UniteBoston

Bridging Divides Across Christians for the Flourishing of the City

Southern Civil Rights Tour Info Session

We invite you to join the Race and Christian Community Initiative as we travel with Christians from across the country on a Southern Civil Rights Tour to visit nationally-known sites, local treasures, and people connected to the Civil Rights Movement of the ’50s & ’60s. This will be a Black-led, multiracial tour hosted by The Center for Restorative Justice (CFRJ).

This tour will take place June 7th – 15th, 2024.

To learn more, register for the Southern Civil Rights Tour Info Session on Monday, February 12th from 7 – 8pm online.

This is our second and final info session designed for newcomers or folks who want to meet with the CFRJ team to learn more. Don’t miss this impactful opportunity. Sign up to learn more today!

Applications Open: Experiential Learning Weekend on the History of Slavery in Boston

Join the Race and Christian Community Initiative for an Experiential Learning Weekend on the History of Slavery in Boston alongside local historians, theologians, and activists April 5th – 7th, 2024. This experience is designed for participants of all races to see how the past shapes the present and to respond to the legacy of racism as followers of Jesus.

We will visit multiple sites connecting Greater Boston to the transatlantic slave trade while creating space for reflection and processing. This is not only an opportunity to receive new information, but to open ourselves to God’s holistic transformation.

Learn more and apply at egc.org/rcci-experiential. Applications are due February 15th, 2024.

Southern Civil Rights Tour Info Session

Emmanuel Gospel Center’s Race and Christian Community Initiative invites you to join us as we travel with Christians from across the country on a Southern Civil Rights Tour to visit nationally-known sites, local treasures, and people connected to the Civil Rights Movement of the ’50s & ’60s. This will be a Black-led, multiracial tour hosted by The Center for Restorative Justice.

This tour will take place June 7th – 15th, 2024.

To learn more, register for the Southern Civil Rights Tour Info Session on Tuesday, December 5th from 7 – 8pm via Zoom.

UniteBoston’s Be the Bridge Groups: Highlights & Testimonies

At UniteBoston, we recognize the need to address the sin of racism and the pervasive inequities that persist in our city and nation. We recognize that justice is not peripheral, but intrinsic to the gospel, and Christians should be leading the way in the movement towards racial justice today.

Last fall, UniteBoston launched a “Be the Bridge” Zoom group, where 28 people engaged in weekly conversation with Latasha Morrison’s “Be the Bridge” curriculum, which instills a biblically-grounded understanding of the process of restorative reconciliation – including lament, confession, forgiveness, righting wrongs, and restoring relationships.

We found out that there were 11 other Boston-area churches who had utilized the Be the Bridge curriculum, so in spring 2021, we sought to build on this momentum to focus more on the systemic side of racism and locally-focused action. UniteBoston coordinated a 5-part speaker series alongside 30-40 individuals in four small groups. Our goal this spring was to help people understand various initiatives that are happening in Greater Boston towards systemic racial justice and nurture friendships across churches for accountability and support in actively working towards reconciliation, equity, and justice in our day-to-day lives.

Here are some highlighted testimonies from this initiative:

Above: Be the Bridge leaders Seongkyul Park, Marian Turenne, and Michael Edsall share the impact of participating in this initiative through the fall and spring groups.

We were also able to record each of the speaker sessions – Click below to watch and glean from the incredible wisdom of these local leaders:

Above: Dr. Charmie Curry on Education Justice. Dr. Charmie Curry is a member of Pentecostal Tabernacle and has been an educator for the last 10+ years. She is currently serving in the Wellesley Public Schools as its first equity officer.
Above: Traction Life’s Leslie Moore, Carla Booker, and Laura Mitchell address the question of the Church’s role in the housing injustice crisis by sharing their stories and experiences. Traction is a network of individuals of Christian faith-building relationships across socially prescribed boundaries. Twelve years ago, Leslie founded and launched a network of houses and individuals who support adults in transition. This network has expanded from the Greater Boston area into Rhode Island. It is a ministry of Central Square Church in Cambridge and goes by the name of Traction. See www.tractionlife.org for more info.
Above: Craig Parker and Mako Nagasawa presented on re-thinking incarceration, restorative justice, and creating a restorative approach for returning citizens. They were accompanied by Kevin Sibley from Boston’s Office of Returning Citizens.
Above: Jamie Mangiamelli and James Michel shared about the innovative work New Roots AME Church and Boston Ujima Project are doing towards economic justice. They presented how individuals and congregations can begin participating in Boston’s solidarity economies through the Boston Ujima Project ecosystem
Above: Pastor Josh Wilson from The Table shared practical wisdom and advice on how to have conversations with friends and family – the value of sharing personal stories and moving from labels to underlying belief systems to outcomes. Josh also gave us hope for change in the shifts he has seen within his own family. He inspired us to be courageous and persevere through the long haul to see real change for communities of color. Check out the bibliography he put together on “Black and White in America” here: http://tinyurl.com/talkingtofamily

