Dear Friends and Family, Thank you for taking a moment to read a short blog about why I am choosing to walk El Camino with the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) from August 26th to August 31st (Most people are walking from Aug 20th-August 31st, but I could not get that much [...]Read More
The Beautiful Struggle of CCD Ministry in NW Pasadena
“CCDA raised me,” Florence Annang responded quickly when asked how she got involved in CCD ministry. Florence was first introduced to CCDA through Dr. John Perkins, when she began working with him at Harambee Ministries in Pasadena, CA. Through her work at Harambee, Florence recognized the [...]Read More
CornerStone Initiative leads the way in listening, empowering in Huntsville, AL
Patty Lowe, executive director of the CornerStone Initiative, prefers to calls herself “lead listener” of the organization. She is committed to setting an example of listening and empowerment that is so central to this young community development organization’s roots. The CornerStone Initiative was [...]Read More
Juvenile Justice System
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