The board of directors of a Birmingham-area ministry recently named Robert E. (Bob) Gladney Jr. as executive director of its organization. M-Power Ministries is a nonprofit organization that helps residents of Woodlawn and South Avondale, both communities in Birmingham. The ministry is located on the campus of New Hope Baptist Church at South Avondale.
“I plan to continue with the ministry that M-Power has already set forth,” Gladney said, “but I also hope to take it to all corners of Birmingham. I want to see M-Power reaching Ensley and other areas, with four or five satellites around Birmingham.”
Gladney, whose first day with M-Power was March 10, replaces Sammy Campbell, who is now on staff at the North American Mission Board.
Gladney, a Jackson, Miss., native, is also founder and CEO of Church Development Corporation, which is committed to helping churches, religious organizations and nonprofit organizations minister more efficiently and effectively. He will continue this ministry as a part of his leadership at M-Power.
“I also want to strengthen what M-Power has already established in Woodlawn,” he said.
As executive director, the Samford University graduate will oversee the day-to-day operations of M-Power.
Healthy communities
These daily operations include teams sharing resources and information and encouraging educational advancement, community involvement, social interaction and economic development with the purpose of developing healthy communities for individuals and families.
Staff and volunteers at M-Power work with high school students, providing one-on-one tutoring to prepare for the exit exam and training for the Geographic Information Systems computer technology.
“This ministry helps the whole family,” Gladney said. “ Four of our 13 students were recently recognized in a school assembly for honor roll. These are former at-risk students. I’d like to think we had a hand in that.”
The adult literacy program of M-Power tutors adults on a one-on-one basis with 223 volunteers from 71 Baptist churches and 86 from other denominations.
“We have one of the greatest literacy programs in the United States,” Gladney said. “We are in the top 8 percent in number of volunteers, and the top 20 percent in number of students. I want to strengthen those kinds of programs that are already doing so well.”
After-school program
M-Power also has 18 children in an after-school program on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which includes tutoring, helping with homework and a time of fun.
“We have 16 volunteers in this area,” Gladney said. “This is almost a one-on-one program.”
A group of 18 families in the Woodlawn community meets once a month to hear speakers and learn to strengthen their families.
Another large part of the ministry of M-Power is the health clinic, now open both Tuesday and Thursday evenings for those without medical coverage.
“Last quarter (January, February and March), we saw 377 patients, all for free,” Gladney said. “There were 702 hours clocked by volunteer pharmacists, doctors and nurses. This is something Birmingham needs to know about.”
M-Power receives ongoing support from area churches, including Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood, as well as Baptist Health System, Birmingham Baptist Association and the Baptist Foundation of Alabama.
“This is a ministry that high schools, churches, civic clubs and colleges need to know about, to be a part of,” Gladney said. “This is our source of income and volunteers, and M-Power offers the programs that help shape lives and whole families.”
Prior to joining M-Power, Gladney served at Dawson for 13 years as minister of recreation and for 13 years as minister of business administration. He and his wife, Barbara, have three daughters.
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