POINTS OF LIGHT IN METRO-BOSTON

Biblical Ministries Worldwide is preparing for an effort in New England, initially targeting metro-Boston. The city of Boston, Massachusetts, itself is actually a relatively small part of the metro area comprised of four densely settled counties (Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, and Essex). According to the American Church Survey, the almost 3.6 million people in metro-Boston are sadly underchurched (12% Catholic, 2% Mainline, 3% evangelical, and 85% non-Christian). What strides have been made in the past 19 years have mostly been made by Pentacostals among ethnicities.[1]

Biblical Ministries Worldwide is targeting metro-Boston by planting points of light that will serve as training centers for future church plants. Lord willing, the next 20-30 years will witness multiple works dedicated to the Gospel and expository teaching planted within the city proper, the inner suburbs, and around the 95/128 corridor.

MISSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES?

A city like Boston is a great place for missions. Those laboring for the Gospel there have access to several groups that are key targets for the Gospel.

IMMIGRANTS
It is not hard to imagine why this is a key group to target with the Gospel. As the Lord works, new laborers are saved, taught, and sent back into their unique networks. Boston is the top address for immigrants in New England (56.2% call it "home"). Its immigrant population is older and more established than the rest of the country's, with 34% coming from Europe. Portuguese, Canadians, and Chinese make up its largest classes, with the Dominican Republic, Italy, UK, Brazil, India, Haiti, and Poland contributing 3-5% apiece.

THE UNDERPRIVILEGED
A major theme in the book of Luke is that following Jesus always involves reaching out to people who need Him. Association with outcasts is a part of outreach. And they tend to respond more quickly than the privileged! The city offers the disciple of Christ the chance to embrace this privilege by reaching out to the needy.

MEDICAL WORKERS, PROFESSIONALS, AND STUDENTS
Called "the Hub" and "America's College Town," Boston is the center for economy and culture in New England. It is the home to over 600,000 jobs and some of the world's finest hospitals and educational facilities (Northeastern, BU, BC, Harvard, and MIT among them). Without question it is an influential place, especially for its size. Due to self-sufficiency and postmodernism (with its core value that there are no absolutes), these groups are notoriously closed to the Gospel. However, like the immigrants, each of these people touches an influential network. There is great opportunity for the Word of God to increase mightily.

STRATEGY

Part of BMW-Northeast's strategy is to put forth values specifically geared toward ministry in the city. An expository philosophy is key to combating postmodernism. The Gospel must be held forth along with deeds of mercy that point men to God by giving our words credibility (cf. Jas 1:26-27). Life-on-life discipleship is vital to equip people in the spiritual disciplines, personal holiness, and service. Prayer is essential to preserving our witness in the city (cf. Je 29:5-7) and promoting a quiet and tranquil life characterized by godliness and dignity (cf. 1 Ti 2:2-7). Gathering as a community of believers counters the isolation that the individualism of the city brings (cf. Eph 4:11-13). Biblical ethics are the basis of a counter culture in the city. A simple and flexible methodology will be employed to meet the challenges of ministry in the city, resulting in a product that may look different from ministry in a suburb or rural setting, though the principles will remain the same.

Our initial plant will target an area that is rich in the above three target groups (racial diversity, professionals and students, and the underprivileged). Future targets will include other similar areas in Boston's neighborhoods, Cambridge, Somerville, and the towns around the perimeter of the 95/128 corridor.

1. Evan & Natalie Collier were accepted into the BMW family in 2008. They are the first of a team that is being formed for an effort to begin reaching the Boston area.
2. The Colliers are currently raising support, after which they plan to begin the initial work of evangelism and making contacts, Lord willing by Summer 2011 or earlier.
3. BMW-Northeast needs a diverse, multi-gifted team of planters. We are asking the Lord to raise up two more missionary units to complete the team that will labor together in metro-Boston. Especially valuable are team members gifted in evangelism.

For more information, please contact Dominic Gonino, BMW's U.S. Area Director.

RELATED LINKS

The World Factbook

[1] Emmanuel Gospel Center in South Boston reports worship among the following groups: African, African American, Anglo, Asian, Brazilian, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Greek, Haitian, Hispanic, Indian, Korean, Korean-American, Latvian, Multi-ethnic, Nigerian, Taiwanese, Vietnamese and West Indian.