RYSE (“Reaching Youth on the Streets”) was part of Emmanuel Gospel Center’s Starlight Ministries, an outreach to people who are homeless in Boston and Cambridge. In this article, Alice Rouse, former RYSE youth outreach coordinator, explains what RYSE learned about homeless youth and young adults in Boston. Much of this information is based on a survey conducted by RYSE in 2004 that explores homeless and street-involved youth’s histories of homelessness, substance abuse, service utilization, and experience with social service agencies. In addition to the survey results, we have added content from Alice’s academic writings as well as from an informal interview.
As more information is being shared about the global challenge of human trafficking, an opportunity is also emerging for the church to engage in the local and international, practical and spiritual, dimension of the this problem. In this section, we have included: an introduction to the topic of human trafficking by Sarah Durfey, Massachusetts Co-Director of “Not For Sale”; a profile of “Break the Chains” as a model of a denominationally initiated ministry directed by Barbara Anderson of American Baptist Women’s Ministries; an introduction and overview of the 2009 Trafficking in Persons report released June 2009; and a practical resource list on the issue of human trafficking.
by Albert Whitaker
The purpose of this paper is to share with the reader a ministry proposal that expresses my vision of establishing a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic faith-based organization that provides technical assistance to churches throughout greater Boston that desire training and assistance in developing a health ministry. The focus of this ministry is to address the whole health of the members of their respective congregations as well as the communities in which they serve.
by Frederick Kitonga
This paper presents an indigenous and biblical consideration of the socio-economic complexities and kingdom opportunities in the Kitui District of Kenya for a sustainable development process that engages, inspires, educates, and economically benefits the local Kitui community. Although developers claim to aim at meeting the needs of the poor in the community, in actuality, these projects aim at profit-making and end up only meeting the needs of some individuals, hence are leaving the poor in the district poorer. From this scenario, therefore, projects which aim at meeting the needs of the poor must begin from and with the poor, have them fully involved, and have their views and participation fully represented.
This set of articles includes An Introduction to Boston's Quiet Revival," by Rudy Mitchell; "Seeing The Church with Kingdom Eyes, by Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler,"Unity."by Dr. Eldin Villafañe; and How To Make Our 'Love In Action' Effective, by Dr. Douglas Hall.
by John Runyon
Author John Runyon and a group of nearly 50 leaders from around the globe spent two years exploring the subject of reconciliation as members of the Issue Group on Reconciliation, organized by the Lausanne Committee on World Evangelization. Runyon's comments, links to the final paper of the Lausanne Issue Group, and a score of other resources may help provide for us a practical, theological momentum to impact the way the gospel of reconciliation touches the ground in our own backyards and on the streets of our cities.
by Dr. Thomas Idiculla and Leslie Verghese
Thomas Idiculla, PhD, and Leslie Verghese, LCSW, share the results of a recent study on Emerging Trends in Marriage in the Indian Christian Community within the broader context of marriage trends in the United States. “Amidst this chaotic environment, Indian Christians in North America have been facing some unprecedented challenges in balancing the contemporary trends, traditions held on to for many years, and their deep rooted Christian faith,” they report. And while the study focuses on the Indian Christian Community, it identifies issues common to many others in the church and society, while offering practical data and recommendations that inform, inspire, and strengthen marriages according to God’s design.
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