On the Verge…For the Gospel, For the City and For the Nations

Posted: Sunday, February 26, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: 2k12 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On the Verge…For the Gospel, For the City and For the Nations

The last couple of days, Louis and I have been in Houston, Texas enjoying a lovely visit with my sister and her family.  Tomorrow, we leave for Austin, where we will remain until Saturday.  Austin, you say?  Yes…Austin.  We are attending the Verge 2012 Conference.

2 years ago, Louis and I stumbled upon the Verge Conference on their first year.  Although I was soon to be unemployed, we found the resources to attend….and I am so glad that we did!  Last year The Verge Network joined with Exponential – the largest church planting conference ever – and this year we are back in Austin.  I am thankful for some generous people who have given to us – providing us the opportunity to attend, allowing us to be better prepared (and encouraged) for the work we do each and every day in Southern Barton Heights, in Richmond, VA. I love the ‘church’ – flaws and all.  Admittedly, I love the people more than I do the actual building and institution. But, I sometimes feel like a fish out of water in a typical Sunday morning worship church.  I often leave thinking…is this it?

2 years ago, while attending Verge 2010, I got it.  I had found my people group, my tribe.  People who strive to live out God’s mission EVERY day…at work, at home, at the PTA, gym, soccer field, and coffee shop,  and every where else their everyday, walk-around, work-going, weekend-loving lives take them….not just on Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights, and on missions trips.  Every day is viewed as a missions trip.

I wish you…every one of you…could attend.  Although it is sold out and located in Austin, you do have an opp to attend the Main Sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, at least, through a simulcast.  Check it out and sign up here.  You will hear from folks like Dr. John Perkins, Bob Lupton, Alan Hirsch, Neil Cole, Dave Ferguson, Mike Breen, Jen Hatmaker, David Platt and Matt Carter.  Let me know if you do!  Would love to hear your thoughts and comments.

CCDA Institute presents: Church-Based Community Development Intensive

Posted: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: 2k11, CCDA in RVA | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

CCDA Institute is coming to Richmond!  Noel Castellanos, CEO of CCDA is coming to discuss Church-Based Community Development.  See the attached flyer for details.  If you want to print the flyer, click here:  CCDA Church Based Flyer – 10.29.2011.

Be sure to register early!!!  Click here to register > REGISTER HERE!

immersion…aka “a dunking”

Posted: Thursday, April 14, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: 2k11 | Tags: , , , , | Comments Off on immersion…aka “a dunking”

As you know, Louis and I attended the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) Institute’s Certification Training called Immersion, but some fondly referred to it as a “dunking” instead of an immersion.  We received so much great information in a week’s time.  In addition, we met a lot of great people from across the United States.  We had A LOT of reading to do for the class, but I only have 2 books left to read…and I brought a couple more home with me, too!  If you are interested in the list of books, check out my post 1276/27=47.259259.

Some of you have asked…What is CCDA and what is immersion?  Thot I would just share a little about it.  Taken from their website….

CCDA’s Mission

Mission

The mission of CCDA is to inspire, train, and connect Christians who seek to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced communities.

Vision

Wholistically restored communities with Christians fully engaged in the process of transformation.

Statement of Faith

The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s son, redeems us through His death and resurrection and empowers us by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is God’s Word and through it we are called to live out justice, reconciliation, and redemption. The church nurtures God’s people gathered in a community to carry out God’s Word.

Purpose

  • To strengthen existing Christian Community Development organizations.
  • To encourage new Christian Community Development efforts.
  • To promote Christian Community Development through regional training.
  • To educate and mobilize the body of Christ at large to become involved in Christian Community Development in their area.
  • To sustain, enable and inspire those

CCDA’s History

CCDA is so rich in history.  Founded by John Perkins and other like-minded leaders  in 1989, CCDA began with one purpose in mind…

expressing the love of Christ in America’s poor communities, not at arms length, but at the grassroots level.

CCDA’s Philosophy

CCDA’s philosophy is based on what are called the…

The Eight Components of Christian Community Development  Revised 11/07/2011.  CCDA has recently updated their website, and these links may not work.  You can learn more about the components at this link> CCDA Philosophy.

Click on the links above to read more, but I will take time to write on each of the Eight Components…some of what I learned and how I think we can apply this within our communities in our city.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts on what you read, from CCDA’s website and from my posts.  Louis and I have begun talking to CCDA about bringing the training here for weekend sessions…starting in the fall.  This is still in the development stages, but I would love to know if you or your church would be interested in participating in this training.  Initial thoughts would be to bring the “Three R’s” (Relocation, Reconciliation, and Redistribution) first.  Let me hear from you!

Our lives have been changed…and yours will, too.

Peace.