In this conversation, we dig into the Dias and Ressler mouse study, ask whether your grandmother's trauma is still living in your DNA, and wrestle with the thorniest question: if good choices change your epigenome, what makes Christian discipleship different from secular self‑improvement? Lu doesn't shy away from the hard science or the harder theology—and the answers might change how you think about embodiment, addiction, and what it means to be made new.

Dr. Lu Wing’s Website

Genes of Eden

1. The Moonlight Speech – The Living Death of Sin (The moment the moonlight hits the cursed crew)

“We are not among the living, and so we cannot die…
Too long I’ve been parched of thirst and unable to quench it.
Too long I’ve been starving to death and haven’t died.
I feel nothing – not the wind on my face, nor the spray of the sea, nor the warmth of a woman’s flesh.”

This is the most vivid cinematic picture I’ve ever seen of what Paul and the Reformers call the curse: spiritually dead men walking (Ephesians 2:1–3). Immortal, yet cut off from every good gift of creation. They can see the banquet, smell the roast pig, hold the rum, but it is ash in their mouths. Pleasure itself has become impossible. That is exactly what the Fall did: it didn’t merely kill us; it locked us in a state where we are “dead in trespasses and sins” while still breathing, desiring, and suffering.

2. The Cave Speech – Redemption by the Blood of the Son (Surrounded by the cursed gold, Barbossa gloats over Elizabeth, thinking the curse is about to end)

“It’s the blood that must be repaid… every last man who took the gold.
And Bootstrap’s blood to finish it. His son… his offspring… his blood.”

He is literally describing substitutionary atonement. The guilty pirates cannot lift the curse with their own blood; it has to be the innocent blood of the son of the one man who tried to stop the theft in the first place (Bootstrap Bill Turner, who repented and sent his coin away). Will Turner, the son who never touched the gold, willingly gives his blood in the chest so that the curse is broken for every last wretched pirate—even Barbossa himself.

When Will finally drops the two blood-covered medallions into the chest, the curse lifts instantly. The moon no longer reveals skeletons. Barbossa feels the bullet Jack fired ten seconds earlier and dies with the first apple bite in a decade still in his hand. Death finally works again—because the blood debt has been paid in full.

Two throwaway pirate monologues accidentally preach the gospel better than most sermons I’ve heard:

• The curse: immortal corpses who feel nothing.

• The cure: the innocent blood of the son, freely given.

You best start believing in ghost stories, Miss Turner.
Turns out the best one is true.

Key numbers and updates

• BRN pallets of food received in 2024: 3,922. 2025 year‑to‑date food pallets: 3,957

• Quick updates: federal shutdown impacts, BRN development and fundraising, and Kristel’s meeting at the Compassion Center

How we got to a unifying principle:

• Origin story: The moment the “buckets” snapped into place and why this framework keeps efforts aligned across BRN, HCC, and FAC

• Provision: From chaos to choreography in relief logistics, how pallets become people stories with dignity, Tuesday–Friday routes, and a “no‑shame” script

• Community: Turning a food line into a welcome table, first‑timer journey, and two simple follow‑ups that build trust

• Development: Tools that form people, not just fix problems—couples prompts, a volunteer ladder, and a simple goals loop

• Renewal: Rest as infrastructure—micro‑retreats, table practices, and a “small celebrations” policy that sustains joy

Ways to engage:

• Baltimore Relief Network

• Haven City Church

• Food Access Coalition

• Sermonprep.app

• Unitypath.app

• Parable Vineyard

Federal Workers: The First Wave

Maryland is home to more than 260,000 federal employees, which is among the highest concentrations in the nation. Approximately 12,000 federal employees live in Baltimore City, and approximately 100,000 in the surrounding counties. These include:

• Social Security Administration employees (headquarters in Baltimore County)

• Department of Defense personnel

• Veterans Affairs staff

• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center workers

• National Institutes of Health researchers

• Federal contractors

When these workers are furloughed, they receive zero income with no clear timeline for back pay. While federal employees historically receive retroactive payment after shutdowns end, contractors often do not. And even for those who eventually get paid, the immediate crisis is real: rent is due, car payments are due, and groceries need to be bought today.

The Economic Ripple Effect

Federal workers aren’t just employees. They also play a crucial role in the local economy. When thousands of people suddenly have no income, local businesses lose customers, landlords face non-payment, and the entire local economy contracts. Economic research shows public sector jobs support additional employment through direct spending, meaning the shutdown’s impact extends well beyond the furloughed workers themselves.

SNAP Recipients: The November Crisis

Approximately 700,000 Maryland residents receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. In Baltimore City alone, over 116,000 residents rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families.

What Happens in November

SNAP benefits are typically distributed in the first week of each month. As of late October 2025, November 2025 benefit allotments have been suspended, and SNAP payments are expected to stop November 1st.

