Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons^™

A Curriculum Designed To Teach Elementary-Age Children In Diverse Settings The Kingdom Concept Of Loving One’S Neighbor, Abigail J. Flood

ELAIA

United States Census data from 2020 show that the country is becoming increasingly diverse and urbanized. Other research shows children are aware of race from an early age and can pick up biases and stereotypes by watching the adults around them. However, there are no children’s ministry curricula that specifically address how children should navigate differences from a biblical perspective. To fill this gap, a children’s ministry curriculum was written to model how children can love their neighbors like Jesus did, especially those who look different from themselves. The curriculum is comprised of an introduction for the ministry leader, five …

East African Perspectives Of Family And Community, And How They Can Inform Western Ecclesiology, Ben Strait

M.A. in Family Ministry

East African families and communities function day-to-day as a single living organism. As one participant said, “Life is common.”[1] What he meant by that was that life is shared among the members of a community, whether biologically related relatives or those who live in close proximity with others. Throughout this research, close interaction with several native East Africans took place, and insights were made into how this view of communal living works itself out in daily life.

[1]. Yusufo, interview by author, Grand Rapids, March 31, 2014.

An Investigation Of Two Contemporary Influences On Ecuadorian Native Culture And Environment, Laura A. Kirst

Honors Program Projects

The condition of native culture and the natural environment in Ecuador
today were investigated through library research, firsthand observation, and
in-country interviews conducted in the context of a study abroad experience.
Twenty individuals including native Ecuadorians, missionaries working with
indigenous tribes, field station representatives, and an oil company employee
were interviewed and their responses recorded. It was found that the
presence of foreign and national oil companies and Christian missionaries in
Ecuador had a noticeable impact on both the native culture and natural
environment of Ecuador. The native culture of Ecuador is in a state of
transition between traditional and …