Prof. Osam Temple––our Society’s Global Ambassador and Anglophone Africa Regional Representative––explains the Society of Christian Scholars to the Academic Ministers and Educators Network, a Lausanne Movement Issue Network.
2025 Christian Scholars Foundation Legacy Grant
Available to scholars in the U.S. and Canada
Global Scholars, one of the principal partners of the Society of Christian Scholars, will again award one Christian Scholars Foundation Legacy Grant in 2025. The grant will be awarded to a junior faculty member in the U.S. or Canada. The purpose of this grant is to advance Christian scholarship, encourage Christian scholars who are seeking to integrate Christian faith with their academic endeavors, and nurture Christian faculty as they strive for wider recognition in and beyond the academy.
Applicants are required to be members of the Society of Christian Scholars and the Emerging Scholars Network. The 2025 Christian Scholars Foundation Legacy Grant will be $10,000. More details and the grant application are available at the Society of Christian Scholars member site. If you want to share information with a friend who is not yet a member of SCS, they can view the 2025 details at the Emerging Scholars Network blog.
Questions concerning the grant may be sent to Dr. Hannah Eagleson, Christian Scholars Foundation Legacy Grant Director, here. You may read testimonials from past recipients here and interviews with several recent recipients on the Emerging Scholars Network Blog: Carrie Bredow (2016), Jill Ellenbarger (2017), Eleanor McGlinchey (2017), Jennifer Hawk (2018), Derek Thompson (2019), and George Montanez (2023).
Application period closes 20 April 2025.
Society Opportunities
Rest! Refresh! Retool! Return! – Hosting and Coaching Global Christian Scholars and Ministry Leaders
At a particularly busy juncture in his ministry, Jesus told his followers, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31). Drs. Andreas and Marny Köstenberger, Christian authors with a worldwide reputation, have launched a new ministry to global scholars, church leaders, and missionaries at Oak Tree Cottage in Wake Forest, NC. They offer short-term personalized retreats providing spiritual encouragement and scholarly inspiration from the warmth of their hearts and home.
Andreas and Marny have a 30-year track record of equipping Christian leaders in seminary and church settings and are Certified Christian Leadership Coaches (CCLCs). They offer hospitality, friendship, and stimulating conversation over delicious meals. Well versed in cross-cultural ministry settings, Andreas, originally from Austria, offers a deep angle on faith, life, and scholarship, while Marny, originally from Toronto, Canada, provides competent, discerning, and wise counsel.
Andreas and Marny met at Columbia International University, where they started out life as a couple. Having launched four adult children—two married daughters and two young sons—the Köstenbergers invite you to experience a stay in the comfortable guest suite of Oak Tree Cottage. To explore this opportunity, request a stay at oaktreecottage.org or inquire directly at mkostenberger@gmail.com. Generous donors have made it possible for this ministry to be offered free of charge. Come and stay awhile. You only need to get there!
Dr. Andreas J. Kostenberger
Job Opportunity
The International University of Central Asia is looking to hire. Below is the Job description and application instructions.
The International University of Central Asia (IUCA) PRESIDENT SEARCH
Contact Person: Jerry Yee – jerryy@glecenter.org; phone/whatsapp – +1 360-9425424
Please do not contact the institutions directly. All communication should go to Jerry Yee. University & College Administration know a search process is happening but for this first stage they are not directly involved. They will be brought into the process at a later date.
Background Information
The International University of Central Asia (IUCA) – https://www.iuca.kg/en – was established in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan, in 2008, under the auspices of the Mercy Charitable Christian Foundation. IUCA’s inception was guided by a vision to deliver highquality education imbued with biblical ethics and values to the underserved regions of Central Asia. Over the years, IUCA has served as a beacon of hope and opportunity for local communities, graduating approximately 500 professionals since its establishment. Currently, IUCA boasts a student body of around 300, poised to enter the workforce within the next four years. The university offers a diverse array of majors including Information Technology, Linguistics – English, Linguistics – Chinese, Business Administration, Pedagogy (Elementary Education), Law, and International Relations.
