Slavery. It’s a term that may remind some of their middle school social studies class, the Civil War, or figures like Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman. What may shock people is that slavery still exists. Not only that, but there are more slaves today than ever in history.
People all over the world, including in the United States, are victims of slavery in its various forms including domestic slavery, bondage slavery and sex slavery.
Lipscomb students interested in exploring this issue and helping eradicate slavery have the opportunity to get involved.
Every Thursday night at 7:30 a group that ranges from five to 15 people meets to discuss this very question.
They are known as the International Justice Mission, a chapter of the Washington-based IJM.
This is the third year IJM has been on campus and is being led by Cooper McCullough. His time as IJM president has had ups and downs.
“My stint as president has been both encouraging and discouraging. Some of the ideas that we’ve brainstormed, as well as the genuine passion I’ve seen in people, has been amazing,” he said.
“Discouragement can creep in, though, when I feel like I’ve done a poor job providing people an outlet to combat injustice or when people make it clear that their passion for justice won’t translate into action.”
Among the successes are IJM fundraisers.
McCullouogh said that some of the organization’s big past events have included a dance party, bake sale, prayer vigil, student recorded album, concert and several chapels/documentaries.
He said the meetings begin with “good news,” which is usually a story of rescues by IJM, and a prayer to encourage the group.
“After we pray, our chapter brainstorms ways that we can get the word out and tackle injustice. We end the meeting by trying to give people ways to participate in our work for the next week.”
Many students have been introduced to the issues raised by IJM at a youth conference in Atlanta called Passion. It raised a lot of money and awareness of slavery around the world and gave those who attended a desire to act. The IJM club on campus saw the effects of the conference through people joining this semester because of Passion.
The IJM club is open to anyone who wants to be a part of fundraising, chapel coordinating for the group’s new Justice Chapel on Wednesdays, working with similar issues in the community and spreading awareness on Lipscomb’s campus.
The club’s meetings are every Thursday at 7:30 in Ezell.