Campus Chapter Update from IJM International

Greetings from IJM in D.C.!

We kicked off the fall semester with a phenomenal response from students across the country! Hundreds of individuals in nearly every state called their senators as part of the National Call-in Day in support of the Child Protection Compact Act. This day of action helped the bill pass unanimously through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and we’re hopeful that the bill will pass in Congress in November. We’re organizing another call-in day next month and will keep you posted with the details!

Now it’s time for us to work together to mobilize students around the country to join the movement to end modern-day slavery in our time. One of my colleagues articulated just the other day, “Feeling bad about injustice is not good enough.” Well said, if you ask me. Learning about the injustice of violent oppression always hits us emotionally, but it can't stop there. We must act! Compassion must lead to commitment or it lacks the real power to make a difference.

The words of Ecclesiastes 4:1 ring true today —

Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter.

But the promise from Psalm 10:17 is also true —

O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror no more.

…that those from earth may strike terror no more. That's our battle cry — Terrify No More! And your leadership is essential in pressing the movement forward. We are God's plan for striking the fatal blow that will end slavery in our time. Collectively, we will be the difference between victory and defeat.

HERE'S THE PLAN
IJM staff will work tirelessly in the field to investigate, rescue victims, access aftercare, convict perpetrators and transform justice systems to work for the poor.
IJM Campus Chapters will be the voice of the Justice Generation—the emerging leaders of our day who know the truth about modern-day slavery and will settle for nothing less than a complete end to this violent oppression.
LET'S PRESS ON
Organize your Chapter. No one size fits all. Based on your context, build your core leadership, mobilize your core members, recruit a couple of advisors/sponsors who will commit the time needed to support you. Order a Tool Kit if you need one.
Communicate with IJM HQ. Update contact information for your Chapter—leaders, advisors—names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. Let us know when you need materials posters, wristbands, brochures, you name it! Stay in contact at chapters@ijm.org.
Join the IJM Campus Chapters Facebook group and follow us on Twitter - @IJMHQ, @IJMCampaigns, @IJMInistitute
Become an IJM Prayer Partner. All Campus Chapter leaders, members and advisors should receive these week updates for urgent prayer concerns from around the world.
Innovate. Innovation and entrepreneurial leadership is not just a fad, it works! Get creative. Think outside the box. Color everywhere, not just within the lines. Draw on the creative talent in your group. Make some noise. Get noticed. Press the movement.
Spread the love. Take pictures and post them on Facebook. Take video and hit YouTube and Vimeo. Write up your activities, attach media and get it to us ASAP. We’ll send it around the country to inspire and motivate others. Who knows, you might make it in the news or on MTV. We’re looking everywhere to let the world know what U.S. students are doing in the fight against slavery.
Raise tons of money. Rescue doesn’t happen without sending investigators, social workers and lawyers to the frontlines. Talk to us about specific targets for aiming your efforts to increase fundraising. Freedom Partner EDU, Loose Change to Loosen Chains.
Book the Voices for Freedom Tour. Nationally acclaimed Christian artists The Wrecking has partnered with IJM for an amazing tour incorporating their great sounds with messages of freedom from IJM. All the information you need to book this tour is found at www.voicesforfreedom.com.
Have an awesome fall semester. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Wayne

Wayne Barnard, Ph.D.
Director of Student Ministries
International Justice Mission