In the mountain-lined city of Chiang Mai, where the Global Institute of Theology (GIT) will gather this October, theology isn’t just being studied — it’s being reimagined.

Voices from across the world will come together under the umbrella of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) to engage in biblical reflection, confront contemporary injustices, and explore how faith can speak with power and purpose in today’s world.

For the Rev. Brian Fiu Kolia of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa, the GIT is more than an academic opportunity — it’s a call. “The WCRC’s zealous focus on justice, as reflected in the work of the GIT, is what drew me to say yes,” Kolia said.

A theologian deeply engaged in issues of ecological, racial, gender, and social justice, Kolia approaches his classroom as a space for talanoa — a Pacific Island model of dialogue — and collective transformation. “I wanted to utilize this space as a platform for conversations that also further my own development as a scholar for justice.”

His teaching centers on the Old Testament — but with a critical edge. He explores how Scripture has historically been weaponized against the marginalized, and how it can be reclaimed as a source of liberation.

“I want to focus on the trauma of destruction and dispossession, the violence against different bodies — human, non-human, environmental — and the oppression of subjugated and bordered bodies,” he said. “Out of the conversations emerges the genesis of new and alternative theologies.”

Kolia’s theological imagination pushes toward dismantling what he calls “outdated theologies that serve empire and white supremacy,” and seeks to cultivate readings of the text that are life-giving, liberative, and rooted in reconciliation.

“My hope is that students will be brave enough to approach Scripture from the standpoint of justice.”Kolia is one of several scholars shaping this year’s GIT, but two key figures are helping steer its broader mission.

Two Deans, One Vision

The Rev. Dr. Henry Kuo, serving as academic dean, brings scholarly rigor and an ecumenical vision to the program. Kuo sees the GIT as a rare opportunity: “Very few programs like this exist where people from different contexts can gather together and learn from each other,” he said.

Kuo’s academic contribution centers on the Council of Nicaea and its enduring theological legacy — especially in light of empire. He challenges students to examine how ancient creeds can still interrogate modern power structures, including the church’s complicity within them.

“Doing theology in a Reformed key requires us to do theology both locally and globally,” Kuo said. “In a time of ecumenical fatigue, when churches are closing and divisions are growing, the GIT argues that ecumenism still matters — and is a powerful witness for these times.”

Working alongside him is Rev. Indah Sriulina, the program’s dean of students. A pastor and leader from Indonesia, Sriulina brings pastoral depth and a grounding in local wisdom. “I said yes because I knew I would learn from every engagement,” Sriulina said.

While she won’t be teaching a formal course, her presence shapes the student experience with intentionality and care. Her focus is simple and vital: ensuring students connect their theological learning with justice in their local contexts. “I want them to carry with them a commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to contribute meaningfully in their own communities.”

A Chorus of Global Perspectives

Other faculty members bring their own unique approaches to justice and theology. The Rev. Dr. Shannon Craigo-Snell is exploring whether the Reformed confessions can offer wisdom and courage for today’s challenges. “The world is on fire,” she said. “Can the creeds still speak? If so, how?”

Craigo-Snell hopes students will leave not only with sharpened theological insight but also with new friendships across borders. “When we manage to view difference not as a threat but as an opportunity, miracles happen — like solidarity and transformation.”

Dr. Hanna Reichel, Charles Hodge Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, brings a similarly global vision. “Doing theology in a global context demands careful listening, clarifying assumptions, and letting them be transformed,” Reichel said. “There’s a great cloud of witnesses from whom we can draw strength.”

Dr. Jin Young Choi offers a provocative economic and political reading of the Gospel of Mark, engaging the intersections of empire, gender, ecology, and justice. “Jesus in the Gospel of Mark provides an alternative vision of the divine economy,” Choi said. “We must ask what it means to participate in this economy as disciples — especially amid today’s crises.”

Reclaiming Theology’s Radical Edge

Whether confronting empire, reexamining ancient creeds, or centering the voices of the marginalized, the GIT’s diverse faculty share a common conviction: theology must be done differently — and urgently.

For Rev. Brian Fiu Kolia, that means inviting students to engage with what is often uncomfortable. “It’s about recognizing Scripture’s potential not just to heal but to harm,” he said. “And then having the courage to respond — not with silence, but with sacred disruption.” At the Global Institute of Theology, that disruption is already underway.

Hear from GIT Alumni

Want to see how the Global Institute of Theology (GIT) shapes lives beyond the classroom? Read these interviews with GIT alumni as they share how the program transformed their ministries and deepened their commitment to justice:

• Building Justice Advocates inside the Global Institute of Theology – Reflections from Rev. Sanya Beharry on embodying justice in their contexts.
• How a Summer at the GIT Redefined David Brandon Smith’s Ministry and Academic Career – A personal story of transformation and theological awakening.
• Bridging Knowledge and Practice: An Interview with Pauline Patricia – Exploring how theology connects to real-world advocacy and community leadership.