Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:03 PM
Updated Tuesday, March 25, 2008 3:04 PM
Ministry team embraces Baltimore
A ministry team from Charleston Southern University recently participated in a week of evangelism in Baltimore, Md. The group, led by campus minister Clark Carter partnered with Embrace Baltimore, a two-year emphasis by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.
“This was the most diverse group I have ever taken on a missions trip,” said Carter, “ The great thing was that God used all of us to minister in a powerful way to the people of Baltimore.”
The team ministered at The Church on Warren Avenue (formerly known as Lee Street Memorial), in a variety of outreach initiatives from outdoor concerts to ministry in a local recreation center in which dozens were ministered to each day. The team cleaned out the church and reorganized their supplies, hosted a Parents Night Out in which 22 children attend. The team also ministered to homeless in the area and purchased a bicycle for one homeless man so he could get to and from work.
“On this missions trip to Baltimore, God blew us away,” said Dustin Bowers, a junior from Rock Hill, S.C. “Being obedient to God by embarking on this trip was the greatest spring break ever,” he added.
Jaimee LaFave, the director of mobilization for Embrace Baltimore was impressed with the team from CSU. “It was so great to have the team from Charleston Southern come and serve in Baltimore with The Church on Warren Avenue. They truly represented the Embrace Baltimore spirit by embracing the region with the love of Christ in the Federal Hill neighborhood,” she said.
Charleston Southern junior Danielle Jenkins from Hampton, S.C has faith in the long term effects of the trip. “God is going to do great things in Baltimore because of Charleston Southern University students. God is going to make CSU a better campus because Baltimore has helped unify individuals and stretch us out of our comfort zones and reach those that have not walked with Christ,” she said.
Carter affirmed the impact of the ministry team’s outreach in Baltimore. “People came to know Jesus as their personal Savior. Homeless people were given hope, children heard about Jesus for the first time. Parents had a chance to be refreshed and rejuvenated. Neglected children were given attention and love at a recreation center. A church was re-energized. Baltimore was loved. Not only was Baltimore touched by us being there, but we have been changed forever because of the work God did in and through us,” he said.