Hear activists tell their stories at NCC chapel talks
If you're looking for a break from your normal lunch routine, you might want to stop by and listen to any of the upcoming series of chapel speakers at North Central College's Koten Chapel.
During October and into November, the college is bringing activists involved in community development, music, race relations and immigration to talk about their work in cities across the nation and around the world.
The chapel services begin at noon Thursdays in Kiekhofer Hall's Koten Chapel, 329 E. School St., Naperville, and include a free lunch afterward.
Jeremy Gudauskas, director of ministry and service at North Central College, said many of the students at the liberal arts Methodist college are interested in community development and volunteer to help with projects locally, regionally and internationally.
"It's a focus on faith and action," Gudauskas said. "They aren't separate."
The first Thursday speaker is Mo Leverett, who started New Orleans-based Rebirth International in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and has been a living model of faith and action. He will discuss the organization's role in revitalizing poverty stricken neighborhoods in New Orleans that were devastated by the hurricane.
On Friday, Leverett, who is also a blues and folk musician, will also be giving a concert on campus.
The Oct. 11 speaker, Mike Farris, is also a musician who will perform on campus after his chapel appearance. Farris had a promising career in rock music but drugs and alcohol clouded that success and nearly cost him his life before his 21st birthday.
It's that "rock-star story," Gudauskas said.
Fortunately, Farris' story has taken a happy turn. He has since found God and stopped doing drugs and drinking. His music reflects his faith though a mixture of folk, gospel, rock and soul.
"He's starting to get a lot of attention in Nashville with his new album," Gudauskas added.
On Oct. 18, John Perkins, founder of the Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development in Jackson, Miss., will discuss his decades of work for social justice. In 1960, Perkins was among the first to promote community development with a Christian perspective. He later co-founded the Christian Community Development Association and has written several books on racial reconciliation and development.
The last three weeks, Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, will feature Juan Cordova, the superintendent for Hispanic ministry of the Free Methodist Church; academic and author Rosalie Riegle; and Cliff Parrish, a CEO who will discuss a business model for missions and development.
Cordova's focus will be the "Trans-cultural Barriers that Jesus Broke" from the perspective of a young immigrant boy attempting to cross the border. The short documentary film "La Frontera" will also be shown during the chapel service.
Riegle will discuss her work co-founding two hospitality houses for women and children in Michigan where she taught writing.
And Parrish will share his work with Frontline Ministries in the Philippines. A special send-off will also be held for a group of North Central students who will be heading to the Philippines in December to work with Frontline Ministries.
For details, call Gudauskas at (630) 637-5415.
If you go ...
What:Chapel services featuring activists involved in community development, music, race relations.
When:Noon Thursdays through Nov. 8
Where:North Central College's Koten Chapel, 329 E. School St., Naperville.
Call:(630) 637-5415.