Pastor Pat Packett: Chesapeake Christian Fellowship

Originally from the Washington metropolitan area, Pastor Pat Packett has lived in southern Anne Arundel County for 33 years. Studying first at University of Maryland, he later received a Master of Divinity from Liberty College in Lynchburg, Virginia.

He has four children, eight grandchildren, and one grandchild on the way. Married 40 years, he lovingly describes his wife, Dee, as his “best friend.”

A serious and thoughtful man, Pastor Packett is comfortable in jeans and is relaxed in an office full of family photographs. The photos include one of his dog, May, whose name, he is quick to point out, translates to “little sister” in Mandarin.

He talks about his wife and family with glowing pride. His youngest son is at Liberty College, following Packett’s passionate interest in the ministry.

He points to a decorative sign that reads, “Life is just better when I am with my dog.” There is a sticky note attached to it that adds, “And my wife.” It reminds him of her sense of humor and her dedication to the church where she is actively involved in the Women’s Ministry.

In his free time, Packett works out with weights, enjoys baseball, and loves snow skiing.

Raised in the Baptist faith, he was the founding pastor of the Christian Fellowship as one of seven people, including his wife, who formed the church. The church was begun in 1994, just two years after he began his first ministry at Edgewater Baptist Church.

The congregation first met in hotels, then at Central Elementary school, and finally at South River High School until 1996, when they had enough money to buy the property. Now, 17 years later, the church has a congregation of 1,500 with a total of 900 to 1,000 people in attendance at either of two Sunday services.

“We are a non-denominational Christian church, are very biblio-centric, and are not part of an organized affiliation,” he says.

Admiring Billy Graham, Pastor Packett attributes this quote to him: “Methods are many, principles are few, methods may change, principles never do.” Pastor Packett uses the quote to describe the basic premise of the church. “The methods,” Pastor Packett explains, “are how you do it, the principles are what you would be willing to die for.”

As the senior pastor, he also is joined by four other pastors and an intern. The mission they share is one of making disciples, impacting the world, and supporting missionaries in eight to ten countries including two orphanages and one leper colony. The importance of the work they as a church do is not taken lightly by Packett, especially in these economic times.

In addition to providing religious services, the large church, spanning two buildings, is home to a preschool program, a home-school support group, and Wednesday nights, some 200 to 300 individuals attend meetings of various discipleship groups. The church membership, photographs of whom are posted throughout the hallways, is made up of an active, friendly, and energetic community.

“We are outreach-oriented,” says Packett. Partnering to help out in any way at Central Special School, making up and delivering back-to-school backpacks in Annapolis, and combining efforts on a variety of projects at Serve Annapolis every year, are some of the many ways the church gives back to the community.

A project of pride for Packett is the yearly carnival at Walter Reed Hospital where the congregation reaches out to show veterans and service men and women that they are valued.

Describing the Sunday Celebration service as “high energy,” Packett says the worship at Chesapeake Christian Fellowship includes music as well as “preaching the word of God.” The two Sunday services are at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., with slightly higher attendance at the second service.

There are several bands and three choirs that add to the celebration and fun. Although Pastor Packett is a musician, he is modest about his ability on the bass, and adds, “That is the fun part; that, and the teaching and ministering.”

He greatly enjoys speaking, traveling, and teaching. Packett’s favorite aspect of his job involves his one-on-one time with individuals, “because that is where true ministry takes place, they see the light come on, and they realize they need God in their life.”

On a tour of the church, Packett takes great pride in showing off the gym which is used by various community groups, as well as a multi-purpose room which is used for large community dinners and various gatherings.

“We are in the bridge-building business,” he says, describing the many resources of a large church as a bridge to the community.

Preparing to go to Peru at a conference where he will contribute to the continuing education of Pastors and other Christian leadership, Pastor Packett is a man on a mission “to help people discover God in their lives.”

Pastor Packett admires an eclectic selection of theologians, including C.S. Lewis, Jerry Fallwell, and Ravi Zacharias.

When describing Pastor Packett’s devotion to his mission, a quote from C. S. Lewis seems to fit quite well: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”