JOURNEY TO OUR CITY/REGION

Central supports outreach efforts throughout the United States through prayer, financial contributions, and hands-on involvement. Here are just a few examples of the kinds of efforts that Central is involved with in sharing Christ with our region.

BALTIMORE AREA

Though located just outside the Baltimore city limits, in Baltimore County, Central is engaged with many neighborhoods and organizations in Baltimore City Here are a few examples.

Acts4Youth, Baltimore (www.acts4youth.com)
In 2008 Kevin Good created a supportive environment program for at-risk boys, reaching out to eight 4th graders at Guilford School. With faithful volunteers from several churches as mentors, these vulnerable youngsters have remarkably improved attitudes and behaviors, and been lauded by their teachers and principal. After school they receive help with homework, field trips to a variety of Christian businesses, training in saving and earning money, opportunities to play basketball and more. This school year we will continue developing character and accountability with the initial 8 students as well as add a new group of 4th graders.

HopeSprings, HIV/AIDS Ministry, Baltimore (www.hopesprings.org)
HopeSprings continues to move Central people from "going to church" to "being the church". During 2008, over 100 volunteers were educated about the HIV/AIDS pandemic both locally and globally through an established six-session course known as “The Journey.” Graduates are actively engaged in direct service to local HIV/AIDS affected people, creating an avenue for spiritual development and transformation for the individuals served and for those serving.

Woodberry Crossing, Baltimore County (www.woodberrycrossing.org)
A farm, a forest, a zoo, a swimming pool, a craft house -- this setting at Woodberry provides country-life experiences for urban people who live in a city world of bricks and macadam. Several Central supported agencies, such as Baltimore Christian School, JACQUES Initiative (HIV/AIDS clinic), and Sarah’s Hope (women and children’s shelter) have boarded clients on Central’s bus for a day or a week “in the country”.

Baltimore Christian School, Baltimore (www.baltimorechristianschool.org)
BCS offers an affordable, challenging, Christ-centered educational alternative for elementary children in the Pen Lucy area. Tuition is based on a family’s ability to pay and parents are required to invest hours into enhancing school life. With an emphasis on character development and patterns of success, there are many stories of BCS graduates maturing well.

Sandtown Habitat for Humanity, Baltimore (www.sandtownhabitat.org)
Central has a dedicated group of men and women who handle hammers and saws as they develop a relationship with the prospective homeowner working with them. Work days are scheduled twice a month, and during a focused work week in June. So far we’ve rehabbed 16 houses in Sandtown.

Baltimore County Women’s Shelter Central is serving the Center at Franklin Square with two outreach efforts. One is supplying lunch on the third Thursday of each month to the 60-70 women at the Shelter. The other is a Bible Study taught by Central women to a group of clients once a week

If you’d like to find out more about these and other Central Outreach efforts and how YOU might become involved…

CONTACT:
Phyllis and Pieter DeSmit, Outreach Coordinators
outreach@centralpc.org