Throughout the 20th century, millions of people in the U.S. left rural areas and family farms for opportunities in urban centers. As part of this trend, numerous African Americans fled racial oppression the South for cities in the North. When we think about issues of race and justice in our country, we often focus on cities.
But what about those who have remained in rural areas, people with deep family ties to the land?
How does the story of rural America speak to our faith and identities today?
Join us to learn and serve in Opelousas, a majority Black rural community in south Louisiana. Our week together will focus on serving local organizations, including non-profits, churches, schools and a sustainable farm. Through these experiences, we will reflect on the story rural South and how it informs our faith and identity today as followers of Jesus in 21st century America. We will also sit under the teaching of Christian leaders in the community and explore the Biblical foundations of justice.
But what about those who have remained in rural areas, people with deep family ties to the land?
How does the story of rural America speak to our faith and identities today?
Join us to learn and serve in Opelousas, a majority Black rural community in south Louisiana. Our week together will focus on serving local organizations, including non-profits, churches, schools and a sustainable farm. Through these experiences, we will reflect on the story rural South and how it informs our faith and identity today as followers of Jesus in 21st century America. We will also sit under the teaching of Christian leaders in the community and explore the Biblical foundations of justice.
During the program you will have the opportunity to:
- Live alongside a diverse community of students for a week.
- Serve with a local non-profit organization. (Service sites are subject to change year to year - more info on service sites for this year's programs coming in February)
- Explore local Creole and Cajun culture - including some great Louisiana cooking!
- Experience interactive learning around past and present experiences of rural Black Americans.
- Receive teaching from experienced practitioners on topics like Biblical justice, racial-reconciliation, and spiritual disciplines.
- Grow in love for God, God's word, God's people of every ethnicity and culture, and God's purposes in the world.
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Week 1 - Black Campus Ministries (BCM)
Dates:
This week is geared toward Black and African American students. Our program will focus on hearing the stories of rural African Americans, past and present. We will learn from Black and Christian leaders in the community, including educators, law-enforcement officers and farmers. As Black people in America, our relationship with the land is complicated. God intends for all of humanity to be in right relationship with his creation - to nurture the land and be fruitful - but the generational trauma from enslavement and sharecropping has fractured the harmony God intended. Together, we will explore how God can bring healing in our personal lives and in our communities through reconciling our relationship with himself and with the land. Cost:
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Week 2 - LSU & Arkansas
Dates:
This week is open to any student from LSU and University of Arkansas! You'll spend the week living in community with a diverse group of college students. As we explore the racial history of Opelousas and the rural South, we'll be examining the Biblical foundations of culture and ethnicity and reflecting on our own ethnic identities. Part of our time will be spent serving non-profits and churches in the community, working on various projects that will be most helpful to them and their ministries. While we're not serving, we'll be diving deep into scriptures study and hearing from community members who are proclaiming the good news of Jesus through their careers and ministry callings. Together we'll discover what the story of rural Louisiana can teach us about who we are and who God is calling us to be. Cost:
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