Here’s what that means:

• Over 116,000 Baltimore residents could lose their primary food assistance

• Statewide, nearly 270,000 children rely on SNAP

• Average SNAP benefit in Maryland: approximately $180 per person per month

A surge of 116,000+ people seeking food assistance would overwhelm current capacity.

WIC Recipients: The Most Vulnerable

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program serves Maryland’s most nutritionally vulnerable: pregnant women, new mothers, and children under age 5. Baltimore City’s WIC program serves thousands of participants, including infants and young children during critical developmental windows.

Why WIC Matters Differently

Unlike SNAP, WIC targets critical developmental windows where even short-term nutritional deficits can result in:

• Lower cognitive development scores

• Reduced academic achievement

• Higher rates of chronic disease

• Decreased lifetime earning potential

When WIC benefits stop, we’re not just talking about families going hungry for a few weeks - we’re talking about potential permanent impacts on child development. Special funding is keeping this program operating right now, but if the shutdown continues, the program could face interruption.

Baltimore’s Response

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced over $4.68 million in city funding to support residents and federal workers, including:

• $1.71 million for food assistance

• $1 million for rental assistance

• $1 million for child care support

• $975,000 for hospital-based violence intervention programs

While these city investments represent a significant commitment, Mayor Scott acknowledged they cannot fully replace the scale of federal assistance that has been suspended.

Why Relief Networks Matter

These numbers tell us several critical things:

The scale is massive. Over 128,000 Baltimore residents face direct impact from SNAP and federal employment disruptions, with ripple effects touching many more.

The need is immediate. November 1st is less than 2 days away. Benefits won’t be distributed. Federal workers have already missed a paycheck, with another missed check quickly approaching.

Existing systems are overwhelmed. Baltimore’s emergency food infrastructure will likely face an unprecedented surge in demand. Food pantries are already reporting significantly increased visits to their sites requesting help with basic human necessities.

The vulnerable are most at risk. Young children on WIC face nutritional deficits during critical development windows. Elderly SNAP recipients often have no other options. Working families can’t simply “work more hours” to make up the difference.

Community relief networks, such as Baltimore Relief Network, exist to bridge the gap between existing infrastructure and actual need during this crisis. With expertise, systems, facilities, and volunteers in place, they are able to rapidly shift to address the approaching tidal wave of human need.

• Magnetic cows: herd alignment with Earth’s magnetic field and why it’s fascinating

• Electric mushrooms: turning fungal electrical pulses into music

• Food distribution recap: door limitations, street conversations, and last week’s volume

• Sports and culture: why some Ravens fans leave early even when the team is winning

• AI and energy: rising data center power demand, local transmission lines, community pushback, and what it means for household bills

• Possible federal shutdown: SNAP funding risks and neighborhood food access impact

• Volunteer care: plans to better support the Center’s volunteer team

• Serving Spanish‑first families: family program updates and practical needs (underwear, feminine hygiene)

• A Life Well Lived: intentional living and planning reflections

• Kristel’s puppy moment to end on a smile

Links

• Mushroom music video: X post

• AI energy and infrastructure:

  • Chamath Palihapitiya on X

  • $64B in data center projects blocked or delayed — Data Center Watch

  • Perplexity

• Shutdown and SNAP:

  • Article from The Hill

  • Facebook post

• A Life Well Lived:

  • LinkedIn post

  • Living Forward (book)

• Puppy clip: Instagram

• Our work:

  • baltimorerelief.com

  • baltimorechurch.com

About the hosts

Josh and Kristel lead community work in Baltimore focused on dignity‑first care and practical support. Josh pastors Haven City Church and helps architect the content and systems behind Trellis Transcripts. Kristel leads on‑the‑ground operations and partner development through Baltimore Relief Network and the Compassion Center, telling everyday stories of neighbors, volunteers, and quiet wins that add up to real change.

HHS Trump Administration Study

The internal HHS analysis, completed in July 2017, found that refugees and asylees contributed an estimated $269.1 billion in revenues to all levels of government between 2005 and 2014 through federal, state, and local tax payments, while receiving approximately $206.1 billion in services—resulting in a net positive fiscal impact of $63 billion. Despite these findings, the 55-page draft report was never officially released after Stephen Miller reportedly intervened in discussions, with two officials familiar with the talks confirming that Miller personally ensured only costs, not fiscal benefits, were considered in the final three-page report submitted to the White House.​

A more recent 2024 HHS study covering the extended period from 2005 to 2019 found an even larger net fiscal benefit of $123.8 billion, with refugees and asylees contributing approximately $581 billion in revenue while receiving $457.2 billion in services. The updated analysis revealed that refugees and asylees paid $363 billion to the federal government through payroll, income, and excise taxes, and $218 billion to state and local governments through income, sales, and property taxes.

