Sri Lanka

THIS PROGRAM WILL NOT BE OFFERED IN 2009. PLEASE WATCH FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF A RETURN ON 2010.

What is Sri Lanka International Seminar?
The seminar involves one month of study, living, and interaction with South Asian scholars and church workers resulting in a better understanding of what it means to work in non-western cultural contexts that are primarily Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim, and where reconciliation efforts are a fundamental concern. The impact of western Christianization and colonization and the pervasive effects of extreme poverty are integral to the study.

Program Dates
TBD: Possibly July/August, 2010

How does the Seminar work?
Each week of study will involve four days of classes and three of field studies.
Classroom Studies at the Ape Kadella Campus will be broken up into 4 modules, one each week. At the end of the week seminar participants will chose a field study location where they will live and work with local ministry leaders and discover, first hand, the implications of their studies. Seminar participants will also take part in overnight trips to locations within Sri Lanka that will highlight the classroom studies. The scholars teaching the courses will lead these trips.

Seminar Leaders

• Bradley Coon is a research assistant at the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA.
• Adrian DeVisser is the founder of the Kithu Sevana Church movement in Sri Lanka. Dr. DeVisser has established 20 church centers throughout the country; he has also established a home for girls at risk, orphanages, and a vocational center for widows as well as developing a school and Asian center. Dr. DeVisser is Deputy Director in charge of South Asia for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism and Vice President of Partnership Development for Asian Access.  Dr. DeVisser also serves on the Board of Colombo Theological Seminary.
  
• Ajith Fernando has been the National Director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka since 1976. He is regularly involved in teaching ministry with staff and volunteers, pastoral care of leaders, supervising Youth Guidance and YFC's drug rehabilitation ministry. He is also a visiting lecturer in Biblical Studies at Colombo Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and several other theological seminaries in Asia-Pacific and North America. Dr. Fernando has authored 11 books, found in 11 languages, including: The Supremacy of Christ; NIV Application Commentary on Acts; Sharing the Truth in Love; Jesus Driven Ministry; and is presently working on a preaching commentary on Deuteronomy.

Advisory Leaders

• Paul Borthwick is an Adjunct Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies.  He serves on the staff of Development Associates International, a training group dedicated to the character and ministry development of leaders in the under-resourced world. He also serves as an Urbana/ Missions Associate with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. Dr. Borthwick is the author of numerous books and articles on missions including: How To Be A World-Class Christian; Missions: The Heart of God; Stop Witnessing, Start Loving; Within Reach: Examining the Mission of Evangelism.
• Elaine Phillips is a Professor Biblical and Theological Studies.

Prerequisites & Credits
There are no prerequisites, however students are encouraged to take or audit MI225: Preparing for Missions to facilitate a better transition into the experiences of living in the developing world.

Students will receive four undergraduate course credits, which will appear on their transcripts as MI291: Pluralism, Poverty, & Politics in South Asia. Students must register for this course spring semester. However, these credits are treated separately and do not count as added credits on the spring semester load.

Living
The Ape Kadella Campus is located in a rural area of Sri Lanka about 40 miles north of Colombo, and also serves as a fully functioning farm and ministry center. For classes, students will stay at the Ape Kadella Campus in recently built two story apartment-style buildings with air-conditioned rooms, kitchenettes, and laundry facilities. Meals will be prepared by the central kitchen on campus. A small library with Internet facilities will be available for students in their studies. During the Field Studies, students will split into groups of two or three and will live in various locations with Kithu Sevana church leaders in their homes.

Safety
The country of Sri Lanka has experienced ongoing internal ethnic conflict since 1983. This conflict has mostly been localized in the north and east of the country, and because of this there is an advisory against American travel to these parts of the country. Kithu Sevana ("Under the shelter of the Cross") ministries, who will be hosting the course, has a long track record of caring for guests in country and making safety a top priority. Please visit the US Consular information sheet on travel in Sri Lanka and attend the information session in November for more information.