The Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies
Named after Samuel Zwemer, the greatest American missionary to work in the Muslim World, the Zwemer ministry is a program established in 1979 as the Zwemer Institute at the U.S. Center for World Missions in Pasadena, California. Over the years Zwemer has offered in-depth courses in Islam, produced papers, fostered dialogue, and facilitated research on pertinent topics, earning an esteemed position in Christian mission circles. In 2003, the Zwemer Institute merged with the Muslim Studies program at Columbia International University in Columbia, SC to become "The Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies" and is directed by Dr. Warren Larson.
What the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies offers
Courses & Seminars on Understanding and Reaching Muslims
Every year the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies offers graduate-level courses through Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. Most classes are one-week intensives offered on campus in January and throughout July, some are available through Distance Education year-round, and a few are offered on-campus during the regular semester. All intensive courses may also be taken as a seminar (non-credit).
Understanding Muslims: Journal of the Zwemer Center
This new journal is devoted to Muslim-Christian studies and to providing resources for research on Islam, its history, theology, and culture, and on Christian missions to Muslims around the world. It exists to facilitate discussion and encourage research on topics of interest. In cooperation with COMMA (Consultation on Ministries to Muslims in America) and Equipping Partners, it seeks to accomplish the following: 1) encourage Muslim evangelism with love and understanding in the church; 2) correct misunderstandings about Islam in the broader Christian community; 3) regain an evangelical voice in Islamic Studies within the academic community.
Consultations of Christian Workers
The Zwemer Center serves as a networking and consulting agent for Christians working with Muslims that gathers and discretely disseminates information on the best church planting methods in Muslim contexts. This is done by facilitating dialog through e-mail, sharing printed resources, organizing and conducting learning venues, producing papers, and convening meetings.
Muslim Studies Research Center
In partnership with the library of Columbia International University the Zwemer Center holds over 5000 volumes dedicated to Islam, its history, theology, language, and culture, and on Christian understanding of Islam in various contexts. The Center is a community of Christian scholars, teachers, and students devoted to Muslim-Christian relations.
Vision:
A global Church equipped for ministry to Muslims.
"Our desire at the Center is to recapture the passion of Samuel Zwemer who had this to say in 1911: 'If the Churches of Christendom are to reach the Moslem World with the Gospel, they must know of it, and know it.' He called for 'deeper study of the problem [Islam], as well as more thorough preparation of its missionaries and a bolder faith in God, in order to solve it.'"
- Warren F. Larson,
Director, Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies
Contact us:
Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies
803-807-5327