Talks & Lectures

Overview Drawing on his own practice and ministry, in the first part of today's session, John explores the term ‘conversation’ both in characterising Christian mission, and as an essential tool for such mission. He examines the various uses of the term in missiology, and discusses the works of several Anglican and Roman Catholic theologians and missiologists. He draws particularly on the work of David Tracy to develop a nuanced model of 'deep conversation' for mission, which speaks in particular to contemporary pluralism and respect for the ‘Other’. Rooted in a theology of the relational Trinity, it anticipates the presence of the Holy Spirit (the divine Other) as a necessary conversation partner in any meaningful conversation. In the second part of this session, Andrea describes her pioneering work in the UK with those who call themselves 'spiritual but not religious' based in Kingston-upon-Thames, where she founded a Fresh Expression of Church, called 'Sacred Space'. She currently leads the Transforming Shame Network, and works for the Methodist Church in Britain. She teaches Mission, Evangelism and Pioneering at St Augustine’s College of Theology. The double contribution focused on theory and practice is intended to promote discussion.

Speaker John Padwick & Andrea Campanale

About the speaker Dr. John Padwick is a research tutor at OCMS. He lived and worked in Kenya for forty years, mostly as a mission partner with CMS. His Kenyan ministry was initially in secondary education, but from 1978 he worked with African Independent Churches (AICs). John was instrumental in the setting up of the Organization of African Churches, a continental umbrella for AICs, and served OAIC in the areas of grassroots development, the articulation of AIC theologies, and research. His doctoral thesis was on the history of the Holy Spirit (‘Roho’ Churches) of Western Kenya. Andrea has been a pioneer in mission to the spiritual but not religious since 2005 and has founded a Fresh Expression of Church, Sacred Space Kingston. She is the first Licensed Lay Pioneer in Southwark Diocese and currently leads the Transforming Shame Network. Andrea works as a Mission Projects Officer for the Methodist Church in Britain and teaches Mission, Evangelism and Pioneering at St Augustine’s College of Theology.

Overview This lecture explores the role of orality as a central epistemological resource—or mnemotext—in Church mission and interreligious engagement within Global South contexts, where storytelling remains the primary mode of communication. In contrast to dominant academic approaches to interreligious dialogue, which often prioritize formal, text-based, and canonical exchanges, this study investigates “inkless” modes of engagement, with focus on Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia.

Speaker Izak Y. M. Lattu

About the speaker Dr. Izak Y. M. Lattu serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Professor of Theology and Interreligious Studies in the Department of Sociology of Religion at Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, Indonesia. He holds a Ph.D. in the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California, where he was a Fulbright Scholar, and completed pre-doctoral studies at Harvard University. His research explores themes such as interreligious dialogue, civic engagement, collective memory, mnemo-culture theology, and the sociology of religion. Izak has published widely with academic presses including Brill, Bloomsbury, Baylor University Press, and Routledge. In 2024, he was elected a full member of the Cultural Commission of the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI). He actively participates in regional and international scholarly networks, advancing inter-disciplinary collaboration in theology, cultural sociology of religion, and indigenous studies.

Overview In this lecture, several members of Memoria Indígena will share their reflections on why a work such as theirs focused on reflecting theologically through the stories of their walk with Indigenous peoples is an important contribution to theology and why their efforts to cultivate contextual Indigenous methodologies is itself a enriching contribution to theology.

Speaker Jocabed Solano, Ismael Conchacala Gil & Drew Jennings-Grisham

About the speaker Jocabed Solano is Guna, from Panama, and serves as the director of Memoria Indígena. A PhD student in Theological Studies with NAIITS: An Indigenous Learning Community, she also is involved in several spaces internationally where she teaches and works on issues of Indigenous theology and climate crisis activism. Ismael Conchacala Gil is Wiwa, from Colombia. A member of the Memoria Indígena team, Ismael is an educator, artist, theologian, and Bible translator who works in the area of Indigenous theology as well as working in literacy and ethno-education and peacebuilding processes among the Wiwa people. Drew Jennings-Grisham is originally from Tennessee (USA) and now lives in Medellín, Colombia, with his family. As Associate Director of Memoria Indígena, Drew supports intercultural dialogue and theological work that bridges Indigenous Christian communities, Indigenous spiritualities, and the global church. He is also currently a student at OCMS.

Overview Christian faith has a long and continuous history in Iran. The period since the Islamic Revolution of 1979 has been particularly stressful, with outbreaks of severe persecution, imprisonment and both judicial and extrajudicial killings.

