The Elijah Project

"To be a responsible person is to find one's role in the building of shalom, the re-webbing of God, humanity and all creation in justice, harmony, fulfillment and delight. To be a responsible person is to find one's own role and then, funded by the grace of God, to fill this role and to delight in it." - Cornelius Plantinga Jr.

What Difference will your life make?
There is no greater adventure than finding and filling your role in the Kingdom of God, but sometimes we have more questions than answers. During our adult years we spend about half of our waking hours working at something, but too often we settle for jobs that allow us to make a living while missing out on God's call to live an abundant life full of meaning, purpose, and adventure.

• What are you going to do after Gordon?
• How will your life impact the world?
• How has God uniquely gifted you to serve in His Kingdom?
• What does Scripture say about work?
• How will you make decisions about choosing a career and answering a call?
  

The Elijah Project offers a unique opportunity to tackle these questions head-on. Students admitted into the Elijah Project spend 12 months exploring the theological foundations of meaningful work and practical questions about finding and filling their roles in the Kingdom of God. Through seminars, a summer internship and an intentional living community, the Elijah Project seeks to facilitate reflection and discernment regarding vocation as a response to the needs of the world and the call of God.

"Exploring the theological foundations and practical outworkings of God's call on our lives."

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Spring Term: ND310 Foundations of Work and Vocation
What is the meaning of work? Is it a blessing or a curse? What does it mean to be a responsible person? Why does it matter what we do with our lives? Drawing upon biblical, theological, philosophical and literary sources, this seminar explores the nature of calling, life, and work. Students will explore frameworks for forming moral judgements and understanding responsible behavior.

Summer: Internship
Individually designed 6-12 week internships provide an opportunity for each project participant to explore an arena of work and service in his or her area of interest. Scholarships are available to supplement low-paying or nonpaying internships.

Fall Term: ND312 Vocation: Discernment, Decision-Making and the Call of God
Who are you as an individual? What particular gifts, strengths and interests make you who you are? What possibilities, problems, challenges and opportunities face the world today? How can we discover where our abilities and concerns meet the world's needs and possibilities? How do we discern the will of God? This seminar explores practical questions of self-discovery and decision making.

Common Living Arrangement
Upon returning from their summer internships, participants will reside in a common residence to extend their seminar conversation. Additional house activities will include: house meetings and fellowship gatherings, weekly common meals, monthly cultural events, and field trips

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants must possess a GPA of at least 2.75 at the time of application and retain a GPA no lower than 2.5. All applications must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the applicant's academic advisor and current resident hall director. Applicants are making a commitment to a 12-month program and are expected to retain residency in Elijah House the spring term following completion of ND312.

For participation in this program students will receive eight hours of elective credits. Elective credits toward a major may be available at the discretion of individual departments.

The Elijah Project is funded in part through a grant from the Lilly Endowment program for the Theological Exploration of Vocation.