Seminary Professors Teaching in Liberia, Africa
Nov 10, 2008
Grand Rapids Theological Seminary professors now have the opportunity to teach internationally through Global Access to Theological Education, G.A.T.E.
The Evangelical Theological Seminary of Liberia has partnered with G.A.T.E. allowing GRTS to send its professors to the school for one week a year to supplement what their students are already learning.
Plans are underway for two instructors to teach in the upcoming academic year.
In December, Dr. Mike Wittmer, professor of systematic theology, plans to teach historical theology of the early church period in Liberia.
“The course will show why we believe what we believe, how our theology developed across time, what is orthodoxy and what is heresy as well as give an appreciation for the value of knowing church history,” he said.
“Many churches are impoverished because they don’t know our history. We are honored to help ground our brothers in Liberia in the riches of our past, and pray that their lives and ministries will be deepened even as they enrich the lives of those who go.”
In March, Dr. Peter Osborn, assistant professor of educational ministries, will teach a course in Liberia called educational mission of the church.
“I am looking forward to learning from and with the students,” he said. “I am hoping they will learn how to develop a biblical philosophy of Christian education, greater awareness of ministry assessment and implementation and best practices of educational ministry programming.”
The partnership has been built to help the Liberian pastors in their own country, not to teach them American ways.
“GRTS wants to be careful to not simply bring what we do in America to Liberia,” said Osborn. “As such, the educational mission of a church or ministry in Liberia will be very different from the United States. Our goal is to learn together what a healthy educational ministry is in Liberia, Africa.”
