Newsletters

Inside EGC

Inside EGC is a bi-monthly newsletter that provides information about EGC and our ministries as well as what we are learning about urban ministry and the Kingdom of God in Greater Boston.

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2010
2009
2008

2007
2006
2005

2004
2003
2002

2010

JULY-AUGUST 2010, VOL. 11, NO. 3 (866 KB)
COVER STORY: STARLIGHT TURNS 20 -- Today, Starlight is training church teams to create redemptive “communities of faith” with people who are without housing or are street involved. The key to making this happen is for Christians to build meaningful relationships with people in their own communities who are homeless. In this cover article, recently appointed Starlight director, Rev. Dr. Brian Gearin, unpacks the vision for Starlight’s next phase of ministry.
Also in this issue:
*Greater Boston Church Planting Collaborative Turns 10 – The trend of robust church planting continues in Boston, and EGC’s Church Planting Collaborative is there to help grease the wheels. Rev. Ralph Kee, a veteran church planter, talks about his daily work as “animator” for church planters, and his vision for a growing movement of even more start-up churches moving out from Boston to the region and the world. (page 4)
*Long-term Thinking Produces Long Lasting Fruit – excerpted from The Cat and the Toaster, a book released this year by EGC’s President Dr. Douglas Hall. This article looks at why the notion of “long term” is so important in Living System Ministry. Taking his lead from the biblical book of James, Doug points out that urban ministers need to have the same sense of timing in ministry as rural farmers do with producing our food. (page 6)
*Grace Notes: Saying good-bye to Khary and to Rema. Saying hello to Hanno. And offering congratulations to Brian and Sandy. (page 7)
*The Importance of principles. EGC closely follows a set a five principles of ministry. What are they, and how do they work? Jeff Bass explains. (page 8)
MAY-JUNE 2010, VOL. 11, NO. 3 (869 KB)
COVER STORY: DIVINITY AND DIRT--EGC helped host the 10th Annual Ethnic Ministries Summit, A City Without Walls, in April, 2010. How does this Summit fit into the ongoing work of Intercultural Ministries, and what did we learn? Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler, director of EGC’s Intercultural Ministries, says there are some clear takeaways from the three-year Summit planning journey, but also some curiosity as to where we go from here. Gregg goes on to talk about working with what he calls “divinity and dirt,” the reality of God’s anointing coexisting with the reality of the interrelational barriers we construct that impede the flow of God’s work.
Also in this issue:
*EGC’s Multicultural Milestones: snippets from EGC’s 40 years of involvement with Boston’s thriving immigrant and ethnic Christian communities.
*Bianca Duemling, a recent intern from Germany, shares her perspective on Christian leadership in the light of growing cultural diversity within the evangelical community, and asks how relationships among cultural groups and churches can be transformed from conflict or oppression to equal partnerships. (page 6)
*Rev. Dr. Brian Gearin, back from sabbatical, starts a new role at the Center. (page 7)
*Complexity + Unity = EGC? Jeff Bass talks about the difficulty of defining what we do at EGC. (page 8)
MARCH-APRIL 2010, VOL. 11, NO. 2 (910 KB)
COVER STORY: WHAT IS LIVING SYSTEM MINISTRY? We start with a quote from EGC President Dr. Doug Hall’s interview at the EGC Annual Dinner on March 13. Then, on the following pages, we look at the question from the standpoint of an Old Testament story, and Dr. Hall offers a few recent thoughts about “cat and toaster thinking.” Be sure to check out the 3-minute video describing Living System Ministry online at www.ToasterCat.org.
Also in this issue:
*I didn’t know what I was doing! – Dr. Rodney Hart, President of Teen Challenge New England, spoke at the Annual Dinner, telling the story of how he went from living on the streets of Boston to leading a regional ministry with a staff of 200, helping people recover from addictions. (page 4)
*Annual Dinner Photo Album – This year’s Annual Dinner was the best ever! Take a look at what we did! (page 5) Or, you can view our complete dinner album at www.egc.org/2010dinnerpics.
*When the faith of our fathers collides with the culture of our children – Drew Winkler is taking a closer look at second-generation issues in the Haitian community, hoping that what he learns will help churches serve their members well. (page 6)
*Help us help Haiti – An update on EGC’s ongoing response to the Haiti earthquake. (page 7)
*Intern feature – Meet Bianca Duemling, an intern from Germany serving at EGC this spring. (page 8)
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010, VOL. 11, NO. 1 (1.04 MB)

