“I remember feeling grateful for all my blessings, but sickened by the inequities around us and empowered to make an effort to do something more….It is my sincere prayer that this song will both entertain and inspire everyone who hears it, to do more, for those who are less fortunate.”

This week, we want to feature a song co-written by Issa Bibbins, who is a pianist, rapper and content curator and former minister of music at Roxbury Presbyterian Church. “Where Do We Go” is the sixth release on the Treatment Project. This song addresses homelessness and how a lack of empathy, greed, and indifference perpetuate this growing problem. As COVID-19 has furthered economic inequities in Boston, this is a timely and crucial message for contemplation and action – Watch his video below!

Issa describes: “This song started from a conversation with producer, singer, and long time collaborator Sam Jones about two months ago. I had just released the fifth song on The Treatment Project, titled  ‘Superhuman DNA,’ and I reached out to Sam about producing the next song on the project. I remember spending a few minutes talking about music, and the conversation shifting from music business, to friends checking in about life. We spoke about the changing responsibilities we both have, as ministers of music at Roxbury Presbyterian Church and New Hope Baptist Church. We discussed COVID-19 and how it has impacted live performance opportunities for musicians in the city. As we all have faced uncertainty during these complex times, it is interesting how vulnerability can give way to both fear and anxiety but also serve as a unique tool to inspire empathy for those who are less fortunate.

A few days later, Sam sent me a rough draft of the composition. It was as if divine inspiration was deposited into my consciousness as soon as I heard the first measure. The song literally wrote itself! My heart erupted with so much emotion, I finishing writing the first verse in less than twenty minutes. I remember feeling grateful for all my blessings, but sickened by the inequities around us and empowered to make an effort to do something more. Sam called artist “ItsyourboyKR”, and I called good friend and artist Abria Smith, and they masterfully brought completion to this piece of art. I had the privilege to volunteer with my daughter at the Friday Cafe at First Church in Cambridge to take an extra step in fulfilling this call to do more, which came as a result of this collaborative experience. It is my sincere prayer that this song will both entertain and inspire everyone who hears it, to do more, for those who are less fortunate.

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To watch other videos from the Treatment Project, check out Issa Bibbins’ Youtube channel here. Also, you can learn more about Issa Bibbins music ministry at pearlfortheworld.com

This week, we feature a blog by Ruth Wong, the Program Director of the Boston Education Collaborative at Emmanuel Gospel Center. The Boston Education Collaborative (BEC) works with churches and Christian leaders to empower Boston’s next generation to succeed in school and in life. The BEC is also a featured ministry in UniteBoston’s upcoming Love Boston concert. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Ruth shares stories about how God has been at work through church-school partnerships in nurturing new collaborations between churches and city institutions.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic swept through our world and threw all the countries and their systems into chaos, a sense of awe and the fear of the Lord grew in me. God humbled mankind and put us in our place, reminding us of how limited and powerless we really are. In essence, I believe God called us to attention. There has been much suffering, loss, and death as a result of this pandemic. It has been a sobering season to say the least. Yet, many Christians would also attest that we have seen God work in amazing ways that demonstrate His greater purposes in allowing this crisis to happen. Through the Boston Education Collaborative (BEC) at Emmanuel Gospel Center (EGC), I have witnessed God bring His body together across racial, ethnic, and geographical lines in new ways that I could not have imagined or foreseen.

The mission of the BEC is to help churches support urban students (and their families) so they can thrive and reach their fullest God-given potential. Traditionally, many urban churches had already been involved in supporting schools or running their own programs to meet the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of students. Since 2011, the BEC has helped to mobilize and support new church-school partnerships primarily with the Boston Public Schools (BPS) but has also worked beyond Boston. Churches have partnered with schools to provide supplies for classrooms, appreciate school staff, support the needs of families, and tutor/mentor students. God has divinely orchestrated so many connections and new partnerships that I am no longer surprised. Yet each time they happen, I continue to marvel at how His ways are infinitely higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). I am humbled by God’s favor upon the BEC in allowing us to build trust and so many relationships with local leaders in the area.