Testimonies from our Fall Groups

This was one of the first times that UniteBoston hosted weekly learning group opportunities, and we saw how God shows up when we create space for cultivating deep sharing and relationship building across Christians of diverse backgrounds. We were awakened in new ways to the the sin of racism, and how it has pervaded day-to-day life in our city and also our churches. We lamented this reality. Together, God stirred us towards change, both within ourselves and within institutions in our city. We also began to see how much work our own leadership needs to do to grow in our understanding of justice and equity in order to see the real transformative impact that honors the inherent image of God.

“Partnering with UniteBoston as group leaders in the Be the Bridge Racial Reconciliation group has been a tremendous experience! We have seen the growth of the attendees over these last few months, as they are learning what racial reconciliation truly means in the context of God’s word and in the light of history. Each one of the attendees in our group has said that they are taking what they’re learning from Be the Bridge back to their families, communities and their churches.”

-Brent and Karen Brown, Impact Church

“I am very grateful that a group like Be The Bridge exists through UniteBoston, a staple in the Boston church community. It encourages hard work and commitment to the (costly) racial unity of our city’s church across many branches. I’ve gained many new brothers and sisters, white and people of color, to walk with and co-laboring with on the complex issue of racial justice. It brings the issue local and personal, and encourages us to engage as the church together. I’ve felt that it creates a well-facilitated and thoughtful space for Christians to begin their journey into seeking racial justice by examining oneself first with prayer and a common goal of restoration and reconciliation through hard work. If you are looking for a way to engage in seeking racial justice in yourself, your family and community, UniteBoston’s Be the Bridge group is an excellent place to begin– I especially commend the resources given to study each week that are very thought provoking and challenging.”

-Pradeepan Parthiban, Antioch Church

“UB’s sponsorship of BTB was a practical, strategic, and timely activity for fostering unity within the Body of Christ, as well as strengthening the Church’s engagement for racial healing in the world.” – Gregg Detweiler

“I am grateful for UB’s heart and efforts to bring unity and racial reconciliation in Boston and metro Boston.  Be the Bridge was challenging, informative and motivating.” – John Lynch

“In the BTB groups, we were able to get to know each other over an extended period of time. People in my group shared experiences of what it could be like to live as a racial minority in this country. I feel now that I have a group of friends and peers living in different parts of the city, from different kinds of churches, who I can reach out to as our churches in the Boston area seek to work together across racial lines and for racial justice.” – Morgan Crago

“Be the Bridge was a great opportunity for me to meet brothers and sisters in Christ from different churches and different backgrounds. It was a blessing to hear their stories and their perspectives, and to be challenged by the call to be reconciled to one another.” – Michael Oh

“Be the Bridge Groups are a God-send. Christians need a place to come together, learn and grow together, ask questions safely and discuss hard realities, but in a way that is focused on Jesus and His mission. That is the glue that binds us all together. Highly recommend Christians join a group and grow together.” – Blake Whitney

Building Community Across Historic Divides…

After a year on zoom, it was such a gift to be together with the Be the Bridge community for a concluding BBQ on June 19, 2021. There were many joyous reunions between friends old and new. Pastor Joseph Ardayfio shared about the history and significance of Juneteenth and called us to join into what the Lord is doing in the city as salt and light. Janey David also blessed us with singing “Lift Every Voice.”

Testimonies from our Spring Groups

“Being involved in UniteBoston’s ministry showed me how multi-church gatherings can be purposeful and transformative, especially when addressing something as big as structural racism. God is indeed at work in our collective body and in the city of Boston in ways I’d been really hungry and desperate to see — oooff what a deep encouragement this has been amidst a difficult wacky year!”

– Seong Park, Korean Church of the Lord 

“Kelly and team were able to facilitate a diverse learning community of individuals from around greater Boston. It was an honor to learn from each other. Thanks to UB for your vision and faithful leadership in this important aspect of building more of God’s kingdom on earth.”

-Jeanette Yep, Grace Chapel

“Thank you, UniteBoston! You created space for profound conversations about race that have brought tremendous insight and understanding. Especially after the anguish of spring and summer 2020, I am so thankful for the opportunity you provided to come together as people who love Jesus and find ways forward together.” -Lisa McDonough

“I have been inspired and encouraged to continue the work of biblical, racial justice.  I have learned who and how different parts of the Body of Christ are working in this space which has thus informed my work.” -Richard Rhodes, Grace Chapel

Special thanks to our guest speakers, our group leaders, Pastor Joseph Ardayfio who served as a mentor for this initiative, and all the participants. All the glory to God! Change happens one person at a time, through God’s grace, as we take a righteous stand for justice and freedom for all of God’s image bearers.

