World Christianity Summer Institute 2026
Our international Summer Institutes connect Christians from the global North and South, East and West.
Theme: Christians and Politics
Summer 2026 (dates tbc)
Venue: Westminster College, Cambridge, UK
Watch this space for more information and the application form
World Christianity Summer Institute 2024 “Poverty and the Church” Public Lecture: Wednesday 3 July 2024, 5-6.30 pm BST
Runcie Room, Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, West Road, CB3 9DP, and online
Title: ’WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS’ – ECONOMICS, POVERTY AND THE CHURCH”
Abstract
Like many important issues in social and economic policy, the causes of and remedies for poverty are highly contested. Ideas from economics permeate wider society and are taken up or opposed according to how well they accord with our worldview, particularly the worldview of our ‘tribe’. This applies to Christians as much as anyone else. In the same way, while we might expect theological explorations of poverty to inform our thinking, in practice we often favour the theology that conforms with our social and political values rather than, as we might claim, base our values on ‘well-founded theology’. This lecture identifies three key narratives that economics has offered about the socioeconomic system in terms of how each accounts for poverty and what might be done about it, how Christians who adopt the narrative find a basis for it in theology and their reading of the Bible, and what we might expect to see in economic development data if the narrative is broadly correct. It then offers an overview of the evidence for the trends in global poverty over the past several decades to see how well this matches what each of the narratives say.
Bio
MR RICHARD LEWNEY is Chair of Cambridge Econometrics, a spin-off from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Applied Economics. He served as the company’s Managing Director for two decades from the mid-1990s, applying economic modelling to policy analysis, policy evaluation and possible futures, mainly for government and NGO clients. In recent years his particular focus has been on the economic impact of climate change mitigation policies. He is an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher in the United Reformed Church and regularly leads worship in churches in and around Cambridge. He is Convenor of the Reference Group that oversees the URC’s global justice program, Commitment for Life. He is a Trustee of the Cambridge Trust for New Thinking in Economics, which promotes the development of ideas better suited to addressing real-world economic, social and environmental challenges. He studied at Cambridge and, as a Fulbright Scholar, at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
World Christianity Summer Institute 2024 “Poverty and the Church” Inaugural Address: Sunday 30 June 2024, 3-4.15 pm BST
Healey Room, Westminster College, and online
Title: ’GIVE HER OF THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS; AND LET HER OWN WORKS PRAISE HER IN THE GATE’: FAITH AND FEMALE FACE OF POVERTY by PROF ESTHER MOMBO
Abstract
Statistics show that most families live only on the income of their womenfolk who are the bread winners. Women’s work in sustaining their families the invisible uncounted work of childbearing and rearing, feeding, cleaning arranging organizing maintaining the health and wealth of the family, serving and satisfying the needs of immediate and extended family. This labour is not recognized treated as cheap, unorganized, unrecognized labourers.
This presentation seeks to investigate how the church addresses the female face of poverty and the elevation of it, how does the church address the reality that women are providers, although their work is often not acknowledged nor valued. How is justice envisioned from the words of the proverb text “give her a share of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gate” (Proverbs 31.31).
Bio
PROF ESTHER MOMBO is Professor at St. Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya, where she has served in senior management positions including as Deputy Vice-chancellor Academic affairs. Her research and teaching interests span the fields of Church History, with a focus on Mission History, interfaith Relations, and Theology & Gender Studies with a focus on African women’s Theologies. While connected to the University of St. Paul’s, the University of Dublin, and the University of Edinburgh, she has directed and examined postgraduate students. She has mentored students, especially women who now serve in churches and academic institutions in different parts of the world. In 2007 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Virginia Theological Seminary for her work in bringing to the fore issues of gender disparity and gender justice in Church and society. In 2023 she was awarded another honorary doctorate by her alma mater, University of Edinburgh. She has been a visiting professor at several universities including the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology, Bright School of Divinity at Texas Christian University, Graduate Institute of Theology in Yonseo University Seoul, South Korea, Candler School of Theology, Emory University and Utrecht University. She has served in several ecumenical committees including as co-chair of the Commission of Education and Ecumenical Formation of the World Council of Churches.
Jointly organised by CCCW and Tearfund
Our annual Summer Institutes connect Christians from the global North and South, East and West.
The call for applications for the 2024 Institute has closed.
Theme: Poverty and the Church
Dates: 30 June to 5 July 2024
Venue: Westminster College, Cambridge, UK
Download the application form here
Last date for applications: The date is now extended to 31 May 2024
We encourage those who need a visa to UK to apply early.
Any questions, please get in touch with us at centre@cccw.cam.ac.uk
Poverty is not God’s plan, the church is.
