Faith in Action

It is with great excitement that I share good news related to the next phase of my service to God and community. I have recently been called to serve as the Pastor of the Pleasant Hope Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. (430 E. Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, 21212) Pleasant Hope is a loving congregation situated not far from the intersection of Belvedere Avenue and York Road in North Baltimore City.

I am truly thankful to God for this opportunity to serve God’s people and the broader community in this way.

All are invited to attend my first Sunday at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church which will actually be this Sunday, June 1, 2008. Sunday School begins at 9:30AM and morning worship begins at 11:00AM. As we are anticipating a crowd, I invite you to get there a bit early if you do plan on coming.

For those who are unable to come, I certainly solicit your prayers for me and my family. I’ve had the distinct privilege of serving alongside many of you as we advocated for justice for Isaiah Simmons, III, the removal of liquor stores from Park Heights, a quality education for Baltimore City public school students, a peaceful remedy for the people of Darfur, Sudan, engaging in civil disobedience at the gates of the White House in reference to the American invasion and military occupation of Iraq, and so many other important issues. Now more than ever I need your support as I have become an heir to a great tradition in my family and community. The Black Church, in my estimation, is the most valuable institution in the African American community and I will strive to honor the legacy of the Great Ancestors and Elders who have gone before me. With your prayers and God’s guidance, I will be successful in my quest.

Let’s continue to work together in an effort to usher in the realization of the Beloved Community in this world - starting right here in Baltimore City!

May God’s Peace be yours,

Pastor-Elect Heber M. Brown, III
Pleasant Hope Baptist Church
Baltimore, MD

I’m another year older today and I am extremely thankful to be here and able to enjoy all that God is doing for my family and I.

I really have no room to complain about much of anything. God has been and is good to me despite my faults, mess ups, frailties, and sins.

I have a beautiful wife, loving family, and am surrounded by some of the most fascinating people on the planet who serve God and society in extraordinary ways. On a micro-level I am a member of a truly Beloved Community and that, in part, drives me to do all I can to help facilitate the creation of a macro-level Beloved Community.

As one gets older, that “birthday feeling” changes. I’m not running around the houses looking for gifts anymore…lol…(that was fun), but I do have a deep appreciation of the gift that is my life. I try live each moment to the fullest.

What can I say - God is good and life is a gift.

Holla at ya’ll later - I’m off to enjoy my birthday!!!!

My fast ended this past Tuesday at 12:00 Noon. Eight days I went without food drinking only water and juices in order to bring my flesh under subjection, clear my mind, and achieve a greater sense of intimacy with God. A very specific issue caused me to do this and reading the words of Jesus that “some things come only by prayer and fasting” (Matt 17: 14-21), I was led to engage in this ancient spiritual practice.

It was refreshing, invigorating, and spiritually satisfying. I needed to commune with God and I did even though attacks by the Adversary persisted. I was and am at peace.

During this season of fasting I learned how much support I really have in my circle of friends. Those who know me personally know that I am a giver. I give my time, energy, and resources to many many great causes and oftentimes to people that I may never see again. Likewise, I strive to be extremely supportive of those in my circle who are doing great things. To be honest, however, sometimes I wondered if I would receive the same level of support from others in my time of need. People say that they support you, they’re with you, they got your back, and the famous church line: “I’ll pray for you” - knowing that they aren’t going to pray. I wondered if I only have those type of folk in my circle. I no longer need to wonder.

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March 7, 2005. That’s when I started this blog and three years later I’m still here writing, reading, reacting, and acting on my conviction that God demands that I express my Faith in tangible ways - whether that be through direct outreach/charity or advocacy/justice.

I’m not sure what the average life of a blog is, but three years blogging has to be like “dog years.” I feel like I’ve been writing for a looong time.

As of late, my blogging has slowed considerably. With a number of new and existing projects on my plate, I’ve not had the energy and to be honest sometimes the interest to put pen to pad…or in this case fingertips to keyboard. Like my friend Vegan Momma - who has also been blogging for three years - I may be suffering from “blog burnout.”

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In my continuous involvement in social issues from a clergy/activist standpoint; I tend to, from time to time, receive requests from White people about partnering on community projects or initiatives. That’s fine. I’m open for true partnership with most anybody who is serious about social change. However, it’s been my experience that the soils of the souls of White people need to be tilled so that a true foundation for cooperation can be established. Frankly, I’ve wasted a lot of precious time in conversation with some White people who weren’t prepared to engage the world from another’s perspective. This inability or unwillingness hampered any efforts to sincerely seek solutions. Once that was realized, I would walk away choosing to devote my energy to those people/organizations/causes that were primed for engagement. Perhaps that’s why I can count on one hand the number of White people that I’m in budding partnership with. I’ve learned my lesson. I can’t waste time with people - in this case White people who seem to mean well, but who aren’t comfortable surrendering the illusion of their superior positioning in the world…who aren’t willing to peer through the lenses of “minority existence” in the world…who aren’t courageous enough to look in the mirror and see how their people group has oppressed other people groups for generations. So as not to waste anybody’s time, I cut right to the chase. I tell White people where I am, what I believe, and what I think about them. If they get offended and walk away - no harm no foul…no ones time is wasted. If they engage in productive dialogue with me and take actions to show that they are serious about LEARNING and DOING - then I explore the possibility of next steps. For those who are interested, Bro. Malcolm X presents his position on this issue as well.

