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Read about our Missions and Outreach Ministry on page 4. Empowering Disciples Magazine | Volume 07 from the BISHOP’S PEN By: Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr., Pastor The year 2016 is off to a great start. God has done so much for us and I am grateful. I pray that each of you have had a moment to reflect and plan how you want your year to go. Make sure you spend time with God and write the vision for this year. Plan to succeed and watch God bless your life. At New Psalmist we strive to make life better for someone else. The Missions and Outreach department does this on a consistent basis. They work tirelessly to ensure that others are taken care of and shown the love of Christ. I invite you to read about what they are doing and pray about where you can serve in this department. Before you know it, the snow will be gone, and spring will be here. As busy as life gets, remember to make time to attend church every week, and spend time with family and friends. God has done too much for you not to come and worship him. As a matter of fact bring your family and friends with you and worship God together. God Bless You. Bishop Walter S. Thomas Sr., Pastor 3 NewPsalmist.org from the EDITORBy: Joi Thomas What a wonderful year this has been so far. Bishop Thomas began the year with his series Light the Fire. I don’t know about you but that series showed me just what I need to do to get on the path God has ordained for me. We have to make sure our Fire for Christ is always lit so we can minister to others and help make life better for them. This edition of Empowering Disciples Magazine is dedicated to our Missions And Outreach Ministries who work tirelessly to show the love of Christ to those beyond our walls. There is so much we do for others as a church. I encourage you to read and find a place in the Missions and Outreach ministries where you can work and help make life better for someone else. Continue to enjoy this winter season with family and friends. I know the snow slows us down, but it gives us a chance to rest and connect with those we love. Spring will be here before you know it and everyone will be out and about again. Thank God for his divine timing. Continue to Be Blessed, Joi Thomas Empowering Disciples Magazine | Volume 05 NEW PSALMIST BAPTIST CHURCH 6020 Marian Drive Baltimore, MD 21215 (410) 945-3000 www.newpsalmist.org PUBLISHER Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Sr., Pastor A Quarterly Publication EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joi Thomas ASSISTANT EDITOR CONTENTS Gayle Watkins WRITERS Teresa Hall missions and outreach Ministries Elliott Jenkins Deanna D. Johnson Gregory Logan 4 Missionary Humanitarian Enrichment Daryn Ramsey Deborah Ramsey Emma Sellers 6 Homeless Humanitarian Enrichment Theresa Smith Jabari Walker Gayle Watkins 9 Prison Humanitarian Enrichment PHOTOGRAPHERS 10 Social Action Legal Team (S.A.L.T.) Jerome Coates Eugene Daniel Gary Lee 12 Missions and Outreach Tracy Ross Greg Stansbury 15 Global Policy Social Action Improvement Daryl Taylor Quadre Veney Ray Winston 17 Stewardship Educational Empowerment GRAPHIC DESIGN The Church Online 18 Financial Empowerment www.thechurchonline.com 20 Community Partnerships PRINTING New Psalmist Baptist Church 22 Armed Forces NewPsalmist.org Homeless Outreach Ministry Empowering Disciples Magazine | Volume 07 New Psalmist Baptist Church MISSIONS AND OUTREACH NewPsalmist.org HUMANITARIAN ENRICHMENT: Missionary Ministry By: Deborah Ramsey Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” - John 20:21 (NIV) Minister Kenneth Colvin, Sr., lead to preach and enhance their Minister Colvin: The uniqueness minister of the NPBC Missionary ministerial experience. of our ministry lies in the worship Ministry, shared his thoughts in service that we provide. We try to EDM: What aspects of the an interview with Empowering bring a full worship experience Missionary Ministry are most Disciples Magazine, about the at our services. The residents enjoyable? aspects of this ministry and the are brought into a worship servant-hearted missionaries that Minister Colvin: I believe that we environment where scripture is make up this wonderful team. get joy in knowing that we are read, prayer is given, testimonies making a difference in someone’s can be shared, the gospel of EDM: What is the purpose of the life. It’s in seeing “the light come Jesus Christ proclaimed, and the Missionary Ministry? back on” in someone’s Christian opportunity for salvation is given. Minister Colvin: The purpose of journey as they remember those We model our services after the the Missionary Ministry is to bring Old Songs of Zion; and their worship experience we receive at the