The Early Years...
Photo of TBPM's founders, circa 1995Early in 1995, a group of Gordon College students, inspired and energized by a conference, began to dream of teenagers bringing glory to God through serving others.
Eight months of prayer and talking with Boston church workers resulted in the birth of The Boston Project Ministries. A year later, we launched the first Summer Missions Program, which brought four staff workers and sixteen teenagers to the city for service and outreach projects and discipleship.
In 1997, the organization incorporated as a Massachusetts non-profit corporation. We received our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in 1998. Dorchester Temple Baptist Church (now Global Ministries Christian Church) has had a significant role in our development since 1997; first serving as a financial conduit and now providing funding, staff members, volunteer help, and impacting our vision and community outreach work.
Two of our founders, Paul and Glenna Malkemes, moved to the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston in December 1996. They rented an apartment on Elmhurst Street and spent significant time getting to know their neighborhood. God provided Paul with an amazing job in corporate America that allowed him his summers off and only a four-day work week during the academic year. Glenna initially suffered with chronic fatigue syndrome, but has since recovered and had served as the Director of Program for many years. Through the faithful financial partnership of many churches and individuals, the Malkemes' were able to begin full-time work for The Boston Project in April 1999. With joy, they experienced the birth of their second daughter in January, 2003.
In 1998, we began expanding our neighborhood outreach by starting our summer Bible CLUB program for neighborhood children and hosting our first trip for urban youth to serve in another U.S. city. In 2000, we opened our Academic Resource Center and a small computer lab during the school year. We were able to expand our summer program this past summer to now include a two hour daily recreation component. The Academic Resource Center has been closed this school year due to our recent move to a new housing location.
More Recently...
We continue to develop many partnerships with other faith-based and secular service organizations. Our Home Repair Ministry, also initiated in 1998, has provided thousands of dollars in free home repairs to seniors and widows in our neighborhood. We also have a deep concern for the homeless in Boston now serving with organizations like Starlight Ministries, Rosie's Place and the Boston Rescue Mission for close to seven years.
In 2002, we hired Keith Riddle as the full-time Summer Missions Program Director. This past summer, he made it possible for us to host 100 youth and 25 youth leaders led by a summer staff team of nine. They completed over 5,000 volunteer hours of service.
As we enter our next stage of growth, we are developing the Center for Urban Youth in Missions, expanding our service-learning opportunities to include college spring break trips and middle school groups, and are in the midst of purchasing and renovating a home for community outreach on Elmhurst Street.
We believe we are still a "baby" ministry. All that God has allowed to happen has only been because of His provision through people like you. Since 1994, over three thousand people have joined us in serving our community. Consider how you might join in the writing of our amazing history!