Where’d this come from? Good question. I had lunch today with two people who are looking to establish partnerships with members of the Black Community. I thought it was a pretty good initial conversation. They emailed me after lunch and I responded a few moments ago. I share this edited version of the email because I believe it provides insight on how I feel about the prospect of interracial partnerships.

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Well folks - the next chapter of Faith in Action has begun and this time we’re on Spirit 1400AM (Baltimore). The show tonight was great. We had callers right off the bat which is always a good sign and my guests (pictured above) were amazing. A special “THANK YOU” to Revs. Tamara Hardy, Scott Adams, and Ronald Covington. You all were awesome! Get ready because you will be back on the air with me before you know it.

Also - a special “Thank You” to those who have already made financial contributions to this ministry including members of my family, Bro. Chip Dizard from Absolute Presence, and Bro. Haki Ammi. I appreciate you! If anyone knows of any businesses or organizations that may like to advertise their products or services on my show please let me know by visiting my Contact Me page.

Soon the shows will be up on itunes and other internet locations so you can download and enjoy.

Next week - we’re talking about the prevalence of liquor stores in Baltimore City and what can be done about them. You don’t want to miss it!

Thanks for all of your support.

Once again it’s on! I’m back on the air, family! It’s been a long journey, but I’m finally getting ready to bring Faith in Action back to Baltimore’s airwaves. Same “Faith in Action” flavor, but this time I’ll be on Spirit 1400AM (Baltimore) every Monday from 1:00PM - 2:00PM.

Faith in Action is a religious public affairs program that seeks to build the bridge between belief and service. Don’t expect to hear about gospel concerts, church conferences, or “getting your praise on”. We’ll be talking about social issues and how our Faith guides us in engaging them. This show was created with my deep conviction that assures me that there is more to being a Believer than going to church on Sunday and singing/crying/shouting between 11AM and 2PM. I believe God demands more of me and all Believers.

Being that I am a Christian minister, the majority of issues will be engaged from that perspective, but hopefully people of other Faiths (or even no Faith) will find that my style is an inviting one that respects all perspectives.

I make no apology though that the lionshare of the show will target African American Christians in the Black Church. If the Black Church would just extend itself beyond the brick and mortar of its sanctuaries - guided by the message of the Prophets and Jesus - then I think much would change for the better in Baltimore.

So tune in this Monday. If you are tired of the same ol’ same ol’ in Christian radio, then I promise you will not be disappointed with Faith in Action. There will be NOTHING “same ol’ same ol’” about it.

Also, if you are able, I solicit your financial support as well to help me stay on the air. You can make a secure online donation by clicking here and if you would like to advertise your businesses or event please CONTACT ME concerning rates.

Thank you to those members of my family who have already donated. And a special shout-out to Bro. Haki Ammi and Chip Dizard from Absolute Presence for the generous donations as well. I will never forget your support.

Don’t forget - Mondays 1:00PM - 2:00PM on Spirit 1400AM.
(For those outside of the Baltimore area, I’ll be on Itunes soon enough.)

This past Saturday, I was blessed to be recognized at the Kingdom Ambassador Awards which was put on by No Walls Productions, LLC at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Baltimore.

According to Brian and La’Wanda Cook (proprietors of No Walls Productions):

The Kingdom Ambassador Award was birthed from a vision that we received to support and encourage the body of Christ. With the negativity that the body of Christ has received through various incidents, we feel a need to counter-act it by publicly and formally acknowledging those leaders that have gone beyond the call of duty in our churches, communities and lives. Our theme scripture was inspired by Matt 11:12 …and the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

The following pastors were recognized at this very classy, top-shelf event: Pastor Terry Allen (God’s Perfect Will Ministries), Pastor Delman Coates (Mt. Ennon Baptist Church), Bishop Aubry Harley (Deeper Life Ministries), Pastor Ruby Prideaux (Blessed Trinity Church of Deliverance), and Dr. Joan Sanders (El-Bethel Prayer Tabernacle).

The event was hosted by a fellow Morgan State Alum, Micheline Bowman from Fox 5 DC. (She runs a site called My Voice DC.Com)

Thank you Brian, La’Wanda and your entire team for the wonderful event you put on Saturday night. While I’m not used to being acknowledged in that type of forum (I must brush up on my acceptance speech!) I must admit that positive acknowledgment has its place. I am striving to be great and as Dr. King said, we can all be great by serving others. That, indeed, is my goal.

I heard the car speeding down my street. Then I heard the tires screech followed by the dreaded “BANG!”

I ran outside to see the cars mauled and dented. One car spun up a small hill in between the fire hydrant and stop sign. The other slammed into a neighbor’s parked car. The sister in the brown car had deep cuts in her head, but walked on her own strength to the gourney when the ambulance arrived. The driver of the speeding car got out immediately after the crash and ran away.

I’m glad no one was seriously hurt.

I think I already have a heightened sense of appreciation for the blessing of abundant life, but incidents like these raise my awareness of how blessed I am even higher.

Thank you Lord for the blessing of one more day. Please provide healing for the sister that was hurt in this crash and deep conviction for the man who hit them and ran.

(I lowered my weapons aimed at BET for 1 minute and 25 seconds for this.)

(For my Feedburner Family click here to view the video)

Video done? Good. Truce over.