Last Updated December 21, 2011Downloads

Feature: God With Us
The excitement grew in the room as twenty-plus neighborhood parents and grandparents gathered to plan their first neighborhood Christmas party. It was a unique mix of young and old, including two young moms about to give birth, single parents, married couples, several of whom spoke only Spanish, and a dozen kids playing in the background. "It's important that we have a theme of 'giving back' to teach our children that it's not just about getting," said one mom. "Why don't we go caroling at people's homes?" suggested a dad. "We need to make sure we tell the Christmas story - the real Christmas story - with the shepherds and Jesus," said another mom. To this comment, there was a chorus of affirmation from those in the living room...

Other Stories: 13 Days of a Boston Project Christmas, 2011 Starlight Banquet for the Homeless, Staff Updates

Each of our staff writes a personal update to accompany our Every-Other-Month Newsletters. This is a combination of all of our more in-depth updates, including recent events, prayer requests, pictures, and financial updates specific to each staff member. Thanks for keeping us in prayer!

Feature: Growing Young Leaders
One Girl's Story of Growing Up with The Boston Project
"If there wasn't Boston Project, where would she go and where would she be?" reflects Suzanne, her mom. "This has been the platform for her to open up and show what she is all about." 15-year old Shaulita is a change-maker. Born in the small West Indian island of Dominica, she moved to Dorchester with her family in 2005...

Other Stories: Growing Old Leaders, Too, Welcome Mayonne!, How to Help Homework Center, Financial Update, Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Each of our staff writes a personal update to accompany our Every-Other-Month Newsletters. This is a combination of all of our more in-depth updates, including recent events, prayer requests, pictures, and financial updates specific to each staff member. Thanks for keeping us in prayer!

Feature: More Than We Can Imagine
Summer after summer, we have come to realize that whatever expectations we have, whatever we think or hope will happen - God does more than we could even imagine. The Boston Project Ministries ran six different youth programs this summer, each unique in its focus and desired impact. There was a lot of activity, and a lot of room for God to move. We hope these stories give you a glimpse of the powerful and often unexpected ways that God is at work:

• Finding True Treasure in Our Neighborhood
• Breaking Down Walls through Relationships
• Mildred's Home
• A Chance Can Change a Life

Other Stories:Farewell Nyesha & David, Summer 2011 Acknowledgements & Staff Photo, Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Each of our staff writes a personal update to accompany our Every-Other-Month Newsletters. This is a combination of all of our more in-depth updates, including recent events, prayer requests, pictures, and financial updates specific to each staff member. Thanks for keeping us in prayer!

Feature: Caught Doing Good
You should have seen his face. Kenny's* eyes beamed over his neatly written homework with a healthy sense of pride. "Ms. Dana! Look at all the homework I did by myself!" The 3rd grader continued, "Can you call my mom...and let her know how good I did!?" This moment was in stark contrast to the boy whose eyes wandered as he struggled to complete his homework only a few months before...

Other Stories: Shed Light (poem), Restorer of Streets with Dwellings, "Acts 2" Yard Sale, Sponsor a Summer Job, Congrats Liz & Ben!, Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Each of our staff writes a personal update to accompany our Every-Other-Month Newsletters. This is a combination of all of our more in-depth updates, including recent events, prayer requests, pictures, and financial updates specific to each staff member. Thanks for keeping us in prayer!

Feature: Growing in "Going"
Door-to-door outreach can be an effective way to get to know your neighbors. It can also be nerve-wracking. The idea of ringing a stranger's doorbell to get to know them personally and their spiritual needs is uncomfortable for many - including our staff. But this type of outreach really complements The Boston Project's Neighborhood Ministry House model. Not only do we invite people into our home, but we are growing in "going" to visit neighbors in their homes.

On a recent cold, but sunny January afternoon...

Other Stories: General Staff Updates, 2010 Financial Update: Great News!

Each of our staff writes a personal update to accompany our Every-Other-Month Newsletter. This is a combination of all of our staff's more in-depth updates, including recent events, prayer requests, pictures, and financial updates specific to each staff member. Thanks for keeping us all in prayer!

