News at ABWE
ABWE/CU Commission on International Theological Education
Dr. Rex M. Rogers, President of Cornerstone University, and Dr. Michael Loftis, President of ABWE International, jointly release the following statement:
ABWE International and Cornerstone University are establishing a joint “ABWE/CU Commission on International Theological Education.” The Commission’s charge is to:
- Celebrate the upcoming Twenty-Fifth Anniversary (2008) of a unique partnership of mission agencies and a Christian university: ABWE, CU, and in early years, Baptist Mid-Missions, via Asia Baptist Theological Seminary (ABTS).
- Identify the best curriculum and delivery system for theological education in Asia for the future.
- Recommend strategies for theological education in a rapidly globalizing world culture.
The Commission will be comprised of the following missions and education leaders:
- Dr. Dale Marshfield (Chair), ABWE Coordinator of International Theological Education, Veteran International Educator & Missionary
- Dr. Wayne Haston, Executive Director, The Center for Excellence in International Ministry, ABWE Corporate Training Director
- Rev. Kent Craig, ABWE Executive Director, Asia Pacific Region
- Dr. G.C., ABWE Vice-President for International Operations, ABTS and Cornerstone Alumnus
- Dr. David Livermore, Executive Director, Global Learning Center, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of CU
- Mr. Greg Yoder, Executive Director, Mission Network News, Cornerstone University Radio
- Prof. David Kennedy, Associate Professor of Old Testament, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of CU
- Dr. Robert Rapa, Dean of ABTS, serving with both CU and ABWE
The Commission will research missions and education scholarship, interview academic, missions, and international leaders, interact with field missionaries, evaluate the ABTS work and model, solicit ABTS alumni comments, and more. The aim of the Commission is to recommend the most effective approach for training global leaders in a way that will best achieve the future vision of both institutions. The Commission is expected to make its report and recommendations by January 15, 2008.
ABTS is headquartered in Singapore and offers courses in Hong Kong, South Korea, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand for some 250 active students per year come from about 19 different countries. Students may earn either a Masters of Religious Education or a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, American accredited graduate theological degrees. Costs to students are established proportionate to the GDP of the student’s country of residence.
ABWE (the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism) is an independent faith mission agency that exists to serve local churches in carrying out the task of world evangelization. ABWE, with ministries in over 80 countries, services over 12,000 churches and 1,300 career missionaries. ABWE’s global vision is to carry out world evangelism by developing national church planting movements resulting in missions movements from every nation to every nation. A crucial component in this vision is the training of ministry leaders around the world. Over its 80 year history, ABWE has engaged in the operation of well over 65 training institutions, colleges, and seminaries on every continent and maintained numerous academic partnerships.
CU is an evangelical Christian university located in Grand Rapids, Michigan enrolling more than 2700 students. Cornerstone University is recognized for its distinctive commitment to Christian worldview and leadership development. The university maintains two seminaries: Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and Asia Baptist Theological Seminary. The university’s radio ministry includes the leading evangelical missions news program, Mission Network News, heard daily on more than 960 stations nationally, in 27 countries, and streamed online.
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ABWE International, Inc. P.O. Box 8585 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585 (717) 774-7000 president@abwe.org www.abwe.org |
Cornerstone University 1001 E. Beltline, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 (616) 222-1428 rex_m_rogers@cornerstone.edu www.cornerstone.edu |
From the Commission Chair:
“Over the past twenty-five years, Asia has changed tremendously. Therefore, ABWE International and Cornerstone University see the need to strategize for the future of theological education in Asia. To accomplish this, a Commission on International Theological Education has been established and is bringing together representatives from both organizations and varying specialties. The Commission looks forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary (2008) of the unique partnership of ABWE and Cornerstone University in the work of Asia Baptist Theological Seminary. Working together, the Commission will make recommendations regarding curriculum and how to best deliver theological education in Asia in 2007 and beyond. We anticipate the results will strengthen and expand what has already proven to be a very effective ministry in Asia.”
Dr. Dale Marshfield
Chair, ABWE/CU Commission on International Theological Education
ABWE Coordinator for International Theological Education
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