UniteBoston

Nurturing Relational Connections Across Boston's Christian Community

“Boston for Jesus!”

On April 28-30, a conference called Satancon took place in Boston, which was to be the largest gathering of Satanists in history. At the same time, multiple Christian groups, including YWAM and Revive Boston, rallied together to host united evangelism and outreach. UniteBoston posted a call to pray for Boston on our social media, that as this group entered our city, they would encounter the transforming love of Jesus. There are so many testimonies coming out of this weekend, and this call to prayer was shared on Facebook 2,300 times! What the enemy meant for evil, God will turn it around for good!

Aaron Reeves has been serving with YWAM Boston for over a decade – Click below to hear him describe how God transformed hearts this weekend.

In case you didn’t know, this weekend (April 28-30) Boston hosted the largest Satanic Temple gathering in the world. As people who believe Boston is a beacon to the nations with the Hope of Christ, we could not remain silent or idle during this time! In January, as soon as we found out this event was planned, we began to ask the Lord how He wanted us to respond. He led us to partner with a ministry called “Revive Boston” – who were planning a 3 day worship and prayer conference over the same weekend as “Satan-Con” taking place. Our hope was to use this moment to wake up the church in our region and mobilize them into reaching the lost of our city!

As the weeks and days until the event drew nearer, God gave us incredible favor with the city and with our plans to accomplish what has turned out to be largest evangelism training and outreach Boston has seen in 20 years (maybe even more!). It was also the fulfillment of a dream that our director, Jeremy, has had for over a decade – to see worship, prayer and evangelism in every square in Boston! This is exactly what happened. Through the favor of the Lord we were able to secure 8 outreach locations, with permits, across a mile and a half stretch of downtown Boston. We planned to not only have evangelism at each of these locations, but a Prayer Station and worship team as well.

On Saturday, April 29, our entire staff and student body headed down into the city to train believers in evangelism. At this point, we didn’t know who would come to the training, and honestly we thought maybe 60-70 people would come. You should have seen my face as we opened the doors at 9 am and people flooded in, and by 10 am 240 people were in attendance of the training!

At 12:30 we organized all attendees into 8 different groups and set off to our outreach locations to share the Gospel, worship and minister in prayer to anyone and everyone we could.

I was the head organizer of this outreach and had the opportunity/responsibility to make sure each team got to its place, that their equipment for worship and prayer was set up, and they were in a good spot for ministry. This meant I got to walk/run all over downtown Boston all afternoon, checking in on teams and hearing story after story of how God was moving in real time on the streets of our city. Of course, I would stop and minister along the way, but walking through the city heart of our city on Saturday – you couldn’t make it 3 minutes without hearing worship, getting prayed for, or hearing the Gospel message! It was incredible! And all of this on the day that “Satan-con” was happening. God always wins!

We gathered everyone back at our meeting place at 4 pm to share testimonies and celebrate what God accomplished on the outreach. For over an hour people of all ages came and shared how God had used them, some leading a person to Christ for the first time, others seeing people healed, and even some interaction and ministry to satanists attending Satan-Con. Here are the final stats of this training & outreach:

240+ attended the training, ages 8 to 82 years old. Over 20 nationalities were represented. By the time we went on outreach, over 300 people joined us as we ministered to across 8 specific locations in downtown Boston. In 2 hours we saw 98 people get saved, and thousands ministered to and prayed for!

All Glory to Jesus for this historic day for our city and the Kingdom of God in Boston. This is why we do what we do!

Thank you for your continued prayer and support of our family and mission. We would not be able to accomplish things like this weekend without your partnership in prayer and finances. This weekend was a victory shared by all in the Kingdom – and we’re just getting started!

VIDEO RECAP OF OUTREACH

Carol’s Testimony: “Had a grand time going out with Revive Boston & Ywam Boston learning how to witness and evangelize to the people of Boston! I had one young man rededicate his life back to Christ! It was awesome! He was super sweet and it was well received. It’s always been my hearts desire to do this type of work, to GO OUT and share Christ and his redemptive freedom with people! So I felt really blessed to be a part of this great commission & to be alongside these two beautiful ladies who love God and share the same burden for souls. Besides the 300 in our group, I noticed SO many groups of Christian’s out and about, planting seeds of Christ’s love, praying for people and sharing the gospel. It was REALLY beautiful and definitely the will of God! Thank you, Father for all the many souls saved this weekend! Lets keep the fire burning!”
-Carol Blanchard

Honoring All Mothers

Connected Mother’s Day by GLOO

Happy Mother’s Day! Today we honor all of the mothers in our lives. Whether you come with hope or pain, in joy or in sadness, we see you. God sees you.

1. The Biological Mothers

“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” 1 Samuel 1:27

We honor biological mothers because this is how God designed that each of us enters the world. We appreciate your sacrifices, acknowledge your pain, and thank you for instilling faith in us.

2. The Adoptive Mothers

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5

The process and intentionality of adoption is an honor of its own. You have chosen to adopt children and have a special calling to care for other children as if they were your own. We honor the sacrifices that you have made and recognize how we, too, have been accepted into the family of faith through Jesus Christ. 

3. The Single Mothers

“[Hagar] gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13

Today we honor your faithfulness. Like Hagar who was forced into single parenthood; your circumstance may not be one you chose. As the church, we rally around you, we support you, and we recognize all that you do.

4. The Stepmothers

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16

Today we honor your faithfulness to God in loving children that you did not bear. Like Ruth, you have chosen not only to love and unite with a spouse, but to also love and unite with your husband’s children as your own. We celebrate your choices as a reminder of the choice all believers have made to commit to Christ and to Christ-followers.