Undocumented Immigrant Tax Contributions

Current estimates show that undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in taxes in 2022, including $59.4 billion to federal coffers and $37.3 billion to state and local governments. These contributions come through multiple channels: property taxes (often paid through rent), sales and excise taxes, federal payroll taxes deducted from wages, and income tax returns filed using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). Notably, more than a third of these tax payments fund Social Security and Medicare programs that undocumented workers cannot access, while they’re also barred from receiving tax credits like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit.​

The Congressional Budget Office projects that the net increase in undocumented immigration from 2021-2026 will reduce the federal deficit by $897 billion over the 2024-2034 period, as this population is expected to contribute $1.175 trillion in additional federal revenue while requiring $270 billion in mandatory expenditures. Research indicates that granting work authorization to the current undocumented population would boost their overall tax contribution by $40.2 billion annually, primarily due to higher wages and easier compliance with income tax laws.​

Economic Integration Patterns

Longitudinal data reveals that immigrants demonstrate strong economic integration patterns that improve significantly over time, contributing increasingly to government revenues as they establish themselves in American communities. The suppressed 2017 HHS study documented that refugee and asylee college graduation rates actually exceed those of all U.S. adults, while their full-time employment rates grow over time to surpass the national average. Perhaps most striking, refugee and asylee median family income nearly doubles from $32,539 initially to $59,433 over time—virtually identical to the U.S. average.​

This integration trajectory directly translates into enhanced fiscal contributions. While refugees and asylees initially rely more heavily on programs like Medicaid-CHIP, their participation rates halve over time to just one percentage point above the general population. The per capita annual net fiscal impact demonstrates this economic mobility: each refugee or asylee generates positive returns that compound as their earning potential increases.​

Recent Economic Policy Institute analysis shows immigrants contribute $2.1 trillion annually to U.S. economic output—representing 18.0% of total wages, salaries, and business income despite comprising only 14.3% of the population. This outsized economic contribution stems from immigrants’ higher likelihood of working and their concentration in prime working ages, making up 18.6% of the labor force. Additionally, immigrants demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial rates, founding businesses at 80% higher rates than their U.S.-born peers between 2005 and 2010, and accounting for 28% of main street businesses including retail, food services, and neighborhood establishments.​

The integration pattern challenges scarcity-based economic arguments, as immigrants function simultaneously as workers and consumers who expand overall economic demand. Data from 2023 illustrates this dynamic: while the United States experienced higher-than-usual immigrant arrivals, unemployment rates for U.S.-born workers reached record lows, with prime-age U.S.-born labor force participation hitting its highest level in over two decades.

Crime Statistics Analysis

Comprehensive crime data consistently contradicts claims that immigrants pose elevated safety risks to American communities. Multiple studies spanning decades show that immigrants—both documented and undocumented—commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens, with this pattern holding across conservative and progressive research methodologies.​

The overwhelming majority of border crossers are asylum seekers fleeing violence, economic collapse, or persecution, making legal claims under both U.S. and international law rather than engaging in criminal activity. Federal data from Customs and Border Protection and the Drug Enforcement Administration reveals that illegal drugs primarily enter through official border crossings hidden in vehicles and commercial shipments, predominantly trafficked by U.S. citizens rather than migrants crossing the desert or seeking asylum.​

Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations have increasingly targeted individuals with no criminal records, including long-term residents, asylum seekers, and parents, despite public claims of focusing exclusively on dangerous criminals. Raids have extended to homes, schools, churches, hospitals, and courtrooms where immigrants are actively following immigration procedures, often resulting in family separations and deportations for minor infractions or no violations whatsoever.​

Research consistently demonstrates that undocumented immigrants are more likely to be crime victims than perpetrators, frequently avoiding law enforcement contact due to deportation fears. This pattern undermines narratives suggesting immigrant communities increase crime rates, as these populations often experience higher victimization while contributing lower offense rates compared to native-born residents.​

The persistent gap between crime statistics and public perception reflects broader patterns of scapegoating during periods of political and economic uncertainty. When enforcement becomes indiscriminate and prioritizes quotas over evidence-based approaches, it diverges from both public safety objectives and constitutional principles of due process that protect community welfare regardless of immigration status.​​

1. https://benjamin-cremer.kit.com/posts/a-theological-response-to-immigration-myths

2. https://humanrightsfirst.org/library/trumps-own-study-shows-refugees-benefit-u-s-economy/

3. https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-admin-stephen-miller-rejected-refugee-report-showing-positive-economic-impact-2017-9

4. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/refugees-and-asylum-seekers-generate-billions-dollars-more-than-they-cost/

