Digital Commons Network^™

Review Of Diaspora Missions To International Students By Enoch Wan, I. Francis Kyle Iii

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Evangelship: Mobilizing A Culture Of Discipleship That Leads To Evangelism In A Multiethnic Latino Context, Lawrence D. Perez

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Discipleship and evangelism in America today are eroding. Where traditionally the church sees discipleship and evangelism as separate entities, this research project argues for the unification of the two. This project explores “Evangelship,” the uniting of evangelism and discipleship, to see if the combined approach and perspective could offer a better way to engage the North American population. The driving question for this project is “Can the integration of evangelism and discipleship create a culture that accelerates and advances the Great Commission at U-Turn Covenant Church (U-Turn)?” To answer this question, the study aims to establish a discipleship framework that …

Multiply Alabama: Moving From Church Planting To Church Multiplication By Multiplying Leaders And Churches In The Alabama Ministry Network, David P. Strahan

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

The Alabama Ministry Network has had anemic success in planting over 150 churches since 1980. However, there has still been a ten percent decline in the total number of churches due to churches closing, churches withdrawing, or churches merging. This project studies how AMN can move from addition (church planting) to multiplication (church multiplication) to avoid further regression. The Biblical literature review examines the scriptural premise to multiply. It also discovers the church planting models of Jesus, the early church, and Paul The project used mixed research methods to develop a pathway towards church multiplication within AMN in four phases. …

The Missionary And The Pea: An Anthropological Study Of The French Mep Economy, Michel Chambon

Journal of Global Catholicism

This paper discusses how the French missionaries of the Missions Etrangères de Paris (MEP) are linking humans and material objects to support their religious agenda. Revisiting the long history of this organization in Hong Kong and Thailand, but also its distinct recruitment and assignment policies, I highlight how these Catholic missionaries rely on their French cultural background to interconnect people and goods. While theological principles and political pragmatism shape their functioning, I argue that their economy is distinctively rooted in the French notion of terroir –the taste of place— an embodied relation to land that acts as a cultural mechanism …

A Queer Chinese Pilgrimage: Encountering Catholic Life In Manila, George Wu Bayuga

Journal of Global Catholicism

Starting in the late 1990s, Chinese Catholic priests, sisters, and seminarians began journeying to the Philippines to undergo religious and spiritual formation. This paper documents this journey and characterizes it as a kind of queer pilgrimage. Recognizing the queer theoretical parallels between minoritized populations under hegemony and Catholic life under socialism, this paper calls for attention to the queer work of imagining futures that emerges through processes of movement, encounter, and reflexivity across new political and social spaces. Specifically, this paper highlights how state-religious relations under socialism can differentially shape how Chinese Catholics think of themselves, faith formation, and how …

Ecclesial Identity And Mission : Perspectives From Three North Indian Churches And 1 Peter, Matthias Phurba Sonam Gergan

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pioneer Women Administrators In The Interamerican Division Of The Adventist Church (1906–1940), Daniel Alberto Mora

Andrews University Seminary Studies (AUSS)

This article focuses on previously unpublished data concerning pioneer women who helped establish and govern different levels of the Adventist Church between 1906 and 1940 in what is now the Inter-American Division. The article begins with information obtained from different yearbooks, and then traces the identity and work of pioneer Adventist women in documents such as General Conference minutes, newspapers, civil registries, and through information provided by their descendants. It also highlights the contributions of these women as the first local missionaries and founders of the Sabbath School (1880s) and Young People’s Missionary Volunteer (YPMV) (1900s) departments. It also highlights …

Papers Of Walter Sawatsky Arc2024-007 - Finding Aid, Ats Special Collections And Archives

Finding Aids

The Papers of Walter Sawatsky offer a rich and expansive archival collection that documents the development of Christian mission, theological education, and ecumenical engagement across Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and global contexts from the mid-20th century to the early 21st century. The collection provides extensive primary source material on the religious, political, and institutional transitions that shaped global Christianity during and after the Cold War.

