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First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 The first charge that the Apostle Paul gave to Timothy, the young co-worker he left in Ephesus to shepherd the church there, was prayer. While Paul gives several charges to promote and deepen the gospel in Ephesus, the first criteria for gospel-shaped living was prayer. God’s people must practice this first order of the gospel-shaped life: prayer. In light of the primacy of prayer, we encouraged the students in our MBS Church Planting & Renewal (CPR) and Urban Ministry (UM) tracks to attend Paul Miller’s seminar, “A Praying Church.” (Some of you might know Miller's excellent book, A Praying Life.) Shvan Sangana, a student in the CPR track said, "Prayer is a prerequisite to everything you do. Prayer starts the war, breaks the barrier-- or we just beat our head against the wall in ministry.” https://baltimoremovement.org/blog/the-weary-world-rejoices monthly 0.5 2020-12-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1607635174702-DOU0YS950J5R93ZDOQGR/IMG_5144%2B3.jpg News & Blog - The Weary World Rejoices! https://baltimoremovement.org/blog/amazed-at-god monthly 0.5 2020-11-05 https://baltimoremovement.org/blog/god-is-doing-a-new-thing monthly 0.5 2020-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1601762512169-0SGW3BFY3FUY2VVXQFQV/BauerClass.jpg News & Blog - God is Doing a New Thing! 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How BALM Helps Prepare Leaders Ben Rogers and Shvan Zangana collaborate during their Tuesday evening class at MBS@Freedom. https://baltimoremovement.org/blog/strongvolunteers-help-us-meet-the-challenges-of-the-futurestrongnbsp monthly 0.5 2020-08-05 https://baltimoremovement.org/blog/responding-to-injustice monthly 0.5 2020-06-04 https://baltimoremovement.org/blog/answered-prayer-during-lockdown monthly 0.5 2020-05-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1588603400570-VTJHFT3R07FNE4V9HIHM/BALM+Triad.png News & Blog - Answered Prayer During Lockdown - Leading with Head, Heart, and Hands The world needs men and women who are spiritually strong, scripturally savvy, emotionally mature, missionally engaged, and cross-culturally competent. BALM takes a three-pronged approach to building such leaders for church planting and renewal. Head: BALM helps provide local, affordable seminary classes through Metro Baltimore Seminary. Established in 2019, MBS identifies, equips and deploys emerging Christ-centered leaders through classroom instruction, mentoring and practical ministry experience. Craig launched and leads the Urban Ministry track and the Church Planting and Renewal track. 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Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/a3840c2d-3776-4f82-9b33-92d2ba3b95fd/Derek+seated.jpeg About BALM - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://baltimoremovement.org/education daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1654697739186-EY0ZM7A1UNW7SS6YHS5N/DerekMBS%2Bgraduation.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1573857038322-80I7QZLO3T2CNS9PK6BA/MBS+inaugural+class.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1654697682960-U214IVXBJUWICXNAPTX2/Maria%252CLora2.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1573857064107-7BVDNVEW2C9IK3V6HFZ7/MBSnewStudents9.2019.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/12515516-8591-408c-abce-aff11a095f03/Stan%2CCraig%2CGerry.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1574858801296-B9DSCT1MB6N4O4DJ2AAC/IMG_7335.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1573857078411-S6QT11L7505Y09QQ0ALR/Craig-1.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1574858776623-EEDVM1XAD3HUGDV6XKVQ/IMG_7331.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/594e3013-af40-4677-be18-8e639d713759/Stan%2CCraig%2CJDickson.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1660090414903-4M843NCFU3C8IOJEQ10T/MBS%2Bgrads.jpg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/af3b105b-2375-4c03-8e82-84ce7bcc90a5/ElenaJuliankids.jpeg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/3ccd339c-97fe-42a5-98cc-bbc28a80abcb/Steven%2C+Shvan%2C+BenTaylor.jpeg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/55cebb92-80cd-4485-b800-4b769e82d221/Zanganas.jpeg Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1573856443567-Y2VI79X21MW3ODPMWX73/MBS_Logo_FC.png Theological Education https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/c4f2da78-87d1-47c5-922b-4d3c92d3f5e0/Gerry+Sutter+Photo.jpg Theological Education - Make it stand out MBS Urban Ministry graduate Gerry Sutter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1232df42-e5eb-455d-8c79-a4a923fbbd02/IMG_2473.jpg Theological Education - Make it stand out Dr. Craig Garriott, Rev. Samuel Brunt, and Rev. Stan Long https://baltimoremovement.org/coaching daily 0.75 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/e4a95a16-df64-4e41-b3ee-8ae5ccf1a6fb/Abbott+elders%26C%26S+cropped.jpg Church Renewal & Coaching - Make it stand out Pastor Craig, Elder George Lenning, Pastor Stan, Elder Julius Fischer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/157d2db6-7992-4e82-9f1e-7c78de6464c7/C%26StanAbbott.jpg Church Renewal & Coaching - Make it stand out Pastor Craig & Pastor Stan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1612915848759-WYEL0K9MD5WJZZYY8WL7/Chris%2526Naomi%2BSicks.jpg Church Renewal & Coaching - Coaching for Ministry Couples Chris and Naomi Sicks are planting One Voice Fellowship in Northern Virginia. