Building Genuine Cross-Cultural Relationships by Melissa Bos: Video Teaching Series
Step into a journey of growth, connection, and faith with Melissa Bos, Missionary in Residence at Calvin Theological Seminary. Drawing from her experience living as a minority Christian in Muslim-majority contexts, Melissa explores what it means to be a Gospel witness in daily life: one shaped by humility, self-awareness, and love across cultures. Each video invites you to step beyond your comfort zone, engage meaningfully with others, and live out your calling with grace and courage wherever you are.
Session 1 - Growth isn’t Comfortable: The Necessity of Trying New Things
What does it look like to step out of your comfort zone and into new experiences?
In this video, Melissa Bos (Missionary in Residence, Calvin Theological Seminary) draws from her experience living in Bangladesh and Oman, inviting you to consider the necessity–and benefit–of stepping into new experiences.
Through this video, you’ll learn about:
- Navigating new spaces, cultures, and expectations
- The life-long process of growth by way of new experiences and contexts
- How to begin–right now, where you are–the ongoing process of trying and experiencing new things
Click on the button below to grab a free, downloadable PDF with questions and additional resources to supplement your journey!
Session 2 - Relationships Are Reciprocal: The Benefit of Connection Beyond Community
What does it look like to experience the beauty, necessity, and benefit of relationships with others?
In this video, Melissa Bos (Missionary in Residence, Calvin Theological Seminary) explores why you should pursue relationships with people who come from different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
In this video, you’ll learn about:
- The holistic benefits of culturally and experientially diverse relationships
- How relationships cultivate empathy and understanding
- Ways to begin connecting with people in your community, at coffee shops, cultural centers, and other spaces
Click the button below to download a free PDF of discussion questions and recommended resources to guide your journey!
Session 3 - Raising a Culturally-Fluent Generation: How Understanding Leads to Connection
What does it look like to raise a culturally-fluent generation?
In this video, Melissa Bos (Missionary in Residence, Calvin Theological Seminary) describes the benefits of cultivating cross-cultural understanding in kids in order to foster connection, empathy, growth, and understanding.
Keep watching to learn more about:
- How difference cultivates empathy and understanding in children
- Ways to navigate the tensions and uncertainties of new spaces
- Ideas and tips for helping children navigate new cultures and places
Click on the button below to grab a free, downloadable PDF with questions and additional resources to encourage you in your journey of raising a culturally-fluent generation.
Session 4 - Know Yourself: The Difference Between Intent and Impact
How does self-awareness affect our intent and impact when engaging with new cultures?
In this video, Melissa Bos (Missionary in Residence, Calvin Theological Seminary) offers advice and tools to help you cultivate self-awareness in order to intentionally create relationships with new people.
Through this video, you’ll learn more about:
- A biblical foundation for understanding how God is at work in your life and the lives of other people
- Ways to cultivate greater self-awareness through therapy, assessments, and other tools
- Practicing self-awareness in connection to the intent and impact of your work
- How to develop awareness and an open mind to learning from new cultures and places
Click the button below to receive a free, downloadable PDF with discussion questions and additional resources to help you cultivate self-awareness as you approach new cultures.
Session 5 - Love Others: Your Calling Isn't About You
What does it mean to love others with humility and openness, while being receptive to the Holy Spirit’s work in you?
In this video, Melissa Bos (Missionary in Residence, Calvin Theological Seminary) addresses how to humbly love others, especially in new places and contexts.
Through this video, you’ll learn about:
- How learning new languages gives insight to new cultures and opens opportunities for conversation
- The importance of humility and openness to learning when engaging new people, places, and cultures
- Ways to start right now, seeking to know and love others around you
Click the button below to grab a free, downloadable PDF with discussion questions and additional resources to help you develop humility and openness as you engage others.
Session 6 - Embody a Gospel-Shaped Life: Witness Matters
What does it look like to be a Christ-like, Gospel-oriented witness in the spaces you inhabit?
In this video, Melissa Bos (Missionary in Residence, Calvin Theological Seminary) describes her experience living as a minority Christian in Muslim-majority contexts, elaborating on the importance of being a Gospel witness in daily life.
Keep watching to learn more about:
- Tips for navigating life in spaces where your faith and beliefs are a minority
- How your daily life–conversations, relationships, interactions–is your Gospel witness
- Navigating relationships with people who come from different religious backgrounds
- Ways to avoid negative stereotypes or misinformation about people who come from a religion, culture, or background different from your own
Click the button below to download a free PDF with discussion questions and additional resources to help you embody a Gospel-shaped life and witness.
