2023 Rushton Luncheon & Lecture

2023 Vincent Rushton Memorial

Luncheon and Lecture

June 3 at

Port Williams United Baptist Church

Now Available: 2023 Lecture on YouTube here!

Dr. Allan Effa is the 2023 Rushton Lecturer.

Allan grew up in Brazil where his parents served as Baptist missionaries. His primary and secondary education were in Portuguese. After completing seminary, he served eight years as a Baptist missionary in a remote part of Nigeria where he was involved in theological education and outreach to a least reached Muslim people group. He went on to complete a MTh in Missiology and a PhD in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and then joined the faculty at Taylor Seminary in Edmonton, where he taught courses in intercultural studies and spiritual formation. He recently retired after thirty years of teaching undergrad and graduate students. Allan devoted time to research and writing in his fields of interest. He published numerous articles and has done guest teaching in Philippines, Cameroon, and Russia. He also served for six years as secretary to the ecumenical American Society of Missiology.   One of the ways Allan sought to involve students in experiential learning was through extended field trips. He organized and led teams of students to Philippines, Mexico, two groups to Zambia, and four groups to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain.  Allan and his wife, Karen, are members of First Baptist Church, Edmonton, a congregation of the Canadian Association of Baptist Freedoms. One of the roles he has taken on at FBC is the coordinator and trainer of a team of 25 liturgy writers who write prayers and lead worship on a rotating basis. A project he recently completed, together with Rose Merke, is the publication of a book of prayers drawn from the works of these liturgists.  Allan enjoys gardening, home improvements, cooking, baking bread, running, and cycling.

Title: Enlarge the site of your tent: metaphors and challenges of inclusion and diversity for the Canadian church.

Synopsis: Canada is increasingly diverse, welcoming nearly half a million immigrants each year, while the church is relatively homogeneous, aging, and declining in numbers. This lecture will explore the metaphors of table fellowship, tent, and the difference between offering hospitality and home as windows to a faithful and creative engagement in mission.

Intro: Dr. Effa has provided us with a video intro to his presentation - watch it here.

Program

(Times are ADT)

11:30am.   Registration

12 noon     Luncheon

1:00 PM – Welcome - Marlene Knowles, CABF President

Memorial Moment – David Allen

Introduction of Rev. Arla Johnson – Marlene Knowles

1:05 – 1:30 PM – Devotion - Arla Johnson

1:30 – 2:30 PM – Introduction of Guest Speaker – Ryan Sato

Guest Speaker: Dr. Allan Effa

2:30 – 2:45 PM – Q& A – Facilitator: Lee Nicholas-Pattillo

2:45 PM - Thank You Dr. Effa! – Erica Kenny, Program Committee

2:50 PM - CABF Business Meeting