In early April, a series of personal connections led to an unexpected new ministry role for the BEC. I got connected to a director at the Salvation Army who was involved in statewide efforts to provide emergency and disaster relief. That introduction led to the BEC getting involved in helping to mobilize churches to meet diaper and other needs in Chelsea which was hit hard by the pandemic. Concurrently, I found out about various needs, including diapers, amongst the Spanish-speaking BPS families. This led me to pull in other EGC colleagues to meet with Agencia ALPHA, the social service agency of Congregación León de Judá, to explore ways to partner. ALPHA connected me with Pastor Johana Perez from Harvest Ministries of New England in Weymouth. One thing led to another, and soon, Pastor Johana and I found ourselves as partners in diaper ministry (aka diaper queens) for the Greater Boston region. 

What began as an effort to help Chelsea with diaper needs became a diaper and baby products ministry that has helped over 600 families that are connected to at least 18 churches and nine organizations in Boston and beyond. BPS families were able to benefit from these resources as well as many families that were being reached by local churches, most of them in the COPAHNI (the Fellowship of Hispanic Pastors of New England) and ALPHA networks. The families live in Boston, Chelsea, Lynn, Lowell, Waltham, New Bedford, Fall River, Brockton, Cranston (RI), and even on Martha’s Vineyard. We were tasked by the Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to manage a large donation of diapers from Baby2Baby, a charity organization. In addition, many individuals and several churches generously supported the ministry with financial and diaper donations, totaling close to $10,000. 

Through BPS, the BEC was also introduced to two parent coordinators who had brought to BPS’ attention the many needs of the families that they were connected to. It turned out that these two moms were active members and leaders in their churches. At the time, Iglesia Biblica Faro de Luz in East Boston and New Ministry Church in Roxbury were not connected with ALPHA or COPAHNI. Through the BEC, those two churches were able to get connected to the resources of these two networks. Harvest Ministries, ALPHA, and COPAHNI had been coordinating an amazing operation to deliver food bags and fresh produce to families every weekend from April through early August. Out of the 1000+ families that had received food at least once, 160+ of them were connected to these two churches. The churches also referred families to apply for the cash assistance program that ALPHA was running to help families most impacted by the pandemic. In addition, the BEC connected another 64 BPS families to receive food deliveries. 

It was amazing to see all the different churches who collaborated together for these efforts. While Harvest Ministries alone had 30 drivers to help distribute food to churches and hundreds of families, drivers from ALPHA and six other urban and suburban churches also pitched in to deliver to many homes. Besides the diapers that went to families connected to more than 10 Latino churches, there were diapers that went to families connected to several other churches representing different denominations and ethnicities.

This is just one story from the pandemic period. I know of other beautiful examples of churches partnering together for the first time and building relationships that will extend beyond this COVID-19 season. Furthermore, there were many other churches and leaders that collaborated with or supported the BEC during this time on other projects. The number of churches, organizations, and individuals who partnered in all the various projects is astounding. (I wish there was room to name them all here.) God’s fingerprints were all over the web of relationships, the timing of conversations that happened, and the catalytic events that led one thing to another. “You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” (Psalms 40:5)

During UniteBoston’s webinar on how churches are missionally responding to COVID-19, Rev. David Wright, Executive Director of the Black Ministerial Alliance & Assistant to the Pastor at Peoples Baptist Church said something that really resonated with me: “I see Christians trying to get ‘through this’ so we can go back to our understanding of ‘normal.’ But God is intentionally leading us to a different place of doing and being the Church. We do ministry in our congregations, but how do we incarnationally engage the world for the kingdom of God? How do we see ourselves within an ecosystem of other churches so we can really be salt and light to the world? I see the body of Christ coming together in phenomenal ways; I’m just hoping that it continues and isn’t just an episodic thing because we had this crisis.” To this, I say, “Amen! Yes, Lord! May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

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Currently, the BEC is busy working on initiatives to support BPS and other school districts in the upcoming school year, including mobilizing churches to assist teachers during Zoom classes, providing cloth masks for BPS students, sharing space with afterschool programs, hosting learning pods, and supporting parents/guardians in navigating the online platforms. Please join in on what God is doing through and in the churches as we seek to be His salt and light in our communities! To learn more about these initiatives, go to www.churchschoolpartners.org and contact me at rwong[at]egc.org.

