Expanding Neighbors: Engaging with People Across Many Waters

Mark Staples shares his reflections from his experiences as a photojournalist for the Lutheran Church in his newly published book, Neighbors Revisited: a church journalist’s life lessons learned from people of other cultures. He particularly focuses on his travels to several countries on the African continent and Asia in the 1980s. The catalyst for the book comes from Staples’ reading of Martin Luther’s writing on the neighbor and from Staples’ observation of the fear and hatred that is so prevalent within the United States and the world today. Staples listens attentively to the stories that people related to him. He describes the worship-life and hospitality to the stranger that had a profound effect throughout his travels. From these experiences, his worldview changed and expanded dramatically. Staples goes on to share his calling to this vocation and encourages young people to consider the profession of a photojournalist.