Our nation needs to have a serious conversation about the state of our juvenile justice system. Like our broader criminal justice system, it is broken and riddled with racial and class biases. However, unlike our broader criminal justice system, very few people are talking about and illuminating the [...]Read More
Advance Memphis, transforming a neighborhood through economic revitalization
In 1999, the 38126 zip code of the Clearborne/Foote neighborhood of South Memphis was named the 3rd poorest urban zip code in the United States. That same year, Steve Nash started Advance Memphis, seeking to bring economic revitalization to the community through job opportunities and resources in [...]Read More
A Visibly Unique Educational Story, through music & discipleship
Ken Steorts, founder of Visible Music College in Memphis, TN, started out by leading worship at his church, with a background in music production and pop music. Soon he was touring as a young professional in the Christian music industry. While working in Christian music, Ken saw a lot of young bands [...]Read More
One Woman’s Story Sparks Empowerment Program for Refugees
Ruth Lomo arrived in the United States in 2001 as a Sudanese refugee responsible for 10 children, fleeing civil war in Sudan. Settling in Memphis, Ruth’s children attended a small Christian school, and unlike other isolated refugees, developed necessary social and language skills. Ruth was burdened [...]Read More
CCDA Board Members Respond to the Shooting of Ferguson Police Officers
Last week my heart sunk as I heard about shots being fired at officers in Ferguson, Mo. I have been a police chaplain for the past 15 years in the LA area, and I live with the fear that something like this may happen to one of my officers. Since the death of Michael Brown, there has been an increase [...]Read More
Locked in Solidarity 2015
Today is the day I choose to walk out my truth. I am a former offender and I was incarcerated. I have been home for three years and during that time I experienced some of the best and worst moments of my life, specifically carrying feelings of shame and guilt.... The stigma of being labeled a felon [...]Read More
Bringing Health Restoration to Your Community
The vision of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) is to see wholistically restored communities with Christians fully engaged in the process of transformation. We believe that God wants to restore us not only to a right relationship with Himself but also [...]Read More
Life on Life Mentoring
I received an email from a national grantor informing me that our organization would not receive the (critical) funding that we had budgeted and anticipated. I was far away from my office, my team and my Board. I felt like I was keeping a dark secret... I received an email from a national [...]Read More