Why Follow Jesus New England?
Follow Jesus New England began with a simple desire: to help people discover and follow Jesus Christ while recognizing the many ways His people gather as the Church. We believe the Gospel is greater than our denominational differences, and that Christians can learn from one another, encourage one another, and work together to welcome people home.
Many Churches. One Gospel
We come from many church traditions. Our worship, customs, and ways of understanding some things may differ, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not divided. We believe that what unites us in Christ is greater than what separates us, and that the Church is strongest when its members learn to recognize one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Body of Christ
The Church is more than any one congregation or denomination. Scripture describes us as one body with many members, each with a part to play. We do not need to become alike to belong to one another. We can remain faithful to our own congregations while recognizing that we belong to something larger: the Body of Christ.
Welcoming People Home
We want to help create places where people can encounter the love of Christ and find a way home to Him and to His people. Some may be searching for faith, some may have been hurt or disappointed by the Church, and others may simply be wondering where they belong. We believe every person should be met with grace, truth, and an open door.
The Church and the Community
A church is not only a place where people gather on Sunday. It is part of the community God has placed around it. When churches look beyond their own walls, they can become neighbors who care, serve, encourage, and work together for the good of the people and communities they share. We believe the love of Christ should be visible not only inside our churches, but throughout the communities we call home.
An Invitation to Walk Together
Follow Jesus New England is an invitation to walk together. Many churches in New England have experienced difficult years. The COVID-19 pandemic and the ways our communities responded to it placed new pressures on congregations already facing declining participation, financial challenges, and an aging membership. Many churches are asking how they can remain faithful while reaching people who may have little connection with the Church.
At the same time, many younger people have been hurt, disappointed, or turned away by experiences with Christians and church authority. These realities should not lead us to despair. They can challenge us to listen more carefully, examine our own hearts, and rediscover how the love of Christ can be made visible through His people.
We hope to encourage Christians and churches to listen to one another, learn from one another, pray for one another, and find opportunities to serve together. We do not seek to replace the local church or erase the differences among us. We seek to point beyond those differences to Jesus Christ, who calls us to love one another and to make His love known in the communities where He has placed us. Perhaps this is a season for change—not change for its own sake, but a willingness to let Christ renew His people, deepen our love for one another, and show us new ways to make His presence known in our communities.