Gulp. Yes, that was the audibly loud sound coming from my throat.

Today marks a new day in my life and the life of Every Neighborhood Partnership. Artie Padilla, our beloved founder and leader for the past 12 years, has officially transitioned out of ENP and into the Central Valley Community Foundation.

Many of you know Artie as the trusted community leader, who has played the role of bridge builder and servant leader across our city. I got to know Artie back in 2007 and served under him as a volunteer running the Saturday Sports, Classroom Volunteering, and summer school programming at Easterby Elementary. Since then, I have seen his steady rise into the leadership of our city (Yes, even receiving the key to the city!). But I haven’t just seen him in the limelight, I have also seen him on his bad days and yet in the midst of those he has been, and continues to be, humble, others-centered, and committed to the hard work of community development. His collaborative way of moving in the world has brought Jesus followers, community members, city officials, health policy advocates and many others together on the journey for the betterment of Fresno.

You can understand why there is a big gulp there! So let’s be real. I am not Artie. I can never be Artie. I can only be me. As a former pastor, current adjunct professor at Fresno Pacific, and now as Executive Director at Every Neighborhood Partnership, my goal is to continue the great work that Artie has paved for our city and our church. The team we have assembled at ENP is fantastic. Our board is supportive. Our community advocates are many.

I have a lot of growing to do. I know that I have a lot to learn and am going to make a lot of mistakes along the way. I am actually terrified of that, but instead of giving into the fear of not getting everything perfect, I am committed to fail fast and join the good work that will happen.

In this new season of ENP’s work in our community, we are as committed as ever to bringing people of faith and people of goodwill to join the transformation of our neighborhoods and city. We are wholly committed to the belief that the Image of God dwells in every member of our community and that they have the gifts and abilities that are needed to shape the future of their neighborhood and our city. We will work hard to fight against the overly simplistic political divide to create flourishing for all.

With trepidation, I and our team look forward to stewarding the work of ENP. We believe that God is not done with us yet.

As we coming into this new season we are also marking this new moment with our Virtual Fall in Love With Fresno banquet. You can watch the livestream or order an at home party box with Ampersand Ice Cream, Lanna Coffee Co, and other fun items!

Register to watch or buy a party box here! https://fallinlovefresno2020.eventbrite.com

Thanks for your support of ENP and myself and our family in the past and into this new season!

I invite you to read this passage from the book of Isaiah. In it, God sets the vision that ENP looks to see accomplished. We look forward to supporting our churches, schools, families, businesses, and other community organizations in the continued transformation to be a city that lives into the vision God gave Isaiah:

Isaiah 65:17–25 – NIV
17 “See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.
19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.
20 “Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
the one who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere child;
the one who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.
21 They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them,
or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree,
so will be the days of my people;
my chosen ones will long enjoy
the work of their hands.
23 They will not labor in vain,
nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the LORD,
they and their descendants with them.
24 Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear.
25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,”
says the LORD.