Central's investment in diverse and high quality worship experiences will continue to be a priority for ministry funding in 2005. Three Sunday morning services and a number of specially designed worship experiences provide different styles for a broad constituency. In addition, Central's music program has grown to support these multiple approaches to praise the true and living God.

Central continues its commitment to reaching out with spiritual hope and funding for needed goods and projects. We help to support 93 missionaries and organizations locally and globally. We contribute finances and the willing hands and feet of our congregation to 25 different organizations, touching the homeless, the poor, the broken, the incarcerated, youth and seeking adults in Baltimore. Internationally, most of our support enables nationals in ministry within their native countries. We are involved abroad in seminaries, micro-enterprise projects, hospitals, church plants, literacy and translation work and relief aid. Throughout the year, we encourage and help finance Central people going on short-term mission experiences. We are growing in our understanding that missions is not a program, but a life-style decision for every Christ follower in obedience to the Lord.

This is a place where people in their twenties and early thirties can connect, grow, and serve God with their gifts and talents. The plan for the upcoming year is to continue with social activities, small groups, and other elements of the current ministry. We plan on developing more small groups for young adults, training new leaders, and creating new teams within the ministry. With God's help, Central will continue to be instrumental in reaching local young adults for the Lord and raising up a new generation of Christian leaders.

Students reaching out to their peers is what this ministry is about. As we continue to train students in how to do this, we are seeing growth happen in a steady way. 'the Storm' is THE place to be on Sunday nights. And, that attitude is spreading rapidly throughout all our ministries as well as the community. Our Satellite Stations (discipleship) are growing and EOS (core students) is teaching our students how to be leaders.

The purpose of God's Big Backyard is to come alongside the family in guiding children to grow into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and drive their roots deeper into the faith. There are over 250 kids registered for the Sunday morning programs, new children are visiting every week, and over 80 volunteers serving anywhere from once every 6 weeks to those who give a few hours every week. Children's Ministry covers all aspects of teaching and worship for the smallest of the regular attendees and guests of Central Presbyterian - the children. From infant to fifth grade, God's Big Backyard is a safe and welcoming environment for children to worship and learn how to be Christ followers.

In order to have a solid foundation for impacting the world, we must be sure that we are effectively equipping and caring for the members of our church community. This area is critical to the fulfillment of our mission. Growing initiatives in this area include Alpha, Small Groups, Adult Sunday School, the continuing service of the Diaconate and Paraclete Ministry, and the development and support of our leaders.

To support Central's growing programs, we must heat, light, clean, and maintain our large facilities seven days a week and fourteen hours most days.

This provides for office staff, computers, copy machine and other administrative costs necessary to support the above growing ministries. Good management and faithful volunteers help to keep the growth in this area down. The need to communicate about our many ministries is what drives the expenses in this area.