The Joseph Factor Group Going “Forward” With CCDA 2019

On October 9, 2019, Anthony D. Bobo, Jr. (Senior Associate, The Joseph Factor Group) partnered with Pastor Matthew Watts (Hope Church, Charleston, WV) and Pastor John P. Perkins (Common Ground Church, Jackson, MS) at the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) 2019 Annual Conference. The conference theme was “Forward.” Bobo, Pastor Watts, and Pastor Perkins hosted a workshop entitled, “A 21st Century Strategy for Youth Evangelism and Discipleship And a Strategy to Address Mass Incarceration.”

The workshop focused on the amazing work Pastor Watts is doing in the HOPE West Side Revive Movement and HOPE-TALKS Mentoring Movement. We encouraged the group that these Movements could be the next level for the Christian Community Development (CCD) Movement as a Strategy to Address Poverty and Mass Incarceration. Pastor Perkins shared the components of CCD and the work that Common Ground is doing creating businesses to employ those returning from being incarcerated and the underemployment in Jackson. Bobo talked about the project that him and Pastor Perkins are engaged in sharing how a new generation of leaders are being raised up to tackle these tough issues and we are challenging them to address them with the love of Christ in Commissioned To Love.

The afternoon was filled with discussion, questions, and sharing of experiences from presenters and participants alike. Bobo reflects, “Sometimes doing community work, we feel all alone and at our wits end. Attending CCDA always gives me a lift, a charge, a boost! Being with likeminded workers with so much experience and wisdom changes the feelings of hopelessness into “We can do this!””

The Joseph Factor Group was honored to work with to great community leaders and to hear the wonderful things that are happening, through the help of God, all over the world.