Internship Update: From Alex Streeter Change has become a recurring theme in my life over the last six months. There have been apparent changes, such as my occupation and living situation, as well as deeper inner changes regarding my worldview and life goals. One day,...
Sold Out Christmas Store!
2022 Christmas Store Update: From Jacki Patten The Christmas Store is a one-of-a-kind event that truly captures the love, joy, and hope of the Christmas season. Each year, the community comes together to serve neighbors by donating toys and Christmas gifts to be sold...
The Impact of Mentorship
Volunteer Highlight by Eddy Welch Before becoming an apprentice mentor through Rail//Line Coffee, I was looking for a ministry to partner with. I wanted to help people not only to grow in their walk with Christ but to further themselves in the professional world as...
Calvin’s Story
Calvin Warren, a 53-year-old former PTA president, and little guy football coach, recently became a CLDI tenant. A devoted father, Calvin has a degree in Psychology and was gifted in working with children. He spent 18 years working in residential treatment programs...
Expanding CLDI’s Reach
New Executive Director Kaleb Perdew shares his history with the ministry and vision for the future. In 2017, CLDI’s Executive Director Eric Basye crossed paths with Kaleb Perdew, a Billings native and recent graduate from the University of Montana. Kaleb had a heart...
THE 8 PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: EMPOWERMENT
The 8th principle of CCD is Empowerment. Empowering people is an important element of Christian Community Development. How do you ensure that people are able to help themselves after they have been helped? Oftentimes, Christian ministry, particularly in poor...
The 8 Principles of Christian Community Development: Church Based
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT At this point in the series, it is probably a good idea to provide a refresher as to what we mean by the phrase Christian Community Development (CCD). Pastor and community developer Mark Gornik writes: Community development in biblical...
The 8 Principles of Christian Community Development: Listening to the Community
The 5th principle of CCD is Listening to the Community. Communities are often developed by people outside of the community that bring in resources without taking into account the community itself. CCD is committed to listening to the community residents and hearing...
Proximity Matters
“That’s YOUR house?!” a young student yelled to me as I opened the gate that separates our backyard from Orchard Elementary’s play area. “Why yes, it is!” I yelled back. Later that week, we crossed paths on a neighborhood walk and was greeted with, “Hey you’re that...
Leadership Development
A Series on the Eight Principles of Christian Community Development By Eric Basye In the fall of 2020, I began working on my Doctor of Leadership through George Fox University. I toyed with the idea for years, having completed one year of doctoral work through Fuller...