1 John 4:19: Baltimore

Hello Friends and Family,

Our team is THRIVING in the inner city of Baltimore. God is so good! He continues to lead and direct us as we come along side some amazing church planters and leaders in this city. Our prayer this morning as a team came from the Old Testament in the book of Micah 6:8 – “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” It was obvious God was challenging our team to submit our lives to God today in so many areas, and after our share time tonight, it was sweet to hear the testimony of the Lord in and through everything that happened today!

Two Teams - Brown and Orange...

Brown Team spent the entire day with Charlie Brown at Graffiti Church. What an education on inner city church planting! With the help of his two interns for the summer, Fred and Carlos, our team set out to learn about East Baltimore. We picked up trash all morning, which God used to open doors for us to witness to many people in the community. Graffiti Church has yet to have a physical building, so Charlie and his wife, Diana, hold Bible studies in their home throughout the week. Also, the summer is filled with Sport Camps which Charlie and his team lead for FREE to the community. The hand of God is on this man and his ministry to East Baltimore.

After completing the task of picking up trash and eating lunch together, we set out to make home visits with Charlie - but God had other plans - a storm front came through and God diverted us to learn more about the city of Baltimore. We visited the graveside of Annie Armstrong. (Who is Annie Armstrong? Click here to learn more about the International Mission Board. http://www.sbclife.net/Articles/2012/03/sla7). Then Charlie took us to the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue where the Freddie Gray Riot happened a short couple of months ago. We were able to pray over that area and for the Holy Spirit to bring peace to this area of the country. Then we met up with Joel Kurz - pastor of The Garden Church. (http://www.thegardenbaltimore.com/) Joel is a pastor that Cottonwood Creek has been supporting for over the past 2 years through our ENGAGE ministry at the church. He is making an impact like you would not believe in Baltimore. The evening was complete with a Bible Study at Charlie's home!

WHAT A DAY Brown Team!

Orange Team spent the entire day serving at Captivate Church. Colleen Smith, the leader of the GEM Youth Program at Captivate Church helped direct our team as we came along side our friends from North Carolina to love on these precious inner city kids. This neighborhood is desperate for the Lord, and our team dove in with both feet to reach out and love on our friends in East Baltimore. From working on projects around the church, to playing basketball, making crafts, sharing Jesus through devotionals and more, our team became the hands and feet of Jesus! It was a beautiful thing to watch as God transformed us all as a team.

WHAT A DAY Orange Team.

And this was one day! WOW - cannot wait for tomorrow! Please continue to pray with us and for us as we serve and love God and the people here in Baltimore!

Prayerfully yours - Keith and Team Baltimore

Ben and Emily Picking up trash in East Baltimore

Story - As the Brown Team was picking up trash, we visited a neighborhood called Barclay, where many children were out front on their Stoop playing. Stan Cole met a precious young girl who came up to him with roller skates on - without shoe laces. The next thing I know, Stan was building a relationship with this precious girl and began to take the shoe laces off his shoes and put them on the skates of this child. It was a picture of humility, love and care for this girl. They were so happy to have the skates working properly. I know it was a small act, but the picture spoke loud and clear of how we are to approach those in need - humbly and gently. This is just one story of what God is doing in the hearts of our team.