recovery meets at Northwest every Monday at 6:30 PM and is open to anyone 18 and older. The evening starts with a large-group meeting that includes worship and a testimony or teaching on the Twelve Steps, followed by fellowship time and then gender- and issue-specific open share groups. Step studies run on a separate night for those who want to go deeper. Charles Lee directs the ministry.
Divorce Care runs on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM during the school year in two thirteen-week sessions, beginning in September and again in January. The program is a caring group led by people who understand the experience of separation and divorce.
Care Bank: A Modern Acts 4 Vision
The Care Bank is Northwest's take on the sharing described in Acts 4:32-35. Members and friends "deposit" food, clothing, and other supplies so that those in need can "withdraw" what they need at no cost. A printed resource list, like a yellow pages, points people to outside help with mental health, support groups, shelters, and emergency services.
The Care Bank is open on Sundays from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Mondays from 6 to 8 PM year-round, plus Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 PM during the school year. The church's deacons also handle benevolence requests for members or close associates, with a separate financial request form available for that purpose.
Men's, Women's, and Small Groups
Women of NW (called Titus 2 Women's Ministry) gathers around four priorities: personal growth through Bible study and prayer, service to the community, fun and fellowship through monthly outings, and care for one another in seasons of need such as new motherhood or crisis. Men of NW meets monthly for breakfast, plus other events, with a focus on studying the Bible together and being accountable as leaders in their homes, church, and world. Community groups meet at various times during the school year for relational connection, and additional discipleship classes run throughout the year on topics ranging from theology to practical Christian living.
Leadership and Staff
The pastoral team is led by Senior Pastor Kareem Smith, working alongside elders Chris Blanchard, Dean Nuckols, and Justin Seager. Pastor Guillermo Escobar leads the Hispanic ministry. Seven deacons (Bob Engelmann, Carl Slutter, Evan Proffen, Jim Bullard, Ray Sudduth, Shawn Ryan, and Steve Ray) oversee Care Ministry areas including benevolence, visitation, and Divorce Care. Staff directors include Charles Lee (Celebrate Recovery), Ashleigh Ryan (Children's Ministry), Monique Wells (Worship Team Leader), Amy Engelmann (Worship Arts Team Leader), Shawn Ryan (Production Team Leader), Elizabeth Bretz (Hospitality), Racquel Allen (Events Coordinator), Evan Proffen (Facilities), and Sabrina Hodge (Financial Administrator).
Giving is available online, by mail to PO Box 372, Reisterstown, MD 21136, or in a lockbox in the foyer. The church office is at 300 Westminster Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136, and can be reached at 410-833-7220 or office@nwbcmd.org.