Much work remains before the Great Commission is fulfilled, yet amazing progress has been made to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ across numerous cultural and geographical boundaries.

Today, the “center” of Christianity has shifted from the northern and western hemispheres to the south and east. India has more Christians than England. China has more evangelical believers than the United States. In fact, there are 635 different Christian denominations in the U.S. alone and more than 9,000 Christian denominations are reported around the globe.*

When the face of Christianity is so diverse within in our own country, how do we begin to understand it from a global perspective? And because our globalized world is changing rapidly, how do we balance global change with timeless truth?

The speakers for the 2009–10 Faith & Thought Lecture Series reflect both the diversity and unity found in the Body of Christ, created to reflect a Global God, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, in a changing world.

*World Christian Database, Center for the Study of Global Christianity, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

All lectures take place at 7:30 p.m. in Nazareth Chapel.

Matt Miller, Ph.D.
“Looking East: Protestant Americans and Orthodox Russians in the 20th Century”

Matt Miller is an assistant professor of history at Northwestern College. He joined the Northwestern faculty after teaching for several years in Moscow. A specialist in the history of imperial and Soviet Russia, Miller studies the development of religion, education, and philanthropy. His research and writing explores the interaction of Russian Orthodox Christianity with the modern world.

Vishal Mangalwadi, LL.D.
“Must the Sun Set on the West?”

Vishal Mangalwadi is an international speaker and social reformer. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at William Carey International University. Mangalwadi studied philosophy at secular universities in India. He worked at the headquarters of two national political parties, where he worked for the empowerment and liberation of peasants and the lower castes. His life-changing experiences motivated and equipped him to study how the Bible made the West a relatively just, free and prosperous civilization. His research is being turned into college curriculum.

Ajith Fernando, Th.M, D.D.
"The Attraction of the East: Why people of the West are turning to the East for religious solutions”

Ajith Fernando converted to Christianity through the influence of his mother. He got involved in Youth For Christ during his teens and is currently the YFC National Director where he teaches, encourages and mentors staff and teaches and preaches to the greater body of YFC. Fernando’s books are available in 13 languages, focusing on finding out how people from painful backgrounds can experience the security of knowing that God truly loves and accepts them and how to develop holy people in a secular culture.