Bringing the Good Word & Good Works to Baltimore

How hard is it to start a church? Or re-plant one that closed? Our colleague Derek Pulliam and his wife U'Vonda (MBS graduates class 2021 and 2024) have been re-planting a church in Baltimore city in a facility (a former theater, then a church) that they envision will be a center to display the Gospel in Word and deed.

But what if pipes burst, the building floods, and graffiti artists cover the exterior walls? And the insurance company threatens to cancel your policy? What if the government shutdown means no paycheck is coming in to support your family or pay for needed repairs? Pastor Derek and U'Vonda faced these obstacles. Derek is a full-time government employee and is also pursuing his Doctorate in Ministry at Gordon Conwell Seminary. Several BALM leaders (including Dave Bochinski, Pastor Stan, Steven Vega, and Pastor Craig) joined Derek recently at his under-renovation building in Baltimore for an evening of prayer to dedicate the building.

But what if God had a bigger plan for that facility? In an exciting new initiative, BALM is partnering with Christ Our Hope Church to create a multi-use center on W. 22nd Street to bring the gospel in word and deed to the city. The Hope Baltimore Center will be a hub to develop and equip disciple-making leaders across the city--a safe, welcoming space where ministry, training, and community engagement can flourish, including worship gatherings of Christ Our Hope Church; shared space for other biblically faithful churches; a facility to equip leaders in disciple-making movements; a before-and-after childcare center, and more.

BALM is seeking funding to renovate the second floor and finish the renovations on the first floor to create the Hope Baltimore Center. (Does this sound familiar? We did a similar renovation project for the Salaam Center a few years ago.) BALM’s leadership team comprises over 150 years of urban, cross-cultural, and disciple-making for urban ministry, church planting, and renewal. Pray that God will provide funding for this project. We desire to make the invisible Kingdom visible!