Comprising over 200 folders of material, the collection includes international correspondence, subject files, reports, literary manuscripts, and financial records. Key themes represented throughout include post-Soviet religious transformation, Orthodox-Protestant relations, global missiology, and the …

Exploring Healing Touches In The Bible, Michée B. Badé

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Healing touches in the Bible hold significant meaning in both the spiritual and physical contexts. Numerous biblical accounts illustrate how physical healing in connection with touch served as a demonstration of faith, connection, and divine power. These narratives depict important moments in which touch becomes a conduit for divine healing and emphasize the prominent role that touch plays in biblical accounts of healing.

This paper first explores the concept of health and healing as presented in Scripture, followed by an examination of touch and healing in both the Old and New Testaments, while looking at the cultural, theological, and missiological …

Ellen G. White On Pain And Suffering Among Christians, Gary Councell

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Though “blameless and upright” (Job 1:8), Job’s epic losses and pain exceed our human ability to imagine. The Apostle Paul’s sufferings nearly killed him several times (see II Cor 11:23-28, 12:7-10). Christ’s pain on the cross is incomprehensible. Other biblical notables suffered mentally and/ or emotionally: Jacob, Hannah, Saul, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and unnamed others whose maladies were healed by Jesus. But those records seem remote—in the distant past, so when you feel pain and your suffering lasts and lasts, blurring days into nights and making routine tasks difficult, what are you to do? Even brief shocks of pain …

Transformative Power Of Healing And Dreams: A Divine Encounter With Jesus, Jony Hajaj

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Throughout history, countless individuals have reported experiencing miraculous healings and profound encounters with Jesus Christ in their dreams. These encounters have profoundly impacted their lives, instilling them with renewed faith, hope, and purpose. These encounters as spiritual experiences possess transformative power. In this article, I will examine the fascinating realm of healing through God-given dreams where Jesus Christ appears, brings solace, guidance, and restoration to those in need.

A Biblical And Theological Foundation To Disciple And Retain Adventist Yorla, Ako Zimko

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

This article considers literature on interfaith marriages and draws principles especially relevant for Adventist Yorla from the writings of Ellen G. White and the lives and examples of Ruth, Abigail, and Esther. It then, explains the advice for Christians whose spouses were unbelievers from Paul and Peter in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 and 1 Peter 3:1,2.

Adventist Yorla refers to Adventist women married to non-Adventists in Tangkhul terms. Thus, the term interfaith marriage, which refers to the union of two individuals from different religious or denominational backgrounds, applies in this context. In the context of the Tangkhul tribe, which is a …

Biblical And Theological Basis For A Premarital Counseling Ministry, Daniel Grey

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Marriage is one of the two institutions God ordained before sin entered this world and is God’s ideal for all people. The history of marriage begins along with the history of creation. The account of the first marriage is found in the Book of Genesis, which also contains the history of several other good and not so good marriages. Over the years, the purpose of marriage has been weakened so that today, many cultures have reinvented and reshaped marriage to suit their need. However, in God’s perspective, marriage is still the unchangeable foundation for human life. The apostle Paul says, …

Editorial, Bruce L. Bauer

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

This issue of the Journal of Adventist Mission Studies focuses on healing in its various aspects.

The Missing Blue In Adventism: A Gap In Discipleship And Mission, Petr Cincala

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

This article comes from the perspective of a researcher, a practical theologian, and a missiologist. The title The Missing Blue refers to the idea that light consists of three colors (Green, Red, Blue), and because God is light, the analogy of light is relevant for those who believe in the Triune God. We are called to worship the Creator God (represented by the green color) as Ruler of all the universe, God the consuming fire (Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29). Jesus (represented by the red color) teaches us to come to God as our friend, our daddy (John 15:15; Mark 14:36; …

Jesus’ Authority Over Evil Spirits: Healing Demoniacs In The Gospel Of Mark, Michée B. Badé

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

The gospel of Mark highlights nine distinct healing miracles. Among them, five involve the healing of demoniacs—individuals “possessed by demons,” or as some may prefer, “demonized.” These accounts form a significant portion of Mark’s healing narratives and are a notable theme in his Gospel, which is one of the earliest records of Jesus’ life and ministry. These stories not only demonstrate Jesus’ authority over evil spirits but also reflect his deep compassion for those suffering from spiritual oppression.