Thousands of people around the globe needlessly suffer and die every day because of poverty. But it is not God’s plan for the world.
In partnership with Tearfund, our Summer Institute 2024 will study and reflect on the church’s calling to make a difference and work to end extreme poverty and injustice by reaching out to people and communities in need.
We welcome theological students, educators, researchers and any Christian interested in learning about Christianity in other parts of the world.
We focus on what it will take to envision, empower and equip churches to support and be part of bringing transformation to people living in poverty.
We explore how the church can influence and change social, political, and economic systems and policies so that the poorest communities can acquire the services and opportunities they need to thrive and fulfil their God-given potential.
We listen attentively to God and to each other while we consider working together to create better societies built on care, compassion and justice.
We worship and eat together daily, have opportunities to see the Centre’s renowned library and archives, and have time to discover the joys of Cambridge.
Speakers
DR JAYAKUMAR CHRISTIAN served World Vision India in various roles until August 2015. He was the CEO of World Vision India for over 11 years. He then served World Vision International as their lead for Faith & Development until September 2017. He is the author of the book God of the Empty-Handed: Poverty, Power & the Kingdom of God, and also several articles related to poor, power, poverty, response to urban challenge, governance, integrity and leadership. He currently serves on a few Boards as an honorary member. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Tearfund and on their Theology Committee. He earned his Master’s in Social Work from the Madras School of Social Work, (Chennai), a Masters in Missiology and PhD in Inter-Cultural Studies from the Fuller School of World Missions (California). Jayakumar and his wife Vidhya live in Chennai. They worship at Emmanuel Methodist Church.
PROF ESTHER CHUNG-KIM is Professor of Religious Studies at Claremont McKenna College. Her research focuses on religious conflict, biblical interpretation, and the history of poverty. Her books include: Inventing Authority: Use of the Church Fathers in Reformation Debates over the Eucharist (2011), Reformation Commentary on Scripture: Acts (2014), and Economics of Faith: Reforming Poor Relief in Early Modern Europe (2021, paperback 2023). Her articles cover topics such as moneylending, working women, and communal charity. Professor Chung-Kim received her PhD in Religion from Duke University. She regularly teaches courses on the History of World Christianity, European Reformations, Poverty & Wealth, and Christianity & Politics in Asia. She was previously the Associate Director of the Gould Center for Humanities and currently serves as the President of the American Society of Church History.
THE REVD PROF ISRAEL DAVID is a theological educator from the Church of South India Rayalaseema Diocese, and is currently the Chairperson of the Department of Christian Ministry at the United Theological College, Bangalore, India. His areas of specialization include pastoral theology, pastoral psychology and Pastoral Counselling with subaltern communities. He has previously worked for several years as chaplain of CSI mission hospitals. He is widely published and is the author of Maslow’s Self Actualisation and Ambedkar’s Dalits: Re-imagining Pastoral Care and Counselling (2019).
THE REVD DR A. KATHERINE GRIEB is the Director of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies (CACS). She has served the Anglican Communion in many roles. She has taught at Virginia Theological Seminary as Professor of Biblical Interpretation and New Testament since 1994 and now combines her duties at CACS with teaching Biblical Greek and New Testament Interpretation. Her books include, The Story of Romans: A Narrative Defense of God’s Righteousness (2002) which is widely used in seminaries, and Conversations with Scripture: Hebrews (2007). She has written extensively about preaching and has preached at Canterbury Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and many Episcopal parishes in the United States.
DR JÖRG HAUSTEIN is Associate Professor for World Christianities at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He is an expert on Pentecostal and Charismatic movements worldwide, with a particular interest in Ethiopia and Africa more generally, and has published widely in this area. He has also recently completed a major study on colonialism and Islam in German East Africa, which maps out the German colonial conversation on Islam and Christianity in Africa, including missionary discussions about language and Bible translations (forthcoming, Palgrave Macmillan, 2023). He is a co-editor of Brill’s Encyclopedia of Global Pentecostalism (2021), and The Pentecostal World (Routledge, 2023).
DR PETER HESLAM is the Director of Faith in Business in Cambridge. He has research interests at the interface of business, faith and development, as well as in the life and work of the public intellectual, social entrepreneur and statesman Abraham Kuyper. Peter’s interdisciplinary scholarship reflects his academic background in social science, history, ethics, missiology and theology. After serving on the faculty of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), he has held various appointments at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and as a Visiting Professor at various research institutions around the world. His recent publications include the anthology Abraham Kuyper on Business and Economics (Lexham, 2021).
