The ministry of Overseas Council began as the vision of a group of businessmen.
While attending a building dedication of the Seoul Theological Seminary (STS) in South Korea in 1974, a group of businessmen from Indianapolis learned that many students lacked the capacity to pay for their studies. The group returned home, determined to raise scholarship funds for these students, and Overseas Council was born. Over the next decade, the scope of OC’s ministry expanded and at various times has included infrastructure projects, research, consulting, and focused training for seminary leaders to improve their institutions. What began as a focus on helping one seminary in South Korea, expanded to include over 100 evangelical schools in 70 countries.
In 2017, after much prayer, the OC Board unanimously voted to ensure a stronger ministry future by merging with United World Mission. We believe that the combination of OC with UWM is the most strategic way to advance God’s kingdom, through the equipping of Christian leaders, from the grassroots to the classroom. OC’s identity and mission continues unchanged, now as a flourishing ministry of UWM.
What Makes us Effective
Our local knowledge and global perspective.
OC Regional Directors are indigenous to the regions of the world in which they serve. They know the language, culture, the people involved and the players involved. Because OC works in 70 countries, we combine this local knowledge with global relationships and perspective, allowing us to focus strategic resources in areas of greatest need and opportunity.
Our highly committed partners and global network.
OC has a solid reputation in the world of global theological education with a network of over 130 partners in over 70 nations. We serve alongside some of the best seminaries in the world led by experienced, wise, innovative leaders. At the same time, we assist developing schools in strategic locations that have visionary leaders and great potential for impact. We are able to serve specific schools according to their need as well as contribute with others to strengthen overall efforts for global theological education.