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/be157bb3-a1b3-4b68-b727-9e3ce2d06648/GraceRelaychurch.jpg Church Renewal & Coaching - Make it stand out Grace Presbyterian Church, Relay, MD https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1612915585668-SR78KCYXOVHF0H7Y0PYF/CraigSTanThurman.jpg Church Renewal & Coaching - Make it stand out Pastor Thurman Williams, who pastors New City Fellowship West End in St. Louis, is being coached by Craig Garriott. https://baltimoremovement.org/justice-mercy daily 0.75 2024-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/086377d6-541c-4a5a-8d68-6355afc4ad07/PFP+crew+before.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/eb49db98-14ff-4a5a-a3c0-3046a98ed12a/Salaam+Center+Logo+.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/8a3e0f12-5a1a-4ff9-8d41-5da5c41a3246/crew+after.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1fbe69a5-3c9a-4768-94a2-3cb935f492f2/demo+destruction.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/26879a2e-5b27-4d8d-af82-ac6e1f2852ff/Rogers+smashing.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/0ddd2d59-627d-41db-b1e8-fc10aa9dc6a2/Friday+group.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/3d394b69-538d-401f-9ac8-789850fbf77e/Kevin+%26+bb.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/3f51f4bb-44d4-47db-81d5-143a38a79227/RUFTeaam.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/3a352dc3-bbb3-4b31-b232-fb18b83b5295/FreedomWorkDay%26Sign.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1614639174903-MZYDJSOVVSVV7WJT2U0L/NSCC+Dedication+%282%29.jpg https://baltimoremovement.org/subscribe daily 0.75 2019-11-15 https://baltimoremovement.org/balm-fellowship-house daily 0.75 2019-11-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1574096769449-8E68OENGSUGMZLDZB09H/image-asset.jpeg BALM Fellowship House https://baltimoremovement.org/resources-for-unity daily 0.75 2023-01-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1633013597561-INDLN1LBT0D8HA1M776O/final+FCF+group+photo+.jpg Resources for Unity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1614637824223-D4VTJUNCFLZJCIDM2QMG/chalkUnityDrawing.png Resources for Unity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1633013993800-26DQB7XFTPG1CDINGM0R/Stronger+Together+Book+Cover.jpg Resources for Unity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1674075572368-7HOW5QGOO1WNTK5LOU6H/unsplash-image-dGxOgeXAXm8.jpg Resources for Unity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1591047785110-1ZK8ARD9GBLL3I65A036/ryoji-iwata-697773-unsplash.jpg Resources for Unity https://baltimoremovement.org/unity-declaration daily 0.75 2020-06-01 https://baltimoremovement.org/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2020-06-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1591119606105-K19ESXCDXJXDD4IEI1VC/IMG_3274.jpg A Call to Lament, Repent, and Pursue Justice and Unity - A Call to Lament, Repent, and Pursue Justice and Unity June 2020 The senseless, brutal death of George Floyd on the streets of Minneapolis has elicited deep sorrow and outrage, resulting in demonstrations and riots across our nation, including Baltimore. Those horrific nine minutes occur after many unjust deaths of people of color, including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Freddie Gray. We acknowledge that America still needs redemption from her “original sin” of systemic racism. People of color have been oppressed, from manstealing and slavery to Jim Crow laws to institutional post-civil rights racism. Baltimore Antioch Leadership Movement joins with others[1] who reject this injustice. We weep with those who weep and long for justice. In 2000, while pastoring Faith Christian Fellowship, BALM’s leaders led the congregation in adopting a Unity Declaration.[2] This document was the fruit of two decades of experience and theological reflection within this racially and culturally diverse congregation in Baltimore. The following points from the Unity Declaration are especially relevant during this crucial moment: Our Fundamental Identity We declare that God our Father, in His great love, has redeemed us by sending His Son Jesus Christ and by His blood united us as people from diverse cultures into one family through the Holy Spirit committing to us the message of reconciliation.