Rising Leaders: Reflections from the CCDA National Conference

There’s something powerful that happens when you step away from the day-to-day and immerse yourself in a space filled with worship, learning, and community. Every year, our team looks forward to the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) National Conference—a time to be refreshed, challenged, and reminded that God is at work in cities and neighborhoods all across the country.

But this year was extra special.

For the first time, we brought four of our student leaders with us to Grand Rapids, Michigan to catch the vision of what we’re building together here in San Francisco.

Throughout the week, we sat under incredible teachers, preachers, and worship leaders. We engaged in interactive workshops and “Go & See” experiences, exploring what it looks like to live out the Eight Key Components of Christian Community Development in real and tangible ways. We learned from practitioners who are loving God, loving neighbor, and loving neighborhoods in every corner of the country and we reflected on how to contextualize those same practices in our own community.

We were also incredibly proud to see our very own Sylvia Kamande leading as a workshop presenter and Women of Color Network leader, while Executive Director Gabrielle Alzate continues her Doctorate of Ministry in Christian Community Development, and Youth Director Mateo Alzate recently completed his Master of Arts in Christian Community Development through Northern Seminary. This framework and philosophy aren’t just theories at BJM, they’re at the heart of who we are and how we show up in our ministries.

One of the key components of CCD is Leadership Development, and this year, we saw it come to life in new ways. Our student leaders were deeply impacted by what they experienced from the worship that stirred their faith, to the speakers who challenged their perspectives, to the mentors and peers from across the country who took time to ask about their stories, pray with them, and speak life over them.

We came home grateful, full, and inspired. We believe we’re only scratching the surface of what God wants to do through this next generation of leaders rising up from our very own ministries.

When you invest at Because Justice Matters, you’re not just giving to programs—you’re investing in people.

You’re helping build pathways for young women and leaders to rise up, discover their God-given gifts, and carry the light of Christ into their neighborhoods and beyond.

At Because Justice Matters, we’re not just dreaming about brighter futures, we’re building them together.