After thirty years of living in the one square mile of Jewett City, a pastor/journalist decided to fight negative perceptions of his hometown by spending a year interviewing 120 neighbors and visitors whose lives intersect his own. In the process, Adam Bowles discovered a beautiful diversity and the untold stories of faith, family and friendship that makes this New England town shine.
Now, in what is part memoir, part call-to-action, Adam shares ten community-building lessons he uncovered as he ventured out his front door to do something radical take an interest in others. In turn, the project drew national interest and became the subject of an equity and social justice initiative.
The spontaneous, on-the-street interviews capture dreams that transcend the boroughs boundaries and its nearly 3, 500 residents, showing just how much God is at work in the lives of ordinary people. They tell a greater story about the world we live in and the need to break down walls among our neighbors through vulnerable, courageous conversations. As division grows across the nation, its time we listen again to the stories of our neighbors, and celebrate the threads of life that unite us all.
Despre autor
Adam Bowles serves on the ministry team of the International Church in Norwich, Conn. He is a journalist who spent 15 years at The Bulletin and nine years as a freelancer for The New York Times. He also taught journalism for 13 years at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich. His digital media business, Not With Ink, uses storytelling to inspire social change. Adam and his wife, Luisa, have two daughters.