Our Story
Charles River Church is a new church sponsored by Heritage Bible Chapel in Princeton, MA. In 2007 God began to develop a heart in Pastor Josh Wyatt and his wife Becky along with the Elder Team from Heritage for the need for more Biblically-faithful, Christ-exalting churches in New England. As Josh and Becky prayed through New England, their hearts grew heavy for the cities. Cities like Worcester and Boston, MA, Portland, ME, Providence, RI and Hartford, CT were often on their hearts and minds. As they continued in prayer and surveyed the needs of New England cities, Boston grew heaviest in their hearts. In time, the Lord has developed a vision for a church planting movement throughout the influential cities of New England. Beginning with the planting of Charles River Church in Boston, the dream is to see people raised up who will step out in faith to plant churches in cities throughout the New England region.
Still in the early days of its history, the people who make up Charles River Church are enjoying this formative season. After much prayer, preparation, and the support of Heritage Bible Chapel and other ministry partners, God raised up a team of 18 people all committed to step out in faith and start a church that would serve Boston well. This team began meeting in April of 2009, began small Bible studies in the city in February of 2010, and launched weekly Worship Gatherings on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010. Weekly worship gatherings take place in the Boston neighborhood of Roslindale in the auditorium of the Boston School of Modern Languages. As Charles River Church serves the surrounding communities, God is adding to the number regularly.
Mission & Vision
OUR MISSION is that which Christ gave his followers, the two "Greats" of Scripture, the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. These will be great in our hearts and lives.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
"And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)
Simple stated, the mission of Charles River Church is Connecting Boston to Christ
OUR VISION is that Charles River Church will be a transformational community of believers committed to Christ-centered living, serving as His hands to touch Boston and beyond.
We will do this by:
REACHING the city with the transforming message of Christ,
CONNECTING them to a meaningful relationship with Christ and His Church, and
DISCIPLING the faithful to spiritual maturity.
Values
Our values stem from our convictions and experiences. They determine who we are, how we act, and what we will become.
• Full-devotion to Christ is normal for every believer (Col. 3:17).
• Scripture is the final authority and finds daily application in our lives (2 Tim. 3:16).
• Every member is a minister (Rom. 12, 1 Cor. 12:4-7, Eph. 4:11-12).
• The church is to engage culture, but not be driven by it (1 Cor. 9:19-23).
• Small groups provide for biblical community (Acts 2:42-47).
• The name of Jesus must be constantly on our lips with each other and those we are in contact with (1 Pet 3:15).
• The marriage/family unit is highly honored (Heb. 13:4).
• Shepherding is practiced by all and develops a healthy church (Matt 18:15-20, Heb. 10:23- 24).
• Discipleship is essential for raising up a future generation of faithful believers (Matthew 28:20, 2 Tim 2:2).
• Excellence honors God and should be a defining mark of believers (1 Cor. 10:31, Col. 3:17).
Staff
Josh Wyatt
Lead Pastor
josh@thecharlesriverchurch.com
Josh is married to Becky and they have two sons, Isaiah and Luca. Josh has bachelor and masters degrees in Biblical Studies and Church Ministries, and has started ministries for children/families in a Housing Authority of Atlanta, GA and with a successful church plant in Princeton, MA. On top of teaching and leading the people of Charles River Church, Josh enjoys traveling to speak at various student events. He loves snowboarding, reading, and exploring beautiful New England with his family. Josh and his family live in the Boston neighborhood of West Roxbury.
Ben Smith
Worship Leader
Ben and his wife Holly are the proud parents of their daughter, Cecelia. Ben has a Bible degree from Boyce College and has traveled using his music to minister to hearts and lead people to worship. Before moving to Boston, Ben led a college ministry in Atlanta, GA. He loves to read and spend time with the two ladies of his life, Holly and Cecelia. Ben and his family live in Newton, MA.
Aaron Minton
College Ministries Director aaron@thecharlesriverchurch.com
Aaron is married to Christy and teaches history at a charter high school just north of Boston. Aaron has a BA in history and moved to Massachusetts to complete a Masters in History at UMass, Amherst. Aaron is originally from the D.C. area and has lead ministries in Virginia and started a thriving college ministry in Central Massachusetts. Next to Christy, Aaron's second loves are disc golf and discussing theology.
Ryan Ackerman
Pastoral Intern of Reach Ministries
Ryan and his wife Krista are Massachusetts natives with a strong love for the people of Boston. While ministering with Charles River Church, Ryan is finishing up his Masters of Divinity at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary on the North Shore. He has experience leading college ministry and currently focuses on connecting the people of Charles River Church into various volunteer roles. Ryan enjoys reading, hiking, skiing, and following Boston sports.
