Students Have Founded The Liberation Club
A new group at Calvin University promotes the study of liberation theology through book clubs and service.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Catholicism
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Students at Calvin University recently launched The Liberation Club to study liberation theology and increase activism on campus. The organization hosts weekly book discussions and coordinates community service projects in Grand Rapids.
Why it matters
The club seeks to dismantle forms of oppression by applying the preferential option for the poor to modern student life. This effort connects local activism to the broader theological tradition that emerged in Latin America in 1968.
The Liberation Club holds meetings in Hiemenga Hall room 316. Discussion groups occur weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The players
The Liberation Club
This is a student organization at Calvin University dedicated to studying liberation theology and performing community service.
Calvin University
Located in Grand Rapids, this institution serves as the host site for the student group and their campus activities.
Pope Francis
He is the head of the Catholic Church who released a statement in 2020 emphasizing the theological commitment to the poor.
The details
Members of the club engage in academic study and practical volunteering to address systemic issues. The group also advocates for broader policy changes, such as their recent participation in the Raise Hell for Pell campaign for Pell Grant funding.
Timeline
Liberation theology emerged in Latin America in 1968.
The Vatican issued an instruction critiquing certain forms of the theology in 1984.
Pope Francis authored a statement on the preferential option for the poor in 2020.
The Liberation Club launched its book clubs in September 2026.
The next club meeting is scheduled for September 30, 2026, in Hiemenga Hall.
Culture Shift
The emergence of this club reflects a broader resurgence of interest in liberation theology among younger generations. This movement highlights a shift in how students interpret the preferential option for the poor within their academic and local communities.
Residents in Grand Rapids may encounter students from the club participating in local volunteering events designed to implement their theoretical studies. Interested students can join the group meetings held in Hiemenga Hall to participate in the weekly discussions.
The takeaway
The Liberation Club encourages students to move beyond classroom theory by engaging directly with systemic social issues. Participants often find that combining academic study with hands-on service creates a more meaningful connection to their community.
Further reading
For more on the role of theology in modern life, visit our section on Catholicism.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Calvin University Chimes.
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