Faith in Action

The Epistle of James instructs that we should be “doers of the word.”  When James wrote these words I’m sure he didn’t have North Park University in mind, but I often wonder whether an organization—one like North Park—can be a “doer of the word.”

Of course we can. And most often it is our students who lead the way. Our students lead the way in approaching the mandate of the prophet Micah to “do justice, love kindness, and walk with God.”

Learning is a noble endeavor, but learning is most noble when used to benefit others. With the gift of learning comes responsibility. As our students learn we encourage them to serve others, to turn faith into action, believing the principle taught by Jesus: “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.”

In mid-November Linda and I gathered one evening with a group of students for dinner at the Sheraton Hotel on the riverfront just off Michigan Avenue. We were there to attend the annual gala dinner sponsored by Casa Central, the largest Hispanic-serving social service agency in Chicago.

The particular reason for attending this dinner was to receive the Faith in Action Award from Casa Central. Our students were proud because their university was recognized for its work with Spanish-speaking communities in Chicago. I was proud because most of North Park’s work in these communities comes through the service of our students. We offer graduate classes in nonprofit management at the central offices of Casa Central in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, so North Park takes its education into the community. But our students really are the ones who make a difference—through internships with social service agencies, by volunteering through church-sponsored programs, and by teaching in the Chicago Public Schools—serving others across this city.

Our students enter the community and make a difference.

Our students put faith into action.

Our students lead the way.