Alumni
The 2019 Im Conference of Korean Christianity
Colonialists, Missionaries, and Nationalist in Korea and Beyond
The University of California Los Angeles held a conference for scholars in all Korea-related and world-Christianity fields, so they could present their researches on Korean Christianity, especially on the topics related to (1) Christianity in North(ern) Korea (2) Colonialism and Christianity, 1910-1945, and (3) Christianity, Nation Building, and US-Korea Relations, 1945-1965. Among those gathered were three scholars who passed through the CGCM. The host of the event, Dr. Sung Deuk-Oak, Dr. Yeonseung Lee, and Dr. Soojin Chung.
Amos Yong (’99) Becomes Dean Twice Over
Fuller Seminary announced that Amos Yong ('99) has been named to serve as dean of both the School of Theology (SOT) and the School of Intercultural Studies (SIS), marking a historic new structure for the institution, effective July 1. Under one dean, the coordination and integration of curriculum and degrees in SIS and SOT will be more conducive for student needs and learning. This revised structure provides the strategic cohesion Fuller needs in the next season of the life of the seminary. Yong’s previous role as the director for the Center for Missiological Research, his extensive missiological expertise, and his work as a theologian make him uniquely suited for this role as Fuller revises its curriculum to nimbly, responsively, and adaptively address changing needs of our students and the world.
Yong came to Fuller in 2014 from Regent University School of Divinity, where he taught for nine years, serving most recently as J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology and as dean. Prior to that he was on the faculty at Bethel University in St. Paul, Bethany College of the Assemblies of God, and served as a pastor and worked in social and health services in Vancouver, Washington.
In reflecting on this new role, Yong said: “I am honored and thrilled to get to work with colleagues in both schools and across the seminary as Fuller continues to press deeper into its historic commitments to provide quality theological education that engages the academy in ways attentive to and in service of the global church.”
Methodist Mission Bicentennial
Last week, the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, in collaboration with Candler School of Theology of Emory University in Atlanta, hosted a conference on “Answering the Call: Hearing God’s Voice in Methodist Mission Past, Present, and Future.” The conference celebrated Methodism’s mission heritage and looked to the future of Methodist mission.
Some of those present with ties to Boston University included (from Left to Right): David Scott (’07), Michele Sigg (’18), Dr. Dana Robert, Rich Darr (’05), Doug Tzan (’13), Lisa Beth White (’08), Ben Hartley (’00 & ’05), Jack Amick (’06), & Mikio Miyagi (’10).
Global Ecumenism
In December 2018, Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah ('03), the Secretary of the Global Christian Forum, had an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican. One of the books that Essamuah is handing the Holy Father is a copy of his dissertation, Genuinely Ghanaian: A History of the Methodist Church, 1961-2000.
Mutual Love
At the Global Christian Forum's third Global Gathering, Christians were called to peace, unity, and costly discipleship. The meetings were held in Bogota, Columbia, and three graduates who were part of the CGCM were speakers at the event (Essamuah, Zurlo, Padilla DeBorst). A full report is available in the WCF's newsletter.
Anabaptists in Nigeria
In 1958 a group of congregations in southeastern Nigeria solicited affiliation with the North American Mennonite Board of Missions (MBM), declared themselves Mennonite, and sought missionaries and assistance. MBM responded by sending missionaries and by providing assistance to Mennonite Church Nigeria (MCN) and others in the region. The collaboration between MCN and MBM developed during a period when partnership was becoming a primary paradigm in the Protestant missionary movement as well as in the Anabaptist tradition.
In his recent article, R. Bruce Yoder ('16) highlights five themes in the missiological discourse about partnership during the last half of the twentieth century and uses those themes to explicate aspects of the engagement between MCN and MBM during the same period. The themes are (1) collaboration, (2) context, (3) reconfiguration of mission structures, (4) bilateral and multilateral approaches, and (5) ambiguity. The first section examines partnership in the Protestant mission movement. The second shows that these themes also arise in Anabaptist mission discourse. The third section presents the case of Mennonite Church Nigeria and Mennonite Board of Missions, showing the partnership paradigm to be a compelling missionary vision while clarifying challenges that may require consideration of additional mission models.
Mission and Transformation in Burundi
Daewon Moon (PhD '18) and Joenghwa Park spent an afternoon at Boston University, describing their work in holistic mission in Burundi. Together they showcased how churches, schools, and global connections interact to create a healthy and vibrant community.
The Role of Missionaries in the Inception of Transnational Adoption, 1949-1960.
Soojin Chung successfully defended her dissertation on "The Role of Missionaries in the Inception of Transnational Adoption, 1949-1960."
American Society of Missiology
Friendship was the theme of this year's meeting of the American Society of Missiology. Boston University was well-represented at the conference. Twelve alumni gave papers, Amos Yong was a keynote speaker, and Anicka Fast won the award for the best paper by a graduate student.
United Methodist Racial/Ethnic History Research Grant
The United Methodist Racial/Ethnic History Research Grant was awarded to Dr. Ben Hartley
, Associate Professor of Christian Mission, College of Christian Studies, George Fox University in Newberg, OR, for his project entitled “Re-Assessing Methodist—Native American Encounters in the Oregon Territory, 1834-1844.”
“It is with heartfelt gratitude that I receive this Racial/Ethnic History Grant from the General Commission on Archives and History,” said Hartley. “In recent years the UMC has had a number of services of worship at Annual Conference and General Conference gatherings to express corporate repentance and a desire for reconciliation between The United Methodist Church and Native Americans in North America. These need to be followed up with many other efforts if the work of reconciliation is to continue. I am absolutely convinced that to grow in one's respect for Native American peoples one must grow in love for their history and the history that is shared among United Methodists and native peoples. I receive this research grant as a loving encouragement from United Methodist people to do so in my still-new home in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. I pray that my research will inspire others to learn the stories of Native American peoples wherever they may live. Thank you!”