Ministry and mission go global at Queens, Birmingham

‘A really encouraging and heartwarming event.’

‘What fantastic staff the Centre has.’

‘Could we have a launch every year?’

Just three comments from the more than 100 guests who attended the sunny September launch of the new Selly Oak Centre for Mission Studies at the Queens Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education in Birmingham. After a welcome by Centre Director the Revd Val Ogden, Tutor in World Mission and Global Christianity Professor Joshva Raja; formerly of UTC Bangalore, gave a dynamic presentation about his vision for intercultural mission, drawing on his expertise in communications and interfaith dialogue.

Scholar in Residence the Revd Dr Daryl Balia (Methodist Church in South Africa) introduced participants to his area of research; the American Zulu Mission in SA. Mr Mike King, World Church Relations Team Leader for the Methodist Church and USPG General Secretary the Rt Revd Michael Doe spoke of the ongoing ecumenical companionship that has given birth to the Centre, and of their hopes that through its work, innovative ways of networking in mission can be developed.

A splendid launch dinner provided by the Foundation, with cabaret from Angeline Raja and Rosita Balia was followed by an on stage interviews. The Revd Gary Hall, Methodist Formation in World Mission and part-time tutor spoke to newly arrived (the previous day!) partners from Sierra Leone, the Philippines, Nigeria, Cameroon and Kenya studying on the new MA in Mission and Leadership Formation programme. He also chatted with British based students preparing for service in Zambia, Kenya and Belize.

The day ended with an evening Eucharist at which the Revd Graham Carter, President of the Methodist Conference preached and together with the Revd Canon Edgar Ruddock of USPG’s International Relations Team, made presentations of USPG and Methodist Prayer handbooks to those newly arrived. Principal of Queen’s the Revd Canon Dr David Hewlett presided at Communion; bringing to a close an upbeat and memorable day for global mission education in Britain.

Mission Centre students visit the bull in Birmingham’s bull ring.

Edgar Ruddock & Graham Carter greet the Revd Emmanuel Tucker, Anglican priest from the Diocese of Bo in Sierra Leone