Grand Rapids, Michigan (PRWEB) March 04, 2014
More than 350 ministry leaders and community advocates are registered to attend the 2nd Annual Christian Community Development Association West Michigan Regional Conference hosted by Cornerstone University March 6-8.
The CCDA, a network of Christian organizations working together to holistically restore their communities, consist of grassroots ministries, evangelical inner city pastors and ministry church leaders.
CCDA began in 1989 with 37 founding members and has grown to 6,800 individuals and 600 churches, ministries, institutions and businesses in more than 100 cities and townships across the country.
The conference, themed “Leverage,” will feature nationally recognized speakers Dr. John Perkins, founder of CCDA, and Bob Lupton, author of "Toxic Charity," as well as Rev. Royce Evans, director of the Urban Cohort Initiative at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
Rev. John Matias, a pastor and member of the Grand Rapids Public School Board, and Rev. Aminah Bradford of Calving College will also speak during the conference.
Plenary sessions will be held in the Hansen Athletic Center with smaller breakout sessions taking place across campus. Sessions will address a variety of ministry needs, including restorative justice, conflict resolution, social media management and asset based community development.
“It’s valuable for Cornerstone to support these ministries because community development is vital to our community,” said Darrell Yoder, director of the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary Kern Scholars program. “It helps us develop relationships with more diverse backgrounds.”
Perkins, an international speaker and teacher on racial reconciliation, leadership and the philosophy of ministry known as Christian Community Development, will open the conference at 7 p.m.
Fress sessions are Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday night. Cost for the entire conference is $59 for both days or $39 for one day. Highschool and undergraduate student registration cost is $19. Register at http://www.ccdawestmichigan.org.
Sponsors include: Cornerstone University, Madison Square Church, World Renew and Inner City Christian Federation.
For more information, visit http://www.ccdawestmichigan.org/.