Postgraduate Students

We are proud of the following graduandi who recently completed their research projects:

MA (Theol.) and M.Th

• Kasebwe Timothee Luc  Kabongo, (2015), Ministry with poor community : a missional appraisal of the innerchange tutoring ministry in Soshanguve  .
• Keith Alan Lategan (2016), Development of a missional youth ministry.
• Leonard Tsidiso  Kganyapa, (2016), The struggle of the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa in becoming a missional church .
• Mashonelo Anderson  Magwira, (2016), Mission for land land for mission : Kranspoort mission station in Limpopo 
• Stella Kayenga Mbangu,  (2016), Missiological perspective of discipleship in francophone churches in Pretoria  
• Jonathan Denzil Kerrin (MA in Theology):- Religious trends in the Syrian Civil War: An analysis of religion as a dynamic and integral part of the conflict.
• Yongsoo Lee (MA in Theology):- A Korean perspective on megachurches as missional churches.
• Fourie Pieter Rossouw (MA in Theology):- Hybrid identity: A missional approach to inclusivity.
• Peter Kotze (MTh):- 'n Missionale perspektief op begrafnisse en sterwensbegeleiding in 'n sekulere samelewing
• Doret Niemandt (MTh in Teologie):- ’n Evaluasie van teologiese opleiding in die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika in die lig van ’n missionale ekklesiologie.
• Wimpie Wasserman (MTh in Teologie):- 'n Missionale benadering tot die optimale bediening van Generasie-Y binne die Ring van Krugersdorp van die NG Kerk.
• Frans du Plessis (MTh in Teologie):- Ondersteuning van sendelinge deur die NG Gemeentes in die Oostelike Sinode: ‘n Missiologiese benadering.
• PC Pretorius (MTh in Teologie):- Missionale Spiritualiteit in die Transformasie van Gemeentes.
• Chris Harrison (MTh in Theology):- Church Planting in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa compared to two different church plants in the Centurion area from 1998 to 2001.
• CJ du Plessis
• Kirk Franklin
• Frank Kainerugabba
• Max Mokadi Mathye
• Sibusiso Zungu
• Steve R Grant
• Rudolph de Villiers
• Jon Kerrin

PhD and DD

• Prof Solomon  Hah (2017): Intercultural missional leadership – a narrative approach focusing on “Tabeh village” missional work in Cambodia.
• Dr Karabo  Makofane (2017): The Uniting Prebyterian Church in Soutern Africa
• Prof David Hirschman (2017): Missional focus, form and function are redefining American Christianity 
• Dr Sanpil P Son (2017): A missiological exploration of James Noble Mackenzie’s ministries in South Korea from a Minjung  perspective.
• Eric Z M Gbotoe,  (2016) The role of Christianity in post-war Liberia : an assessment of how Christianity can play a role in mending societal fragility .
• Prof Kobus Kok (2017), DRAWING AND TRANSCENDING BOUNDARIES IN THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH: A Social Identity and Critical Correlatory Perspective on Missional Challenges in Post Apartheid South Africa.
• Dr Tobias Masuku: The ministry of dr. Beyers Naude – towards developing a comprehensive mission strategy towards the victims of oppression
• Prof Ed Smither: An Evaluation of the Brazilian Evangelical Missionary Movement toward the Arab World since 1976
• Dr Desmond Henry: Leading toward missional change: an Afro-centric missional perspective on the history of South African Baptists
• Dr Japie Breedt: Relational leadership as response to the challenges faced by the missional church
• Dr Martin Lazenby: Missionêre kerkwees en die webblad van die plaaslike gemeente.
• Dr Gert Cordier: Die predikant as missionale leier. Sleutel-faktore vir die suksesvolle vorming van die predikant in die formasie van ’n missionale gemeente-kultuur
• Dr Conrad Mbewe: Lessons From the Lives of Olive Doke and Paul Kasonga for Pioneer Missionsand Church Planting Today.
• Dr Craig Dunning: Muslims coming to faith in the West Bank: Crisis and Evangelism
• Dr Jordaan: History of the DRC mission in Sekhukhuneland and Church development 1875-1994
• Dr YS Han: The understanding of God in African Theology: Contributions of Mbiti and Oduyoye.
• Dr Fanie Solomon Mkhwanazi: Women ministers in mission with reference to the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.
• Dr Jinho Park: The saints of the African Independent Churches in Namibia: Empirical research from Korean missionary perspective.
• Dr Peter White: The role of the Baptism and infilling of the Holy Spirit in Missions and Church growth: A Pentecostal approach.
• Dr Kirk Franklin: A paradigm for global mission leadership: the journey of the Wycliffe Global Alliance.
• Dr Keith Moller: Developing principles for mission in a Muslim context: The Yawo of Malawi.

Honorary Doctorate

Prof Theo Sundermeier from the University of Heidelberg received a Honoray Doctorate (DD Hons. Causa) in April 2016.

As renowned missiologist and scientist of religion prof Sundermeier contributed to the knowledge of the nature of religion by investigating Traditional African religions. His contribution was especially based on his practical experience as missionary and academic scholar in the Southern African environment. As missionary in Namibia as well as lecturer at the Theological college at Pietermaritzburg (1964-1975), prof Sundermeier not only had first-hand experience of religion in an African context, but could simultaneously formulate a model of engaging with other religions. His model of convivence still today serves as guide for missionaries as well as scientist of religion in how to engage with other religions.

His knowledge of religion includes the expression of Christianity in foreign cultures. His publications on religion and art serve as proof of his extensive knowledge. His connection to Africa has made him a world renowned scholar. His current involvement in Japan and Korea illustrates his undying zeal as academic.

Prof Sundermeier is a rare representative of the multi-disciplinary approach to religions that was apparent at Theological faculties in Europe. Occupying a chair in missiology and science of religion simultaneously is today a rare opportunity for scholars. The Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria is still one of the few universities where science of religion and missiology are grouped together in one department. The responsible way in which prof Sundermeier managed these two disciplines illustrated his academic capabilities and contributed to shaping the way in which religions engage today .