Network focuses on inter-cultural outreach
TORONTO, ON - In every world religion, says Matthew P. John, there is some nugget that points to Christ.
John, who was raised in India, lived in Kuwait and now Toronto, is executive director of Toronto-based Focus Infinity Christian Outreach Network (FICON). An off-campus doctoral student in inter-cultural studies at Fuller Seminary, John's passion and life work is equipping Canadian Christians to understand other cultures.
He wants to see Christians interact with people of other cultures with respect and understanding, eventually pointing them to Christ.
“The main reason we started Focus Infinity is that we found there was a lack of resources to help ordinary Christians engage in inter-cultural evangelism," explains John. “Especially in Canada, and especially in Toronto. We live in a multi-cultural society. How do we understand people of other faiths? How do we relate to them, to show them Christ?"
John answers those questions and more in the workshops he's been offering Toronto-area churches since FICON's founding in June 2010.
Now, he's taking things one step further with the release of “Know Thy Neighbour," a series of 10 booklets written by contributing editors who are specialists in inter-cultural studies, including John Bowen of Wycliffe College, Toronto, Joshua Thambiraj of South Asia Medical Mission, Edmonton, and Wafik Wahba of Tyndale University College and Seminary.
The booklets, says John, will be “applicable and palatable to people. I love the concept of a curriculum Bible series, and that is what I am basing this series on. I wanted to focus on only this concept of Christianity and world religions. It will be thematic and focused, each one will take a different religion, by a different author."
“Know Thy Neighbour" will receive a huge endorsement on July 1 when Philip Yancey, a well-known author and long-time mentor to John, launches the series. The booklets will be available through the mail by subscription as of January 2012.
“We think this project comes at a time when the Church in multi-cultural Canada needs some practical knowledge, encouragement and insight to help them understand and engage better with people from other religions," says John. “And, we're very excited to have the support of Philip Yancey."
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