Origin of the Gates Church
Austin O'Donald and his family moved to the East Baltimore City/County area in 2015 to be a part of starting new churches in the Baltimore area. They received a vision to start a church that brings about change to lives and communities in this area. In 2018 we started meeting every Sunday at a movie theater until the pandemic. Currently The Gates Church is seeking to do ministry that brings hope help and healing in the Armistead Gardens, Colgate near the eastpoint mall, Dundalk, and Essex. In these areas, we are gathering people in the name of Jesus to change our world.
Our Strategy
We do four types of ministry right now- Sunday public worship services at 1400 Horners Ln. in Armistead Gardens, Life Groups in homes, outdoor spaces and zoom, Community Events like cook outs, and Life-on-Life Discipleship. We believe "church" to be more of something you take to others than just something you go to on Sundays. We do meet every Sunday, but we "the church" are much more than that. We build community by gathering people in the name of Jesus to change our world. Christian community is a family of those following Jesus who are seeking recovery, redemption, restoration, growth, and the mission of God. Our Life Groups meet in homes throughout the week, as we seek to be the family of God. We also want to encourage people to always be building each other up, as individuals meet together to encourage each other in their walk with Jesus.
Meet the O'Donalds
Austin and Meryl O'Donald
Pastor and Wife
Pastor Austin is seeking to see a new movement of the work of God birthed in the Baltimore area. We are passionate about seeing Jesus made famous in the east Baltimore area and to the ends of the earth. He and his wife Meryl have four wonderful children.
We are funded through and partnered with the Send Network of the North America mission board. Also First Baptist Church Norris in South Carolina is the sending church of the gates church who encourages, resources, and holds our church and leaders accountable. We are also partnered with the BBA (The Baltimore Baptist Association). Click the links to learn more about these partners.
