Christian Community Development Association
Inspire. Train. Connect.
As a Mexican-American leader, I offer my deepest condolences to the Martin family for the tragic loss of their son. As a father of two mixed race sons (Latino and White, like George Zimmerman), my heart is broken for everyone involved. I am most saddened by the prospects of greater racial unrest and …
Continue Reading about Moving from the Status Quo to Sacrificial Engagement →
These past few days have been filled with frustration. I was one of the ones who followed the Zimmerman trial closely and patiently awaited a verdict. It was more so about getting justice for Trayvon Martin, his family, and the African American community than seeing George Zimmerman burn. Yet, when …
Continue Reading about A Hispanic Response to the Trayvon Martin Verdict →
The U.S. is populated with over 1.4 million gang members. Over 33,000 gangs are responsible for 80% of crimes committed and 40% of violent crimes. Every city in the U.S. with at least 250,000 people has gang activity. (Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics) Gangs operate by using violence to …
Stage II creates new opportunities for CCDA artists and musicians to share their artistry with the association by means of an art gallery and a new performance stage. If you are interested in submitting artwork for the gallery or performing on the stage, download the Stage II Guidelines and …
Memphis Teacher Residency (MTR) believes reform starts with the teacher. A teacher is the key to a child’s future for they can have the most positive impact on a child’s life, other than a parent. They also believe teachers are professionals that should be trained as such. A commitment to …
Continue Reading about Now is the Time for Urban Education Reform →
This past week I received word from one of our longtime board members, Jimmy Dorrell, that his 32-year-old son, Seth, had died of a heart attack while on a missions trip in Mexico City. Seth had a difficult bout with cancer over the last few years, but that did not keep him or his wife Sarah and …
Harvest Hands ministry, founded by Courtney and Brian Hicks, has discovered a way to teach teenagers job skills and responsibility through coffee and soap. It all began in a renovated old church in an under-resourced neighborhood in South Nashville with the goal of establishing after-school programs …
Continue Reading about Changing Lives Over Coffee (and Soap) →
Reflections from Malawi and LaVillita on Caring for Creation Recently, I watched a segment of Piers Morgan Live on the topic of global warming. Much of the discussion was focused on the science of what experts believe to be the causes of the planet's continual climate disruption and its possible …
