Eagle Restoration Ministries
Eagle Restoration Ministries How it all began...
Under the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit, Eagle Restoration Ministries (ERM) was founded on November 4, 2019 in Finksburg, Maryland by Dr. Simone P. Gibson. Seeing the need in her community and answering the call of God on her life, Dr. Gibson set out to start a ministry that would cultivate an environment for deliverance, healing, restoration and empowerment by the power of Jesus Christ for the glory of God through...Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Evangelism, and Ministry/Service. With the help and support of founding members and countless other Friends of the ministry, the God-given vision came to fruition.
Isaiah 40:31 NLT states, But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Why the name “Eagle Restoration Ministries?” Quite simply, it was given by God and has very important symbolism. You can read about it in detail on our website under Philosophy & Name.
The very first service for Eagle Restoration Ministries was Restoration Life Class (RLC) held on January 2, 2020 at Bellissimo's Restaurant in Finksburg, Maryland. The owner, Anna, and the staff were so kind and gracious to us. We thank them for the blessing of using their space free of charge. The service was very well attended and set the tone for the future of the ministry. RLC was held weekly at Bellissimo's Restaurant through the middle of March 2020. Although small in membership numbers, the ministry was blessed with the support of so many fellow believers, partners, former colleagues and friends. So much so that they were named “Friends of Eagle Restoration Ministries.” Their consistent support in the form of prayer, participation, donations, time, and talent, greatly enhanced and still enhances the work of this ministry today.
In March of 2020, the world faced many challenges related to the global pandemic. As a result, states around the country, and countries around the world banned large gatherings in an effort to slow the spread of the deadly virus. For the health and safety of its members and others,
Eagle Restoration Ministries paused in-person services due to Covid-19. Beginning March 19, 2020, the ministry utilized an online platform to host its weekly Restoration Life Classes. This new format enabled members and friends of Eagle Restoration Ministries, near and far, to safely worship, fellowship, pray, praise, serve and study God’s word together. Some participated in these weekly online services from as far away as Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio and Connecticut. In April of 2020, Dr. Gibson made the decision to continue to hold Restoration Life Classes online for the duration of the calendar year. Services were live streamed via Facebook and YouTube beginning in June 2020. We had no idea that the whole world would shut down, but GOD KNEW! And as always, HE made provisions for His people!! Utilizing online resources such as Zoom, YouTube
and Facebook has been a game changer in reaching God’s people! We give Him all the honor, glory and praise.
We were blessed early on in the ministry with the technical support and guidance of Minister Timothy Marshall and Eagle Lens Media as well as Elder Sean Polk. Both men of God are responsible for starting our online presence. Minister Tim provided training and support on filming, live streaming, recording and posting services to social media. Elder Sean Polk started and maintains our website which includes videos of all of the services and Restoration Life Classes. Members and the public can access them at any time, day or night. Thank you Jesus!
How it’s going...
The online platform has been used to host many services, panel discussions, prayer meetings, ministry outreach initiatives and more. Here are some highlights over the years.
Monthly Prayer Circles on the first of every month open to everyone (focused corporate prayer and open prayer requests for individual needs)
Restoration Life Class every week on Zoom (connected to our theme for the year. Learning is layered!)
Sunday Worship Experience- in-person, live on Zoom, broadcast on YouTube and Facebook
Practical Living Classes - Application of God’s word and desire for our lives to real life scenarios and challenges faced (i.e. Fruit of the Spirit study, Spiritual Gifts study)
Children and Youth Uplifted (CYU Sundays) The youth lead our online services every 5th Sunday
Responding to the state of affairs in our world including the Covid- 19 pandemic, the economic hardship that many families were experiencing, the social injustice that was being witnessed and so many other factors, Dr. Gibson and the Board of Eagle Restoration Ministries wanted to find a way to address the needs of the members, and the community at large. We hosted virtual panel discussions, “A Path Toward Healing; How can I help while I heal?” Starting in 2020, these discussions are now held twice a year with topics like climate change, public health, and K12 education.
