Lester Edwin J. Ruiz

Director of Global Awareness and Engagement
Association of Theological Schools

Lester Edwin J. Ruiz joined the staff of The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in August 2008 and currently serves as director of global awareness and engagement. His work includes providing strategic leadership and program development for the Global Awareness and Engagement Initiative, including developing and strengthening strategic partnerships with theological educators and institutions worldwide. He has served as liaison to a wide range of ATS member schools and global organizations such as the Association for Theological Education in South East Asia (ATESEA), the Global Forum of Theological Educators (GFTE), the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE), and The Global Formation Project (GFP).

Prior to joining ATS, Ruiz was professor of theology and culture at New York Theological Seminary (NYTS), where he also served as vice president for academic affairs and academic dean. Before NYTS, he was associate professor of political science at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan, where he taught courses in peace and world order studies, international relations, and politics and culture. He is ordained by the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches.

Ruiz is coeditor of four published volumes, including Re-Framing the International: Law, Culture, Politics, and has contributed numerous chapters to books and articles to academic journals and periodicals. He serves on the editorial boards of several international journals, including The Journal of World Christianity and Silliman Journal, and chairs the executive committee of the Global Forum of Theological Educators.

A graduate in pastoral care and counseling from Ottawa University, Ruiz holds a Master of Divinity with an emphasis on religion and society and a PhD in social ethics from Princeton Theological Seminary.