02 Jun Baltimore, Md: UB Lighthouse

In April, the Brooklyn Park UB church (Baltimore, Md.) opened what they call the UB Lighthouse After School program. Pastor John Christophel (right) wrote on May 8 concerning the first month of operation, “To this point we have had 18 different young people come through our doors. We are helping these young people with homework and learn new recreational skills, and are planting seeds of God’s love in their lives. Of these children, 90% do not attend our church or any other church. We have made new connections with a number of their parents on a weekly social level. God is truly beginning to bless this wonderful ministry.
“I tried to help our church family understand that the best way to move from a struggling church to a strong effective church is by stepping out and caring for those in need. I said that God would bring in those who needed saved when we stopped focusing on our current condition and started caring more about the condition of those who were lost.
“God has begun to honor our new efforts. In the past week we have helped lead four people to the Lord and had five new visitors in the past month have rededicated their lives to the Lord. That is nine transformed souls for the Kingdom of God. Six individuals who have been coming since January have decided to become official members of the church. Our Sunday evening service has grown from the five we have had for the past year to an average of 16. It is now a praise and celebration service.”