Talks & Lectures

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 Dr Ishak Makram Ghatas

About the speaker Ishak 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 Dr 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 Dr 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 Dr. 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 Revd. Dr. David M. Kasali & Dr. 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.