The Humanities & Technical College (HTC – https://college.iuca.kg/en/ – Vocational High School) was established in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan in 2015 by IUCA. It meets the educational needs of high school-aged students in Tokmok and serves as a feeder institution for IUCA. HTC is regarded by the community as one of the top schools in the area and caters to students graduating from high school grade 9, offering three years of education with a focus on specific vocational areas. HTC graduates have the option to either commence employment immediately or pursue higher education at IUCA, potentially reducing their total schooling duration for a Bachelor’s degree by 1-2 years. Currently, HTC provides programs in Information Technology, Preschool Education, English Translation, Tourism, and Law. HTC boasts a student body of around 350.
LOCATION:
Tokmok (pop. 70,000), where these institutions are located, is a small city in the Eastern Chui valley of Kyrgyzstan, nestled alongside the 4,900 m peaks of the Tien Shan (Ala Too) Mountains. Located 60 km from the capital, Bishkek, and a mere 90 minutes’ drive from Manas International Airport, Tokmok boasts proximity to significant urban centers. Just beyond Tokmok lie the remnants of Suyab, a town often cited as Li Bai’s birthplace in 701A.D. Tokmok’s historical significance dates back to its founding in the 1830s by an Uzbek Khan. Throughout the Soviet era, Tokmok underwent transformation into a specialized military city. Presently, Tokmok is home to a diverse population comprising Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Russians, Uyghurs, Dungans, and Tatars.
Main duties and responsibilities
Ensuring fulfillment of the university’s mission and vision while developing and maintaining the university’s values
Building internal and external revenue streams with a focus on university sustainability and longevity
Establishing and developing partnerships with other national and international organizations and experts.
Management & coordination of university activities, including planning and budgeting.
Developing and implementing management policies and corporate norms;
Effective Implementation of university’s jointly-developed (Board, Founding organization, major donors and administrative team) strategic plans;
Developing the University’s budget for presentation to the Board of Trustees while ensuring efficient, transparent and appropriate use of university funds
Coordination of the university’s relations with regional education management bodies;
Represent the university and support relations to the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic and other stakeholders on the issues of the university development
Direct the recruitment of faculty members, administration, negotiations with other stakeholders and signing contracts with them
Qualification requirements:
Be a committed Christian who has a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ
Expatriate to Kyrgyzstan
Terminal Degree, preferably in one of the majors offered by IUCA/HTC
Experience
· Experience in cross-cultural work required
· Significant administrative/managerial experience in college or university (preferably small private)
· Working contacts in the educational professional environment of their home country and international educational community;
· Experience in negotiating with national and international partners
· Russian or Kyrgyz language and experience in educational research would be helpful
Personal qualities
Humility & flexibility; ability to handle multiple, varied and on-going unpredictability; ability to lead cross-culturally; results-oriented; and good cross-cultural communication skills
Salary
Negotiable. While a salary would be provided, this role would probably require some personal fund-raising or other outside income. Term of 3 years minimum.
Society Library
The Library Reading Group now meets on the first Friday of every month. The next meeting will be on Friday, 7 March 2025 at 1400 UTC. The group will continue to discuss a foundational book for our work as Christian academics, The Outrageous Idea of a Missional Professor: The International Edition, written by Paul Gould and edited by an international editorial team. In preparation, please read chapter 1.
We enjoy learning from discussion participants about what it means to be a ‘missional professor’ in your local context. Various presenters will lead discussions. If you would like to lead a session (or have an idea for a future topic), please contact Dr Marlene Hines, the Society Librarian, at mhines@societyofchristianscholars.org.
New Study Guide Posted! In case you missed it, Issue 2 of the SOPHIA Study Guide Series, ‘Research as Worship’, is now available in English and French with Spanish and Chinese translations coming soon! Our goal is to develop a core set of study guides that address the fundamental aspects of each of the five areas around which the Society seeks to encourage scholars to have redemptive influence in the pluralistic university.
