The following is an excerpt from a conversation between Dr. Sunny Sue Jonas and CCDA founding member, Dr. Mary Nelson.I had the great opportunity to meet virtually with Dr. Mary Nelson this summer; we discussed things long past, and things very much present. She shared some of CCDA’s history and the [...]Read More
Together for Hope’s Liminal Spaces for Rural Ministries
by Dr. Sunny Sue Chang JonasRural spaces no longer include only multi-generational, homestead-owning families. They include a different sort of marginalized population—one that feels financially and vocationally in transition. This has been true for a while with “migrant [...]Read More
Ministry Spotlight: New Community Church
After years of doing urban ministry, a 2010 conversation with gang-affiliated teens led Darryl and Stephanie Answer to contemplate what it would look like to live in a neighborhood, follow Jesus, get to know their neighbors, join what’s already going on, and see what the Spirit does. In 2011, they [...]Read More
Home Away From Home
by Alma L. Cárdenas- RodríguezSome of the most memorable moments for me growing up happened en la sala (living room), where the family would gather together. We would welcome those who had made their way from Mexico to reconnect with family members and find home in a new place, or to celebrate [...]Read More
Reflections on Juneteenth
By Vola RanaivosonCohort 8 MemberLast year when I sat around the dining room table with my roommates and discussed our plans for Juneteenth, I realized I didn’t know much about this celebration. At first, I chalked it up to being a U.S. immigrant from Madagascar. However, I am a 33-year-old woman [...]Read More
We Belong Here, Get Used to Us
A Reflection By Dr. Sunny Sue Chang JonasI had the unique opportunity to once talk with the governor of the Gyeonggi province (where Seoul is located), who is a colleague of my dad’s. He essentially offered during our shared meal, a chance for my husband and I to live in Korea for a short time, to [...]Read More
The Cause of Justice is in our Hands
A Message from President & CEO, Cecilia WilliamsLast week, in my home city of Minneapolis (Minnesota), a jury found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all three charges in the murder of George Floyd. It was an unprecedented moment, as for the first time in modern Minnesota [...]Read More
How Much Cultural Discomfort Can You Put Up With?
An Excerpt from Becoming All Thingsby: Michelle Ami ReyesI know it’s hard to embrace someone else’s cultural values. Whether it’s their noise level, the smell and look of their food, their communal gatherings, the way they look at you, talk, dress, or act, another person’s way of life often feels [...]Read More