COVER STORY: CREATING A SAFER BOSTON. The Youth Violence Systems Project reaches new milestones in 2010. What happens when we look at youth violence as a systemic issue, and start to see the variables in the social system that drive violence? And what happens if we put all this data in a computer model that can suggest outcomes to actions that agencies and organizations might take on the system? Now online at www.gettingtotheroots.org.
Also in this issue:
*The Boston Haitian Community and the Earthquake – Steve Daman talks with Pastor Sol Védrine and Haitian Ministries Associate Drew Winkler to learn how the Haitian churches in Boston are responding to the crisis in Haiti just three weeks after the tragic event. (page 5)
*Dr. Bose to Cape Town 2010 – Get acquainted with EGC’s Dr. Bobby Bose, Global Urban Ministries Network Education Coordinator, and find out why he is going to Cape Town. (page 6)
*Grace Notes – EGC staff updates: new roles for Sam Kim and Liza Cagua-Koo, new Board member, new baby, and two special prayer concerns. (page 7)
*Your 2010 EGC Annual Dinner Invitation – The annual dinner is coming to Boston on March 13, 2010. Are you? (page 8)

2009

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2009, VOL. 16, NO. 6 (1.16 MB)

COVER STORY: WHAT WE DO – What goes on at EGC? And more specifically, what have we accomplished this past year? In this November-December issue of Inside EGC, we update all our ministries, and briefly explain what each program is about. You can catch up with Rudy Mitchell, senior researcher, and learn what he’s been studying. Listen to Khary Bridgewater talk about the Youth Violence Systems Project. Get current with Rev. Soliny Védrine and Haitian Ministries International, Rev. Ralph Kee and the Greater Boston Church Planting Collaborative, Rev. Matthew Gibson and neXus Boston, and all our hard-working program directors.
Also in this issue:
*Someone will run the 2010 Boston Marathon for Starlight Ministries. Is it you?
*Grace Notes: Congratulations to Melissa and Odoi Odotei on your marriage! We welcome a new baby in our EGC family! Meet Seong-Soo Lee. And congratulations to Ruth Wong on your new position!
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009, VOL. 16, NO. 6 (628 KB)

COVER STORY: THE CAT AND THE TOASTER - EGC is pleased to announce that our President, Dr. Douglas Hall, has written a book on ministry in the context of large social systems. This issue of Inside EGC is filled with pre-publication excerpts from this upcoming book. Find out why Doug has written and what it’s all about.
Also in this issue:
*What were you thinking? Doug Hall presents an introduction to the systems thinking idea of mental models, and how our understanding of mental models can help us in ministry.
*Program Updates – Starlight Ministries sharpens their vision to train churches to serve those who are homeless and street involved. The Boston Education Collaborative pursues a research initiative and seeks volunteer researchers. The EGC Board of Directors welcomes back Nika Elugardo.
*Grace Notes: Liza and Daniel’s baby (meet Jacob Cagua-Koo)! Meet yet another Sam Kim. Welcome Erik Nordbye. Bye for now to our sister Tamecia Jones. We will miss you!
JULY-AUGUST 2009, VOL. 16, NO. 4 (413 KB)

COVER STORY: I WANT MY CITY TO KNOW JESUS - Springfield and Hartford Christians meet to share ministry vision for metro region
Also in this issue:
*Grace Notes - a column by Grace Lee: Goodbyes, more babies, and new staff!
*Board of Directors update - Ever wondered who is on the EGC Board, or what they look like? Go to page 4 to find out.