5. The Foster Mothers

“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” Ezekiel 22:30

We honor your willingness to fill in the gaps, likely between a biological mother and an adopted one. You choose to show up for children however you can. We thank you.

6. The Expectant Mothers

“So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the Lord for him.’” 1 Samuel 1:20

This time of pregnancy is often filled with anxiety, especially for the first time mothers who don’t know what to expect, and it can be especially challenging for those who have experienced miscarriage or

7. The Grieving Mothers

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

For those who’ve lost children or your own mother, today we see you. God sees you. We make room for your grief and the healing power of God’s love at every stage of life and loss.

8. The Grandmothers

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1: 5

For the first time in many decades, our church is seeing mothers, grandmothers, and great- grandmothers all at the same time. Today, we celebrate the prayers and faith of grandmothers and great-grandmothers that allowed each of us to be where we are today.

9. Those Longing for Motherhood

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

We acknowledge your longing for children and honor your desires to the Lord. We pray for you and support you on your journey. God, show compassion to these mothers.

10. Our Church mothers

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases…These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:1-3

To those who are mothers of all in our church, we thank you. You shepherd, guide, and care for us, and are models in the church. God recognizes the sacrifices you’ve made, and we do too.

“We Will Rise” : Opportunity for Prayer and Support for Faith Lutheran Church

 

Today, we are sharing an opportunity to support Pastor Robin Lutjohann and Faith Lutheran Church in Cambridge. Pastor Robin has been on the UniteBoston Board of Directors for the past five years, and their building endured a terrible fire on Easter Sunday. On Tuesday, the FBI determined that the fire was caused by arson. The building has been the spiritual home to a number of congregations and has hosted so many valuable community initiatives, such as a biweekly free supper, children’s groups, a community garden, and more. 

There is a sign in front of their church that they put up during COVID stating “We will rise.” Let’s help him do that! Here are some ways that we can support him right now:

  • Funds – You can contribute to the construction / re-building costs through their GoFund Me or giving directly on their website www.faithcambridge.org and selecting “Building Fund.” 
  • Office Space – They’re looking for an office space in Cambridge – or even just a room – that they could use as a temporary office for awhile. Their secretary travels in from outside the city so it is best if there is parking available too. 
  • Encouragement: You can send a note of encouragement and hope to Pastor Robin via email: robin.lutjohann@faithcambridge.org 
  • Pray – Please pray for the workers who will work on clearing rubble, securing the building etc.; the spirit, heart, and mission of the church, and their connection to one another and the broader community
Left – Faith Lutheran Church; Right – Baptismal font after the fire

Thank you UniteBoston community – Let’s show Pastor Robin our love, care and support in this challenging season! 

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Christians United: A Spoken Word Poem

Rev. Edwin Johnson, Director of Organizing for Episcopal City Mission, wrote this spoken word poem as part of his sermon at the 2023 prayer service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme of the prayer service was “Do Good, Seek Justice” (Is. 1:17) and we also heard stories testifying to how Christian unity can help overcome injustice from Rev. Jua Robinson (Boston Collaborative) and Savina Martin (MA Poor People’s Campaign). Watch the video and read his poem to hear Rev. Edwin describe the complexities involved in unity and justice work.

When I hear talk of Christians United,
Every part of my being starts to get excited.
With visions of loving communities ignited,
With the passion for justice needed at this time.
 
I imagine thousands no millions of people,
So diverse in language they gotta use deepl,
Pouring out from store fronts and shoutin’ from every steeple,
Ready to take our world’s course and turn it on a dime.
 
And then in the midst of that vision caressin’
A part of me shifts and I start stressin’
That instead of sharing and multiplying the blessin’
We water things down just to get along.
 
Though tied to a source more vast than oceans,
we instead full obliged go through the motions.
Treating our strategies like magic potions,
So even as we do right it comes out wrong.
 
If our work is to have it’s given latitude,
it will require a change in collective attitude.
One steeped in love, abundance and gratitude,
that will grant us the power of our ultimate source.
 
For then we will find the sustainability,
that far out-lasts naked culpability.
Or any particular approach’s capability,
to do with power what can’t be done with force.
 
So this mi gente is the unity I seek,
one that will truly bless and lift up the meek.
One that will grant us throughout the week,
a resolve befitting of our sacred meal.
 
So that way the picture of Christian unity,
will be one we can celebrate with impunity.
Will overcome the system’s inherent immunity,
to bring closer a Kingdom that everyone can feel
 

About Rev. Edwin Johnson:

Edwin is a self-described smiling-dancing-Jesus freak. The product of two proud Episcopalians/Anglicans from Montserrat and Costa Rica; Edwin has had a deep appreciation of the broad flavor and diversity of our church, along with the great opportunities that exist to create Beloved Community. He is currently the Director of Organizing for Episcopal City Mission. Prior to joining the team at Episcopal City Mission he served as the Rector at St. Mary’s Church in Dorchester, a diverse, multilingual congregation committed not only to meeting and caring for Lazarus at the gate but also organizing around why there is such poverty and suffering in the first place. After over twelve years of Parish ministry, Edwin is excited to manifest his priesthood more broadly through the work of social justice while continuing his general church leadership around Beloved Community. While confronting the injustice and racism in our world is hard, Edwin has a lot of fun doing so alongside the members of his community and his family including his partner Susan and their sons Francisco and Santiago.

UniteBoston’s Six Ministry Priorities for 2023

Where is God moving in the city and in the Church? What is God’s invitation for UniteBoston this year? These are the questions that our staff and board prayerfully considered in a recent retreat. Together, we came up with six ministry priorities for this year – We are grateful to have you as part of our mission as we are all UniteBoston!


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