CIU advisor and advisee contribute to exciting new encyclopedia

CIU advisor and advisee contribute to exciting new encyclopedia

Professor and student: Dr. Joao Mordomo (left) and David Haron

Intercultural Studies Ph.D. producing “scholarly practitioners”

By Bob Holmes

As the senior editorial consultant to a new regional encyclopedia of Christianity, Columbia International University professor Dr. Joao Mordomo was responsible for recruiting qualified scholars to write entries for the project. To find at least one writer, he didn’t have to look any further than his roster of students.

David Haron, enrolled in CIU’s online Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies (ICS) program, is an advisee to Mordomo. Together, they contributed to “Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South,” which Mordomo describes as “a two-volume, 1,100 page tour de force, whose fine group of scholars examines the dramatic growth and sublime contours of Christianity in the non-Western world.”

And while the title may lead you to believe only scholars and their students would delve into such a tome, not so says Mordomo.

“The entries cover a broad range of categories including history, culture, religion, economics, politics and education,” Mordomo said in an email exchange from his home in Brazil. “While it might sound cliché, I think there’s something for everyone. Just a few days ago a friend to whom I had recommended the encyclopedia for research purposes commented that he ‘would read it cover to cover.’”

Haron, who earned his bachelor’s degree at CIU in 2008, today lives in Italy offering Bible studies to refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. His contribution to the encyclopedia is an entry on Christianity in Trinidad and Tobago. He says the experience provided him with an opportunity for personal development and growth.

“It’s always a beautiful to contribute to a collaborative project for the sake of God’s glory,” Haron said. “This Encyclopedia as a collective whole will be a fantastic resource for believers around the world.”

Mordomo says getting Haron involved in the project is “stewardship” on his part as a professor/advisor.

“This means that among other things I must challenge, equip, coach, coax, urge, encourage, open doors, provide opportunities, point in the right direction, and stretch them beyond their comfort zones,” Mordomo said. “This type of experience helps hone their research and writing skills. It adds to their body of knowledge. And, if I’m being honest, it looks good on their CV.”

Haron says even though he and Mordomo are continents apart, they are a great fit.  

“Dr. Mordomo is serving in Brazil and I am serving in Sicily, so there are certainly some interesting dynamics at play in the mentoring relationship we have.” Haron said. “Dr. Mordomo has an abundance of knowledge, experience and connections in areas related to my research and ministry. He has gone beyond advising my research to providing insights and advice for ministry and even family life.” (Haron is married to 2009 CIU alumna Dylia Sasso.)

Both professor and student say the geographical distance and intercultural differences between them is actually the strength of the CIU Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies program.

“The use of email and Skype allows, for example, a student in Italy to be supervised and mentored by a professor in Brazil!” Mordomo said. “The program is designed not merely to produce and equip scholars, but rather scholarly practitioners. This necessitates the student being mentored, in turn, by scholarly practitioners. And where do you usually find scholarly practitioners? ‘In the field!’”

Meanwhile, Haron is making acquaintance with fellow CIU Ph.D. “classmates” around the globe.

“When I hear about their ministries around the world, the research they are doing, and the ways that God is using them, I feel honored just to be in their midst, albeit digitally,” Haron said. “Truly, this program has attracted some exceptional leaders and servants of Christ who are changing the world and I am honored to be connected to them through this program.” 

Learn more about CIU’s Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies program and other online and on-campus graduate degrees here. CIU is experiencing growth in enrollment and has announced $25 million in expansion plans for the campus. More information on enrollment is available here or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024. CIU is accredited by SACS-COC