People interested in deepening their understanding of world mission are invited to register for the in-person Mission Formation Program offered by the Global Episcopal Mission Network this spring in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
The Formation Program will be offered in tandem with Missio 2025, the global mission conference that will be held April 29-May 2 in San Pedro Sula. “Formationers” will meet in an all-day session on the 29th, prior to the conference opening that evening, so will need to arrive by the evening of Monday the 28th.
Register here for the Formation Program. Register here for Missio 2025.
The Mission Formation Program equips participants to engage knowledgeably and effectively in God’s mission globally. The program’s centerpiece is a sequence of two day-long sessions over a one-year period. This spring’s program will have a track for new enrollees and a track for those returning from the 2024 program to complete the course. International participants are welcome.
Formation modules include:
- Biblical Foundations of Mission
- Anglican & Episcopal Mission History
- Mission Theology Shifts since 1900
- Missional Spirituality
- Inter-Cultural Competence & Sensitivity
- Companionship vs. Colonialism in Mission
- Best Practices for Mission Teams
- Asset-Based Community Development
- Mobilizing Parishes & Dioceses
- Leadership Styles and Group Process
Between the annual sessions, attendees participate in a mentor group, do some reading, and carry out a project. More program information is here.
Missio 2025 starts Tuesday evening and runs through Thursday, May 1. Standard departures are Friday morning, May 2. But Friday is also an Optional Missio Day with more field trips in the local area, and participants departing on Saturday, May 3.
The Formation Program and Missio will be held at the Hyatt Place Hotel in San Pedro Sula, which has its own airport (SAP). The special conference rate is valid through April 4, so be sure to register now.
The program is guided by these mentors:
Ms. Martha Alexander, EdD – Experience in Belize, Costa Rica and Botswana; North Carolina-Botswana Companion Diocese Committee; Province IV Companion Diocese coordinator.
The Rev. Jean Beniste, MDiv – Longterm experience as a Haitian missionary in Dominican Republic and Florida; rector of St. Paul’s Church in Concord, New Hampshire.
Mr. Bill Kunkle – Many years of coordinating mission teams in the Dominican Republic.; executive director of the Province IX Development Group; former executive director of the Dominican Development Group.
Canon Titus Presler, ThD – Longterm mission experience in India, Zimbabwe and Pakistan; published missiologist; GEMN executive director; Global Mission Advocate in the Diocese of Vermont, where he is vicar of St. Matthew’s Church.
The Rev. Paul Rajan, DMin – Longterm experience as Indian missionary in Karnataka and New Zealand; Global Mission Advocate in the Diocese of Newark and its Global Mission Commission; rector of Good Shepherd Church in Wantage, New Jersey.
The Rev. Helen Van Koevering, DMin – Longterm mission experience in Mozambique; Global Mission Advocate in the Diocese of Lexington; rector of St. Raphael’s Church, Lexington; chair of the Communion-wide Anglican Women’s Network.
Ms. Rebecca Vander Meulen, MPH – Longterm mission experience in Mozambique; member of the Diocese of New York Global Mission Commission; executive director of the J. C. Flowers Foundation.
As a network of dioceses, agencies, congregations, religious orders and seminaries, GEMN’s purpose is to gather, inspire and equip people to participate in God’s global mission. Its core values are humility, inclusion and companionship.