MAY-JUNE 2009, VOL. 16, NO. 3 (1 MB)

COVER STORY: OUT OF THE COCOON Two years since its start-up, neXus Boston is making a real impact on urban youth workers. Read their stories.
Also in this issue:
*All about the plus! What are the three "pluses" Jeff Bass sees for EGC? This article summarizes Jeff's talk at our annual dinner on March 21, 2009. Plus, check out the photos of the dinner in our one-page dinner scrapbook.
*Program Updates - EGC is planning a prayer trip to Korea this fall. Two run for Starlight at the Boston Marathon. How did they do? Four staff attend the "Transform World Houston" conference and make some important connections.
*Grace Notes - a column by Grace Lee: Congratulations to Dr. Elijah and Rev. Amy Kim! What a cute baby!
MARCH-APRIL 2009, VOL. 16, NO. 2 (892 KB)

COVER STORY: MORE KNOWLEDGE. MORE UNDERSTANDING. MORE FRUIT! An overview of EGC's new applied research project from Jeff Bass, executive director. You'll definitely want to be in the know about this! Also in this issue:
*Seeking interns and volunteers! We'll need all the help we can get with our new research project, and you might be able to help! See pp. 1-4 for more information.
*Program Updates - Updates on prayer gatherings in Boston, Pastor Sol Védrine's latest trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Ethnic Ministries Summit (page 5).
*There's No Stoppin' 'Em Now! - Did you know we'll have two runners at the Boston Marathon who are running to raise money for Starlight? Learn more about our runners and how you can support them on page 6.
*Going Green with Inside EGC - Want to unsubscribe? Want to go digital? Want to go green? Go to page 6.
*Grace Notes - Introducing a new column by Grace Lee, development associate, on EGC staff updates.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2009, VOL. 16, NO. 1 (742 KB)

COVER STORY: Gloria a Dios! 12 Latino pastors graduate from IEP program in Boston. A firsthand report from Liza Cagua-Koo.
Also in this issue:
*It’s time for the EGC Annual Dinner - Don’t miss this year’s EGC Dinner, 70+, on March 21!
*Alex Grant is a Community Star - The Harvard Youth Violence Prevention Center awards Alex Grant for his work for violence prevention.
*The Riot in Blackstone Park - A look back at an event that shaped EGC and helped established its place in the Boston community.
*Another Church in Boston is Born - Ben Rey, former EGC staff member, is helping to launch a new church in Jamaica Plain.

2008

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2008, VOL. 15, NO. 6 (1.3 MB)

SPECIAL ISSUE ON PARTNERSHIPS! In this issue, we take a look at the many different kinds of partnerships EGC has that are vital to doing urban ministry well. Jeff Bass, executive director, opens the issue with a look at the different levels of partnership that EGC is engaged in, and provides a launching pad for the discussion. We then look at the ways several of EGC's programs are partnering with other organizations in the city and we hear from program directors as well as some of our partners on the importance and benefits of partnership. Then on page seven, we take a look at the staff updates--don't miss the news on staff changes, comings, and goings!
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2008, VOL. 15, NO. 5 (2.33 MB)

COVER STORY: “From Killing Fields to Living Fields.” Massachusetts has the second highest population of Cambodians in America. Many, like EGC’s Cambodian Minister-at-large, Pastor PoSan, escaped from the Khmer Rouge genocide of the 1970s. New EGC staff member Sally Steele explores EGC’s collaboration in this local outreach.

Also in this issue:
*p.3. Centered on the Gospel since 1938: What did EGC’s first newsletter in 1945 have to say? We take a look back to our roots as we celebrate 70 years in Boston this October.
*p.6. How EGC serves new urban ministries. Check out stories and pictures from a few of our fiscal conduit ministries including the Boston Faith and Justice Network, Michael Dottin Ministries, and Pastor Daniel's translation ministry in Haiti.
*p.7, 8. Staff Updates: EGC staff are coming and going, stretching and growing, wedding gowns flowing, t'will soon be snowing!
JULY-AUGUST 2008, VOL. 15, NO. 4 (571 KB)

COVER STORY: "One Body, One Spirit, One Hope: How three urban ministries work together as one to see lives transformed through Jesus Christ." This story centers around the work of Larry DiZazzo, director of Outreach Boston, and how Outreach Boston, EGC’s Starlight Ministries, and the South End Neighborhood Church of Emmanuel partner in their ministry to people who are homeless. “It is not a program,” says Pastor Neal Armandt, “it is who we are.”

