Founded in 1942, Mt. Calvary Church & Ministries (MCCM) in Baltimore, MD, has a proud history of serving and uplifting the community. Since 1972, our church has been led by Bishop R. E. Farrow, whose over 50 years of pastoral leadership have shaped MCCM into a vibrant, community-focused ministry.
Bishop Farrow was elected pastor of MCCM in 1972, a time when the church was known as Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church. Under his inspiring guidance, the church later evolved into Mt. Calvary Church & Ministries, enhancing its outreach and community impact. In 1999, Bishop Farrow was consecrated as a bishop, further emphasizing his leadership and dedication to spiritual growth and community service.
Bishop Farrow's leadership reflects a commitment to reconciliation and unity, with the church adopting the theme, "A Church Determined to Reconcile a Broken Community." 2 Corinthians 5:18. He holds a BA and M.Div from Eastern Theological Seminary and College and has been honored with a Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his service. In May 2024 he received an earned Doctorate of Humane Letters, for his over 30 years of teaching, in the Seminary.
In 2022, MCCM celebrated Bishop Farrow’s 50th Pastoral Anniversary, a milestone reflecting decades of dedication to faith and community. On September 6, 2025 Bishop Robert Farrow met with the membership body of MCCM, and by overwhelming majority elected, Rev. Marissa R. Farrow M. DIV as his successor. It is her desire to carry the mantle further, becoming "the church reconciling a broken world" The future of Mt. Calvary is bright and we trust God in leading us to higher heights in Him.
Bishop Farrow was elected pastor of MCCM in 1972, a time when the church was known as Mt. Calvary Free Will Baptist Church. Under his inspiring guidance, the church later evolved into Mt. Calvary Church & Ministries, enhancing its outreach and community impact. In 1999, Bishop Farrow was consecrated as a bishop, further emphasizing his leadership and dedication to spiritual growth and community service.
Bishop Farrow's leadership reflects a commitment to reconciliation and unity, with the church adopting the theme, "A Church Determined to Reconcile a Broken Community." 2 Corinthians 5:18. He holds a BA and M.Div from Eastern Theological Seminary and College and has been honored with a Doctor of Divinity degree in recognition of his service. In May 2024 he received an earned Doctorate of Humane Letters, for his over 30 years of teaching, in the Seminary.
In 2022, MCCM celebrated Bishop Farrow’s 50th Pastoral Anniversary, a milestone reflecting decades of dedication to faith and community. On September 6, 2025 Bishop Robert Farrow met with the membership body of MCCM, and by overwhelming majority elected, Rev. Marissa R. Farrow M. DIV as his successor. It is her desire to carry the mantle further, becoming "the church reconciling a broken world" The future of Mt. Calvary is bright and we trust God in leading us to higher heights in Him.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
We believe that God is the Father Almighty and that He is the maker of Heaven and
Earth as the scriptures have said. We believe in Jesus, that He is the Christ and is
the only begotten Son of the Father. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He was
conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
crucified, dead, and buried. On the third day, He rose from the dead and declared
victory over the grave, death, and hell. He has gone back to the Father to prepare a
place for us in His Kingdom. He will come back as He promised to judge the world
and to deliver the righteous. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Christian Church,
the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
eternal life for all believers. Amen
Earth as the scriptures have said. We believe in Jesus, that He is the Christ and is
the only begotten Son of the Father. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He was
conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
crucified, dead, and buried. On the third day, He rose from the dead and declared
victory over the grave, death, and hell. He has gone back to the Father to prepare a
place for us in His Kingdom. He will come back as He promised to judge the world
and to deliver the righteous. We believe in the Holy Ghost, the Christian Church,
the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and
eternal life for all believers. Amen
BAPTISM
In the Christian Church Baptism is a sacred and foundational sacrament that signifies a believer's public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ. "An outward show, of an inward confession." It is viewed as an essential step of obedience to Christ and a spiritual rite of passage into the Christian community.
Baptism is performed by full immersion in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. As all 3 are present during Jesus Baptism in the Jordan river, as found in Matthew 3:13-17,Mark 1:9-11,Luke 3:21-22. (13 Jesus came from Galilee. He went to John at the Jordan River to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to stop Him. He said, “I need to be baptized by You. Do You come to me?” 15 Jesus said to him, “Let it be done now. We should do what is right.” John agreed and baptized Jesus. 16 When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened. He saw the Spirit of God coming down and resting on Jesus like a dove. 17 A voice was heard from heaven. It said, “This is My much-loved Son. I am very happy with Him.)
This act symbolizes the believer's death to sin, burial with Christ, and resurrection to new life through faith. It represents cleansing, renewal, and the inward transformation of the heart.
In our church, the road to baptism begins by making a decision about your destiny. Once you have indicated your desire to be baptized you will enter into a basic informational course to help you understand the magnitude of the decision you have made. After that it's time to "take me to the water" to show your sign of God's grace, and covenant between the believer and God, and a step toward spiritual growth and discipleship.
Overall, baptism underscores the themes of salvation, commitment, and the ongoing journey of faith within the community of believers.