Feature: What I do have, I give you
What a gift! As the Apostle Peter and John approached the gate called Beautiful in Jerusalem, a man crippled from birth was begging there. The man called out to the Apostles expecting to receive money, but in turn, the apostles offered him something much greater. A gift that left him walking and jumping and praising God!

It is this same gift, the gift of Jesus Christ that we offer to our neighbors. It is not unusual that after our youth Bible study, you may find a teenager in the office amongst a few tears asking deeper questions about Jesus...

Other Stories: Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Each of our staff individual or family writes a personal update to accompany our Every-Other-Month Newsletter. However, because we do not send every staff's update to each person on our mailing list, we want to make them available for download here online.

This file is a combination of all of our staff's more in-depth personal updates, including recent events, prayer requests, pictures, and financial updates specific to each staff member. Thanks for keeping us all in prayer!

Feature: Open My Eyes
This summer, The Boston Project operated our 15th Summer Missions Program. Over 200 youth from around the country came to join with us in caring for people. One consistent theme of this summer was how God opened youth's eyes to the realities of injustice in our city and world - in the words of one 15-year-old girl, "an amazing, mind-changing experience filled with love and service." As teenagers served in some unfamiliar places, we heard again and again, "I never knew this was happening." Below is a story from one of our Summer Staff, Young Park, about how God opened the eyes of a team of teenagers as they served...

I remember being so discouraged when it started to pour rain just as we arrived at the Boston Common. Our youth volunteers were about to begin the final activity of their summer mission trip called "Spontaneous Service"...

Other Stories: Creative Justice - photo album, Here I Raise My Ebenezer, General Fund Update: Half-Full!, Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Feature: Superhero: An Unlikely Tale
"Did you see it? It bit me. I let it. I wanted that spider to bite me. Now I have spider powers. Now I am Spiderman!" - Sammy

For months, the extent of my conversations with Sammy had been "Hey..... stop that..." and now, here he sat in my backyard, reclining in one of the patio chairs revealing something I sensed was more than cartoon fantasy.

"Do you want to be Spiderman?" I asked the question quietly and seriously.
"Yes. I am Spiderman. I have Spider powers now."
"Why do you want them?"
"Because when I grow up I want to save the world." Sammy was not joking.
"What do you want to save the world from?"
Sammy's answer was clear and direct, and for the first time in a long time he looked me straight in my eyes.
"Thugs and drug dealers. They don't make things safe for kids. Glenna, I'm going to save the world."

Feature: Encountering... God, Others, Yourself
"Man, you can be a hippie - just don't do drugs." These were the first words Nancy said to Jim, this long-haired student from Calvin College. I chuckled to myself as he and the rest of our volunteer group laughed nervously, not quite knowing what to do with this woman they just met. I knew this would not be the most outrageous or thought-provoking thing Nancy, who leads Fair Foods, would say to the team during this volunteer week. I could also see that Nancy and this group would hit it off spectacularly...

Other Stories: A Snapshot: Recent Volunteer Partnerships, Unique Ways to Give, Yard Sale Donations, Summer Donations List, Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Feature: Why, God?
Fizz was flat. It was the third week into our kid's Bible study (Fizz), and it felt like we were getting nowhere. For weeks now, as soon as it was time to discuss the Scriptures, chaos erupted. The soda pop science experiments were a hit, but when we bridged the activity to God and his Word, most kids just didn't want to hear it. Some tried to listen, but their eyes and mouths wandered. Others just got up and left. Fizz, a symbol for how our lives are to bubble over with the presence of Jesus Christ, was anything but effervescent...

Other Stories: "Are You a Psychic?", Bridging the Gap, '09: A Year in Review, '10: Looking Forward to a Great Year, Prayer Requests

Feature: Rich in Every Way
My neighbors inspire me! They are very generous people giving of their time and resources. And we believe this is worth celebrating. I'm honestly motivated to give more because of their example.

• For years, Henry has swept the trash and leaves off the street daily not only in front of his own home, but that of his neighbors. He doesn't do it for money or even a pat on the back, but simply as an expression of care for his community. He's our Neighbor of the Year!
• Nancy daily receives surplus produce from supermarkets and then...

