About the Book
This collection of essays draws together a diverse group of scholars and practitioners as they pay loving tribute to Dr. Tetsunao (Ted) Yamamori, one of the great leaders of global mission and mentor to a generation.
From dean, professor, and author to CEO of Food for the Hungry and international director of the Lausanne Movement, Dr. Yamamori has contributed to world evangelization over a lifetime of faithful service. In this book, his students, friends, and colleagues explore the far-reaching impact of his engagement on questions relevant to a new generation of church mobilizers. Touching on topics of hospitality, diaspora, entrepreneurship, poverty, theological education, Bible translation, collaboration, leadership, student ministry, the digital age, and church growth, this collection honors one of the great leaders of integral mission while exploring how the church must continue to grapple with the changing landscape of a changing world. Far from a reflection on the past, this is a book that looks to the future, drawing on the life and ministry of Dr. Yamamori to cast a vision for how we can meet the challenges and opportunities of global mission in the twenty-first century.
About the Author :
SADIRI JOY TIRA, DMiss, DMin, is convener of the Jaffray Diaspora Net Research of the Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives, Ambrose University, Canada, where he is also a diaspora missiology specialist and sessional professor of Intercultural Studies. He served as the Lausanne Movement senior associate/catalyst for diasporas from 2007 to 2019. LAURIE NICHOLS is the founder of Common Goods Communications and the Heromakers Movement. She has over twenty years of experience in communications and marketing, having worked for fifteen of those years heading up editorial and communications at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, Illinois, USA, and serving in leadership roles for a number of publications, including Evangelical Missions Quarterly.
Review :
What a delight to be able to honor Dr. Ted Yamamori's contribution to global mission and his intentional encouragement of those of us whom he has influenced! This Yamamori Festschrift underscores the breadth of Ted's contribution to the global mission community and the creative foresight that enabled him to serve his generation well. Ted's life and ministry is a reminder that God places each of us on this earth to write a distinctly personal script. This Festschrift is yet another reminder of our need to call out a new generation who, like Ted, will live their lives with intentionality and courage to give voice to new ideas and creative ways of approaching the mission of God.
Charles Cook, PhD
Professor of Global Studies and Mission,
Executive Director, Jaffray Centre for Global Initiatives,
Ambrose University, Canada
Dr. Ted Yamamori has lived one of the most remarkable lives and ministries of any Asian-American Christian. In a world where the top music group or the head of the World Bank can be Asian, it's easy to forget how much our global society has truly changed. Ted had the stature, leadership, and respect as an Asian-American influencer long before these changes. He was a trailblazer in academia as a researcher and scholar, and in nonprofit executive leadership as president of Food for the Hungry International. He has alsoimpacted my life, not only as Lausanne International Director, but as a friend who grew up in Nagoya, Japan, where I lived for thirteen years and served as president of Christ Bible Seminary. He has been a voice of prophetic wisdom, insight, and encouragement to me.
Dr. Michael Y. Oh
Executive Director/CEO, Lausanne Movement
I remember hearing the name Tetsunao Yamamori when I was in college, mainly through his writing. From his thesis on church growth in Japan in the 1970s and his works on relief and development, to his encouragement of and engagement with those using business in mission, Ted has poured his life and work into causes that would push forward the gospel of the kingdom globally. Later in his life, I was on a board with him and appreciated his wisdom and encouragement both to those around him and to younger leaders.
Greg Parsons, PhD
Global Strategist, Frontier Ventures
Among many leaders who talk about integral mission, Dr. Ted Yamamori is one of the few I have interfaced with who also lives it out. I first met Dr. Ted when he pioneered the Tentmakers International Exchange (TIE) that aims to advance and develop tentmaking missions. He provided stewardship to TIE while leading Food for the Hungry International. This book is a testament to his considerable influence and impact as a modern-day father of integral mission not only to me, but to many other holistic mission leaders and practitioners.
Bishop Efraim M. Tendero
Global Ambassador, World Evangelical Alliance
Since my first conversation with Dr. Ted Yamamori at an Urbana Missions Convention in the 1970s, I have drawn richly from him through print, presentations, and in-person dialogues. In his illustrious ministry career, Dr. Ted has been God's global envoy to advocate for God's concern for the poor, holistic/ integral mission, and business as mission. He also helped the Lausanne Movement to embrace diaspora missions as a major focus and served as a senior advisor to the Global Diaspora Network. To make this kingdom impact, Dr. Ted has been a tireless missional road warrior across the planet and overwhelmingly deserves the honor of this Festschrift.
Rev. Dr. T. V. Thomas
Chairman, Global Diaspora Network
