Joshua's Faith Story and Beliefs
My Faith Story
The most influential person to my early faith formation was my grandmother. From a young age, she taught me the stories of Jesus that captured my imagination and heart. I learned the stories of scripture while sitting on her lap, even before I knew how to read. Her steadfast love and the way she practiced her faith daily, despite hardships, influenced me.
Four years old, my grandmother picked me up from school and during the drive to my parents’ home, she stopped the car on the side of the road. She asked me, “Joshua, do you want to commit your life to Jesus?” Unequivocally, I responded “Yes!” And so, we prayed together. I knew that because my grandmother entrusted her life to Christ, that I could, too. Not only that, but I also understood the presence of God in my life. My parents also played an active role in my early faith formation. They taught Sunday School, actively participated in mine and my sister’s faith formation, and we actively participated in the life of the church.
My call to ministry developed early, not long after committing my life to Christ. At five years old, someone asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I’m not sure how many five-year-old kids say this, but I said, “I want to be a pastor!” At that young age, I didn’t know all of what it meant to be a pastor. What I did know was that when people experience Jesus their lives are changed. My call to ministry was affirmed as a student leader in Young Life, at age seventeen, again at my baptism, and throughout my ministry.
I believe that one can be a thinking person and a deeply faith-filled person. The head and the heart are important to Christian faith. I learned to ask questions, I enjoyed the study of scripture and culture, and resonate with people who ask the difficult questions of life and faith. At different points, I wrestled with doubt but discovered deepened faith. Therefore, I love to help others, especially nominal Christians, non-religious people, and others disconnected from God become deeply committed Christians who experience the love of Christ. For me, faith brings together the head and the heart to practice and live in the way of Jesus. The deepest privilege of my life is shepherding people into an encounter with the risen Christ that changes hearts and lives, communities, and the world.
Faith Alignment Statement
Wholeheartedly, I am inspired by the vision of Grace Chapel to be a vibrant, growing, multicultural community of seekers and believers, discovering life with God for the good of the world. You welcome everyone, no matter their faith background or spiritual journey because life with God changes people, the greater Boston area, and the world.
The Articles of Faith provide the foundational framework for belief and practice. They help us understand our history and define how we faithfully follow Jesus for future generations. The Articles of Faith remind us of the grace of God and offer an invitation into redemptive life with Christ.
The Bible speaks authoritatively to my life as well as our Christian faith and practice. I love words of Scripture; they speak to us today. I believe in the one living and true God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And Jesus Christ, the Son, sent from God, to redeem humanity through his life, death, and resurrection. The whole of humanity, made in the image of God, fallen, and redeemed by the cross, awaits his return and final victory. Through the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, convicts, sanctifies, and empowers people for ministry and service.
I love the church. Here, I first heard the stories of Jesus, encountered the risen Christ, and my life was changed. Through the body of Christ, I see hearts and minds and lives transformed. The church includes those who’ve come before us and all generations. It is diverse, multicultural, a place where all kinds of people find welcome and hope. Together, the church shares tangibly the love of Jesus Christ, to make and mobilize more disciples of Jesus Christ, in greater Boston and beyond.
