ONE HOPE

YLS Summer Camp Report (with Pictures!!) ☀️🌄 -

YLS Summer Camp Report (with Pictures!!) ☀️🌄 Dear  YLS Summer Camp was a blast. Four weeks of Gospel-Centered, Christ-Exalting day camp at The Garden Church, including one week-away camp at Camp Wo-Me-To. Praise God that Gospel seeds were planted. Praise God that some previously unchurched parents in the community have begin at...

Weekender is SIX WEEKS away! 🏙️ -

Weekender is SIX WEEKS away! 🏙️ Dear  The ONE HOPE Weekender is only six weeks away! September 24-28.  This Weekender is designed as a small one-off cohort for pastors and church leaders to explore the principles of the healthy church applied in the urban context. We want to help other churches in similar conte...

New Stoop episode out now!

What does it actually mean for a church to get the gospel right? And why does it matter so much—especially in the context of urban ministry?

Check it out and leave a like and share (or review on iTunes). Available on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Getting the Gospel Right Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions—where we gather for honest, down...

Listen to this conversation with Duce, the founder of The Cross Movement, on the group and Christian Hip Hop’s impact. It might surprise you! Full episode: https://youtu.be/GOZ-6itFv28?si=Lg_Q2eFEPxk1J5ZS

Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions—where we gather for honest, down-to-earth conversations about ministry and the life of the church, straight from a Baltimore stoop.

In this episode, Joel Kurz sits down with Duce (William "Duce" Branch), founding member of the legendary Christian hip-hop group Cross Movement, to trace the remarkable story of how God used hip-hop to shape one of the most influential gospel ministries of the last three decades.

Duce shares his testimony of growing up under the faithful evangelistic ministry of his father, wrestling with the pull of hip-hop culture, running from home, and eventually being drawn back to Christ through the gospel. Along the way, he reflects on the rise of hip-hop in New York City, the influence of Black evangelical leaders, and how God used Bible college to deepen his theological convictions and prepare him for ministry.

Together, Joel and Duce explore the origins of Cross Movement—not simply as a rap group, but as an evangelistic ministry committed to proclaiming the gospel with theological depth. They discuss the unique challenges of engaging culture without compromising biblical truth, the tension between artistry and ministry, and why distinctly Christian hip-hop became a bridge between generations, introducing countless young people to sound doctrine and the beauty of the gospel.

Whether you grew up listening to Cross Movement or are simply interested in the intersection of theology, culture, and urban ministry, this conversation offers an encouraging look at God's providence in raising up faithful gospel witnesses in unexpected places.

Joel Kurz is the Lead Pastor at The Garden Church and Director of ONE HOPE.

William "Duce" Branch is a founding member of Cross Movement, a Bible teacher, speaker, and one of the pioneers of distinctly Christian hip-hop.

CROSS Movement and Christian Hip Hop with William "Duce" Branch Welcome back to The Stoop Sessions—where we gather for honest, down...

Sponsor a Baltimore City kid for camp!

$180 sends a student to camp. The Garden Church hosts a four week summer camp for Baltimore City kids! One of those weeks is a “sleep-away” camp at Camp WoMeTo.

We are in need of 35 sponsors to send the kids to camp! Would you consider being one?

Mail: send a check made out to The Garden Church for $180 to 1500 Druid Hill Ave Baltimore MD 21217 with “youth sponsor” in memo.

Online: visit www.thegardenbaltimore.com/donate and click “Sponsor a Youth for Camp” in dropdown menu.

At the end of camp, we will send you a picture of the student you sponsored.

Weekly Prayer Request: Sandtown Bible Study 📖 - https://mailchi.mp/5c5bbb5755be/dxcn58j8k5-10347516

ONE HOPE Conference Sermon Video!! 🔥 - https://mailchi.mp/8cde65a221fe/dxcn58j8k5-10348107

ONE HOPE was happy to sponsor the ACME Conference in Atlanta, GA. If you were there, thanks for stopping by the booth. We are excited for all God is doing through ACME.