Raffoul Najem was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He became a believer in 1971 through a Foursquare Church missionary. He is a graduate of Life Bible College, class of '74. He immigrated to the United States in 1976 and was ordained by Middle East Gospel Outreach Ministries in 1980, and by Faith Christian Fellowship International in 1994.

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In 1982, he co-founded Community Christian Fellowship (now CCF Ministries), one church in many locations. Reverend Najem is the co-founder and the board president of Community Christian Academy, providing families with a solid Christian education for over 30 years. Reverend Najem also co-founded the Citywide Ministries Network of the Greater Lowell Area - a movement of unity and solidarity for churches in the area. As a visionary, he has traveled to the nations proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God for the past 40 years.

Having an apostolic calling, Reverend Najem is a mentor and a spiritual father to over 50 pastors and Christian leaders across the globe who seek to transform and influence the world with the message of the Kingdom of God. He serves on the council of Christ Covenant Coalition founded by Bishop Joseph Mattera, and he is the president of Somebody Care New England. Reverend Najem moves under the authority and power of the Holy Spirit with a message that is practical, relevant, and life changing. He is the father of three adult children, Jennifer, Laura, and Joshua, and the proud grandfather of two lovely girls.

Cecilia Idika-Kalu (PhD), is the Director of Cornerstone Global, where she offers consulting in leadership, workforce training & community building. Over the last decade, she has built a thriving consulting practice for Human Security, Leadership, Strategy, and Management training. She is an experienced professional who has positively impacted leaders and employees in government agencies, international organizations, and nonprofits in Africa and globally. In her quest for personal and professional growth, she transitioned to earn her PhD in Global Studies from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She is a Boston Civic Action Policy Fellow, a Senior Certified HR Professional (SHRM-SCP) and certified in Nonprofit Leadership & Management by the University of Notre Dame. Cecilia is a consultant in Crises Response, Governance & Peacebuilding for the United Nations. 

As a Policy Fellow in Regional & Community Outreach at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston she conducted research with impactful outcomes on Indicators for Equitable Recovery in New England cities from the COVID-19 Pandemic. She worked with the team in building a fellowship cohort for equitable growth for the region. She has offered learning events, advancing governance and leadership to the Harvard Kennedy School New England Alumni, and the Lowell City of Learning. As part of her work in community building, she trains businesses and vulnerable groups in environmental justice communities in partnership with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). Cecilia teaches courses in Human Security and International Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston’s McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies. She contributes by advising nonprofits and boards. She holds an MBA and MPA, with a focus on Administration & Human Services. The common theme in her body of work is the study of people’s security, human thriving, and organizational vulnerabilities. Cecilia’s favorite title is Dr. Mommy from her children, with whom she enjoys experiencing life and shared hobbies like traveling.