Training Leaders in Baltimore & Beyond

 “...What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”       2 Tim 2:2

How did Jesus make disciples? He selected a diverse group of followers, equipped them for three years, and then sent them out to make disciples.

Jesus had a B.A.L.M approach: Being with Jesus, Apprenticing to Jesus, Living on Mission, and Multiplying disciple-makers. Jesus's approach was developmental and holistic--head, heart and hands all engaged.

 Metro Baltimore Seminary follows such a framework as it builds students through academics, mentoring, and hands-on internships. Last Tuesday night, classes resumed with 15 new students. Pictured above are new students at the Freedom Church site, which BALM sponsors. BALM also leads the Church Planting and Renewal track and the Urban Ministry track.

This quarter, MBS is piloting virtual seminary training of seasoned missionaries with new students Jon and Danielle Snyder. Jon and Danielle moved to El Salvador in 2009 to work with the urban poor, and founded Mission to El Salvador. Danielle says, "As a teenager growing up in Baltimore County, I had opportunities to serve in both Baltimore city and Washington D.C. God used those opportunities to stir my heart regarding His great heart for the city... I have seen firsthand the importance of a deeper theological framework and understanding of what the Gospel means for the complexity and diversity of the city.

"I’m excited to be starting the Urban Ministry track at MBS because I want to grow in my own theology and understanding of what God is doing. I also want to learn how to more effectively disciple others in my context. I’m looking forward to going through the program with my husband as well as learning from and with other urban ministry practitioners about how God is moving in cities all around the world, and what that means for the local and global church."