Introducing De’Amon Harges
Dear Friends,
After many months of building, Invested Faith is about to start telling some incredible stories of social entrepreneurs who are changing the world. Joining me in connecting with and amplifying their stories are some amazing people; I am so pleased to introduce you to them over the next few weeks.
I'll let the rest speak for itself, but keep reading and please: consider financially supporting the work of Invested Faith. I'm telling you, it's about to get really fun!
Thanks for your support and enthusiasm as we move forward!
Invested Faith Welcomes De’Amon Harges
Recently named to the Innovation Council at Invested Faith, De’Amon Harges is excited about the creative possibilities. “Invested Faith is an attempt to use our imagination to see a theology lived out,” said Harges in a recent interview.
Harges’ creative work as a faith-based community organizer and speaker reflects his attempt to live out his own theology through connecting neighbors, building community, and ultimately influencing public policy.
“And once you seek, you know, it will be a sin to not invest in what’s beautiful. We’re gonna celebrate what people are doing out in the world. It’s a reciprocal contribution, not hoarding all the giving for ourselves. ”
A friend coined the title “Roving Listener” for the work Harges does in his community of Indianapolis, Indiana. His gift is listening and discovering the strengths, passions, and dreams of his community and finding innovative ways to use those gifts to improve the quality of life for residents there.
Harges believes in helping people fall in love with each other. “Stories are powerful in helping shape an image and when we can tell stories that make people want to be with each other, to not see other people as a burden. In that, there’s a possibility for people to love one another. It’s the antithesis of what’s told now. It’s not churches helping those poor folks that is the story. Now, it’s these groups of people who have agency doing God’s work. Let’s bear witness to that and support that. It helps people fall in love with each other.”
Harges is a faculty member at the Asset Based Community Development Institute at DePaul University, and a founder of the Learning Tree, an association of neighbors in Indianapolis that uses ABCD principles to build community. He is frequently asked to speak about ABCD in communities around the world and also puts those principles to work as a layperson at Broadway UMC in Indianapolis, IN.
Harges is featured in the documentary “The Antidote: On Kindness in America," and is a TEDx speaker, as well as an artist and poet. In 2012, the Kettering Foundation named Harges a social innovator and one of the eight most influential neighborhood organizers on the ground.
Harges describes his role as a “social banker.” His work is based on bringing neighbors and institutions together to discover the power of being a good neighbor. He builds on the strengths that are already present in the neighborhood and uses those assets to empower and connect rather than working from the community’s needs and deficits.
Harges challenges those in churches who have social agency, who serve on boards, and find themselves in places of decision making to use their social currency and social capital to advocate for change.
““Part of the magic of philanthropy is about gathering together and listening to one another. That’s why I’m so excited to do it. What do we discover?””
At Invested Faith, Harges will be joining the Innovation Council, a small group of smart people connected to different sectors of social entrepreneurship as it relates to faith. The job of these folks is to keep their eyes and ears open for stories of people motivated by faith to change their communities through socially responsible businesses.
Micah 6:8 Challenge
While Invested Faith seeks to support social entrepreneurs who are working to create community, do justice, and address systemic problems, we recognize that each of us as individuals has a responsibility to work together to create real change in the world.
Every month, we will be suggesting one small act that each of us could take to create change in our own sphere of life and influence. Each one of us matters. Every step forward matters. The healing of the world happens at the most granular level through human connection.
Take the Challenge
Ask someone you don't know well to tell you their story. Listen.
Support the ongoing development of Invested Faith through a tax-deductible gift. Click here to support our work.
Grant a social entrepreneur. If you’d like your gift to go directly to someone working innovatively to reimagine the faith community, your tax-deductible gift of $5000.00 can make that happen.
Help us identify and connect with social entrepreneurs who are creating new models for communities that heal the world. If you know of someone who is doing this work, please connect us!
Spread the word! Help us build our audience by using your social media presence and word of mouth to tell others about this important work.
