Building Bridges - Father Matthew Francis

In this episode, we are so excited to introduce to you, Father Matthew Francis. Father Matthew Francis is a caring Parish Priest, and a really thoughtful student of scripture, theology, and church history. Often, we get so stuck in our own tradition as Christians. We know a lot and feel comfortable about our own theology and ministry, but honestly, we often feel confused and even hesitant about other Christian traditions like maybe Catholicism, or in this case, orthodoxy, or the Orthodox Church. Father Matthew is the founding Parish Priest of Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Prior to planting Holy Apostles in 2015, he served Orthodox parishes in Edmonton, rural Alberta, and Whitehorse, Yukon. Father Matthew is a graduate of Ambrose University and the University of Manchester, where his research focused on the themes of sacred space and place, and the Book of Revelation. In addition to his pastoral work, he also serves as Regional Director for BC & Yukon with the Canadian Bible Society, where he encourages and supports pastors and communities to dig deeper in their engagement with the Scriptures. Matthew lives in Chilliwack with his wife Krista, and teenage son, Basil.In this episode, Father Matthew Francis and Chris discuss the similarities and differences between Protestant Evangelicalism and Orthodox thought and theology. Father Matthew is knowledgeable, but also pastoral, as they have important conversations like this that build bridges and link arms, instead of more confusion and caricature. Listen in on the unique history and beauty of the Orthodox Church.