Greater Birmingham Ministries

Greater Birmingham Ministries (GBM) was founded in 1969 by far-sighted faith leaders in response to the challenges posed by the Civil Rights movement’s transformative moment in Birmingham, the South and the nation. GBM’s founders sought to overcome the weight of racial oppression so severe that Birmingham was once called the "Johannesburg of the South" and "Bombingham."

Three denominations launched new efforts to respond more effectively to people in need and build a community of peace and justice in Birmingham. These three efforts, begun by the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church and the United Presbyterian Church (now Presbyterian Church USA), merged in 1971 and set the pattern for GBM’s work as a shared interfaith ministry. In the years since, 17 more faith communities, representing Christianity, Judaism and Islam, have joined together to promote unity between races making GBM a multifaith and multicultural organization.

External Links

• Greater Birmingham Ministries website