The International Association for Mission Studies 16th General Assembly 2026

The International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS) is an international, interconfessional and interdisciplinary professional society for the scholarly study of Christian witness and its impact in the world and the related field of intercultural theology. Since 1972, an international conference has been held every four years on different continents. There are now more than 630 scholars who are members of IAMS (including a number of UD faculty), as well as over 50 institutions that are corporate members, representing 39 countries.

From 17 to 21 July 2026, IAMS Africa hosted the 16th General Assembly at the University of South Africa, Pretoria, with the theme “Walking Together in Mission: Facing Global Challenges for a Sustainable World”. Over 200 international participants joined the five-day conference, with 80-plus paper presentations in 10 study groups and 20 thematic panels, addressing the Assembly’s theme.

The plenary speakers across the five days in sequence included the IAMS president, Prof Bokyoung Park (Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary, Korea), Prof Dana L. Robert (Boston University, USA), Rev. Dr Xiaoli Yang (University of Divinity, Australia), Dr Estêvão (Stefano) Raschietti (the Latin American Ecumenical Network of Missiologists, Brazil), Professor Isabel Apawo Phiri (University of Blantyre Synod, Malawi), and Dr Gabriel Hanganu (the Alan Turing Institute, UK). Each morning began with meaningful worship services from different Christian traditions, including the Pentecostal, the Orthodox, the Catholic, the Evangelical and the Ecumenical.

UD (Whitley College) staff member Xiaoli Yang, the Representative for Oceania, presented a thought-provoking lecture titled “Weaving as Witness in Oceania: Toward a Poetic Eco-missiology in an Age of Digital Idolatry” in the plenary, which encouraged mutual dialogue and deeper reflection among delegates. A UD PhD Candidate, Shirantha Perera, presented his research on “Restoring Hope in the Midst of Climate Catastrophe: Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration as a Praxis of Christian Hope” in the newly established Eco-Theology and Mission Study Group that Xiaoli co-convened.

There were genuine, engaging discussions, meaningful collaboration and shared learning as participants gathered in the plenaries and various group sessions to explore key themes and perspectives. The missiological trajectories set during the global gathering will be further explored, and the related works will be published in the IAMS’ journal Mission Studies and the book series Theology and Mission in World Christianity with Brill, before the next international General Assembly in Brazil in 2030.