Speaker Michael Nazir-Ali

About the speaker Monsignor Dr Nazir-Ali is a member of the Ordinariate in the Catholic Church and Prelate to the Holy See. He was the 106th Anglican Bishop of Rochester, for 15 years, until 1 September 2009. He is originally from Asia and was the first Diocesan Bishop in the Church of England born abroad. He was appointed in 1994. Before that he was the General Secretary of CMS from 1989-1994 and before that Bishop of Raiwind in Pakistan. He holds both British and Pakistani citizenship and from 1999 was a member of the House of Lords where he was active in a number of areas of national and international concern. He has both a Christian and a Muslim family background. He is now President of the Oxford Centre for Training, Research, Advocacy and Dialogue (OXTRAD).

Overview Living in Europe substantially alters the context of Muslim immigrants. They live as minorities amid non-Muslims and are governed by the secular state (with Christian antecedents) and its laws. This lecture focuses on one aspect of larger research conducted in Belgium. It examines evidence from the ground related to issues involving dietary rules. It shows how Muslims in Belgium look for creative adaptations to challenges of everyday life, involving food.

Speaker Ishak Makram Ghatas

About the speaker Dr Ishak Makram Ghatas grew up in Egypt, a Muslim-majority country where he was trained and worked as a mechanical engineer. Since migrating to Belgium, he has become involved in the Protestant Church work for Muslim immigrants. In addition, he has been a prison chaplain and a religious expert at the International School of Protocol and Diplomacy (ISPD). He has also been active in the inter-faith dialogue work in Belgium. His PhD focused on the everyday practices and Shariʿah interpretations with Belgium as a case. His Egyptian background and deep cultural immersion in Europe gave him the advantage of being both an insider and an outsider and enabled him to publish different publications focusing on the issues of Muslim diasporas.

Overview This lecture presents the current activities of Humanitarian Islam and its partnership with Christian organizations to build peace and shared civilizational values. Unique partnerships like this are possible through Muslim reform efforts, which have been underrepresented. While tension remains, Muslim reform efforts in Indonesia suggest possibilities for Islam’s peaceful integration with modern democracy and establishing conditions where Christian minority communities can thrive.

Speaker Kyle Wisdom

About the speaker Dr. Wisdom is currently the director of global advocacy for the World Evangelical Alliance. His work involves: Advocating for over 600 million evangelicals from 142 nations at the UN in New York and Geneva and; Supporting a global peace and reconciliation network, and creation care initiatives through a sustainability center. Kyle is also the deputy director of the International Institute for Religious Freedom, a religious freedom think tank that conducts research and promotes religious freedom for all faiths from an academic perspective.

Overview Four Indian Christians from Muslim background set the tone for how to answer Muslim accusations against the Bible over the course of the 19th century. Their contributions became poorly known through widespread neglect during the 20th century. Those precious contributions need to be resurrected and highlighted in order to resource Christians today for deep and meaningful interfaith encounter.

Speaker Gordon Nickel

About the speaker Dr Nickel is a retired missionary and professor. He spent six years of his childhood in south India, then as an adult taught in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Bangalore much of 1988-2016. His MA is from SOAS (South Asian Religious Studies) and his PhD from the University of Calgary (Quranic Studies).

Overview Dr. Sanchez, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Missions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Texas, USA), shares how OCMS shaped his academic and mission work. He tells stories of God’s faithfulness through OCMS’s mission.

Speaker Daniel Sanchez

About the speaker Dr. Daniel Sanchez is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Missions at the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he taught for nearly 40 years. Previously a missionary in Panama and a church planter, he also served as the evangelism and state missions director in New York. Dr. Sanchez publishes extensively in Spanish and English, teaching across Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife, Tamera.

Overview Corruption and multidimensional violence have characterized the leadership and society of DRC. As a result, over the last three decades, eastern Congo has seen over 100 armed groups formed and manipulated for blood minerals. Political and diplomatic efforts have attempted to de-escalate the condition. While there seems to be no reason for hope and national transformation amidst this turmoil, David and Jean will bear witness to an underlying story of divine work inspiring a future full of hope.

Speaker David M. Kasali & Jean P. Musavuli

About the speaker Revd Dr. David M. Kasali is co-founder and President Emeritus of Congo Initiative – Christian Bilingual University of the Congo. He served, for eight years, as Principal of the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology. He currently serves as an OCMS trustee. David is married to Kaswera, and they have three adult children and five grandchildren. David and Kaswera live in Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dr. Jean P. Musavuli, an OCMS alumnus (2024), is Academic Dean at the Christian Bilingual University of the Congo where he also serves as Associate Professor of Biblical Studies. Jean is married to Linda and they have three boys. They live in Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Overview This talk offers a Christian perspective on the conflict in Ethiopia, focusing on the themes of peace, reconciliation, and the Church’s role in responding to crisis. It highlights how the Church can serve as a prophetic, pastoral, and mediating presence, while also acknowledging its challenges.

