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I watched CNN’s documentary on 9/11… and was led to live it in some small way… as an intrusive visitor. Still, its sounds and smells, the thuds of bodies and cries of injured… the incredible sacrifice of First Responders filled me with awe, anxieties… and questions.

My inner soul wants to take it all somewhere… but where?  What are others feeling? What is Media suggesting? It’s been twenty years since my assistant called me and merely said: “Dean, you don’t know? Turn on your TV!” 
In some way or other we are all Responders.

There seems to be at least three ways to respond:

to hate… to forget and pass on…

to forgive—a word that is almost unfathomable in this case. I have hated those who plunged so many lives into fear, pain, death, and grief. I have hated those who hijacked and drove those planes… and those who planned and smiled at great distances as so many suffered, those dying and those who would spend the rest of their lives grieving.  

Then, besides that initial hate, I have forgotten… and gotten on with my life. After all, it’s unhealthy to dwell with hate or drown in grief. We who have tended to forget and pass on will occasionally express a genuine: “It was a terrible shame.” And our unfinished regret is assuaged by media memorials.

But finally, beyond hate and forgetting, the forgiving…. What does that even entail and mean? And what good does it do… myself and the world? I don’t see myself, or society, knowing what it might mean to forgive such an enormous assault? The forgiveness seemingly called for is not just my own individual turn from hatred… or “getting on with my life.” It seems to call for a much larger national forgiveness… and forgiveness from “faith & religion,” the Church. 

There is trivial forgiveness of slight social mistakes, and there is superficial forgiveness of serious personal and social injustice—harm that one suffers and can’t get over. 

Effective forgiveness needs to be pondered and discussed—as a process. It calls for genuine relationships and the telling of true stories. Must I not deeply understand what I’m called to forgive? Don’t I somehow need to comprehend vividly what I am forgiving… something of the nature of Evil?

Something still seems to be missing? That hour in CNN… with the dust and darkness, the bodies! The terrified faces of those fleeing the hailstorm of debris… the frustrated looks of firemen and first responders. The cries! I’m struck by the enormity of Evil.

Am I alone trying to comprehend such evil? I hardly hear it being called Evil. Nor little suggestion as to how we are to deal with evil. Nor instruction about what Evil really is. I understand that in our Post-(so much) times such issues have dissolved into the ultimate nothingness of life. Can we live with such final meaninglessness?

Being honest, I realize I have not preached specifically on Evil. I fear… I may get it wrong… express it wrongly… be misunderstood or rejected. Am I another part of a Church that hasn’t taken up its cross and proclaimed Evil as a necessary part of the Good News. Am I basically unwilling to follow the way Jesus confronted the evil of Pharisaical religiosity (Matthew 23) or the evil in every individual’s heart (Matthew 15:19)? 

Such honesty would call us all… individuals, nation, and churches… to repentance. The Good News would not be “just believe and join us,” but “repent and believe.” 

I can hardly do this alone. Don’t we need the Church? Don’t we need others to help us confront evil… which comes from the Evil One… who so easily seduces societies, churches, and all of us descendants of Adam and Eve? Don’t we need, as a People, to remember and face the evils of the Holocaust, Racism and 9/11… and more, with true repentance, corporate and individual… against evils going beyond our personal comprehension.

Loving and forgiving God, we are trying to face realities in which we all share some blame. We have busily built our own kingdoms. Help us humbly repent and pray,”‘Thy Kingdom come.”

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Dean Borgman was a youth leader in Connecticut, then in Young Life’s first urban work on New York’s Lower East Side. For some forty years, he taught youth ministry, racial justice and biblical social justice at Gordon-Conwell’s Roxbury and Hamilton campuses. He’s also taught at Fuller Theological Seminary, Cuttington University (Liberia), the African International University and Daystar University (Kenya). Dean and his wife Gail have four grown children and twelve grandchildren.

This summer, UniteBoston’s leadership team hosted a series of smaller backyard concerts with an open mic for Christian artists and budding songwriters to share the songs, poems, artwork, and dances that have emerged out of the challenges of this past year. This initiative came out of the Songwriter’s Guild that Bailey Kolapudi had launched with Reunion Christian Church and then expanded to involve Christians from many churches through UniteBoston’s network.

Our vision for these concerts was to restore the bonds of friendship, justice, and resilience, bringing renewal to the body of Christ and our surrounding communities. We were thrilled to see this vision become reality by successfully hosting four exciting backyard concerts at different locations in the Boston area. Below are snapshot promo videos, photos, and testimonies of this impactful concert series!

“I had the privilege of attending UB’s first summer outdoor concert, and it was, as we used to say back in the day, “Off the Hook!” The musicians and their music choices were an absolute blessing, and the fellowship was refreshing!”

