The Executive Director of Oxford Center for Mission Studies (OCMS), Paul Bendor-Samuel (Ph.D.), visited the Ethiopia Graduate School of Theology (EGST) on January 16, 2020.
Meeting with EGST Director, Rev. Dr. Misagana Mathewos, Dr Paul discussed partnership matters focusing on mission, research, and exchange of experiences.
Dr Paul indicated that OCMS has an intention in equipping individuals, movements, and institutions as its strategic direction for which the visit is expected to open eyes into the strategic mission field collaboration with EGST and Ethiopian seminaries. Rev. Dr. Misgana in his part welcomed the goal of OCMS in cooperating with EGST in particular and with other Ethiopian institutions in general.
Both Directors emphasized exploring partnership opportunities in researching ancient Christianity and Ethiopian Studies, mission research prospects, organizing joint seminars, exchange of faculty and students, and sharing of resources among other things.
It was recalled that Rev. Dr. Misgana visited OCMS in June 2018 and this visit has enriched follow up issues on the future partnership focus areas. EGST Head of Academic Affairs and Head of Development and Communications attended the meeting. Dr Ralph Lee, a part-time faculty with OCMS and an Ethiopic scholar, having lived and taught in Ethiopia for 16 years, seven of which were at The Holy Trinity College accompanied Dr Paul and attended the meeting.
Institutions in the Director’s visit schedule include Mekane Yesus Seminary, Evangelical Theological College, Holy Trinity College of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church, and other related organizations.