beloved · community

THE VISION 

· noun  · 

a. abundant life

: all needs are met

/ physical, emotional & spiritual /

: all relationships are thriving

b. together

/ with God / with each other /

Earth as it is in heaven.

That’s our dream for Southwest Baltimore. For us, we see it all coming together in what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described as “beloved community”.

A flourishing people redeemed through nonviolent reconciliation.

A place where God’s love flows over every cultural boundary.

We believe it’s the result of following the two greatest commandments — loving God with everything we are and loving every neighbor as ourselves.

At SCC, church goes way beyond just a building or one Sunday service.

We’re making everything about Jesus — where we live, how we live, and who we live with. We’re committing to showing up for Sowebo every day like this:

  • For us, loving our neighbors starts with being present in the community. We’re committed to being here in Southwest Baltimore — some of us work here, some of us live here, others serve here, and all of us worship here.

  • We recognize God has been at work in Sowebo long before we got here. First, we’re committed to listening and learning from the community. From there, we’re joining in on serving Sowebo’s physical needs through practical assistance, community involvement, & partner organizations.

  • We value that God has given all of us a unique purpose and journey as we seek to be more like Jesus. We’re committed to helping each other continually pursue that. Whether it’s listening, loving, questioning, grieving, shepherding, or worshiping, we’re here for each other through it all.

  • OUR VALUES

  • AUTHENTICITY

    We desire to love one another fully, navigating all relationships with grace, mercy and forgiveness. We value the unique reflections of God in each of us while acknowledging we are also all broken people who make mistakes and disagree. We create space for everyone to share their story, hold each other accountable, and don’t expect anyone to have all the answers.

    “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

    Romans 12:9-10

  • PRAYER

    We place prayer at the forefront of all our work and very existence as a church. We believe continual connection with God allows us to quiet our hearts in order to be aware of and accept God’s desires for how we live.

    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

    Philippians 4:6

  • RELATIONSHIPS

    The story of God has always been about relationships. God pursues us with endless love that spills over so we can create abundant relationships with our neighbors. We desire to love one another fully, navigating all relationships with grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

    “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

    “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’.. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

    Mark 12:28; 30-31

  • WORSHIP

    We believe worship is a lifestyle — pursuing holiness and honoring Him with our best praise and offerings. As a church, we approach God with one voice to sing of His love, whether it's through making music, cooking a meal for someone, picking up trash on the sidewalks, or striking up conversations with neighbors on each other’s stoops.

    “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

    Ephesians 5:1-2

  • SCRIPTURE

    We believe God’s word is alive, speaking to us today just as it did to the ancestors of our faith thousands of years ago. From the stories we tell our tots to the theology we preach from the pulpit, Scripture guides and corrects us.

    “My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”

    Proverbs 7:1-3