EGC Annual Report 2017 — Emmanuel Gospel Center

*Pastor Eva Clarke, Board Chair, & Jeff Bass, Executive Director of EGC*

FROM JEFF & EVA

In the past year, the Emmanuel Gospel Center worked to strengthen over 1,200 Christian leaders from over 200 churches across Greater Boston.

You can read the stories of some of these amazing leaders and churches in Highlights and Impact areas below.

We are excited about what God is doing through his people in Greater Boston. And we are grateful for what you do to cooperate with God’s work, and for your partnership with us in ministry.

Be encouraged. God’s plan is that Christ will be glorified through the church. Let’s keep working together to make that an obvious and powerful reality in Greater Boston!

““God is able to do much more than we ask or think through His power working in us. May we see His shining-greatness in the church. May all people in all time honor Christ Jesus. Let it be so.””

— Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLV)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM EGC PROGRAMS

Highlights-Gallery

Supporting Public School Students

The Boston Education Collaborative (BEC) mobilized churches, college campus ministries and non-profit organizations to support public school students in Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, and Chelsea students during the 2022-2023 school year. BEC recruited college volunteers from MIT and Harvard InterVarsity campus fellowships to support the Pacesetters Boys Afterschool Program at Fletcher Maynard Academy in Cambridge. These college students enriched the afterschool program by planning lessons and activities that aligned with their majors coupled with the program’s mission of providing social-emotional support.

Dorchester Weather

The Black Church Vitality Project partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and the City of Boston’s Environment Department to produce an original play that retold the story of a Dorchester pastor working with local residents to advocate for sustainable development in their neighborhood. Dorchester Weather: a play about climate and change created space for dialogue about environmental and social issues Dorchester residents are facing and modeled how art can begin to repair and build relationships between local government, churches, business owners and residents in communities where development decisions are being made.

Intercultural Ministries

Sarah Blumenshine (director of EGC’s Intercultural Ministries) and Liza Cagua-McAllister (EGC’s systems consultant) were a key part of the planning, fundraising, and film team for our longtime ministry partner Agencia ALPHA’s “Immigrants Make Massachusetts Stronger” initiative. Over the course of a year, participants attended workshops that helped them think more deeply about their personal stories and the contributions they make to their families and community. Congregación León de Judá hosted the culminating event on Oct. 28, where the participants’ stories were told through the premiere of a short film, portrait exhibit, and participant panel.

Gospel-Focused Storytelling

EGC’s content and production team helped share the story of what God is doing in Greater Boston. We produced dozens of articles, ministry and music videos, and short-form content seen by thousands of Christian leaders across the region. Our investment in producing a diverse selection of resources across different media platforms ensures that Christians from different generations can consume content in the ways that most resonate with them. You can view content here!

Uncovering Hidden Missional Treasures

Intercultural Ministries is undertaking a two-year project that seeks to better understand and nurture diaspora mission networks from Greater Boston to the world. Diaspora missions is mission activity that is initiated, led, and supported by diaspora (immigrant and refugee) Christians back to their homelands or other nations they have some affinity with. So far Gregg Detwiler and Victor Babbage (EGC consultants for Intercultural Ministries and Leadership Development) have interviewed 15 diaspora mission practitioners whose ministries reach many countries around the world. The goal of this project is to strengthen these efforts and to make this form of vital missions better known.

Strengthening Haitian Ministries

The Haitian community in the Boston area is facing multiple challenges, including the ongoing crisis in Haiti, the related influx of migrants from Haiti, and the need to strengthen intergenerational leadership in the Haitian Christian community. EGC is partnering with the Fellowship of Haitian Evangelical Pastors of New England and key Haitian leaders to respond to these needs. For example, together with the Fellowship, we are supporting Haitian-led efforts to rebuild churches in Southern Haiti; we are initiating the Rising Voices Initiative, a program to strengthen the prophetic voices of both senior and emerging Haitian pastors in New England; and we are working to build capacity so that Haitian churches can better serve new Haitian migrants in their communities.

Taking Action to Confront Racism

The Race & Christian Community Initiative (RCCI) continued its work of equipping Christians in Greater Boston to engage issues of race by supporting white evangelical communities to experience — and contribute to — healing from the sin of racism. RCCI convened over 25 local leaders of different generations and races to explore how white evangelicals move from an ideological commitment to addressing racism to ongoing action. We are continuing to process and distribute our learnings to help white evangelicals move toward anti-racist action. Our work with pastors and ministry leaders have challenged them to make significant changes in their organizations to be more racially equitable.

