UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

Jesus Was Migrant Film Screening and Discussion

Join the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Office of Immigration & Multicultural Ministries, the Massachusetts Episcopal Network for Justice and Joy (ENJJOY), and Episcopal City Mission for a screening and conversation of the documentary film Jesus as a Migrant.

We will screen the film together online and then be led in conversation by The Rev. Canon Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Th.D., Canon for Immigration & Multicultural Ministries. This is a chance for us to learn about one aspect of immigration, discuss our call as Christians in this moment, and hear about the work being done in our diocese and how we can support our immigrant neighbors.

About the film: Dr. Jemar Tisby travels to the U.S. – Mexico border to examine the theological crisis at the heart of American Christianity — and what it means when a nation built on faith turns its back on the most vulnerable. A documentary about borders, belief, and what we owe each other. View the Trailer Here

Please fill out this interest form and links to film and the meeting will be sent out closer to the event. If you have questions, please contact Rev. Dr. Ntagengwa at jbntagengwa@diomass.org or 617-482-4826 x400.

Why I Keep Coming Back to the Global Leadership Summit

Today, Pastor Stephen Nyakairu from Grace Chapel Watertown reflects on leadership lessons he’s gained over years in ministry through his attendance at the Global Leadership Summit (GLS). He reminds us that the slow work of the Kingdom of God begins with ourselves: a posture of humility, a willingness to learn, and the discernment that comes with time and community.

Building off of the GLS theme of this year, “what you repeat becomes what you produce,” read below to hear Pastor Stephen’s challenge to approach leadership growth with a commitment to the long, deep work that often happens in hidden places before bearing its best fruit.

By Pastor Stephen Nyakairu, Grace Chapel Watertown

The world is facing significant challenges on multiple fronts—division, loneliness, uncertainty, polarization, and complex social needs that affect every community. Meeting these challenges will require leaders who are growing in wisdom, humility, courage, and effectiveness.

No single church, organization, or leader can address these realities alone. The future will require greater collaboration, deeper learning, and stronger partnerships across communities, sectors, and the Body of Christ.

That is one of the reasons I keep coming back to the Global Leadership Summit.

For more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of serving as a pastor in Greater Boston. I spent 11 years serving a church in Shirley, Massachusetts, and today I serve at Grace Chapel. Through every season of ministry, one conviction has remained constant: I want to keep growing as a leader.

My first experience with the Global Leadership Summit came at a pivotal time in my ministry in 2006. I had just begun serving as the pastor of a church that had been established for more than 100 years. While it had a rich history, it had stopped growing, and we knew we needed to transition toward becoming a church that intentionally reached our neighbors, friends, and family members.

I had just graduated from Gordon Conwell Theological seminary. I had theological and biblical training, but I quickly realized that leading change was a different challenge altogether. I knew I needed help, so I attended the Global Leadership Summit.

There, I was introduced to John Maxwell’s teaching that “leadership is influence.” That simple definition reshaped the way I thought about leadership and ministry. He then taught the Five Levels of Leadership, and I began to see where I was in my own journey.

I realized that I had been leading from position. People followed me because I was the pastor. But I learned that positional leadership is only the beginning. I needed to earn permission by building trust and healthy relationships. 

Then I learned I needed to move into production—helping the church accomplish meaningful goals so people could see the fruit of our work together. As our ministry grew, I discovered the importance of developing people, not just producing results. Leadership became less about what I could accomplish and more about raising up other leaders who could multiply the mission.

Today, as I reflect on that journey, I realize that much of my passion is centered on people development. I love helping others discover their gifts, grow in their leadership, and become leaders who develop even more leaders. 

Maxwell’s final level, personhood, reminds me that the greatest influence comes not from a title but from a life marked by character, integrity, and consistent service. That vision continues to shape the kind of leader I want to become.

Another lesson from the Global Leadership Summit that has stayed with me came from Andy Stanley. He challenged leaders to choose to be students rather than critics. 

