Witness 2020
Witness in the Public SquareThe 2020 Witness in the Public Square was not held in-person due to the global pandemic
Featured Churchworkers and Missionaries
Rev. Philip Saywrayne
Pastor and missionary, Philip is deployed to Staten Island to reach the African Immigrant Community. Philip raises up leaders to reach out to new immigrants coming primarily from Liberia, assisting them as they find their way, sharing food and resources, welcoming those struggling to assimilate to a brand new home. Whether worshiping on line or in person, their worship is warm, vibrant, musically energetic and ministers well within the style and culture of the African people.
Rev. James Roy
Pastor James reaches out to the Bengali community spread throughout Brooklyn and Queens. On weekdays, he and his team can be found out on the street engaging in conversation with any who stop by. With tracts and literature they engage in conversation with those of many different faiths in the hope of sharing their love for Jesus with them. The United Bengali Church of America meets weekly for worship in their own language, both in churches and homes, a mosaic of people made up of converts from Islam, Buddhism and Hindu faiths.
Anna Lutz
Campus ministry leader, Anna, heads up a student ministry called The Vine at Queens College in New York City. She finds innovative ways to reach out to her fellow students, inviting them to friendship groups for fun activities such as mochi making. Others come for her engaging Bible studies.
Rev. Jean Gardy Cenat
Rev Cenat and his family come to us from Haiti and reach out in French to the newly arrived Haitian community living in a densely populated part of Brooklyn. His passion for Jesus and his love for the people of Haiti shine through in his ministry of mercy and welcome to the people struggling in that place.
Rev. James Dorner
Jim has a call to two churches in the Capitol region of Albany. At St. Paul’s he is helping guide them as they reimagine this generation’s ministry opportunities in a new location. At St. Matthew’s Jim is helping them focus on outreach through their vibrant preschool ministry.
Rev. Mark Budenholzer
Mark is a pastor and missionary serving in the Hell’s Kitchen area of Manhattan. Born and raised here, he is well equipped to reach its diverse and ever changing population. During these challenging times, worship and pastoral care are done virtually as well as in person. This new church plant is called City to Come from the Hebrews verse speaking of a heavenly city to come.
Rev. Lin Yan
Lin is a missionary pastor centered in the Sunset Park area of Brooklyn. He serves the internationally connected Chinese population and through zoom and in person meetings is able to connect with people in multiple boroughs of New York City. Through active outreach, administering the sacraments and offering Chinese worship, Lin Yan brings the love of Jesus to all he