Conservative Christian institute leaving the Springs
A Colorado Springs institute dedicated to teaching young people the importance of combining God and politics in the public arena is leaving town.
The John Jay Institute for Faith, Society and Law plans to relocate to Philadelphia within two years, said institute founder and director Alan R. Crippen II.
“It has been a wonderful place to incubate our institute,” Crippen said Thursday. “But I think given what we do, the future of our mission is on the East Coast.”
The institute will continue to operate in the Springs through at least next year, Crippen said.
Crippen founded the John Jay Institute in West Virginia in 2005. He relocated it to Colorado Springs the following year because of the conservative Christian networking opportunities the city provides.
The nonprofit institute is dedicated to instructing young Christians on the importance of religion within the U.S. government. Students typically are in their early 20s and contemplating a career in public service. Many go on to law school, a government job or a Christian college after completing the two semesters.
The first semester includes five courses, portions of which delve into Bible studies, political philosophy and the theology of the founding fathers. The second semester is a government internship.
Students in the past have interned for Colorado Congressman Doug Lamborn and Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback.
The institute was housed in Grace Church on North Tejon Street until March 2009, when it moved to a building on North Cascade Avenue.
Students are selected through a rigorous search program. The institute, which is funded by donations, pays all student expenses, including housing costs. It also funds free public lectures on the arts, culture and politics.
Since 2006, the institute’s budget has nearly tripled to $700,000, Crippen said, while its yearly academic enrollment since 2007 has remained steady at around 20 pupils. By year’s end, 62 students will have graduated.
Crippen, a priest within the Anglican Communion, gave several reasons why the institute’s board of directors decided to relocate the organization to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia offers a stimulating atmosphere because it’s where important aspects of the American government were formed, he said. Also, the city is close to major colleges and universities, which will help recruitment, and to Washington, D.C., trips to which will aid students in government education.
Though excited about the move, Crippen said he will miss Colorado Springs.
“The city has been very welcoming to us,” he said.
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