The purpose of LAUP is to raise up communities of faith-rooted leaders that live out God's vision of shalom in our world. LAUP gives students a real-life experience of living out their values by sending them to partner with community-based organizations that address the social issues of the city. Students live among their neighbors, go to church in urban communities, and are on a fixed-income. In the midst of this experience, students receive teaching from a Christian perspective on the biblical values of service, justice, and compassion, as well as receiving regular training in leadership, teamwork, and decision-making. This combination of hands-on experience and training equips students to use their careers to combat the social, economic, and spiritual challenges of our world.