New Opportunities

“When it comes to cross-cultural ministry, I could give you techniques, but what has made the greatest impact is when we exchanged hearts.” (Ray Aldred, Hearts Exchanged Report, 2000)

The rate at which marriages break up, the magnitude at which misunderstandings erupt into quarrels, and escalating levels of domestic violence is so alarming. We receive at least three cases every week of grievances among couples. 

When people say 

‘we’ve made it through worse before’ . . . 

all I hear is the wind slapping against the gravestones

of those who did not make it, those who did not

survive to see the confetti fall from the sky, those who

did not live to watch the parade roll down the street.

In the OSJ’s “What’s the Deal With Immigration?” series, we are taking a look at where we were, where we are, and where we’re headed with US immigration policy. This first article seeks to answer where we were, highlighting some of the ways in which our immigration system has become outdated.

If we are to understand that Indigenous people had prior knowledge of God, as stated in Romans 1, before Europeans landed on this continent, might there be manifestation of God through Indigenous peoples narratives? 

It’s a difficult task to find meaningful, ethical gifts at the best of times, and now for most of us the pandemic realities of 2020 have added even more challenging hurdles to Christmas shopping. In many places, local stores are closed, gatherings are restricted, and it seems impossible to avoid bigbox conglomerates or controversial online retailers. How can you ensure the gifts you’re giving this year are supporting socially conscious businesses, are justly and fairly made, and are contributing to healthy local economies? 

I was recently invited as a guest speaker for a webinar with ecumenical partners, to share some information on global forced displacement and migration.

During my five-week internship with the Centre for Public Dialogue, I had the opportunity to create lesson plans to be used by independent schools in B.C., Alberta, and Ontario. These lesson plans included the history of Residential Schools, and the reality of  current inequalities in schools on-reserves. I researched to learn more about the beautiful things Indigenous communities offer, the experiences they endured and the current inequalities they are facing. 

Jose Suarez is an international student from Colombia majoring in Religion and International Relations.  In this interview Jose discusses his experiences looking for work to support him during his years at Calvin University.  

This interview is part of our series International Students Speak created to give an inside look at how policies impact real people on the ground.  

At a church planting conference, I heard this metaphor which really described my own experience with systemic racism. Pastor Norton Lages argued “Canadian culture treats other cultures like an abusive husband who sends his wife to counselling expecting her to change.” If you have even been part of such a situation, you know how messy and hopeless it can be.