OUR CURRICULUM
The Love Justice School curriculum will equip you to minister the love of Jesus to the various issues of human injustice. We are continuously updating this class to make sure we are dealing with the most current issues! As of today, we will be looking into human trafficking, sex trafficking and demand, child soldiers, the girl child, street kids, hiv/aids, refugees, orphan/foster care, sexually exploited children, poverty, child abuse, child slave labor, children of addicts, drug abuse, malnutrition and disease, disabilities, abortion/gendercide, and others as issues arise.
WORKING WITH THE vulnerable
We are firm believers that if you are not good at loving your neighbor next door, you will not be good at loving a neighbor in the third world. We’ll start by loving the kids right here in Boise before our official “practicum” overseas. Our local outreach includes ministry with children of addicts, foster care, human trafficking in america, refugees, and more.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EQUIPPED FOR MISSION
While we understand your urgency to get out there and get your hands dirty, we’ve also been there. We know what it is like to work in crisis situations, and it’s hard stuff. Are you emotionally ready to talk to girls that have been raped 30 times in a day? Are you spiritually ready to deal with the 12 million kids that have been orphaned by AIDS, while the much of the worldwide church is simply praying for healing? We want to raise up students that are prepared and equipped to help, for the long haul. We don’t want to send you out, unprepared only to have you freak out because you were not really ready to deal with it. Truthfully, we’ll never be “ready” to be with human suffering, and we should never get to the place where it doesn’t make us furious, but, we do need to be trained in such a way that we know how to help those in need, physically, emotionally and spiritually … and we can only do that when we ourselves have wrestled through the hard questions and are equipped for a lifetime of compassion!
WHO WE’LL WORK WITH
We recognize that there are many individuals, NGO’s, governments and churches that have been working in areas of injustice for years and we want to glean from them as much as possible. We will be bringing in experts from various fields, reading a lot of books and watching a lot of films as we learn; and of course, doing it ourselves. The practicum potion of the year will be spent with our local and international partnerships.
OPTIONS FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS
While graduation requires that you successfully complete all ten classes, we realize that everyone can’t take time off to go to school full-time, so we’ve designed our school to allow you to take as many classes as you can fit in. We want you to be prepared, however, to minister effectively during our international practicum. In order to participate in the outreach, we require completion of the core classes.
Core classes take place on Tuesday nights from 6-10pm and involve about 10 hours of homework each week. These classes are the foundation for the field assignment/outreach. In addition to this core curriculum we offer additional “Advanced Classes” (see below).
Core classes:
201 Topical Issues – Each week we will have a class focused on a specific topic of injustice. We will have various films and guest speakers who will be able to share their knowledge and experience with the class. Topics will include, Human Trafficking, Sex Tourism and Demand. Child Soldiers, The Girl Child, Street Kids, HIV/AIDS, Refugees, Orphans, Foster Care, Sexually Exploited, Poverty, Child Abuse, Child Slave Labor. Children of Addicts, Drug Abuse, Malnutrition and Disease, Disabilities, Domestic Violence, Abortion/Gendercide, the Persecuted Church and others, as issues change.
202 Trauma & Crisis Care What will you do when a traumatized child is sitting in front of you? This class will give you tools to make a difference in the lives of victims of injustice. You will receive practical guidance to serve those whose lives have been shattered by trauma.
203 Biblical Justice is a good idea, but what does God say about “doing” justice”.
204 Worship & Intercession we will practice taking issues to Jesus and worship Him in the midst of the tough stuff.
205 Service Project – Students will serve at least 10 hours in a ministry to people in crisis locally.
206 Field Assignment – Students will use the skills they’ve learned in the classroom to meet the emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of women & children in crisis, at home and around the world. After completion of the four core classes, students can join us for an optional international practicum in a third world setting, getting their hands dirty and hearts changed while working alongside ministries that are responding directly to the vulnerable. Students who cannot participate internationally will participate in local outreach.
ADVANCED CLASSES:
These courses offer a deeper study of current issues and solutions to injustice both locally and globally. These classes take place weekly in the evenings from 6-10pm. Core Classes are a pre-requisite or may be taken concurrent to these in depth studies.
301 Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) will provide you hands-on, practical resources to prepare you to respond to the needs of exploited children. Students will learn helpful strategies and specific actions to combat this crisis as well as effective healing and prevention programs. This class is not only about the evils of child exploitation, it is also about hope. It is designed to help students become an effective instrument to facilitate Christ’s healing and love to broken children.
302 Street Children It is estimated that there are over 100 million street children, worldwide. This class will better equip you to face the challenges of working in urban mission or with forgotten children around the world. We will learn the definition of Street Children, how they end up on the streets, life as a Street Child and the trauma associated with it, project development, prevention strategies, how to spiritually nurture these beautiful little people.
303 Children Affected by HIV/AIDS This class takes a compassionate look at the lives of children who have been affected by HIV/AIDS and the psychosocial ramifications of those who are attempting to cope with the awesome task of being compassionate caregivers to the millions of children who desperately need help living through the tragedy and brokenness of AIDS.
304 Orphans and Vulnerable Children will give you an in depth understanding of the plight of orphans worldwide and assess the options for their care and healing.
305 Children’s Health Issues Every year, nearly 11 million children die from preventable causes before reaching their fifth birthday (UNICEF). Millions more survive only to face diminished futures, unable to develop to their full potential. Many of these deaths can be avoided if parents and caregivers understand what to do when illness strikes and how to recognize the danger signs that signal the need for medical help.
306 Law, Justice, and the Great Commission This course will propose a biblical view of law and justice, and its relevance to the Great Commission. Among the topics expected to be covered: the Creator-Redeemer jurisdiction, dominion, contracts, property, torts, the lex talionis, and the American expression of this view: the Declaration of Independence.
Fees:
Core Classes (201,202, 203, 204 & 205 combined) – $250.00
Books (approximately) – $100.00
Host homes are available upon request based on availability ($150/month) – $900.00
Field Assignment (206):
- three week + international outreach ground fees (airfare is additional) – $1500.00
- three week domestic outreach – TBD
- three week local outreach – $250.00
Advanced Weekly Evening Classes (each 300s course) – $200.00
For more information:
Website vineyardcollege.org
Email wcic@vineyardcollege.org
Phone 208.794.5326