LBC prepares students to flourish in college and life, inside and outside the classroom—and that’s just what three college alumni and one current student are doing at Thrive Church in York, Pa.
BJ (’11 & ’12) and Brittney (Becker ’12) Boosz, who met during their time at LBC, were serving at a church in Ohio when God began to stir in them the idea that He had other plans for their family.
Those other plans led them to Thrive Church (formerly Grace Brethren Church of York), which operates as a member of the Charis Fellowship of Churches. There, BJ serves as the Executive Pastor over all the church’s campuses, as well as the Campus Pastor at its newest location in Manchester, Pa.
From left, Brittney (Becker ’12) Boosz, BJ Boosz (’11 & ’12), Rebekah LeCates (’23) and Sam Edwards (’25) serve together at Thrive Church in York, Pa.
“We are a church that values being relevant, relational and real,” explained BJ, adding that “the people of Thrive Church have always been very passionate about reaching people with the life-giving message of Jesus Christ and embracing the community to show love and support.”
Thrive has existed for 75 years in the York area, originating as a home-church that grew into a small group of people who met at a storefront. The church’s Kiwanis Lake building, which houses its original location, was built in 1950.
Brittney, who majored in Health & Physical Education at LBC and taught for three years before the birth of their first son, serves as Thrive’s Worship Director. While she grew up playing instruments and singing in choirs, music wasn’t something she identified as a passion. However, through experiences at various churches and watching their church in Ohio develop in this area of ministry, Brittney learned a lot about using worship to point people to God.
“God took a basic interest of mine and has really grown that to be a passion to be used for Him today,” she said. “I have seen how God gifts His children, but He also uses different seasons of life and brings different abilities and gifts to the surface for Him to use for the edification of His Church.”
Rebekah LeCates (’23) graduated from LBC with her degree in Social Work and was looking for a church and a job at the same time. “When coming to Thrive all I can see is God’s work through that,” she expressed. It just so happened that Thrive was looking to fill the Children’s Ministry Director role, which Rebekah served in for about a year before moving on to another opportunity.
Still attending Thrive, she now serves as a volunteer in the children’s ministry, specifically with a little boy who is on the autism spectrum. “I’m a very relational person and I love people,” she said. “Getting to know kids, students, and other volunteers will always be my favorite part.”
Thrive Church officially opened the doors of its new Manchester location Oct. 27, continuing its focus on live biblical teaching, engaging worship and exciting kids’ ministry. The church’s strategy across both campuses is to value “large church quality with a small church feel.”
Manchester was an area the Thrive team felt had a need for a church that could help its community grow and connect with God—it’s also the community that BJ and Brittney call home. “Our heart is to see our neighbors, friends, kid’s teachers and the people around us come to know, love and follow Jesus as a result of our interactions with them,” said BJ. “We are excited for what God is doing at our new Manchester campus!”
Sam Edwards (’25) is currently studying at LBC in the Youth & Young Adult Ministry program while interning at Thrive. He handles more of the entry-level work, like attending meetings and youth group sessions on Sunday nights, as well as aiding in the church’s transition to its newest campus. He hopes to work up to becoming a director over the student ministries program.
“As the church is growing and changing, I have been exposed to the full spectrum of church administration,” Sam explained. “I have witnessed how a strong church moves together and works together. It is in times like this where a church exposes its true heart, and it has been wonderful seeing it at work.”
Through this real-world opportunity, Sam has been able to apply what he’s learning in his classes at LBC to his work at Thrive, particularly the principles behind effective ministry. “I feel more equipped to contextualize the Gospel to the youth demographic and disciple them towards long-term growth,” he said.
Working with other LBC alumni has been helpful for Sam as he works toward his May 2025 graduation. “[BJ and Brittney] know what being an LBC student is like, and they support me, not just at Thrive but at LBC as well,” he said. “Pastor BJ and his wife have walked through the season that I am in, and they have proven to be valuable resources as I engage in ministry.”
While there is a possibility that this internship opportunity could lead to a permanent position at Thrive Church for Sam, he’s waiting on the Lord for direction. “I am open and receptive to wherever He will place me,” he said. “If my calling is here in York, I will respond. If my calling is across the world, I will respond. I will respond to where the Lord calls me because, as we say at my church, if I keep my eyes on God, I thrive.”