Marian E. Turenne, Bethel Pentecostal Church (Boston)

Nature is itself a hymn to God’s glory, so it was truly a double-delight to sit within a choir of trees and brush, breathing in fresh, warm, evening air,  all the while listening to the harmonization of human voices and musical instruments joining the chorus and giving glory and praise to our Creator! 

Father Tom Ryan, The Paulist Center (Boston)

Watch this highlight from our concert in Roxbury, where Devin Ferreira had members of the audience write down words and then he created a freestyle rap amidst choruses of “Oceans” – “Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders…”

It was such a fun time playing at the Renew Backyard Concert series. Artists were asked to sing originals that related to our experiences during the pandemic. I sang my original song “Cherish You” because if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s to cherish loved ones and human interaction like never before. We wrapped up the night with a sing-along of “Stand by Me” and it really warmed my heart. Grateful for the new connections made and the inspiration shared yesterday!

–Jen Aldana, Impact Church (Medford); center in photo above

“I’m so glad I attended the Renew backyard concert!  I saw friends I hadn’t seen in a while and made new connections with women who are doing similar ministry to mine at other churches. The music was amazing, with a wide representation of styles and talents.  It was gratifying to see so many talented Christians in one place.  God is truly at work in our city, and I’m thankful for UB and its vision to put this event together.”

Yovanny Pulcini, Congregation Lion of Judah (Boston)

”I had the privilege of being a part of all of the concerts and I really appreciated the diversity of talent and music genres represented, especially at the last concert. There was worship music, reggaeton, hip hop, contemporary Christian music, and more. Through this, I saw firsthand the beauty of worship music and its ability to edify not just the person singing, but others who are listening and singing along. I also had the opportunity to get on stage and share a song that I’ve been working on with others in the Songwriter’s Guild. Thankfully, it was a safe environment to share in and I was met with encouragement.”

 Cleopatra Muhammad, Restoration City Church (Boston)

“The creative performances by local Christian artists and social interactions between diverse groups of people created a vibrant atmosphere that contributed to the formation of new friendships and re-connection of individuals from different Boston neighborhoods.”

K. Percy Ballah, UniteBoston Communications Administrator and Pastor at Impact Center Providence

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Boston is home to a vibrant church community, stemming from a large Catholic population both historically and at present. Local parishes and faith-based organizations offer countless opportunities for Catholics to serve others and grow in one’s spiritual life. 

We are excited to share more about the new Boston chapter of Young Catholic Professionals, which offers members the unique opportunity to integrate their faith and career. In 2010, YCP founder Jennifer Baugh discerned that the Lord was calling her to act on her desire to bring about a balance of work and faith, and to foster deeper friendships in a world often characterized by surface-level interactions. 

YCP now has over 20 chapters throughout the U.S., with Boston being the first chapter in New England. As of 2019, over 300 young adults now commit more than 20,000 hours annually through volunteer service with YCP, and more than 26 bishops have invited YCP into their diocese. The Boston chapter will offer monthly opportunities, including a speaker series centered around a single virtue (faith, hope, justice, prudence and more) hosted by Catholics who are leaders in their field, networking happy hours to help young people build community, and a mentorship program that matches experienced Catholic professionals with young adults seeking career and personal development. 

We draw our inspiration from St. Joseph, a simple carpenter who reminds us of the importance of stillness, reflection, and prayer. We often ask for his intercession using the prayer below: 

As a recent convert to the Catholic Church, I was looking for a way I could use my gifts for the community and meet other young people who shared my faith. My full-time job is external relations for a college career center, so I envisioned serving in a similar capacity. I actually reached out to the national YCP organization, and they told me a Boston chapter was just about to be established! I knew at that moment God was calling me to get involved, and that I would be a part of something special. As Director of Outreach, I foster connections between companies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals who want to invest in YCP and believe in our mission. I am most excited to help empower young people to live their faith and principles in the workplace and integrate their faith and their career. Having formerly served with Unite Boston, I know the power of people of faith coming together, and I am excited for YCP to join the already flourishing network of Christian ministries and organizations for young people here! 

We are excited to serve in the City of Boston, and we hope that you join us for the chapter launch party being hosted on September 18th at Hurricane’s at the Garden. Come meet the YCP Boston leadership team and many other young professionals from the Boston community! Whether you attend mass regularly or haven’t gone in a while, we welcome people at all stages of their journey as Catholics. 

Today, we’re excited to feature Shanell Alyssa’s new music video “Race to Dawn.” Shanell has been part of UniteBoston’s collaborative worship initiatives for the past three years, and has served this summer to coordinate our Renew backyard summer concert series. She was also a featured artist in our “Love Boston” concert last August with her song “Love’s Crying.”

