It was 2009, and I was driving a nine year old boy back to his apartment at the House of Hope after he went on an outing with our family. As we approached the Walnut Neighborhood, I pointed out a big church in the neighborhood that was for sale, and I shared with this youngster a dream of having such a great building where we could have a lot of cool things going on for young people. I'll never forget his response:
"Please don't tell me that it would just be for poor kids."
I.'s statement arrested my heart. He offered a defining moment for me and helped to shape the vision, mission, and strategy of Link Christian Development. At the same time I.'s words were spoken, I was learning through Christian Community Development Association about the difference of being IN, FOR, and WITH a neighborhood.
CCD is about WITH. Link CCD is about linking people and places WITH one another in order to join Jesus in his restoring mission in the world. This requires a paradigm shift from a paternalistic FOR to a reconciling community WITH.
Journeying WITH. Learning WITH. Serving WITH. Forming friendships WITH. Studying the Bible and worshiping WITH. Building community WITH. Seeking justice WITH. Doing more of life WITH.
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