CCDA Conference

We have the opportunity to go to the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) National Conference September 11^th-14^th in New Orleans.  The vision of CCDA is to see “holistically restored communities with Christians fully engaged in the process of transformation”. The mission is “to inspire, train, and connect Christians who seek to bear witness to the Kingdom of God by reclaiming and restoring under-resourced communities”. The theme of the conference this year is “Cultivate: to foster growth; to tend, prepare and improve”.

Living in the city, in the midst of poverty and violence, there is also beauty, grace, and the power of the Lord. We are planning on taking this time away from the craziness of life and ministry in the city to cultivate our souls and renew our spirits. We are praying that God will break our hearts again for the city and sustain us as we renew our vision to care for the lives and community around us. We pray that we are able to discern how God would use us in our neighborhood and put our time, talents, and treasures to use for His Kingdom.

Andrew is really looking forward to going to a workshop hosted by the President/CEO of New Vision Renewable Energy, a Christian Community Development Organization working on using renewable energy in sustainable community development. This could be a great connection for the future! There is another workshop about using flag football as a vehicle for justice in the hood. Andrew served as the MACC Sports’ Soccer Commissioner this spring and would love to learn more about using sports to engage youth with the Gospel in our community. I am excited to attend a workshop about turning at-risk schools around through community based strategies. We are praying through schooling options for our kids already, and would love to see gospel-change in our neighborhood schools. Another workshop topic I am looking forward to attending is about gentrification with justice. As cities change and neighborhoods become gentrified, like in Midtown, how do we care for the poor who may be displaced or negatively affected? We are also both planning on attending workshops focusing on making marriage and ministry work in the city, balancing life and ministry, and sustaining passionate activism for the long haul.

Will you partner with us? We are in need of financial support and prayer partners in order for our ministry in the city to grow. The total cost to attend the conference, including registration, travel, food, and lodging is approximately $800 each. Would you pray and ask the Lord what resources he has blessed you with and how you can use them to further his Kingdom? We both would love to talk with you and share more about what God is doing in Detroit. Please get in touch with us if you are able to be a prayer partner or are interested in coming to the city for a visit or volunteer trip. Thank you for partnering with us for the Gospel. How can we be praying for you as you bring light into the darkness? We’d love to hear from you!

Here are some specific prayer requests to lift up:

-that Christ would be King in our home, our neighborhood and the city of Detroit

-that the Lord will provide the financial support needed to attend the conference

-that we would prepare for this conference and arrive ready and willing to learn about how God can use us as urban missionaries in the city

-that we would return home refreshed and energized to continue loving our neighbors and bring the gospel to our community

-that the Lord would one day provide a way for Andrew to work in our community using the skills and education he has received