Our elders play an important role in the life of our church, serving as godly men who provide oversight and direction for Bay Area’s mission, vision and ministry. While we see their photos on the website, see some of them on stage from time to time, or hear their names mentioned in other ministry contexts, you may not know much about who they are beyond that role. Since so much of what they do is behind the scenes (but so important!) we asked a few of our elders some questions to help our church family get to know them a little better— sharing a glimpse into their lives, their faith, and the heart they have for serving our community in this way.

Keith Riniker

1. How long have you been a part of Bay Area?

After searching for a church for about a year after we were first married, we finally found Bay Area - a church that Shea (my wife) and I both liked. We started attending in 1998 and then moved to Annapolis shortly thereafter.

2. What hobbies do you enjoy?

Cooking Sunday dinners for my family. I like to read (history and theology), and any other good book someone recommends. And, I like to play sports. I'm into pickleball now but I also play basketball and like to mountain bike.

3. What does serving as an Elder look like for you?

I have some business-type duties such as board meetings and finance meetings that might look similar to the duties of other boards. The traditional "elder-pastor" stuff includes some teaching activities, leading a Life Group, meeting with candidate ministry partners, leading Short Term Mission trips and others. Then, there is a private side of the role such as meeting with people and the weight and responsibility of obedience to God's command that Peter wrote down in 1 Peter 5:2-3. Bay Area is such a healthy, biblical church, but there is always something to fervently pray about. That's why we always take a 1 year sabbatical after 6 years serving!

4. What's your coffee or tea order?

Americano with a "splash" of milk.

5. What's something the Lord is teaching you through Scripture right now?

During my early years as a Jesus-follower, I would read the Bible in order to take note of the verses that I thought were telling me something I needed to do. But, with this single-minded focus I unintentionally missed the all-encompassing themes of Scripture. Biblical themes are just like a good marinade for grilling meat; they need time to soak in, permeate the mind and give us a grander understanding of our great God and how we should then live. Once I learn about a biblical theme, it’s like I can’t unsee it. It’s everywhere! The theme that I’ve been noticing recently is "patient endurance." We often forget that a large chunk of Jesus’ actual words are recorded in not just the gospels but in the first few chapters of The Revelation where Jesus sends 7 letters to 7 archetype churches. The number 7 is wholeness so think of these letters as representatives. Seven churches shows us the theme of 7s throughout Revelation and hints at the wider relevance of the message to all churches in all times. The Greek word for patient endurance is “hypomonē”. Guess what? Hypomonē occurs 7 times in The Revelation. But, the concept occurs throughout The Revelation with other phrases such as holding fast and being faithful (different Greek words) by not growing weary, keeping his word and commandments - always in the midst of troubles. For those few churches (of the 7) that receive a commendation, it always is for enduring or faithfulness to Jesus through trials. For those who receive a rebuke, Jesus says to repent urgently, because he is coming soon. For all who endure to the end (they “conquer” = losing by the world’s standards but winning by God’s), there is a future reward. So, what difference does this call to patient endurance make? First, it’s hard to live as a follower of Jesus and he knows it - that’s why he gave us so much encouragement to endure. Second, we shouldn’t have too many expectations for a life of ease on this side of eternity. It seems that tests, trials and suffering that God sovereignly orchestrates in our lives are there for a purpose - one of which is (this is Paul in Romans 5:3-4) because “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character and character produces hope.” Speaking of hope, the last thing I see is that endurance is connected to reward. Endure because there is a future reward. Endure because God’s love is poured out on us (Romans 5:5).