PROPHETIC NETWORK LAUNCHED

The Global Prophetic Network (GPN), a new center based at ABSW, launched its online presence this spring following a kick-off celebration and lecture by renowned author and scholar Dr. Farid Esack.

GPN is a network of spiritual leaders who are committed to the prophetic ministry of justice. The group seeks to encourage, educate, mentor and organize like-minded leaders worldwide.

“GPN seeks to create and inform dialogue around the meaning of the term ‘prophetic’ and develop a common global agenda for justice and liberation,” says the Rev. Desmond Hoffmeister, GPN’s director. “We celebrate the voices of the past and affirm a wide variety of new emerging voices.”

Dr. Esack, a noted author and South African Muslim scholar, helped launch GPN Feb. 22 in presenting ABSW’s Frederic I. Drexler Memorial Lecture. He challenged attendees to move beyond interfaith dialogue to interfaith cooperation—to find common cause in the fight for justice.

Esask’s presentation is available online at www.gpnonline.net—GPN’s web site launched in April. The site contains sermons and stories from prophetic leaders worldwide, including ABSW students and alums. Leaders can discuss issues through a bulletin board and share resources and prayer requests.

“It is our conviction that people of faith can utilize technology to make these dreams of cooperation a reality,” Hoffmeister says. “We envision ways to make this technology widely accessible. During the initial stages of network development, our multifaceted interactive web site is a vehicle we will use to stay in touch.”

To learn more about GPN, contact Hoffmeister at 510/841-1905 or dhoffmeister@absw.edu.