After formalizing their CCDA Local Network at the end of last year, Knoxville has hit the ground running. I had the unique opportunity to interview two of their local network connectors, Jonathan Haskell & Pastor Chris Battle. Listening to their perspectives on the amazing ways their [...]Read More
Lessons from the Journey: Pruning with Promise
By Ava Steaffens This Spring, I had the opportunity to visit with Christian Community Developers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My trip was a chance to enjoy family time, tour housing developments, schools, youth development centers, a community college and much more. Most importantly, the time [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Prayers from the Holy Land
This week’s blog contains images from Lisa Rodriguez-Watson’s recent trip to the Holy Land. These images were taken in Bethlehem on the separation wall between the West Bank and Israel. As we observe Holy Week, these images and corresponding prayers can serve as reminder of the purpose of the [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Hope
Spring - she’s the audacious, extravagant sister of all the seasons. Breaking through death, she burgeons in both vibrant and pastel hues, and her flowers emanate abundant fragrance. Source: https://fineartamerica.com/featured/big-sprout-kristen-cothron.html The sights, the smells and [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Hospitality
Can you think of a time when you received hospitality from someone? Maybe it was an expression of kindness, a welcoming embrace, a warm meal, or a listening ear. Perhaps it took the form of someone who supported you when you didn’t feel you deserved it, or a new friend in an unfamiliar place. [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Silence
Silence can be an uncomfortable experience. It might feel awkward in a group setting. It can indicate tension in a relationship. However, silence can also be healthy - even necessary. Kitaieva Iryna, Ukraine SILENCE 11 (2018) Painting (70x50x2 cm) Lent, a 40 day period of [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Humility
Humility can seem like such a paradox: we are expected to give our best, while practicing freedom from praising ourselves. This can seem like an elusive task at times, especially in our American culture of self reliance and competition for perfection. Source: [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Self Examination
Not to Be Reproduced by René Magritte Life’s distractions have a way of steering us away from our true selves as intended by Christ. In our non-stop culture we desperately need Lent, a season meant to reset our perspectives and practices. Even when busy-ness binds our souls, Lent positions [...]Read More