The Power of Proximity: Moving Beyond Awareness to Action

Review "Ferrigno Warren succeeds wonderfully in presenting her primer on the power of proximity principle, and Christ followers will necessarily begin asking themselves if their lives require a change of address." -- Michele Howe, Christian Market, July 2017 We can see evidence of injustice all around us, whether in continuing incidents of racial inequality or in the systemic forces that disenfranchise people and perpetuate poverty. It's important to learn about the world's inequities and to be a voice for the voiceless any way we can. But in an age of hashtag and armchair activism, merely raising awareness about injustice is not enough. Michelle Warren knows what is needed. She and her family have chosen to live in communities where they are "proximate to the pain of the poor." This makes all the difference in facing and overcoming injustice. When we build relationships where we live, we discover the complexities of standing with the vulnerable and the commitment needed for long-term change. Proximity changes our perspective, compels our response, and keeps us committed to the journey of pursuing justice for all. Move beyond awareness and experience the power of proximity. Review "At a time when the people of these United States of America are clearly so divided, Michelle Warren's book The Power of Proximity has captured the crux of the matter: the church cannot effectively address the ills of poverty and racial injustice based on its limited knowledge and awareness of these issues. While frequent mission activities in urban neighborhoods are helpful, they are no substitute for living among the poor and gaining the unique insight of being up close. Using the very familiar story of the good Samaritan coming to the aid of a man beaten up and left for dead, Ms. Warren uses her family's experience of living in an urban community to make a very compelling statement. That statement is at the heart of what the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) has advocated all along: those who want to help break the vicious cycles of poverty and racial injustice must be willing to walk among (and in the shoes of) the people who are broken and be willing to be broken themselves. It's a powerful book!" -- John Perkins, cofounder, Christian Community Development Association, founder, John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation, Justice & Christian Community Development About the Author Michelle Warren is the advocacy and strategic engagement director for the Christian Community Development Association. She is an immigration, education and human service policy specialist and is an adjunct faculty member at Denver Seminary. With over twenty years’ experience working in Christian community development, Michelle is a part of the national Evangelical Immigration Table and helps consult for the National Immigration Forum, and is a founding staff member of Open Door Ministries, a large community development corporation. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Cedarville University and later earned her master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado. She and her family live in an immigrant neighborhood in Denver.Noel Castellanos has worked in full-time ministry in Latino, urban communities since 1982, serving in youth ministry, church planting, advocacy and community development in San Francisco, San Jose and Chicago. He is chief executive officer of Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) and was the founding pastor of Chicago?s La Villita Community Church. In addition to being a popular speaker, Castellanos mentors young leaders across the United States and directs the CCDA Institute, training emerging leaders in the Christian Community Development philosophy. He was appointed to serve on President Obama's Council for Faith and Neighborhood Partnerships and has served as the chaplain for the Chicago Cubs. He has a deep passion to serve and invest in