Our prayers are with Pastor Craig Moorman and all those who are providing leadership for and participating in City Mission 2023, a multi-generational, multi-denominational outreach effort into the inner city of Baltimore organized and hosted by River’s Edge Ministries (REM) of Mt. Airy, Maryland.  Craig is an NALC/LCMC pastor and also a member of the board of Lutheran CORE.

Since 2014 REM has been coordinating these outreach ministries into the inner city.  One of the participants has described them as “a raw and unfiltered experience of what it means to be the church.”  River’s Edge describes them as “calling on the Church to be His Church” and giving the people of God an opportunity to live “a Christ-centered life through meaningful worship, community building, and missional outreach.” 

River’s Edge has been coordinating another kind of mission effort – Cross Country Mission – since 2005, when a group of followers of Jesus traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Since then Cross Country Mission groups have traveled to various parts of the country to bring relief, help, and encouragement to people whose lives and livelihoods have been battered by hurricanes, floods, and the other storms of life.  This past January a group went to Pine Island, Florida to help the victims of Hurricane Ian rebuild their lives.  It was a great privilege for Lutheran CORE to be one of the sponsors of this year’s Cross Country Mission.  Here is a link to the articles in the March issue of CORE Voice, which told about this effort.

The dates for City Mission 2023 Baltimore and Beyond are May 17-21; service days (excluding set-up) are May 18-20.  Please be praying for this effort.  Here is a link to a video that will tell you more.  For more information you can also go to the website for River’s Edge Ministries.  We encourage you to gather a group from your church to go next year. 

An Invitation to City Mission: BALTIMORE & BEYOND—‘22

Sponsored By: River’s Edge Ministries

Dear Friends—

It is with great joy and expectation that I’m pleased to announce our first City Mission on the landbase since 2016. In 2017 we hosted an event in our backyard and then in 2018 we set up base camp for City Mission at Clinton Baptist Church in Clinton, MD. In 2019 we spent nearly the whole year making a way (re-establishing a road) onto our property. (I think you have a pretty good idea of what’s transpired the past two years.) Anyway, below this letter you’ll find a detailed tri-fold of information for City Mission: Baltimore & Beyond—’22. Please make copies of this information piece (back-to-back) and feel free to hand it out to friends, co-workers, and neighbors, etc. The date is set for May 18^th through May 21^st.

Since our first disaster relief mission to Biloxi, Mississippi (post-Hurricane Katrina), in November of 2005, it’s been a priority of River’s Edge Ministries to avail ourselves to the needs of those who have been through the storm … be it a hurricane, flood, tornado, human-generated catastrophe, or just the difficulties of life. The outpouring of support for our first CITY MISSION: Baltimore in 2014 fostered a heartwarming success story. Hundreds, of all ages, donated their time and their prayers.

This event is designed for participants to experience a balanced approach to living out a Christ-centered life through meaningful worship, intentional community-building, and missional outreach. We are a multi-generational, multi-denominational Kingdom of God movement, calling the Church to be His Church, privileged to witness to the fullness of God’s love in Jesus Christ. We certainly look forward to the possibility of working alongside you in May! Please contact me with any questions @ kc_moorman@msn.com. Stay the course …

In Christ’s love, PC

“They return at evening, they howl like a dog, and go around the city.  They wander about for food and growl if they are not satisfied.”  (Psalm 59:14-15)

Many live for the physical pleasures this life can give: wandering in the night and satisfying the lusts of the body like unthinking animals.  But you have been awakened to the truth of the Lord who lives forever.  Will you continue wandering like an animal or come into the presence of the One who created you?  This is the offer of salvation, that you would know the Lord who knows you.

Lord, I do spend my days wandering trying to figure things out while simply seeking to satisfy the longings of the physical realm.  Take my mind and awaken it to the reality of eternity that I would pursue what is good and right.  Lead me in the way I should go and then help me move in that direction.  Lift me up out of the pit and set my feet upon the path of righteousness.

Lord Jesus You have come to save as many as would be saved through Your grace.  Bring my mind, body and soul into the salvation You offer and help me walk in the ways You have established.  Keep me close to You now and always that I may walk in the salvation of the righteous.  Keep me from living like a mere animal and seeking the better portion.  Amen.