Jesus on Main Street

“Jesus on Main Street is an incredible synthesis of all the new-wave marketplace strategies that have been and are now becoming the front place of mission in the US and beyond.”


—Hugh Halter, author of Bivo: A Modern-Day Guide for Bi-Vocational Saints





“As a preaching pastor in an executive role, I was thrilled to see the release of Jesus on Main Street. David Kresta provides both the theological basis and the practical tools for churches seeking to be faithful to God’s call to bring economic justice to communities suffering from historic inequities. This book will be my community-development Bible for years to come.”


—Brian Heron, Presbyter for Vision and Mission, Presbytery of the Cascades





“David Kresta’s work is at the cutting edge of an emerging challenge for the church in the United States. ‘How to be “present” in helping human flourishing occur in neighborhoods and communities!’ Networks are being built and explorers are mapping fresh trails of being the church in the twenty-first century. David provides helpful framings, language, and resources as we navigate what it means to follow Jesus on Main Street and on every street of our communities.”


—Steve Moore, CEO/Executive Director, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust





“Jesus on Main Street, more than an informational book, is a manual for any church, nonprofit, or business that wants to partner up and act on making a positive impact in their community, targeting the root of the problem in many of our cities. As I read the book, words like relevant, catalyst, cutting edge, and infusion kept echoing in my heart and mind. As a pastor and church planter, I also appreciated the level of importance given to the local church in playing a key role in community economic development (CED).”


—Victor R. Alvarizares, Casa del Padre/Father’s House International, Portland, Oregon





“I’ve been longing for and dreaming about a book like this. In the world of community development, especially in the church, most books simply provide stories and a limited on-the-ground view. While these are essential, what has been missing is something with more academic punch. Something that moves beyond inspirational stories to the kind of book that I can use in my community-development classroom and share with church leaders that I work with on a daily basis. David Kresta’s Jesus on Main Street is an incredible resource that is not only replete with academic vigor but is also a tool that will assist and inform pastors, church leaders, and community-development practitioners.”


—Sean Benesh, author of Blueprints for a Just City





“Many communities and neighborhoods are struggling with unemployment, income inequality, and poor social outcomes. In this important and practical book, David Kresta describes how churches can, and should, get involved in community economic development in order to love our neighbors more deeply and effectively. Jesus on Main Street will open your eyes to new possibilities and give you the tools you need to make a real difference in your community.”


—Mark Elsdon, author of We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry





“David Kresta has written a book I am relying on as a guide in my work for its focus on how people of faith can be involved in community economic development and reengage with the economy and their local communities in response to God’s call to care for their neighbors. I have needed a book like this; it helps me tell the story of what I am doing, both to economic-development folks and to fellow Christians—and it helps to create new bridges of possibility.”


—Kevin Jones, cofounder of SOCAP





“Finally, someone has written a book about community economic development and what it has to do with Jesus. No matter how many people count the Bible passages that relate to economy writ large (80 percent at least), lots of people still think that Jesus lives in the privacy of our heart instead of in the markets on Main Street. Jesus lives in both places and does so queerly. Jesus dislikes binaries and likes to bring folks together, which is what David’s book, Jesus on Main Street, does. It makes a space in the market for Jesus.”


—Donna Schaper, Associate Professor of Leadership, Hartford Seminary





“If you are passionate about joining God to change the world, then you know how badly we all need to confront our broken economic systems. David Kresta has created an essential guide to community economic development, naming the crucial pathways you need to get started. As the truly local church continues to pursue the justice and abundance of God, we have an opportunity and obligation to reimagine our economic life from the ground up. This book is an indispensable guide for that future.”


—Tim Soerens, author of Everywhere You Look: Discovering the Church, Right Where You Are





“Our communities face extraordinary challenges: increasing inequality, rising poverty rates, unstable economies, climate change, and a raft of other issues. The speed of change is faster than ever, and the social and environmental need is reaching a frightening crescendo. At the same time, churches are aging and declining, and change is slow. David’s Jesus on Main Street is a much-needed resource for faith communities as they consider this new reality. Not only through story and examples does David ignite imagination, but he gives practical tools to discover economic models that are linked to the ecosystem of love and care in the neighborhood. Reading it will have you imagining new ways of sustainability and flourishing in your local place.”


