The Joshua Project program launched the 2016-2017 school year with Christian conversation and Baja Burrito in Collins Alumni Auditorium, followed by dinner in Shamblin Theater Tuesday night.
Program director Cyrus Eaton, along with Gabe Lyons — author of GOOD FAITH and founder of Q ideas — spoke to students about the value of having and being a spiritual mentor.
“This is a really cool opportunity for you all to hear from those who have been deeply influenced by those before them, and they’re using those friendships with those men and women to influence the masses,” Eaton said, as he started the night off with details of The Joshua Project’s fundamentals and introduced the night’s guest speaker, Lyons.
The Joshua Project’s mission is: “To connect members of the Lipscomb family in spiritual mentoring relationships that equip the participants to grow in love, devotion, and service to Jesus, His body of believers, and His Kingdom.”
Eaton went on to discuss different aspects of the program’s function, such as the three core pillars of the program — Jesus-Centered, Two-Sided Investment and Simplicity.
During the kickoff, Lyons focused on how Americans view the concept of faith and religion and shared his insights upon the matter, specifically bringing in data to illustrate the theme of “irrelevance” in the American culture.
“There’s a general sense that it [religion] doesn’t really matter that much,” Lyons said. “Approximately 47% of millennials say they are afraid to speak up about their faith. Almost 60% say they feel marginalized in social relationships about sharing what they really believe.
“I’m sure there’s people in this room, including myself, that have had that debate in their mind, ‘Am I going to say what I really think, or am I just going to kind of back out of this one?’ because it’s going to cost you something, like a relationship.”
Sophomore Josie Smith is one student who is participating as an upperclassman mentor in The Joshua Project this year. Smith had a mentor herself last school year and said she is looking forward to giving back to a younger student.
“I wanted to continue this year with The Joshua Project to meet a freshman to share and grow in my faith with,” Smith said. “I love the community that we get with The Joshua Project and the opportunity to pour into and be poured into,” Smith noted, adding that, “It’s really special to have mentoring relationships in life, so I’m glad that Lipscomb offers it through The Joshua Project. I enjoy having those little sister-type relationships and giving advice. It’s so exciting to have the opportunity to be a role model of sorts and share wisdom and some of the experiences I had the first year at Lipscomb.”
For students who are not yet enrolled but are interested in joining The Joshua Project program, it’s not too late — freshmen and upperclassmen can still register online.