MINNEAPOLIS, MN (April 25, 2011) – Three hundred and twenty students and youth workers from throughout the Northwest Conference learned “The Price of Justice” when they gathered here for M.O.V.E. 2011—a weekend of teaching, worship, service, and experiential learning.
The weekend event held April 1-2 at First Covenant Church kicked off with a worship service led by Eugene Cho, pastor of Quest Church in Seattle, Washington, and founder of One Day’s Wages. The nonprofit promotes awareness, invites simple giving (one day’s wages), and supports sustainable relief through partnerships, especially with smaller organizations in developing regions.
“We have to act upon our convictions,” Cho said. “We have to act upon our faith in Jesus Christ. Everyone loves the idea of justice until it involves a personal cost or sacrifice. We do justice not only because it matters to God, but because in that process we will be changed.”
On Saturday morning, youth groups fanned out to 18 different agencies and ministry sites across the Twin Cities for three hours of service, that included preparing meals for homeless, helping with cleanup projects, playing with shelter kids, restocking shelves at thrift centers and distribution warehouses, and packaging books for Africa.
Saturday afternoon M.O.V.E. participants experienced “Face the Facts: Understanding Urban Poverty,” a simulation exercise created by Urban Immersion Service Retreats and the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. The simulation helps people gain a better understanding what life is like for families struggling with finances.
During the experience, participants were broken into “families” of five and given a scenario based on current statistics for people living at the poverty level in the Twin Cities. Participants had to navigate systems and make difficult decisions to secure housing, employment, and transportation, among other basic needs. By keeping a ledger of their finances and reflecting on both the positive and negative consequences of their decisions and situations, students became more acutely aware of the realities of the working poor.
M.O.V.E. 2011 concluded with another worship session and message from Cho. Cho reminded listeners that justice requires faith, compassion, collaboration, perseverance, and creativity.
As a statement of support for Cho and the efforts of One Day’s Wages, an offering of $850 was collected to support rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
