We live in complicated times, indwell in a dynamic and pluralistic world, and know that companion ministry with those inhabiting very different cultural milieus can never be undertaken lightly or without rigorous preparation. The 2010 World Mission Institute gathers at Virginia Theological Seminary June 9-12 around the theme of "Educating All Ages for God's Mission: Living the New Life of Baptism."
This year's GEMN (Global Episcopal Mission Network) and EPGM (Episcopal Partnership for Global Mission) Institute has assembled a remarkably gifted team of keynote speakers, with colloquia and discussion opportunities for shared engagement and networking. Committed to the formation of reflective, theologically informed and culturally competent Christians of all ages and states, this year's Institute offers both the tools and the environment to hone those skills necessary for contemporary mission in and through The Episcopal Church.
In addition to plenary speakers, workshops and an opportunity to meet others engaged in mission endeavor, those enrolled in or commencing the GEMN Formation Program will find a full complement of offerings designed to further their progress toward certification.
This year's Institute is especially intentional regarding the formation of youth for the future mission of the Church, and will also offer a special focus on Haiti in the wake of the disastrous January earthquake devastating one of the poorest and most populous dioceses of The Episcopal Church.
Featured Keynote Speakers:
- The Rt. Rev'd. Catherine S. Roskam has been Bishop Suffragan of New York since 1996 and has been an advocate for mission for many years. Notably, she was instrumental in founding the Global Women's Fund of the Diocese of New York, which is devoted to empowering women in the developing world.
- The Rev'd. Jered and Mrs. Erin Weber-Johnson served as Young Adult Service Corps Missionaries of The Episcopal Church in Taiwan for one year. Jered is now a priest at St. Alban's in Washington, D.C., and Erin is Treasurer of Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation (http://www.e4gr.org/) and a member of the Standing Committee on World Mission
- The Rev'd. Lauren Stanley is an ppointed missionary in Haiti of The Episcopal Church. As an assistant to The Rt. Rev'd Jean Zaché Duracin, Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Haiti, she now has an active role in relief an recovery efforts and coordinating communications about the disaster.
- The Rev'd. Dr. Titus Presler is a missiologist focusing on mission theology, gospel-culture interactions and church mission practice. He is the author of Going Global With God: Congregations Discover Companions in a World of Difference, due out this fall.
- Ms. Ruth-Ann Collins is the Associate Program Officer for Congregational Learning and Children's Ministry in the Evangelism and Congregational Life Center of The Episcopal Church Center. She is former director of Christian Formation for the Diocese of Long Island.
- The Most Rev'd. Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak is Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and Diocesan Bishop of Juba. Enthroned in 2008, Archbishop Daniel is a long-standing friend of many in the mission community. He will preach at the closing Eucharist and attend as the EPGM Anglican Visitor.
- The Rev'd. Dr. Sathianathan Clarke is Professor of Theology, Culture and Mission at Wesley Theological Seminary. In his practice, Sathi has cultivated specialties in contextual theology, constructive global theology, and theology of religions.
