During my first five years living in the United States as a young Muslim man, many of my interactions with Christians began with the would-be evangelist telling me I was a sinner, bound for hell and that I was following a false religion or even worshipping a false god named “Allah.” This is not a good way to begin a friendship, let alone a conversation.
I felt talked at rather than talked to, disrespected and quite frankly angry. I usually responded by telling this Christian that they were the guilty party, a sinner bound for hell for their idolatry and worship of the Prophet Jesus and his mother, Mary, as false gods. I would also correct their ignorance of Arabic. “Allah” is not a personal name but simply means God.
How much better could these interactions have gone if the Christian had simply asked honest questions about my beliefs. To be fair, I was no angel. My Islamic beliefs painted the Christian faith as blasphemous, even satanic. I was very quick to find confirmation of those errors by observing excesses of Western culture and attributing them to Christian influence.
God’s longing for cultural and ethnic diversity in the church is beautifully expressed in his Word and should be the guiding stone by which we embrace and engage with others across the globe.
To attain this glorious image of God’s heart for his church we must intentionally and with curiosity, engage with and learn from other cultures within our church groups and our communities.
In Revelation 7:9, John’s heavenly vision celebrates that cultural diversity: “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (ESV).
This picture of God’s multi-cultural family offers a profound challenge to live in unity and celebrate our diversity here on earth. To attain this glorious image of God’s heart for his church we must intentionally and with curiosity, engage with and learn from other cultures within our church groups and our communities.
1. Be humble
True engagement with other cultures begins with humility. Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others” (ESV).
Being willing to listen and learn is an essential and simple way to honor and respect the experiences of others. We must take up the role of a student rather than an expert and ask open-ended questions about a person’s culture, traditions and values.
2. Be curious
This humble posture of curiosity is crucial. As we listen and learn, it is important to resist the urge to compare cultures. Instead of judging another culture by our own standards, we should seek to understand another’s perspectives on its own terms. Not everything about a culture can be lumped into “good” or “bad.” Often the things one may find uncomfortable or confusing are just different.
It is good to remember we all carry assumptions shaped by our upbringing. Taking time to intentionally recognize these biases in ourselves can help us to approach others with greater empathy and openness. Respectful questions such as, “What does this tradition mean to you?” or “How do you celebrate holidays in your culture?” will open the door for more conversation.
3. Be aware of communication styles
Pay attention to how people communicate and interact in different cultural settings. For instance, some cultures value direct communication, while others emphasize politeness and subtlety.
Since communication styles vary widely across cultures, misunderstanding can arise when we are not aware of these differences. Nonverbal cues matter. In some cultures, eye contact is a sign of respect, while in others it can be considered confrontational. Learn what is appropriate in the culture you are engaging with.
Some cultures prioritize group harmony over individual expression, so people may be less direct in sharing their opinions. We must practice active listening to show we value what the other person is saying. Listen without interruption and be reflective by summarizing conversational points back to them to confirm understanding.
4. Be sincere
As one engages others with humility and curiosity, one should do so with sincerity. No one wants to be treated like a project rather than a person. The difference between an interaction with someone whose motivation is religious obligation versus someone whose motivation is based on a genuine attempt to build friendship is stark and obvious. Be committed to showing the love of Christ to others regardless of how they choose to respond.
Make no mistake, building authentic relationships across cultures requires intentional effort. Often, our natural tendency is to gravitate toward people who are like us. Breaking out of this comfort zone can be transformative.
We can attend events, cultural festivals or community gatherings composed of people from different backgrounds. Foster hospitality by inviting a neighbor, coworker or fellow church member from another culture to share a meal at home. Sharing food often opens the door to meaningful conversations and connections. Christ exemplifies this practice throughout the Gospels.
Building trust takes time. Commit to regular interactions that show genuine care and interest in the relationships being nurtured.
5. Worship together
Worshiping with Christ-followers from different cultures also offers a unique opportunity to experience God in new and profound ways. Embrace different worship styles, as some cultures may express worship through lively music and movement, and others may prefer quiet reflection. Celebrate these differences as expressions of the same faith in Jesus. In multicultural congregations, ensure that leadership reflects the diversity of the church by sharing the pulpit or including cultural elements in the service.
Engaging with coworkers or neighbors from different cultures requires sensitivity and intentionality. Respect others’ beliefs and practices, being mindful of dietary restrictions, prayer times or religious holidays. Focus on shared values and interests to build rapport. Kindness, integrity and genuine interest in others can open doors to meaningful conversations about faith.
6. Be patient, extend grace
Despite our best efforts, cultural engagement can sometimes lead to uncomfortable moments or misunderstandings. How we respond in these situations is critical. Be patient and don’t expect instant understanding or agreement. Building cross-cultural relationships is a journey.
When a cultural misstep happens, acknowledge it and ask forgiveness. Extend grace to others by choosing to also respond with kindness. Seek to clarify rather than condemn when others might behave with unintentional offense.
As followers of Christ, our goal in engaging with other cultures is to reflect God’s love and share the hope of the gospel. Focus on unity in Christ. Ephesians 2:14 says Jesus has “destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Celebrate the unity we have in him while appreciating cultural differences.
Demonstrate Christ’s love by serving others, whether through acts of kindness, advocacy or by meeting practical needs. Pray for guidance and ask God to give wisdom and a heart that reflects His love for all people.
Fostering relationships with people from different cultures is not always easy, but it is deeply rewarding. It allows us to grow in humility, expand our understanding of God’s creativity, and reflect his love to the world. Whether through worshiping with fellow believers or building relationships with neighbors who do not yet know Christ, everyone has the opportunity to live out the multicultural vision of God’s family. May all Christians embrace this calling with joy, patience and intentionality.
Nasser al’Qahtani serves on Multiply’s Global Lead Team and as regional team leader for North Africa and the Middle East. Al’Qahtani currently lives in Wichita, Kansas, with his wife, Daisy. He grew up in a devout Sunni Muslim family in Saudi Arabia.
