Our Story
In 2006, a study conducted by Applied Evaluation Systems, the consulting arm of Emmanuel Gospel Center (EGC), found that Christian youth workers in Boston wanted an organized center for practical training and support. There are very few places that are equipped to train, develop and support youth workers from a Christian perspective. In January of 2006 a collaboration of organizations already serving youth in Boston launched neXus Boston with the purpose of training and supporting Christian urban youth workers as well as conducting applied research to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
By July of 2006 neXus Boston hired Khary Bridgewater as a six-month interim director with funding support from the DeVos Foundation. Khary had just finished a management degree and was impressed with the idea that the collaboration partners (EGC, BMA, TenPoint, CUME, CYS and BUYF) wanted to come together because of shared values and not money or other issues. Khary said, "It was a very powerful moment, and to chance to participate in something like that was exciting. I was witnessing the body of Christ doing what it is supposed to do." Khary helped the directors plan and orchestrate the launch of neXus Boston by solidying the vision of neXus Boston, giving clarity to its mission and by helping to secure funding.
One year after the study conducted by AES, neXus Boston hired Rev. Matthew Gibson as the full-time Director for neXus Boston. Matthew brings fifteen years of extensive experience in urban youth work and as Director, oversees the development and implementation of neXus Boston's programs and seeks to engage youth workers in them. In addition to this Matthew believes it also addresses something bigger in the Kingdom, "neXus is important because youth workers are a key part of the body of Christ, and what they do to develop youth has huge implications for the future of the Church in Boston."
The reality that the work of neXus Boston seems to be a one-of-a-kind nationwide further reinforces the need for its existence, "We're finding that everyone we talk to about neXus Boston says, 'That needs to be done...someone should do that!' There is youth research being done, but no one is pulling it together for youth workers," Jeff Bass, Executive Director of EGC, says.
In its third year, neXus Boston is excited about where it is going. The 2007-2008 school year will be the first year that the Urban Youth Worker Certificate (UYWC) will be offered in full. This is a unique certificate that trains youth workers within the urban setting and for a remarkable price. neXus Boston is also looking to launch the neXus Leadership Initiative (NLI), which will use the DeVos Leadership Model to train experienced youth workers and teach them how to become trainers themselves. With the recent hiring of Administrative Assistant Ben Rey and Research Coordinator Tamecia Jones, it appears that nothing can stop neXus Boston as they continue to seek out the New City in Boston.