The Evergreen

When I think of the perfect place to focus, to study the Word, and to meet the unchurched I think of a coffee shop. The Evergreen is the perfect mix of professionals, students, professors, and coffee drinkers. A cup of Joe runs $1 and the WiFi is free. The place is packed every morning and I am already seeing the opportunity to reach people here and connect with others from my community. In the midst of this blog I just met Zoe, a local who, turns out, lives just a block from us. She has just informed me that the block we live on was once owned by the first land owning free slave in Baltimore and is thus a strange mix of lots with row houses and single family homes with no particular rhyme or reason. Zoe ended the conversation by offering her address and number so that Carrie and I could get together with her and her husband Andrew. The Lord is good!

Quiet Sunday

When you grow up in the south there is little more eerie then going to church on Sunday morning and realizing that there is no one else in town headed to worship the Lord. Baltimore seems to be dead both figuratively and spiritually on Sunday morning. Sure there are your joggers and your people getting ready for the big game down at Camden Yards.... but this Sunday when we headed out to church I was blown away by the lack of activity. I knew that few people attended a church in this city but I was again reminded of why the Lord brought us here.

The Lord is good. As we officially moved in last week we found ourselves encouraged by the openness of the people, the desire for community, and the broadness of diversity. This is going to take a lot of work but we are excited about how we can serve the Lord in Baltimore. We are however, still in desperate need of your prayer and financial support. We have only 30% of our support raised but continue to press on knowing the Lord will provide. Please continue to pray that the Lord would give us wisdom in sharing His Word.
Cheers!

Aroma of Jesus

While thinking about church planting it is easy to get strategic and develop core values, mission, vision, and a plan for reaching people. It’s easy to think of creative ways to catch people’s attention or draw them into something unique and exciting. Quite honestly I thrive on the strategy of “winning” people to Christ. As I was reading Paul this morning in 1 Corinthians I am again reminded that we are foolish, and all the wisdom in the world is worthless without the simple message of the cross.

It all comes back to the Gospel. We are called to live lives that are so transparent and Christ centered that people feel the Gospel. Imagine what it would be like if when people came into a room of believers they could smell and taste the presence of Jesus Christ. If we lived in such a way that it was painfully obvious that there is something different about us as believers. When we as believers walk into the places of culture do others see, hear, and smell the glory of God on, in, and through us? That is being incarnational. That is what Paul encouraged us to do. To not focus solely on the fancy tracks, programs, and light shows. But to love people and depend on the power of the Gospel message.

I pray that I might love people in such a way that the aroma of Jesus Christ is existent, and it is pleasing to the Lord.

Hampden Neighborhood

The search for a place to live has been on... and Hampden scored big!

"Singles and young families are discovering that Hampden's small town atmosphere and proximity to downtown make it one of the most desirable of Baltimore's neighborhoods. Hampden is great place to live, work and play. It is also a fun place to visit with scores of elegant to funky stores, eclectic restaurants and special events like the Hon Fest. Hampden is a uniquely authentic experience that's happening every day!" -Live Baltimore

Hampden has a uniquie makeup of people from every economic class. Situated between major parks and in walking distance to a major hospital and John's Hopkins University, the community makeup consist of professionals, students, professors, and young families. One might call Hampden a small town in a big city.


Perhaps the one thing Hampden in most famous for is it's annual Miracle on 34th street. As you can see, everyone on the street gets involved! This signifies the importance of community in this neighborhood as a place where everyone joins together for the good of the community. As we search for a rowhouse please pray that the Lord will put us right in the perfect spot to reach people for Christ!