MVNU hosts Global Mission Forum

MVNU’s Center for Global Engagement was pleased to host 16 missionaries and mission leaders from each region of the Church of the Nazarene in Fall 2022 for the Global Missions Forum and Strategic Planning. They were joined on the MVNU campus by leadership from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Global Office and Work & Witness to discuss short-term missions and identify new and different ways to equip and mobilize the global church.

“Hosting the team is a way for us to move even deeper into collaboration by inviting a broader audience of Nazarene missionaries and MVNU faculty and staff to engage in discussions about how we might work together in very concrete ways,” said Dr. Brenita Nicholas-Edwards, Director of the Center for Global Engagement.

“The Church around the world has opportunities for engagement and service. We are also called to be in a relationship with various parts of the body of Christ,” said Stephen Sickel, Global Coordinator of Partnerships and Work & Witness for the Church of the Nazarene. “MVNU represents an important part of that body, and, as we develop training and opportunities, we want to do that with some of our Nazarene schools. MVNU invited us into a partnership, and we are exploring ways to meet common objectives, build relationships and expand the kingdom across all disciplines.”

Missionaries served as guest lecturers in classes, where students heard about what the church is doing in various contexts. In addition, missionaries served on two panel discussions — “Missionary Call and Preparation” and “Cultural Humility and Hospitality.”

It was a meaningful time of sharing and engagement as some missionaries shared their stories of call and how God prepared them for the work they are doing. Other panelists spoke about cultural humility, what they have done to develop this posture, and things we might do to be more intentional in this area, as well as hospitality and how that is expressed and received in varying cultural contexts. Throughout the engagement, students were able to catch a vision for how God may use their skills and interests for Kingdom purposes.

Sickel was pleased with the forum and the dialogue that transpired between participants, faculty, staff, and students.

“We enjoyed listening to what is going on in the classroom, having our missionaries share what God is doing where they are working, and how we can combine efforts so that both sides can learn from each other,” Sickel said. “We are honored to be invited to walk with MVNU on this journey as we build relationships and connections around the world.”