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it aims to highlight Jesus’ authority over evil spirits, as manifested in nature, animals, …

Missiological Challenges And Implications Of African Traditional And Christian/Western Approaches To Health And Wholeness, Olaotse Obed Gabasiane

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

So often, African traditional approaches to health and wholeness are misconstrued, scorned, dismissed, if not treated as passé. There are two important entities—for the purposes of this article— which are diametrically at odds to African traditional approaches to medicine. The first is Western Medicine (WM), which because of its advances in medical, laboratory, and pharmaceutical technology, tend to ignore African Traditional Medicine (ATM) as archaic, superstitious, and non-scientific. The second is mainstream Christian religion which (largely in the past), tended to see everything demonic in the practice of African Traditional Medicine. But is it true that as far as ATM …

Ruqyah Shariah: An Analytical Exploration, Jony Hajaj

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Ruqyah Shariah—Law-Compliant Exorcism or Islamic Healing Prayer— is a spiritual and physical remedy that involves reciting qur’anic verses and authentic supplications. Rooted deeply in Islamic tradition, it offers a wholistic approach to healing and protection. Ruqyah has been a practice since the early days of Islam, with numerous hadiths documenting its use by Muhammad and his companions.

This article seeks to explore the multifaceted aspects of ruqyah shariah, by examining its legal foundations, practical guidelines, and ethical implications, while seeking to provide a well-rounded perspective on its significance and application in the modern context.

In Memorium: Life Sketch Of Graeme John Humble

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

No abstract provided.

Healing Prayer, L. Ann Hamel

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

A major theme of both the Old and New Testaments is that of healing and restoration. The Old Testament teaches that it is God who heals (Deut 32:39; Exod 15:26), while the New Testament presents Jesus’ ministry as one of healing and restoration (Luke 4:18-19). Healing was clearly a major theme in Christ’s earthly ministry with biblical scholars reporting that approximately one fifth of gospel texts relate stories of Christ’s healing miracles. The Bible teaches that not only did Jesus heal but he gave his disciples the power and authority to heal in his name, thus empowering the church to …

Shalom: Health, Healing, And Wholeness In Biblical Perspective, Boubakar Sanou

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Health, healing, and wholeness occupy a central place within the biblical narrative, embodying God’s intent for the flourishing of the entirety of his creation. Grounded in the concept of shalom, Scripture articulates a holistic understanding of wellbeing that encompasses spiritual, physical, emotional, moral, and relational dimensions. These dimensions are interconnected, each influencing and shaping the others. In the context of an increasingly fragmented world, the biblical concept of shalom offers a firm framework for addressing the multifaceted challenges of health, healing, and wholeness. By embracing the holistic vision of health, healing, and wholeness, Christians are called to participate in God’s …

Healing The Trauma: Toward A Missiology For Contemporary Russia, Yuri N. Drumi

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

This article addresses the trauma of Stalinism from the standpoint of a missiological reading of Luke 4:16-21. This programmatic sermon of Jesus at Nazareth, whose meaning is unfolded in the larger context of Luke-Acts, is of primary importance for the current Russian culture, which is suffering from the consequences of a time when its culture was warped by the forces of the demonic realm. The rationale for using Luke-Acts in a post-Soviet theology of mission and the cluster of theological theses that underlie Jesus’ program of liberation are both foundational for a missiological paradigm intended for post-totalitarian Russian society.

