Distinguished Alumnus 2024: Rev. Dr. F. Peter Ford, Jr., M.Div. ‘82

Western Theological Seminary is excited to award Rev. Dr. F. Peter Ford, Jr., M.Div. ‘82 as the 2024 distinguished alumnus. Dr. Ford is an ordained minister of the Reformed Church in America. He and his wife, Patty, faithfully served as RCA missionaries in six countries across the Middle East and East Africa for forty years. Their work brought them into various leadership development, pastoral, and theological education roles, often centered around Christian–muslim relations or within contexts that required living peacefully among neighbors of different faiths.

Dr. Ford’s journey began in a loving Christian family in Massachusetts and upstate New York. He pursued his education at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY), earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1975. During his time at SUNY, Dr. Ford’s passion for missionary work was nurtured and confirmed through his involvement with Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship.

Dr. Ford then earned a master’s degree in Greek and New Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Soon after graduating in 1975, he and Patty married and moved to Rochester, NY, to begin their careers. The Fords were introduced to the RCA mission program through their church in Rochester.

We were very attracted to the RCA’s approach of always working with, and even under, the leadership of the local church in any given mission setting.

– Rev. Dr. F. Peter Ford, Jr.

Former RCA Director of Human Resources Al Poppen recommended Western Theological Seminary as a great place to gain theological training. Al knew that Ford would appreciate the opportunity to learn from professors who were former missionaries, such as John Piet, John Hesselink, and Eugene Heideman.

During his time at WTS, Dr. Ford was encouraged to become ordained, and in 1982, the RCA appointed Peter and Patty as full-time career missionaries.

In 1984, the Fords embarked on their first mission assignment in Muscat, Oman, where Dr. Ford served as a Minister for Community Relations. He visited Omani neighbors and shopkeepers, learning more about Islam while seeking ways to share something of his faith with love and respect. Five years later, the Fords accepted another call to Khartoum, Sudan to teach the Bible in Arabic at a local Presbyterian church. During this time, Dr. Ford realized his interest in teaching national Christians heading into pastoral ministry.

When the Gulf War erupted in 1991, the Fords were forced to leave Sudan. Dr. Ford pursued graduate work in Islam through Temple University during this time. The Fords returned to Sudan in 1994 to teach courses at the Nile Theological College and raise their sons. Dr. Ford successfully completed his Ph.D. in Religion (Islamic Studies) in 1998.

In 2002, the Mekane Yesus Church in Ethiopia asked Dr. Ford to establish a Christian-Muslim relations program at their main seminary in Addis Ababa. This opportunity allowed him to focus full-time on teaching courses in Christian-Muslim relations, including Qur’anic Arabic, to students preparing for evangelism among Ethiopia’s Muslim population. After seven years in Ethiopia, Dr. Ford’s colleagues took over the program’s leadership and continue leading the program to this day.

In 2009, the Fords moved to Kenya to assist St. Paul’s University with its newly established master’s program in Islam and Christian-Muslim relations until its Kenyan faculty completed their Ph.D.s. After three years in Kenya, the RCA received yet another request for Dr. Ford’s expertise from the Near East School of Theology in Beirut, Lebanon, which paved the way for Dr. Ford’s final ten years of missionary work as Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies and Associate Editor of the NEST Theological Review at the Near East School of Theology (NEST) in Beirut, Lebanon.

During their career overseas, the Fords raised their two sons, David and Andrew, primarily in Africa. In addition to a book dissertation, Dr. Ford has written several articles and book chapters on his years of experience with Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. In retirement, the Fords have settled near family in Richmond, VA. Western Theological Seminary is grateful for Dr. Ford’s faithful service and is delighted to honor him with this award.