This Is What I Learned On The Road (Before I Head Out Again)
April 2016
My name is Lindsey, the newest member of the Advocacy and Mobilization team at IJM. I’m serving as the Field Organizer for the Midwest region, covering the heartland of the US with all of its wonderful residents.
Before I joined the team, I served briefly on the Student Mobilization, Church Mobilization, and Marketing teams at IJM. Before that I spent two years working at a non-profit called Invisible Children, working to mobilize people to end Africa’s longest running war. My work there looked very similar to what I’m doing now – in fact I was a “Middle America roadie” for Invisible Children. In short, I toured the Midwest with 5 other teammates for 10 weeks.
My time on the road taught me three key things about mobilization.
- Relationships matter. A movement isn’t as strong as it could be if relationships aren’t at its core. They are life giving and important, especially in the midst of a long journey that can be difficult. Relationships provide the foundation for a sustainable movement.
- People will surprise and delight you. It’s easy to get overwhelmed facing as big of a problem as slavery, but I will never cease to be amazed by how consistently people show up ready to join the fight. When given the opportunity, people will rise to the occasion.
- This is a march and a dance. We are marching toward a just world that is free of oppression and our work by nature is heavy. However we are also able to dance – with each victim freed from slavery, every senator who uses their power for good, every dollar fundraised to bring freedom… all the victories along the way. We should find joy in and celebrate our victories.
I am grateful and honored to be part of the team mobilizing passionate and committed people all across the country. I’ll be venturing to the Midwest, blogging throughout my travels and I’m excited to have you come along with me.
See you on the road! — Lindsey