That idea has profoundly influenced how I lead teams. When someone brings a new idea, my first response shouldn’t be, “How are we going to do that?” Instead, it should be, “What an incredible idea.” This is much easier said than done. When someone brings us an idea, our first response is never to say, “WOW!” Our instincts should be to ask, “HOW!” 

I’ve realized that too often, dreams and creativity die because we ask “how” before we embrace the possibility. Great leaders cultivate curiosity before they evaluate feasibility.

I also learned that leadership begins with listening and learning before leading. Many of us instinctively want to lead first and listen later, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. The most effective leaders listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, invite feedback, and remain teachable. 

Even criticism can become a gift because it provides information we can use to grow.

These principles have shaped not only my ministry but also my family. When my wife, Rebekah, and I married 13 years ago, we made a commitment to be students, not critics—to remain lifelong learners who listen well so we can lead well together. 

Now, four kids later, we’re seeking to instill that same love of lifelong learning in our children, encouraging them to keep growing as they take their own steps to follow Jesus.

That is one reason this year’s GLS theme resonates so deeply with me:

“What you repeat becomes what you produce.”


That is one of the reasons I continue to attend the Global Leadership Summit every year. I see it as an investment in my own growth. Every time I attend, I leave with fresh ideas, renewed vision, and practical tools that help me become a better leader for my church, my family, and my community.

The Summit has been one of the most significant leadership investments of my life, and I am deeply grateful for the impact it has had on my journey. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves—and the people we lead—is the willingness to keep learning. That is why I keep coming back to the Global Leadership Summit, and why I want to personally invite Christian leaders in Boston to join me. Not because I have everything figured out, but because I do not.

We need one another. I’m convinced we need spaces that challenge our assumptions, expand our perspective, and equip us for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Every year I am reminded that leadership growth is never finished, and every year I leave grateful for the opportunity to learn, reflect, and take another step forward. I hope you will join us.

Pastor Stephen has eloquently shared the impact of the Global Leadership Summit – We encourage Christian leaders in Boston to join in! It will take place on August 6-7 at Watertown, Wilmington and Lexington. You can sign up www.grace.org/gls

Real Talk: Faith, Dating & Intimacy

Calling all Boston Young Adults – Save-the-Date! ✨✨✨

On Saturday, August 22nd, come for a fun, faith-filled night with real conversations, Jesus-loving community, and meaningful connections. 🩵

Event includes: worship, new Boston dating docu-series trailer, panel sessions, musical, performances, games, fellowship.

📍Center on the Main, Taunton, MA.

More details coming soon! 💫

Learn more

Responding to the TPS Ruling: How Greater Boston Churches Can Help

As our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States this week, we are invited to ask: Who belongs in America, and what do we stand for as a country? This question feels urgent as we reflect on the Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold birthright citizenship, and another decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian and Syrian immigrants. Read below to hear reflections by local Christian leaders and action steps you can take to stand in solidarity.

As many Americans are celebrating the Fourth of July this week, a profound moral crisis is also unfolding in our own neighborhoods. Following the Supreme Court ruling on June 25, over 350,000 Haitian and Syrian nationals are facing the sudden termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), including approximately 45,000 with TPS status in Massachusetts.

For many in our pews, the reality of immigration is often obscured by political talking points. We often hear the refrains: “Come the right way,” or “Get in line.” In fact, many Haitians came to the United States through the CHNV parole process—a lawful process created because of the instability and humanitarian crises in those countries. They had U.S.-based sponsors. They were vetted. They received permission to enter and work. They did not sneak in… Then, because Haiti continued to collapse, many moved into TPS.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Montanez, UB Cohort Member and director of the Mygration Christian Conference, shares, “Many of these individuals have been here for well over a decade. They have made their homes, established families, and sought legal and viable pathways for citizenship. Now they are being told that those pathways are no longer welcome. The rules are being changed in the middle of the game, the ground is shifting beneath their very feet.”

