Recap - CCDA Emerging Leaders Cohort Retreat

       

Have you ever spent 4 days with a group of people that you previously didn’t know and when you went your own way, felt like they were as close to your community as anyone else? This picture represents that experience for me. 

Last week I had the privilege of being welcomed into the 3rd CCDA Emerging Leaders Cohort with 19 other people. I’m impressed with each and every one of these new friends and the work they’ve dedicated themselves to. I’m a pretty introverted guy and I’ve not felt as comfortable with a new group of people this size in a long time. 

The cohort gathered people in Mendocino, CA on The Lord’s Land from all over the US. There were people that worked at a camp, worked on immigration issues, with Mission Year, and organizations big and small. We all had unique experiences and work environments but all shared a common bond in that our work was rooted in a deep love for Christ and our desire to share that with others through community development initiatives. 

One of the takeaways for me was the immense passion that everyone had for the work they were doing. Every time someone had the opportunity to share about their ministry you could see the energy they got from sharing their story. I’m energized when someone shares passionately about something that is making the world a little better of a place to be. Needless to say, it didn’t matter the topic that was being discussed because I was being energized by them all. 

Many of us shared how lonely it can be working in the environments that we do. It seemed like we’re all working on issues that no one naturally wants to do anything about, except us and the orgs we work for. We’re young leaders investing our lives in work that very few around us care to do and it can lead to burnout and fatigue. I think we all walked away feeling a little less lonely after meeting each other. 

I’m looking forward to continuing these relationships for the next couple of years in this cohort and sharing my experiences with you when we connect again.