Message from the Director

Without compassion and mercy we become perpetrators of the very injustices we’re trying to eradicate. Blessed are the justice-seekers, for they will bring the reality of the Kingdom of heaven on earth.

The Center for Justice Ministries welcomes you to North Park Theological Seminary. The Center helps Christian leaders think theologically and biblically about the development and delivery of ministries in justice and compassion. The Center seeks to establish concerns for justice as central to daily living, ministry, seminary education, and church practice. We hope to be a bridge between the seminary, the church, and the public arena—challenging all to “Bridge the Gap” of injustice by their choices, their thinking, their work, and their life of faith in Christ. Our aim is to promote a deeper awareness, understanding and study of these issues in order to be empowered as the people of God, engaged in transformative acts with people who are marginalized and suffer in our churches and communities, and in the world.

Mission, Program, and Partnerships and Collaborations

The Mission of the Center for Justice Ministries is to offer educational opportunities to equip seminarians, leaders, and lay people with skills for doing Justice Ministries within their churches, organizations, and communities. We have the great commandment “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29-31) and the great mandate, “Go make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). The Center seeks to provide models of integration of these two: connecting the proclamation of the “Good News” to being the “Good News” to the poor (Luke 4:16-20). The Center was formed in partnership with the Seminary’s sponsoring denomination, the Evangelical Covenant Church to help prepare and present future Christian leaders fulfilling the church’s mission through the application of theologically-informed thinking about the development and delivery of ministries of justice and compassion.

The Center’s Programs focus on racial reconciliation and justice is intended to engage seminary students, as well as the university community through its monthly forums highlighting specific justice themes, speakers, and interactive dialogue seeking to bring awareness and then active engagement in the lives of those who suffer in this world. The Center remains instrumental in addressing the University’s core values of being “Christian, Urban and Multicultural” through it’s teaching methodology that are biblical and theological; through our engagement locally, nationally and abroad by taking students on trips highlighting areas where issues of injustice regarding race, culture gender inequality, and faith create rich learning environments. Our Sankofa trip to our nations Southern states help students understand the rich history of the civil rights movement, voter rights, and equality for all citizens—especially African Americans, women, children, and Immigrants.

Center for Justice Ministries courses offer integrative approaches, intellectual challenge, and practical application regarding social justice concerns. Reading, reflection, and critical analysis create opportunities for listening in order to hear each other’s stories; providing a safe space for learning in a culturally competent environment where spiritual and intellectual growth happens.

Partnerships are essential for relationship and community building. In order to address Institutional Effectiveness and Student Engagement collaboration with faculty, staff, and students helps develop healthy dialogue regarding justice issues. The Center for Justice Ministries collaborates with:

• The Center for World Missions
• The committee for Globalization and Diversity
• The Center for Youth Ministries Studies
• University Ministries
• Campus Theme Program
• The Department of Compassion Mercy and Justice
• The Evangelical Covenant Church

Working together, we support the Good News of the Gospel to “Maintain justice and do what is right” (Isaiah 56:1a). By working collaboratively we establish opportunities for reconciliation and healing. Our goal is to fulfill the institution’s mission of “encouraging a pervasive campus culture that embraces review and renewal through careful planning, comprehensive assessment, and change.”

We look forward to you joining us on the journey toward racial reconciliation and justice for all by attending the Center’s monthly forums, events, and programs. Please visit our webpage www.northpark.edu/sem or contact our office directly by email vlove@northpark.edu or phone (773) 244-5764.

God’s grace & peace,

Velda R. Love

Director, Center for Justice Ministries

North Park Theological Seminary