Baptism is performed by full immersion in water, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. As all 3 are present during Jesus Baptism in the Jordan river, as found in Matthew 3:13-17,Mark 1:9-11,Luke 3:21-22. (13 Jesus came from Galilee. He went to John at the Jordan River to be baptized by him. 14 John tried to stop Him. He said, “I need to be baptized by You. Do You come to me?” 15 Jesus said to him, “Let it be done now. We should do what is right.” John agreed and baptized Jesus. 16 When Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens opened. He saw the Spirit of God coming down and resting on Jesus like a dove. 17 A voice was heard from heaven. It said, “This is My much-loved Son. I am very happy with Him.)
This act symbolizes the believer's death to sin, burial with Christ, and resurrection to new life through faith. It represents cleansing, renewal, and the inward transformation of the heart.
In our church, the road to baptism begins by making a decision about your destiny. Once you have indicated your desire to be baptized you will enter into a basic informational course to help you understand the magnitude of the decision you have made. After that it's time to "take me to the water" to show your sign of God's grace, and covenant between the believer and God, and a step toward spiritual growth and discipleship.
Overall, baptism underscores the themes of salvation, commitment, and the ongoing journey of faith within the community of believers.
COMMUNION
In the Christian church communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, is a sacred and reverent ordinance that commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a spiritual act of worship, reflection, and unity among believers.
During communion, believers partake of bread representative of the body of Christ, which was broken for us, and wine, which symbolizes the blood of Christ. Luke 22:14-20 (14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.)
This act signifies our faith in Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s salvation and our ongoing identification with His life, death, and resurrection.
At our church Communion is observed every SECOND SUNDAY of the month during our 11:30am worship service, and every 90 days during our quarterly communion gathering service. As a sense of solemnity and reverence. It emphasizes themes of forgiveness, grace, and renewal, encouraging believers to examine their hearts and renew their commitment to Christ.
Communion also serves as a time for community healing and reconciliation, reinforcing the importance of love, unity, and spiritual dedication within the church family.
During communion, believers partake of bread representative of the body of Christ, which was broken for us, and wine, which symbolizes the blood of Christ. Luke 22:14-20 (14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.)
This act signifies our faith in Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s salvation and our ongoing identification with His life, death, and resurrection.
At our church Communion is observed every SECOND SUNDAY of the month during our 11:30am worship service, and every 90 days during our quarterly communion gathering service. As a sense of solemnity and reverence. It emphasizes themes of forgiveness, grace, and renewal, encouraging believers to examine their hearts and renew their commitment to Christ.
Communion also serves as a time for community healing and reconciliation, reinforcing the importance of love, unity, and spiritual dedication within the church family.
MARRIAGE
In the Christian Church, marriage is a sacred and holy union ordained by God. It is seen as a divine covenant between a man and a woman, grounded in love, faith, and commitment, and is honored as a spiritual, social, and moral commitment. Marriage takes it's root from the very creation of man. In Genesis 2:18-24 (18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.)
Marriage in this tradition is considered more than a legal contract; it is a biblical covenant rooted in Scripture, reflecting the relationship between Christ and His church. The ceremonies often includes prayers, Scripture readings, and vows that emphasize loyalty, fidelity, and mutual respect.
Our church teaches that marriage is a lifelong journey of partnership, support, and growth in faith. It is viewed as a vital foundation for family, community, and spiritual development, with a strong emphasis on God's guidance and blessings throughout the married life.
Marriage ceremonies often serve as significant community events, celebrating the couple before God and the church family, and reinforcing the spiritual importance of family life and righteous living.
Marriage in this tradition is considered more than a legal contract; it is a biblical covenant rooted in Scripture, reflecting the relationship between Christ and His church. The ceremonies often includes prayers, Scripture readings, and vows that emphasize loyalty, fidelity, and mutual respect.
Our church teaches that marriage is a lifelong journey of partnership, support, and growth in faith. It is viewed as a vital foundation for family, community, and spiritual development, with a strong emphasis on God's guidance and blessings throughout the married life.
Marriage ceremonies often serve as significant community events, celebrating the couple before God and the church family, and reinforcing the spiritual importance of family life and righteous living.
DEDICATIONS/ CHRISTENING
In the Christian church, christening is regarded as a significant spiritual milestone, in the life of every child. It is the baptism of infants or young children by partial immersion. It is viewed as an act of God's grace and an initiation into the faith community, and the dedication of ones life back to God. It is the commitment of family to raise a child in the fear and ammunition of Christ. Ephesians 6:4 (4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.)
Christening emphasizes God's unconditional love and the belief that children are a blessing from God. It often includes prayer, anointing with oil, and the baptismal rite, symbolizing cleansing from original sin, spiritual newness, and God's protection over the child's life.
Ceremonies are usually conducted after our morning worship service and is often a joyous community event attended by family, friends, and church members. It signifies the child's entrance into the church family and the community's commitment to nurture their spiritual growth.
Christening reflects a deep faith in God's providence and a prayerful hope for the child's spiritual development, aligning with the broader belief in God's grace guiding every stage of life.
Christening emphasizes God's unconditional love and the belief that children are a blessing from God. It often includes prayer, anointing with oil, and the baptismal rite, symbolizing cleansing from original sin, spiritual newness, and God's protection over the child's life.
Ceremonies are usually conducted after our morning worship service and is often a joyous community event attended by family, friends, and church members. It signifies the child's entrance into the church family and the community's commitment to nurture their spiritual growth.
Christening reflects a deep faith in God's providence and a prayerful hope for the child's spiritual development, aligning with the broader belief in God's grace guiding every stage of life.