Crossing Cultures

Our ‘crossing cultures’ adventure began over 35 years ago. In 1988 we moved to Sparkhill, an incredibly diverse area of Birmingham – inner city, multicultural, at the poorer end of the socio-economic scale and predominantly South Asian, either of Sikh, Hindu or Muslim religion.

Living among these communities for 27 years, we gradually grew in our understanding of the cultures around us. We made friends and came alongside people who were very different to us. Dealing with difference is one of the biggest challenges we face in life. Whilst at times there was laughter, learning and encouragement, there was also discomfort, confusion and struggle.

Life-long multicultural friendships

We invested time in developing our convictions, doing research and serving people through our teaching business. Over the years we have seen Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs become followers of Jesus, albeit in small numbers and sometimes with pain attached.

Most of all, by sharing our lives we made life-long friendships. It was an honour, for example, to be invited to the family wedding celebrations for three sisters we taught and tells us how much this family values the relationship we share.

We always knew that we were not called to go abroad, but we have a strong conviction that God has brought the nations to the UK. We are a truly multicultural society. We, as his people and especially as Navigators, need to engage with, understand and love this diverse population.

The fruit of humility

We moved to Glasgow in 2015 and here we continue with the same convictions. Statistics show a large and growing diversity throughout the UK, not just in the big cities. It is our heartfelt desire and dream that every Christian in the UK would have at least one person from a different cultural background who they relate to in a meaningful way. This might be somebody from a different ethnicity, religion, social class, disability, language, age or gender. If we draw alongside people in the humble, listening posture of learners, recognising that there is not only one way of doing things, then our lives will be enriched by the vibrancy and challenge of cultural exchange.

In Jesus’ day, Jews and Samaritans lived in the same land, but Samaritans worshipped in a different way and place to the Jews. The Jews despised, avoided and distrusted them for this.

How did Jesus treat the Samaritans? Although sent primarily to the Jewish nation, Jesus went out of his way to meet Samaritans. He travelled into their communities. He told parables that made them the heroes. He rebuked the Jews who thought ill of them. He did not say a bad word against them. He engaged with them whenever he could.

If Jesus is really to be our model, then who are the people on the edge of your world whom you could reach out to? Copy Jesus and, rather than being fearful or indifferent, just start a conversation and see what God can do.

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Tom and Judi Walsh have served as Navigator Reps for over 30 years, including pioneering the Crossing Cultures UK ministry. Tom has just completed his doctorate entitled ‘Longing for Family: Experiences of converts from a Muslim background and challenges facing the British Christian community as it welcomes them’. Judi is a spiritual director and magistrate. Tom has just released a new book called  Let Their Voices Be Heard. It’s full of stories for the British Church from Christians of Muslim background.