Be The Change

Be The Change was written by Zach Hunter, a fifteen year old who decided to be an abolitionist at the age of twelve. This book is a great tool for anyone working with students as it is a great introduction for students to the reality of slavery in our day. The end of each chapter has discussion questions to get readers thinking about how they can take action and change their world.

Every spring I use the Justice Mission curriculum to teach a five week unit on international injustice to our seniors. Zach's book got me thinking more about introducing these issues to students even earlier. I'm considering buying copies of this book for all of our Freshmen and walking through it with them in class.

Here's a quick quote from the book:
"I think it's really cool that God chooses to use us to alleviate suffering. God hears the cries of the oppressed. If we open our hearts, we can be the answer to their cries for relief and hope, so their enduring will not be in vain." (p.97)

I'm inspired and encouraged by this bold young man who is courageous enough to actually take Jesus seriously and respond to the cries of the oppressed. Stuff like this makes me think that investing in students really is worth all the troubble.