Working among the Muslim populations of the world?
Bringing hope and life to AIDS victims and orphans?
Evangelizing the lost and the least in all corners of the earth?
Wherever and Whatever it is. . . your preparation begins here.
The Intercultural Studies Program (formerly the Missions Program) provides the opportunity to either major or minor in Intercultural Studies. The program begins by addressing the cross-cultural minister, attending to one’s spiritual growth, and to understanding and nurturing one’s call to Christian service. Secondly a strong biblical foundation accompanies all areas of learning, such as intercultural communication, cultural and religious diversity, historical and contemporary frameworks of cross-cultural ministry, and practical skills needed for effective cross-cultural service.
An Interdisciplinary Approach:
Because the global scene is so diverse and cultural and social change is our contemporary context, the Intercultural Studies Major builds upon an interdisciplinary blend of courses in Bible, Christian Ministries, the Social Sciences, Missions and Missiology. It prepares you for cross-cultural ministry by spanning the range of intercultural opportunities from international settings to urban and ethnic environments in the United States. The program allows you to investigate various models of mission from the time-honored to the innovative that seek to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the peoples of the world.
Within the regular academic curriculum are opportunities for you to pursue an individual calling to particular ethnic/linguistic peoples and to pursue particular types of ministry. Many students choose to use a second major or minor in another area to prepare for the skill set they will need for following their call. These include majors and minors in world languages, social work, sociology, psychology, education, and pre-medicine.
What can I do with this major?
Church planter
Evangelism
Disaster Relief
Bible Translation
Field Linguist
International Aid
Missionary
Nonprofit Agency Director
Bible Teacher
Compassionate Ministry
Mission Administration
TESOL instructor
Some of these require additional training at the graduate level, but the Intercultural Studies Major will provide a solid foundation for them all. The possibilities are endless.
Graduate Testimonial
Bethany Russell (Student ministry in Hungary) says,
“I have the coolest job in the world. I get to share the gospel and creatively show God’s love. . . . I have been able to take everything from abstract missiological concepts to really practical advice from experienced missionaries with me from Asbury. Even though I began serving directly after college (and am still pretty ‘green’), I’m so grateful that I could enter the mission-field with practical skills for ministry overseas” (March 29, 2012). You can follow Bethany on her blog.
“Hey Andrew, come into my office,” Rev. Esther Jadhav said to a student who was passing by her door. As Andrew Sullivan ’07 pulled up a chair, Jadhav told the junior Business major about a new grant opportunity that would allow a select number of Asbury’s students to pursue overseas internships in their majors. She pointed to a large map of the world that hung on the wall of her office. “Andrew, do you realize you could go anywhere in the world you want go?” she said. Even now, Sullivan gets choked up thinking about it. He remembers the conversation as a turning point in his college career and in his life — one moment in a chain of events that would propel him from a vague desire to work in business to a laser-focused career dedicated to ending world hunger.
