Chapter IV: A New Song in Sandtown

Posted on May 7, 2015 by PLT Staff

Chapter IV of John Kiess’s undergraduate thesis at the University of Virginia. This excerpt explores the rehabilitation of the West Baltimore, Maryland, community of Sandtown. It specifically deals with the role of New Song church, Habitat for Humanity, and community members in affecting this transformation.

Excerpt:
“Through New Song, an inter-racial partnership was established that allowed members of the community themselves to guide the course of Sandtown’s revitalization. The church’s voice and its priorities were directly shaped by the community’s needs, the most urgent of which was quality and affordable housing.

“How could we proclaim the good news to an entire neighborhood? We would have to demonstrate God’s love, power, and compassion, not just talk about it.” – Mark Gornik

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