Dr. Dickson Goes to Africa

Dr. Sue Dickson is on study leave this semester but she is not conducting her research in some dusty library. She will be teaching in Africa. Here is her own description of what she will be doing for the next 12 weeks.

LEAMIS International Ministries, an interdenominational, evangelical Christian ministry formed in 1998 and based in MO, crossed my radar when I was doing research for a project in Short-term Missions Trips. They’re helping to organize this trip. LEAMIS partners with local churches, providing training in areas requested by the churches. Their website says “… Our goal is to help in the transformation of communities through spiritual and development projects that minister to the whole person –spirit, soul, and body. ”

When I spoke to Debra (one of the founders) a couple of months ago, I was impressed. Before the end of our first conversation, we were discussing the possibility of me traveling to East Africa to teach Bible. Within a few days, Bishop Paul and Pastor Grace Mbithi of Nairobi, had invited me to join in their preaching/teaching ministry this spring.

The plan is for me to travel (with an interpreter) to villages throughout their ministry area to lead Bible studies, and workshops for pastors in biblical hermeneutics. When in Nairobi, I’ll be visiting the New Life Restoration Ministries’ school, children’s home, and some of their 70 churches in the Kibera slums outside Nairobi.

Dr. Dickson will be back at AU in the Fall and teaching REL 341 World Christianity, Culture and Mission (T, Th 3:05 - 4:20).