THE REVD PROF C. DAVD JOY is Principal of the Kerala United Theological Seminary, Trivandrum, India, and a presbyter of the Church of South India, South Kerala Diocese. He is a member on the board of International Cooperative Initiative for Biblical Studies of Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) and an Executive Committee Member, Kerala Auxiliary of Bible Society of India. A graduate of the United Theological College, Bangalore, he completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham(2005). He is widely published and author of numerous books and articles.
DR PAVLÍNA KAŠPAROVÁ is an Academic Coordinator at The Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide and a Research Associate with The Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology. Her research interest is in applying art practice for theological scholarship. As a practising artist, she combines practice-based research methods and theological reflection to observe and test the human’s ability to understand, express and share knowledge outside of the linguistic frameworks. Her PhD thesis on Art as a Living Theology: Exploring Artist’s Vocation introduced a methodology of ‘theological visualisation’ which equips theologians as well as ministers and pastoral leaders with a creative approach to theology and religious practices. Ultimately, this approach can be applied by any practising believers to communicate their religious experience within and outside their traditions and cultures.
PROF CHAMMAH J. KAUNDA is a Zambian scholar currently working as an Assistant Professor of World Christianity and Mission Studies at the United Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University, Korean Republic. He is also an Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Religion and Theology at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. He is also a Research Fellow for the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR). His current research interests focus on Afri-Pentecostalisticity in its critical engagement with decoloniality, poetics of mysticality and materiality, and the intellectual history of African theological ideas. Kaunda draws on various theoretical approaches, including African (World) Christianity, African philosophy and theology, decolonial theology, black liberation theology, missiology, ecumenism, anthropology, and political, gender, and ecological theologies.
MR RICHARD LEWNEY is Chair of Cambridge Econometrics, a spin-off from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Applied Economics. He served as the company’s Managing Director for two decades from the mid-1990s, applying economic modelling to policy analysis, policy evaluation and possible futures, mainly for government and NGO clients. In recent years his particular focus has been on the economic impact of climate change mitigation policies. He is an Assembly Accredited Lay Preacher in the United Reformed Church and regularly leads worship in churches in and around Cambridge. He is Convenor of the Reference Group that oversees the URC’s global justice program, Commitment for Life. He is a Trustee of the Cambridge Trust for New Thinking in Economics, which promotes the development of ideas better suited to addressing real-world economic, social and environmental challenges. He studied at Cambridge and, as a Fulbright Scholar, at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
PROF ESTHER MOMBO is Professor at St. Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya, where she has served in senior management positions including as Deputy Vice-chancellor Academic affairs. Her research and teaching interests span the fields of Church History, with a focus on Mission History, interfaith Relations, and Theology & Gender Studies with a focus on African women’s Theologies. While connected to the University of St. Paul’s, the University of Dublin, and the University of Edinburgh, she has directed and examined postgraduate students. She has mentored students, especially women who now serve in churches and academic institutions in different parts of the world. In 2007 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by Virginia Theological Seminary for her work in bringing to the fore issues of gender disparity and gender justice in Church and society. In 2023 she was awarded another honorary doctorate by her alma mater, University of Edinburgh. She has been a visiting professor at several universities including the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology, Bright School of Divinity at Texas Christian University, Graduate Institute of Theology in Yonseo University Seoul, South Korea, Candler School of Theology, Emory University and Utrecht University. She has served in several ecumenical committees including as co-chair of the Commission of Education and Ecumenical Formation of the World Council of Churches.
DR ANNA KASAFI PERKINS is Senior Programme Officer with the Quality Assurance Unit in The University of the West Indies (UWI), Jamaica, and adjunct faculty at St Michael’s Theological College, Jamaica. She teaches and researches in ethics, justice, popular culture, sexuality, theology, scripture, and quality assurance. She is a published author of books, book chapters and journal articles. Her most recent publications are Ethics Amidst COVID-19: A Brief Ethics Handbook for Caribbean Policymakers and Leaders (2020), co-authored with Professor R. Clive Landis and Rough Riding: Tanya Stephens and the Power of Music to Transform Society (2021), co-edited with Adwoa Onuora and Ajamu Nangwaya.
MR PHILIP POWELL is the Theology and Network Engagement Manager at Tearfund UK and previously the Co-director of the Justice Conference (2021-23). He also worked for the Cambridge-based think tank Jubilee Centre (2013 – 21), where he developed and led training programmes like the Bible and Public Life online course and the SAGE Graduate Leadership Programme. He is a member of the Advisory Group for the UK student movement Just Love and a Trustee at Global Action UK.