Sarah Blumenshine of the Emmanuel Gospel Center’s Intercultural Ministries also points out the volatility of the situation, “One minute people have work permits, jobs, homes, and the next minute they do not. Can you imagine? You thought you had found safety, and then your hosts back out of the deal.” She notes that TPS holders are not a drain, but vital, tax-paying, law-abiding pillars of Greater Boston—working in churches, education, medicine, construction and transportation. 

The U.S. Department of State currently maintains a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti due to extreme violence, kidnapping, and instability. If a nation is too dangerous for U.S. citizens to visit, how can we declare it safe enough to deport hundreds of thousands of families back to? 

Dr. Gabeau, IFSI-USA’s Executive Director, delivers remarks at a rally outside the State House this week alongside Boston City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune (right). Photo: Steph Solis/Axios

A Systemic Disruption to Our Communities

This decision forces individuals into a harrowing choice: return to unstable, dangerous conditions abroad, or remain in the U.S. in the hopes of future immigration relief. Many local Christian leaders are also speaking out with grief and conviction:

  • Pastor “Keke” Dieufort Fleurissaint, founder of the Mattapan-based True Alliance Center, reports being inundated with calls from TPS holders fearing sudden separation from their U.S.-born children. As he told The Boston Globe, “My hope was for compassion to prevail… How could anyone let children go back to Haiti like that—into such a dangerous situation?” He adds: “This abrupt termination threatens family stability, job security, and the well-being of thousands of hardworking individuals who have contributed to our economy, paid taxes, cared for our loved ones, and strengthened our neighborhoods. We call on policymakers to pursue humane solutions that recognize the dignity, contributions, and aspirations of those who have long called this country home.”
  • Bishop Nicolas C. Homicil of the Voice of the Gospel Tabernacle Church reports that the end of TPS for Haitians has caused significant economic and emotional distress within his congregation. Many members have received work termination notices, creating deep uncertainty about meeting basic living expenses like rent and food. This unemployment affects not only those in the U.S. but also their families in Haiti who rely on their support. Furthermore, some parents are making the heartbreaking decision to appoint Bishop Homicil as their children’s legal guardian should they face deportation and family separation.
  • Catholic Archbishop Richard G. Henning strongly condemned the revocation and shared a rare public statement calling the decision a “disaster” for local communities and encouraged people to raise their voices on behalf of the vulnerable.
  • Rev. Kelly Fassett, shares, “Last week, while in New York for a conference, I was looking across the harbor toward the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and saw a quote by President John F. Kennedy about how immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life. This is TRUTH – Yet there is so much misinformation spread about immigrants being a drain. In fact, research has shown that the taxes immigrants pay actually save the government trillions of dollars in real terms and fuel the entrepreneurship that keeps our local economies growing.”

How Christians in Boston Can Respond Right Now

This Fourth of July invites us to do more than celebrate; it calls us to reckon with how we are actually living out our Christian values. Does my ultimate allegiance belong to the Kingdom of God, or do I subtly put my hope in my political party? How can I better embody Jesus’ call to love my neighbor, recognizing that every person bears the image of God and is bestowed with inherent dignity? Finally, how can we navigate the tension between respecting our nation’s laws and fulfilling our biblical mandate to protect the vulnerable?

Damaris Velasquez, Director of Programs of Agencia ALPHA, shares, “This is the time for the Church of God—and I emphasize ‘Church’ with a capital ‘C.’ It is that Church, representing many races, languages, skin colors, and socioeconomic backgrounds, that needs to take a stand and reflect the values given by Christ: love, compassion, humility, grace, and placing others before ourselves. Let us not forget that we are testifying to the God we serve—to our families, neighbors, elected officials, and systems—every time we support or fail to support the call God has given us.”

Here are tangible ways you and your congregation can follow Jesus to stand in active solidarity with our Haitian and Syrian neighbors this week:

1. Individual Legal Aid and Emergency Planning

Ensure that the immigrant families within your sphere of influence are legally protected and prepare:

2. Congregational Planning

Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, emphasizes the importance of preparing sacred spaces for potential ICE activity. 

