Overseas Ministries Study Center.

Intercultural pastoral educator Thomas John Hastings of Princeton, NJ, as executive director of the Overseas Ministries Study Center, beginning August 1. He will also be the editor of OMSC's journal, the International Bulletin of Mission Research.

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Hastings was senior research fellow at the Japan International Christian University Foundation in New York City and associate director at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton. While serving with his wife, Carol, as Presbyterian Church (USA) mission coworkers in Japan (1988-2008), he was professor of practical theology at Tokyo Union Theological Seminary.

In addition to many publications in Japanese and English, he is author of Seeing All Things Whole: The Scientific Mysticism and Art of Kagawa Toyohiko, 1888-1960 (Pickwick, 2015) and Practical Theology and the One Body of Christ: Toward a Missional-Ecumenical Model (Eerdmans, 2007).

OMSC Board of Trustees president Edith L. Blumhofer, professor of history at Wheaton College (IL), made the announcement on May 4, stating that the new executive director "brings to OMSC a rich mix of experience, vision, and purpose that will invigorate OMSC's mission as it approaches its centennial [in 2022]."

Hastings succeeds interim executive director and editor Darrell Whiteman, of Norcross, GA, who completed his term of service as a board member and as the interim leader on June 30. "We are grateful for Dr. Whiteman's years of service to OMSC. In his year as interim director, he worked effectively to promote OMSC's programs and prospects," said Blumhofer.

DOI: 10.1177/2396939316652355