CCDA Podcast

Turan De’Angelo Rush is joined by Bethany Rivera Molinar and Jeff Biddle to discuss CCDA’s leadership cohorts. They unpack what cohorts are and why they’re important; they also share their experiences in their cohorts, the incredible relationships they’ve formed, and the leadership lessons they are still drawing on today.  CCDA’s newest cohort, Cohort 9, is now accepting applications! This co...

Roslyn Hernández is joined by Carol Bremer-Bennett, the U.S. Executive Director of World Renew. Together, they discuss asset-based community development around the world, the process of connecting with their Indigenous heritage, and the importance of listening to the wisdom of elders. They also reflect on what shalom means in the lives of individuals and communities.  Learn more about the CCD...

Four seasoned CCD leaders dive into the 8 Key Components of the Christian Community Development philosophy. Discover how this approach to ministry can restore and transform lives, communities, and systems. This audio is from the 2024 Conference workshop, Overview of CCD Philosophy, Theology, and Practice . Timestamps (~02:55) - Relocation (Jonathan Brooks) (~10:11) - Reconciliation (Sandra Maria V...

Christina Foor is joined by Pastor Carlos Rincon to discuss what life is like right now in Los Angeles. Pastor Carlos shares about how he and his church are serving their community right now, the importance of showing up with compassion, and some ways you can pray for those in LA.  If you want to learn more about how you can get involved, check out CCDA’s Immigration Network at ccda.org/immig...

Dr. Lorenzo A. Watson is joined by Natarsha Sanders to discuss education equity. They reflect on the state of education today, why equity in education is important, and how we can make our communities more equitable.  Learn more about CCDA’s Education Equity Network, #TransformED, at ccda.org/transformed . Natarsha Prince Sanders is a career educator with over 15 years of professional experie...

Lynette McIntosh-Madrigal is joined by Pamela Evans and Pastor Jermaine B. Armour of Saint Luke AME Zion Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. They share stories of hope, discuss how they are partnering with God and their neighbors to see their community flourish, and reflect on their journey from being in the community to being with the community.  Saint Luke is part of CCDA’s Flourishing Co...

Scott Overpeck is joined by Justin and Nate Beene of Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation to discuss their work in Grand Rapids, MI. They share how they are pursuing Shalom, working toward community flourishing with their neighbors, and seeing God move in their city. They also offer some encouragement for CCD practitioners and recommend some of their favorite parts of Grand Rapids.&nbs...

Sarah Callen is joined by Emanuel “Ricky” Padilla and Dra. Itzel Meduri to discuss multilingualism. They share the history of language weaponization and hierarchy in America, which led to the signing of an Executive Order in 2025 designating English as the official language of The United States. Ricky and Dra. Meduri also offer theological support for multilingualism and practical steps we can tak...

Christina Foor is joined by Dr. Alexia Salvatierra and Angelica Acosta Garnett, long-time friends and practitioners of CCDA, especially in the Immigration space. They take a look at the current immigration landscape and discuss what our call is as CCD practitioners. Learn more about CCDA’s Immigration Network, including their Lent series, Love Knows No Borders, at ccda.org/immigration .  Rev....

Lynette McIntosh-Madrigal is joined by Erik Mast-Foss, the Community Life Pastor at On Ramps Covenant Church in Fresno, CA, to discuss how God is moving in his community.  On Ramps is part of CCDA’s Flourishing Congregations Initiative, a comprehensive four-year program that empowers church leaders to deepen their congregations’ community engagement, enhance their ministries, and contribute t...

Christina Foor is joined by Maya Moore Irons, Jonathan Irons, and Bo Cornelius to discuss The Return.  In January 2025, we stepped inside two maximum-security prisons together—Jefferson City Correctional Center and Algoa—to bring encouragement through music and capture Jonathan’s return to the place where he was wrongfully incarcerated for 23 years. This conversation unpacks that experience,...

