They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and [...]Read More
From Expectations to Partnership
What expectations do you have of the communities you are engaged with? What expectations do the people in the communities feel are being placed on them? Do you expect to help or to partner with the individuals in your community?During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and [...]Read More
Listening to the Community: Affirming Dignity with a Posture of Humility
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” Mark 10:51 (NIV)Some people may have considered it obvious that the blind man wanted to see, but Jesus didn’t assume what the man wanted. He asked the man what he wanted. Even though Jesus, as [...]Read More
The Harmony Way
By Dr. Randy Woodley, an excerpt from his book Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred EarthThe harmony way is a way of living that undergirds all of Native American history, religion, traditions, ceremonies, stories, philosophy, and relationships. Referred to by different [...]Read More
Lessons Learned Over 110 Years
Pastor Matt currently serves as one of the CCDA Economic Empowerment Network Connectors.I love to joke when I introduce Star of Hope Ministries that we’ve been around for 110 years...but I haven’t been there that long. My kids roll their eyes and groan, but it gets a chuckle from the audience EVERY. [...]Read More
Connecting Kingdom to Community
by Lydia Lucas, in collaboration with Chasing JusticeI am from El Barrio of New York City, and am of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. Though I have been in the nonprofit field my entire career, I never imagined that I would be at a faith-based organization that served people experiencing [...]Read More
The Ministry of Speaking up
by Steve ParkThe righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.Proverbs 29:7 (NIV)I don’t like conflict. I also don’t like asking for things. Perhaps it’s my personality or my Korean family background that values politeness, but advocacy work is not something I ever [...]Read More
Half Half
by Dr. Sunny Sue Chang JonasIn 1992, May was officially designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.* As an Asian American, I am grateful to stand on the shoulders of those who identified as such before us and to stand alongside those who currently identify as Asian American. We are [...]Read More