LA MIRADA, CALIF. — With the racial strife present in today’s culture, Biola University’s Student Congress on Racial Reconciliation (SCORR) — a national two-day conference — will train students, staff, and faculty from Christian colleges and universities from across the nation to become “repairers of the breach.” Born out of the verse Isaiah 58:12: “You shall be repairers of the breach,” attendees will be asked to focus on caring for the afflicted and engage in dialogue that seeks transformational growth.

“The message of Isaiah 58 is as timely as ever,” said Glen Kinoshita, director and founder of SCORR. “Let us focus our hearts and minds on honoring God by caring for the afflicted soul and as a result, we will be called the repairers of the breach in our broken world.”

For more than 20 years, Biola University has hosted SCORR to join together Christian colleges and universities to celebrate and learn about diversity. The conference starts Thursday, Feb. 16 and will conclude on Saturday, Feb. 18.

“The SCORR Conference is important to the mission of Biola and Christian higher education in general,” said Pamela Christian, vice provost for inclusion and cross-cultural engagement. “Fellowship within the body of Christ matters to God as demonstrated in the Gospel. Creating and sustaining a 21 year dialogue concerning challenges and strategies to promote unity illustrates our institutional commitment to Biblical values and to impacting the world.”

More than 1,000 students, staff and faculty from 18 different colleges and universities will gather at Biola University for SCORR.

Rev. Dr. Soong Chan Rah is the keynote speaker at this years conference. He will be joined by more than 20 other thought leaders such as Jason Cha, director of intercultural studies programs at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Adam Edgerly, lead pastor of Newsong Los Angeles Covenant Church, and Stephanie Sanford, director of global student programs and development at Biola University.

Other presenters from Biola University include Tania Abouezzeddine, professor of psychology, and Tom Crisp, professor and chair of the philosophy department. Rukshan Fernando, associate dean of school of behavioral and applied sciences at Azusa Pacific University, and Christopher S. Collins, author and advocate of higher education as it relates to poverty reduction, knowledge extension, public good, and social rates of return, will also speak at the conference.

The 2017 SCORR conference will feature a Story Slam on Feb. 18, where Biola students, alumni, and guest artists will share their perspectives and experiences of redemption found in the midst of pain and struggle through various forms of storytelling.

Workshops include sessions such as, “Intercultural Competence for Effective Student Leadership” “Diversity Leadership and the Kingdom of God: Biblical and Holistic Approach,” “Fear, Facts & Faith: A Prophetic and Pastoral Word on Immigrants and Immigration,” “I Am More Than What You See: Looking at Internalized Racism and Emerging Identities,” “Jesus and Politics: Loving Neighbors and Enemies in an Age of Division,” “Interracial Marriage: Lessons in Reconciliation for the Church” and “Developing Self Esteem for Women of Color in Predominately White Institutions.”

Registration is open for universities and the Biola community to attend. For more information about the conference and schedule, visit https://www.biola.edu/scorr.

For more information, contact Jenna Loumagne, manager of media relations, at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.loumagne@biola.edu.