BGU News
EXEGETING MUMBAI CITY By Jack Mboya (Doctor of Ministry Student)
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Jack Mboya (far right) and other BGU students |
Once again Bakke Graduate University has lived up to its declared commitment to use cities around the globe as our laboratories for preparing, coaching and equipping urban leaders from all parts of the world, who will then facilitate social, structural and spiritual transformation in our contexts.
From November 3, 2009 to November 7, 2009 Bakke Graduate University students from four continents (Asia, Africa, Europe and America) - Kenya to the Philippines; Hong Kong to Nigeria; Holland to Ethiopia; Mozambique to India; South Africa to Uganda - have been carrying out an intensive and extensive exegesis of the City of Mumbai.
Selection of Sites
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Visiting sites in India |
Listening to stories of Christian persecutions in Orissa, the rate and extent of human-trafficking in India, the rate and extent of sex-trafficking; the church’s involvement in bringing about Social, Structural, and Spiritual Transformation, the class made the following observations:
(i). There is a perturbing disparity between the poor sex workers on Red Light Street, the poor street families and slum dwellers vis a vis the stable economy of India, the small number of the aristocrats in Mumbai and the evident enormous wealth in the City of Mumbai.
(ii). The rate and level of corruption is relatively high. However, we acknowledged the fact that corruption is a global menace. Thus the class has not passed judgment on the city but emphasized the need for the church to redouble its efforts in helping to bring Social and Structural Transformation in some of the places fundamental to eradicating the vice.
(iii). The rate and extent of human trafficking into and out of the City of Mumbai has reached a crisis level. However, Christian Organizations, such as International Justice Mission and OASIS, are undertaking a superb task of combating this human rights abuse.
(iv). Nevertheless, God by His grace is actively and providentially directing activities of the city which will ultimately result in Social, Structural and Spiritual Transformation in Mumbai.
(v). It was noted that the high number of partnerships and networks amongst the Christian churches, denominations and institutions is a manifestation of YAHWEH’s preeminent presence in Mumbai City.
(vi). The unity, courage and commitment demonstrated by the Church in Mumbai City in addressing some of the social, cultural, medical and religious problems facing the urban community in this industrious yet noisy city (the ‘Hooting City’ where every vehicle on the road hoots endlessly and aimlessly) through active involvement in the marketplace on the other six days is providing HOPE and guaranteeing a better FUTURE for all.
Guten Abend!
In October a group of BGU students and fellow adventurers hit the Luther Trail with Ray Bakke and BGU Regent Robert Calvert. Carol Quinlan served as the BGU support person for that course, and she sent us this update with a most dramatic photo.
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Ray Bakke in the pulpit |
The Luther Trail continues........Last night Ray ascended the pulpit in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, directly above Martin Luther’s grave, and preached a sermon in the historic church where Luther’s 95 theses were nailed to the door in 1517. The weight of history, the beautiful church, the experience of worshipping together and sharing communion made for an overwhelming experience. Our trip through East Germany is surprising us in many ways. We’ve certainly increased our knowledge of and appreciation for the tremendous influence of Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon and the other reformers, but we’ve also been reminded of the residuals from living under communism in a divided country. It’s been twenty years since the wall came down, yet East Germany remains predominantly atheistic. We’re off to Berlin tomorrow, with the 2nd largest Turkish population of any city in the world.
