About Us
Biography of Rev. Marshall Lee Barnes
The Reverend Marshall Lee Barnes serves as pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church located in Baltimore, Maryland.
Reverend Marshall Lee Barnes is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He is the son of Evelyn Short. Reverend Barnes’ personal life and ministry philosophy has been shaped by his grandmother, Littie J. Wallace. He gives thanks to God for having spiritual mentors who showed him by their living what the Gospel of Jesus Christ really means. He received a clear call to ministry at a very early age. His earliest childhood memories are of a fervent desire to become a carrier of the Word.
He is a man that loves to seek knowledge. Reverend Barnes holds several professional and ministerial degrees. He has two degrees from Howard University in Washington, D.C; a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Education. He also has a Master of Divinity degree from St. Mary’s Seminary and University located in Baltimore, Maryland. Rev. Barnes was licensed and ordained by Reverend Dr. Irvin Pope and served as Assistant Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church located in Baltimore, Maryland. Reverend Barnes became the 6th pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church on October 4, 2015.
Reverend Barnes has shared God’s Word extensively at churches and conventions throughout the United States. He has authored several articles in Christian magazines. Reverend Barnes is an insightful yet articulate speaker with a narrative style that enable worshippers in the congregation to use their imagination to relive each biblical experience as he narrates it. The Bible is his telescope. The telescope is not designed for people to just look through it. It is a tool that individuals use to magnify and look beyond an object, just as God's Word is a tool that helps all believers to look beyond their present circumstance or situation. God’s Word is not intellect on ice or ignorance on fire.
In addition to his writing and teaching gifts, Reverend Barnes is an accomplished musician, who plays both piano and organ; which complements his abilities as a composer and lyricist.
“And we know that all things work together for Good” is one of Reverend Barnes’ favorite scriptures, which happens to be an expression of his life. Reverend Barnes found himself arrested by this title “Farther In and Deeper Down.” That title resonated in his mind and exploded in his heart. This is what God had called him to do, here and now, with whatever state that he is in and the days ahead.
Rev. Marshall L. Barnes - Pastor
OUR OFFICERS
Rev. Marshall L. Barnes - Email: mlbarnes2@verizon.net - Tel: 410-404-0487
Rev. Frank Bell
Carolyn Moorehead
Tara A. Hicks
The Grace Memorial Baptist Church - Our History - 1927 - 2023
The birth of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church occurred in 1926, and was incorporated in 1927. History says this branch of Zion started with the first Pastor, The Reverend Albert J. Greene, and a few faithful members worshipping God at each others homes. A few of these members were: Sister Martha Baker, The Turner Family, The Yarborough Family, Sister Pearl Young, Sister Mattie Cloud, Brother David Thomas, Brother Rob Thompson, Sister Viola Peacock, Sister Ann Sadie Shannon, The Frank Wilson Family, The Veney Family, Sister Cecelia Crawford, The Grove Family, The Goldie and Floyd Neal Family, and others.
Out of this humble and determined beginning, the direction for The Grace Memorial Baptist Church became clear. Its direction is bringing souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through preaching, teaching, witnessing and making true disciples for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Grace Memorial Baptist Church is a beacon light in the community and strives to win souls to Christ and to spiritually nurture and feed its people.
The Reverend Albert J. Greene, the first Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church served faithfully for sixteen years. History says, Pastor Greene established the Church name for the free given Grace of God. He preached, taught and encouraged the members to move forward in their Christian journey until the Lord called him home on December 15, 1943.
The Reverend Eugene T. Grove, a son of the Church became the second Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church. Reverend Grove had a great Outreach Ministry, which included Street Evangelism, a Scholarship Fund, and a Radio Broadcast. After serving as Pastor for fourteen years from 1944 to 1958, Reverend Grove departed The Grace Memorial Baptist Church becoming the Founder and Pastor of the New Frontier of Faith Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
In 1959, The Reverend Joseph Brown was called as the third Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church. His ministry included a radio and television program called The Grace Memorial Hour and a prison ministry. While serving as a Prison Chaplain, Reverend Brown served as Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church until 1968. After terminating his stewardship with The Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Reverend Brown became the Founder and Pastor of the Manna Bible Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
On August 7, 1968, the Church Family called The Reverend Alfred C. D. Vaughn, former Pastor of The Promise Land Baptist Church, Moneta, Virginia, as the fourth Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church. Under the stewardship of Reverend Vaughn, The Grace Memorial Baptist Church became a great voice in the City of Baltimore, across the country and around the world. Also, history says, during Reverend Vaughn's tenure as Pastor, the membership increased, the Church Office was remodeled, and the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall repainted. After eighteen years as the Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church, Reverend Vaughn resigned and accepted the Call to Pastor his home Church, the Sharon Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
On September 27, 1987, The Reverend Irvin Pope, son of the First Mount Calvary Baptist Church was unanimously called as the fifth Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church. Under the stewardship of Pastor Pope, there are numerous accomplishments. Some of these accomplishments include: increased membership; weekly Bible studies via the Journey through the Bible Series; a Soup Kitchen, feeding approximately 60 homeless people weekly, along with clothing give-a-way; a Computer Laboratory; a revision of the Church’s Constitution and By-Laws; the establishment, development and implementation of a Policies and Procedures Manual; the changing of Boards to Ministries; mandatory training for all Ministries; the development of the position of Church Treasurer; the Sheepfold Ministry; the Golden Disciples Ministry; the Christian Education Ministry; the Men’s Ministry; the Women’s Ministry; Liturgical Dance Ministry; Adult Aerobics Classes; Black History Recognitions and Honors among members of the congregation; renovation of the Church Sanctuary with chandeliers; total remodeling of the Fellowship Hall with new tables and chairs; the installation of new sanctuary glass entrance doors; the construction of a handicap entrance ramp; a new church roof; a new modern outside Marquee; a new kitchen; a new Church Van; a new and improved boiler heating system; replaced the pipeline infrastructure of the Church, and in honor of the 85th Church Anniversary and the 25th Pastoral Anniversary of The Reverend Irvin Pope, a Ceremonial Street Sign was erected to denote the year 2012 as “The Year of Celebration”, to name a few. On September 28, 2015, Rev. Pope retired as the Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church and became Pastor Emeritus.
