March 15, 2000

Leading nanoscientist builds big faith
___By Candace Adams
___Regional Corresponent
___HOUSTON--James Tour may be a leading authority on new research in nanoscience, but he won't reduce his Christian faith to be a miniscule part of his life.
___"I build molecules for a living. I can't begin to tell you how difficult that job is," Tour said during a recent lecture at Calvary Fellowship Church in Clear Lake. "I stand in awe of

JAMES TOUR (left), one fo the world's leading nanoscientists, is introduced by Brian Horner, pastor of Calvary Fellowship Church in Clear Lake, a Houston suburb.

God because of what he has done through his creation. My faith has been increased through my research.
___"Only a rookie who knows nothing about science would say science takes away from faith. If you really study science, it will bring you closer to God."
___Tour spoke at the innovative suburban Houston church on a recent Thursday night as part of the congregation's attempt to connect with the scientific community surrounding NASA and the multiple universities in the area.
___Normally, Tour lectures in classes at Rice University, where he is professor of chemistry and a worldwide authority on nanoscale science and technology. Nanoscience is the study of very small things--sized down to a single molecule. Tour is researching new ways to store information on a smaller, molecular scale as opposed to today's use of silicon.
___His work has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Science magazine. He has lectured at all the leading universities and Ivy League schools.
___He also teaches Sunday School at West University Baptist Church in Houston.
___Tour and his group of 20 research assistants are working toward perfecting the use of nanotrucks to move molecules. Nanotrucks would work much like hemoglobin transports oxygen to areas of the human body that need it and takes away carbon dioxide. Controlled by external electronic fields, nanotrucks would move molecules from one place to another.
___Even here, the scientist sees God at work.
___"While looking at a molecular structure, I ask my students, 'Who do you think thought of putting phenolic residue in a cucumber as a natural preservative?'" he explained.
___Tour said he frequently challenges his students with thought-provoking questions or Scriptures to make them think for themselves about the person of God.
___"I don't stand up in front of the class during a chemistry lecture and discuss my Christian faith, but somehow all my students know who I am and what I stand for," he said.
___Raised in the Jewish faith, Tour sees his Christianity as a fulfillment rather than a conversion. He professed faith in Christ in his dorm room at Syracuse University during his freshman year and instantly experienced peace, he said.
___As a Sunday School teacher in the college department at his church, Tour hopes to help students remain strong in their faith because of their meditation on the Scriptures. "There are so many casualties in the Christian faith; so many fall away or become ineffective. The only way to stay strong is to stay in the Scriptures. It brings life and draws us closer to Jesus."
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