In just two weeks, UniteBoston is hosting its 4th annual summer worship event, the “Love Boston” virtual concert! As the culminating event to our “Love Thy Neighbor” summer campaign, Love Boston features local Christian artists of diverse backgrounds performing original songs of justice, faith, and resilience that inspire audiences to “Love Thy Neighbor” during times of great adversity.  Also, in recognition of the effects of systemic racism, this concert intentionally centers the voices of artists of color. Viewers can tune in to the live-streamed concert on September 12 at 7:00pm by registering here. Meet each of the singers below to see what the concert’s theme of “Love Thy Neighbor” means to them, and why audiences should tune in to the concert! Click each artist’s name to visit their websites, and learn more about their music and creative missions! 

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Name: Shanell Alyssa

Performance: Singer

Home Church: The First Cathedral

Original Song: “Freedom – We’ll All Be Free”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“It’s been beautiful to see people expressing neighborly love in the Boston area, reaching out and going out of their comfort zones to help others during this time. It’s almost like we are entering a new era of unity… This whole thing is causing us to put aside all of the little things that divide the body of Christ that are not as significant as we make them out to be.

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“I’m really excited for the Love Boston concert. I hope that people can gather and experience this concert and create their own experiences around it in the viewing parties, in whatever way that people want to get together…I am excited to hear how people will be blessed by this [event].”

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Name: Ada Betsabe

Performance: Singer/Rapper

Home Church: Impact Church

Original Song: “Sparrow”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“We have so many different groups and organizations pulling for their beliefs, and we’re all so focused on finding someone to have our back and to say “I support this movement.” I think Love Boston lets us draw into the fact that God has our back, and he’s watching after us.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“Love Boston is a great initiative. UniteBoston has always been an organization to foster that sense of unity. In this particular concert, I’ve been very involved in the logistics, and have seen the selflessness of everyone involved. As artists, we could be saying “we’re already struggling, why would we do this?”, but that’s not the case. There’s this unity in spirit that we have, and I pray that everyone who gets to watch the concert and be a part of it can be united with the vision, which is to lift up the name of Jesus. That’s what it comes down to, and we’re all just here for that.” 

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Name: Jen Aldana

Performance: Singer

Home Church: Impact Church

Original Song: “Your Peace”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“It’s such an important time to be unified as one church, as one people. What a better time than this to serve one another while so many people are in need, and so many people are starving for truth and starving for something that will bring them peace.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“Tuning in to Love Boston is a great opportunity for people of the Boston area to get in touch with what our local artists are doing. I think we don’t always get as much recognition, and we don’t always have these opportunities to collaborate and work with one another like we do at this event. So it’s going to be a great way for others to see what talent there is in the city.”

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Name: Caleb McCoy

Performance: Singer/Rapper

Home Church: Neighborhood Church in Dorchester

Original Song: “Free (My Soul)”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“ Loving our neighbor is trying to love yes, the people that are close and the people that we love, but also love those that may be different from us, those that we can’t understand. And I think that’s the beauty of music. With music, we can all spread a message  and share a message that may be difficult in conversation. So, I hope to love my neighbor through music and through my life.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

We want to share this music with you, even though we can’t be there with you, we want to come together to share the encouragement, to share the lament, the trials, and also to share the celebration of what God is doing in Boston.”  

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Name: Fugi

Performance: Spoken Word Poet and Visual Creator

Home Church: Restoration City Church

Original Spoken Word Piece: “Still Bless You”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“Love Boston, for me, is really just capitalizing on community. Knowing that no one should be left out. To look to our right, left, front, and behind us, and knowing that no one is left behind, no one is out. And to make everybody included, even with our own differences.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“Love Boston has many cool forms of creativity and art. Everything from singing to rap to spoken word, to music ensembles and creation put together, from all different kinds of artists. And the content is filled with community, love, creativity, peace, and joy. I think if people tune in and really listen to the words that the artists are speaking, they can catch a lot of gems from it.” 

