Global Ministries partnered with Lexington Theological Seminary for a Pilgrimage to Ghana Travel Seminar from Sept. 27-Oct. 5. This pilgrimage served as an expression of LTS’s commitment to the formation of students, clergy, and lay leaders who embody a deep understanding of our global realities, the interconnections of our lives, and the mission of the global church. The pilgrimage provided an opportunity to study the exponential growth of Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa, the efforts and challenges of contextualizing the gospel as an authentic expression of African faith and spirituality, and the opportunities and challenges currently facing theological education in the Ghanian context. There was also an opportunity to visit community-based projects of the Christian Council of Ghana related to interfaith dialogue, human trafficking, and economic justice.
Several of the travelers contributed blog posts that we are sharing here. This one was written by DMin. student Dikiea Elery.
DAY THREE
Today the delegates visited the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission, and Culture. This is a research institute that offers general and theological degrees but spans beyond the scope of traditional seminary education. The group had the opportunity to speak with the Rector and faculty about contextualization and the importance of language. Much of the work that is being done at the institution is to normalize being able to interpret God’s word and to communicate with God in indigenous languages, which they call their “Mother Tongue.” The conversation demonstrated the truth that when people can come to understand God in their context and understand God as one who speaks to them right where they are, in a language they understand, they will be liberated in a way that will inadvertently liberate others and advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings to light the truth of what Dr. Settles, faculty member at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute, said when speaking of the importance of language: “I don’t have to change to be a Christian.” He is absolutely right. Our differences are gifts and when we bring them to the table in the fullness of all that they are, Christianity (as we see it and live it) changes. It stops being exclusive to certain groups of people who speak certain languages, and it becomes all that God through Jesus Christ intends for it to be. It activates the Holy Spirit to breathe into us all as it did during Pentecost in Acts 2. It is the language of the Holy Spirit that unifies us. When it speaks, we ALL understand the love and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! “I would dare say God spoke very clearly to us through our friends in Ghana today,” said Rev. Elery. “To God be the glory!”