MS MIRIAM RAJKUMAR is an ordained deacon in the Baptist tradition and a Contributor to the forthcoming South Asia Study Bible. She has an MTS (honors) in Biblical Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary and an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. Miriam has also attended Oxford University’s Theology Summer School. Miriam is a director at MEMCO Associates. Headquartered in Bengaluru, MEMCO is a private engineering, marketing and management service provider across industries in India, including India’s Metro and space programs. It provides Miriam with a firsthand view of how business can positively impact society through good employment, and access to better transportation and communication. Miriam has preached and taught Bible Study in Anglican, Baptist, CSI and Methodist churches in Bengaluru, Dubai, and Washington DC. She has also led Children’s Church and youth group at an international Baptist Church in Dubai. Miriam served as moderator for a live panel discussion during the 2023 Outcomes Conference Global Digital Experience on the theme “Entrusted.” Previously, Miriam was an Associate on the Non-Proliferation Project at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She is co-author of Deadly Arsenals: Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Threats.
THE REVD DR JONATHAN E. SOYARS is Tutor in New Testament Language, Literature and Theology at Westminster College in the Cambridge Theological Federation and an affiliated lecturer in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge. He earned a PhD in New Testament and early Christian literature at the University of Chicago and previously studied at Princeton Theological Seminary. His current research analyses the transmission and transformation of authoritative traditions in texts produced by the earliest Christ-followers, particularly the so-called Apostolic Fathers. Recent major publications include The Shepherd of Hermas and the Pauline Legacy (Novum Testamentum Supplements 176; Leiden: Brill, 2019). Jonathan is also the Director of the Cheshunt Foundation, a charitable trust affiliated with Westminster College that supports theological education for ministry in the United Kingdom and around the globe. He is an Anglican priest.
THE REVD CANON DR STEPHEN SPENCER is Adviser for Theological Education at the Anglican Communion Office, London. He was previously vice principal of St Hild College in Yorkshire. He has experience as a parish priest and has written several theological books, including Archbishop William Temple: A Study in Servant Leadership (2022), Anglicanism (SCM Study Guide, 2021), Theology Reforming Society: Revisiting Anglican Social Theology (2017), and Christian Mission (SCM Study Guide, 2007). He is co-editor of three Preparing for Lambeth Conference books: Walking Together (on reconciliation) (2019), Witnessing Together (on evangelism) (2019), and Listening Together (on prayer) (2020). He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the Dept of Religion and Theology, Durham University.
THE REVD DR SAS CONRADIE is the Tearfund International Partnerships Manager, a role through which he encourages generous living and giving and business investment where the need is greatest. In addition he is the Coordinator of the World Evangelical Alliance Business Coalition Global Generosity Network. His past professional career includes being a researcher in the Faculty of Theology at the University of South Africa, Executive Director of the National Initiative for Reconciliation in South Africa, founder and Director of Impact: Community Volunteers Serving South Africa, missionary in Crimea (then Ukraine, now incorporated into Russia), Assistant International Director of World In Need in the UK and manager of the Church Mission Society Global Mission Fund. A minister in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, his doctorate thesis in Missiology focused on the socio-economic crisis in Africa and the role of the church in addressing that. His present academic and professional interest areas include stewardship, generosity and giving theology and practice; the interface between church, business and community in reducing poverty in communities; sustainable economic development; new approaches to corporate social responsibility; business and care for creation; and theological education. Sas is passionate about the wholistic restoration of poor communities through the church and business that he sees as God’s vehicles to bring wholistic transformation.
THE REVD DR MUTHURAJ SWAMY is Director of the Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide. Muthuraj (PhD, University of Edinburgh) moved to Cambridge in 2018. Previously, he worked as Associate Professor, Dean of Theology, and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at the Union Biblical Seminary (Serampore University) in India. As CCCW Director, Muthuraj teaches in the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, and in the Cambridge Theological Federation. Muthuraj is also a Visiting Fellow at St. John’s College, Durham University, and Project Manager for Theological Education for Mission in the Anglican Communion.
DR PAULO UETI is a Latin American Theologian and Biblical Scholar, working with Anglican Alliance and the Theological Education in the Anglican Communion Office. He collaborates with USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) with FeAST (Fellowship of Anglican Scholars of Theology). He is a former lecturer at the University of Brasilia, UnB, Brazil, and is a member of the Ecumenical Centre for Biblical Studies working with Contextual Bible Studies (CEBI), SBL (Society for Biblical Literature) and ABIB (Brazilian Association for Biblical Research).
