NorCalUrban

We hosted the Bay Area Reload event yesterday. We had a wonderful and successful event. The Bobby and Lawrence from Urban Youthworkers Institute said we had about 280 leaders in attendance - about a 50 leader increase from last year. I was particularly encouraged by the fact that when I asked, about 90% of the leaders who attended hadn't been at last year's Reload or at the national conference each year in Azuza. I really believe in what Larry Acosta and the UYWI folks are doing - I appreciate their hard work and passion to train urban leaders. A special 'shout out' to the planning committee who came together to promote the event including Greg Moder from Patten University, Angie Ibarra, Pastor Ben Guerrero from Maranatha Christian Center, Eld Billy Dixon from COGIC, Kirk Davis from Younglife and many others... Afterword we headed to San Francisco for pizza at Tomassos and Cannolis in North Beach with Jenni and my parents who are visiting. Good times! BTW - I was bles...

It's been hard to get a chance to blog this year. I had hoped for a more relaxed pace once the credit union was open. I guess I was wrong.  This year has already been fruitful and busy. Here are some bullet point updates on what's going on.  - This weekend is the Bay Area Reload  event at Patten University in Oakland. This year Bart Campolo, Leroy Barber and Joy Challenger are our speakers. Yours truly is doing a workshop on suburban / urban partnerships. If you're in the area, come and join us! - I've recently joined two boards of director, one for One East Palo Alto, a local non profit intermediary organization and Christian Community Development Association. I'm honored to serve both these excellent organizations. Last Tuesday I attended my first OEPA board meeting and last week I was in Miami for the CCDA board meeting. All that to say my plate is full... - My parents are out here. Dad is an electrician who specializes in nuclear power. He's working down at...

After a much needed hiatus, I'm back! What a whirlwind 2007 was. Here's a few updates from my life and work..  Credit Union: As previously mentioned in this blog, we opened for business on 12/19. Since we had a soft opening, we haven't done any real promotion in the community. Even so, we've been successful in opening new accounts, just based on word of mouth. It's been exciting to see friends and community members coming in to start accounts or stop by to give their greetings and blessings. CU Supervisor Maria Chavez is doing a great job. We're proud of her.  The top photo is of NCUD co-founder Marc Prioleau and I behind the teller line at the new branch. Below is the 'famous' Maria!  Sam's Back: Finally! Samuel always heads to the Central Valley during his breaks. He loves hanging out over there. Essentially, he hangs with his grandmother, Uncle Fabian and Aunt Alicia and his cousins Jose and Nevaeh. Over there he's a prince, eating, playing vi...

Geez - so much has gone on over the past few weeks. Here are some updates and pics: Bay Area Reload - Our local Reload event was again a success. This year we were at Patten University in Oakland. I haven't seen the final numbers, but I estimate we had just under 300 in attendance. Thanks to all the UYWI staff for their hard work. Also thanks to the BCM staff, Patten staff, School of Urban Missions, our COGIC family and Angie Ibarra from Teen Mania. It was a blessing and honor to again serve with our Bay Area leaders and Larry Acosta's staff from Reload. We're praying that God will bring unity and peace to our region. - East Palo Alto Peace and Unity March - As reported on this blog and in the mass media it's been a violent month in EPA. As a result of the communities efforts to bring peace and unity, a group of local leaders, spearheaded by the Pacific Islander community, planned and hosted a local march. It was a resounding success. I actually got emotional while I ma...