Book by CIU Dean makes prestigious list

Book by CIU Dean makes prestigious list

uthor Dr. Ed Smither, dean of the College of Intercultural Studies chats with CIU students.
CIU Intercultural Studies Dean Dr. Ed Smither

Author Dr. Ed Smither, dean of the College of Intercultural Studies chats with CIU students.

A book by the dean of the Columbia International University College of Intercultural Studies makes the list of Christianity Today's 2020 Book Awards.

“Christian Missions: A Concise Global History” by Dr. Ed Smither received the Award of Merit in the Missions/Global Church category. The Christianity Today editors refer to their picks as “the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.”

In his review of Smither’s book, Robin Hadaway, professor of missions at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary writes, “In just 200 pages, Smither covers mission history from the inception of Christianity to the present day. For each age of church history, he explains how and by whom mission work spread in each and every part of the world. The strength of this book is its global focus. In the last chapter, Smither notes that the majority of mission work in the 21st century is carried out by majority-world missionaries and lay believers, just as it was during the early-church era.”

As for Smither, he says the award was unexpected, and he is just grateful for the opportunity to write a book about Christian Missions and have it published.

“I love writing about the history of Christian mission,” Smither said. “I hope this book award will expose more believers to the wonderful story of God’s mission and those who have played a part in it.”

Lexham Press publishes “Christian Missions: A Concise Global History.”

Smither has written, edited, or translated seven other books including “Augustine as Mentor: A Model for Preparing Spiritual Leaders,” “Early Christianity in North Africa,” “Brazilian Evangelical Missions in the Arab World,” “Mission in the Early Church,” “Rethinking Constantine,” “Controversies in Mission,” and “Missionary Monks.”

Learn from accomplished scholars such as Dr. Ed Smither when you enroll at CIU. CIU consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report. Excitement is growing on campus with increased enrollment and new academic programs such as the Master of Arts in Global MigrationRequest information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.