5. https://www.cato.org/blog/encouraging-findings-trump-admins-report-refugees-asylees

6. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/18/us/politics/refugees-revenue-cost-report-trump.html

7. https://www.axios.com/2017/12/15/trump-admin-rejects-report-that-refugees-add-billions-in-revenue-1513305606

8. https://publicintegrity.org/inequality-poverty-opportunity/immigration/data-defies-trump-claims-that-refugees-and-asylees-are-a-taxpayer-burden/

9. https://www.ucs.org/resources/attacks-on-science/trump-administration-manipulates-study-economic-benefits-refugees-us

10. https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-stephen-miller-single-handedly-got-the-us-to-accept-fewer-refugees

11. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/net-positive-new-government-study-finds-refugees-and-asylees-contributed-1238-billion-us

12. https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/fiscal-impact-refugees-asylees

13. https://itep.org/undocumented-immigrants-taxes-2024/

14. https://docs.house.gov/meetings/JU/JU01/20250122/117827/HHRG-119-JU01-20250122-SD003.pdf

15. https://ncbudget.org/national-study-undocumented-immigrants-contribute-692200000-in-north-carolina-taxes-a-year/

16. https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/adding_up_the_billions_in_tax_dollars_paid_by_undocumented_immigrants.pdf

17. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60569

18. https://thehill.com/latino/4790170-undocumented-immigrants-southern-border-economy-deficit-cbo/

19. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/60165

20. https://www.epi.org/publication/immigrants-and-the-economy/

A Normal Week

• Good response to the first episode—why are we doing Trellis Transcripts and what can people expect?

• Sunday service recap

• Tuesday and Friday food distribution

• The Thursday Food Problem and Ideas

Food Waste and Food Deserts

• 30% of food produced worldwide goes to waste

• What is a food desert? Baltimore City mapping and data

Immigration and the Political Climate

• A theological response to immigration myths

• How has marriage in the US changed over time?

Trust and Charities

• Why people don’t trust charities

Puppy Videos

• @thegoodhypeofficial Instagram reel

In this episode, Kristel Turansky shares the story behind Baltimore Relief Network—from her years as a Contracting Officer navigating the bureaucracy and intensity of NIH to the moment she decided to leave it all in 2025 and build something entirely different. You’ll hear about the chaos, the clarity, and the conviction that carried her from government contracts to neighborhood relief.

This isn’t a polished origin story. It’s real, messy, and full of the kind of decisions that change everything.

In this conversation:

• Why Kristel left her NIH Contracting Officer role in 2025 after years on the business side of government science

• The early days of building Baltimore Relief Network with no roadmap

• What it’s like to trade institutional stability for grassroots impact

• How body-and-soul work shapes everything Josh and Kristel do

Want to support the work?

Learn more about Baltimore Relief Network and how you can get involved: http://www.baltimorerelief.com

Stay connected:

Subscribe for weekly conversations about dignity, purpose, and building something worth your life.

The Problem: A Hidden Supply Chain

Picture shopping on Amazon: you choose an item, pay the listed price, and it arrives. Convenient, but you’re clueless about how that price was set, who made the item, or how many middlemen took a cut. The grocery supply chain is similar. When you buy a loaf of bread, you don’t know the farmer who grew the wheat, the miller who ground the flour, the bakery that made it, or the distributors who shipped it. This opacity—where the process is hidden—drives up costs and disconnects consumers from producers and manufacturers.

In Baltimore, this hits hard. High prices strain budgets, and “food deserts” limit access to fresh and prepared foods. Through my work with the Compassion Center and Food Access Coalition, I see this daily. The current system, even with competition between stores, leaves consumers and producers powerless, like players in a game with hidden rules.

A New Vision: Transparency Through Technology

Technology has upended industries before—think travel agents replaced by online booking, music stores disrupted by streaming, or financial systems reshaped by digital payments. The grocery supply chain is next. I envision a system as open as a community market, where buyers, sellers, and makers meet, agree on fair prices, and build trust. This isn’t a nostalgic farmers’ market—it’s a modern system using blockchain technology, inspired by a food co-op but designed for today’s world. Picture combining Costco’s bulk-buying power, the fairness of a co-op, and the transparency of a public marketplace, all accessible via your smartphone.

How It Works: Simple Analogies

Let’s break it down:

• Costco’s Bulk Power: Costco saves money by buying in bulk and passing savings to members. This model lets consumers pool orders online for raw and manufactured foods, cutting costs without a physical warehouse.

• Co-ops for Community: Traditional co-ops pool resources to buy directly from producers, skipping middlemen. This version uses technology to make it open to anyone in Baltimore, not just a close-knit group.

• Commodities Exchanges, Simplified: Imagine a stock market where buyers and sellers set prices for future deliveries of wheat or corn. This “food futures market” lets consumers and producers agree on prices for food—raw or manufactured—to be delivered later.

