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Briarwood Presbyterian Church knew they had failed to meet the needs of their community...
Located in a racially divided area, the leadership and congregation of Briarwood Presbyterian Church knew they had failed to meet the needs of their community. The church first recognized the drastic need for ministry to the surrounding urban neighborhoods of Birmingham, Ala. in the early 1960s, but until that point had done nothing to connect with their neighbors.
After repenting of this, Briarwood began reaching out to people in the urban areas. As a result of that ministry, the African-American population of the church grew.
Since that time, Briarwood’s ministry in urban Birmingham has thrived. Four new churches have been planted and they have created a leadership-training seminary for new pastors and lay people.
In addition to the expansion of the church, Briarwood Presbyterian has partnered alongside Christian schools in their area that focus on improving the lives of urban children and their families. Briarwood has also launched a tutorial program called “Better Basics” that is facilitated by more than 100 volunteers from the Briarwood congregation.
Recently, several of the Sunday School Communities began to rejuvenate one of the local elementary schools in Baltimore. More than 200 people have been involved in the financing and labor of building a science lab and garden, painting the classrooms, and furnishing the computer lab.
Through all of this, the Briarwood congregation has broken through not only the cultural boundaries that had been built in Baltimore, but the walls that divided Briarwood Presbyterian from its community as well. Today the congregation is 4,000-member multiethnic church that spreads the love and joy of God to those around them.
Church Information:
Briarwood Presbyterian Church
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