On the heels of this winter’s historic blizzard, we basked in the warmth of God’s presence and fellowship of his family as we worshipped together in the Downtown Region of the Boston Church of Christ on February 1, 2015.
Daryl and Barbara Owens warmly welcomed the diverse fellowship of campus students, singles, and families who had gathered to worship God. Our hearts were moved as we sang praises to God and as what seemed a “choir of angels” encouraged us to “stoke the fire in our souls “as we gain more of Christ in us.
Wyndham Shaw, elder in the Boston Church, took us to the cross of Christ, imploring each of us to live out our baptism every day, as we communed together. Jim Mowe, another elder, followed with words of encouragement.
On this particular Sunday morning our faith was taken to new heights as we witnessed the appointment of Jesse Ghoman as an evangelist and the recognition of Alexandra Ghoman and Amber Lafever as women’s ministry leaders. They are all in their twenties.
Doug Arthur, lead evangelist for the Boston Church, shared the story of the famous and seasoned German soccer star, Miroslave Klose, handing the reins over to a rookie during the crucial closing moments of the World Cup final with the encouragement, “This is your time…you can do this!”
As Paul reminded Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5) of the faith which was first seen in his mother and grandmother, and now seen in him—the faith of Jesse, Alexandra, and Amber first ran deep in their parents, but as can be clearly seen—is now seen in them. Jesse was raised in the North Region of the Boston church. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts, where he served and trained in the campus ministry, he married Alexandra Laing. Jesse’s God-given gift of preaching, his faith and his passion have been evident as he set his heart on growing and serving in the kingdom of God.
Alexandra, the youngest daughter of Sam and Geri Laing, graduated from the University of Georgia. Alexandra’s joy and warmth exude from the Spirit of God residing in her as she serves the women tirelessly, sharing the scriptures and her faith-filled convictions.
Jesse and Alexandra have been powerfully leading in the Boston Campus ministry for several years, raising up other young men and women, respectively, to effectively make disciples of Jesus, teaching them to obey all that he commands (Matthew 28:18-20).
Amber Lafever graduated from Purdue University and has also been instrumental in helping young women become disciples, and helping them grow in the faith and knowledge of the Lord. Her passion for God and commitment to his church is evident as she so effectively serves the women in the campus sharing her life and doctrine. Amber’s parents arrived in Boston to share this special time with Amber. Amber’s dad, Dan Lafever, was recently appointed an elder in the Indianapolis Church of Christ.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
As Kevin Miller, evangelist in the Downtown Region, read this scripture (with tears) to Jesse, whom he had been training, we were thrilled to know that God’s church is alive and well, as faith and deep convictions are passed on to the next generation. We were reminded again of the apostle Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1-2:
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Jesse, our newest evangelist, inspired our hearts as he powerfully preached the Word to close out the morning. Jesse, Alexandra and Amber have all been training in the New England School of Missions, which now has 29 students. Steve Schnell, a graduate of the School of Missions, was appointed an evangelist last year, along with Jonathan Buchholz. Jonathan’s wife, Rachel, was recognized as a women’s ministry leader last year as well. They went on to serve and lead the church in Milan, Italy. Christen McDuffee, another graduate of the New England School of Missions moved to Berlin, Germany to serve on the mission field there.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 29:18-20
