RICHMOND — Mission Immersion Experience field coordinators from five countries traveled to Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond Sept. 24-28 for a training workshop and homecoming event with former MIE participants.
It was the first time the seminary had offered this workshop, which fostered conversations about transformative pedagogies in cross-cultural settings.
The MIE homecoming united coordinators and past MIE participants, including (from left) Caleb Oladipo, B.V.R. Rao, Sabita Rao, April Sledge, Shirley Randolph, Ryan Clore, Cindy Ruble and Lynn Yarbrough.
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“The interaction between the coordinators and students was very meaningful, but the week meant so much more,” said Caleb Oladipo, BTSR’s Duke K. McCall Professor of Christian Mission and World Christianity, and director of the MIE program. “The events strengthened the coordinators’ commitment to BTSR and our students. The MIE program will continue to transform the seminary’s cultural immersion program to new heights of pedagogy.”
Every student pursuing a master of divinity degree at BTSR must participate in one school-sponsored MIE, usually for a period of two weeks. The primary goal is to enhance students’ global view of the church during their formative years in Christian ministry and strengthen cross-cultural perspectives. BTSR students have completed MIEs throughout the world, from Africa to Appalachia.
Caleb Oladipo (left) presents Lynn Yarbrough, MIE coordinator for China, a servant towel.
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On Sept. 28, the workshop culminated in the first homecoming event for MIE participants. Many alumni, current students and faculty gathered on campus to share memories and reconnect with each other. Throughout the week, students who have yet to participate in their MIE were able to ask questions and learn what they can expect.
Field coordinators facilitate the program in various regions, and the five who attended the training workshop and homecoming reflect the geographic range: Samuel Harrell, Kenya; B.V.R. Rao, India; Cindy Ruble, Malaysia; William Wagner; South Africa; and Lynn Yarbrough, China.
The Bon Secours Richmond Health System hosted a reception in honor of the MIE program. Caleb Oladipo looks on as his wife cuts the cake for the reception.
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During the event, each of the five coordinators received a towel with his or her name on it — one of BTSR’s signature symbols of servant leadership. Every year on the night before graduation each student who is about to receive a degree receives a similar servant’s towel. The towels were presented to the coordinators because of their servant leadership role in their respective countries, organizers said.
While the coordinators were in Richmond, the
Bon Secours Richmond Health System hosted a reception in honor of the Mission Immersion Experience program. BTSR has begun a partnership with Bon Secours developed because of the health system’s interest in the cross-cultural program.
The training workshop was made possible by an $18,000 grant from the Wabash Center, an organization which seeks to promote and further theological education.
Barbara Francis (bfrancis@religiousherald.org) is on the staff of the Religious Herald.