From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning

200 TU Students to Live in Cardboard Village

04.24.2009

An expected 200 Taylor University students will live in a cardboard village April 27-30 to experience the plight of the world's homeless population.

According to Dr. Michael Jessup of Taylor's sociology department, the students living in the village will use no technology (except for classroom purposes), take no showers, wear the same clothes, and will be limited to a diet of rice and beans. They are also encouraged to stay outside as much as possible.

"Over one billion people in the world live without adequate food and shelter, more than 13 million Americans live in poverty, and millions of people throughout the world face abusive labor, torture, forced prostitution and sexual exploitation, and racial or ethnic violence," said Jessup. "Perhaps our great wealth and affluence makes us spiritually poor. To truly understand poverty, social injustice, and oppression is wisdom, and provides a window into the heart of God.

"I want our students to realize that social justice week is not just something we do for fun, not something we add to the gospel, but a biblical mandate," he added. "As Christians, we are required to love justice, encourage the oppressed, demonstrate love to our neighbor, and preach the good news to the poor."

In addition to the cardboard village, highlights of Social Justice Week '09 will include nightly speakers and a poverty simulation. Monday's speaker is author Shane Claiborne, who will also live in the cardboard village with the students. Claiborne is the author of two books - Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President - and will be speaking in the Rediger Chapel/Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., Monday.

Tuesday's speaker (7:30 p.m., Rediger Chapel/Auditorium) is Chris Lahr, academic director for Mission Year, a yearlong urban ministry program focused on Christian service and discipleship. Lahr will also live in the cardboard community.

Wednesday's poverty simulation experience is designed to help participants grasp the challenges facing low-income families and takes place from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., in the Alspaugh Banquet Room of the Hodson Dining Commons.

Kirby Trapolino, executive director of Peace Gospel International (PGI), will be the featured speaker for Wednesday's 7:30 presentation at Rediger. PGI exists to empower South Asian native missions through micro-enterprise. Trapolino will also reside in the cardboard community.

At 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Associate Director of African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM) Mark Struck will be the featured speaker. ALARM's goal is to empower African pastors and other leaders to bring hope and transformation to their communities.

Struck's presentation will be followed at 9:00 p.m., by Mike Hogan of the International Justice Mission (IJM). IJM is a human rights agency that pursues justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of violent oppression.

Jessup said speakers will be available for classroom presentations. Cardboard community participants will gather each morning at 7:00 and evening at 10:00 for prayer and worship.

 

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2010 U.S. News and World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's third straight top ranking following ten straight years of being ranked in the region's Top Three.
 
Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).