MR STEPHEN GERMAN has worked for Tearfund for over 25 years. Most of that time he lived in remote contexts in Africa (Rwanda, DRC, Tunisia and Egypt) along with his Belgian wife and their 3 children. His first degree was in Agri-Forestry at UCNW followed by a Masters in Extension for Development at Edinburgh University. He added skills in Organisational Development & Capacity Building with MDF. In addition, he completed 2 years at All Nations Christian College and served as an assistant pastor in several churches in the UK. Stephen now lives in the UK and works out of Tearfund’s offices in Teddington. He leads the Global Church Mobilisation Team, which envisions and equips local churches worldwide to become agents of transformation in their communities.
There are three events during this week open to the public:
Celebrating the 25th year anniversary of ‘Oxford to Cambridge with a Camel’ walk in 1999. A charity walk from ‘Kingston to Cambridge without a Camel’ (9 miles), on 30 June 2024 morning at 9.30 am. The walk will end with lunch at Selwyn College. Cost: £13 per person. Funds raised for poverty relief in Kenya.
The Inaugural Address ’Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gate’: Faith and female face of poverty by Prof Esther Mombo, School of Theology, St Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya (joining on Zoom). Date and time: Sunday 30 June 2024, 3-4.15 pm BST. Venue: Healey Room, Westminster College, and Online. You can download the flyer here.
The Public Lecture ‘Where your treasure is’ – Economics, poverty and the church by Mr Richard Lewney, Chairperson, Cambridge Econometrics, UK. Date and time: Wednesday 3 July 2024, 5-6.30 pm BST. Venue: Runcie Room, Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, West Road, CB3 9DP, and online. Refreshments afterwards. You can download the flyer here.
The Bible: Everywhere in Everyday Life
Would you like to meet fellow Christians from around the world?
Spend time in the stimulating and historic environment of Cambridge?
Why not consider applying to our Summer Institute today?
Dates: 2-7 July 2023
Venue: Westminster College, Cambridge, UK
Download an application form here
Last date to apply: Friday 14 April 2023
Theme: Grief, Resilience and Hope amid the Pandemic’
Henry Martyn Hall, Cambridge, 18-22 July 2022
Our first ever residential World Christianity Summer Institute in Cambridge fell during the hottest days on record (temperature wise) and there were many travel disruptions that week too due to strikes and weather. However, we can and we did praise God for many answers to prayer.
“Grief, Resilience and Hope Amidst the Pandemic” was a great theme to examine during our sessions in the Henry Martyn Hall, a historic mission building in central Cambridge.
The Institute began with a keynote address by Revd Dr Jooseop Keum, General Secretary of the Council for World Mission, Singapore. Our speakers during the sessions (in person and online) came from or had specialist knowledge of Hong Kong, the UK, India, the West Indies, Nigeria, Brazil and Korea so we had a truly global picture of how the world had been affected and responded to the pandemic, how the Christian church had helped (or hindered) efforts and how this experience can be shared and improved. The lectures followed a well-planned journey through the institute’s title and we were happy to open up Professor Charlotte Summers’ talk at the Divinity Faculty on the Wednesday evening to the general public. Prof. Summers is Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at the University of Cambridge and had led our city hospital and university’s response to the pandemic, so was uniquely qualified to give a personal and fascinating perspective.
The participants for our inaugural Institute came from Brazil, Zimbabwe, India, the UK, Kenya, South Korea, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria. Sadly six prospective participants did not receive their visas in time. However, a still very engaged, diverse and interesting cohort came together and we are thankful that in these, still rather uncertain times, the week was able to go ahead as it did.
We enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Rose Castle Foundation (a UK based reconciliation charity) who facilitated two helpful story telling workshops, and with the Theological Education in the Anglican Communion (TEAC) and with multitudinous other partners too.
The visit to the Cambridge University Library which kindly organised an exclusive exhibition for the Summer Institute participants on Bibles and rare books, the heritage walk, an evening at the home of our Librarian as well as the outings and services at King’s, Pembroke and St John’s College Chapels were also appreciated and enriched the week enormously.
We are so grateful for you all, and for your energy (those involved) and commitment to this inaugural residential event. They were five very full and unforgettable days. Also, thank you very much to those who prayed for the Summer Institute, we really believe your prayers made it possible. We are also grateful to those who kept the Centre Library open whilst the entire team were involved in the programme.
A particular highlight were the dinners under the trees in the beautiful grounds of the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology on the first and final evenings. Our hospitable friends at Lyn’s House kindly allowed us to use their home and facilities and we had outside caterers deliver the food. On the Monday evening one of our host families said it was “a taste of heaven”! It doesn’t come much better than that!!
Our sincere thanks to everyone – individuals and institutions – who have supported and worked for the success of our inaugural Institute.
We certainly also learned a lot of ways we can do things differently/better and plans are already afoot for next year’s Institute (3-7 July 2023). Watch this space!