by Jake Morgan | Jul 29, 2010 | News Slider, Opinion
There are currently over 27 million people enslaved around the world. This might seem like an outrageous statistic, but it is shockingly true. Earlier this afternoon I had conversation with a coworker who’s coordinating a mission trip to work with female victims of sex trafficking. It was at this moment I extemporaneously spurted out a statement which I believe stands true to injustice. With all the pain and suffering slavery throws into our world, there’s a triumphant opening for ministry and reconciliation. That’s where heroic bodies like International Justice Mission (IJM), World Vision, and The Polaris Project come in for a landing. As former President of Lipscomb University’s IJM Campus Chapter, I’m the most familiar with International Justice Mission’s work against the darkness of slavery and human trafficking, which brings me to an noble, innovative project known as “5 Weeks For Freedom.” This summer, IJM is sponsoring a cycling team of dedicated justice seekers as they peddle their way along the trail of the Underground Railroad. The team departed a historic slave port in Mobile, AL several weeks ago and they’ve been riding through triple digit temperatures and high humidity ever since, recruiting people to cause of combatting slavery at every stop. This weekend the justice cyclers made their stop in Music City to continue the campaign. The riders arrived on Friday, July 9th to find a welcoming group of excited supporters. The following night, IJM hosted Freedom Night at Belmont Church so the riders could share testimonies and experiences from the road. Along with a great Q & A session, the folks at IJM scored musical artists Christa...
by Jake Morgan | Jul 12, 2010 | News Slider
We all take our own approach to individual liberty. Myself, I enjoy taking full advantage of our Constitution’s First Amendment which prohibits any law from, among other things, “infringing on the freedom of speech.” Last Sunday night, on our nation’s 234th birthday, I demonstrated this liberty by screaming “AMERICA” at the top of my lung from the Shelby Street Bridge in downtown Nashville.Everyone commemorates individual liberty in their own way, but I assure you, on July 4, 2010, there was no better way to celebrate than taking in the South’s greatest firework show over Music City, Tennessee. After finding free parking at the Tennessee State Capitol Building, my party meandered through the masses downtown to get a bird’s-eye view of the firework extravaganza. We settled centrally on the Shelby Street Bridge, which resides just above the might Cumberland. With the symphony playing in the warm summer air, the stage was set for the show of the year. The first streaming flare took to the sky as the clock struck 9:30pm. For the next half hour, the rockets’ red glare lit up Music City like, well, to quote country music artist Toby Keith, the 4th of July. It was truly a sight to behold as the incandescent lights and vibrant colors reflected on the towering duo of the Batman Building & the Pinnacle. The drumfire thundered beneath the bridge and echoed all the way down the Cumberland. Truly remarkable… To view a highlight video of the evening, click here! The South’s greatest firework show came to a triumphant close with a finale worthy of the founding fathers. (Well, maybe not Alexander Hamilton, but the...
by Jake Morgan | Jun 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
This video contains the final segment of a keynote speech by award-winning American playwright, John Patrick Shanley at the 30th annual Christian Scholars’ Conference. The speech was delivered in Collins Alumni Auditorium at Lipscomb University. Click to view the...
by Jake Morgan | Jun 8, 2010 | Uncategorized
This video contains brief segments of an interview with Mike Fernandez, chair of Lipscomb University’s Theater Department and Director of “Doubt.” This performance was done for the 2010 Christian Scholars’ Conference at Lipscomb University. Watch as Fernandez shares his story of pulling off an incredible show in front of award-winning playwright, John Patrick Shanley. Click to view the...
by Jake Morgan | Jun 6, 2010 | Uncategorized
A brief segment of an interview with award-winning American playwright, John Patrick Shanley on the set of Lipscomb University’s production of “Doubt.” This interview was conducted during the 2010 Christian Scholars Conference. Check back for additional...