Blockchain powers this system, acting like a public ledger that records every transaction openly and securely. Think of a shared notebook everyone can see but no one can alter. Every step—from farm to factory to table—is logged, so you know where your bread came from, who baked it, and what everyone was paid.

A Dance Between Consumers and Producers

In this system, consumers and producers are partners in a dance, each empowered by transparency. Consumers actively participate by bidding for food—raw ingredients like apples or manufactured goods like canned soup—at a price they’re willing to pay, for delivery at a future date. For example, you might bid $2 for a loaf of bread to be delivered in two weeks. Other Baltimoreans do the same, and these bids form a transparent online marketplace, visible to all.

Producers (farmers) and manufacturers (bakers, canners, or small-scale food makers) see these bids. They know how many people want their product, at what price, and when. If enough consumers bid $2 for bread, a local bakery can say, “That’s fair—I’ll make and deliver it.” No negotiating with a big retailer. No guessing demand. Producers and manufacturers are freed from exploitative middlemen, while consumers gain access to fairly priced food. It’s a mutual win, with both sides shaping the market together.

Micro-Local Manufacturing: Beyond Raw Ingredients

Most food consumed in Baltimore isn’t raw—it’s manufactured, like bread, sauces, or frozen meals. This model includes micro-local manufacturing—small, safe, community-based facilities that turn raw ingredients into finished products. Imagine a local bakery or canning operation joining this supply chain, using blockchain to track every ingredient. These facilities operate like gig-economy workers, producing on demand based on consumer bids. Safety is non-negotiable, as discussed later, with blockchain and human oversight ensuring consumers are protected. This creates local jobs and brings manufacturing closer to home.

Pickup Points: The Last Mile

How does the food reach you? Through pickup points—think grocery stores, community centers, or future hubs—acting as the last-mile stop. Picture a Costco where you pick up your pre-ordered food, raw or manufactured. Brick-and-mortar grocery stores could thrive, serving as pickup points for online orders while placing their own bids to stock shelves. Stores already act as mini-manufacturers with delis and bakeries; they could lean into this, curating and producing food based on local demand.

Need food last-minute? Stores could offer it, but you’d pay a premium, as they take the risk of stocking perishable goods. This balances convenience with the cost savings of pre-ordered, transparent purchases.

The Gig-Economy Connection

Like Uber connects drivers with riders, this system links producers, manufacturers, and deliverers with consumers. Independent drivers or small businesses handle deliveries to pickup points, with every step logged on the blockchain for trust and accountability. It’s a flexible, local economy where everyone benefits.

Why This Matters for Baltimore

This model is about more than affordable food—it’s about dignity and purpose, values at the heart of my work under Parable. Consumers gain access to fresh and prepared foods at fair prices, with power to shape the market alongside producers. Producers and manufacturers escape exploitative middlemen, connecting directly with their community. In Baltimore, where food insecurity is real, this could transform lives. Families could afford healthy meals. Local farmers and bakers could thrive. Communities could flourish, rooted in a food system built on fairness and trust.

Addressing Concerns: Common Questions

This vision is bold, so let’s tackle some questions you might have:

• Is this safe? Yes. Blockchain tracks every ingredient and process using Real-World Assets (RWAs)—a tech term for linking physical goods to digital records—ensuring transparency. Human regulators, funded by small taxes on transactions, enforce strict health standards on behalf of the state, holding producers and manufacturers accountable. This combines tech and human oversight for safer food than today’s opaque system, where recalls often lag.

• Can Baltimoreans afford to wait for food? Most can plan some purchases, like weekly groceries, to save money through bids. For urgent needs, stores offer last-minute options at a higher price. It’s a choice between savings and convenience.

• What about tech barriers? Many lack smartphones or tech skills. Community pickup points could double as support hubs, with volunteers or staff helping people place bids. My community focus ensures no one is left behind.

• Will grocery stores survive? Yes—they evolve. Stores become pickup points, curators, and manufacturers, adapting to demand. They’re partners in this system.

• Is blockchain realistic? It’s already used in finance and logistics. This model simplifies it for food, focusing on transparency and trust, not tech complexity.

Weaknesses exist. Scaling micro-manufacturing requires investment and regulation. Some may resist planning purchases. Setup demands community buy-in and tech infrastructure. But with partnerships and a practical approach, these are surmountable.

A Call to Imagine

This system isn’t here yet, but the technology exists, and Baltimore’s need is urgent. Through my work with the Compassion Center and Food Access Coalition, I’m addressing today’s needs, but I’m also imagining a future where food systems empower everyone. Picture a Baltimore where the supply chain is as open as a conversation, as fair as a handshake, and as accessible as a local store. Let’s explore this future together.

