INSTITUTE OF DIASPORA STUDIES (“ IDS”)

What is IDS?

The Institute of Diaspora Studies (“ IDS”) at Western Seminary is a joint effort of researchers and practitioners seeking to understand and minister to the people of diaspora – people dispersed from their original homeland.

An Asian counter-part will be launched in April 2007 at the Alliance Graduate School in Manila, the Philippines.

What for?
The “mission” of IDS is to investigate the effective communication of the Gospel among the people of diaspora and through their networks to regions beyond.

"Congratulations on the launching of the Institute of Diaspora Studies (IDS). The topic of people on the move is of immense significance missiologically and those committed to the Great Commission ministry must explore its strategic implications." Tetsunao Yamamori, former International Director, LCWE

Who should be interested in IDS?

Anyone interested in the fulfillment of the Great Commission which includes reaching out to receptive people:

• Who are on the move geographically, e.g. migrants & merchants, diplomat and foreign students, refugee, etc.
• Who are being moved by the Holy Spirit spiritually being away from the comfort zone or restricted contexts, e.g. immigrants from countries of Muslim. Communist, Jewish, etc. background

How IDS will operate?

There are many flexible ways IDS can serve the Church at large through research and publication, non--formal formats (e.g. workshops and seminars) and format structure (e.g. credit bearing courses at graduate and post-graduate levels), etc.

What are the upcoming events of IDS?

IDS will be launched by way of offering two summer courses at Western Seminary in 2007.

The two courses are as follows:

• “Case Studies of Diaspora Missiology: Jew, Chinese and Filipino on the Move.“
  Dr. Enoch Wan., Dr. Twovya Zaretsky and Dr. Joy Tira.
  May 29 – June 1, 2007 (M.A. level - 2 credits)
  

  DIS 562 U. Diaspora Missiology’s mission is to investigate the effective communication of the Gospel among the people of diaspora and through their networks to regions beyond. People of the diaspora includes those who are on the move geographically, e.g. migrants & merchants, diplomat and foreign students, refugee, etc. as well as those who are being moved by the Holy Spirit spiritually being away from the comfort zone or restricted contexts, e.g. immigrants from countries of Muslim, Communist, Jewish, etc. background. The methodology of this introductory course will be “case study” presenting the basic theoretical understanding and practical approaches of “diaspora missiology” to three groups: Jew, Filipino and Chinese.

• “Business as Transformation: Principles and Practice of Holistic Mission.”
  Dr. Ted Yamamori.
  June 4-8 (M.A. or D.Miss. level – 3 credits)
  

  DIS 562 R. Explore ways of integrating the proclamation of the gospel (word) and social responsibility (deed) by examining the effective use of business in transforming people and advancing economic activity in various cultures. Students will acquire knowledge of entrepreneurial strategies through historical and contemporary case studies and the analysis of emerging models. This course will discuss the effective use and integration of business in global outreach, focusing our attention on the cross-cultural dimensions of doing business and ministry. The significance of the transformational approach to the 21st century mission and basic principles of communicating the gospel across cultures will be included.

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