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OCMS (www.ocms.ac.uk) -
The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies
Advancing Holistic Mission through Scholarly Engagement
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OCMS (www.ocms.ac.uk) -
The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies
Advancing Holistic Mission through Scholarly Engagement
The eleven disciples were standing on the Mount of Olives, gazing heavenward for inspiration and enlightenment about how to begin the new phase of their lives when we read about them in Acts 1. This was despite a 40 day ‘seminar’ on the Kingdom of God, held by Jesus following his resurrection. No wonder we can find planning our year ahead challenging!
Jesus’ response to the disciples’ question about the future were possibly met with unjoyful hearts as they were told to go Jerusalem - where Jesus had been crucified and where the disciples were distinctly unwelcome. There they were to wait on God’s timing, for him to reveal his plans which, they were assured, would certainly lead them to new territories which were likely to challenge them, both physically and spiritually.
Making the time to reflect and listen, in order to hear God’s plan for our future, is often one of our greatest challenges. But OCMS is committed to enabling Christian leaders to reflect on how best to serve in their community, which is frequently among the powerless, persecuted and impoverished peoples of the earth, and then act on their reflections. We hold that the path to sustainable and relevant holistic transformation, such as that experienced by the first century disciples, is through biblical, practical and incarnational ministry.
As the first century disciples experienced renewal upon following God's plan, our prayer for OCMS’ ministry for the coming year is that we know and follow his plans, and in turn experience renewal. This will enable us to best serve our students and graduates who serve in the neediest places of the world, and their ministries which in turn change lives in a full, transformational manner while also shaping the way others think and then act too.
• £75 enables us to give all our students a hot meal once a week
• £196 provides a six week scholarship for one of our part-time students
• £3,500 runs our Faculty post for Islamic Studies for one month and
• £150,000 would enable us to provide 8 more study spaces for church leaders from the global south to strengthen their ministry.
" . . . they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." (Acts 1:12-14)
• That church leaders from the majority world who are contemplating how best to understand God’s plan for their future ministry may consider studying at OCMS, and that the Lord would show them clearly if that is a path they are meant to follow.
• To know God’s plan for our future relationship with OCMS at this exciting point in its history.
• Praising God for the 5 leaders who were awarded the degree of PhD last year. Between them they have studied for 38 years, and have reflected theologically on ministries as far apart as Myanmar and Nigeria, and on subjects ranging from corruption in NGOs and development, to the effectiveness of Christian Education and the role of the www in Diaspora networks.
• Giving thanks for the 12 new church leaders who began their studies in September, from Pakistan, the Philippines, India, the USA, Nigeria, Ghana, Canada and Korea.
• For the resources to enable us to develop our facilities to accommodate the increasing number of people who want to study here.
Yours together in his service
Wonsuk Ma
This page last edited on Monday, 4th January 2010 by HARRIS, Kate