About CitiesCollab
Faith-based collaboration for thriving cities
CitiesCollab exists to connect Christian leaders, networks, and practitioners who care about the future of cities. We curate trusted resources, build shared learning pathways, and help people collaborate across sectors—so faith communities can contribute with clarity, credibility, and humility in the public life of cities.
Our Story
CitiesCollab builds on more than a decade of faith-based engagement in global urban conversations—especially through the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum (WUF) and the New Urban Agenda. Before CitiesCollab existed, a community of leaders and partners helped pioneer this work through early gatherings, urban thinker campuses, and Christian participation at WUF events.
Chris Elisara helped steward this work from the beginning, and Jacob Bloemberg joined early—participating in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, WUF9, WUF10, and later collaborating again to help convene the Faith Pavilion at WUF12 in Cairo. CitiesCollab now carries this mission forward with a clearer platform, stronger pathways for participation, and a growing network of partners committed to learning and action.
Want the fuller timeline, milestones, and key moments? Read the long version.
Meet The Founders
Here’s who’s behind the partnership—and why we built this platform.
Chris Elisara, Ph.D.
WEA Special Envoy for Environmental Sustainability, Climate, & Cities • San Diego, USA
Chris pioneers evangelical engagement with cities, climate, and creation care through the World Evangelical Alliance. He launched the WEA Creation Care Task Force (2012), helping grow it into today’s WEA Sustainability Center, and has led faith-based engagement with UN-Habitat—supporting initiatives like the Faith Pavilion at the World Urban Forum. Chris brings deep experience in convening global partners, translating faith into public action, and building credible bridges with global institutions.
Expertise: Faith & sustainable cities • UN engagement • Creation care & placemaking
Jacob Bloemberg, Dr.
Catalyst for Lausanne Movement Cities Network • Hanoi, Vietnam
Jacob has served in urban ministry for more than three decades and has lived in Hanoi, Vietnam since 1997. He leads Hanoi International Fellowship and founded Love Your City, a collaborative network that helps Christians pray, partner, and engage their city with practical witness. Jacob holds a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership focused on City Transformation (Bakke Graduate University). He has contributed to Lausanne through multiple initiatives and is the author of Love Your City (2020). Jacob brings cities-first missional strategy with deep experience mobilizing diverse leaders into durable collaboration.
Expertise: City networks • Urban mission strategy • Long-term ministry in Asia
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