Also in this issue:
*Haitian Ministries International Update, check in with Pastor Sol Védrine and the Haitian community of Boston.
*EGC Poetry Board, staff submit thoughtful haiku on EGC.
*What have you been doing lately? The role of balance and rest for followers of Christ. And
*Congratulations to the May 2008 New City Scholars grads!
MAY-JUNE 2008, VOL. 15, NO. 3 (3.49 MB)
COVER STORY: Looking at Youth Violence Systemically -- EGC recently began a two-year study that will develop a model that reflects the best thinking about youth violence in Boston from a multi-dimensional perspective. We don’t expect to have “the solution” to youth violence at the end of this project, says Khary Bridgewater, director of AES and project director for this study, “But we will have a powerful simulation model that can have a meaningful impact on public policy at many levels and help high-violence neighborhoods… identify the highest leverage actions to take in addressing this issue.”

ALSO...
*March’s Christian Community Development Association Training Institute at EGC considered questions such as: “How has God called us to engage in the communities in which we live, work, and attend church?” --
*The Youth Entrepreneurship Program is making change in the lives of urban youth. Learn how this new program was launched, and consider its potential to help more kids next year.
*Did you come to the EGC Annual Dinner? Look for your photo on page 6.
*Meet Alex Grant, new to Starlight Ministries, whose workplace is the sidewalks of Boston.
MARCH-APRIL 2008, VOL. 15, NO. 2
COVER STORY: 35 years of ministry at 2 San Juan Street--A past and present look at Boston's 2 San Juan Street, home to EGC, seminary classes, and three urban churches.
STAFF TRANSITIONS: We say goodbye to Alice Rouse and Robert Taylor.
VOLUNTEER AND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT EGC: Want to serve in the city this summer? Next weekend?
EGC'S ANNUAL DINNER: It's Getting Louder! is the theme for this year's dinner on April 5, 2008 at Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon, Jamaica Plain, Mass. Free dinner buffet and desserts, silent auction, meet Staff and Board, give to the work of EGC in Boston.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES IN BOSTON: 2008 National City Impact Roundtable (April 14-16, 2008), CCDA Institute Boston (March 28-29, 2008), and RELOAD training for youth workers (April 5, 2008).
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2008, VOL. 15, NO. 1
What happened at the ILC? 400 leaders gathered for a day of listening and learning about the intercultural church in New England. See our extensive report. Also in this issue: the Sanctuary Art Show (artistic expressions of homeless young adults), Vision Globale (100 Haitian leaders meet for five days to consider the state of the Haitian church worldwide), and the neXus Boston open house (80 urban youth workers check out the neXus program).

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2007

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007, VOL. 14, NO. 4
Fall Focus: Prayer in Boston. Why Boston's pastors are gathering for prayer every month; Starlight's new prayer initiative and inner healing prayer; Transit-oriented intercession, Rev. Ralph Kee demonstrates one new way to pray for an entire city; and more. Announcing: Sanctuary Art Show, Cambridge, Oct 12; neXus Open House, Roxbury, Oct 18; Intercultural Leaders Consultation, Lexington, Oct 20.

