Overseas Council



Regional Directors

 

RD Highlights

Bill Houston, Africa RD, notes the region’s opportunity to overcome the “digital divide” and gain access to electronically-based information resources with their IT revolution. Africa’s challenges continue to be the reality of poverty, AIDS, violence and war, and Bill emphasizes the importance of modernized curriculum that addresses these issues. Bill’s hopes for the future include a group email system to facilitate discussion among Africa partners and create a sense of African identity, as well as playing an active role in support of the new Mozambique Master’s program.
Ashish Chrispal, Asia RD, shares the challenge in curriculum relevance to real world experience – the current greater emphasis on academics over practical, hands-on training is resulting in ill-equipped graduates starting ministries. Many institutions are surrounded by violence and radicalism in the face of political, religious and economic conflict. Ashish also asks for prayer for committed and sound institutional leadership.
Riad Kassis, Middle East/Central Europe RD, says many tend to focus on regions of the world where the Church is experiencing rapid growth. Although his region is not experiencing phenomenal growth, he notes the pressure of Muslim fundamentalism, freedom restrictions and the challenges of post-communist Europe as contributing factors. Riad is encouraged to see the region’s OC partner schools, the “little flock,” working in creative ways to meet the needs of the Church and society, such as providing theological education in flexible methods.
Josué Fernández, Latin America RD, says OC has helped him to better understand excellence in theological education during his time of service with one of OC's partners in Argentina. In his role as RD, he seeks to help others in similar positions by asking partner schools the right questions, including those that nobody wants to ask, in order to acknowledge issues and foster improvement. Josué brings proven skill in the area of developing local fundraising capacity for theological education in Latin America.
Wilson Chow joined OC’s International team in December 2007 as Senior Consultant for China. Wilson, the President Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor at Hong Kong’s China Graduate School of Theology (CGSTHK), joins an established team of RDs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. This position allows OC to tap into his rich wisdom, knowledge and counsel on the region.
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