CCDA’s mission is to strengthen and inspire Christian Community Development practitioners for community transformation through equipping and connecting. Our National Conference is a prime venue for CCDA organizations and partners to gather their teams to network and experience inspiration, training, and connection.
Learn more about this year’s Preconference Events!
The Clearing
Wednesday 10/7 | 9 AM – 4 PM
This one-day retreat will equip participants with timely resources for economic, mental health, and spiritual resilience. Come and get equipped to meet the challenges of our times.
Redemptive Poverty Work
Wednesday 10/7 | 1 PM – 3 PM
If you feel like you’re carrying the weight of the city on your shoulders, Redemptive Poverty Work is a field manual to help you be helpful without hurting yourself or those you serve.
Nonprofit Development Specialist Certification
Wednesday 10/7 | 9 AM – 4 PM
This program equips Christian Community Development practitioners, ministry leaders, nonprofit professionals, and community advocates with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to strengthen congregations and organizations serving their communities.
Afterschool as Mission
Wednesday 10/7 | 10 AM – 3 PM
This preconference event is designed to equip Christian leaders to see afterschool programming as a profound opportunity for mission. You will leave with a renewed vision and practical tools for how afterschool ministry can become a catalyst for transformation, discipleship, and community impact.
Entre Nosotras
Wednesday 10/7 | 9 AM – 2 PM
Entre Nosotras is a unique space exclusively for Latina leaders to rest, connect, and receive. This preconference event is a place where we can identify and affirm the unique ways we lead and lean into our God-given calling. Leave with practical spiritual practices, new connections, and equipping to take with you on the journey ahead.
Entre Nosotras es un encuentro único y para que exclusivamente mujeres líderes latinas encuentren descanso, conecten entre sí y reciban apoyo. Este evento previo a la conferencia es un espacio en el que podremos identificar y reafirmar las formas únicas en las que lideramos y nos apoyamos en el llamado que Dios nos ha dado. Te llevarás prácticas espirituales útiles, nuevas conexiones y herramientas que te acompañarán en el camino que tienes por delante. El almuerzo está incluido.
Common Ground, Common Healing
Wednesday 10/7 | 9 AM – 4:30 PM
This preconference event brings together faith leaders, cross-sector practitioners, and community members to explore how to establish trauma-informed, recovery-friendly environments in our congregations, workplaces, small groups, and local neighborhoods while honoring the whole family unit impacted by substance use.
Whether you serve in a church, manage an organization, lead a recovery community group, or carry the lived experience of addiction or family recovery, you belong at this table.
Building Blocks
Wednesday 10/7 | 2 PM – 4 PM
This event brings together community organizations from across the country to reflect on their experience creating and sustaining place-based housing initiatives. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from the presenters, connect with other organizations in the process of developing their own housing strategies, and reflect on the housing needs and opportunities in their own communities.
Why Host a Preconference Event?
In the past, preconference events have been hosted by local and affinity networks to gather together like-minded individuals to engage in learning around best practices and provide thought leadership for the association around a topic of passion. Preconference events have also been leveraged by nonprofits, consultants, and companies to host their own one-day “mini-conference” or “lunch and learn” activities to grow a target audience often found within CCDA. Finally, we’ve found hosting a precon event to be particularly impactful for groups local to the conference region.
When Will Preconference Events Occur?
Preconference Events will take place during the day between 8:30am-4:30pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
What Does it Cost to Host a Preconference Event?
Preconference Events require a $5,000 Sponsorship, which may be waived for approved Local or Affinity Networks. Preconference Event sponsors and/or hosts agree to cover all fees associated with their hosted preconference, including:
- Room setup changes (including onsite additions, requests, or changes)
- Participant meals or catering
- Speaker fees
- Beverages or beverage service
- Any supplies needed outside of audio/visual services
- On-site event check-in or registration for attendees
Please complete this application, and a CCDA staff member will follow up with you.
Not a member? Join the CCDA Family
Membership has always been a way for us to accomplish our mission and vision. We want you to succeed in your work, so we created a structure that will sustain our work of strengthening individuals and organizations just like you. We are constantly striving to update and scale the resources available to our members so that you have the tools you need to complete the good work to which God has called you.
