2012 CCDA National Conference

It’s that time of year again for the national conference of Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). I’ve been looking forward to these conferences ever since the first day after my first conference. This is my fifth conference out of the last six years. 

Each year this conference means something a little different to me, especially after I was selected two years ago to become a member of their Emerging Leader’s Cohort. Something I’ve come to treasure because of the other people I’m in the cohort with and by the closeness you can be with the top leaders nationally of this association. I’ve learned a lot from these folks in just a short time. It’s a joy to be able to walk around this conference and see so many people from around the country that you’ve been able to get to know and have a real connection with.

This year, I will be joining a board committee that focuses on making the national conference as good as it can be. This conference regularly brings over 2,500 people to it that are looking for practical solutions to their ministry and organizational needs. It’s a beautifully, diverse gathering with really smart people doing things that very few other people care about. I’m always eager to bring the CCDA association to the mental forefront of my friends and local ministries in Fort Wayne. 

I’ll also be doing my first workshop this year. I’m tag teaming with a cohort friend, Sarah Quezada, to lead a session titled, "What is Tweeter?" We’re going to talk about social media and grassroots communication philosophies for ministries and small nonprofits. We believe communication has become a high level leadership trait that must be developed in order to stay relevant among your supporters. Should be fun. 

So, I wish my wife could have come this year because it’s not the same without her, but with twins on the way, it wasn’t feasible. Consider praying for her while she’s home with our daughter and for my time here in Minneapolis. My experience here shapes a lot of what we’re learning and doing at NeighborLink at home.