Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology Director Dr. John Loum and Associate Professor of Practical Theology Dr. Abjar Bahkou worked side-by-side Nov. 4-16 on a mission trip to The Gambia, where Loum served through January in his role as a part-time missionary for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The trip was marked by meaningful events like the dedication of a classroom that is used as a church on Sundays and for faith and theology discussions on Gambian national television. Loum and Bahkou also hosted several workshops, including one called “Muslim/Christian Encounter: Challenges and Perspectives,” which was attended by about 200 Muslim and Christian students.