TITLE:
Understanding Intercultural Sensitivity among Seventh-Day Adventist Youths in the Windhoek District: A Qualitative Study
AUTHORS:
Linus S. Chata
KEYWORDS:
Intercultural Sensitivity, Intercultural Engagement, Windhoek District Youth, Seventh-Day Adventist Church
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.7,
July
22,
2026
ABSTRACT: Given the intercultural nature of Seventh-day Adventist congregations in the Windhoek District of Namibia, intercultural sensitivity is essential for fostering unity and advancing the mission of the church. This study examined the intercultural sensitivity of SDA youth in the Windhoek District, focusing on how they perceive, experience, and engage with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds within church settings. The study was guided by Chen and Starosta’s Intercultural Sensitivity Theory, which conceptualizes intercultural sensitivity as the ability to develop positive emotions toward understanding, appreciating, and interacting with cultural differences. A qualitative research design was employed, and data were collected through a survey questionnaire comprising ten open-ended questions administered to 19 randomly selected youths from culturally diverse backgrounds. The findings revealed that participants demonstrated high levels of intercultural engagement, openness, and respect for cultural diversity. Most youths rejected notions of cultural superiority and expressed a willingness to build relationships across cultural boundaries. They also exhibited behaviours consistent with intercultural sensitivity, including attentiveness to verbal and non-verbal communication and a positive attitude toward intercultural interactions, even when misunderstandings occurred. However, the study also identified challenges that affected the quality of intercultural experiences, including language barriers, perceived cultural dominance, stereotyping, exclusion, judgmental attitudes, and occasional communication discomfort. These findings suggest that while the SDA Church in Namibia has a strong foundation of intercultural sensitivity among its youth, subtle intercultural tensions remain. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of intercultural sensitivity within the church and provides insights that may assist church leaders in promoting greater inclusivity, mutual respect, and unity within the body of Christ.