Partnerships Making a Difference in Sandtown

| August 27, 2015

Michael Crawford and Dave Moyer partner innercityMaryland Bible Society again partnered with local churches and ministries to promote healing – this time for the healing of the Sandtown neighborhood teens and young men.  Sandtown was rocked by the riots and many people were, and still are, in need of spiritual encouragement and love.

On June 22 the Basketball League of Sandtown was formed and the League games began.  After providing hot dogs, lemonade, chips and soda, Ray Sydnor, a former Philadelphia Eagle, organized the youth into 14 teams. Each team was led by a ‘coach’ from the group of pastors and ministry leaders present.  The evening was a success and the turnout was very good. These were the first games on the League’s five-week schedule

Each week these churches volunteered to host an evening, providing the food and a leader for the testimony and devotional time.  That first evening Ray Sydnor spoke about the difficult period in his life before he found Jesus.  This partnership is all about building relationships and getting to know one another. The leadership has been happy to have such a comfortable platform (a basketball court) on which to build friendships with the young men.  The outreach was part of a continuing prayerful effort to share the peace and love of Christ with the community following the death of Freddie Gray.  According to Pastor Harold Phillips the goal of this project is “to provide an opportunity for local churches to get to know these young men, to build on those relationships and ultimately share not only friendship but also a solid relationship with Jesus”.

The Basketball League of Sandtown Partnerhip included Pastor Phillips; Ray Sydnor, Co-founder of Mentoring Academics in Partnership; the Baltimore Baptist Association; Upward Basketball; Colonial Baptist Church, The Garden Church and others.  The league was the brain child of Harold Phillips and Ray Sydnor. Maryland Bible Society was honored to provide through partnership the Bibles needed to encourage and inspire these teens.

Photo caption: Dave Moyer, Executive Director along with Rev Michael Crawford, Pastor of Freedom Church are enjoying the 1st of the Basket Ball League evenings in Sandtown.

Category: News

About the Author ()

For over 200 years, the mission of the Maryland Bible Society (MBS) has been to see that every individual has an opportunity to own a Bible regardless of their native language or financial situation. Here in Maryland this mission has been mostly fulfilled. We now are turning our emphasis to encouraging and helping people read, understand and live out the truths and principles God has given us through His Holy Scriptures. As a non-denominational ministry, MBS is uniquely positioned to offer God’s Word without note or comment to Christians from all denominational backgrounds. This position allows us to work with all local Christian churches, serving and assisting them as they follow God’s lead. MBS has and will continue to establish and build partnerships that promote the distribution of the Bible, supply related sources and provide educational opportunities. Our vision is to ignite fresh passion for God’s Word to be lived out in the daily lives of people in Maryland and the world beyond. God’s Word contains truths that speak to all of the important areas of our lives: family, marriage, work, friendships, finances and parenting. It serves as the ‘road map’ for the often-overwhelming experience of life. It is a comfort, an encouragement, a teacher. It is convicting, edifying and inspiring. The Bible reveals our purpose in life. The Creator of the Universe has given us His Word to guide and direct us as we serve Him and live in the world.

As we embark on this renewed vision, our desire is to impact lives. As God leads us on this great adventure, we invite you to partner with us. Lives will be transformed as the Holy Spirit works through the Scriptures, resources and opportunities provided by MBS. Join us as we ignite fresh passion for God’s Word among individuals, ministries, local Churches, and businesses.

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