CREDIT: JACOB MATTINSON
Jacob Mattinson and his family.

Hi, fellow Fanshawe students, my name is Jacob Mattinson and I'd like to discuss with you today two subjects that are very important to me: Christianity and social justice. Because this is my first time writing for Interrobang, I thought it would be appropriate to introduce myself and explain why these to subjects mean something to me and why I will be writing some articles about them throughout this academic school year at Fanshawe.

Around the age of 20 I had what I consider to be my first really authentic and personal experience with God and it was something that changed my life forever. When I first became serious about my Christianity, I was overzealous and probably a little (or perhaps very) annoying to those around me! Although, in time I learned there is a whole lot more to being a Christian than just some goosebumps and an almost unquenchable preoccupation with deepening my spirituality. I wanted to learn more and understand practically and cognitively the undeniable and sometimes overwhelming feelings I was experiencing.

It was at this point in my journey that I decided to go to Emmanuel Bible College (EBC) and earn my Bachelor of Religious Education. During this period, I was blessed to meet some of my closest friends and the amazing woman who is now my wife. To top off this chapter of my life, my beautiful daughter was in attendance at my graduation, making it a day I'll never forget.

Now, to be completely honest, not every part of this period was easy for me and the road was very rocky at times, largely because of my own poor decisions, but also because it was a wakeup call that the communities I became a part of were just as fractured and damaged as any other organized grouping of human beings. I was quickly woken up to the fact that Christianity and its people are far from perfect, and we need guidance and grace just as much as everyone else. The fact is that ministry involves continuous interaction with other human beings — human beings who just like myself, are broken, struggling and working hard daily to follow what they believe is their calling and purpose.

After graduating from EBC, the next logical step was to pursue further study at McMaster University, which is where I worked on my Masters of Theological Education. During my first year at Mac, my wife and I were once again blessed with another child, this time with a son. I have learned a lot while being at McMaster, but one of my most memorable experiences was my internship with the school's Ecumenical Chaplain, Carol Wood. Carol has a heart for the overlooked and she taught me a lot about the important role that social justice plays in the life of a Christian and in society as a whole. Working in this role I had a number of opportunities given to me, such as an interfaith dialogue group and a Social Justice Fellowship. I was privileged to assist in making our Social Justice Fellowship (a group of us who met weekly to learn, grow and contribute to the community together), an official funded campus group. The lessons I learned while being a part of these groups have stuck with me until today and help to inform the way I interpret Scripture and culture as well as human rights, respect and dignity.

So how did I end up at Fanshawe? During my last year at McMaster, my wife and I wrestled with the idea of going into church ministry, and came to the bittersweet decision that we simply did not feel called to church ministry at this point in our lives. So, we began this new chapter of our lives, with not much of a plan or idea of what the future held for us, but knowing that our faith in God and our love for each other and our family would be constant despite the sometimes blurry view of our future. In hopes of not remaining a student forever, I opted to go into the CTY program here at Fanshawe because not only does this program excite me, but the careers available to CTY grads are plentiful and can be lucrative. Since we have moved to London, my wife and I have a slightly clearer picture of our new future, and being at Fanshawe has helped to shape this vision.

I have used this week to very briefly introduce myself, and to explain a bit of my own journey and the things in my life that I am passionate about. Although my own views are largely informed by these experiences and my spiritual beliefs, I firmly believe that social justice is something that can unite us all and something we can all get excited about. As a new contributor Interrobang I am going to be speaking on the subject throughout the semester and hope you will take the time to read and ponder upon this important issue.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.