OUR HISTORY

Our Visionary, Elder Dr. Bertha M. Greene, organized the Sacred Zion Full Gospel Baptist Church in June 1996.  From its inception, Sacred Zion was and remains committed to the work of Outreach.  With just a few faithful and loyal friends, Sacred Zion services were held at the home of the Pastor, initially.  Shortly thereafter, services were moved to Pimlico Middle School on Park Heights Avenue in Baltimore City.  The mission was established from the beginning---to evangelize the unsaved by preaching the unadulterated Gospel and meeting the needs of the whole person regardless of race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or physical condition.  Then God gave us an assignment and placed us in the heart of the inner city at 20 W. North Avenue where we served the community for eight and a half years.  In June 2007, God blessed us and allowed us to move into our own building in a residential section of the lower Edmondson Village community.

From the very beginning we adopted the theme:  "where the fallen shall be raised to stand"  based on Psalm 145:14.  Our ministry is uniquely designed by God to fulfill His Kingdom Promises.  The Ministry uses a hands-on-approach, reaching out to individuals and families who are suffering from complex social, economic, psychological and/or mental problems labeling them dysfunctional in the community.  Our programs are designed to:  1) address the basic needs - food, clothing and shelter; 2) information, education and resources; 3) utilize appropriate culturally-sensitive interventions to address the holistic and spiritual needs of the poor, inner city, hard to reach, substance-abusing African American men, women and youth.  Our aim is to assist them in becoming productive members of society by providing adequate support services through collaborative partnerships with other existing programs; thus, allowing them to achieve the highest level of independence and self-sufficiency.

Crisis intervention was provided including a food pantry, clothes closet and limited financial assistance with evictions, gas and electric notices initially funded by the members of the congregation and  Ministers providing individual care sessions to help those persons who are in need of such help through lending support and spiritual guidance.  Substance Abuse peer groups met on Saturdays through our Call to Liberty Substance Abuse Ministry.  Due to the shift in our location, programs are currently being revised and updated to meet the needs of the new community.  However, the Street Evangelism team remains steadfast going into the community every third Saturday to win souls for the Kingdom.  Likewise, the Prison Ministry ministers to both males and females who are incarcerated:  for Men - every other Monday at the Towson  Men's Detention Center; every third Sunday morning for women - at the Baltimore Pre-Release Unit (BPRUW) in Baltimore City.

In 1999, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funded Project ARISE (a faith-based HIV/Aids Ministry).  Since that time we have also been funded by Ryan White, the funding provides the opportunity for us to offer prevention, education, outreach, testing and counseling, enrichment skills and connecting with those who are infected with adequate treatment facilities. (Click on Project ARISE for more about the program and details of their guidelines, operation and current services).

The Ministry, under the capable leadership of Pastor Greene, is determined to reach the downtrodden, disadvantaged, broken and forgotten.  The Church foundation is sure, built on the Word of God and led by a Woman of God who hears and listens to the Spirit of God.  It is important that every ministry of Sacred Zion support the vision God has given the Pastor in order that we will continue to grow as a unified Body for Christ.