An interview with A. B. (Head Admin, GMT)

I’ve known A. B. for about four years now. A. joined GMT not long after he got saved and has been an active member of the forums since that time.

In March this year, Farid redefined his role on the forums in order to focus on his role as director of GMT. A. has stepped in as Head Admin of the GMT forums and is doing a great job!

I wanted to give you a chance to get to know A. a little bit. A. has agreed to an email interview which follows.

JH: How long have you been on the leadership team at GMT?

AB: I have been on the leadership team for about two years now (maybe a bit more/less). I started off as the Connect editor before being made a Moderator. Now of course I am the Head Admin.

JH: As the new Head Admin at GMT forums, what is your vision for the forum side of things?

AB: I have so many ideas to run with but I guess the main focus is to help GMT continue to maintain its purpose statement: “To develop a network of edifying relationships, to nurture a sincere pursuit of and love for the truth, and to cultivate an environment in which believers can be conformed to the image of Christ for the glory of God.”

I would love the forums to have a big outreach and be a place where everyone fellowships and checks out what’s new with everyone. I think some other online mediums have helped push forward a level of interactivity I would like displayed in GMT.

JH: Do you see the internet forum as a useful medium for theological interaction in the long run?

AB: I think the internet forum has a lot of pros and cons but I would argue that it indeed has its usefulness in theological interactions. You have the advantage of coming across a wide variety of views and beliefs and this help enables you to deepen your understanding of other beliefs while helping you ground yourself.

It’s useful because it is a familiar format and it is non threatening. It’s easy to dig in and get involved in any level of discussions. In saying all, that I don’t think forums are the only way to go but I see them for at least the time being the most relevant and most useful medium for interaction in theological discussions for young people.

JH: I understand that your local church needs to play the biggest role in your own spiritual life and growth, but what role, if any, has GMT played in your spiritual life and growth over the years?

AB: GMT helped me study things out. There are a lot of issues I wouldn’t have discussed or even been aware of unless I was involved with GMT. As a result of these “controversies,” I’ve been prompted to read my Bible more and study out not only these issues but study the Bible to get to know God better.

JH: If someone were to come back to you ten years from now and tell you the impact GMT has had on their life, what would you want them to say?

AB: I guess depending on the people, you will get different answers on how it helped them, but overall I guess I’d want to hear that GMT was a place of fellowship when they had no other place to go and that they developed a lot of strong relationships on the forums that have really helped them mature in Christ.

I’d want to hear that perhaps they just went to church every Sunday and just believed whatever it was that they were being taught with no grounding in it but now due to their beliefs being challenged on GMT, they now have grounding. They now know what they believe. They might not necessarily changed convictions but they know how to defend their convictions straight from the Bible.