Now after the death of Moses... the LORD spake unto Joshua... Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. (Joshua 1:1-2)

And Deborah, a prophetess… she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah...and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. (Judges 4:4-5)

The Proctor Institute recognizes the important role that emerging leaders, the “Joshua and Deborah Generation,” have to play in the movement for children. Some are emerging leaders by virtue of their youth.  Others are emerging leaders as they prepare through seminary to enter into ministry.  Thus, the Joshua and Deborah Generation at Proctor has two tracks.

• Download the Joshua and Deborah Generation Registration Form

The first Joshua and Deborah Generation track, Young Adult Leadership Training, is for young people, ages 16 to 25.

The special opportunities each afternoon for the Young Adult Leadership Training (YALT®) participants will equip them with skills, information, and strategies to strengthen their leadership and organizing capacity in the movement for children.  We have gathered young leaders from various CDF networks to take part in the Young Adult Leadership Training within the Proctor Institute.  In addition, any Proctor participant in this age range is welcome to register for and participate in the special YALT sessions here at Proctor.  The Young Adult Leadership Training track of the Joshua and Deborah Generation will be guided by Jalaya Liles Dunn, CDF Coordinator of Youth Leadership Training.

The second Joshua and Deborah track, the Collegium, is for seminarians of any age who are preparing for new leadership in ministry.

The Collegium of seminarians meets as a group on Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday from 4:15-5:15 p.m. Any seminarian is welcome to register for and participate in the Collegium at Proctor.   The Collegium track of the Joshua and Deborah Generation will be guided by the Rev. Will Gipson, Proctor Institute Co-Chaplain in Residence and the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, Proctor Theologian in Residence. 

Joshua and Deborah Generation leaders from both tracks, Young Adult Leadership Training and the Collegium for Seminarians, will begin their time at Proctor together in a special afternoon orientation session from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and should plan their arrival time accordingly.

Standing in the legacy of Joshua, who received the mantle of leadership from Moses, and of Deborah, who became one in a long succession of judges leading subsequent generations, this opportunity is critical as the Joshua and Deborah Generation accepts the sacred charge of continuing the movement for children. These leaders are also charged to further understand the vocation of servant leadership, ministry, child advocacy, and social justice.  Ultimately, the Joshua and Deborah Generation leaders will be equipped with the organizing skills and tools for effective child advocacy ministry in their communities, churches, homes, and schools.

For more information about the New Leaders: Joshua and Deborah Generation track, contact Jalaya Liles Dunn at (202) 662-3669 or jliles@childrensdefense.org

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. (Deuteronomy 31:7)