An Interview with John M. Perkins John M. Perkins, the founder of CCDA, participated in the American Civil Rights Movement over four decades ago. In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to interview him for his unique (and 80-year-old) perspective on racial reconciliation. [Former] CCDA [...]Read More
A Young Family
Laying down roots in Cincinnati's Northside. "Sometimes he's up at four in the morning," marvels Northside resident and community volunteer Valerie Sacko. "Not four o'clock. Five o'clock," Pastor Abe corrects. Either way, it's a busy life for Abe and Joni Brandyberry, founders of [...]Read More
A Way of Doing Life
A teacher and a policy expert on real neighboring We usually think of Christian Community Development as the work of CCD organizations. But what about people who incorporate CCD principles into their everyday life and work in their neighborhoods without working for a Christian Community Development [...]Read More
“Rest a while”
New Year reflections for ministry leaders "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." (Mark 6:31, NRSV) When Jesus spoke those words of reward and guidance to his apostles, they had just reported back to him about their most ambitious training venture to date. He [...]Read More
Rural Surprises
Go to the people... The past 12 months have been a crash course for me on the realities of doing ministry in rural areas and small towns across America... For example, even though I’ve traveled regularly to Jackson, Mississippi to see my friend John Perkins, it wasn’t until last year [...]Read More
A Beautiful View
Coming home to Vista Hermosa When they were teenagers, Suzanne Broetje and Laura Peréz moved with their families to a valley along the Snake River in southeastern Washington State. Their first experiences of the place couldn’t have been more different. Suzanne’s parents, Cheryl and Ralph [...]Read More
CCDA’s Beginnings
For two decades, CCDA has inspired, trained and connected Christians who are restoring under-resourced communities throughout the world. The annual National Conference, which began with 200 attendees, now attracts a faithful, multi-racial contingent of 2000-plus. In the words of Dr. John Perkins and [...]Read More
To Define a Neighborhood
The CCDA Institute in Augusta, GA Who has the privilege of defining a neighborhood, of naming its assets and its needs? The city of Augusta, Georgia, is eyeing its Harrisburg neighborhood as a potential site for development because of its prime location. The press has defined Harrisburg as a [...]Read More