Welcome to the CCDA Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Lorenzo Watson, the CEO of CCDA, stops by to share a little about his story, what CCDA is, what you can expect from this podcast, and ways you can get involved. Sign up for the CCDA Newsletter . Learn more about membership and networks . Save the date for the CCDA conference , November 5-8, 2025, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you are already a CCDA...

In this episode, you will hear from a panel of Native speakers as they consider what it means to be home. You will hear from JR Lilly, Lenore Three Stars, Edith Woodley, Randy Woodley, and Corey Greaves as they share their wisdom with us. Learn more at ccda.org/indigenous. Connect with Lenore on her website: lenorethreestars.com . Learn more about Randy and Edith's work at eloheh.org . Connect wit...

Each May, CCDA offers events, trainings, and resources at the intersection of faith and mental health. In this bonus episode, Lyndal Bedford, CCDA’s Behavioral Health Affinity Network co-leader, explores how CCD practitioners are incorporating mental health practices into their organizations and contexts.   First, you will hear Lyndal’s conversation with CCD practitioners Dr. Jeff Biddle...

How can the Church work for the flourishing of all society? Often, Christians care deeply for those within our church and see those outside its walls as “causes” or “issues” rather than image bearers with equal dignity and need. Our criminal legal system has replaced the Church as the first and longest responder to violence. How can the Church assume its rightful place in caring for the most margi...

Presenter: Bethany Rivera Molinar

This workshop will be educational and interactive in equipping those who are building community with the connections between addiction, the opioid epidemic, recovery and faith – especially in the wake of pandemic realities & polarized communities. The processes and strategies for decreasing stigma and increasing hope will be both taught and explored.

The CCDA Online Institute & Missio Alliance partner to present, “Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/Latino Social Justice, Theology, & Identity.” Join us to learn more about the history and theology of Latino/Latina culture and what Robert Chao Romero’s newest book calls “Brown Church.” Romero considers how this movement has responded to these and other injustices throughout its histor...

Join us in a conversation led by our Indigenous family in which we will discuss our nuanced identities, our colonized history, loving our communities well, and following the Jesus Way. This is a discussion you won’t want to miss because frankly, it’s time for us to listen to this part of our family. Lead by: Delphina Johnson , Jennifer Hinson , Kathy Mitchell , and Tricia Ivanoff

2018 CCDA National Conference — Chicago Workshop Kingdom United: Exploring Multicultural Worship — Chantel Varnado Kingdom United is an interactive workshop that will explore the depth and dynamics of multicultural worship. Come learn how to develop practices that increase community engagement and empower marginalized people to have a voice and a sense of belonging.

2019 CCDA National Conference — Dallas Workshop Living Intentionally: Perspectives on Poverty — Elia Moreno This workshop teaches how to build relationships and strengthen interactions with those living in emotional and economic poverty. Educating practitioners about the diverse perspectives of people who live in poverty is essential for CCD ministry. Attendees are invited to explore the diverse t...

Presenter: Terrance Hawkins Terrance Hawkins is a husband & father of 4 beautiful children. A native of Winston-Salem, NC,he has served the local church & his city for the last 17 years through pastoral ministry, peace &justice activism, intercultural community building, youth development, & the arts. He is the founder/director of Lit City (a youth development initiative), co-found...

    Excerpts from songs Chantel Varnado  -I'm all Yours - https://youtu.be/GjTNJg1fidM The Porter's Gate - Instrument of Peace - https://youtu.be/d0ZYPpqcIP0    

2018 CCDA National Conference — Chicago Workshop Home in the Hood: Rooting Your Family In CCDA Principles — Jonathan & Micheál Brooks, Paco & Sylvia Amador Raising your family in the hood presents incredible opportunities and unique challenges. The Brooks and Amador families will share from their hearts the practical experiences of raising their families where Christ has called them to ser...

In this episode, Jerome Garciano presents his masterclass on Impact Investment for Christian Community Development. Check out ccda.org/shownotes for additional info and slides on this and previous episodes.