Staying the Course Together

June 2025 Events Recap
June 7–8, 2025

This past month, the Maranatha family gathered for a beautiful weekend of fellowship and celebration. On June 7, we enjoyed sun, laughter, and connection at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Family Picnic—a joyful reminder of the power of doing life together. Special thanks to Pastor Partee, Pastor Alicia, Chrissy Wedel, and Rashi Jindal for making the day smooth and memorable.

The following day, June 8, we celebrated the Class of 2025 during our Baccalaureate Service, honoring their achievements and speaking life over their next steps. The message, “Stay the Course,” encouraged us all to keep our eyes on Jesus and run our race with endurance.

Both events reminded us that no matter where life takes us, we are anchored in Christ and walking forward—together.


SAVE THE DATE! ?Celebrate 38 Years of Ordained Ministry!
Honoring the Faithful Leadership of
Dr. Tyrone Partee & Pastor Alicia Partee
Bay Area Maranatha Christian Center joyfully invites you to join us as we celebrate 38 years of anointed, compassionate, and unwavering ministry leadership.

Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Maranatha Christian Center
1811 South 7th Street, Suite A, San Jose, CA 95112

Theme:“Staying the Course”

“Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on…”
— Philippians 3:13–14 (NLT)

Guest Speaker: Dr. Cynthia James
Plus: Worship, Celebration, Food & Fellowship!
We are coming together in love and gratitude to honor two incredible leaders whose obedience to God has transformed countless lives. Come for the Word, stay for the food, and celebrate the journey.

 Mark your calendars—this is a celebration you won’t want to miss!



Pastor's Corner
The Pastor’s Corner is a special section in our newsletter where our pastors share words of wisdom, encouragement, and spiritual guidance. This space is dedicated to uplifting messages, reflections on faith, and insights that help us grow in our walk with Christ. Whether it's a devotional thought, a call to action, or a reminder of God’s promises, the Pastor’s Corner serves as a source of inspiration and connection for our church family. We invite you to take a moment to reflect on the words shared here each month and apply them to your daily life.



Staying the Course Together
By: Pastor Tyrone Partee
Beloved Church Family,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! As we move through this season, I find myself reflecting deeply on the journey – both ours as a congregation and the path God has faithfully led me on. This month, my heart is drawn to a theme that resonates powerfully: Staying the Course.

The Apostle Paul, writing from prison no less, captured this spirit perfectly in Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV):

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Paul understood the race. He knew the weariness, the distractions, the temptation to look back with regret or to stop running simply. Yet, his focus was singular: to strain forward and press on toward the ultimate prize – the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. He didn't dwell on past failures or rest on past laurels; he fixed his eyes on the finish line secured by Christ.

Friends, this is our call too. Life, faith, and service are often marathons, not sprints. We encounter hills that seem too steep, stretches that feel monotonous, and moments when the finish line appears frustratingly distant. The world offers countless detours and shortcuts that lead nowhere good. The enemy whispers discouragement, trying to convince us to give up or settle for less than God's best.

But hear this encouragement today: Keep pressing on! Stay the course! Forget the stumbles behind you – God's grace covers them. Don't be lulled by complacency when things feel comfortable. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Remember the "why" behind your race: the call of Christ, the love of the Father, the empowering presence of the Spirit, and the eternal hope set before us.

This message holds a special weight in my own heart this month as I humbly celebrate 38 years of ordained ministry. Thirty-eight years! It feels simultaneously like a lifetime and a mere moment. Looking back, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for God's unwavering faithfulness. He has been my strength when I was weak, my guide when the path was unclear, and my constant companion through every season of joy and challenge. I stand here not by my own might, but solely by His grace. I am profoundly humbled that God would choose to use me, flaws and all, and yes, I am deeply, deeply proud – not in myself, but proud and privileged to be on God's side, serving Him alongside each of you.

This journey hasn't always been easy, but pressing on, staying the course in God's strength, has been the greatest adventure and the most profound blessing. And I see that same faithfulness at work in this church family. I see you serving, loving, persevering through personal trials, and reaching out to our community. You are running your race, and I am cheering you on!

So, whatever hill you're climbing, whatever weariness you feel, whatever doubt whispers in your ear: Don't give up. Don't turn back. Don't sit down. Remember Paul's words. Remember God's faithfulness in the past. Remember the prize that awaits. Lean into His strength today. Encourage one another. Keep straining forward, together.

Let's fix our eyes on Jesus and press on toward the goal. The finish line is worth it, and we run in the power of the One who has already won the victory.

With a grateful and expectant heart,

Pastor Partee

Let us pray:

Gracious Father, thank You for calling us into this race of faith. Thank You for Your Word that encourages us to press on. Forgive us when we grow weary or lose focus. Fill us anew with Your Holy Spirit. Strengthen our hearts, renew our vision, and help us, individually and as Your church, to faithfully stay the course You have set before us. Remind us daily of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord and the glorious prize of Your heavenly call. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and our Goal. Amen.




Miracles in the Making: When God Chooses the Unlikely
By Pastor Alicia Partee
Hello Maranatha Family,  

If you had told me in 1997—when I first walked through these doors as a new member—that I’d return decades later as your Executive Pastor, I would have laughed in disbelief. Back then, I was a corporate leader navigating Fortune 500 companies and startups in Silicon Valley, convinced that my calling was boardrooms, not sanctuaries. Yet here I stand, a living testament to God’s audacious habit of drafting the least likely into His divine assignments. Scripture whispers truth we must cling to:  

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT).  

