Beauty out of Brokenness: Our First Urban Ministry-Justice Project

New Song Community Church Lot Dedication Service. Rev. Dr. Louis Wilson, seated at right

The grass is growing, the new trees are thriving, and the community is enjoying the newly landscaped lot at New Song Community Church in west Baltimore! God provided abundantly! On a balmy late September day, 70 volunteers created an oasis of beauty in Sandtown, one of Baltimore's most challenging neighborhoods. Churches and individuals donated money to fund the project, and thanks to a generous matching grant, all the money for this project has been raised!

A New Song Community Church elder, Ryan Diener, is a Baltimore City detective who lives in the neighborhood. He shared what a wonderful testimony this has been:

I spent some time reflecting on all God had done. There was the obvious transformation of the physical space, but more than that, I noticed while watering that neighborhood residents walking by would converse with me about it. Many were shocked by how nice it looked and everyone complimented the change.

It is a true testimony to what God has done through something as simple as a green space. My continued prayer for folks I’ve met is that they find a place of worship and come to know the Lord! The lots have created an opportunity for that conversation to begin. This was encouraging to see God’s faithfulness to His church.

BALM's mission to multiply cross-cultural, disciple-making leaders through theological education, gospel-to-life mentoring, and mercy-justice leadership is bearing fruit!