Celebrating RENEWAL at EGC’s 2023 Fundraiser

On May 28, EGC gathered with over 250 Christian and community partners at Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus to watch the premiere of RENEWAL, EGC's virtual concert and fundraiser. This hour-long production consisted of ministry highlights, music videos, and hearing from other voices from the city. We are extremely grateful for the generosity in response to our event and believe the productions and the connections made as part of this process will continue to bear fruit for the Kingdom.

The Filmmaker Collaborative

The Filmmaker Collaborative is a diverse community of more than 30 Christian filmmakers, local to Boston. Founded in 2017 by Elijah Mickelson, EGC's Director of Communications, this community includes members from over 15 local congregations. The purpose of the Filmmaker Collaborative is to build relationships, encourage one another in the creative process, and explore collaboration together. The Filmmaker Collaborative was instrumental in creating content for the EGC Fundraiser in 2023.

EGC’S LATEST ARTICLES

EGC doubled down on our role as a learning institution that supports Christian leaders in urban Greater Boston. We produce in-depth articles containing historical context, current case studies, data-based reporting on timely urban issues, and recommended action steps for Christians who want to learn more or become more engaged in that issue. Some of these articles include Child Welfare Ecosystem, College Ministries & Churches Serving University Students, and Christian Creatives and the Church.

IMPACT FROM EGC PARTNERS

Impact-Gallery

Victor Babbage

“The EGC internship helped me discern my path for responding to the call to ministry. The seasoned mentorship and organic interactions with diaspora Christian leaders continue to provide insights for developing the responsive Christian leadership training framework with ministry partners on the ground in Africa.”

Victor Babbage came to EGC in 2022 as a mentored-ministry student through Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Victor, originally from Zimbabwe, has worked at the intersection of the Church and society in nine African countries. . He has served as a consultant in leadership and organizational development, as well as an innovative educator. Victor brings these valuable skills to his work in the Diaspora Missions Applied Research Project, and is also a diaspora missions practitioner himself. Victor’s three adult children currently attend university in Africa. Victor lives with his two young children in Greater Boston. His wife currently resides in Uganda.

Daniel Skerritt

“The volunteers have been the best. Each has been consistently there and made volunteering a priority simply because we emphasized the value of creating strong, lasting connections with the boys.”

Daniel Skerritt is the director of the Pacesetters Boys Afterschool Program as well as the family liaison and a member of the Administrative Leadership Team at the Fletcher Maynard Academy in Cambridge. The Pacesetters program serves Black and brown boys in grades 2-5, providing academic and social-emotional support to meet the mental health and identity-formation needs of students. Daniel was a long-term resident of Cambridge before moving to Everett, where he now resides. He is a member of St. Paul AME Church in Cambridge.

Rev. Kelly Fassett

“Because of my monthly coaching sessions with Megan (RCCI), I see the impacts of racism everywhere. In order to nurture the unity that God wants, I now understand that we must not only strive for diversity, but also dismantle sinful systemic power structures that are hindering this unity, such as white supremacy. This understanding has changed everything: who we hire, the programs we run, how we allocate money, and more."

Kelly has served as the executive director for UniteBoston since 2012. She has a certificate in Christian Foundations from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She also graduated with her Master of Divinity in Global and Community Engagement at Boston University in 2019, with certificates in Religion and Conflict Transformation as well as International Mission and Ecumenism. She has also worked as a consultant to organize the New England City Forum and has spoken at conferences around concepts related to evangelism, mission, Christian unity, and conflict transformation. Kelly and her husband, Andrew, are both ordained ministers with the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts and live in an intentional Christian community in Dorchester. They have two daughters and enjoy spending time outdoors.

JOEL LEMAIRE

"I am so thankful I had the opportunity to help kick off EGC’s fundraiser this past year with my song 'Into the Light!' As a local musician, it was exciting to work with such a creative, talented, and devoted team of people who love Jesus and are dedicated to serving the Boston-wide area. Boston is blessed to have EGC!"

Joel LeMaire is a singer-songwriter, father to three lively little boys, and currently pursuing a master's in counseling at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Besides music-making, he enjoys hiking in the mountains, surfing the coast, and exploring the Boston area with his family. His vision is to offer clinical care to people in ministry who need rest, support, healing, and hope.

JEANETTE MERREN

"We have been blessed with partnerships from organizations like the Emmanuel Gospel Center. Ruth Wong has been supporting us for many years, networking on our behalf and helping to improve our program. When we had to find a temporary space during our renovation, Ruth made the connection with Second Church for us to move there."

