Its wonderful to see research continue to shape lives long after graduation. Dr Terry Garde, currently heading up the Alumni Association presents a wonderful example. Building on his PhD, Mining God’s Way, Terry recently spent time in Kenya supporting churches, mining communities and theological education.
His visit had two distinct but complementary aims.
The first focused on mining communities. As a trustee of the International Miners’ Mission—a ministry that has served mining communities for more than a century in partnership with local churches—Terry recently travelled to mining regions in Kenya.
There he shared the vision of Mining God’s Way with Christian development organisations, church leaders and bishops.He met the local Bishop who has expressed enthusiasm for developing a regional church response to the challenges facing artisanal mining communities across western Kenya. Within days of their meeting, the Bishop had already visited a local mining site and begun exploring how churches across several dioceses could work together in this ministry.
The second strand centred on equipping future leaders. At Africa International University, Terry met the Vice-Chancellor and faculty members to discuss how theology and mining might become part of the University’s academic programme.
He has since been invited to deliver online lectures and contribute to teaching within the School of Mission. Terry also spent time encouraging a master’s student he has been mentoring, as he prepares for field research in a community affected by new mining developments, helping connect rigorous academic research with practical mission.
Together, these conversations illustrate the continuing impact of Terry’s OCMS research—bringing churches, universities and local communities together in addressing some of the social, environmental and spiritual challenges surrounding artisanal mining.