Columbia International University alumna Dr. Jessica Udall is the new president of the Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS).
Udall, who earned three degrees from CIU, (BS Biblical Studies, MA Intercultural Studies, PhD Intercultural Studies) was elected in October at the annual EMS meeting in Dallas.
EMS is a professional academic society with several hundred members comprised of missiologists, mission administrators, teachers, pastors with strategic missiological interests, and students of missiology, based primarily in North America but inclusive of members globally.
Udall, who grew up in the United States, now lives in Ethiopia, where she teaches at Evangelical Theological College in Addis Ababa. She is also a CIU adjunct professor in the School of Missions & Intercultural Ministry.
“I feel a sense of gratitude that I get to serve this group that has encouraged and shaped me in my own missiology, research, and writing, and whose members continue to think deeply and articulate wisely on current issues as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission in our various roles around the world,” said Udall in an email exchange.
Udall, who is married to CIU alumnus Dr. Abeneazer Urga (2014) is unique in that she is the first person from outside of North America to be elected as EMS president.
“I have been part of the Southeast region of EMS for several years and now have been part of the Global region for several years,” Udall wrote. “These dual experiences shape my desire to include all voices and foster an environment of intercultural experience sharing and learning as we come together around the Gospel which we all cherish and seek to share with the world.”
Also, at the Conference from CIU …
The conference was co-chaired by Udall and CIU alumna Dr. Linda Saunders, the provost of William Carey International University. Saunders led a special track at EMS called Missiology and the Black Church Experience, where 18 presentations wrestled with the issues of mission sending from the African American church.
Dr. Ed Smither, dean of the CIU School of Missions & Intercultural Ministry, reports that other CIU Ph.D. alumni, current CIU Ph.D. students and CIU professors made up over 10% of the EMS program. Attendees were introduced to CIU with an exhibit table.
CIU alumnus Dr. Robert J. Priest was honored with a Lifetime Service Award by EMS. Priest earned his bachelor’s degree at CIU in 1979. He would go on to be a well-known evangelical anthropologist, missiologist, author and college professor.
Grateful for CIU
Meanwhile, as Udall begins to organize her role as EMS president, she is grateful for her CIU education saying that it prepared her well for her work as a professor in Ethiopia as well as her leadership within EMS.
“I believe there is a real synergy between the work of CIU and the work of EMS, as is evidenced by the robust participation of CIU in EMS regional and annual meetings,” Udall wrote. “Both organizations are dedicated to the cause of world evangelization, and both seek to be involved in this cause in a way that allows for and celebrates cultural diversity in the spirit of Revelation 5:9.”
“And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation…”
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