Justice and Faith Schedule

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Beverly Rodgers
5 years ago
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2 Justice and Faith Schedule 8:30 Registration 9:00 Plenary Session 1: Biblical Justice(Eastside) The Bible teaches that justice is a very big deal to God. God s mission in the world is to set all things right, that is to bring justice. If God were going to give us a job description, surely the notion of doing justice would be a part of that job description. It is something that the Lord requires of us. He wants us to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. 9:40 Plenary Session 2: Welcoming the Stranger (Eastside) Few issues are more complex or controversial than questions of Immigration. While many Americans think of immigration as a political, economic, or security issue, World Relief s Matthew Soerens argues that it is also a biblical issue that presents an important missional opportunity for the Church in the US. Matthew will examine what the Bible says that should inform how Christ-followers would treat refugees and other Immigrants. 10:15 Break 10:25 Break Out Sessions #1 11:15 Break 11:20 Break Out Sessions #2 12:10 Break 12:15 Plenary Session 3: Legacies of Grace (Eastside) Many people see issues of injustice and hope to quickly swoop in and save the day. Issues of injustice are long and hard battles to fight and they carry with them a weighty cost. Dr. Samuel Naaman will share compelling stories that highlight the commitment required and the deep cost of justice and he ll challenge Christ-followers about their individual responsibility to get passionate about their faith, to reach out and engage.

3 Speakers Chris Dolson Senior Pastor, Blackhawk Church Chris Dolson began his ministry at Blackhawk in July Prior to Blackhawk, he pastored a church in Shreveport, LA for 10 years. Originally from Indiana, Chris has a B.S. from Indiana State University, where he majored in Biology and competed as a gymnast. During college, he discovered God s grace and went on to receive his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Seminary under Haddon Robinson. Chris and his wife, Becky, have two grown children: Daniel and Melissa (married to Josh). In his spare time, Chris enjoys rooting for the Cubs and never gives up hope that this might be the year again. Matthew Soerens US Director of Church Mobilization, World Relief Matthew Soerens assists churches in understanding the complexities of immigration from a biblical perspective. He previously worked as a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited legal counselor at World Relief s local office in DuPage County, Illinois and, before that, worked with World Relief Nicaragua. Matthew is the co-author of Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis and Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate. He also serves as the Field Director for the Evangelical Immigration Table, a coalition of Christian organizations of which World Relief is a founding member. Matthew earned his bachelor s degree from Wheaton College and a master s degree from DePaul University s School of Public Service. Originally from Neenah, Wisconsin, Matthew now lives in suburban Chicago with his wife Diana and their three children. Dr. Samuel Naaman Professor of Intercultural Studies, Moody Bible Institute Dr. Samuel Naaman teaches in the areas of Muslim studies, missions, and discipleship. He was born in Pakistan and served there with Operation Mobilization and Operation Christmas Child. He continues his contact with the Hindu and Muslim community through his Involvement as the President of the South Asian Friendship Center in Chicago. Samuel earned his bachelor s degree in Social Work at the University of Sind, a Master of Divinity from Asian Center for Theological Studies and Missions, a Master of Theology from Chongshin College, and a Doctor of Missiology from Asbury Theological Seminary. Liz Dong Midwest Regional Mobilizer, Evangelical Immigration Table, World Relief Liz Dong mobilizes churches and Christians in the Midwest region to respond to immigration from a biblical perspective. Having herself been welcomed into the church and introduced to Jesus as a young immigrant from China, Liz is passionate about seeing more churches welcoming the stranger in Christ s name. Prior to her role at World Relief, Liz worked in small business development and marketing. She earned her bachelor s degree from Northwestern University degree and is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Chicago.

4 Opportunities for Further Engagement Read Recommended by Liz Dong and Matthew Soerens A Better Country: Embracing the Refugee in Our Midst Cindy M. Wu Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith D.L. Mayfield At Home in Exile: Finding Jesus among My Ancestors and Refugee Neighbors Russell Jeung Strangers Next Door: Immigration, Migration and Mission J.D. Payne The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity Soong-Chan Rah There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration Ali Noorani Recommended by Dr. Samuel Naaman Farewell, Four Waters: One Aid Workers Sudden Escape from Afghanistan. A Novel Based on True Events Kate McCord In the Land of Blue Burqas Kate McCord Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places Kate McCord Recommended by Blackhawk Staff Christians at the Border: Immigration, the Church, and the Bible M. Daniel Carroll R. Generous Justice Timothy Keller I Didn't Know There Were Latinos in Wisconsin: Three Decades of Hispanic Writing Oscar Mireles Overrated: Are We More in Love with the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World? Eugene Cho Seeking Refuge: On the Shores of the Global Refugee Crisis Stephan Bauman, Matthew Soerens and Dr. Issam Smeir Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate Matthew Soerens and Jenny Hwang Yang Article: Finding Home TIME Magazine

5 Watch Recommended by Liz Dong and Matthew Soerens God Grew Tired of Us - The Good Lie - The Stranger - The Visitor - Under the Same Moon - Underwater Dreams - Recommended by Dr. Samuel Naaman Under Caesar's Sword: A documentary about how Christians respond to persecution - Recommended by Blackhawk Staff Ethnicity and Faith Event - After Spring - Which Way Home - Experience Local Serving Opportunities Join in the work that s already going on around the city. Visit to find out how you can connect with local community organizations. The Memory Project: Faces of Joy A traveling exhibition at the Ruth Davis Design Gallery featuring 70 handmade portraits based on photographs of Syrian children living in refugee camps in Jordan. September 20 November 19, I Was a Stranger Challenge Welcoming the Stranger Small Group Curriculum

6 Breakout Sessions A Christian Approach to Refugees and Immigration Matthew Soerens (205A/B) With immigration issues frequently in the news, many are unsure of where to find accurate information. Matthew will examine some of the most common misconceptions, concerns and questions about refugee and immigration Issues and will suggest practical opportunities for Christians to respond to the arrival of immigrants and refugees to our communities. Advocating for the Vulnerable Liz Dong (Westside) To paraphrase Martin Luther King Jr., to love our neighbors certainly means meeting the physical needs of the individual beaten along the road, but it also requires us when people are continuously beaten on the same road to address the systemic problem. Liz will provide a biblical foundation for advocacy on public policy issues and offer practical suggestions on ways that individuals can speak up for those who are vulnerable both locally and globally. Understanding our Muslim Neighbors Dr. Samuel Naaman (Fireside) Dr. Naaman will address the most common misconceptions, concerns and questions about Muslims in our nation. He will share his 20+ years of experience ministering to Muslims in Chicago and will provide understanding and insight into building authentic relationships.

IMMIGRATION CURRICULUM. Learning God s heart for the immigrant in our communities

IMMIGRATION CURRICULUM. Learning God s heart for the immigrant in our communities IMMIGRATION CURRICULUM Invitation to Encounter We are excited that you have joined a nationwide movement of Evangelicals who are intent on learning more about what the Bible has to say about loving our