The Southeast Conference is creating justice discipleship pathways for SEC churches through a newly formed SEC Justice Institute. The mission of the Southeast Conference Justice Institute (SECJI) is to form discipleship networks of certified justice advocates and activists in Southeast Conference (SEC) Covenant churches who are spiritually formed, biblically trained, and academically equipped to organize, mobilize and launch innovative Christian community transformation and restorative justice ministries. Through discipleship relationships we’ll design experiences and teach congregations how to bring restorative, redemptive reconciliation and justice to the brokenness of our cities and the world. Becoming advocates for change is at the heart of our call in Matthew 25.
Christian community development is about flesh and blood, not brick and mortar. Through our partnership with LMDJ and CovEnterprises the SECJI will serve to collaboratively facilitate authentic community transformation through entrepreneurship, affordable housing and justice policies that are a critical strategy in the pursuit of economic and societal justice.
There are 7.5 million residents in 242 counties in the Southeastern United States carrying a tremendous economic burden from a continuous cycle of poverty. The economy of the South will continue to worsen unless partners are empowered to produce and sustain wealth through the innovative creation of goods and services. The SECJI, in partnership with LMDJ and CovEnterprises, will sponsor community discussions for awareness and advocacy. Our educational and formational discipleship pathways include justice classrooms, schools, cohorts and conferences. Our vision is to bring emerging theologians, pastors and ministry leaders who are practitioners in economically stripped communities together for intentional interaction with scripture and one another in order to inspire ministries to move beyond good intentions into holistic praxis.
