Justice revival is Thursday at Warren church

WARREN — The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative is convening a one-day Justice Revival at 7 p.m. Thursday that will culminate with a speech by the Rev. Jim Wallis, editor and founder of Sojourners magazine.

The revival will address concerns about human trafficking and the national budget. Wallis has made headlines across the county during the past few months as he urges lawmakers on the federal and state levels to view the budget as a moral document.

The budget “is where are our choices reveal our values. ...When you look at it that way, it’s not even about scarcity, it’s about choices. They want to cut $8.5 billion of low-income housing, but they want to keep $8.4 billion for tax deductions on second vacation homes,” Wallis said.

Wallis’ work often challenges people to grapple with injustice and social disparity, and his recent budget movement is no different, he said.

“I want [Wisconsin U.S. Rep.] Paul Ryan to stand up and say that cutting $10.5 billion for malaria bed nets for kids to keep them from dying is less important than every sign line item of military spending. I want him to say that out loud. He won’t,” Wallis said.

Wallis has helped found and lead a coalition of Christian organizations, such as the Salvation Army, to challenge budget decisions.

About 1,000 residents are expected to attend the evening at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 931 Buckeye St. NW, Warren, according to an MVOC news release.

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