windy city

I'm very excited to go this Sunday and join with CCDA (www.ccda.org) for a week long immersion in Chicago. The wind of the Spirit is blowing through many ministries in this windy city; here is a look at some of my destinations next week:

• Emmaus Ministries: Conversation with Al Tauber and Jonathan Hancock from Emmaus Ministries. Emmaus’ mission and purpose is to make Jesus known on the streets among men involved in sexual exploitation and provide hope in Christ by developing ministries of evangelization, transformation, and education. (streets.org)
• Chitown Futbol: Lunch and dialogue with Jeff Welsh. Jeff has a long history of involvement in Christian Community Development, specifically in the areas of housing & economic development. He is the owner of Chitown Futbol, an indoor soccer facility in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, a predominantly Mexican-American neighborhood.
• Sunshine Gospel Ministries: Tour and dialogue with Joel Hamernick, Executive Director. Sunshine’s mission is to seek renewal in the city through ministries of discipleship, mercy, and justice. Sunshine does this through building relationships, teaching and mentoring, developing life skills, care and advocacy in the community. (sunshinegospel.org)
• Canaan Community Church: Conversation with Pastor Jonathan Brooks, who is leading Canaan into deeper levels of understanding and practicing the philosophy of Christian Community Development. “Pastah J” is a present member of CCDA’s Emerging Leader Cohort and a speaker at our CCDA National Conferences. (canaancommunitychurch.org)
• Pui Tak Center: Tour and dialogue with David Wu, Executive Director. Pui Tak is a church-based community. Each year, they serve over 3000 Chinese immigrants through ESL classes and tutoring for adults, children and youth programs, services for new immigrants, family literacy, school, a music program, computer center and outreach programs. (puitak.org)
• The Marin Foundation: Conversation with Andrew Marin, President and Founder. The Marin Foundation is the very first organization that works to build a bridge between the religious and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities in a non-threatening, research and biblically-oriented fashion. Their unique approach is one that strategically reaches out and partners with both religious and LGBT organizations -- working closely with each to make a sustainable, structural difference for the Kingdom in today’s socially driven secular and religious cultures. Andrew is a former member of CCDA’s Emerging Leaders Cohort and a speaker at our CCDA National Conferences. (themarinfoundation.org)

• South Loop Community Church: Conversation with the pastors of our host church, Tom Kubiak, Jalon Chan, and Mark Lockett. SLCC has been a part of the South Loop community for 10 years with a mission to be used of God in helping people become fully functioning followers of Christ. (southloopcc.org)
• La Villita Community Church: Tour and dialogue with Pastor Victor Rodriguez. Established in the neighborhood of Little Village on Chicago's West Side, La Villita Community Church is committed to the neighborhood and it’s inhabitants. Providing an array of programs that help the community's youth, some of which are tutoring and sports, LVCC's vision and mission is to be a church that Praises, Loves, Teaches, and Shares. (lavillitacommunitychurch.com)
• Breakthrough Urban Ministries: Tour and dialogue with Arloa Sutter, Founder and Executive Director. Breakthrough Urban Ministries demonstrates the compassion of Christ by partnering with those affected by poverty to build connections, develop skills and open doors of opportunity. Located in Chicago's East Garfield Park, where disinvestment has left the neighborhood devoid of opportunity and full of broken dreams, Breakthrough Urban Ministries is restoring the broken networks of youth and families and empowering adults in the community to achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty. (breakthrough.org)