Luke 14:23 KJV
23 "And the Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled".
ACTS 1:8 KJV
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
ROMANS 1:15-17 KJV
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 KJV
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are pased away; behold, all things are become new.
The History of the Mission of Love Outreach Ministries (MOLOM)
Now: Mission of Hope and Deliverance (MOHAD)
and its Founder Reverend Dr. Douglas Edwards
The Mission of Love Outreach Ministries (MOLOM) humbly began under its Founder, Elder Douglas E. Edwards, in room 107 of the United Community Against Poverty (UCAP) building. A building that also houses the Shepherd's Cove Homeless Shelter for Women and Children.
The church originated from the Mission of Love Spiritual Awareness and Bible Teaching Study Group, which met every Sunday to study the Bible and to explore God's love for humanity. These teachings inspired the Mission's initial slogan, "Meeting the Needs of People," which later evolved into "Helping People, Changing Lives."
After months of Bible study, several group members felt inspired one Sunday to ask Elder Edwards to start a church with him as their pastor. Elder Edwards shared that if he were to do so, he envisioned an outreach ministry focused on preparing souls for transition to more traditional church settings for further growth and maturity in their faith. He promised to seek guidance from both the Lord and his pastor, Bishop L.N. Forbes of Faith Temple #2, Original Freewill Baptist Church, Capitol Heights, MD.
After much prayer and counsel from Bishop Forbes, in October 1993, Elder Edwards accepted the call from God. However, before he could officially announce his decision, Sister Deborah Edwards, a member boldly stood up before the congregation and shared what God had revealed to her that Elder Edwards would accept his calling to the ministry to pastor. Elated, Elder Edwards revealed that he had planned to make the same announcement and thereby confirming that his decision was ordained by the Spirit of the living God. Further, he announced that the church would be named "The Mission of Love Outreach Ministries."
Officially founded in 1993 by Elder Douglas E. Edwards and his wife, Elma Edwards the first congregation of members also included Brother Sidney Edwards, Sister Deborah W. Edwards, Sister Yvonne Prince, Sister Shena McDonald, and baby Sullivan, Jr.
Elder Edwards' vision and motto for MOLOM, "Going into the Highways and' Hedges," taken from Luke 14:23, still remains both a goal and a biblical command to spread God's word wherever there is a need and compel all to come to Jesus Christ. Although nondenominational, MOLOM adheres to the rules of the Original Free Will Baptist Conference and welcomes all individuals, regardless of religious background or belief, with the affirmation that "Everyone is special in the sight of God, because God doesn't make no junk."
In October 2019, the Board of Directors of the Mission of Love Charities—where the church held Sunday Services at 6180 Old Central Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD—informed the church that it had to relocate and change its name to avoid confusion with the Mission of Love Charities. Therefore, at the Board's request, the name of the Ministry was changed to the Mission of Hope and Deliverance (MOHAD). Consequently, several months later the global pandemic, COVID-19 spread throughout the world and Maryland shut down. Consequently, MOHAD went into lockdown and quickly transitioned to streaming all church services on Zoom from the home of Pastor and Mother Edwards.
During Reverend Dr. Douglas Edwards' years of Pastoring at MOLOM and now MOHAD, many souls came to Christ, many sermons were preached, many members transitioned and many friends of the ministry were made. However, despite the challenges of in-person fellowship restrictions resulting from COVID-19 as well as a significant loss of members, five years later, MOHAD remains steadfast in its mission to continue to trust in Jesus, to learn about Him, and to bring souls to Christ.
After 31 years of Pastoring, Dr. Edwards held a board meeting to announce that he was retiring from pastoring and would recommend Elder Lornell Lartman for consideration as his replacement for the pastor of MOHAD. One year after Dr. Edwards' retirement Elder Lornell Lartman was officially installed as Pastor of the Mission of Hope and Deliverance and Dr. Edwards was appointed as Pastor Emeritus. During his installation, Elder Lartman was warmly received and welcomed by the church members who thereby pledged their support of the newly installed Pastor Lornell Lartman as they had with Dr. Edwards.
"To God Be the Glory!"
Dr. Douglas E. Edwards
Pastor Emeritus, and Longtime Community Activist
