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Leading in Missions: Ed Smither reflects on term as EMS president

Dr. Ed Smither chats with CIU Intercultural Studies students.
Dr. Ed Smither, dean of the CIU College of Intercultural Studies

Dr. Ed Smither

By Bob Holmes


The dean of the CIU School of Intercultural Studies calls his three-year term as president of the (EMS) 鈥渁 great experience.鈥


, who has been an EMS member since 2008, concludes his presidential term this year after EMS has its annual Oct. 9-10 virtually over Zoom because of COVID-19 concerns. The EMS has over 400 full and associate members throughout the United States and Canada.


The organization鈥檚 website says 鈥淓MS exists to advance the cause of world evangelization鈥 which involves 鈥渟tudy 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 schools of missionary training around the world.鈥


In other words, Smither says the organization works on strengthening the connection between the academy, the church and mission organizations. 听听


鈥淎cademics can get siloed in the academy, and mission leaders can get siloed in mission organizations,鈥 Smither said. 鈥淲e want the practitioners to think more about missions and we want the thinkers to practice missions more.鈥


Smither says 2020 has been a year that missiologists have had to think creatively about missions because of Covid-19, using technology to spread the gospel. He even notes CIU Intercultural Studies interns have created online options for outreach, while a CIU alumna, who serves as a children鈥檚 director at a South Carolina church, has created an online Vacation Bible School TV show that 鈥渓ooks like a (network) morning show for kids.鈥 听


As for EMS having a virtual national conference this year, Smither says there will be four plenary speakers and 106 break-out presentations over Zoom in nine parallel rooms with presenters from The United States, Scotland, The Philippines, South Africa and other nations. All will be able to take questions from attendees.


Smither says there are advantages to the virtual conference because the admission fee will be lower and there are no travel expenses for the attendees. 听


鈥淲e鈥檒l probably have our largest conference because of this,鈥 Smither said.


Smither also notes that EMS has CIU DNA in its roots. CIU鈥檚 third president, was among its founders in 1990.


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