By Melanie J. Knox, Page Editor
Registration is taking place for this year’s Summer Seminar in Missions, which is Maymester and Summer I courses in mission work with a section on practical training.
The courses offered are for everyone, not just missions or ministry majors, and the courses will satisfy any upper-level Bible credits needed.
“Missions is something everyone can be involved in,” said Dr. Sonny Guild, director of the Institute for Missions and Evangelism. “They will learn about the challenges in missions and how to meet those challenges.”
The schedule this year has altered from last year, which was a four-week seminar, to a three-week format.
In addition, a well-known missions specialist, Gary Corwin, will be brought in to speak, and people from other institutions are also invited this year to be a part of the practical training session.
“The interaction is so important,” Guild said. “These people aren’t just in class together, but they also have Chapels, group times, breakout sessions, and evening devotionals. You really get to know people who are doing missions and dreaming about doing missions.”
The seminar usually has 60 people attend the first session, 40 attend the second, and Guild said the majority take two classes and do both sessions. The cost is tuition, room and board, the same as it would be for taking a class during the semester.
Last year, participants all stayed in McDonald residence hall, but this year, they will most likely stay in Nelson residence hall, since the lobby is more useful for devotional times.
Generous scholarships are available, endowed by people who have done missions work and who are behind the purpose of the seminar, Guild said. Requirements are only written recommendations.
The Summer Seminar has been offered at ACU since the 1960s and was one of the only places to receive Church of Christ training in missions.
Now, because degrees are offered, the seminar provides ongoing training and experience, Guild said.
“Missions are the heart of what God is concerned about,” Guild said. “Students are given a sense of fitting into what God is doing in the world and hopefully catch a fire and passion for missions.”
Two new classes will be offered this summer, Spiritual Formation in the Missionary Family and Language Acquisition. These classes will be taught by Chris Flanders and Jeanene Morgan, who are both working on their graduate studies at the Fuller School of World Missions in California
All other courses offered will be taught by ACU faculty and staff, including Guild, Gaylon VanRheenan, Ed Mathews, Gary Green, and Charlie Middlebrook, who have all had experience in the mission field.
Those interested in enrolling in the classes or applying for the scholarships can log on to http://www.acu.edu/ministry/centers_institutes/missions.html or call Ext. 3711 for more information.
