City Links 2011 was a great success! In total, 44 individuals or organizations participated in City Links by hosting student groups on Saturday, September 17, 24, and October 1st. Over 1250 first year students had the opportunity to serve and get to know their “home away from home”. The mission of of Azusa Pacific University is to develop disciples and scholars and in many ways, City Links has helped start our students on this journey.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14
This years university passage in John 1 is the starting place for Justice Week 2011. Next week starts Justice Week, a week of intentional conversations that highlights the interconnection of faith and justice. This years theme, “The Word became Flesh”, emphasizes the need to embody to good news of God’s love for others in daily life. Focused on the incarnation of Jesus, Justice Week will highlight complex issues and the challenge of following the life and teachings of Jesus.
Check out the full CALENDAR OF EVENTS on the APU Calendar throughout next week. The week will include four chapels from great speakers including Efrem Smith, Wess Stafford, Lisa Thompson, and Woody Morwood. A panel discussion on the “Theology of justice” will begin the week on Monday, followed by a compelling film screening of “Kiss My Wheels”. Tuesday will offer a chance to hear from Dr. Matt Browning about the connection of evangelism and justice, with an evening benefit concert for Themba International. On Friday, you will have the opportunity to visit with local leaders and organizations making a difference in Pasadena through a day-trip hosted by Professor Paul Hertig. Friday evening, the Just Expressions Coffee House will highlight the creative talents of students.
On Monday-Wednesday, take the time to donate blood through Blood for Missions. For each blood donation, $20 will go to support “Tiny Hands” and their work in stopping sex trafficking. Justice Week 2011 concludes on Saturday with Gospel Sing, hosted by Multi-Ethnic Programs.
I pray that Justice Week 2011 will be enriching, challenging, and encouraging to each person that takes the time to invest and consider what it says in Micah 6:8, to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God”
For more information, follow “APU Justice Week” on Facebook.
Next week marks a new beginning of students serving locally in the city of Azusa and the greater Los Angeles area. MAS student leaders have been preparing since mid-August to get students mobilized toward loving their neighbor right across the street. Next week, 12 student local ministry and service programs will launch for the academic year!
Right across the street in Azusa, several of our tutoring programs will be kicked off including: La C.A.S.A., an academic mentoring program serving middle school and high school students; A-Town and Cerritos Kidz, tutoring programs serving children in local apartment complexes; Homework House, a wholistic ministry serving the academic and spiritual needs of children and families in Azusa; Azusa Food Bank, providing quality food and meals for local families; VIVA Azusa Soccer, a soccer ministry coordinated through Church of the Open Door; S.E.E.D., a educational ministry teaching local elementary children about creation care; and, Habitat for Humanity, a ministry committed to providing affordable housing.
A little further away, several great opportunities to serve include: Central City Community Outreach, a tutoring and mentoring program for kids living in downtown Los Angeles near “skid row”; Door of Hope, a transitional housing program serving families experiencing homeless; San Dimas Retirement Center, a community connecting APU students with the elderly residents;
If you are looking for educational opportunities, take advantage of LA 101 and Azusa 101, two experiential learning weekends focused on gaining a deeper understanding of these unique and diverse cities in new ways. There is still time to get involved! Visit the office today or learn more on our office website: www.apu.edu/mas.
Our theme this year, All Things Created | All Things Reconciled, centers around the reality of God’s already/not yet Kingdom and the university passage(s), John 1 and Colossians 1. As we begin this year, we pray for the new relationships that will be built in the local communities of Azusa and greater Los Angeles centered on the reality that God created all things. Furthermore, we pray that God will continue to reconcile all things back to Himself.
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