Our Story
The New York Fellowship (NYF) began with a group of businessmen meeting together for mutual spiritual
encouragement. Incorporated in 1984, the NYF enlisted full time Executive Director, B.J. Weber in response to executives who wanted to create a more visible Biblical presence in the Wall Street area.
A core group of friends and volunteers continued to meet regularly sharing their faith, expertise and time. Over the years it has resulted in countless initiatives throughout the New York City area and beyond:
• Spiritual support to business professionals
• Small group Bible studies
• Chaplaincy to the New York professional sports teams
• Engagement with foreign diplomats, government leaders and NYC firefighters
• Grief counseling in the wake of the 9-11 attacks
• Speaker series and special events
• Internship programs for young college-age men and women seeking spiritual mentoring and service to the poor.
In the early years, B.J. was instrumental in developing the Avenue D Men’s Transitional Center, the first government-funded, faith-based, drug rehabilitation center for homeless men in New York City.
Inspired by the Muzikowskis’ success and modeled after Chicago’s West Side Little League, B.J. helped start the first New York City Little League in Harlem in 25 years.
New York Fellowship has continued to provide works of service in New York City, our country and the world including:
• Ministering to at-risk, inner city teens
• Creating the Kids-To-Camp Scholarship Program
• Providing consultation for church housing services for the homeless
• Offering marriage seminar series
• Establishing a crisis pregnancy service
• Founding a clinic and orphanage in Cochabamba, Bolivia
As part of New York Fellowship’s commitment to the rugby community, B.J. served as chaplain to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. He also coached the Columbia University Rugby Club, and helped developed a rugby program, Play Rugby USA, focused on underserved kids and teens—that program now serves more than 4,500 children through coaching, tutoring, and providing opportunities to attend college.
In addition, businessman and fellow rugby player Bob Muzikowski came to faith in Christ through his friendship with B.J. Later in the strife-torn city of Chicago, Bob and his wife Tina founded the largest Little League organization in America. In addition, the Muzikowskis created the award-winning Chicago Hope Academy, a Christian high school where each of its inner-city graduates go on to a college education. B.J. has served on the school’s board of directors since its inception. Read more
In 1996, the New York Fellowship Hospitality House was purchased in midtown Manhattan. Today their work continues as countless visitors from New York City and around the world visit this special location to participate in the vibrant life of the New York Fellowship through dinners, small group gatherings, crisis intervention, marriage counselling, and spiritual support.