Last week in High School Chapel, our guest speaker was Paul Coleman, Executive Director of ADF International, a global partner of Alliance Defending Freedom. According to their website, ADF is “an alliance-building human rights organization that advocates for the right of people to freely live out their faith.” They partner with other organizations and engage in legal advocacy around the world. One truly exciting piece of news that Mr. Coleman shared is that ADF has been working with the UN Security Council toward the adoption of a resolution to support “Iraq in prosecuting members of ISIS for crimes committed against religious minorities.” On 21 September, the UN Security Council in New York unanimously adopted this resolution. In a news article about this event, Mr. Coleman was quoted as saying, “For almost two years, our legal team at the UN worked towards this resolution. It will make a significant difference for Christians and other religious minorities who have suffered at the hands of ISIS. We look forward to working with the investigators in the weeks ahead.”
This week, Mr. Coleman’s colleague, Mr. Rob Clarke (Mrs. Clarke’s husband) addressed the students specifically about Europe and the injustices that are happening right around us. Today’s youth are looking for answers to today’s issues. They are concerned about what is happening all around the world. Mr. Coleman and Mr. Clarke provided information about situations where people have been imprisoned without cause or without a chance for a trial. They shared what ADF International is doing to help bring justice to these people. And they explained what the Bible says about persecution and the Christian’s responsibility and response to this problem. At ICSV we teach that what one believes should affect how one lives. Paul Coleman and Rob Clarke are two examples of brilliant lawyers who have chosen to use their gifts and talents to help those who have no voice. It was our privilege to have them share with our high school students in chapel.
Because of His Faithfulness,
Sharon Brobst, Ed.D.
Director