Children of the Calling

This volume of essays, dedicated to Stan and Ruth Burgess, has been written by their colleagues and students to honor them as they retire after many years of distinguished service to Evangel University, Southwest Missouri State University, and Regent University. Several meanings can be subsumed under the title Children of the Calling. Stan and Ruth grew up in India, children of Pentecostal missionaries who felt they had ""divine callings."" They were influenced not only by the religious callings of their parents, but also by the cultural milieu of India. Though they did not personally take on board the specific missionary calling of their parents, they charted life maps that benefitted from the cross-cultural proficiencies developed in their childhoods in India, which to a large extent colored the influence they would have on their children, academic colleagues, and students, some of whom have submitted essays for this Festschrift. The diversity of subjects in this volume attests to the breadth of the scholarly work of Stan and Ruth Burgess. The first section narrates the major highlights of Stan and Ruth's academic biographies, the second presents pioneering studies of biblical studies and church history, and the third offers application-based research and personal reminiscences. ""This Festschrift honoring Stan and Ruth Burgess reveals the breadth and depth of cultural and scholarly life that the Burgesses have experienced. Here is a celebration of an adventure with two people who have called villages in India their home, knelt at the altars of Pentecostal revival, felt at ease in the halls of academia, and been refreshed by the richness of ecumenical conversations."" --Byron D. Klaus, President, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Evangel University, Springfield, MO ""This book combines many of the best features of biography and Festschrift. The lives of Stanley and Ruth Burgess are recounted, celebrated, and then illuminated by the essays of distinguished scholars. This is a rich and rewarding read!"" --William K. Kay, Professor of Theology, Glynd r University, Plas Coch Campus, Wrexham, Wales ""This collection of studies makes an immediate appeal for two important reasons: the honorees rarely combine a life of common calling and two academic disciplines that can be at odds with each other. The studies in the volume brilliantly showcase the work of the spirit in critical domains of our life, church life, and human development. This is an excellent reading to convince that the spirit is the life-giver, thus, he concerns every aspect of our life, including faith and mental development."" --Wonsuk Ma, Executive Director, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, St. Philip and St. James Church, Oxford, UK ""Children of the Calling is a wonderful gift for the retirement of Stan and Ruth Burgess. It not only capsulizes their rich careers but also the great contribution that they both made to the study and practice of the theology of the holy spirit. In addition, the editors have gathered extremely qualified and interesting contributions to honor these two great missionary pioneers of the holy spirit. Whether one is a member of a charismatic or pentecostal experience or not, this collection of essays will be a most welcomed addition to one's desired reading list for personal growth and challenge."" --James F. Puglisi, Director, Centro Pro Unione, Rome, Italy ""One of the beautiful offerings of this volume is that we are reminded that Ruth was not the proverbial 'good woman behind the good man, ' but serving as an equal partner, not only sharing his ministry, but influencing his scholarship and, yes, teaching him! How fitting that Stan and Ruth should be honored by this diverse and stellar group of scholars, recalling the multi-faceted ministries of these creative, brilliant, and passionate people who embody what it means to be a part of the renewing work of the holy spirit in the church and world."" --Kimberly Ervin Alexander,