Thursday, August 16, 2012

Introducing The Global Immersion Project



Seven years ago, in the villages of earthquake ravaged northern Pakistan, I began to understand something of the missional genius and Kingdom-potency of incarnational (relational) living in neighborhoods near (local) and far (global).  In hindsight, I recognize that He was also releasing me deeper into His dream for me: He has built me to participate with Him in the holistic development of differnece-makers into men and women who live, love, & lead like Jesus.
I'm thrilled, therefore, to announce the official launch of The Global Immersion Project co-founded by myself and friend and fellow Kingdom conspirator, Jon Huckins.  TGIP is a beautiful fusion of Jon and my passions, life-callings, and Kingdom-yearnings.  As I write, our first Learning Community has completed 4 months of rigorous preparation and, at this very moment, finds itself in Istanbul, Turkey preparing to enter into the narratives of Israelis and Palestinians.

Here is the snap shot intro (or you can just check out our website).


Purpose Statement
Cultivating difference-makers through immersion in global narratives
Mission Statement
Through diverse, global friendship-making, storytelling, and real-time living, the work of The Global Immersion Project is to develop difference-makers into people who tangibly live, love, and lead like Jesus.  We believe in the just impact, locally and globally, that USAmericans can make if we learn to live in the posture of a learner with God, ourselves, each other, and those who inhabit our global village.
What It Looks Like
We offer a four-month learning experience that shapes us into people who promote the Just Heart of God in the Way of Jesus.  This Understanding Phase gives invites us into the historical, theological, and modern narratives of Palestinians & Israelis and culminates in a 12-day experience off the beaten trails of tourism in Israel & Palestinian Territories.  We choose to immerse into the narratives of our Israeli and Palestinian friends in the posture of learners rather than heros and seek to be intelligent sojourners who embody the narrative of Jesus.
To participate with TGIP is to commit to navigating the experience in Learning Communities that are facilitated by Jon and Jer both in person and available through an online platform.  Our cultivation takes place in three phases: (1) understanding;(2) exposure & deeper understandingand (3) resourced integration that is shaped around extenstive reading, documentary viewing, Scriptural exploration, conversation, and the art of friendship-making.  Our goal is to develop practicing theologians who better engage their local and global neighborhoods in the Way of Jesus.  Go to our website for the detailed description, curriculum & theological affirmations that shape this experience.  
How To Participate 
To apply for the experience or to follow along in the real time stories, pictures and video’s from our time navigating the complex realities of Israel/Palestine, jump on board these platforms: