Dr. Robert Ferris has been on the faculty of Columbia Biblical Seminary & School of Ministry since 1989. He teaches intercultural studies, missions and Christian Education. In 2004, he was appointed Associate Provost of CIU. Dr. Ferris obtained a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, a master’s degree from Wheaton Graduate School, a master of divinity degree from Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary, and a doctor of philosophy degree in educational administration and curriculum from Michigan State University. From 1967 to 1988 he served as a missionary with SEND International in the Philippines. During those years he taught at FEBIAS College of the Bible and served as dean of Asian Theological Seminary in Manila. From 1979 to 1988 he also served concurrently as executive director of the Philippine Association for Theological Education by Extension (PAFTEE) and Philippine Association of Bible and Theological Schools (PABATS). He was also active in the Asian Theological Association, developing an accreditation program for TEE. He served as a consultant to the International Council of Accrediting Agencies. Ferris has published many articles and has presented papers on theological education at conferences in Asia and Europe. During 1988-89 he was missionary scholar-in-residence at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College, where his research resulted in a monograph on renewal of theological education. He and his wife, Sue, have two children and three grandchildren.

B.A., Wheaton College; M.A., Wheaton Graduate School; graduate studies, Gordon Divinity School; M.Div., Denver Conservative Baptist Seminary; Ph.D., Michigan State University; missionary, SEND International, Philippines, 1966-88 (instructor, Febias College of Bible, 1969-77; executive director, Philippine Association for Theological Education by Extension, 1979-85; executive director, Philippine Association of Bible and Theological Schools, 1980-88; assistant director, SEND International of the Philippines, 1980-88; coordinator, Asia TEE Consultation, Asia Theological Association, 1984-85; academic dean, Asian Theological Seminary, 1984-88); project coordinator, International Council of Accrediting Agencies, 1985-89; missionary scholar in residence, The Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College, 1988-89, faculty, associate dean for doctoral programs, interim academic dean, Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Missions, 1989-present.