As our staff, leaders and board discerns next steps, please reach out to us if you have any ideas for how UB can support God’s work in the city towards racial justice and equity moving forward!

Meet Rev. Percy, the New UB Staff Member!

“I have been on a long journey to arrive at this point, but I am finally planted in New England to be a Pastor in Providence and a Bridge Builder in Boston for many years to come.”

After ten years with only one staff person, we are grateful for God’s provision to be able to hire Rev. K. Percy Ballah to the UB staff! Percy considers his life-long calling to be a bridge-builder. He brings skills in administration, leadership, and racial reconciliation to UB. Read below to hear Percy’s story of moving to Boston as a young adult, then pastoring at Impact Center Providence, and now his journey back to Boston to work with UB.

Coming Home: My Journey Back to Boston!

Hello UniteBoston Family!

Thank you for welcoming me to your team. My name is Percy, and I am excited to join this beautiful community! I am grateful to the faithful donors who made it possible for me to assist Rev. Kelly in the mission of nurturing Christian unity for the flourishing of the city.

Background

I was born in the country of  Liberia, which is located in West Africa. I moved to America at twelve years old after surviving three brutal civil wars over a ten-year span.  It was an epic journey that I’d love to tell you about at another time! Unlike most children in my country, I was allowed to come to America because my mother was a hard-working resident in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area for many years. I lived with her for most of my teenage years before God called me to move to New England. 

Currently, I reside in Providence with my wife Katie and our three children Sophia, Oliver, and Mia! As my kids would say, together, we are Team Ballah! Our team takes pride as a family unit on a mission to glorify God and bring wholistic transformation to people and communities through Christ. In 2019, we planted a church on the Southside of Providence. And recently, we merged our church with an older congregation. Now, we are excited that I will be working with Kelly to fulfill UniteBoston’s vision in a city that is close to our hearts.

Before moving to Rhode Island, we lived in Boston for five years. I served in ministry at The Boston Project Ministries and Morning Star Baptist Church. This season shaped us in incredible ways. We learned how to impact communities holistically and to strategically serve those living in disenfranchised communities. We learned how to be parents: two of our kids were born at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. God used the experiences and lifelong friendships we developed in Boston to shape our identity as a ministry family. Even though I was not a native Bostonian, I adopted Boston as my home city! 

Fun Facts 

One of my favorite characteristics of Bostonians is their passion for local sports teams. This culture resonates with my love to cheer for the Philadelphia Eagles and Sixers. For many years,  I watched the New England teams win championships ngnyear after year, while my teams always had heartbreaking losses. After endless debates about which teams were better, I finally accepted the reality that Boston had the best sports teams in the country. I still support my Philadelphia teams, but I don’t root against the New England teams in the playoffs because of their championship pedigree. 

I am even more passionate about playing sports than watching it. When I lived in Dorchester, I enjoyed playing basketball at the local parks, participating in flag football games between various churches, and coaching young men during the summer league. However, some of the best parts about sports transcends actually playing together: we built friendships and learned essential life skills such as managing our emotions and being people of integrity.

Additionally, I also appreciate the emphasis Bostonians place on education and critical thinking–this resonates with my love for reading and playing competitive chess. I loved going to Harvard Square and the public library in Roxbury to play against great players. Nowadays, when I am not playing sports, reading, or competing in chess, I am usually hanging out with family and friends.

How you got involved with UB and what you love about UB

Since I left Boston to pursue God’s calling to be a pastor, I always stayed connected to the Holy Spirit’s work in the city of Boston. As I conversed with various groups of people and ministries in my Boston network, I realized they had one thing in common — they were all connected to UniteBoston. I was intrigued by this organization’s ability to gather Christian leaders and churches from diverse backgrounds. According to Reverend Kelly, UniteBoston is “called to unite the bride of Christ” to fulfill Jesus’ prayer of unity and oneness in John 17. While Christians can often be divided over various issues, UB is building bridges to connect believers.UB creates a space for the body of Christ to experience healing from self-inflicted wounds and a safe place to have conversations that will bring reconciliation. 

Therefore, when the opportunity came for me to work for this incredible organization, it was a no-brainer because they aligned with my lifelong calling to be a bridge-builder. Even though my various ministry experiences equipped me with the skillsets to support Rev. Kelly at UniteBoston, I am more excited about the opportunity to learn from her and the UB community about building bridges and connecting Christians.

I have been on a long journey to arrive at this point, but I am finally planted in New England to be a Pastor in Providence and a Bridge Builder in Boston for many years to come. God is the author of my story, and I am excited to live the next chapter in working with UniteBoston. Most of all, my heart is happy because God is allowing me to serve the city that welcomed me with open arms and the place I have adopted as my home city. 


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