Want to explore this idea or share feedback? Reach out to me, Josh Turansky, and let’s discuss how to make this vision real.

Take the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. At first glance, it’s a simple story about a farmer scattering seeds. But look closer: the soils—hard, rocky, thorny, and good—represent the varied conditions of human hearts in a world marred by sin. The “Word of the Kingdom” falls on these soils, and its growth is shaped by the brokenness it encounters: the enemy’s schemes, shallow faith, or worldly distractions. Jesus isn’t describing a perfect world where every seed thrives. He’s showing us the Kingdom’s resilience, taking root even in the mess of human struggle. The surprise, for me, was realizing how I’d overlooked this. The parables aren’t waiting for a restored world; they embrace the fallen state of humanity and illustrate how God’s reign draws near despite it.

This realization hit me like a lightning bolt. If there were no Genesis 3—no fall, no rebellion—would there even be a need for parables? Perhaps not. Parables exist because the Kingdom must be made understandable in a world that doesn’t naturally receive it. They are Jesus’ way of saying, “This is what God’s reign looks like, right here, right now, in the midst of your brokenness.”

At Parable, the organization my wife Kristel and I founded, we see our work as a reflection of this dynamic. Our four pillars—Provision, Community, Development, and Renewal—are not attempts to create a perfect world. Instead, they are practical, tangible ways to bring the Kingdom’s reality into Baltimore’s broken places. Like the parables, our initiatives don’t preach the full gospel in every moment, but they are underpinned by the “Word of the Kingdom.” They point to Jesus’ reign through action, showing what it looks like when God’s purposes take root in a fallen world.

Through our Food Access Coalition and Compassion Center, we address hunger and material needs, serving over 650 families weekly. This work doesn’t erase poverty, but it reveals the Kingdom’s provision in a world where scarcity often reigns. At Haven City Church, we foster worship and discipleship, inviting people to encounter Jesus amid life’s chaos. Our Men’s Discipleship Home equips individuals with spiritual and practical tools, helping them flourish despite past wounds or societal barriers. And as we plan spaces for renewal—like a future vineyard and retreat center—we aim to create moments of rest and celebration, even in a culture that often feels relentless.

These efforts are not the whole gospel, just as a single parable doesn’t capture the entirety of God’s plan. But they are illustrations, much like Jesus’ stories. They show what it looks like when the Kingdom draws near—when God’s reign becomes real in how we serve, love, and build. The reign of Jesus is the why behind what we do and the how that shapes our approach. Whether we’re distributing food, preaching on Sunday, or mentoring a resident, we want our work to echo the parables’ message: the Kingdom is here, breaking through the cracks of a broken world.

I invite you to see the parables afresh. Notice how they don’t shy away from the thorns, rocks, or hard paths of life. They show a Kingdom that is present, persistent, and powerful, even in the mess. And I invite you to see Parable’s work in the same light. Our initiatives are not about escaping brokenness but about meeting it with the hope of Jesus’ reign. We may not always name the gospel explicitly, but we pray it’s evident in the lives we touch and the communities we build.

What might it look like for you to join this story? To scatter seeds of the Kingdom in your own corner of a broken world? The parables remind us that the soil doesn’t have to be perfect for God’s work to take root. And at Parable, we’re committed to showing that truth, one practical, Kingdom-shaped act at a time.

I am not abandoning non-profits; they remain vital for efforts like our church and food distribution work, which are rooted in service, not profit. Instead, I’m asking: What if some of our callings are better expressed through for-profit businesses? Through Parable, a new framework my wife Kristel and I are exploring, we’re wrestling with these questions and invite you to join us in reimagining how we fulfill God’s vision for human flourishing.

The Abstraction Problem in Non-Profits

Non-profits often begin with a heart for service, but they can drift into abstraction—losing touch with the people they aim to help. The issue stems from how non-profits are designed and funded. Leaders often craft programs based on their own assumptions about what’s needed, without fully engaging those they serve. A food pantry might stock items that align with a donor’s idea of “healthy” but aren’t practical for families. A homeless outreach might prioritize shelter over respecting someone’s desire for autonomy. These solutions, though well-meaning, can feel like imposed visions of flourishing, disconnected from the real lives of those we’re called to walk alongside.

I saw this firsthand at Bible College. The curriculum was designed by passionate leaders who assumed most students would become full-time ministry employees. Yet only 5-10% of us went into full-time ministry. The training was rooted in the leaders’ vision for our futures, not the diverse paths most students would take. Similarly, non-profit universities often offer degrees that don’t align with market needs, leaving graduates with student debt for careers that don’t exist. These examples show how non-profits can create services in a vacuum, disconnected from real-world demands.

