Three presbyteries join for Matthew 25 Mid-Atlantic Summit

Baltimore, National Capital and New Castle presbyteries celebrate the Matthew 25 movement

by Shani E. McIlwain| Presbyterian News Service

Three presbyteries combined to put on Saturday’s Matthew 25 Mid-Atlantic Summit. (Photo by Pat Jackson)

COLUMBIA, Maryland — Nestled on seven acres named Presbyterian Circle, over 150 Presbyterians from three presbyteries — Baltimore, National Capital and New Castle — came together on Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Howard County for what was dubbed the Matthew 25 Mid-Atlantic Summit.

Inspired by the Matthew 25 Summit, hosted in Atlanta earlier this year by the Presbyterian Mission Agency, Mid-Atlantic Summit Co-Chair Charese Jordan Moore was determined to bring the same energy back home. Alongside the Rev. Pat Jackson, executive director of Interwoven Congregations and parish associate at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Maryland, Moore rallied attendees from the three presbyteries, and their hard work paid off.

Moore reflected on the experience of the January meeting she had with other members from her presbytery. She said the experience at the Matthew 25 Summit in Atlanta truly ignited a passion among members of the Presbytery of Baltimore. Just as they were inspired to embrace the Matthew 25 movement after a Synod of the Mid-Atlantic meeting, the attendees returned from Atlanta feeling a deep connection to the broader church community. Their enthusiasm centered on implementing the Matthew 25 vision, recognizing its potential to revitalize their congregations.

With the flame of inspiration burning bright, the desire to spread this transformative energy throughout the region became clear. The ongoing conversations between the co-chairs of the Dismantling Racism Teams from the Presbytery of Baltimore and National Capital Presbytery presented a perfect opportunity for collaboration. A goal of the collective efforts is to drive meaningful change in communities.

In similar fashion, Jackson expressed that Presbyterians are indeed fortunate to have the connectional nature of the church, but don’t always tap into the strong ties that unite them. Collaborating on the regional summit revitalized his appreciation for the bonds shared among presbyteries and the synod and with the national PC(USA) staff. This collaborative experience reminded him of the power and potential of the efforts.

During a spirited morning worship service, the Rev. Dr. Jackie Taylor, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Baltimore, gave a passionate sermon reminding attendees of just how clear Jesus is in the Matthew 25 text — a clear mandate of what we have been called to do in response to our love for God. Taylor’s message emphasized that Jesus values the act of giving over the amount given, suggesting that true giving stems from a deep relationship with Christ. This relationship transforms one’s heart and actions, leading to love, service and recognition of Christ in others, regardless of differences.

The Rev. Jermaine Ross-Allam is director of the Center for the Repair of Historic Harms. (Photo by Pat Jackson)

That message dovetailed into “The Fire This Time,” the keynote address delivered by the Rev. Jermaine Ross-Allam, director of the Center for the Repair of Historical Harms, a talk Ross-Allam crafted through the lens of his lived experience.

Ross-Allam celebrated the progress of the Matthew 25 movement and praised the leadership of the outgoing executive director and president of the PMA, the Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffet, as well as the entire PMA staff for their contributions. He reflected on a reconciliation journey to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, where he witnessed the impact of trauma and silence post-civil war. Ross-Allam emphasized the need to move beyond lamentation to action, citing the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of transformation. Drawing from Paul’s letter to the Romans, Ross-Allam critiqued the tendency to offer others’ bodies as sacrifices, advocating for personal transformation and collective action against racism, materialism and militarism. He called for a spiritual fire to inspire new possibilities and challenged the church to lead with prophetic vision.

The day featured workshops on topics including how to craft an antiracism statement, climate change and Earth care, self-care for our bodies, and how to become a Matthew 25 congregation.

Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, delivered a compelling discussion on the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States. She articulated how this movement poses a significant threat to both religious freedom and democracy. Central to her message was the campaign “Christians Against Christian Nationalism,” which seeks to define and counter this ideology. Tyler noted survey results indicating that 30% of Americans sympathize with Christian nationalism, with even higher percentages in states like Texas and Florida.

Amanda Tyler

She urged Christians to actively speak out against Christian nationalism and to advocate for the crucial separation of church and state. The conversation highlighted specific instances of Christian nationalism affecting public schools and underscored the urgent need for organized efforts to resist such policies.

Tyler referenced her recent book, “How to End Christian Nationalism.” The book focuses on providing concrete actions and empowering readers to make a difference. There is an emphasis on faith-rooted organizing, shifting the focus from merely opposing Christian nationalism to actively building a beloved community. Tyler said that Christians Against Christian Nationalism and the broader movement highlights the urgency of this issue — not just for democracy but for authentic Christian witness.

As the day closed, members of the planning team thanked Moffett for breathing life into the Matthew 25 vision. Co-chair Moore said the Matthew 25 movement offers a powerful vision for how the church can actively respond to God’s call for justice in the world today. The movement encourages congregations to see Matthew 25 not just as a resource for ideas and tools for justice work, but as a catalyst for building a national movement focused on achieving racial justice, addressing systemic poverty, building congregational vitality and tackling climate change. This comprehensive approach requires the participation and commitment of all congregations. Moore went on to say that “congregations are not alone in this important mission. We are following our Lord into these fields to labor together, and this collaboration brings deep meaning, purpose, and joy to our work. By joining forces, we can create lasting change in our communities and beyond.”

An offering was collected and raised over $1,000 for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Relief. Those who would like to donate to the hurricane response of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance can click here, or text HELENE24 to 41444.