Other Stories: God's New Thing, Financial Update, Prayer Requests

Feature: The Untold Story (Until Now)
Every year, God uses our summer programs to transform the lives of teenagers, families, and communities; giving them powerful stories to tell. This, however, is not one of those stories. Rather, this is a story (or a cartoon strip!) about a couple dozen young adults who chose to sacrifice their entire summer loving like Jesus loves, right here in Boston. They are the servants that make all the other stories possible, and they are changed in the process as well. They are our Summer Staff. This is their story...

Other Stories: Putting Teens to Work (follow-up), Interview with Giselle, Elmhurst Park Grand Opening, Neighborhood Ministry Houses, Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Feature: Malkemes Family Update
During the busy summer, The Boston Project does not always publish a full ministry newsletter. Rather, some of our staff send out personal updates as they are able. The June-August Newsletter that you can download here is the Malkemes Family Update, printed in mid-summer 2009. It includes updates about The Boston Project Ministries, but with a special focus on the personal and family life of Paul and Glenna and their three girls.

Feature: Breaking Down Walls, Building Up Lives
The air was gritty and white, filled with swirling particles of plaster. More than a dozen college students on spring break were busily banging away in full-scale demolition, scattered throughout the upper floors of a Victorian home owned by Bethel Tabernacle Pentecostal Church. Armed with hammers and crowbars, this crew of energetic young adults stripped the walls and ceilings, pulling down horsehair plaster to reveal...

Other Stories: "On Site" Photo Gallery, Invest in a Powerful Summer, Jobs, Jobs, JOBS!, Save the Date, Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Feature: Celebrate 2008! God on the Move
2008 has been one of the most spectacular years in the life of The Boston Project. Even a year ago, I never would have imagined all of the extraordinary and wonderful works God was going to design for us. Words that capture the spirit of this year include: salvation, children's park, Angel Wings, spiritual growth, staff transition, the garage, CCDA, and compassionate volunteers. Amazing!

Other Stories: Assets, Small Acts of Kindness, 2008 Financial Summary, Prayer Requests, Staff Updates

Feature: YES! Elmhurst Street Children's Park
Nine-year old Angie came limping out of the vacant lot on Elmhurst Street, her leg stained with blood from tripping over an old, broken window. Just an hour earlier, as we were leaving to run errands, Glenna had said to me, "Paul, someone is going to get hurt from the trash and debris in those vacant lots." The reality of that truth was painful when we saw...

Other Stories: Interview with Ivelisse, The Park Over the Years (photos), What is a Snowblower?, Decisions for God, Black Friday, Staff Updates

Feature: Stories from the Summer
It was two days before my group from Bethel Korean Presbyterian Church was scheduled to leave for The Boston Project. I said to my friend and leader Hansoo, "Dude, I don't want to go anymore. I think it will be a waste of time." And now I thank God...

Other Stories: Real Life: A Bible Study with (be)Attitude, Summer Photo Albums, Time to Celebrate! (Garage), Fall Announcements, Staff Updates

Feature: Signs of Life in a Cemetery?
What a Party! People from all over the city came to hear the message - high school students, 30 year olds, church members, parents, and Boston Project staff. The diversity of ethnicity and culture was rich and palatable- a taste of Heaven, even. The laughter and fun shifted to attentive silence as Rev. Dr. Victor Price began to share...

Other Stories: Summer Children's Ministry, Buying the Garage, Why People Give

The March / April 2008 Newsletter.

The January / February 2008 Newsletter.

The November-December 2007 Newsletter.

The September-October 2007 Newsletter.

The May-August 2007 Newsletter.

The January-April 2007 Newsletter.

The November/December 2006 Newsletter.

The August/September 2006 Newsletter.

The May/June 2006 Newsletter.

The March/April 2006 Newsletter.

The January 2006 Newsletter.

The December 2005 newsletter.

The October 2005 newsletter.

The August 2005 newsletter.

The April 2005 newsletter.

The January 2005 newsletter.

The November/December 2004 newsletter.

The September/October 2004 newsletter

The July 2004 newsletter.

The March 2004 newsletter.

The January 2004 newsletter.