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Name: Jeany Alcántara

Performance: Singer

Home Church: Oasis of Life in Dorchester

Song: “On the Throne” by Desperation Band

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“Love thy neighbor is not only speaking but also acting according to what the Bible says: That you help when people are walking through their “valley of darkness.” There are people of different backgrounds, and yet we are one, and we should treat each other the same way you treat yourself.” 

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“This concert is a way to bring hope, to unite families and communities. We know that what most of us are going through is not easy, but I think that through the music and creativity, the talent that we are bringing in to this concert will be able to show people that there is still hope and love that can transform any situation they are facing. I think you should tune in to this concert and invite other people to it to come together and worship with us. It’s gonna be cool, I know you’re gonna love it. So come be part of it, and let’s sing together.” 

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Name: Jalen Williams 

Performance: Singer

Home Church: Impact Church

Original Song: “Never Leave”

What does the concert theme “Love Thy Neighbor” mean to you?

“When it comes to my neighbor, and the season that we’re in right now, I feel like it really means me accepting them for who they are. Wherever you’re at, whatever it is that you are doing or dealing with, I’m still going to be there for you. I’m still going to care for you. Whether you share the same values, or whether you share the same views, it doesn’t matter. You’re human. You’re a person. You have things that you love, people that you care about, and I should care about those things too because you care about that.”

Why should people tune in to this concert?

“We’ve got your favorite Boston Christian artists here, trying to show love with one another, to the community.” 

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Resources

Register for the concert and gain access to the city-wide viewing parties

Make a donation to contribute to this worship and racial justice movement. Once we cover the cost of hosting the event, all proceeds will go back to the artists to support their ministries.

Click here for our media kit, which includes information about how you can have your church or organization listed in our promotional materials.

PDF with more information about hosting a viewing party

Application to host a viewing party – Due Saturday September 5

Boston, We’ll Keep On Loving You!

Boston, MA –  On September 12^th, at 7:00pm, Boston’s top Christian artists are rising up to share original responses to the challenges of a global health crisis and racial injustices in a virtual concert event. In this “Love Boston Virtual Concert,” artists of diverse backgrounds are performing original songs of justice, faith, and resilience that inspire audiences to “Love Thy Neighbor” during times of great adversity.

Local performing artists will feature music representing hip-hop, worship, soul, and gospel genres. “We wanted to bring forth a unique response to the current world events, and that uniqueness lies in what each artist brings to the table,” said singer Shanell Alyssa. “From varied demographics, backgrounds, and musical styles, we wanted to share a response that would speak to the hearts of people in all their diversity.” 

This concert is the culminating event of a broader “Love Thy Neighbor” summer campaign coordinated by UniteBoston, in which people were encouraged to demonstrate love and connect with their neighbors in new and unexpected ways. In May, UniteBoston launched a COVID Grocery Delivery program which connects volunteers with COVID-positive households to provide groceries, and in June, UniteBoston hosted a large gathering in the Boston Common for racial justice. “Amidst all that is happening in our world today, we see many people responding by disparaging others with different viewpoints and backgrounds,” said Kelly Fasset, Executive Director of UniteBoston. “Rather than mimicking these divisive approaches, we feel called to look outward in love and care for one another, especially to those who are vulnerable or oppressed. I am convinced that there is no better time to Love Thy Neighbor than today.”

Featured artists include: Shanell Alyssa, Ada Betsabe, Jen Aldana, Caleb McCoy, Jeany Alcantara, and Jalen Williams. This year’s concert will be streaming LIVE on UniteBoston’s Facebook Page. To get access to this free streaming concert and neighborhood-based viewing parties, visit http://love-boston.eventbrite.com

About UniteBoston:

UniteBoston is a local nonprofit dedicated to bridging the historic divides among Christians from various denominations, races and generations and making “Love Thy Neighbor” a lifestyle. The “Love Thy Neighbor” event builds on their previous annual summer concerts in the Boston Common, which have been attended by over 2,000 people. Read more about the Love Thy Neighbor campaign and sign up to participate here.