Our partners in Baltimore launch the new church plant TODAY, Sunday September 13th. This is a BIG DEAL!
It has been our joy to walk with Aaron and Malita Pankey during this journey of preparing to launch “Infinity Church Baltimore.” A few years ago, God used the Pankeys to plant a church in the Baltimore suburbs called Infinity Church, Laurel. With a passion to get the Gospel to people who need Christ, the Pankeys and Infinity Church started praying about starting another church in the Baltimore area. God turned their hearts to consider a new work in a neighborhood near Morgan State University.
This is where Calvary entered the picture. We were praying about partnering with a new church plant. We began talking with some friends in Baltimore and learned that the SBC had started a church planting emphasis there called “Embrace Baltimore”. We soon discovered that a friend of Calvary, Dr. Troy Bush, (GIC ‘08) was involved in the leadership of Embrace Baltimore. He told us that another friend of mine, Dr. Robert Anderson, and the people of Colonial Church in the greater Baltimore area were also considering supporting a new work. I first met Dr. Anderson and the people of Colonial years ago when I preached a mission conference in their church. We talked with Troy and Robert and it was easy to see that God was answering our prayers and giving us direction about being involved in this church plant.
Officially, we are being coached by “Embrace Baltimore”. The partnership is between 3 churches: Infinity Church Laurel, Colonial and Calvary. This partnership is focused on starting the new church–Infinity Church Baltimore.
Aaron and Malita and their beautiful children attended our Global Impact Conference a few months ago. Many of our people heard their hearts and began praying for this new work.
In June, our student choir “Vertical Generation” (VG) took their summer mission trip to Baltimore to help lay the groundwork for this new church plant. Pastor Aaron told us that VG did more work in one week than his church could have done in a year. At the end of the VG mission week, people in the apartment complex where they ministered came to Pastor Aaron and asked him to start a Bible study there. He said, “Yes!” This Bible study has provided the base for the new church that will be launched tomorrow!
So, TODAY, Sunday, September 13th is Kick-Off Day! As this new work begins, the Calvary Family needs to do two things: intercede…and rejoice! This is why we exist! God has called us to be His Missional People. He has given us the “Word of Reconciliation” and the “Ministry of Reconciliation.” He uses us to cry out to the world, “Be reconciled to God!” Together with Infinity we are crying out to Baltimore, “Be reconciled to God!”
Aaron and Malita are our partners and this is “our” church plant. We have given money to support this church plant. We have sent our teens there to minister. Today we have sent our Assoc. Pastor for Missions, Steve Hardy, to encourage them, give them another check, and represent all of us as this new work officially begins.
Church planting is a big deal! It’s God’s heart. Calvary’s involvement is a big deal! That’s my heart. And, I am so grateful that the people of Calvary “get it!”
Pastor Al Gilbert 