Eighteen talented students, representing seven institutions, gathered at Olivet for two weeks in May for the Center’s eleventh Law, Justice and Culture Institute. The institutions represented included two new schools—Corban University and the International Theological Seminary (ITS) in South Korea, as well as John Brown University, Ohio Christian University, Olivet Nazarene University, Trinity Christian College, and Wheaton College. Thanks to your generosity, the Center awarded these students a record amount of financial assistance—over $16,500.
Among the 2014 Institute students were ITS graduates Drs. Sundar and Sareeta Thapa, the most prominent Christian leaders in Nepal. In addition to supporting 300 churches, five children’s homes, a Bible college, and numerous community projects, the married couple has been asked by Nepal’s prime minister to assist in drafting Nepal’s new constitution. “We were so blessed to participate in the Institute and will use what we learned about its legal heritage and devotion to religious liberty as we help to write our country’s constitution,” said the Thapas.
“The Thapas gave me a desire to help those in other countries who do not enjoy our freedoms,” said Olivet sophomore and Center intern Matt Reed. “The Institute has been a highlight of my college experience. I learned more in two weeks than I had in most semesters, especially the importance of the ‘higher law’ tradition in forming our legal heritage. I can’t wait to use what I learned in law school and in the legal profession.”
The 2014 Institute graduates earned three academic credits from Olivet. They were challenged by Professor Charlie Emmerich and five guest lecturers to integrate the biblical understanding of justice into their career callings. In addition to the Thapas, the students heard from Dr. Susan Emmerich on creation care and stewardship, Mr. Zach Bohannon on affirming a Judeo-Christian worldview in law, and Professor Morse Tan on defending the sanctity of human life.
On May 30, almost 95 people attended an Institute graduation dinner where the Thapas gave a moving account of the challenges they faced in defending Christianity and religious freedom in Nepal. After the Thapas shared, Professor Emmerich acknowledged their tireless and faithful service to Christ and His Kingdom in Nepal by giving them one of the Center’s 2014 Citizenship Awards.