The Path I Never Planned  

My journey with Maranatha began with tambourines in the choir, spreadsheets as the Board of Trustees Treasurer, and mime gloves telling silent sermons. I served everywhere—from dancing on this altar to directing Easter plays.   I was licensed at Marantha in 2005, and later I became the first female pastor on staff. It felt surreal. "Me?" A corporate veteran turned Administrative Pastor? But God doesn’t consult our résumés. While studying at seminary, I helped launch our School of Ministry and led campaigns like "40 Days of Purpose*" Still, I assumed my story would unfold within familiar walls.  

Then came 2009: marriage to Pastor Partee, a move across oceans, and a season in Norway where God rerouted my life yet again. Amidst culture shock and identity struggles, He awakened a new purpose—founding Authentigrate to support global nomads and Unapologetically You Solutions to empower women entrepreneurs. I wept, protested, and whispered, "I didn’t sign up for this!" But God gently replied, "I signed you up before you took your first breath."  

Why the Unlikely?  

God specializes in paradox. He recruits:  

- The Uncertain (like Moses, stammering at a burning bush)  

- The Underestimated (like David, overlooked in his father’s field)  

- The Unqualified (like me—a corporate leader turned pastor).  

Why? Because when we feel insufficient, "His" power shines brightest. My corporate years weren’t wasted; they trained me to steward vision. My tears in Norway weren’t pointless; they birthed empathy for those navigating transition. Every drumbeat in worship, every budget meeting, every mime rehearsal—God was weaving a canvas only He could design.  

Expecting Miracles in Your Story  

Today, as I co-lead this house with Pastor Partee (celebrating his 38 years of ordained faithfulness!), here’s my charge to you:  

1. Surrender Your Script  

   Release the "I would never..." and "I could never..." God’s plot twists are purposeful. Your greatest impact may emerge from the season you resisted most.  

2. See Through Heaven’s Lens*

   I now recognize potential buried in others because God first excavated it in me. That single mom? A future leader. That quiet teen? A world-changer. "You" carry dormant miracles.  

3. Lean Into Discomfort  

   Miracles thrive in the soil of obedience. Say "yes" when logic screams "no." Our Mission Possible ministries? They break generational curses because someone dared to fund and serve our community.

Your Unexpected Horizon  

Family, God is whispering over your life right now: "What you deem impossible, I’ve already authored." You need not know the "how"—only the "Who". So, dream wildly. Serve faithfully. And when God hands you an assignment that terrifies you, grip His hand and whisper, "I trust Your imagination more than my own."

With expectant faith,  

Pastor Alicia Partee



COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT
by: Mission Possible

We’re excited to share that our June 2025 outreach report has been a reflection of your tireless service and God’s provision through our ministry.

What the Numbers Reveal:
? Children Served (Ages 0–18): 1,028
? Adults Served (Ages 19–59): 1,809
? Seniors Served (60+): 227
? Total Individuals Supported: 3,064
? Total Households Reached: 700

These numbers represent far more than statistics. Each individual is a life touched, a prayer answered, and a seed of hope planted. From emergency groceries to spiritual care, Maranatha is helping meet the needs of our community in body and spirit.


Thank You, Volunteers & Partners
To every driver, packer, greeter, and prayer warrior—thank you for standing in the gap. Your commitment makes ministry like this possible.

Let us continue to “stay the course together,” knowing that when we serve one, we serve Jesus (Matthew 25:40).

? Contact us at 408-280-PRAY (7729) to get involved.


? Calling Future Leaders for Celebrate Recovery! ?
By: Alicia Baker

Are you someone who has experienced healing from a hurt, habit, or hang-up—or are you still walking your own recovery journey? Do you have a heart for helping others find freedom and hope in Christ?

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered program where people find support and transformation as they face life’s struggles together. We believe God uses our stories and experiences to help others know they are not alone.

We are looking for compassionate, Christ-centered individuals who want to make a difference in our church and community. Whether you’re in recovery yourself, have a desire to support those who are, or simply want to grow deeper in connecting with people, we invite you to consider becoming a Celebrate Recovery leader.

Life experience is necessary. Leader training will be provided throughout the month of August to equip you with tools and guidance to serve confidently and effectively.

If you’re interested or want to learn more, you can:

✅ Join us any Tuesday at 7 PM in Suite A at the church and talk with Alicia.
✅ Or reach out by email at aliciamarie@bamcc.org
✅ Or give a call at 669-271-2627

Come be part of what God is doing through Celebrate Recovery and help bring hope and healing to others!


? We Want to Pray with You
At BAMCC, we believe in the power of prayer. Whether you’re facing a difficult situation, believing for a breakthrough, or simply need encouragement, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

Let us stand in faith with you.

? Submit Your Prayer Request:
You can share your prayer needs confidentially through:

Our online prayer form: Maranatha Christian Center - Prayer

The Prayer Box in the church lobby

By emailing us at info@bamcc.org

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." – Matthew 18:20

Each request is lifted up by our Prayer Team and pastoral staff with care, compassion, and faith.

?️ Your story matters. Your prayers matter. Let’s believe together.

? Share Your Testimony: Encourage Someone Today
Have you experienced God’s faithfulness this season? —your story matters.

?️ We invite you to share how God has shown up in your life or if BAMCC helped you in any way
Your testimony could uplift someone who needs hope, encouragement, or confirmation that they are not alone.

? Send your story (a few sentences or a full reflection) to matelda@bamcc.org
? We may feature your testimony in an upcoming service or newsletter (with your permission)!

Let’s strengthen one another through the power of our stories.
Because when one of us wins, we all win.

SHARE YOUR STORY!


JULY 2025 Calendar
Get Involved!
Join Us in Making a Difference

Our impact is only possible because of the dedication of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. Whether you want to volunteer, participate in our programs, or donate, your support helps us continue this mission of empowering lives through workforce development and reentry services.

Together, we are building sustainable futures—one step at a time.

? Interested in getting involved? Reach out to us today and be part of the change!

Volunteer with Us
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:7


Ways to Give