Our Story

Our story began in March of 1950 with our founder, Dr. Williams E. Rivers, in a storefront on the corner of Orchard Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Baltimore. Within months we relocated to the 400 block of Pine Street, then to 1109 Laurens Street, and on November 12th 1967, to our current location at 1354 N. Carey Street. In March of 1980 we added a new sanctuary, 


Upon Dr. Rivers' heavenly transition on February 1, 1999 we began our first pastoral search, which God answered in March of 2000 with the Rev. Dr. Anthony M. Chandler, Sr. During his 7-year tenure we grew exponentially both spiritually and numerically; and we acquired and renovated 1355 N. Carey Street (our current Administrative Building), as well as, our current Parking Lot. In December of 2007, Dr. Chandler transitioned to a new ministry assignment, and we began our second Pastoral search. 


In June of 2008 the Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Weah was called and elected as our third Pastor in a historic move of God. Under her leadership we continue to strengthen families in excellence through relevant ministry and extensive outreach. In January of 2016 we launched 'A Journey To A Dream' capital campaign towards a new campus, however, God had a greater plan for us. A fire devastated our main facility on September 23, 2016 and we embarked on a 2.5-year building project. God brought us through and home to a beautifully redesigned, restored facility on March 31, 2019. Worldwide pandemic closed just prior to our first Homecoming in March 2020, however, we continue to strengthen families in excellence through a plethora of platforms, outreach, and partnerships.


We Are…

A ministry where persons experience new life through an obedient, love relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. 


We Are…

A Christian congregation committed to radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity. To this end, families will be strengthened, dreams will be realized, and God will be glorified.


We Are… 

A Spirit-led, loving, believing community striving to carry out the Great Commission within our Sandtown-Wincester Community, our City, and 'to the ends of the earth.' 

What We Believe

The Bible:

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by divinely inspired persons, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction that reveals the principle by which God will judge us. (2 Timothy 3:16)


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The Trinity:

We believe that there is one, and only one True and Living God, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; an infinite Spirit, who being glorious and holy, is worthy of all honor and love; the Triune God who has revealed Himself in three persons as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1, 26)


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The Savior:

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace through our mediator, Jesus Christ, who freely took upon him our human nature, yet without sin, fulfilled the law of His death on the cross; that He has risen from the grave, ascended to heaven, and will one day return for all who believe. (John 3:16)


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The Church:

We believe that the Christian church is a congregation of baptized believers; that Jesus is the head of the church; that the church is governed by the Word of God, and it's only scriptural offices are Bishops (Pastors) and Deacons. We believe in Jesus Christ as the Sovereign Giver of Spiritual Gifts to the church. We further believe that Spiritual Gifts are given for the perfecting of the Saints, the work of ministry and the edifying of the body of Christ, and are given without regard to ethnicity, social class or gender. (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:7-12) 


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The Indwelling:

We believe in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for all believers; that all believers are to be filled, walk in, live in and be led by the power of the Holy Spirit.


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The Water Baptism:

We believe that Baptism is immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of theHoly spirit, as a sign of our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior; that it represents our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to local Church membership and the Lord's Supper. (Matthew 3:11)


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The  Lord's Supper:

We believe that The Lord's Supper is to be observed by members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, to commemorate together the death of Christ; and that it should always be preceded by solemn self-examination. (Luke 22:19-20)


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The Lord's Day:

We believe that the Lord's Day is the first day of the week and is to be observed and kept sacred through divine worship, both public and private; that it is was made for man as a sacred day of rest. (Exodus 20:8-11)


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The Worship Experience:

We believe in the formal and intentional worship of Almighty God as a proper spirit-led, corporate acknowledgement and response to HIs person and work. (John 4:23, 24)


Prayer of Salvation

"Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I need You. I want You to be my Savior and Lord. I accept your death on the cross as the complete payment for my sins. Thank You for forgiving me and for giving me a new life. Help me to grow in my understanding of Your love and power so that my life will bring honor to You. Amen."


If you read this prayer and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and would like someone to connect you for prayer please CLICK HERE.