Shanell describes that her new single “Race to Dawn” was inspired by finding the will to press through life’s challenges: “The past few years have been riddled with personal challenges, among which was the loss of all of my grandparents and a close family member, all of whom played an integral part in raising me.”

She chose to name this song ‘Race to Dawn’ because often people try to outrun life’s stresses, which she likens to trying to outrun the night. Yet, “while we might try to outrace our problems, we’re often faced with the reality of simply enduring them. 

‘Race to Dawn’ is an ode to enduring life’s challenges while choosing to take rest in God’s presence and run into the arms of our loved ones here on earth to help us get through.”

Shanell is also a member of The First Cathedral in Bloomfield, CT. After watching the video, she hopes that people will come away with a renewed sense of hope to endure the many challenges we’ll face on our journeys – Click below to watch it!

You can follow and support Shanell Alyssa’s music ministry here.

In the blog today, UniteBoston’s Communications Administrator K. Percy Ballah shares the story behind an incredible united prayer movement that is emerging in Boston in the wake of the pandemic. While there have been many prayer movements and revivals in Boston’s past, this movement is unique in its breadth and depth of participation across historic Christian divides, and it continues to gain traction with many local leaders. Read below to hear visionary Dr. Elijah Kim’s hopes for this initiative and how you can join in.

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Around this time last year, churches were closed, and parishioners were confined to worship and pray from their homes because of a global pandemic. Even though many churches stayed connected virtually, it is difficult for remote gatherings to replace the relational intimacy of a church community worshipping together in the same physical space. Furthermore, the pandemic put a damper on physical corporate prayer meetings that have always been essential in unifying the Body of Christ while navigating through dark seasons. 

Dr. Elijah Kim has emerged as a voice calling forth the need to unite in prayer at this time. As more people are regathering in public spaces and “the latches of church doors that have been so tightly closed are gradually opening for in-person worship services,” a united prayer movement is simultaneously emerging among leaders in churches, non-profits, and para-church ministries in the Greater Boston region. 

Historically, public prayer meetings were a spark that ignited powerful revivals that spread throughout New England and the world.  According to the Boston United Worship statement drafted by the key leaders of this movement, “Boston has been the home of the Puritans and an epicenter of revival and awakening. Not only was it the first area in America to train and send missionaries, but it was also the birthplace of evangelicalism. Boston is indispensable for world missions. It has spiritual and ecclesiastical importance, regionally, nationally, and globally.” 

Additionally, unlike many revivals in the past that were led predominantly by white males, this movement is fueled by a passion for uniting diverse Christian leaders. A luncheon on June 3rd was attended by twenty-four leaders representing different cultures and nationalities. According to Dr. Elijah Kim, one of the visionary leaders of this movement, there were  “Caucasians, African American, Hispanic, Brazilian, and Asian churches which united in order to spread gospel and revival fire to the US and the world.” He believes that these diverse leaders “are instruments of God to awaken the Boston Church for the expansion of God’s Kingdom,’ and their collaboration will be used by God to “unite churches, ministries, and parachurch organizations together as the body of Christ, in order to be a well functioning living system in our city and region.”

The movement continued to gain momentum through hosting a strategic vision casting meeting on July 9th with sixty-seven leaders from various locations throughout New England. This gathering was filled with the presence of God, powerful messages, and strategic planning for hosting future gatherings. Leaders who attended were blessed and inspired by their powerful experiences together. Sharlene, one of the leaders in attendance, expressed, “Thank you for the generous invitation!!! We are humbled and honored to be a part of this great awakening and vision casting! Praise God for all that he is doing in the New England area. We thank God for Open Heaven!!!!”

Dr. Elijah Kim and the leaders of this initiative will be hosting a series of larger united prayer and worship services in August at Park Street Church, Awaken The Dawn, and Lion of Judah. The larger gatherings will emphasize worship, prayer, and fasting in preparation for a massive Boston Mitzpah Prayer service at Agganis Arena at Boston University on October 30th.  Dr. Kim and the other visionary leaders of this movement believe that this united gathering is the dawn of “a new wave of revival” arising in Boston and New England. 

While the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic created hurdles for Christians to host public worship gatherings, the Holy Spirit was rekindling a fire for revival in the hearts of Dr. Kim and other leaders in the Greater Boston region. As we begin to move past this season, let’s come together towards a movement of spiritual awakening and renewal birthed in united prayer and worship.

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Dr. Kim and other church leaders in the region welcome participation across Christians of diverse backgrounds in Greater Boston. For more information about the prayer services happening on August 9, 16, and 23, click here. You can also click here to watch the Youtube video or read the meeting report from the Vision-Casting Gathering on July 9, or read the Boston United Worship statement. 

UniteBoston appreciates the diverse call to prayer and we would love to see people attend this gathering. Please help spread the word to your church community – We look forward to seeing you there!