Way back in 1996, I was able to attend this event for the first time, as a college student spending a semester in inner-city Chicago. I was a lowly intern at Lawndale Community Church. and having my eyes opened to a new way of ministry, urban ministry that is, where the community development model was so fresh to me, it was where I wanted to be forever in ministry. Now, 11 years later, 0n my 2nd stint as a youth pastor, I return to this event, to re-hash these ideas, models, and network with folks who have been doing this since I left them. What is exciting to me, is that God keeps throwing me in to this style of ministry. I also look back and know that I have actually been doing a lot of this all along. What is great is I now am at a place where I have more freedom than ever to explore community development in my own ministry. From pursuing 501 c 3 grants, to starting grassroots mentoring/tutoring of our inner city kids, I know this is where I am supposed to be, and that feels good.
11 years ago, I was 20 years old, and was able to listen in to the likes of Jim Wallis and John Perkins, who were starting the Call to Renewal Campaign. Other heroes tied to the CCDA of mine, Ray Bakke, Ron Sider, Wayne Gordron, Glen Kehrein, and Bob Lupton. People you probably have no idea about, but whom I hold as influences.
I will try to blog more on this if I have the opportunity.
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