wfn.org | ABCUSA: IM Begins Global Mission Partnership with Northern Seminary

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

by Eleanor Lundy, American Baptist International Ministries 

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 4/16/04)--American Baptist
International Ministries and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard,
Ill., have entered into a new mission partnership covenant featuring the
development and support of an intensive second-level course of study in
global mission. The two-year agreement was affirmed by the Rev. Hictor
Cortez, executive director of International Ministries; the Rev. Eddie Cruz,
International Ministries' team leader for U.S./Puerto Rico Mission
Partnerships; and Dr. Charles Moore, president of Northern Seminary. 

The new global mission course will begin in December 2004, with two classes
per academic year. Course objectives are to immerse students in a culture
different from their own and help them gain insights about God's work in
other cultures for their own ministries and personal growth. Students will
reflect on cultural differences, identify barriers between cultures and
develop skills in building cross-cultural relationships. 

The two-week course will consist of one week of daily seminars in
cross-cultural ministry, given on Northern Seminary's campus, and a second
week featuring an on-site learning opportunity with one of International
Ministries' partner Baptist unions. The course will reflect mission
principles, similar to International Ministries' Go Global strategic plan,
that Northern Seminary and International Ministries wish to live out in their
relationship and shared ministries. 

The course will be taught by Dr. John Sundquist, retired executive director
of International Ministries and now an adjunct professor at Northern
Seminary. International Ministries' Volunteers in Global Mission program,
missionaries and global partners will all assist in developing the field
component for each class.  

"We look forward to a productive and fruitful two-year partnership with
NBTS," Cruz said. "Through this joint venture students will participate in
missiological studies in a cultural setting different from their own, and
work alongside International Ministries missionaries and global partners in
contextualized ministry." 

Northern Baptist Theological Seminary is one of ten seminaries and
theological schools related to American Baptist Churches USA through National
Ministries.  

K/2004ABNS/04ABN49 

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org