Students to Engage in Justice During 'Be the Change' Mission Conference
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Be the Change Mission Conference, an annual event led by Baylor University students to give others a glimpse of global missions, will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, through Saturday, Oct. 1, on various campus locations and surrounding areas.
This year's conference theme, "Engaging in Justice," is designed to teach students the meaning of biblical justice and ways to apply justice in students' lives.
The conference will begin with an informational Dr Pepper Hour at from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, in the Barfield Drawing Room of the Bill Daniel Student Center (SUB), 1311 S. Fifth St, hosted by Baylor Missions. The "Engaging in Justice" Concert will feature musicians Abby Baker and Jenny and Tyler at 9 p.m. Tuesday at Common Grounds, 1123 S. Eighth St., and the $5 at-the-door proceeds will benefit clean water projects through Living Water International.
Guest speaker Ken Wytsma, lead pastor of Antioch Church in Bend, Ore., executive director for World Relief's Creative Development Department and president of Kilns College, will speak at the 9:05, 10:10 and 11:15 a.m. chapels Wednesday, Sept. 28, in Waco Hall on 624 Speight Ave.
At 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the three-day "Engaging in Justice" Missions Fair will set under way. The fair will include justice-related organizations, such as Bread for the World, Living Water International, Blood:Water Mission, Radiant Cosmetics, Literacy Connexus, Serving in Mission, SIL International, Antioch Church from Bend, Ore., Good News Goods, Go Now Missions, Buckner International, World Relief, Christian Life Commission, Free the Captive and Julie Cawson, author of Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of Our Daily Choices. Baylor's International Justice Mission, Not for Sale and Texas Hunger Initiative will also participate.
The fair will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Baylor professors will engage students in justice seminars between 4 and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, Thursday, Sept. 29, and Friday Sept. 30, in "A Call to Justice: From Majors to Action."
Seminars on Wednesday include:
' Christianity and the Living Wage, Dr. Jerold Waltman, Baines Room of the SUB
' Mission Work in an Urban Setting, Joel Nelson, Room B03 of Tidwell Bible Building, 600 Speight Ave.
' Advocacy and Hunger, Marco Grimaldo and Dr. Jon Singletary, Beckham Room of the SUB
' The Camera as a Tool for Justice, Clark Baker, White and Gregory Room of the SUB
Seminars on Thursday include:
' Building Non-Profits: Connecting those who serve with those who give, Dr. Charles Madden, Baines Room of the SUB
' Renewable Energy in the Majority World, Brian Thomas, Beckham Room of the SUB
' An Interdisciplinary Effort against Human Trafficking, Jennifer Smyer and Dr. Kim Kotrla, Fentress Room of the SUB
' Deconstructing Boundaries: Music Transcending Walls of Injustice, Dr. Randall Bradley, White and Gregory Room of the SUB
Seminars on Friday include:
' Profitable Businesses, Dr. Blaine McCormick and Dr.Van Gray, Common Grounds
A Ministry Student Lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the Bobo Spiritual Life Center, 500 Speight Ave., will provide a free lunch for ministry students featuring speaker Ken Wytsma.
Students are also invited for a free cup of coffee and conversation about justice at the "Brew Justice" event from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Dutton Parking Facility Starbucks, 1111 S. University Parks Dr., or at Common Grounds. "Brew Justice" is also schedule for the same time on Friday.
"Global Village: Celebrating Culture," and event to engage students in various cultural experiences, and "Embracing the World: Praying for Justice," will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday in front of the SUB.
The Brothers Under Christ (BYX) Island Party will take place from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, on Fountain Mall of Baylor's campus. The free outdoor concert will feature musicians Rush of Fools, Jimmy Needham, The Advice and The Reliquies. Dr Pepper, Chick-fil-A, Baylor's "Be the Change" Missions and TOMS shoes will also be featured at the event.
Participants can browse and purchase books related to justice at the "Justice Book Fair and Consultation" which will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, in the Barfield Lobby of the SUB. Keynote speaker Ken Wytsma will also present "Give Your Life Away" at 10:30 a.m. in the Barfield Drawing Room of the SUB before a free lunch at noon, also in Barfield.
The conference will end at 4 p.m. Saturday with student giveaways.
For more information, visit Baylor Spiritual Life or call (254) 710-3517.
by Carmen Galvan, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805