Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

he enables me to tread on the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

The prophet Habakkuk paints a bleak economic picture of scarcity and pending famine. Yet he still rejoices in God! May we be similarly joyful as we remember the Sovereign Lord, and Jesus, who “loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)

We praise God for answered prayer even in the midst of a pandemic and a lockdown.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Deut. 31:6

In this unprecedented time of global upheaval, suffering, emotional stress, economic uncertainty and social distancing, we are grateful to know that we have “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Heb. 6:19) We have a triumphant Savior who promises Himself to us in covenant love and quells our fears. We have hope! We have a balm in our distress.

God is fulfilling our dream for an interdenominational seminary serving the Baltimore metro area! We are delighted to announce that BALM is partnering with Metro Baltimore Seminary to open a second site this fall. Freedom Church, located near the intersection of the 695 Beltway and 95, will join Chapelgate Presbyterian as a host site for MBS classes.

What a year it has been! As we consider how God has worked to fulfill BALM’s vision of multiplying Christ-centered, cross cultural leaders for disciple-making movements for church planting and renewal for Baltimore and beyond, here are some the highlights:

This 1981 photo shows our earliest leadership team in front of the Garriotts’ newly-acquired five-unit, former-slumlord house in Baltimore. These InterVarsity students and staff workers helped launch Faith Christian Fellowship (FCF). The bearded man on the left is Stan Long.

Thankful. That was my core emotion after teaching the New Testament Survey class last week. 

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!

When Craig told me (Maria) about the New Song Community Church landscaping project, I wanted to put on the brakes.

With the encouragement of the elders of FCF and my own sense of the Spirit’s leading, I recently announced that I will complete my service as pastor of FCF on August 31st.

With deep gratitude I want to thank you for your prayers. The motion of the Mission’s Committee for BALM to be an official partnering mission work of the Chesapeake Presbytery for disciple-making movements and church planting was unanimously approved.

I covet your prayers for the approval of a motion before the Chesapeake Presbytery tomorrow morning to affirm BALM (Baltimore Antioch Leadership Movement) as an official partnering mission of the Chesapeake Presbytery in leadership development for disciple-making movements and church planting.