About a year ago, my husband and I bought a home on the South Side of Billings. We know—it’s that neighborhood. The South Side’s reputation precedes it—drugs, criminal activity, and certainly not the best bet if you’re looking for a return on your investment of...
*The following is a reflection from our Youth Works staff to give testimony of the ways the Lord was at work in the lives of our students last summer. As we lean into a fast-approaching summer, perhaps this will lead you in how to pray for our Youth Works staff and...
Moving to the South Side has not been what I expected. To be honest, I’m not quite sure what I expected! It must have been something along the lines of becoming best friends with all our neighbors and having deep conversations with them all the time. So far we’ve only...
So, it's never been more obvious that I can do nothing apart from Christ. I can't get out of bed well without His abiding presence. I can't even do a good job speaking with someone, unless Christ indwells my everything. This time as an intern has simultaneously...
I’ve lived in Billings my entire life, and I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve grown up with, and maintained, a pretty negative view of the South Side. “Don’t go there.” “Don’t hang out there.” “Don’t hang out with people who hang out there.” “And, by all means, don’t...
During the Christmas holidays, my intern Rachel and I took the residents of the Hannah House to look at lights at the zoo. We ventured out in the party wagon, over snow piled roads, all singing enthusiastically to the Christmas carols playing. At one point, we were...
On a regular basis, CLDI evaluates the needs that remain in our community that are within the scope of our mission to make Jesus known as we seek the welfare of our friends and neighbors of the South Side. A few of the needs we have identified are: more housing and...
For those of us in Christian circles, when you think of the word ministry, what comes to mind? If you had to describe what ministry was, or who was responsible for such activity, what would you say? According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, ministry is defined as...
In seeking to encourage transformation of the South Side and its residents, the works of CLDI are targeted toward community revitalization, outreach, and discipleship. In regard to community revitalization, CLDI is committed to seek the shalom of our city, and in...