Jeanette Merren is a longtime resident of Dorchester and active member of Greenwood Memorial United Methodist Church. Her contributions include spearheading the church's Greenwood Shalom Tutoring Zone and Summer Enrichment. This program serves at-risk children with academic challenges who live in Dorchester, Roxbury and surrounding communities.

SHELTON OAKLEY HERSEY

"My journey with RCCI has been central to my journey with Jesus here in Boston these last six years. In my various RCCI spaces and roles, I have drawn closer to the heart of God, my role in the world's repair toward wholeness, and God's deep love for me and others."

Shelton Oakley Hersey is a spiritual director, non-profit program director, and community builder who has experience living across cultures at home and abroad. She was a member of RCCI's inaugural cohort and helped vision their support and accountability groups. Now, she uses her skills as a facilitator to lead RCCI cohorts that help White evangelicals respond to racism as an outworking of their faith.

LORETTA CHOU

"Intercultural Ministries has been such a blessing to us in our experience with our Afghan friends. From working with the refugee population to navigating cultural differences, Sarah Blumenshine has walked closely with us in this journey, and has given us invaluable guidance each step of the way. She has made the road much smoother than it would have been without her help. She has taught us so much about working with refugees and we are so grateful!"

Loretta Chou is a pediatrician and member of Grace Chapel, a church community she has been a part of for 25 years. She was a key volunteer with Agencia ALPHA’s COVID vaccine initiative, where she utilized her capacity as a physician. In 2022, Loretta and her husband Don volunteered as family team leads with Intercultural Ministries (IM) to provide ongoing support to an Afghan family in Lynn.

FANIA ALVAREZ

“Being able to participate in a cohort where we can discuss the needs and goals of our churches has been a very valuable experience. I’ve been able to learn from our church neighbors and collaborate together to grow.”

Fania Alvarez is a member of Haitian Church of the Nazarene - Friends of the Humble. She is a member of the church's team that is participating in the Thriving Initiative cohort of the Boston Black Church Vitality Project. In addition, she is a youth minister at her church and serves in her church's social ministry, the Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Center (GBNCC). GBNCC provides sustainable resources and relief to underprivileged, underserved, under-represented groups, especially in Dorchester and Mattapan. Fania is blessed to see so many lives being relieved with the support her church is giving to the community.

Jen Aldana

"Performing and participating in EGC’s fundraiser event was an incredible blessing! As a Boston-based artist, it was special to see my work come to life in a new way by creating an acoustic version of my song “Trust in You” — a song about trusting in God through every season, with EGC’s vision. They stand true to their mission by incorporating the arts and empowering and uplifting others. . . It was truly a blessing to take part in.”

Jen Aldana is a singer-songwriter, worship leader, and teaching artist. She graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Songwriting. After graduating, Jen became the Season 5 Winner of The Voice on Snapchat, a social media extension of the live television show. In her career in Christian music, some highlights include singing with Leeland, opening for Kari Jobe, and performing with Paul Baloche.

Jim Longhurst

“God used my conversations with Megan to shape my thinking. God was sifting me and helping me to see things from His side. I felt a calling to help other White Christian leaders address racism."

Jim Longhurst is the pastor of Missional Living at Medway Village Church and serves as the president of Clapham Servants, a global non-profit organization. Jim was discipled by EGC’s Race & Christian Community Initiative (RCCI) over several months, speaking with Megan Lietz, director of RCCI, about power dynamics in multiracial churches. Over time, he felt called to invite other White evangelicals to join him in the same journey. Jim felt God encouraging him to step out and work with Megan to develop and host a workshop series designed to help White evangelicals engage issues of race. This was the first step in an ongoing partnership with RCCI.

Nusirat Hassan

"BEC volunteers allowed teachers to be on an even playing field and offer 1:1 or small group assistance to teachers in the virtual classroom and afterschool. . .The end results of all this commitment and hard work resulted in students increasing in their MCAS scoring, this we know was because of our volunteers."

Nusirat Hassan is the Manager for Student Life at the Community Academy of Science and Health (CASH), one of the Boston public schools in Dorchester. Born and raised in Boston, Nusirat holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University and a M.Ed. for Mental Health Counseling and Addictions from Cambridge College. She has been at CASH since 2013 and was the partnership liaison for the Boston Education Collaborative (BEC), helping to provide orientation for the BEC volunteers, communicate with teachers, and check in on how the matches were going for teachers and volunteers.

Patricia Solbavarro

"Agencia ALPHA has benefited in so many ways from working with and learning from the Emmanuel Gospel Center, particularly with the Intercultural Ministries staff. Sarah Blumenshine has been more than an ally: she has been our mentor, our coach and a friend to Agencia ALPHA. Our weekly checkpoints have brought personal healing and new spiritual strength as our staff continue to grapple with the impact of Covid-19 on our immigrant community.”