The Christian Poetics Initiative The Christian Poetics Initiative (CPI) aims to help mentor a new generation of literary scholars and writers. This initiative grew out of conversations among a diverse range of scholars who believe that a Christian vision of literature and the imagination makes important contributions to literary studies. Believing that scholars can demonstrate how Christian faith distinctively enriches our understanding of works of the literary imagination, CPI seeks to invigorate an ongoing conversation and generate high-level work within the broader discourses of the field.
If this is your field of expertise and you would like to join the conversation, please contact Dr David Mahan at david.mahan@thercta.org.
Library Reading Corner
This month’s Library Reading Corner feature includes an annotated bibliography of five library resources under the library category of Theology and Academy. These resources provide further reading as follow-up to the February 2025 webinar, My Neighbour’s Faith: Christian-Muslim Engagement in West Africa by Prof. John Azumah.
1. A Case for Ethical Cooperation between Evangelical Christians and Humanitarian Islam by Thomas K. Johnson
Brief Description: This article provides a detailed description of a World Evangelical Alliance cooperation with Indonesian supporters of ‘Humanitarian Islam’. The article compares Humanitarian Islam to alternative articulations of Islam and points out elements of similarity between Humanitarian Islam and Christianity.
2. Merton and Interreligious Dialogue by Ryan Scruggs
Brief Description: This paper explores Thomas Merton’s approach to interreligious dialogue, highlighting the evolution of his thinking from early dismissiveness towards other faiths to a more respectful and empathetic engagement.
3. Asian Christian Theology-Evangelical Perspectives edited by Timoteo Gener and Stephen T. Pardue
Brief Description: Asian Christian Theology provides a survey of contextually reflective, robustly evangelical theology for students to engage with the core doctrines of Christianity and their outworking in different cultures across Asia. The contributors of the chapters come from all corners of Asia to systematically examine traditional doctrinal themes and contemporary concerns for the Asian church. Ideal for use as a companion textbook in Asian seminaries and institutions, this book will also provide excellent further reading for those outside of Asia seeking global theological perspectives, and for those in contexts of significant Asian diaspora. Many excellent books surveying theology exist, but this book is a major step forward for students and scholars seeking to understand the dynamic environment of evangelical theology in Asia.
4. Christianity and Islam: The Concept of God in Islam and Christianity by William Lane Craig and Shabir Ally
Brief Description: This video records a debate between William Craig and Shabir Ally on the ‘Concept of God in Islam and Christianity’ at McMaster University, Canada in 2002.
5. A Diasporic Christian Theology: Towards an Eschatological Understanding of Theological Education in Post-communist Societies by Stephen M. Garrett
Brief Description: Garrett says of his article, ‘This programmatic article succinctly circumscribes the meaning (hope), message (faith), and mission (love) of a diasporic Christian theology with an ecumenical vision predominantly for university theological education under post-communist conditions.’
Upcoming Webinars
Be sure to check the Webinars Page for third-party webinars that are often added on short notice and for updated presenters and topics that may be helpful in equipping you to bring the gospel to bear in your university context.
Society Time of Prayer
Thursday, 20 March at 1400 UTC, Dr. Nita Kotigua will lead a time of prayer based on Ignatian spiritual practices. It will be a time to praise God and share in our common life together as Christan academics in pluralistic universities, both the joys and challenges! This time of prayer will also serve as a pilot for a possible monthly prayer time beginning later this fall, with which we would be grateful for your input and interest.
Why Science and Faith Need Each Other by Elaine Howard Ecklund – Thursday, 17 April 2025 at 1400 UTC
The scientific and the faith communities are often perceived as at odds with one another. On Thursday, 17 April 2025 at 1400 UTC, Prof. Elaine Howard Ecklund, Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences and Director of Rice University’s Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance (USA), will explore why science and faith need each other, now more than ever.
Based on 15 years of research, she questions the assumption that science and faith are at odds. During this time, Ecklund has surveyed more than 40,000 individuals in scientific and faith communities and has conducted more than 1,200 in-person interviews, drawing on this extensive dataset in Why Science and Faith Need Each Other: Eight Shared Values That Move Us Beyond Fear (Brazos Press, 2020).
In preparation for the webinar, take some time to read chapter 1 of her book.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the Addenda are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Society of Christian Scholars.
