John and Phyll Chesworth

John and Phyll share their Oxford home with two cats and a tank of tropical fish. They are seconded by Crosslinks to the Solomon Academic Trust, whose purpose is to further study and research the Muslim-Christian interface. The trust operates the Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies, Oxford, where they are based.

The Centre for Muslim-Christian Studies is an independent Christian study centre. Its vision is to see Muslim-Christian relationships transformed through shared academic study and by following the example of Jesus Christ. It seeks to do this by equipping leaders, resourcing scholars and developing Biblically-based thinking at the Muslim-Christian interface through teaching, research, writing and consultancy.

John and Phyll worked as Crosslinks mission partners in theological colleges in Tanzania and Kenya from 1988-2006. During that time John studied for an MA and subsequently developed an MA course in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations for St. Paul’s University, Limuru. On returning to UK he completed his PhD and joined Ida Glaser and others in setting up the Centre. Having felt called by God to serve in Africa, when the time came to return to UK they were glad to be able to continue serving with Crosslinks through education and mentoring of students from a variety of backgrounds. John continues to travel widely, teaching short courses in theological and other institutions, particularly in Africa. Phyll works as administrator for the Centre.

Christian-Muslim relations are always in the headlines nowadays. The Centre seeks to serve both Muslim and Christian communities at an academic level. Now is a key time to have a voice within the Muslim-Christian discourse.