Ecclesiological Meaning In Jesus’ Sabbath Healings, Sven Östring

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

The earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ was the full incarnation of his divine identity and mission. However, certain events and situations became windows that allowed his relationship with his Father and his divine mission to be revealed with clarity to those around him. In particular, Jesus saw in the Sabbath a unique and regular opportunity to reveal both his identity and his mission. Likewise, his opponents understood, with almost surprising accuracy and clarity, what he was communicating about himself from his religiously non-conforming actions on Sabbath. However, this was not just a minor ethical scuffle between a well-studied …

Editorial, Bruce L. Bauer

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Doing theology is really a very simple process that involves prayerful reflection as one searches for biblical principles to guide in deciding how to approach and handle everyday issues.

Implementing Timothy Keller’S Center Church Principles: Transforming Your Church Into A Center Of Influence, Danie Potgieter

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

In contemporary religious discourse, the concept of a church transcending its traditional role as a mere congregation to become a dynamic center of influence within its community has gained significant traction. This paradigm shift, often fueled by a desire to engage with societal issues and impact lives beyond the church walls, finds resonance in Timothy Keller’s Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City. Grounded in theological depth and practical wisdom, Keller presents a compelling framework for transforming churches into vibrant hubs of influence capable of effecting meaningful change in the world around them.

Biblical And Theological Principles For Ministry To The Deaf And Other Isolated Groups, Joseph Jacobson

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

Deaf people are one of the largest unreached groups in the world (Lowenstein 2019, para. 2). To reach this group with the gospel, it is vital to build a solid biblical foundation for ministry to deaf individuals. The knowledge of God and the importance of faith, hope, and trust in God are often limited among deaf communities despite technological advancements (Broesterhuizen 2005:307). It is essential to show the different groups of deaf communities scattered around the world that Jesus loves them and that “the Bible is at heart a text that is positive for all marginalized people, whether poor, or …

The Healing Power Of Forgiveness, Susan Payne

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

“I can never forgive him!” Angry tears rolled down her face as she spat out the words. “He lied about me in court, turned my children against me, and refuses to protect them from physical and sexual abuse! How can I forget these terrible things and excuse his behavior?” I listened as she vented her anger and frustration. Then, after the emotion was spent, I asked if I could share what I have learned about forgiveness, what it is and what it isn’t. Eventually through many tears and prayers, this woman was set free from the bitterness of her situation. …

Is There A Future For The Missiological Study Of Worldview? Part 2, Paulo C. Oliveira

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

In Part 1 of this article, I revisited the foundational intellectual roots of the missiological worldview construct, described the concept, and presented an argument advocating for additional critical engagement in mission circles. In Part 2, the focus will be on probing the anthropological shift moving away from worldview studies, exploring some implications of this shift for missiology, and, finally, addressing—more directly—the question of the future of missiological worldview studies.

Spiritual And Theological Foundations For Ministry Among Secret Followers Of Christ, Shari Colins

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

This article provides a spiritual and theological foundation for mentoring and discipling young women who are secret followers of Christ in a restricted access country. The objective of this article is to encourage effective mentoring and discipling that can contribute to shaping an individual’s spiritual growth in Christ. By nurturing these relationships, I seek to establish a supportive community that empowers young women in their spiritual journeys.

Biblical And Theological Principles For A Chaplaincy Ministry, Shelby Davidson

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

The term chaplaincy does not directly appear in the Bible. However, the principles of chaplaincy are very much present in the Scriptures. Jesus, the greatest chaplain, was present in the Garden of Eden. Later, he incarnated as a human to this fallen world to be with humanity, to go through what human beings go through. A chaplain primarily is present with the people; therefore, a ministry of presence, empathy, giving wise counsel, and many other qualities describe what a chaplain is. This article looks at biblical and theological principles to guide a chaplaincy ministry from Scripture as well as from …