Often, as I travel, someone will ask me: "What is it that CCDA is really trying to accomplish?" Without missing a beat, I quickly respond that our vision is to see Christians and the ministries that they lead work effectively to bring the biblically informed philosophy of Christian [...]Read More
The Beauty of the CCD Philosophy and the Value of CCDA Membership
"The beauty of the Christian Community Development Philosophy is twofold. When fully implemented, the CCD Philosophy results in both community and individual transformation. And the CCD Philosophy provides a framework that encourages and allows us to ask ourselves and each other the difficult [...]Read More
Cultivating Unlikely Leaders
I am afforded a great privilege in my role as CEO of CCDA. I have the opportunity to attend many evangelical events all over the country on a yearly basis. This year, after our New Orleans Cultivate conference, I can say with more conviction than ever, that CCDA is a unique place. We are unique in [...]Read More
Rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina: An Opportunity for Leadership
"If we can come back from Katrina, we can make a difference in our neighborhood." Evelyn Turner, NOLA resident and CCDA 2013 Host Team member, shares how in the aftermath of Katrina "everyday, ordinary people started to hope, started to believe...and we've been changing things." Attend the 2013 [...]Read More
Shameless Persistence: 50 Year Anniversary of ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech
This week I will be in Washington DC to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s inspirational “I Have a Dream” speech. Fifty years ago this month, Dr. King not only powerfully articulated a Kingdom dream of reconciliation for our nation but was willing to sacrifice his life for this dream. Even [...]Read More
A Letter From Noel
Earlier this week, I sent out a response to the Zimmerman verdict that caused me to reflect deeply about the calling of our CCDA movement. The question that has been burning in my heart as I have prayed for our CCDA leadership, practitioners, and for the under-resourced neighborhoods where many of [...]Read More
Moving from the Status Quo to Sacrificial Engagement
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 [...]Read More
Re-Imagining the War on Gangs
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 [...]Read More