  • Stay Informed: Review the Governor’s new statewide guidance for Houses of Worship. If you witness federal agent misconduct, please report it via the state’s official portal. The Massachusetts Council of Churches is hosting a training on this guidance on Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m.
  • Utilize Wisdom: A Boston-area pastor has developed a guide for pastors to support immigrant congregants before, during, and after detention: [English Version; Spanish Version].
  • Join the Chaplaincy of Presence Team: the Massachusetts Council of Churches coordinates a ‘ministry of presence’ in the parking lot of the Burlington ICE facility to support neighbors attending mandatory check-ins where unexpected arrests frequently occur. Chaplains provide listening, support, and prayer to those arriving and their families. As detentions are expected to rise with the end of TPS, clergy and board-certified chaplains are invited to join their weekday morning rotation (7:30–10:30 a.m.). Contact Rev. Dave Woessner at dave@masscouncilofchurches.org to sign up or for more information.

3. Advocacy and Education

  • Call Your Representatives: Reach out to your Senators and urge them to support S. 4814, a legislative pathway to extend TPS protections for Haiti. The 5 Calls Website and App is a fabulous resource to find your senators, with scripts to advocate for the issues you care about.  
  • Join the Boston Immigrant Resource Dashboard: Partner with local faith and community networks to share real-time updates, support initiatives, and coordinate localized responses for immigrant families.
  • Deepen Your Perspective: In his local pastoral reflection, For Such a Time as This, Gregg Detwiler explores the Church’s response to 2026 U.S. immigration policy, arguing that this is not merely a political issue, but a human, theological, and missiological one.

4. Financial Solidarity with Haitian-Led Organizations

Families are already being affected by the end of TPS. Now that the end of TPS has gone into effect on July 1st, Haitians have lost their work authorization, jeopardizing their ability to work and care for themselves and their families. With this in mind, the most pressing needs are funds to provide housing assistance, food assistance, and legal fees. 

Johane Alexis-Phanor of the Boston Haitian Resource Hub emphasizes the importance of supporting Haitian-led organizations. These groups provide essential, culturally competent services to the community and remain dedicated to long-term support even after the initial crisis fades.

Here are a few trusted and vetted Haitian-Led Organizations & Nonprofits:

5. Pray

Rev. Manny Daphnis, Migrant Resource Coordinator for the Fellowship of Haitian Evangelical Pastors of New England (FHEPNE), offers a powerful challenge to the Church: he urges Christians to pray fervently for mercy from government officials, asking that they suspend TPS deportations and halt enforcement actions that cause families to live in constant fear.

O God, we lift up our Haitian and Syrian brothers and sisters, as well as many immigrants who are facing deep uncertainty today. 

We pray for your protection to surround families who fear separation, and we ask for your mercy to rest upon our nation’s leaders, that they may choose compassion over harsh enforcement. 

Help us to live into our nation’s ideals of liberty and justice for all. 

Grant us, your Church, the courage to stand in the gap—to be a sanctuary of hospitality that welcomes the stranger, knowing that in caring for the ‘least of these,’ we are truly serving you.

Bind our community together in this work, and help us to trust that even in these harrowing times, your Kingdom of justice and belonging is near. We remember that Christians shall be known by our love; may that be said of us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jesus and Justice Sunday

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, we invite clergy from BMA TenPoint and The Black Ecumenical Council across New England to deliver messages of biblical justice and hope. Let’s preach justice in the way that Jesus would.

We’re also creating an archive of sermons, homilies, liturgies, and addresses that focus on Jesus and justice. This archive will serve as a resource for reflection, study, and biblical teaching to encourage and comfort our congregations and communities.

Please email your manuscripts to development@bmatenpoint.org or use the button below.

But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream. Amos 5:24 NKJV


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