Clicktivist to Activist

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Photo: Austin Ho young. “Your years as a student place you in an ideal incubator for acting on your dreams. You’re surrounded by a large network of fellow young people to plan, scheme, and dream with,” he says. “To miss out on service involvement during school is to miss the stop to one of life’s most epic adventures.” Though Noshaq is no longer active, Whiting—now a staff assistant for U.S. Senator Susan Collins (Maine)—hopes to continue being involved in the causes closest to his heart. “I don’t know what MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Andrews University Business Administration major Steve Erich (left), who also serves as operations manager for the Stoplight Project to help end human trafficking, discusses program strategies with other members of the nonprofit organization. adventures await me, or if Afghanistan will reenter my life. But I sincerely hope that service will remain a prominent part of my life and career.” A Generation of Doers Paddy McCoy, the campus chaplain of Walla Walla University, believes that the young people he encounters in his ministry are far more passionate than they’re given credit for. “I see a very active group of young adults who want to do something and get their hands dirty. Sure, there are those who feel that as long as they donate here or there they’ve given their service. But by and large, this generation is waiting to be let loose,” he said. “They are not a complacent generation.” In his many years of youth ministry McCoy has witnessed a change that he describes as “incredible” in how students use social media. “Today’s socialmedia generation can accomplish grassroots movements that have a huge impact in a very short amount of time,” he says. “The opportunities that social media provide to get the word out, to fund-raise, and to promote causes . . . are quite astounding.” McCoy believes that younger and older generations can work together to bring a message to those who need it. “If others can help them see how and where to help and meet the greatest needs, then they are willing to do it. They also need help knowing how best to take the good-news message to other places,” he said. Sharon Pittman has found much of the same attitude in her work with young adults. She is director of the newly minted Master of Global Community Development program at Southern Adventist University, 6 “Engaging students in mission-focused ministries is an ‘easy sell,’ Pittman says. “They see the often harsh and hurting world and are highly motivated and looking for opportunities to make a difference. As an Adventist professor, my job is to link their passion and skills to opportunities to engage in sustainable service learning ministries.” Pittman’s own involvement in service began at an early age. “As a missionary kid growing up in Pakistan, where my parents work at our Seventh-day Ad- Benefits of Volunteering INFORMATION COMPILED BY JANELLE COLLINS There’s nothing quite like giving back. Whether it’s volunteering at a soup kitchen or going on a short-term mission trip, lending your time to care for others is part of our God-given mission. And there are personal plusses as well. Here are five benefits of giving back:* Developing a New Skill—No matter your professional field, volunteering can provide access to a whole new set of skills. From technology to conservation methods, volunteering offers a wide range of opportunities for you to grow your skill set or use what you already know in new ways. Meeting New People—After a few years in the same town, industry, or church, your social circle becomes set. Volunteering can introduce you to new groups of people and is a good opportunity to meet others outside your faith. This offers the opportunity to witness to those you otherwise wouldn’t meet. 20 (1044) | www.AdventistReview.org | November 21, 2013
ventist hospital, I often came to school to find that mothers had abandoned sick and dying babies during the night,” she recalls. “Early on, I was impacted by the idea that the life of each child of God is precious, whether young or old.” These early experiences led her to pursue a life of service to help instill that same passion in others. “I have always dreamed that one day I could start a graduate program where people who desired to do so could learn to build skills to help others.” The Southern Adventist University masters program combines faith-based studies with development strategies to help students learn how they can make the biggest impact in their communities and around the world. Go Light Your World Pittman believes that activism is a way to fight off our natural propensity toward selfishness. “It is easy to be self-absorbed and internally focused,” she says. “Sharing a biblical model for abundant life requires that we set aside our selfishness to reach out and care for the long haul.” McCoy shares a similar view when it comes to setting aside self for the good of others. “We make the time for all sorts of things we believe to be a priority. I’m just wondering what would happen if once a week we got involved in our community for an hour instead of watching TV, or if we supported an Organizations Looking for Volunteers Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA): .............................www.adra.org Adventist Volunteer Service (AVS): ................................. www.adventistvolunteers.org Adventist Community Services (ACS): .............................www.communityservices.org Maranatha Volunteers International: ............................................ www.maranatha.org Volunteer Match: .............................................................................. www.volunteermatch.org United Way: ..................................................................................................... www.unitedway.org He Said Go: ................................................................................ www.hesaidgo.net Adventist Mission: .........................................................................www.adventistmission.org Habitat for Humanity: ....................................................................................www.habitat.org Adventist Frontier Missions: ................................................................. www.afmonline.org online ministry instead of online shopping. Christianity in North America, by and large, has a bad reputation. But when Christians get involved and love others, that bad rep begins to change. That’s what I’m living and working for.” There’s a demand for change in the world, and it should be the burden of Christians to meet that need. These young adults have made it their aim to do more than donate funds or share a Facebook photo: they’re spreading a message of healing and restoration to a dying world. n 1 http://thestoplightproject.org. 2 www.bridgesoutofpoverty.com. 3 www.gettingahead.org. 4 www.peacecorps.gov. 5 www.adra.org. 6 https://www.southern.edu/gcd. Janelle Collins recently graduated with a degree in Need journalism from Andrews Pix University. She wrote this article while a 2013 summer intern for Adventist Review. LEARNING FIRSTHAND: Javier Melendez poses with a boy he met while serving in Madagascar in 2013. Photo: Courtesy of Javier Melendez Gaining a Sense of Achievement— Even if you enjoy your work, it’s still a job and earns a paycheck. But giving your time to something you aren’t being paid for and seeing the joy it brings others can create a sense of accomplishment that can be far more satisfying than simply earning wages. Exploring New Career Options—School isn’t the only place to discover career passions. Volunteering for a nonprofit organization can help you discover new interests and explore other fields you may never have considered. If you’re thinking about a career change, volunteering can be a perfect opening to see what else is out there. Teaching Opportunities—Not everyone is able to teach in a classroom setting, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be a teacher. Hundreds of nonprofit organizations offer volunteers the opportunity to mentor kids. Through these programs you can pass on your practical skills as well as general life lessons, blessing others with your acquired knowledge. This can encourage youth you come in contact with to “pay it forward” — and volunteer when they get older too. * Sources: www.unitedway.org/take-action/benefitsof-volunteering and www.worldvolunteerweb.org/ resources/how-to-guides/volunteer/doc/benefits-ofvolunteering.html. LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE: Shanna Crumley, who recently graduated from Pacific Union College with a degree in Intercultural Communication and Spanish, describes her summer working for ADRA Argentina as a turning point that led her to commit more fully to mission service. Photo: Courtesy of Shanna Crumley www.AdventistReview.org | November 21, 2013 | (1045) 21
Page 1: www.adventistreview.org November 21
Page 4 and 5: inbox Letters From Our Readers Valu
Page 6 and 7: Editorials Bill Knott Each edition
Page 8 and 9: World News & Perspectives photo: Co
Page 10 and 11: World News & Perspectives ■■WOR
Page 12 and 13: World News & Perspectives Thus was
Page 14 and 15: Heart and Soul: Biblical Studies De
Page 16 and 17: what’s important in ruling a coun
Page 18 and 19: Cover From Clicktivist BY JANELLE C
Page 22 and 23: Devotional By DAVID B. SMITH AND LO
Page 25 and 26: Back to Basics When Anger Is Sin Ha
Page 27 and 28: would be filled with tension, threa
Page 29 and 30: The Life of Faith Jews, Christians,
Page 31: Reflections Fissures in Fine-China

Clicktivist to Activist

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?