Grace for Boston
Several years ago, my husband and I accepted a call from the three New England Lutheran Brethren churches to move to Boston to plant a new church. This is a pretty unique call, as it’s issued from a collaboration of LB churches working together to send a planter to a location that is very unreached. We are close enough to our sending churches that visits are possible, but not close enough to have members of those congregations attend weekly events in Boston.
We’ve spent the last three years tilling new ground here―getting to know the city, making connections, and building friendships and networks. We’ve been hosting Bible studies and worship nights for those people we’ve met who are looking for a place to connect with other believers or who are curious to learn about what we’re doing.
Kristian and I had felt for a long time that we’d be called into church planting. We are both people who love cities and have spent most of our lives on the East Coast, so this call to Boston felt like a natural fit. In many ways, that has been true; we love our new city and feel connected here already. However, it was surprising to realize how long it takes to build something from the ground up when you don’t have any networks or connections going in.
Additionally, while our mission and vision is to grow with the intention of eventually establishing a self-sustaining church, this isn’t necessarily the vision of those who’ve connected with us. Our group has grown through newcomers who have moved to the city and are looking for a place to worship, and through people we’ve met who are unchurched or dechurched, but who become interested in joining us because of the relationships we’ve built. But many of these people aren’t coming because they’re interested in seeing a new church established; they’re simply coming because God has drawn them to the community we’re building. For us to move from a small community gathering to an established church, we’ll need to have attenders and leaders who view this as their own mission. In the last year, God has brought us several people who may help us do this work. Here are some experiences from two women attending Grace Hill.
Kim Charles shares her thoughts on the community we’re building here: “Joining Grace Hill was the first time I truly felt seen in a church community. I grew up in a culturally-driven church where authority was emphasized. I often wondered if I would ever find a place where I could ask questions and be myself.
From the moment I arrived, I felt so welcomed and embraced, even as a newcomer in a small congregation. I feel encouraged to show up authentically, knowing that I am seen and can make a meaningful impact for the Lord.
This sense of belonging is a testament to God’s work in Grace Hill and to Kristian and Mary, who have created such a welcoming space. As Grace Hill continues to grow, I pray that others will feel the same encouragement, spiritual growth, and genuine community that I have been so blessed to experience.”
Olivia (Foss) Antuna shares that, “Church planting has brought both unexpected challenges and unexpected joy. There are days when numbers are small and the future is uncertain, yet time and time again I have seen the Lord show up in our lives and in the lives of people around us, reminding me that this is his church.
One of the joys has been seeing the Lord bring in people who didn’t think church was for them, and then seeing them begin to open up and ask questions and find community here. Even those small moments feel like big miracles. This season has reminded me that God is at work in this church and he is the one building it. We just get to be part of the story.”
This experience of church planting has truly been the most challenging ministry season I’ve ever had; God has to work in my heart on a daily basis to remind me that this is his mission and his church. It can’t be built on the basis of our hard work, effort, or even talent. While we put in all the effort and talent we can, it will only come about through his will, through his call on peoples’ hearts. While the ministry can be exhausting, it has been an incredible opportunity to rely on God in ever-deepening ways, and to see how he works and draws people to him, even in a city where some view faith as a liability. As we plan to start public worship services soon, we rest in that reality and wait to see how God will move here in Boston.
Mary & Kristian Anderson are planting Grace Hill Community Church in Boston, MA.