Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst

Richard C. Oudersluys Associate Professor of World Christianity

B.Ed Linguistics and TESL, Lenguas Vivas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
M.A. Interdisciplinary Studies, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
Ph.D. Theology, Missiology and Social Ethics. Boston University, Boston, MA
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"Following Jesus as whole life disciples means engaging in God’s life-giving purposes far outside the bounds of religious language, church buildings, and evangelistic programs. The good news of God’s good and just reign propels God’s children beyond, sent as Jesus was, as agents of God’s preposterous reconciliation."
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Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst

Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst

About Dr. Ruth Padilla DeBorst

Dr Padilla DeBorst yearns to see peace and justice embrace in the beautiful and broken world we call home. A wife of one and mother of many, theologian, missiologist, educator, and storyteller, she has been involved in leadership development and theological education for integral mission in her native Latin America for several decades. 

In addition to teaching at WTS, she serves with the Comunidad de Estudios Teológicos Interdisciplinarios (CETI, a learning community with students across Latin America), and the Networking Team of INFEMIT (International Fellowship for Mission as Transformation). 

She currently contributes to the boards of the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies and the American Society of Missiology. Past board service includes A Rocha International and the International Justice Mission. 

She lives with her husband, James, in Costa Rica as a member of Casa Adobe, an intentional Christian Community with deep concern for right living in relation to the whole of creation.

Areas of Expertise 

Dr. Padilla DeBorst is passionate about justice, both social and ecological. and has written numerous articles and chapters in these realms. As a narrative theologian, she seeks to creatively bring together Word and World for the integral witness of the Good News in diverse contexts.

DOWNLOAD DR. PADILLA DEBORST’S CV >

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