Personnel
George Renner has been invited by the Governing Council of Africa International University to re-engineer the ISAR and position it to have a strategic impact for God´s Kingdom in Africa. [Within the next two years, ISAR will hire a permanent African Director.] The vision of ISAR provides a "custom tailored" framework for Renner´s passion, vision and diverse experience. Renner is trained in Social Science and Biblical Studies. He is passionate about APPLYING the radical teachings of Jesus to African realities. He embraces a vision for inter-disciplinary scholarship. He loves to work in "grass roots" contexts where large theological ideas can be translated into ACTION – strategic initiatives which transform persons and communities.
Renner´s work has involved him in being both a pastor and a New Testament scholar. Since he first set foot in Africa in 1991, God has been using him to partner with African Christians to empower African churches. George really "finds his groove" when he´s teaching God´s Word at Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST). George teaches transformational courses on campus and facilitates non-formal pastoral renewal conferences in several African nations.
His course on "Jesus-style leadership" offers a fresh vision of leading that transforms typical styles (in which big men run the show using methods that coerce compliance out of followers using threats and rewards, i.e. economic). Students discover a way of leading that brings out the best in others – passionate commitment, loyalty, above and beyond performance, creativity, and ownership of a vision at a deep level.
Renner´s first season of ministry at NEGST was very strategic. George tried to balance his first love, teaching the New Testament, with his role as deputy vice chancellor and chief fund-raiser for the growing school. God poured out his mercy on NEGST, miraculously providing several million dollars for scholarships and upgraded facilities. Renner believes NEGST is a strategic place in God´s kingdom and that ISAR is crucial to keeping NEGST grounded and relevant. He affirms that this emerging African university is responding to one of Africa´s greatest needs. The Christian movement in Africa must be strengthened through the development of excellence in leadership in order to empower the church to become a major force in the development of African nations.
Because the needs of the expanding Christian movement on the African continent are so complex, leadership for churches and Christian institutions must have the highest level of training. NEGST seeks to prepare African leaders who are thoroughly equipped to guide the Christian movement in the new millennium. These men and women will be characterized by a deep passion for Jesus Christ, godly character, abilities and skills for overseeing institutions, a comprehensive knowledge of the Bible and the Christian worldview, and the ability to understand rapidly-changing African realities.
Education:
B.A., Wheaton College, Illinois, USA
M.Div, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Massachusetts USA
Ph.D., Boston University, Massachusetts USA