Can Anything Good Come from East Palo Alto?

This past weekend I was in East Palo Alto speaking at Antioch Urban Fellowship where John Liotti is pastor. I also spoke at St Stephens COGIC Church and at Bayshore Ministries, a CCDA member organization that has been doing urban youth development for 20 years.

While I was in San Jose working with CityTeam I actually had some time with Andy, who is the founder and others. A highlight of the time was hanging out with some great young leaders and seeing all the good work that is being done in a totally different urban venue than Chicago. In EPA homes in the hood go for $500,000 and up! Can you imagine trying to create low-income housing in that environment? But especially John and some of his team have a real vision to create economic stability and capital for poor families, and is developing the foundation to establish a credit union in the hood.

Also, I had a great time just hanging out and sharing some thoughts on mestizaje, justice, and Christian Community Development. An added treat was being able to have dinner with my family one night.

One of the passages I used was from John 2 where Phillip urges Peter to come and see Jesus for himself, hearing about this unique rabbi. The response of those around them upon discovering that Jesus is from Nazareth is the rhetorical question, 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?' I am certain after being with so many great folks in EPA, that indeed, something good is happening in EPA. John, Andy, Christiana, JD, Pastor Baines, Champion, Maria, Bishop, David, Melissa, and the rest...Keep up the great work!