Standing in the parking lot of her church on a summer morning, Modestine Davis explained why she was drawn to the predominantly Black congregation in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
“First Baptist Church of Highland Park just meets all of our spiritual needs and wraparound service needs in terms [of] family, children’s church, ministries that are strong,” she said. And those ministries include social justice and job-hunting for its African American members.
The holistic approach of the congregation in Prince George’s County includes community distribution of free food and COVID-19 vaccinations as well as services featuring gospel singers, praise dancers, and sermons that highlight the Bible, real-time Black cultural issues, and self-improvement tips.