On August 9, 2016 all of the staff disciples from around New England gathered for a day of fun and fellowship. The leaders met at a park in Northborough, Massachusetts, to sing, pray and be inspired by God’s word.

At this annual event, one of the newest staff members is always chosen to deliver a keynote message. Following spirited singing – led by Boston’s Anselm Beach and Nic Petre – the morning’s address was delivered by Matt Webber from the University of Connecticut/Storrs ministry. His mix of cool and conviction was a healthy call to “Unity” from Jesus’ prayer in John 17. After lunch, the group spread out to play games of all types – beach volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, soccer, cornhole and more.

As you see the picture below, one item of note is the dramatic change in New England adding young staff. The New England School of Missions has spent years training our zealous and talented teens and twenty-somethings. These efforts have fueled our dream to better evangelize Europe, New England and the world in exciting ways.

Our area of the country and our NE staff is also a thrilling mix of all cultures and backgrounds. Our churches will never be united unless our leaders are. The New England staff brothers and sisters have regularly met from three to four times a year, and now the lead evangelists and women’s ministers have added three more retreat days a year to learn, grow, bond and talk with one another. This year, the theme for those times has been “Growth.”

We praise God for who he is and all he has done. We now accept the call to be even more united than ever before. We do it not just to be diverse or even different than most, but because – as Matt said – it is one of Jesus’ greatest desires.