On September 29, 2015, Reverend Marshall Lee Barnes, Assistant Pastor of the church became the sixth Pastor of The Grace Memorial Baptist Church. Reverend Marshall Lee Barnes is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He is the son of Evelyn Short. Reverend Barnes’ personal life and ministry philosophy has been shaped by his grandmother, Littie J. Wallace. He gives thanks to God for having spiritual mentors who showed him by their living what the Gospel of Jesus Christ really means. He received a clear call to ministry at a very early age. His earliest childhood memories are of a fervent desire to become a carrier of the Word.
For 89 years, The Grace Memorial Baptist Church has had five dynamic Pastors with diversified gifts. Each Pastor has contributed to the growth and existence of this Spiritual Organism from its first Church Home at the Star Theatre Auditorium on Monument Street to its present location, 1100 North Eden Street. The Grace Memorial Baptist Church is determined to continue the establishment of a fellowship in Jesus Christ that promotes the spread of the Gospel through scriptural, spiritual and secular experiences. These experiences, in conjunction with Service and Teaching Ministries will enable each member to acquire and develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential to one’s perseverance as a Christian individual.
OUR MISSION, VISION, & OBJECTIVES
OUR VISION
The vision given to this Pastor for The Grace Memorial Baptist Church is threefold: to bring lost souls to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through preaching, teaching, and witnessing, using unlimited means (i.e., evangelism and missionary efforts, radio and television broadcasts, etc.); to make true disciples for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through educating and training members to follow obediently in the footsteps of Jesus; and to proclaim Christ everywhere we go.
The vision may entail reaching out through economic development programs and special projects to our membership and community. The church strives to win souls for Christ and to spiritually nurture and feed its people. "Where there is no vision, the people perish... " (Proverbs 29:18).
OUR MISSION
It is the mission of this church to establish a fellowship in Jesus Christ that will promote the spread of the Gospel through scriptural, spiritual, and secular experiences. These experiences, in conjunction with our service and teaching ministries, will enable each member to acquire and develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential to one's perseverance as a Christian individual. The primary objective is to win souls to Christ.
OUR OBJECTIVES
1. The spread of the Gospel through scriptural experiences provides the backbone for Christian maturity. It is imperative that every child of God continually familiarizes him/herself with the Holy Bible. By possessing a firm foundation in the scriptures, each born-again believer should become more knowledgeable in the Word and more convicted to do the will of God. To assist members in their scriptural experiences, everyone is strongly encouraged to attend Sunday Church School, Bible Study, worship services, midweek prayer services, and any seminars and/or workshops that may be offered. The Bible tells us to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
By studying the scriptures, we will be equipped to go into our communities and teach our fellow brothers and sisters about Christ. Indeed, this was Jesus' command to His disciples after His resurrection -"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen" (Matthew 28:19-20).
2. Spiritual experiences are also important to the spread of the Gospel. When we enter God's House, it is important to feel a sense of His Presence, and reverence to God. Our worship services are intended to provide the most rewarding spiritual experience one could possibly have through preaching, teaching, praying, singing, and personal testimonies. Varied services and Bible ministries are available to all members for the enhancement and enrichment of their worship experiences.
In our spiritual walk with Christ, and as we draw nearer to God, the Holy Spirit manifests Himself within us, leading and guiding us, thereby allowing us to grow, mature, and become more spiritual. Drawing closer to God deepens our sense of the omnipotent, omniscience, and omnipresence of God. When we share our experiences, we also enhance and enlighten the spiritual experiences of our brothers and sisters in Christ, both within and outside of the church.
3. As important as the scriptural and spiritual experiences are, our secular experiences help to define the parameters of our Christian walk. All of God's children are to confess their sins and receive Jesus as their personal Savior.
Secular experiences consist of a member's daily routines and patterns of life, i.e., working, attending school, shopping, driving, visiting family, and friends, etc. These secular experiences give one an opportunity to bear witness to God's grace. Some of us were chosen out of these very same experiences to come to the Lord, and we can be examples for unsaved souls through these experiences. Jesus sat, ate, walked, and talked with sinners. While this is true, remember that Jesus never took on the attitude or behavior of the sinners. We, as Christians, should be guided by Ephesians 5:10. By obeying the example Christ set for us to follow, we can use these secular experiences to God's glory.
We remain committed to the cause of Christ through scriptural, spiritual, and secular experiences. As disciples, we will continue to win souls for our Lord's kingdom.
