Commissional Corner: Evangelical Missiological Society

The Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS) is an academic society with over 400 members throughout eight regions in the USA, Canada, and globally. The members are missionaries, mission administrators, active and retired professors, authors of missiology, missions-minded pastors, and students of missiology. According to the EMS website, their purpose is "to advance the cause of world evangelization through study and evaluation of mission concepts and strategies from a biblical perspective with a view to commending sound mission theory and practice to churches, mission agencies, and the schools of missionary training around the world."

Members gather for regional conferences, an Annual Conference for all US and Canadian regions, and a Global Regions conference. The conferences encourage fellowship and sharing of information through books, journals, and tools such as web applications for missionary training, service, and administration. To promote "deeper discussion, thoughtful consideration, and innovative measures," members and students are encouraged to submit a proposal to present a paper based on the annual theme.

This year's theme is "New Frontiers in Missiology." The focus will be on missiology’s response to rapid changes in globalization, urbanization, technology, education, medicine, and healthcare from the perspective of evangelical missiologists. DBU alumnus Luke Bitzkie has submitted a presentation proposal for the South Central Regional Conference. The MAGL program encourages current students and alumni to consider submitting presentation proposals for future conferences, as well as attending either the Regional Conference and/or the Annual Conference in October to stay current on developments in missiology.

The South Central Regional Conference includes members from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. This year, the South Central Regional Conference is on April 12, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Dallas Theological Seminary. Registration for the conference is now open. For more information about EMS and the South Central Regional Conference or to register, please visit the conference website.