Derek Suderman
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies
As part of the Ministry Forum at Knox College (Toronto), Derek Suderman and John Borthwick have teamed up to create the “Catching the Spark” project. The duo believes that many people have had little or very negative experiences studying the Bible. They want to present “inspiring, fun, interactive, dynamic, and transformational” Bible studies for lay people and church leaders across various denominations.
With the support of a grant, Derek and John are partnering with Mennonite and Presbyterian churches to host Bible studies in various communities. “Our hope is that these studies provide opportunities for us to learn with and from each other and build relationships across denominational groups,” Derek said.
The project aims to generate interest and excitement while providing resources and support for continued studying of the Bible. The organizers want to spark ongoing engagement with Scripture and one another in a life-giving way.
“Engaging with a wide range of folks helps me to recognize burning questions or frustrations that people have and so provides motivation and topics to explore in my scholarship,” reflected Derek. “I hope that I can act as a bridge, both able to glean some insights from scholarship to share more broadly and also to hear new questions or concerns that should be explored in more depth. It’s a virtuous circle.”
