The first cohort of students have begun their six-month interreligious study programme at the internationally renowned Henry Martyn Institute - International Centre for Research, Interfaith Relations and Reconciliation in Hyderabad, India.

The Henry Martyn Institute (HMI) is “a place where faith becomes dialogue, dialogue fosters understanding, and understanding nurtures peace. This Institute shows us that truth flourishes in respect, and reconciliation begins when we listen to one another,” said Rev. Junita, Presidium member of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) during the inauguration of the study programme on 29 October.

The six students participating in the study course, two of which are women, come from several EMS member churches: two from Ghana, two from Indonesia, and two from South Africa. The Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau (EKHN), Germany, provided four full scholarships for the programme, HMI another two partial scholarships.

“Through this partnership with HMI, we are reminded that God’s mission is relational,” said the EMS Presidium member. It is “a call to build bridges across faiths, cultures, and ideologies.” The six-month journey will teach participants not only what dialogue is, but how to live it, “preparing students to be facilitators of peace, community builders, and advocates for justice.”

Equipped to actively engage with other faiths

Christians in India have long lived in a multireligious society, which has fostered the development of theological institutes dedicated to interreligious dialogue and ecumenism. These institutes actively engage with representatives of other faiths and offer opportunities for individuals from around the world to share knowledge and gain experience in interreligious environments. Their programs focus on shaping meaningful dialogue and promoting ecumenical and interreligious learning, equipping participants with the tools to understand and navigate diverse religious contexts.

One such institute is the HMI; an ecumenical Christian organization committed to the academic study of religions and the advancement of interfaith understanding. The study program, developed in collaboration with EMS, aims to help participants recognize and engage with their own multireligious contexts, foster dialogue within their churches, and deepen their knowledge of Asian Christian theology, the inculturation of Christianity in Asia, and the beliefs of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and indigenous religions. Language learning opportunities in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Sanskrit further enrich the experience.

More information about the EMS study programme at HMI