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"The goal of our Emerging Leaders Initiative is to intentionally inspire, train and connect the next generation of proven CCDA leaders to the founding fathers and mothers of the association," says CCDA board member Dr. Luis Carlo, who is assisting with the curriculum. Dr. Carlo will be the featured speaker at the second of three upcoming ELI retreats.
"This is not just a passing of the torch but also learning how to carry the torch," adds John Liotti, who is part of the group, and helping its structure. The ethnically diverse cohort of 18 leaders each came well recommended and have considerable experience in CCD ministry. ("They are not green!") The cohort will journey together for one year, beginning with a retreat in Jackson with John Perkins, May 5-8, the first of three. At each retreat, the leaders will hear ‘the stories' firsthand—something God admonished children of Israel to do repeatedly. The retreats are themed "Revisited," "Revealed" and "Released," and the latter two will be held in Santa Cruz , CA , and Cincinnati , respectively, over the next six months. The ELI group will also attend a portion of the CCDA board meeting in Cinci and hope to present a plan there for the future of the CCDA movement.
"We want the activities to be organic, to foster natural communication, relationship, trust," says one leader, the goal being to recreate that original atmosphere of the CCDA founders. One possible hurdle—the participants are spread all over the country. Not to worry: "This generation is used to communicating electronically so distance shouldn't be much of a problem," offers Liotti. That's why they're called emerging leaders!
ELI Cohort includes: Crissy Brooks , Luis Carlo Jr., Gil Contreras, Jeremy Del Rio , Leneita Fix, Florence Annang Haraway, Daniel Hill, Jennifer Ingram, Eric Iverson, Susie Kook, Andrew Marin, Esperanza Martinez, Elizabeth Perkins, Calvin Taylor Skinner, Heather Starnes, Sonia Stewart, Ryan VerWys, Michelle Warren, Matthew Watson and Matthew Belgie.
Here's what a few of our emerging leaders had to say about EMI.
 "I was introduced to CCDA a few years back and was overwhelmed and confronted at how I had been ‘serving' the community to meet my own needs. This was pivotal in the renewing of mind and seeing Jesus' calling to be an instrument of reconciliation in my own neighborhood and city–way beyond the comfort of my congregation. Being part of ELI is another step in that journey and I expect to be challenged, confronted, trained, mentored, uplifted and empowered to keep on, especially in my service within the Hispanic immigrant community. I expect to be asked the hard questions so that we can leave a legacy of hope, ownership and transformation."
-- Esperanza Martinez, MSW , Global Outreach - Family Life Center , Miami , FL
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 "I am humbled by the opportunity to sit at the feet of our amazing CCDA rabbi's. My hope is to capture as much wisdom and insight from these women and men who as i possibly can, to learn from, contribute to, and grow with the cohert in this journey. with the help of the community, i believe i will be better equipped to walk alongside God in what he is already doing."
--Eric Iverson, MultiCultural Integrity - YouthWorks! Inc. , Minneapolis , MN
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 "As a person working and living out the principles of CCDA, I have relied heavily on the wisdom and experiences given by the leaders within the movement. I am looking forward to personalizing those relationships with leaders in the CCDA, both emerging and longstanding…I want to learn what they are doing so that I can be encouraged in the work within the body of Christ as well as bring some of the lessons they have learned back to help strengthen the city where I am."
-- Michelle Warren, Senior Community Liaison, Open Door Ministries, Denver
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