Funding deepens this disconnect. Non-profits depend on grants, corporations, and donors who are often far removed from the communities being served. To secure support, organizations may shape their programs to match donor priorities, which can stray from actual needs on the ground. This creates a cycle where the mission is influenced more by external agendas than by the people at the heart of the work. Unlike for-profit businesses, which must create value customers willingly pay for, non-profits can lack this direct feedback loop, making it easier to drift into abstraction.

Big Questions for Ministry Leaders

These challenges raise critical questions for those of us in ministry:

1. Are we listening to those we serve, or imposing our own vision of flourishing? Are we asking people what they need to thrive, or assuming we know best? God’s vision for flourishing—rooted in dignity, purpose, and stewardship (Genesis 1:28)—calls us to co-create solutions with our communities, not just for them.

2. Is our non-profit model sustainable, or are we chasing funds at the expense of our mission? If we’re constantly tailoring our work to please donors, are we truly free to follow God’s calling? Biblical stewardship requires wisdom in how we fund our efforts.

3. Could some of our callings thrive as businesses? A worship leader trained for church ministry might struggle financially, when their skills could launch a for-profit music teaching business. Or a counseling graduate might assume a non-profit therapy role, when a private practice could better sustain their calling. What if the impact we’re called to make—through mentoring, music, or counseling—would be more sustainable as a for-profit venture, creating value people pay for directly? Are we open to exploring new models?

These questions push us to seek God’s wisdom for our work. Through Parable, we’re beginning to explore how to balance non-profit and for-profit approaches, unified by our four pillars: provision, community, development, and renewal.

A Path Forward: Exploring Non-Profit and For-Profit Together

Parable is our attempt to create a unifying principle that gives us freedom to pursue both non-profit and for-profit work, guided by a biblical vision of flourishing. We’re not suggesting non-profits are the problem—our Food Access Coalition, supporting 105 pantries, and Haven City Church, a growing congregation in Fells Point, are non-profit efforts we’re deeply committed to. But we’re also recognizing that some endeavors might create greater impact as businesses. Here’s a path forward we’re exploring, and we invite you to consider it too:

1. Anchor Your Work in Biblical Flourishing

God’s vision for flourishing goes beyond meeting basic needs like food or shelter. It’s about empowering people to bear fruit, multiply their impact, and steward resources wisely (Genesis 1:28, Matthew 25:14-30). As you design programs, ask: Does this help people live out their God-given purpose? For example, our Men’s Discipleship Home doesn’t just provide shelter; it equips men with spiritual and practical tools to lead purposeful lives. Let’s measure success by how we foster dignity and purpose, not just social metrics like “meals served” or expressions of spirituality at a church event.

2. Listen Deeply to Your Community

To avoid abstraction, we must listen to those we serve. What do they value? What barriers do they face? Our Compassion Center, serving 650 families weekly, adapts based on feedback about what resources are most meaningful. Imagine if every ministry prioritized this dialogue, ensuring solutions reflect the real needs and aspirations of those we serve.

3. Explore a Hybrid Model

Some callings might thrive as for-profit businesses, creating value that funds your mission sustainably. For example, a ministry running a community mentoring program might launch a for-profit training business, charging organizations for workshops while offering free sessions to underserved groups. This approach reduces reliance on donors and keeps you grounded in real needs. At Parable, we’re exploring which of our initiatives might work this way, ensuring our non-profit efforts like the church remain focused on service, not profit.

4. Broaden Your Audience

Businesses that serve only churches can be too narrow, limiting their impact and sustainability. If you’re considering a for-profit model, think beyond the church to serve a wider community. A mentoring program, for instance, could offer services to schools, nonprofits, or businesses, creating revenue streams that support your ministry while reaching more people with God’s love.

5. Craft a Clear Impact Vision

Donors and customers alike want to see a compelling vision for change. Instead of framing your work as a sacrifice, present it as an investment in God’s Kingdom. Show how your efforts—whether non-profit or for-profit—create transformative outcomes. For example, our Food Access Coalition builds relationships with pantries to ensure families thrive, not just survive. This clarity attracts support and aligns with biblical stewardship.

Parable’s Exploration and an Invitation

Parable is a new journey for us, a framework to explore how non-profit and for-profit work can coexist under our four pillars. We’re not claiming to have it all figured out. But we’re asking whether some initiatives might create greater impact as businesses, freeing us to serve more effectively.

We invite you, our fellow ministry leaders, to join us in this exploration. Ask the hard questions. Discern whether parts of your calling might thrive as a business or a hybrid model. Seek God’s wisdom to create value that transforms lives. What’s one step you can take today to align your work with a biblical vision of flourishing? Let’s start the conversation.

