Encountering the World at Istanbul Airport Starbucks

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Recently I was at Starbucks in the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul with a colleague (Pat) having a coffee. We are waiting for a third colleague so we can share a taxi into Asia for a meeting and save a couple of lire. Now Pat is this remarkable 70-something retired professor whose personality is absolutely irresistible. We’re catching up on life and this distinguished looking 30-something guy named Ahmet turns in his chair and asks Pat where in America she is from. Pat has this delightful southern drawl. He thinks she’s from Texas and she smiles and clarifies South Carolina.

Here is what we learn from Ahmet. He has a Ph.D. in history of religion. He did his masters degree at St. Thomas University, a Catholic university in Houston, my hometown, and the did his doctorate in London. Today he is an adjunct professor and is serving as the General Secretary of the Journalist and Writers Foundation in Istanbul. What does he do? He encourages global dialogue for the purpose of promoting and realizing peaceful relationships between those from different cultures and religions. This includes “general consultative status” with the UN ECOSOC—a United Nations organization that focuses on global economic, social, and environmental challenges. Amazing!

We had to run, so I got his card and may look him up on my next trip to Istanbul. So, what’s the point? For me at least, Ahmet epitomizes the kind of person on the front lines of the Great Commission moving forward. Similar to Paul’s days, if we are to communicate Jesus to a world that is clueless about him, we must focus on the younger, educated, urban, 21st-century Ahmets of the world. And . . . we must engage in their conversations! Promoting peace, justice, dialogue, in a culturally diverse world. There is our bridge to the gospel. This is what we strive to do in CIU’s College of Intercultural Studies.

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Mike Barnett is dean of the College of Intercultural Studies at CIU.