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Who’s
Who
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Our
Rector/Minister,
The Revd Paul-Gordon
Chandler
Our Rector/Minister is Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler, who joined us
in the summer of 2003, and is serving in Egypt with The
Episcopal Church/USA.
Paul-Gordon, an American, spent the first eighteen years of his
life in French-speaking West Africa, in Dakar, Senegal. He
studied at Wheaton College where he majored in
Biblical/Theological Studies and at Chichester Theological
College (a Church of England seminary) in the U.K.
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Before moving to Egypt he served as the President/CEO of
Partners International (PI), an international ministry that
exists to assist indigenous Christian holistic ministries in
areas of the world where the Church is a minority, toward
meeting both physical and spiritual needs. Immediately prior to
serving with PI, he was the U.S. Chief Executive Officer of
International Bible Society (IBS), a ministry involved is
translating, publishing and distributing the Scriptures in over
500 languages, and the sponsor of the New International Version
(NIV) of the Bible. His work with IBS took him throughout the
world to over 100 countries. Prior to that he worked with the
Anglican Church. From 1993-1995 he served in Tunisia, North
Africa, as the Rector of St. George's Anglican Church in
Tunis/Carthage. Then from 1995-1997, he served as the Director
of SPCK Worldwide in London, England, a Church of England
publishing and communications agency working in countries of the
“global south”. |
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Paul-Gordon is the author of God’s
Global Mosaic: What We Can Learn from Christians Around the
World, published by InterVarsity Press (IVP) in
January of 2000. (www.amazon.com).
His second book, titled Pilgrims of
Christ on the Muslim Road: Exploring a New Path Between Two
Faiths, published by Cowley Publications (an
imprint of Rowman & Littlefield) in September 2007, is in the
field of Christian and Islamic relations and focuses on what we
can learn from the life and thought of Mazhar Mallouhi, the well
known Syrian Arab novelist and “Muslim follower of Christ”. He
is currently working on his third book, on the spiritual journey
of Kahlil Gibran, the early 20th century Lebanese writer and
mystic of Christian background, best known as the author of
The Prophet, the best-selling book of the 20th century.
Additionally Paul-Gordon has written numerous articles in
various publications. He is married and has two children. For
more information, please see his website:
www.paulgordonchandler.com.
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Youth and Christian Education Director,
Erik Brucker
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Erik Brucker leads groups for both High School and
Middle School youth (check out the youth
page), and coordinates the weekly "Church School" program
for kids of all ages. Erik also coaches three varsity sports at
nearby Cairo American College (Volleyball, Cross-Country, &
Track), and is also on campus periodically to substitute teach
and tutor students. |
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Originally from Omak, Washington, Erik
attended college at Whitworth University where he received
his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Economics/Political
Studies and Administrative Leadership. During his time at
Whitworth, Erik was very involved with "Fellowship of
Christian Athletes" and worked with youth through Whitworth
Presbyterian Church and "Young Life" ministries. Erik was a
four-year varsity runner for the Whitworth Track &
Cross-Country teams, and captain for two years—winning the
conference championship his senior year. Erik was also
selected during his senior year to participate on a unique
study-tour examining racial and social prejudice across the
United States, and was accepted into law school.
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After graduation, however, Erik accepted a position at his alma-mater
as an Admissions Counselor for one year, and as Assistant
Director of Admissions for the next four. He also coached at
Whitworth during this time, helping numerous athletes reach the
NCAA national championships. Prior to joining St. John's Church,
Erik's experience in ministry included serving on the Area
Leadership Committee for Spokane Young Life ministries, as a
Lilly Grant spiritual mentor to Whitworth students, and as a
Fellowship of Christian Athletes advisor and summer-camp
clinician/counselor. |
The
Vestry
The vestry, or church
council, meets monthly. It is comprised of key members in the
congregation. The present Church Warden is Herb Williamson, working
on a USAID funded development contract. The present church treasurer
is Bernt Johnson.
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Other Clergy and Lay Readers
The Church of St. John the Baptist
is privileged to have several members of the congregation as
licensed Lay Readers. There are also several ordained clergy
from other denominations that attend St. John’s and they are
active participants in our worship. Additionally, Rev. Jos
Strengholt serves as an associate minister at the church.
Rev. Jos M. Strengholt, Associate
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Rev. Jos M.
Strengholt is from The Netherlands. In 1987 he obtained his
master’s degree in Middle Eastern History from the University of
Utrecht. He has worked in Egypt since 1988, first as a
journalist for Dutch media, covering the whole Arab World, and
since 1997 as the manager of a television production company,
thereby garnering a wealth of
experience in the realm of communication in the context of the
Arab World. Many of the programs his company produces are made
for the benefit of the Historic Churches in the Arab World. In
2008 Jos finished a doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of
Theology of the University of Utrecht. His dissertation is
published as Gospel in the Air: 50 Years of Christian Witness
through Radio. More information on Jos’ writings can be
found at:
www.strengholt.info. |
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