The Beginning: God and Humans Working Together

The story starts in Genesis, where God creates a world bursting with potential. In Genesis 2:5, we’re told that no plants had yet sprouted because “the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground.” Notice the partnership here: God provides the rain, but He waits for humans to cultivate the soil. From the very beginning, God designs humanity to be His co-workers, stewarding creation and bringing order to its raw potential. Adam and Eve are given the task of tending the garden, not as a solo project, but as partners with God’s life-giving Spirit.

This cooperative dynamic is God’s ideal: He sets the vision, provides the resources, and invites humans to participate in making the earth flourish. It’s a picture of dignity and purpose—humans working alongside their Creator to bring life and beauty to the world.

The Problem: Broken Partnership

But the story takes a tragic turn. In Genesis 3, humanity rebels, choosing to work against God’s design rather than with it. Sin fractures the partnership, and the ground that was meant to flourish now yields thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:18). Throughout the Old Testament, we see this brokenness play out: humans try to build their own kingdoms, like at Babel (Genesis 11), or they neglect God’s call to care for the vulnerable, as the prophets repeatedly lament (Isaiah 1:17, Amos 5:24).

Yet God doesn’t abandon the partnership. He chooses a people, Israel, to be His co-workers in showing the world what His kingdom looks like. Through covenants, laws, and prophets, God invites them to align their lives with His purposes—caring for the poor, pursuing justice, and worshiping Him alone. But Israel, like all of us, struggles to live up to this calling.

The Solution: Jesus, the Perfect Co-Worker

Enter Jesus, the one who perfectly embodies what it means to cooperate with God. In John 5:19, Jesus says, “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.” Jesus’ life—His miracles, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice—shows us what it looks like to work in perfect harmony with God’s will. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus restores the broken partnership, making a way for humanity to be reconciled to God and rejoin His mission.

This brings us back to 2 Corinthians 6:1. Paul, writing to a church in a messy, divided city, calls believers “God’s co-workers.” He’s not just talking to pastors or missionaries; he’s speaking to every follower of Jesus. Through the grace of Christ, we’re invited to participate in God’s work of reconciliation, bringing His kingdom to earth in tangible ways. But Paul adds a warning: don’t receive this grace “in vain.” In other words, don’t miss the opportunity to join God in what He’s already doing.

The Invitation: Cooperating with God Today

So, what does it look like to cooperate with God in our world? At Parable, we see this partnership unfolding through our four pillars: provision, community, development, and renewal. God desires to feed the hungry, gather people into worshiping communities, form individuals into their divine purpose, and create spaces for rest and celebration. But He doesn’t do it alone—He invites us to join Him.

For example, through our Food Access Coalition, we support 105 food pantries across Baltimore, moving food to those who need it most. We’re not the source of the provision; God is. But He’s entrusted us with the task of organizing, delivering, and serving. It’s like Genesis 2:5—God sends the rain, and we work the ground. Similarly, at Haven City Church, we’re cooperating with God’s desire to gather people into communities of worship and discipleship. In our Men’s Discipleship Home, we’re partnering with God to equip men with the skills and spiritual formation to become responsible contributors to society. And as we dream about a future vineyard and retreat center, we’re trusting God to guide us in creating spaces of renewal.

This isn’t just about Parable’s work—it’s about your life, too. God is already at work in your neighborhood, your workplace, your family. He’s inviting you to notice where He’s moving and join Him. Maybe it’s mentoring a young person, starting a community garden, or simply listening to a struggling friend. The key is to see your daily tasks as part of God’s bigger story.

Practical Steps to Cooperate with God

How do we live this out? Here are three practical steps to start cooperating with God today:

1. Look for God’s Work: Take time to notice where God is already moving in your sphere of influence. Is there a need He’s highlighting? A person He’s placed on your heart? Ask Him to open your eyes to His activity.

2. Take Faithful Steps: Cooperation doesn’t require perfection—it requires faithfulness. Like Kristel and I, you don’t need to have all the answers. Start with small, obedient actions, trusting God to guide and provide.

3. Depend on His Wisdom: We can’t do this in our own strength. Like the disciples waiting for the Spirit in Acts 1:8, we need God’s power and wisdom. Pray for His guidance and stay sensitive to how He might redirect your efforts.

A Vision for Your Life

At Parable, our mission is to cooperate with God in the restoration of human dignity and purpose, helping people flourish according to their divine design. That’s God’s heart, and He’s invited us to cooperate with Him in making it a reality. But this isn’t just our story—it’s yours. Your work, no matter how ordinary it seems, is a chance to partner with the Creator. Your life is a plot of ground waiting for God’s rain and your faithful cultivation.

So, don’t receive God’s grace in vain. Step into the invitation of 2 Corinthians 6:1. See your world as a place where God is already at work, and join Him in bringing His kingdom to life—one faithful step at a time.

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