—Dave Harder, Cofounder and Principal Consultant, Parish Properties and Parish Collective Canada





“A timely resource to the Body of Christ and community leaders. Any pastor, church leader, and/or community leader looking for ways to substantially empower his or her people economically must have this book. An easy read with practical, holistic principles and insights for community economic development.”


—J. Hilary Gbotoe Jr., Presiding Bishop, Kingdom Harvest Ministries





“Jesus On Main Street is a genius game plan for churches to literally put their resources where their mouth is. David Kresta’s practical and profound approach towards community economic development (CED) illuminates the way for short-term goals to develop long-term results. He provides a timely blueprint to function the way Jesus did—first meeting needs, then changing lives, resulting in fruit that will indeed remain. A must-read!”


—Marc Estes, Lead Pastor, Mannahouse, Portland, Oregon





“Kresta has written a blueprint for community economic development (CED), which is unlike books about traditional economic development (TED). He lays out the problems and the solutions for churches seeking to become a development resource. This is a must-read for anyone considering how to reimagine serving their communities.”


—Rochelle Andrews, Associate Director, Center for Public Theology, Wesley Theological Seminary





“David Kresta pointedly particularizes a platform from which any congregation can reimagine and realign its role in anchoring capital by empowering increased economic capacity for all within its ecosystem, using context-driven examples from practitioners.”


—Susan H. Buckson, Senior Pastor, Allen Temple AME Church, Atlanta, Georgia





“David Kresta has compiled the perfect resource for pastors, church leaders, and laity seeking to understand more about community economic development (CED). Jesus on Main Street is comprehensive, timely, practical, and dynamic. Don’t miss an opportunity to read this informative book that will guide you in planning and implementing a local ecosystem with the love of Christ. This is your go-to book for CED.”


—Turhan L. Potter Sr., Pastor, Whatcoat United Methodist Church, Dover, Delaware





“David Kresta has penned a wonderful and much-needed resource for those in the faith community. His book is for those who desire to operate in a holistic ministry that models the work of Christ in ways that challenge commonly used approaches rooted in greed and individualism, which are often only self-serving. Kresta’s well-researched yet extremely practical material provides a wealth of knowledge to people of faith who decide to answer the call of Christ to be transformative agents for both souls and systems. Church leaders who are looking to faithfully use their institutional resources—inclusive of land and buildings—in manners that empower underrepresented and disadvantaged communities will find this book extremely encouraging.”


—Herbert Reynolds Davis, Senior Pastor, Nehemiah Church (COGIC)





“I read once that there are more nonprofits than churches in the United States. Doubtless that’s true, but if the church is taking a back seat when it comes to fulfilling the commandment to ‘help the least of these,’ we truly should be rethinking our mission. David Kresta nails it with Jesus on Main Street. Great case studies, resources, ideas, and practical tips abound, of course. But the heart of Jesus stepping out into the neighborhood is what drives this book—and this movement. Time to reimagine.”


—Lisa Allgood, Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of Cincinnati





“David Kresta has offered an invaluable gift to the church today, and it couldn’t come at a better time. The pandemic has forced church leaders to question everything that it does, from worship to ministry to building use to financial stewardship. Kresta’s challenge to church leaders to rethink their ‘business model’ through the lens of community economic development is an eye-opener and a game-changing opportunity for those who love their church and their community.”


—Sam Marullo, Professor emeritus of Sociology, Wesley Theological Seminary





“Timely, well-researched, and eminently practical, David Kresta’s Jesus on Mainstreet offers churches a field manual for reimagining what local mission can be and do. Heed Kresta’s advice and discover how you and your congregation can answer the call to be agents of a just, durable, and prosperous thriving in your community. Drawing from the field of community economic development, these pages are full of paradigm-shifting insights for how Christians can love their neighbors by improving their lives and their livelihoods.”


—Josh Yates, Executive Director, Ormond Center, Duke Divinity School





“David Kresta gives us a people-oriented, place-rooted, systems-thinking, community approach to economic development. When enacted with the politics of Jesus and a deep understanding of the principalities and powers, it has the potential to develop a kingdom-aligned ecosystem that can transform our neighborhoods and cities. This book is not for the fainthearted. It’s for kingdom-minded disciples who desire to be a sign, instrument, and foretaste of the New Creation.”


—J. R. Woodward, author of Creating a Missional Culture