Abstract
Today, learning languages and cultures is more important than ever before, especially for the missioner. A new brand of multi-cultural missioner is needed: one who ministers cross-culturally as a bridge builder, a catalyst, an innovator, an explorer, and a friend of the poor. Learning languages and cultures, and becoming bi-cultural are more than a preparation for intercultural ministry—they are already ministry. By this learning process missioners grow in a new faith as they explore new realities, expand their horizons, and experience new bi-cultural identities. The “learner role” nourishes the faith dialogue, and by experiencing and working through their new identities in faith, they are growing in their own conversion and witnessing a tangible conversion to others. The whole process imitates the incarnation and is truly ministry. Today Africa is experiencing a vocation explosion and as a result, it has become a trial ground for the formation of this new type of missioners. The future of mission depends on them and on whether or not missionary societies can make language and culture learning an integral part of missionary formation.
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