The Great Commission in Asia

In his paper Richard Cook wants to establish several things. First, Asia is vast and vibrant, and the church in Asia is steadily growing; Cook adds that Asia might emerge as a political, economic, and religious super power in the twenty-first century and lead the world in missions. He references a major shift from Western led missions to indigenous movements throughout the world. Second, Cook argues that missions in Asia is especially complex due to racial, religious, and cultural diversity. The relatively recent “Back to Jerusalem” march illustrates this. The realities of Asian Diaspora communities also create complexities. Finally, Cook contends that Asian Christians need to work out their own identity in order to foster unity and avoid schisms in the quickly growing church.

Biography

Richard R. Cook is Associate Professor of Mission History and Global Christianity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He earned his B.A. at the University of Illinois in Chicago, his M.Div. and Th.M. at TEDS, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He taught Church History and Chinese Church History in Taiwan for ten years, served as Academic Dean of that school for seven years, and planted a church in Taipei with a team of seminary students.