Speaker Tsehaywota Woldetsadik

About the speaker Tsehaywota T. Woldetsadik has over thirty years of experience in holistic development programs for children living in poverty. Since December 2008, he has led the Compassion International Ethiopia Office. Tsehaywota has a B.Sc from Addis Ababa University and an MA from Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya. He recently defended a Ph.D. at OCMS and Middlesex University titled ‘Child Spirituality and Holistic Ministry: a qualitative study in Wonji Shoa Ethiopia’. He is also certified in Management by Jethro Leadership & Management Institute, USA.

Overview A look at the Council of Nicaea from a female perspective The experience of Indigenous women in the church is marked by exclusion yet Indigenous women often make the most active participants in the faith.

Speaker Atola Longkumar

About the speaker A Baptist from Nagaland, Dr. Atola Longkumar is a faculty member in the Religion department at United Theological College, Bengaluru, India. She serves in the committee of Program for Theology and Cultures in Asia (PTCA), and the Ecumenical Indigenous Peoples Network Reference Group of the World Council of Churches.

Overview The lecture explores Nowruz as a theological framework for Persian Christian identity and covenant renewal. Rooted in themes of rebirth, reconciliation, and cosmic balance, Nowruz provides a meaningful bridge between Persian cultural heritage and Christian theology. This lecture examines how Nowruz’s rituals resonate with biblical themes of creation, renewal, resurrection, and covenant restoration.

Speaker Sara Afshari

About the speaker Originally from Iran, Dr. Sara Afshari is Research Tutor at Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. She is currently the Admissions Tutor. She received her PhD from Edinburgh University in Media Religion and Culture. She is co-founder and former Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS, a Christian television channel in Farsi/Persian language. She has MTh in World Christianity from Edinburgh University and an MA in Media Communication from Wales University. Her recent book is titled: Religion, Media and Conversion in Iran: mediated Christianity in an Islamic Context.

Overview The Nicene Creed in contemporary Christianity refers to a creedal construction that originated at the Council of Nicaea of 325 CE, and includes additions made at subsequent councils such as the Council of Constantinople of 381 CE, and the Council of Chalcedon in 451 CE. This lecture will focus on the full Nicene Creed and not simply the result of 325 CE.

Speaker Masiiwa Gunda

About the speaker Programme Executive on Overcoming Racism, Xenophobia, and related Discrimination at the World Council of Churches, as well as serving as Adjunct Professor at the Ecumenical Institute, Bossey, Switzerland. Dr. Masiiwa Gunda holds a PhD in Intercultural Applied Biblical Studies from the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He holds Honours and Masters degrees from the University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.

Overview The lecture recounts the author’s personal journey from someone once wary of the Nicene Creed and critical of its patriarchal origins to a discovery of the subversive potential of its initial drafting at Nicaea.

Speaker Susan Durber

About the speaker Minister of the United Reformed Church in the UK, and the World Council of Churches President from Europe. Dr Susan Durber has served local churches and as Theology Advisor at Christian Aid. She was Principal of Westminster College, Cambridge.

Overview This lecture will address the understanding of church and mission in the main ecclesial families of the Middle East (Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant): It will also look at the embodiment of mission on the parish level in times of crisis and war.

Speaker Wilbert Van Saane

About the speaker Wilbert van Saane is Chaplain and Lecturer in Religion at Haigazian University, Beirut. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Theology and Mission at the Near East School of Theology. He is an ordained minister in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands and has served in Lebanon for 16 years.

Overview This lecture explores biblical foundations, historical development in mission collaboration, and key statements on collaboration, contrasting them with sociological collaboration models: Attendees will gain theological, missiological, sociological and practical insights into fostering trust, unity, and mutual accountability in collaborative efforts serving God’s mission:

Speaker Kirk Franklin

About the speaker Dr. Kirk Franklin (PhD, University of Pretoria, South Africa) is a researcher, author, educator, and speaker about global missions based in Melbourne, Australia. He is also an adjunct lecturer at the Melbourne School of Theology, associate faculty at OCMS, and a missiologist with the Wycliffe Global Alliance.

Overview In the context of world Christianity and missional church, how do the theological disciplines arising from Christendom need to be reimagined? The lecture will draw on the reflections of a missiologist designing an introduction to theology for a diverse and global classroom:

Speaker Kirsteen Kim

About the speaker Kirsteen Kim (PhD, Birmingham, 2002) is the Paul E. Pierson Professor of World Christianity and Associate Dean for the Center for Missiological Research at Fuller Theological Seminary, USA. A recent publication is The Oxford Handbook of Mission Studies, eds. Kirsteen Kim, Knud Jørgensen, and Alison Fitchett-Climenhaga (Oxford University Press, 2022).