Patricia Sobalvarro is co-founder and executive director of Agencia ALPHA, a grassroots nonprofit and social ministry of Congregación León de Judá. ALPHA serves over 1,000 immigrants annually through their accredited legalization, citizenship and community organizing programs. She has been an accredited legal representative since 2013 authorized by several federal agencies to practice immigration law.

Ritajayne Rivera

"These stories are centered around the Black Church experience, and to be honest with you, I would like to see more young people in church, so I’m hoping that these stories will encourage people to go to church because it’s such a place of community."

Ritajayne Rivera is a retired high school history teacher and long-time member of Greater Framingham Community Church. Ms. Rivera was interviewed by Jacob Crutchfield, a young person in her congregation, as part of the Boston Black Church Vitality Project’s oral history project, called Solos from the Choir. Ms. Rivera shared formative memories of growing up in the Black Church in Boston and her hopes for the future of Christian community. Listen to her story here.

Sheila Wise Rowe

“The mission of The Rehoboth House aligns with the heart of EGC to empower individuals and churches to transform communities for Christ.”

Sheila is the executive director of The Rehoboth House, an international healing and reconciliation ministry, and co-founder of The Cyrene Movement, an online community that helps people of color heal from racial trauma, realize their potential and embrace reconciled community. Sheila has over 25 years of experience ministering to communities in Boston, France, and South Africa as a Christian counselor, life coach, teacher, writer, and speaker. Her latest book, Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience, published in 2020 by IVPress (IVP) was awarded the 2021 best book in Christian Living/ Discipleship by Christianity Today.

Giovanni "Fugi" Acevedo

“I am grateful for the Filmmaker Collaborative and the network of EGC. As a producer and content creator, I realize how important it is to continue to tell the stories of God working in our city.”

Giovanni "Fugi" Acevedo is a spoken word artist, youth mentor, streetwear brand co-owner, and videographer. As part of the Filmmaker Collaborative, he uses his creative expertise to come alongside artists and ministry leaders in Boston to help bring their vision to life.

Haris Domond, MTS; Founder and CEO of Equity Impact Associates

“I’m grateful to RCCI for an opportunity to gather and reflect on the importance of Black liberation in American salvation and underscore the attention that Christ fixed upon marginalized communities.”

Haris Domond is the founder and CEO of Equity Impact Associates (EIA), a corporate diversity education firm that offers diversity training through its proprietary learning platform, Thrive.

Pastor Beatrice Acevedo

“EGC has been an incredible partner, resource and support in helping to equip our church leaders at Restoration City Church, in accomplishing the mission of being one church with many campuses with and for our communities.”

Pastor Beatriz Acevedo serves as the community pastor at Restoration City Church, connecting the church with platforms and education opportunities to connect with their community. She is also a facilitator for Pivot Experiences, a consulting business that helps build equitable ecosystems for organizations, and also leads the racial equity initiatives for the Department of Public Health.

Charmie Curry

“I am humbled to be able to work toward equity everyday as an act of faith. The spiritual and practical support from RCCI while leading conversations about racial healing has been invaluable. I am grateful to RCCI for authentic partnership, godly leadership and stewardship of our city.”

Charmie Curry is a District administrator supporting the work of equity in the Wellesley Public Schools. She has partnered with RCCI while leading conversations about racial healing in her church. These conversations stirred a desire to more intentionally explore issues of race in her community’s context. Her service to her church was what God used to send her to lead this work as an anti-racism advocate in a public school system in Greater Boston.

Rev. David Wright

"Understanding Living Systems is the critical next step in the development of effective ministry, especially in the urban context."

Rev. David Wright is the executive director of the BMA TenPoint, an organization that helps churches, ministries, and non-profits work together to engage communities in Boston. Rev. Wright is also an associate minister at the Peoples Baptist Church in Boston, where he serves as assistant to the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Wesley A. Roberts.

FINANCIAL HEALTH

STRATEGY

We believe healthy leaders lead to healthy churches and related systems, which lead to healthy communities and positive change in the world.

We strengthen leaders by helping them:

Learn: by taking time to understand the city and the systems in which we operate.
Connect: By getting to know the people involved and facilitating strong working relationships, and by connecting the dots of stories and narratives to facilitate understanding.
Equip: By providing teaching, training, tools and resources for effective ministry, and to help others learn and connect.

Learn, Connect and Equip always works together and leads to action.

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