“Because of Who You Are” Women’s Symposium 2020. It was so impactful that subsequent mini panels called, “Conversation Corners” were held for a more in depth discussion of each panelist’s testimony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WBi2eAdJ0Q
Lady Bosses for Christ- A forum showcasing accomplished Women of God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7J8jH26mL0
Eagle Talk with Dr. Simone Gibson Podcast
Foreign Missions- Liberian Children’s Shoe drive. Provided shoes for 150 school children
Online services have been, and continue to be a huge blessing from God. We are also grateful that the “world opened up again” so that we could have in-person worship in December 2021. Hallelujah!! In person services began at John Street Quarters in Westminster, Maryland. Later services were moved to the Best Western Catering and Conference Center Westminster, MD, and currently services are held at Together We Own It Community Center at 75 John Street in Westminster, Maryland. Our pastor was given a new assignment in February 2022 to shepherd Pathway Fellowship FMC in Baltimore, Maryland. From the beginning the members of both churches have graciously shared a pastor and joined in worship together demonstrating unity and love. In September of 2022, Eagle Restoration Ministries and Pathway Fellowship FMC began to meld together in unity on every 5th Sunday for in-person worship.
In June of 2022, the ministry expanded with the official launch of Awakening Ministries in Connecticut. Our very own Evangelist Alicia Brathwaite is the Visionary, and Dr. Gibson is the Overseer. God has already blessed this ministry to make a tremendous impact in the community. They are striving to meet the physical, mental and spiritual needs of God’s people. One example of this ministry’s dedication to the community is the blanket and coffee drive. They ministered to, prayed for, and blessed over 100 people with a warm blanket and a hot cup of coffee in February of 2023.
Eagle Restoration Ministries- Vision and Wings Outreach Ministry has been at work from the very beginning. In partnership with the Carroll County Public School System, the church has adopted 25 families. The families are an intricate part of the ministry and some have even joined the church. Glory to God! In 2021 Carroll County Public Schools presented Eagle Restoration Ministries with an award in Appreciation for Dedicated Service. It was the only church to receive the award that year. Vision and Wings Outreach Ministry, directed by Trustee Marni McGarry, is now serving coffee and doughnuts to individuals in need at a homeless shelter every first Sunday. Some people have expressed their gratitude for this kind gesture, and have visited our church services as a result. The Street Ministry has also launched this year, and Sis. Marni and Evangelist Alicia have witnessed to dozens of people, the most vulnerable in our community. They have given out blessing bags provided by the church with items that are much needed, and an open invitation to visit for Sunday service. We thank God for the mind, desire and ability to reach those that may feel that they have been forgotten. God is moving in this area for sure. Beginning in January 2023, Children’s Church is held every Sunday, making Sunday Worship Experience more accessible for families, and making learning about God more accessible to the young people.
Camp SOAR is an amazing week-long Summer Camp for Middle School students from Carroll County public schools. Under the direction of Min. Kalyn Mwangangi, Sis. Paris Barnes and her team, the camp has been an invaluable experience for the campers. Many of them have returned, and plan to return again as Junior Counselors. God has blessed us to receive grants for Camp SOAR over the years and we continue to seek His favor in receiving continued funding support. We also receive assistance through fundraisers that are strongly supported by the members and friends of ERM. The CAMP is expanding this year to accommodate more students and families.
What’s next...
We can’t begin to thank God enough for His many blessings, and for giving us the opportunity to serve Him. Each and every member of this congregation has grown so much over the last few years. God has moved us from our comfort zones to higher heights and deeper depths in Him. We look forward to being everything that He has called us to be, and we are dedicated to demonstrating His love to others.
God has expanded on the vision that He gave to Dr. Gibson to include a Community Development Corporation called The Eagle Center. He has also given the direction to expand the existing community partnerships this year.
The atmosphere is charged with FAITH in who God is, we BELIEVE what HE says and will strive to do what He has called us to do. Eagle Restoration Ministries is pressing on in Jesus’ name. We will continue to do His Work, for His Glory.
Amen!