Generation Joshua (Often called "GenJ" by its members) is an American Christian youth organization founded in 2003 that aims to encourage young people to learn about and become involved in government, history, civics, and politics.
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Generation Joshua is a division of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), and is based in Purcellville, Virginia which is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization.
All partisan activities are operated and funded by the HSLDA PAC.
Generation Joshua seeks to educate students on the history and founding of the United States of America, while also providing hands-on opportunities for students to
be involved in government and politics today. To this end, the organization provides civics education classes, a book club program, and bi-weekly current events chats to educate their members about the history and founding of the nation. Generation Joshua also seeks to promote activism opportunities for members through local clubs, voter registration drives, and Student Action Teams, where the students campaign for political candidates.The organization also offers a college scholarship program, called the Ben Rush Awards Program, where students participate in civic involvement to earn money for college.
Generation Joshua campaigns solely for conservative candidates who support pro-life and otherwise socially conservative platforms. The group's focus on youth has led some critics to characterize its mission as making "Christian nationalism palatable to the MTV generation".
Generation Joshua's name is taken from the Biblical character Joshua, who led the nation of Israel after Moses.
GenJ's Programs
Generation Joshua provides five major programs to members. The divisions include: the Civics Education program, local GenJ clubs, Student Action Teams, the Voter Registration Initiative, and the Benjamin Rush Awards Program. In addition to these, it offers three political simulation camps (called "iGovern" camps) during the summer.
GenJ Clubs
Generation Joshua has over 65 local clubs (as of 2008). At GenJ Club meetings, usually once a month, at least 10 times per year, members discuss current events with a Biblical perspective, listen to a special speaker, pray for the nation and its leaders, and organize local activism. The clubs are governed by Robert's Rules of Order and are led by a President and other officers. The clubs are made up of, not only homeschoolers, but private and public schoolers also.
Relation To HSLDA
GenJ's national offices are at the Home School Legal Defense Association, which is also the campus of Patrick Henry College. Michael Smith, president of the group's parent organization, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association sees Generation Joshua as part of a larger movement. By training students (often homeschoolers) in the principles of conservative Christian political views and encouraging them to be active politically, Generation Joshua seeks to fundamentally influence the next generation's involvement in government. Many of these students go on to enter conservative colleges such as Patrick Henry College, (also founded by the HSLDA) where they will learn to "restore a moral framework and return America to its founding principles".