The key goal in this course is for the student to see himself as a change agent that becomes a catalyst for the process of transformation that in turn infuses the marketplace with Kingdom of God dynamics for lasting redemptive change.
Although the believer comes to experience the relationship with Christ as an individual, the impact of this relationship does not end with changes within that person. In fact, it begins from that point to extend beyond the individual to his community and the marketplace. God’s concern is always for His Kingdom and he set out to strategically involve his people in order to transform redemptively the environments where they work and live. A servant leader impacts those around him and fosters transformation. Even secular writers and editors such as Lawrence Harrison, recognize that the Protestant work ethic, rooted in Scriptures, has played a role in transforming nations with their economic development, (Culture Matters: How Values Shape Human Progress by Lawrence E. Harrison and Samuel P. Huntington, 2000). So Christians have a major role to play in their communities.
Unless a student becomes keenly aware of his role in the community where God has placed them as that of a change agent, no matter the magnitude, it will be impossible to be effective as a citizen of the Kingdom
Rom. 12:2 is the launchpad of which the life of the student is set in motion in order to fulfill the mission dei and to be useful too in the hands of the creative and overworking change agent.
Transforming the lives of others and transforming the way a community operates is at the core of heart of God. God is concerned about how the Israelites behaved with their finances, the vulnerable and the weak. He cares for the cities, the economies of his people and all communities. He wants us to seek the reflection of the Kingdom of God in the midst of this present time.
The students will be encouraged to get to know their community and its needs and to seek ways that can lead them to become change agents in their context as they initiate strategies that allow for Kingdom long term effects.
Transformation is taking place in many places across the globe and the student will become aware of God’s activity across cultures and will examine what is the common ground of this activity as well as the distinctiveness from culture to culture.
The course itself will encourage the student to actively find ways to be a change agent in the area God is calling them to be a part.
The skills of becoming a change agent will be applied in the context the student will minister and he will evaluate his progress as to his effectiveness.