Imago Dei Drives Innovation with Carlos Huerta

Igniting Imagination

Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean reminds us in her new book, Innovating for Love, that we don’t create new things for the sake of change, for innovation’s sake, but rather so that we can love better. We are always finding new ways to love our neighbors in the ways Jesus calls us to love. Carlos Huerta, the Executive Director of the Center for Community Transformation in Fresno, certainly embodies Kenda’s notion. A California-based entrepreneur who turned his attention and life’s work to loving people well – listening to their stories and sharing his own, giving space for building connections, community, and voice. Carlos reminds us that innovation begins with paying attention. Wow! Could it be that simple? What might that look like in our own congregations, families, neighborhoods? What are we paying attention to? What are we noticing? Who might we partner with in our community to love better? We hope Carlos’ story sparks a new conversation and perhaps a new idea for you as you lean into God’s call for this season of your life and ministry. Please share with friends and colleagues and leave us a review. Thanks for listening!

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Carlos’ rootedness in Fresno and his inspired journey that led him to become the Executive Director for the Center for Community Transformation.
• Why “doing life together” is so central to innovation.
• How the theology of imago dei has shaped Carlos’ leadership.

About Carlos Huerta

Carlos is the executive director of the Center for Community Transformation, overseeing programs in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, ministry leadership training for Spanish-speaking leaders and soft-skills job-training. Carlos holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Fresno Pacific University, a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Michigan State University, and an MBA from Fresno Pacific University.

Read about Carlos’ organization, the Center for Community Transformation: https://www.fresno.edu/departments/center-community-transformation

Read all about the Locke Innovative Leader Award on our website: https://wesleyanimpactpartners.org/locke-leaders

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