SUMMER 2007, VOL. 14, NO. 3
Announcing: Intercultural Leadership Consultation, October 20, 2007. Read the announcement and meet the two newest members of EGC's intercultural ministries team. Special report: Sexual Sin and the Purified Bride. A discussion about sexual sin and the church; how it has affected EGC in recent weeks, what one church is doing to help, how one Christian leader talks with God about the problem. News items: Sanctuary opens, one more good way to serve youth who are homeless in Boston; 1st cohort of New City Scholars graduates from Gordon College; lots of staff transitions. This edition has 12-pages of interesting articles to read! Have a restful summer!
MARCH-APRIL 2007, VOL. 14, NO. 2
Introducing neXus Boston, a powerful collaborative with a mission to encourage, support and train Christian youth workers to serve urban and high risk youth. What is neXus? Who are members of the Collaboration Council? Meet Matthew Gibson, Director. Also in this issue: Preparing for the Greatest Awakening; and highlights from "Joined and Held Together," our 2007 annual spring dinner. (Recognize anyone in those 20 photos?)
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2007, VOL. 14, NO. 1
"Remembering Eduardo Maynard." EGC lost a good friend and former colleague, a faithful servant who helped nurture the Quiet Revival among Spanish-speaking believers in New England. Also: Save the Date! Coming on March 24, "Joined and Held Together!" This year's annual EGC dinner. Finally, what's in the Emmanuel Research Review?

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2006

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2006, VOL. 13, NO. 5
"The Changing Shape of Boston's Church Community" is the lead article in this edition. Based on church research in Boston, it appears the Quiet Revival is continuing and even growing stronger! Also, how is EGC's Intercultural Ministry blending with Urban Ministry Training? Then, discover what's new at the BEC, and meet two new staff members, Ruth Wong and Vince Campbell.
JULY-AUGUST 2006, VOL. 13, NO. 4
Meet Liza Adriana Cagua, EGC's new Senior Program Director. Also, Starlight introduces a new program for street kids, and we report on the summer's Haitian Crusades.
MAY-JUNE 2006, VOL. 13, NO. 3
The Coming Revival! What's ahead for the church in Boston? First, enjoy a taste of Lamps Filled & Ready, EGC's celebration dinner on April 29 when we celebrated what God has done and will do in Boston. Then read about evidences for revival in three articles by Carl Racine on the emerging churches, on preparing the fields for harvest, and on Palm Sunday's prayer gathering at Franklin Field.
MAR-APR 2006, VOL. 13, NO. 2
Applied Evaluation Systems (AES) was officially launched on March 1, 2006. Find out what this new enterprise offers the urban community both in Boston and around the globe. Meet Nika Elugardo, the woman with the dream for AES. Also, see articles on one of our recent interns from the Netherlands, on the passing of a good friend, and on five men and women preparing to run the Boston Marathon to raise money for RYSE, EGC's outreach to youth who are homeless.
January 2006, Vol. 13, No. 1
This issue is packed with stories by or about some of the EGC staff: Jeff Bass on what he learned on sabbatical; Rev. Neal Armandt on coming to Boston 26 years ago; Charlotte Schulz on how a country girl ended up in Boston; Judy Hall on her call to ministry and to marriage in 1960; Alice Rouse on what she is seeing on the streets this winter. Also, meet Eva Clarke, new AES staff; and learn what's in store for EGC's youth ministry this winter. Will we see you at Congress 2006 in Boston in February?

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2005

September 2005, Vol. 12, No. 5
We're at it again! Every few years we survey the churches in Boston, and we're always surprised at what we learn. Plus! Like desserts? Come join us on October 15, 2005, as we celebrate Starlight's 15th birthday. See page 5.
July 2005, Vol. 12, No. 4
RYSE Art Show, the voices of Boston's homeless youth. EGC's programs helping kids dream -- and plan -- for college. EGC's "Custom Blend" of principles and commitments. Haitian Ministries Summer Crusades.
May 2005, Vol. 12, No. 3
How EGC Grows a Program to Serve Urban Churches: the birth of CityServe, a new ministry designed to encourage and equip churches and individuals wanting to give or receive volunteer help. Also in this issue, Rev. Dr. Elijah Jong Fil Kim's kingdom vision for Boston.
March 2005, Vol. 12, No. 2
EGC's Multicultural Ministries Program: working to network and resource Christian leaders from various ethnic people groups living in and around Boston.
January 2005, Vol. 12, No. 1
EGC's Network Savings and Training Program Wins National Award; Spring Banquets Announced; Robert Taylor—New Director of Starlight Ministries; New EGC Program—Applied Evaluation Systems