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Western New York is one of the oldest parts of the country with the first European settlers arriving in 1803. The second great awakenings of the 18th century spread throughout upstate New York and the story of Jesus became well known. The simplicity and realness of the gospel led people to genuine revival and communities were transformed. Charles Finney, who was a leader of the second great awakening in NY once said, “Great sermons lead the people to praise the preacher. Good preaching leads the people to praise the Savior”
Two hundred years later, the freshness of the gospel can be said to have become more tradition than experience. Jesus is an idea but not a friend,. Now known as the “burned over district” in revival history, Christianity has become traditional and shallow in the hearts of the next generation in this region. Studies are showing that less and less are attending churches. In other words, Churches haven’t thrived because of the stigma of religion. We believe the region knows God, but may have lost sight of who He is.
Fredonia is getting younger year by year, and the state university in town has become a party college. Fredonia is also known as the most affordable college town in New York. There is a need for renewal and freshness in the older generation, and simplicity and authenticity in the younger. We believe Jesus is simple enough that kids can follow Him, but deep enough to transform our lives. Time and time again.
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The story of One Boston Church began in 2008, when God started stirring an idea about something new in the heart of Boston. When Pastors Matt & Cari moved to Massachusetts in 2011, friendships and connections began to grow all across the city. From lunches in Southie, family gatherings in Medford, connections on Beacon Hill, classes at BU, games at Fenway Park and the Garden, spur-of-the-moment dinners in Everett & Revere, walks at Jamaica Pond, hikes Franklin Park & the Arboretum, community events in Roxbury and Dorchester, or date nights in Cambridge & Arlington… Through countless events and spaces, God began connecting people.
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Over the years, the Zimmermans and others would visit Piers Park in East Boston to pray for the city, their friends, and God’s direction. As they continued to serve in their local churches and communities, the number of connections slowly grew.
In early 2021, Pastors Matt and Cari met with Pastor David & Ginelle Payne. The leadership of Lifesong Church and the Association of Related Churches all agreed. It was time for the vision of One Boston Church to become a reality.
Pastors Matt and Cari Zimmerman married in 2003 and lived in Colorado until 2011 before moving to Massachusetts. Together, for over two decades, Matt and Cari have helped bring people together and explore faith in Jesus. They have led small groups, built networks of home gatherings, pioneered new church locations, launched a school, & created vibrant communities for students & young adults.
They have designed internships for emerging leaders, led initiatives for children and families, led music, directed missions, coordinated service projects, and helped people discover how it all shapes our relationship with God and the people around us.
Matt grew up in Oklahoma and went to West Point where he received his BS in European History with a minor in Mechanical Engineering. He led tanks and scouts as an Active Duty Army officer and continues to serve as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve. He holds a Master of Divinity degree and completed his Doctorate in Ministry at Boston University. He loves college football, good coffee and superheroes.
Cari grew up in New York and earned her BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Psychology from Houghton College. She received her Masters in Education from SUNY New Paltz. Cari is passionate about time with family, delicious food and all things Fall.
Matt & Cari have three amazing children: Alexis, Conlin and Gavin. As a family, they lovingly refer to each other as “The Fab 5”. They love travelling, escape rooms, the Legend of Zelda, and pretty much anything chocolate. Game nights almost always involve Uno, Scattergories, and Ticket to Ride. They are excited to meet new friends and experience new adventures, but most importantly to do it all… Together!
at our core
Everyone needs a place to belong.
Everyone needs to believe and follow Jesus.
Everyone needs to become everything God created them to be.
People need hope. Hope is found in Jesus and built in community. One Boston Church is a community of faith dedicated to bringing the hope of Jesus to the people of greater Boston.
our true north
Four Guiding Principles shape our gatherings and community.
Psalm 68:6; Proverbs 27:17; John 17:21; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Hebrews 10:25
The greatest of all human needs is the need to be loved; to be truly known and accepted. When the Father created people, he said “It is not good for man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) Jesus spoke more about relationships than almost any other topic. The Church is not an organization; it is the Body of Christ: a living organism. It lives and breathes through the strength of its relationships. These kinds of relationships are neither accidental or haphazard. We build them with time and effort. In doing so, we create families and communities that encourage individual and corporate growth.
Deuteronomy 6:5; Acts 2; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 1 Corinthians 13; Luke 10:27; 1 John 1:1
At the core of the Christian faith is an encounter with God and His Son through the ongoing work and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Followers of Jesus should expect God to engage them in ways that are nothing short of supernatural that can be ”seen with our eyes and touched with our hands.” (1 John 1:1) However, faith and ongoing discipleship are not in spite of or in lieu of our mind. They are the culmination and fulfillment of the command to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” (Deuteronomy 6:5, Luke 10:27)
Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:13-16; Romans 8:18-21; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 2:1-10; James 2:17
Walking with God includes concealed private growth and public expressions. Drawing near to God and growing in relationship with Him must be accompanied by investing in the world and the lives of those around us. “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17) Our journey with God is intensely personal, yet must have profoundly public results and expressions. We are to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8) In this vein, we are to profoundly influence, shape, and elevate every aspect of humanity.
Matthew 10:40-42; Matthew 25:34-40; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Revelation 11:15
Jesus left the church with the challenge to “go and make disciples of all nations” saying “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Matthew 28:18; Acts 1:8) We are to carry the hope found in the miracle of His resurrection to all people. As His representatives, we are to be the hands, feet and voice of Jesus to others in our world. We become more like Christ when we visit the prisoner, welcome the stranger, love the broken, or care for the poor. (Matthew 25:34-40) We begin by personally delivering this good news in tangible, practical and measurable ways to our city and continue by engaging in strategic mission partnerships that reach out to other communities and peoples around the world.