BERMUDA has been hosting this week the Class of Missiology from the Interdenominational Theological Centre (ITC). Each spring break they go abroad to study and learn in a different cultural context.

They have been to such countries as Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba.

"We thought this was a wonderful time to come to Bermuda and learn about the culture of the island since we have Bermudian ITC students," said Dr. M. Snulligan-Haney, PhD, who is ITC's Professor of Missiology and Religions of the World.

The Bermuda tour was co-ordinated by the Rev. Donnamae Posthlewaite, Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Hamilton. She is a graduate of ITC, a member of its Mission Society and has travelled to countries in the Caribbean with the Mission group.

ITC, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is the largest theological centre for Africans in the world.

"Our mission is to prepare leaders for the church, the community, the nation and the world. We have had graduates from more than 25 different countries, coming from such African nations as Kenya, Liberia, Sudan and Ethiopia, as well as from Brazil and Bermuda," Dr. Haney explained, adding that ITC offers six or more degree programmes, all graduate level studies, including master's degrees in Christian Education, Music and Divinity, as well as doctoral degrees in Pastoral Care and Counselling.

In Bermuda there is an ITC Continuing Education Centre, the heads of which are the Revs. Howard Dill and his wife Emily of Vernon Temple AME Church, Southampton.

Dr. Haney explained that the objective of the Missiology students is to study how people express their faith in their particular context. Because they are Christians they spent most of their whirlwind trip to Bermuda in Christian churches such as the Baptist and AME Churches.

They also visited the Mosque on Cedar Avenue, learning first hand about the Moslems, and at the Ba'hai Centre learning about their faith and what they are doing on the island.

"This has been an opportunity for us to become learners, about how the church has grown and developed and how it has faced its challenges down through the years" said the professor.

The visitors were addressed by Dr. and Mrs. Sydney Gibbons of the Adventist Church, by Mrs. Fern Wade of the Hands of Love Ministry and by Kes Albert Place of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church while on the literary and cultural side they had presentations by Mrs. Joy Wilson Tucker, Mrs. Florenz Maxwell and Ira P. Philip.

A visit to the Maritime Museum and a tour by Curator Dr. Clarence Maxwell was followed by lunch at Salt Rock Grill in Somerset. Another highlight was the visit to St. George's and a greeting by Mayor. E. Michael Jones. They had lunch at the Bermuda Public Services' Headquarters, and a walking tour of Court Street that culminated with dinner at Emmanuel Baptist Church, hosted by its pastor, the Rev. Donnamae Posthlewaite.

ITC came into being when six denominations joined up to study under one interdenominational centre. They included the Baptist Church, Church of God in Christ, CME Church, AME Church, United Methodist and Presbyterian Churches.