My Summer Experience in Baltimore: Grace, Peace, & Healing
Grace, Peace & Healing. These three words kept coming to my mind during my time living and learning on the East Coast. Truly, this embodied, holistic learning experience changed my life. By His grace, God brought me to Baltimore for a reason and a unique purpose. He gave me peace, inviting me into a season of letting go. He gave me healing through living in a loving community and serving in urban ministry. He has shown me His love in a new light.
What makes embodied learning so impactful and influential? The beauty of embodied, holistic learning is taking our academic learning experience and living it out in real time. As for me this summer, it was taking what I learned in the classroom and applying it within the context of Baltimore. It’s one thing to learn in a classroom, but it’s another to learn relationally from the people of Baltimore when you are immersed in the city, stepping in and relying on the people of the neighborhood like a pilgrim.
(Left) Fellow BUS students, supporting Lance preaching his first sermon at Helping Up Mission
I worked for a non-profit organization called Helping Up Mission, which is a recovery addiction clinic for men and women who are committed to a new way of life. It is unique from any other recovery center in that they incorporate faith, science and community together. I worked as a Spiritual Recovery Intern under Director Mike Rallo.
I sat in their classes on identity development and spiritual growth. When I leaned into this community, I found myself diving deeper into my identity development and beginning my own journey of deep spiritual work.
Before moving to Baltimore for the summer, one of my visions was to preach God’s Word. As I pursue becoming a pastor, I envision preaching God’s Word in sincerity and truth. I did not know if I was going to have the opportunity over the summer or not, but I prayed about it. The opportunity came at Helping Up Mission’s Sunday morning chapel service. There, I preached my first ever sermon. It was one of the best days of my life. Not because of what I have done, but because there, God was glorified. The Holy Spirit spoke, through me, to minister to the men at Helping Up Mission who needed to hear the Gospel. God’s power was made manifest in my weakness through sharing my testimony.
BUS students celebrating Lance’s 22nd birthday
I am beyond thankful for my Baltimore family. It was a pure joy to be blessed by such a loving community. It was an honor to serve in urban ministry and receive spiritual mentorship. Thank you to my brothers and sisters in Christ who graciously walked with me through this part of my testimony. The Spirit of the Lord spoke in and through them. “You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows with blessing.” - Psalm 23:5 ESV
“The wounds of our individual lives, which seem intolerable when lived alone, become sources of healing when we live them as part of a fellowship of mutual care.” (Nouwen, 1996, pg.57).
To be my true authentic self, seen, known and loved by a community like this, the Lord has taught me the love of Christ. There is healing in being known in my vulnerability and weaknesses. I am not the “perfect, future pastor.” I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I am a child of God who wants to continue his walk with the Lord. I want to be seen and known as a brother and a friend. I aspire to be a man who will lead His family in humble service to the Lord and His kingdom, being His witnesses in this world.
Being a pastor is a title, a career, and an office. Living and learning in Baltimore has taught me this: that being a pastor is more than a career. It is a way of heart. God is shaping and molding my heart to be more like Christ. I learned this from my brothers and sisters in Christ I met in Baltimore, leaning into our community at Baltimore Urban Studies, being open to what God was teaching me, serving in urban ministry and Helping Up Mission’s outreach team.
My pursuit of pastoral ministry is a beautiful journey because it is a paradox. Much of life is defined by striving – striving for success, achievement and recognition. The deep spiritual work is the process of surrendering my will to God’s will, grieving my wounds, and receiving the Holy Spirit. The Law of God is like a mirror, exposing my sins, and showing how I can never measure up. From this truth, I desperately need the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation won for all on the cross. “The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost.” – 1 Timothy 1:14-15 ESV
I abide in the love of Jesus. Christ is my firm foundation. I rest in Him, knowing that I am beloved by the Father. I no longer live under the law, but I live under grace. I move from a position of grace wherever I go. The Holy Spirit creates and sustains faith. He stirs up my heart to love God and love His people. “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 ESV
The Lord God has given us all callings, vocations, in life. Through our callings, He has fearfully, and wonderfully made us unique. He has given each of us gifts to love and serve Him and His people. What are your callings? Where has God placed you in your life to love and serve? We all have different gifts and abilities, strengths and weaknesses. There is beauty in the unity and diversity of the body of Christ. For we are many members of one body, the Church, joined together by the Head, Christ Jesus. (1 Cor. 12:12, Romans 12:4-5, Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV)
What made our community so special was that we were such a diverse cohort coming from different beliefs and cultural backgrounds. Through this experience, I learned cultural humility, leaning in, and staying open to what God was teaching me through His people. What unified our cohort was our deep capacity to love and serve people. That came in such unique, different ways, whether that be in a local music school, rehabilitation institute, refugee center, church, or a recovery addiction clinic. God brought us all together each for a distinct purpose to launch us into our careers and our vocations for life.
And so, I walk away from this experience radically transformed, enlightened, eyes-opened, healing my wounds, and my cup overflowing with blessing. I have a mission with a vision in sight, that “me and my family may serve the Lord all the days of our life.” It’s amazing what the Lord can do. To be loved by Him means everything. The deep spiritual work continues. All the glory belongs to Him. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” - Micah 6:8 ESV
About the Author: Lance Kiango is a senior at Concordia University Nebraska.
He is completing his undergrad in psychology & behavioral sciences. He is from Mckinney, Texas, originally from Tanzania, East Africa. He is going into Pastoral ministry and counseling. He was part of Living & Learning East Coast, a student at Baltimore Urban Studies, Summer of 2026. He loves soccer (futbol) and has played for over 17 years.
Source:
Nouwen, H. J. M. (1996). Can you drink the cup? Ave Maria Press.
