Steele Wants More Md. Funding for Faith-Based Programs

Event Shows Groups How to Get Help

Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele exhorted religious leaders yesterday to build stronger ties between church and state and called for targeting more state money for community programs run by faith-based groups.

"Oops -- I am not supposed to use the word 'faith-based'! Faith-based! Faith-based! Don't get me started," Steele said to the more than 600 leaders of nonprofit, community and religious groups gathered for a conference at Prince George's Community College in Largo.

"I wanted this to be a come-to-Jesus moment," Steele (R) continued. "We have a lot of different approaches but one common goal: to do good work that touches people's lives."

As a candidate for the U.S. Senate, Steele has made outreach to faith communities, particularly African American churches, a key part of his campaign. As lieutenant governor, he oversees the Governor's Office of Community Initiatives, which helps faith-based groups and other community organizations get federal funding.

Mary C. D'Ambrogi, executive director of that office, said in an interview that yesterday's conference was the first step in building a very important alliance.

"We want to partner with community and faith groups that struggle to do what they do," D'Ambrogi said. "Those folks are the ones in the streets, in the neighborhood, trying hard to help people. Often the only thing that they need is a little bit of advice. Sometimes it's meeting the right people, sometimes it's money, sometimes it is volunteers."

The conference attracted mostly Christian pastors from across Maryland wanting information on doing business with the state and federal governments.

The Rev. Grant Johnson, director of Salisbury Urban Ministries, runs a soup kitchen, an after-school program and other programs for people in need. The Rev. Alfred Deas Jr., pastor of Metropolitan AME Church in Cumberland, said his congregation transformed an old school into a community center.

Deas said he was impressed with Steele. "He has personally come up to western Maryland several times," he said. "He literally put feet behind his talk."

During his luncheon speech, Steele went from talking about his years as a seminarian to blasting African American community leaders who complain about problems but don't offer solutions.

"If somebody is whining, you need to kick that brother or sister to the curb. Our modern-day story is not physical enslavement but enslavement of the mind," Steele said. "This is the story of our faith and charitable communities."

Steele concluded by saying: "This is probably the last time I will address you all as the lieutenant governor of Maryland. Whatever I do in the future, I will make sure that your voices are heard."