[3] 2020 Implication: The gospel of Jesus Christ remains the only hope for lasting transformation in hearts, communities, and nations. The church must spread this hope not just verbally, but by demonstrating His love for all people. Biblical justice can only be realized as the church leads in living out the love of God for our world. Repentance and Forgiveness We acknowledge that great transgressions based on race, gender, class and faith have tragically marked our life together as a human family throughout the history of the world and this nation. While the Church has pursued justice and reconciliation, regrettably it has often participated in this sin through active support or indifference. We join with those believers who confess that true reconciliation cannot be realized without a commitment to repentance, forgiveness and the pursuit of justice. [4] 2020 Implication: Despite personal conversions and revivals in our national history, the church has often actively or passively been complicit in disunity and oppression. Attempts at confession, repentance and forgiveness are shallow unless we commit to living together in authentic community across the divides of race, class and culture. Tears are not enough; Jesus demands the fruit of repentance. When black, white, Latino, and Asian believers live, work, pray, play and worship together, this unity testifies to a skeptical world of the power and truth of the gospel. Justice and Community Development We declare that the church is called to be the redemptive presence of Christ by proclaiming Good News, which is demonstrated through concrete deeds of mercy and justice. This Good News affirms dignity, cultivates an environment of hope, and restores people to God through Christ and to service in God’s kingdom.[5] 2020 Implication: As God’s people, we remain committed to modeling the Biblical ethics of the strategies used in the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s which emphasized non-violent protest.[6] God changed hearts and laws through courageous people who demonstrated love for enemies, redemptive suffering, and an appeal to God’s moral authority. We believe that this, undergirded with prevailing prayer, can prick the conscience of our nation to live up to her stated ideals. ———————————————————————————————————————— [1] Southern Baptist declaration http://www.bpnews.net/54877/southern-baptist-leaders-issue-joint-statement-on-the-death-of-george-floyd; see also the Statement from the AND Campaign on Racialized Violence in America https://andcampaign.org/statementonracializedviolence [2] See the Unity Declaration https://baltimoremovement.org/resources-for-unity [3] John 17:20–24; 20:17; Ephesians 2:19–22; Colossians 3:11; Galatians 3:26–29; Ephesians 4:4, 5; Acts 2:5–12; 2 Corinthians 5:19 [4] Nehemiah 1:4–11; Daniel 9:4–19; Ephesians 4:1–6, 32; Philippians 2:1–11; Acts 6:1–7 [5] Micah 6:8; Luke 4:18, 19; Acts 6:1–7; Galatians 2:10; James 2:1–9 [6] The pledge of nonviolence written by Martin Luther King Jr., and signed by his marchers, 1963. https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/50-years-birmingham-pledge-nonviolence-still-inspires 1. As you prepare to march meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus. 2. Remember the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation - not victory. 3. Walk and talk in the manner of love; for God is love. 4. Pray daily to be used by God that all men and women might be free. 5. Sacrifice personal wishes that all might be free. 6. Observe with friend and foes the ordinary rules of courtesy. 7. Perform regular service for others and the world. 8. Refrain from violence of fist, tongue and heart. 9. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health. 10. Follow the directions of the movement leaders and of the captains on demonstrations. ————————- photo: Elianna, pictured with her chalk drawing, lives with her parents and sisters in Southside Chicago, where her parents planted and serve a multi-ethnic church. https://baltimoremovement.org/donate daily 0.75 2023-11-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1573852148459-3N4XJ6BXHHWNXQW3U4I9/JB+Ordination+%282%29.jpg Donate https://baltimoremovement.org/volunteer daily 0.75 2024-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Volunteer https://baltimoremovement.org/gala daily 0.75 2022-04-26 https://baltimoremovement.org/new-page-2 daily 0.75 2025-08-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/ca3937be-6ce9-446a-b512-93a161c828fd/McMillens.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/1743606887976-MTN3XIBCFPLMORDFLFYB/Banquet+Oct24.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/55557993-ddb0-4cc0-bb0a-724ca92d2975/IMG_0410.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/72485d0d-98e1-4978-92b4-6920fc6bef95/TraceyTiernan.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/d6a84a52-3cc1-4b28-99a3-c064623f6edf/Tracey%2CBill%26+Sue.JPG https://baltimoremovement.org/microchurch-planting daily 0.75 2025-12-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/ff3bd1f5-4853-4a21-bf10-e94be0cb7202/Unbound+logo1.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/99d2359b-6fb8-4cb6-b44f-dba432583a7a/microch.worship.Mar6.2022+copy.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/b01e0142-fb7e-465c-8af9-c9c5b7355d9d/MicroChurchLaunch.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5dce074527ce26565937b3e0/2fff3f7f-0de0-48f6-ae13-1b6746b42a38/BUC+Council+2.jpg