In response to global migration, in a polarizing world: Abara inspires connections beyond borders through mutual understanding, education, and meaningful action in pursuit of narrative, systems, and personal change. Current Projects: - Capital campaign to complete the purchase of a peace-space - a future Borderland Center for Beloved Community located on a 4-acre site adjacent to the border fence, and one of the most historically significant locations in the borderlands and nationally. Advanced Campaign with goals, objectives, and 3D renderings: AbaraHouse.org - In collaboration with Abara, we recently completed a 36-month start-up in the development of a small nimble foundation to engage PC(USA) faith-rooted communities on the border and beyond. Tres Rios Border Foundation accompanies diverse initiatives on both sides of the border: TresRiosBorderFoundation.org

The CCDA Flourishing Congregations Initiative (FCI) is a comprehensive 5-year program designed to empower church leaders to help their congregations deepen their community engagement, enhance their ministries, and contribute to the flourishing of their neighborhoods. Participating congregations will move from community isolation to active community partnership and learn to assess and adapt their ministries to address the complex needs of their members and neighbors alike.Through a combination of coaching, curated learning plans, immersive experiences, and collaborative networking, participating congregations will gain valuable insights and resources to move from community isolation to active community partnership.Toward Community Wellness: It’s an honor to participate in this hybrid pilot project as a coach and guide. This initiative includes online training and processing and various site visits. My hope is to join with others as a mutual learner with an emphasis on listening, equity, dignity, and neighboring.

As wounded healers, peace builders, intentional neighbors, contemplative activists, and visual artists, we worked together cultivate humility, bridge worlds, and embody faith with those who’ve gone ahead of us through three justice pathways: caring for resilient children, welcoming those affected by incarceration, and waging peace in a world of trauma.

UnityPoint at Home, Quincy, ILA division of UnityPoint HealthPart-time Hospice ChaplainServed the regional office of Quincy, IL for a company of estimated 30,000 employees across IL, IA, and WICollaborated as a liaison with staff medical team and interdisciplinary teamProvided spiritual care services to meet social, emotional, and spiritual needs with patients, families, and care giversMaintained confidential record of services for quality assurance, policies, and proceduresConsulted, educated, and supported team regarding spiritual care & community development

Formally known as Church on the Block (COTB), this beloved community remains rooted as a community of neighbors seeking to love God and people block-by-block. The community is located on the West Side of Chicago in the Austin neighborhood. God has been on the move in Austin long before we were led to move here from our beloved South Atlanta neighborhood. It was an honor to listen to and learn from the people of Austin and join into a long history of God's movement. We believe that every person has something to offer, every voice matters, and every neighborhood is important to the health of the city.COTB launched a pilot project / BBQ line known as SOUL SAUCE to sustain the work of the church while bridge building across cultural and socioeconomic lines.

Charis Community Housing‪Interim Co-Executive Director‬ w/ Melissa LedbetterFebruary 2008 – October 2008‪ Atlanta, GA‬Real Estate Affordable Housing Arm of FCS Focused Community StrategiesCo-Executive Director w/ Rev. Leroy BarberDecember 2008 – December 2011‪ Atlanta, GA‬Metro Merge, Social Entrepreneur‪November 2007 – June 2013 Atlanta, GA‬Co-Working Space (Creating access to economic opportunity by supporting local entrepreneurs through business development and coaching)+++ABOUT FCS:Founded by Dr. Bob Lupton (author of "Toxic Charity"), the mission of FCS (focused community strategies) is to create healthy places in the city where families flourish and the Shalom of God is present. Since 1976, FCS has grown to become a multi-faceted community development organization. FCS reweaves the fabric of urban community by building upon neighborhood strengths as aligned with the Purpose Built Communities Model. ABOUT CHARIS COMMUNITY HOUSING:2007-2008 was quite a year of transition as the housing market crashed. This had a tremendous impact upon many people, especially the South Atlanta neighborhood where about 1/3 of the housing stock sat empty and boarded up during that time. Charis Community Housing is the real estate arm of FCS Urban Ministries, which attracts and harnesses economic forces to create community empowerment through real estate. The word “Charis” is Greek, meaning “grace.”‬ In 2008, the board and staff of Charis created a "foreclosure redemption plan," improved quality control, and hired a long-term Executive Director to sustain the work as a theology of place in action.ABOUT METRO MERGE:As a division of FCS Urban Ministries, Metro Merge was a trial run (pilot) committed to fighting poverty through business development. Before co-working spaces were popular, Metro Merge was designing a small co-working incubator in South Atlanta. Envision “kinkos” in the neighborhood with business development resources and affordable office space.

Led by 1996 Heisman Trophy Winner, Danny Wuerffel, Desire Street Ministries (DSM) encourages, equips, empowers and connects leaders to build effectiveness and sustainability in their efforts towards spiritual and community development. While working at FCS, I worked part-time with DSM to join a community effort in shaping the Thriving Index with Angie Winn and Dr. Anthony Gordon.DSM's Thriving Index equips ministry leaders to monitor their personal, organizational, and spiritual health over time, improving their capacity to serve and equip others through the unpredictable maze of urban life. A proprietary set of tools developed in concert with academic research and practical experience, the Thriving Index is available to all Ministry Partners. DesireStreet.org

Mars Hill was founded in 1999 by Rev. Rob Bell. The church was planted by Calvary Church while Dr. Ed Dobson served as Senior Pastor. Mars Hill grew to 10,000 people within a few years, and I joined the staff during the week of 9/11.I was honored to serve on the Global/Local Outreach staff and leadership team to develop a local neighborhood vision and strategy, organizing and facilitating volunteer trainings, connecting Mars Hill with local urban relationships, building and sustaining many partnerships across multiple fields/sectors, and distributing generous financial grants locally/globally to increase the capacity and effectiveness of shared partnerships. At the invitation of urban leaders, our family relocated to become neighbors with the community. During a time of transition at Mars Hill, I was honored to serve as Southeast Regional Pastor: Developing community life in local neighborhood/parishes, launching house churches, training volunteer neighborhood leaders, and developing a volunteer pastoral care team; Conducted nearly 20 weddings, 5 funerals, and about 40 baby dedications.