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After
packing their
possessions and two
young children into the
family car, Pastor
Thomas Michael and wife
Marilyn left their home
in Chicago and ventured
out by faith to
Massachusetts. Travel
was slow due to a fuel
shortage in January,
1974. No one was allowed
to purchase more than a
few gallons at a time
making it necessary to
refuel at almost every
exit. Along the way,
they stopped at several
churches and shared
their burden for
starting a Baptist
church in Massachusetts.
With some
financial
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The
Michael
Family
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support
from these churches as
well as from family and
friends, the Michaels
arrived in the Boston
area. Medford was chosen
due to an available
apartment on Spring
Street and its close
proximity to Route
93.
Not knowing anyone in
the area, Pastor Michael
spent months knocking on
doors, witnessing to
people and inviting them
to come to the new
church. The first Bible
study was held on
February 11, 1974 with
three visitors. On June
16, 1974 the church was
officially formed with
thirteen charter signing
members. They soon
outgrew their small
living room meeting
place and began renting
a church building in
Stoneham. Four years
later, the church
purchased our present
building formerly the
Mystic Congregational
Church (circa 1875) in
Medford Square.
In September of 1976,
New
England Christian
Academy
opened its doors for the
first time enrolling
seven students. Today,
New England Christian
Academy continues to
provide a Christ
centered education for
the churches youth.
Thirty-five years later, New England Baptist Church
is still reaching
the lost by personal
soulwinning and
supporting world
missions. Pastor Michael
has personally delivered
Bibles and Gospel
literature to many
countries around the
world including
communist China, Cuba
and Russia. Pastor and
Mrs. Michael have seven
children and eight
grandchildren.
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