Evangelical scholars and researchers from Spanish universities gather collectively for a historic first time.
The Graduate Bible Groups (GBG), the professional section of Spain's IFES movement, GBU, have announced the formation of a new Academic Group. Approximately 50 professors and researchers have expressed interest in this initiative, according to one of the organizers, Maricruz Lacalle.
The Academic Group, set to hold its first gathering on 14 and 15 March at an evangelical church in Madrid, aims to provide a platform for academics to integrate their faith with their professional work. This new initiative aligns with GBG's objectives of communion, formation, and mission.
The Academic Group's primary objectives include fostering a community among Christian academics, offering support and a sense of belonging within the academic environment. It also aims to organise seminars, workshops, or conferences that address both academic and spiritual growth, encourage research and publication in fields relevant to faith and academia, and facilitate mentorship opportunities and networking among academics at different stages of their careers.
Participants in the Academic Group will be encouraged to use their professional roles to bear witness to Jesus, His Kingdom, and justice in the university world. The 24-hour meeting serves to create a mutual support network for academics and provide training on issues that particularly concern them, such as maintaining integrity, supporting doctoral students, and the mission of the university.
It is worth noting that the Academic Group is a separate entity from the other labor area groups created by GBG, including the Economy Business and Gospel group, the Evangelical Medical Union, the Evangelical Nurses group, the Evangelical Legal Forum, the Evangelical Psychologists Group, and the Evangelical Teachers Group.
The Academic Group was formed in response to concerns within the academic world. Details about the group can be found on their website, along with information about the #TogetherInThisMission campaign, which is a sustainability challenge at Evangelical Focus, encouraging commitment to their mission.
This new Academic Group is open to university professors, researchers, postdocs, and doctoral students from all scientific fields. Workshops and plenary sessions during the meeting will cover topics such as being principled in an academic career, providing support to doctoral students, and the mission of the university and the university as a mission.
This initiative by GBG is another step towards connecting and encouraging evangelical Christians in various professional fields, fostering a supportive community where faith and academia intersect.
The Academic Group, initiated by GBG, seeks to provide a platform for Christian academics, focusing on personal growth, learning, and education-and-self-development. This new entity organizes seminars, workshops, and conferences that foster academic and spiritual growth, encourage research and publication, and facilitate mentorship opportunities.
