Generation Joshua

Generation Joshua (Often called "GenJ" by its members) is an American Christian youth organization founded in 2003Michael Smith, "A new generation of moral leadership.", "The Washington Times", [http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20050522-110120-9031r.htm http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20050522-110120-9031r.htm] 23 May, 2005.] that aims to encourage young people to learn about and become involved in government, civics, and politics. "What is Generation Joshua?","Generationjoshua.org", [http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=244 http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=244] 2006.]

Generation Joshua is a division of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), and is based on Purcellville, Virginia. Generation Joshua is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization. While most of its activities are non-partisan, all partisan activities are funded by the organization's PAC,"Contributions" "Generationjoshua.org". [http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=35 http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=35] Accessed 3 October, 2006.] "Join", "Generationjoshua.org", [http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=23 http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=23] Accessed 3 October, 2006.]

Generation Joshua seeks to educate students on the history and founding of our nation, while also providing hands-on opportunities for students to be involved in government and politics today. To this end, the organization provides civics education classes, a book club program, and bi-weekly current events chats to educate their members about the history and founding of the nation. Generation Joshua also seeks to promote activism opportunities for members through local clubs, voter registration drives, and Student Action Teams, where the students campaign for political candidates.The organization also offers a college scholarship program, called the Ben Rush Awards Program, where students participate in civic involvement to earn money for college. .

Some have criticized Generation Joshua for campaigning solely for conservative candidates who typically hold pro-life and pro-family values. "Student Action Teams", "Generationjoshua.org", [http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=66 http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=66] Accessed 3 October, 2006.] The group's focus on youth has led some to characterize its mission as making "Christian nationalism palatable to the MTV generation".Russel Cobb, "Cracks in the Christian Ascendancy: Why it's too soon to panic about an American theocracy.", "Slate", [http://www.slate.com/id/2144522/ http://www.slate.com/id/2144522/] June 27, 2006.] See the organization's [http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Portals/0/GenJBrochure.pdf brochure] for an example of how it seeks to appeal to youth culture.]

Generation Joshua's name is taken from the Biblical character Joshua, who led the nation of Israel after Moses.

GenJ's Programs

Generation Joshua provides five major programs to members. The divisions include: the Civics Education program, local GenJ clubs, Student Action Teams, the Voter Registration Initiative, and the Benjamin Rush Awards Program.

Civics Education

Generation Joshua offers members 11 online civics classes. Students may work on each course at their own pace. Each class has between four and ten lessons, with a quiz accompanying each lesson. A list of online classes includes:

Introduction to Constitutional Law

Campaign School: Successful Campaigning

Revolutionary War Era Sermons

The Federalist Papers

Democracy in America

The Great Awakening

Constitutional Convention

America's Founding Documents

Founding Fathers I

Founding Fathers II

Founding Fathers III (coming soon)

In addition to the 11 online classes, Generation Joshua also offers a book club for nine months out of the year. Students are encouraged to read an assigned book, participate in discussion about the book, and write a reflective essay on the book, which will then be graded by a Generation Joshua staff member.

GenJ Clubs

Generation Joshua has over 65 local clubs (as of 2008). At GenJ Club meetings, usually once a month, at least 10 times per year, members discuss current events with a Biblical perspective, listen to a special speaker, pray for the nation and its leaders, and organize local activism. The clubs are governed by Robert's Rules of Order and are led by a President and other officers. While GenJ Clubs are active on a number of issues important to conservative Christians, its members are particularly vocal in their support for preservation of traditional marriage and the right to life."East Tennessee teens mix politics with prayer.", "NBC WBIR", [http://www.wbir.com/life/programming/local/liveatfive/story.aspx?storyid=32295 http://www.wbir.com/life/programming/local/liveatfive/story.aspx?storyid=32295] 28 February, 2006.]

tudent Action Teams

Generation Joshua, a division of the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), involves its members in partisan activities thru HSLDA PAC. Typically in each election year, 25-100 volunteers are deployed to selected races of endorsed conservative candidates. In 2006, HSLDA PAC deployed more than 1000 individuals on the Student Action Teams. [http://www.hsldapac.org/dnn/2007StudentActionTeams/tabid/53/Default.aspx 2006 Student Action Teams Report] . To date, HSLDA PAC Student Action Teams have only been deployed for Republican candidates. "Student Action Teams", "Generationjoshua.org", [http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=66 http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=66] Accessed 3 October, 2006.]

Voter Registration Initiative

The Voter Registration Initiative encourages Generation Joshua members register people to vote in upcoming elections. According to Generation Joshua, “voter registration efforts can greatly impact the outcome of… election [s] .” In 2008 Generation Joshua launched a special voter registration program, where participants who register voters in Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Virginia will be eligible to win prizes, including laptops.

Benjamin Rush Awards Program

The Ben Rush Awards Program runs from January through October each year and encourages students to become active politically to earn scholarships for college. Students are asked to write letters to their elected officials, write letters to the editor, register voters, participate in the organization’s online civics curriculum, and volunteer to work on a political campaigns. Through participation in the program, students can earn different levels of achievement. The Statesman Award gives winners an all expenses paid trip to Washington D.C., a $3,000 scholarship, and prizes worth up to $300. The Patriot Award gives students a $1,500 scholarship and up to $200 in prizes. Winners of the Citizen award receive a $500 scholarship and prizes up to $100.

Relation To HSLDA

GenJ's national offices are at the Home School Legal Defense Association, which is also the campus of Patrick Henry College. Michael Smith, president of the group's parent organization, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association sees Generation Joshua as part of a larger movement. By training students (often homeschoolers) in the principles of conservative Christian political views and encouraging them to be active politically, Generation Joshua seeks to fundamentally influence the next generation's involvement in government. Smith hopes that many of these students will go on to conservative colleges such as Patrick Henry College, (also founded by the HSLDA) where they will learn to "restore a moral framework and return America to its founding principles".

External links

[http://www.generationjoshua.org/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=1 Generation Joshua]

ee also

*Patrick Henry College
*Home School Legal Defense Association
*National Christian Forensics and Communications Association

References

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