The uprisings in the Middle East and Northern Africa have been in the news for over six weeks now. Demonstrations formed in Tunisia, then moved to Egypt and spread to Libya faster than the world could keep up with them. Desperate cries for freedom seemed to arise from almost every country in the region.

Political, cultural and religious changes are all occurring as a result of the demonstrations. Particularly in Egypt, where the world witnessed a dictator brought down, men and women protesting side by side and even Christians and Muslims working together. But how do these occurrences affect Biolans?

Biolans’ obligation to be informed

According to senior and Student Missionary Union president, Luke Payton, the uprisings in the Middle East and Northern Africa should be affecting Biola students. Payton said that some crucial things Biolans lack is global awareness and knowledge of countries other than their own.

“What I’ve seen with Biola students is that they are globally illiterate,” said Payton “One of my challenges to the Biola community would be to become more globally aware, because in a globalized world, those things do affect us, whether directly or indirectly.”

Jordan McGrath, one of the co-directors for prayer and community programs in SMU, said Biolans need to be aware of situations in the world, not just because it affects them, but because of their bigger responsibility as Christians.

“As followers of Christ we have an obligation to not only care but also be aware and love the world,” McGrath said. “Before we can love something we have to understand it. I would push us as followers of Christ to be aware of what’s happening globally so that we can be better informed in our prayer and better equipped to love people.”

Responding in love

Both Payton and McGrath stated that Biolans should be responding to the uprising in the Middle East and Northern Africa by praying for the countries and by learning about the different cultures and peoples. Payton observed that Biolans tend to stay within the “Biola Bubble” because it is comfortable, but in order to love the world and impact it for Christ students need to step out of their comfort zones and interact with people of different cultures, religions and races.

“I think Biola students should start looking into leaving La Mirada once a week and going to a place like skid row, or Brookhurst, where there are Arabs… or little Ethiopia or little India,” said Payton. “Ask yourself, do you have one pure and holy passion… one magnificent obsession to follow after the Lord? Or are you unsure about that? And if you are unsure, consider going on a missions trip…go to somewhere you can get away from all the distractions. My challenge to the Biola community would be to step outside and look beyond themselves and their current community”

Challenging Biolans to grow

McGrath said exposing himself to different cultures revealed some prejudices he did not even know he had, and as a result of that he was able to work through them with God’s help. Payton stated that interacting with different cultures gives Biolans an opportunity for God to greatly impact their lives and for them to grow.

“I feel like Biola students need more challenges because life after Biola is going to be challenging and you have to have a firm enough faith to go through that,” said Payton.
“Those are thing that are near to my heart, seeing students get out and gain new depth of understanding of themselves, of God, and what it looks like to love people who come from a different background, religion or ethnicity.”

Payton and McGrath believe that the unrest in the Middle East and Northern Africa will open doors for Christians and Biolans should take advantage of the opportunity to impact the world for Christ.