About BFJN

Mission

The Boston Faith & Justice Network brings Christians together to live simply and give generously in pursuit of a just world. Three foundational action-oriented principles inspire and motivate our work:

Working for Justice

Justice is a key aspect of God’s character. If we as Christians are called to reflect God in the world, engaging justice is central to how we live out our faith in Jesus Christ and our relationship to our neighbor. We envision the scriptural call to live justly as working to make sure that everyone—from friends down the street to families across the globe—has the same opportunity to be free from negative consequences outside of their own actions. Global poverty and associated issues of racism and sexism lead to oppression and suffering. Christians have a Biblical call to be at the front lines of transformative action against injustice.

Practicing Economic Discipleship

Jesus spoke often about money. The Christian church in the United States often avoids the subject. But the staggering effects of poverty and oppression in the world call us to examine our consumption in light of Biblical teachings. Economic Discipleship is what BFJN calls the process of following Jesus with our money. These practices include reducing our spending by living more simply, intentionally choosing the products we do buy, and giving generously of all of our resources to improve the lives of the poor and oppressed. We believe that every Christian can make practical lifestyle changes to move closer to this goal.

Engaging in Community

Following Christ is both an individual and a communal process. Joining together in fellowship and interpersonal connection deepens our commitment to discipleship and generosity. Through our Lazarus at the Gate small group study, BFJN encourages open discussions about wealth, poverty, and Christian responsibility to meet the needs of the suffering and vulnerable. As a network, we also recognize the necessity of bringing individuals, churches, and organizations together for collective action. An ecumenical movement of Christians committed to generosity focused on justice will help participate in the Kingdom of God “on earth as it is in heaven.”

What do we do?

The Boston Faith & Justice Network gathers Christians from many different traditions sharing a common concern to love our neighbor through economic discipleship and just action. We foster a dialogue about money and responsibility while presenting options for practical lifestyle shifts and justice-oriented engagement. BFJN challenges Christians to think about our resources—from the money we earn, to the things we buy, to the places we live—and offers opportunities for connection, action and reflection.

BFJN Team

(photo by @soulthreading)

Elizabeth Grady-Harper, Executive Director

Prior to joining the Boston Faith and Justice Network, Elizabeth worked as an attorney primarily in the field of immigration law, helping immigrant families become citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States. She has also worked with survivors of domestic violence under the Violence Against Women Act helping them obtain the immigration benefits the law affords them, first as an employee of several law firms in the Boston area, and then in her own firm started with two colleagues. Currently she is pursuing a Masters of Theology at the BU School of Theology. Elizabeth is passionate about helping Christians engage in our call to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God and seeks to use her gifts to this end, both at BFJN and as an elder and speaker at her church.

 

Ivy Long, Assistant Executive Director

As a servant leader, with her heart on her sleeve, Ivy has nearly a decade of experience working with “systems involved” youth, whether from working in contract with the Department of Children and Families, Department of Mental Health, Department of Youth Services, or the City of Boston. As the Director of Reentry for Straight Ahead Ministries in Boston, Ivy works alongside those often forgotten about and asking for love in the most unloving ways—youth and young adults in gangs throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Ivy appreciates a holistic approach to eradicating injustice, by further understanding and evaluating the physical, mental, emotional, financial, and spiritual makeup of the community in which she serves. Having recently received a calling over her life to become a Pastor, Ivy holds Graduate Certificate in Ministry, a Master of Criminal Justice from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Framingham State University. Ivy is passionate in encouraging her community, to “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding; but in all our ways submit to him, and he will make our paths straight” as her earthly father had always encouraged her (Proverbs 3:5-6).

 

Andrew Fassett, Community Engagement Coordinator

Before joining the BFJN team, Andrew served as an active-duty officer in the United States Marine Corps, earned his M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell’s Theological Seminary’s Boston Campus, worked with Christians in healthcare as the Boston Healthcare Fellowship Director, and currently serves as a Chaplain in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He has been involved with churches and missions around the world. However, Andrew feels led to serve in Boston and to aid in God’s mission of bringing justice to the greater Boston area and beyond. He is passionate about the dynamic and interdependent relationship between knowledge and practice as it relates to the work of justice and our journey with God. He is constantly inspired by Jesus who did not use His power for His own advantage but humbled Himself and became a human who was willing to be obedient to death (Philippians 2:1-11). When he isn’t working for BFJN, you can find Andrew exploring the world with his wife and two little girls, playing board games or sports, hiking on a family adventure, or catching up on sleep and rest.  

BFJN Board

Latha Kalpala

Latha is an engineer, experienced in implementing environmental and quality systems in corporations around the globe, actively engaged as a Stephen minister at her church and passionate about advocating for economic, environmental justice initiatives in meeting the needs of the vulnerable and promoting sustainable alternatives.  She believes in living simply with a moral and spiritual responsibility so others may simply live, responding with compassion and love for promoting a just and peaceful world for everyone.

S. Kyle Johnson

Kyle is a theologian, teacher, and activist. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Systematic Theology at Boston College. His research focuses on demonology, specifically investigating the demonization of Black and indigenous bodies in Christian history, and the use of spiritual warfare language as anti-racist and anti-colonial rhetoric. He has a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from Boston College. Kyle grew up in Tennessee, but has lived in the Northeast for over 13 years. He has been actively involved in Presbyterian, Episcopal, and evangelical non-denominational churches, and currently attends Reservoir Church in Cambridge with his partner, Joelinda. Kyle is passionate about the Christian call justice, particularly as it pertains to anti-racism and economic justice. He is also passionate about teaching undergraduate students, and also loves traveling, gardening, and cooking!

Jessica Lim

Jessica was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago and has resided in the Boston area since 1996 when she came to the east coast to pursue her undergrad and graduate studies. She currently is a registered nurse at the Family Health Center of Worcester where she enjoys working with a diverse patient population. Jessica is passionate about social justice and the role that Christians have in addressing systemic injustices. Health care equity and criminal justice reform are issues especially close to her heart.

Andrew Tsou

Andrew has worked as a Systems/Supply Chain Engineer with a local defense contractor for over 15 years, and also works part-time with the Applied Research and Consulting team at the Emmanuel Gospel Center. He enjoys applying systems and organizational principles to help individuals and teams function more effectively, and is interested in the unique intersection of economic discipleship and social justice. He is a member of the Reservoir Church in Cambridge. In his spare time, he enjoys hiking in the mountains, playing guitar, and writing.

Dr. Christa Lee-Chuvala

Christa served as a Co-director of BFJN from 2014-2017. She is currently an assistant professor of social sector leadership at Eastern University. Christa is passionate about economic discipleship and living into God’s abundance.

Ineudira Barbosa

Dira is a native of Boston and currently resides in Dorchester. She currently works as an Occupancy Coordinator at the Chelsea Housing Authority where she has spent over 11 years assisting families and elders with secure, safe, and affordable housing. She is passionateabout matters of justice and equity, particularly as it pertains to access to housing. As a result, she is an active member of a housing justice cohort that focuses on home ownership as a means of buildingwealth as a resistance against housing inequity and its connection to the economic and wealth gap amongst people of color. In her free time Ineudira enjoys taking vocal lessons and listening to music.

Media Information

The work of the Boston Faith & Justice Network has been featured in a variety of publications:

For media inquiries, please contact elizabeth@bostonfaithjustice.org.