word of God to those who are enjoyment in hearing the word of the New Psalmist Baptist Church. sick and shut-in, and are not able God. to attend a formal worship service. EDM: Does the Missionary Ministry EDM: How often does the demonstrate a servant-hearted EDM: Who serves on the Missionary Ministry visit nursing concern for those to whom they Missionary Ministry? homes? minister? Minister Colvin: The ministry Minister Colvin: The Missionary Minister Colvin: Without question, consists of discipleship and Ministry conducts six (6) worship I believe this is the essence of leadership graduates, and services per month at five (5) our ministry. You have persons members of the Minister’s in nursing home facilities throughout volunteering time, talents, and Training Ministry of the NPBC. Baltimore City and County. passion to make a difference This collaboration makes up EDM: Are there certain things in someone’s life. There is a our worship service teams. Our about the Missionary Ministry that compassionate spirit within our partnership with the Ministers make it unique? members and a willingness to affords them an opportunity 4 serve the spiritual needs of the Empowering Disciples Magazine | Volume 07 people we visit. Whether it’s in our services serve as church for that the Lord is watching over singing songs, reading scripture, them, as well. But our greatest them, and He’s with them always. providing prayer, or simply being joy is the blessing of witnessing Our mission scripture is Matthew a listening ear. Our members a resident or staff member, give 25:35, “for I was hungry and truly exemplify a servant-hearted their lives to Christ, during our you gave me food; I was thirsty concern for the people we serve. worship services. and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was EDM: During your visits, what EDM: How does the Missionary naked and you clothed me; I WAS reactions are witnessed by Ministry minister to nursing home SICK AND YOU VISITED ME.” members of the Missionary residents upon arrival on site? Ministry from nursing home Minister Colvin: We minister EDM: What is the one thing you residents and staff? through prayer, song, the would like others to remember Minister Colvin: Our visits are proclaiming of God’s words, and about the Missionary Ministry? always met with excitement by the concern we show His people. Minister Colvin: Servanthood, a the residents. So many of them We minister by visiting the rooms willingness to give of ourselves are church members and having of those who are not able to attend so that we may be a blessing a worship service where they our services, offering prayer to someone else. The NPBC’s can continually hear the word, and the ministry of presence, Missionary Ministry desires to and singing those old songs, when presence is needed. We exemplify the commitment of bless their hearts. For many minister by bringing hope and our church to be, “brothers and of them we’ve become family, the knowledge that Jesus has not sisters ministering to brothers and family whom they know will visit forsaken them and that His ear IS sisters, and our mission is to make and family that makes them feel inclined to their prayers. life better for someone else”. That cared about. The staff, I believe, is is the essence of our Ministry! EDM: Is there a favorite scripture equally excited. There is genuine that the Missionary Ministry uses Missionary Ministry: A worship respect for the authenticity of our regularly? team that exemplifies a concern commitment and in what we do. for others, bringing the word of I believe that the staff also gets Minister Colvin: One of the most God to those who are sick and delight in seeing the enjoyment comforting scriptures we use is shut-in. of the residents during and after one that is familiar to all; Psalm our services. For many of them, 23. It is one that reminds them 5 NewPsalmist.org HUMANITARIAN ENRICHMENT: HELPING TO HEAL THE HOMELESS Did you know that Homelessness can be a constant state of transition? When one is displaced by circumstances such as unemployment, loss of income, sickness, physical and mental abuse, and the death of a loved one, it can lead to no permanent place to call home. Add financial, physical and emotional challenges and the lack of familial ties, these once-very healthy and productive individuals become crippled by delusion and helplessness. The lifestyle once known, and the safety and security of a roof, are no longer present but a distant reality. No one is really exempt from becoming homeless because situations, problems, circumstances and lives can change instantly. The mission and mantra of NPBC’s Homeless Ministry is to “minister like Jesus” by donating food, clothing and blankets while spreading the Good News.