| s it possible for the faith community to come together with itself, community organizations and governmental entities to bring about transformational change? This dissertation not only says, "Yes," it demonstrates it. Accomplishing this required the networking of resources within the faith community, and between the faith community and secular authorities. As demonstrated by the author's project, when integrated correctly these alliances served as the key to success when the faith community, the City of Chesapeake, the Chesapeake Police Department, civic leagues, and members of the business community came together.;The author focused his project in areas known as "revitalizing" neighborhoods according to a study released by the City of Chesapeake, Virginia entitled City of Chesapeake 2006 Neighborhood Quality of Life Study. The study measured "quality of life" issues in various neighborhoods, determined by measuring twenty-three factors organized into four areas: social, crime, physical, and economic variables. The author and his non-profit organization, Heart of Compassion Partnerships, has been working in two of these revitalizing areas known as the South Norfolk area of Chesapeake.;The Campostella community in South Norfolk is considered one of the most at risk areas. At first, the author's project involved a simple partnership between the author's former congregation, Apostles Lutheran Church, and Refuge Church of God in Christ lead by Bishop Joseph T. Williams. During the period of this two-pastor partnership, there was a transformation of the physical appearance of the community with the influx of Community Redevelopment Block Grant funds. As a result, streets once lined with cinderblock homes became replete with modern single-dwelling homes. Regardless of this physical change however, the lives remained paved over with drugs, and gangs, and hopelessness.;In response, the author's project resulted in community partnerships that began to change the social and spiritual dynamics of the area. According to the Chief of Police, there was a reduction in crime. Additionally, over seventeen urban and suburban churches came together, children were earning honor roll status for the first time, and... |
