Lawndale

A few weeks ago I was in Chicago to speak at the Willow Creek Conference.  Before I went to Willow Creek, I visited with Noel Castellanos, CEO of the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA).  Noel invited me to meet with him at their offices in Lawndale so he could give me a tour.

I’ve read about — and admired — CCDA’s work in Lawndale for years.  But seeing it in person was a privilege.  There’s an impressive medical clinic that is the size of a city block, a gym, a vibrant church, The House church for teenagers, a residence for men, and on and on it goes.

I asked Noel how all the land had been purchased.  His answer was simple: “Land in Lawndale is cheap.”

Land in Pasadena is not cheap.  Maybe it’s not cheap where you live and minister either.  I wish land was cheaper in Pasadena.  But Pasadena has other resources in its favor, like a commitment to holistic development for kids, an extensive network of non-profit organizations, and churches who have a vision for justice.

Your community has its own assets that can help you experience Kingdom justice.  Maybe it’s not cheap land, but every community has resources and potential

©2009 Fuller Youth Institute