Overview This lecture is an introduction to the book, Community of Missionary Disciples: The Continuing Creation of the Church: Rather than “tack” mission at the end of ecclesiology, the book focuses on Mission as starting with creation, and essential for the church’s foundation:

Speaker Stephen B. Bevans

About the speaker Stephen B. Bevans, SVD Professor of Mission and Culture, Emeritus, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago

Overview Pentecostalism has always functioned within a precarious space in which it has constantly sought to hold in creative tension its Christian identity and indigenous spiritual identity: While these aspects appear to complement each other, they are simultaneously in conflict:

Speaker Mutale Kaunda

About the speaker Mutale Mulenga Kaunda joined the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in September 2024 as a Research Tutor. She is a former Doctoral Researcher at the University of KwaZulu-Natal 2017-2019 and the University of the Western Cape 2022-2024. She held the position of Research Mentor and Writing coach in the School of Religion Philosophy and Classics University of KwaZulu-Natal 2015-2019. She is an expert in gender rituals, an expert in how African women negotiate cultural dynamics in places of work.

Overview Dr: Tan will explore the idea that followers of Jesus might retain their religious identities or traditions: His lecture will emphasize the contributions of a Trinitarian theology of religions that supports religious conversions while promoting indigenous Christian witness, focusing specifically on Christian-Buddhist identity:

Speaker Kang-San Tan

About the speaker Dr. Kang-San Tan (PhD, Aberdeen University) is general director of BMS World Mission. He is also Chair of the Commission on Mission and provides leadership for the Global Baptist Mission Network of the Baptist World Alliance. Dr. Kang-San Tan has previously served as head of mission studies at Redcliffe College and executive director of AsiaCMS.

Overview Digital technologies are deeply intertwined with our everyday lives, influencing how we act, think, and even pray: Often considered neutral tools, their subtle impact on human behaviour suggests we need to go beyond digital ethics: This lecture will explore the theological implications of technology's pervasive role in shaping our culture, addressing key questions and core topics that emerge from our digital context:

Speaker Jonas Kurlberg

About the speaker Dr. Jonas Kurlberg is the Director of Taught Postgraduate Studies and Tutor in Theology at Spurgeon’s College, London. He is the chair of the Global Network of Digital Theology and an Honorary Fellow at Durham University. His main research interest lies in the intersection between theology, technology and digital culture.

Overview Sara Afshari explores the deconversion process of converts from a Muslim background: Deconversion, or leaving one’s religion, provides insights into the challenges and obstacles faced by converts before, during, and after their conversion to Christianity:

Speaker Sara Afshari

About the speaker Originally from Iran, Dr. Sara Afshari is Research Tutor at Oxford Centre for Mission Studies. She received her PhD from Edinburgh University in Media Religion and Culture. She is co-founder and former Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS, a Christian television channel in Farsi/Persian language. She has MTh in World Christianity from Edinburgh University and an MA in Media Communication from Wales University. Her recent book is titled: Religion, Media and Conversion in Iran: mediated Christianity in an Islamic Context.

Overview Dr. Duane Alexander Miller uses anthropological dimensions and Shoki Coe’s contextualization model to provide examples of contextualization among converts from Islam: He argues that contextualization remains a relevant and fruitful approach in the context of late modernity and identity crises:

Speaker Duane Alexander Miller

About the speaker Dr. Duane Alexander Miller serves as an Anglican priest in Madrid, associate professor at the Protestant Faculty of Theology at Madrid, and founding co-pastor at Kanisa, an Arabic-language Christian fellowship. Duane holds a PhD in Divinity from the University of Edinburgh.

Overview In this lecture, Dr Kamil will explore the conversion of, arguably, the greatest Muslim convert to Christianity in the 19th century South Asia: He will highlight the contextual factors involved in his conversion and those factors which may or may not be important for the present context of South Asia:

Speaker Maqsood Kamil

About the speaker Dr. Maqsood Kamil (D. Min, Ph.D), Theologian, Teacher, Preacher, Writer, Ordained Minister of the Word and the Sacraments, Professor of Theology & Vice Principal of Gujranwala Theological Seminary, Gujranwala, Pakistan. Dr. Maqsood is a PhD Alumnus of OCMS.

Overview Is it possible for academia to use generative AI responsibly? What are AI’s biases that help or hinder its use in mission studies for scholars from around the world? What practical ways can AI tools be used in research and scholarship? These and other relevant questions will be explored in this presentation:

Speaker Kirk Franklin

About the speaker Dr. Kirk Franklin has authored the Regnum-published books Towards Global Missional Leadership (2017) and co-authored A Missional Leadership History (2022) and The Mission Matrix (2024). Kirk was born in Papua New Guinea and served as a missionary there. He has had executive leadership and governance roles in Australian and global mission agencies. He is a lecturer in missional leadership and doctoral supervisor based in Melbourne, Australia and an associate faculty member in Global Missional Leadership at OCMS.