Faith-Based Initiative
Why It's Important
Churches hold a vital role in nurturing the health and wellness of mothers, babies, and families. The Faith-Based Initiative helps religious leaders integrate health more deeply into their ministries and make life-saving health services and information more accessible to their congregations.
How It Works
The Faith-Based Initiative has established the Faith & Community Roundtable, which consists of representatives from faith communities in Baltimore City. The Roundtable meets each month to implement the priorities of BHB within communities and educate on vital topics such as trauma, safe sleep, fetal and infant child loss. The Faith-Based Initiative is led by Pastor Meldon Dickens.
What the Coalition is Doing
The Faith-Based Initiative focuses on facilitating the delivery of health education to faith communities and providing technical assistance to health ministries. Their annual flagship event -- Precious Purple Sunday – mobilizes faith communities around issues of maternal and child health. In 2019, nearly 20,000 congregants from 80 churches participated in the event, which includes wearing purple in support of Baltimore’s babies. The Faith Community Nurse provides individualized support to churches that wish to establish a health ministry or strengthen an existing ministry.
Who is at the Table
Annie E. Casey Foundation • Baltimore Cease Fire • Baltimore City Health Department • Baltimore Medical System/Patterson Park North & East BHB • Canaan Missionary Baptist Church • Church of the Brethren • Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation • Family League of Baltimore • Grace Baptist Church • God's Church • Hope Community Ministries • Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs • Leonard E. Hicks Community Center • Nazarene Baptist Church • New Restoration Church • Nu Season Nu Day Church & Ministries • Safe Streets Belair-Edison • St. John Alpha & Omega Church• The New Metropolitan Church • University of Maryland Community R.E.A.C.H Program • University of Maryland School of Pharmacy PATIENTS Program • University of Maryland School of Social Work/Promise Heights – Upton/Druid Heights BHB