Young adults invited to live out their faith at upcoming ‘Jesus and Justice’ conference in Michigan
Annual PC(USA) gathering is moving to the Midwest to help participants build a better world
LOUISVILLE – Registration is open for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s ‘Jesus and Justice’ conference, which moves to Michigan this fall as many Americans look for ways to channel their desire for a more just and compassionate society into action.
Coming up Sept. 26-28 at First Presbyterian Church of Lansing, the Young Adult Advocacy Conference combines teaching, preaching and networking with informative workshops and other activities to inspire participants and enhance their advocacy skills.
“The ‘Jesus and Justice’ conference is for anyone who feels the call to build a more just world, whether you're already organizing around issues like racial justice, immigration, climate change, housing or national policy, or you're just beginning to explore how faith connects to advocacy,” said Ivy Lopedito, a Mission Associate for the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness (OPW). “Through art, worship, workshops and community, we’ll learn, dream and act together.”
The regional conference, near the Michigan State Capitol, is open to college students and other young adults, roughly between the ages of 18 and 25, and costs $15 to attend.
“It is an opportunity to come together with other young adults who are interested in the connection between advocacy and faith and ways to engage in actions nationally and in their communities,” said the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, advocacy director for the Interim Unified Agency of the PC(USA). Attendees “will be exposed to so many different approaches to social justice and learn from one another” while experiencing the “love and joy of being a follower of Christ.”
Hawkins directs OPW and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations (PMUN), which are both co-hosts of the conference. Collaborators include Neil Myer, a campus minister at Michigan State University, "who has played a key leadership role in shaping and planning this year’s conference,” Lopedito said.
A social justice action is planned. On the Sunday of the conference, “we’ll head to the Michigan State Capitol for a justice march, a visible and collective way to bring our faith into public life,” Lopedito said.
During last year’s conference, which was held in North Carolina, local college student Olivia Codjie shared how impactful the weekend had been for her.
“Just seeing all these amazing men and women of God, serving God and also making sure that they're serving others, it really just inspires me,” she said.
She also appreciated getting to know someone from the PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer program and being welcomed into the conference despite not being Presbyterian.
“Everybody that I talk to, they are well aware I'm not Presbyterian,” she said. “It never stops good conversation from happening.”
Another 2024 participant, Lily Geiger, also gave the conference high marks.
“I'm enjoying it,” said Geiger, who came to the conference in search of resources and left with a lot of things to think about.
Also, the conference gave “me a lot of different conversation starters with other people,” who may or may not have the same views, she said. Those kinds of conversations are “vital to starting off that advocacy process.”
Hawkins hopes this year’s conference will be similarly beneficial to young people who choose to participate. “Those who attend can expect a weekend that is exciting, informative, creative and faithful.”
For more information about the conference, go here.
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