The Nones, Dones, and You

More churches have resumed gathering in person, but early reports are that church attendance has decreased significantly.

Even before the pandemic, the percentage of Americans describing themselves as Christians declined by 12% from 2009-2019. The "nones and dones" (those self-identifying as atheist, agnostic of “nothing in particular” rose to 26%. That’s 30 million more "nones".

In addition, our nation continues to grow more diverse ethnically. One policy researcher writes,

… the 2020 census will tell us that we are a more racially diverse nation than at any point in our history. And the fact that racial minorities hold an even bigger presence among our younger generations suggests that diversity will be the calling card of the nation’s demography in the 21st century, in ways that will have a lasting impact on our economy, politics, and society.

How can we respond to these challenges? Your partnership helps BALM build Christ-centered, cross-cultural disciple-making leaders for Baltimore and beyond. We want to train leaders to reach the disillusioned, disaffected, disconnected, and disbelieving. 

Training Emerging Leaders to Reach Youth

Kevin Good, who directs BALM’s new Youth Urban Ministry Institute (YUMI, pronounced “you-me”), is currently training three emerging leaders to place them as part-time Community Youth Ministers at churches in at-risk neighborhoods.

Over 90% of churches in communities plagued by addiction, violence, fatherlessness, mental illness, joblessness, and underperforming schools have no staff member dedicated to holistic, gospel-centered youth ministry due to a lack of training and resources. When urban youth ministers do exist, they typically do not last long because of overwhelming needs, inadequate training or mentoring, and a lack of financial resources. Thus, thousands of young people do not hear the gospel and experience God’s love through word and deed ministry.

 YUMI helps identify, train, and support emerging Christian leaders and place them at partner churches. The presence of trained, supported, persevering Community Youth Ministers can make a dramatic difference in at-risk communities and help more churches fulfill the Great Commission.

Julian, Elena, Oliver Hague are Pen Lucy residents with a heart for youth ministry. Julian attends Metro Baltimore Seminary and is in the Urban Ministry Track led by BALM. He works part-time and is also a part-time community youth minister intern with YUMI leading a mentoring program for high school males and is intentionally connecting it to a local church.

Church Planting & Renewal Pastor Stan is working with Grace Reformed Presbyterian Church to finalize their revitalization plans. Next month, BALM will begin training a group of emerging leaders on how to start micro-churches. More about that in our June newsletter.