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Build & Resist

Throughout history, people of faith have built and resisted, partnering with God and their community to bring about change, not just for them, but for those who would come after.

In the Bible, Nehemiah led the people of Israel in rebuilding the wall that had been destroyed, resisting opposition along the way. The Civil Rights Movement was led by people who resisted the normalized injustices and built toward a better future. And CCDA was formed by people like Dr. John M. Perkins, who resisted the norms of the day by imagining and building while loving God and loving neighbor.

We continue to carry this legacy forward today.

In times of distress and injustice, we can both build the future we want to see while resisting those things that seek to harm our communities. Just like those who have come before us, we don’t do this work alone.

As we build and resist, we fix our eyes on God who sustains us in our work. Together, we partner with those in our communities who are seeking shalom and justice.

Get the Build & Resist Devotional

In this devotional, we will examine some biblical stories of builders and resisters for inspiration and encouragement as we partner with God and our neighbors in our own communities. May God’s Word inspire God’s people to see our communities flourish.

Get the devotional

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About Lorenzo A. Watson

Lorenzo A. Watson serves as the CEO/President for the Christian Community Development Association, headquartered in Chicago, IL. He is an experienced community development professional; a leader, teacher and scholar who has long centered his work at the intersections of wholeness, education and Biblical justice.

For nearly two decades, Lorenzo worked in Research, Development and Technology at North Carolina State University (NCSU). While at NCSU, he led the Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering information technology department and provided strategic oversight in information technology to multiple campuses. In addition to supporting world-renowned faculty and staff in their research development, Lorenzo also served actively as a mentor to student leaders. Lorenzo has served as the Director of Communications and Marketing for CCDA, providing a critical communications roadmap for the association. He has been instrumental in planning the CCDA national conference and helped guide the office team through its first virtual conference during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Lorenzo has also directed the vibrant work of Education and Equipping for CCDA.

Lorenzo holds a BS from North Carolina State University in Computer Engineering, an MDiv from Shaw University Divinity School, and a PhD in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from NCSU. He and his spouse of 18 years, Natarsha P. Sanders, reside and serve as “community pastors” in the Doyle community of Kerrville, Texas. Lorenzo’s proven skills in multi-ethnic organizational leadership, management and coaching, as well as his pastoral giftings and scholarship, have helped create environments of inclusion and belonging in every space to which he has been called.