Training Pastors Around the World

In this episode, Drs. Darrell Bock, Michael Ortiz and Ramesh Richard talk about training pastors around the world, focusing on how theological training is changing in and through the Church.

About the Contributors

Darrell L. Bock

Dr. Bock has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tübingen University in Germany), is the author or editor of over 45 books, including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus, and works in cultural engagement as host of the seminary’s Table Podcast. He was president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) from 2000–2001, has served as a consulting editor for Christianity Today, and serves on the boards of Wheaton College, Chosen People Ministries, the Hope Center, Christians in Public Service, and the Institute for Global Engagement. His articles appear in leading publications, and he often is an expert for the media on NT issues. Dr. Bock has been a New York Times best-selling author in nonfiction; serves as a staff consultant for Bent Tree Fellowship Church in Carrollton, TX; and is elder emeritus at Trinity Fellowship Church in Dallas. When traveling overseas, he will tune into the current game involving his favorite teams from Houston—live—even in the wee hours of the morning. Married for 49 years to Sally, he is a proud father of two daughters and a son and is also a grandfather of five.

Michael Ortiz

Michael A. Ortiz

Dr. Ortiz was born in New York City to Cuban immigrants. After receiving a law degree from SMU in 1988 and developing his practice in Florida, he submitted his life to Christ. Dr. Ortiz developed a hunger for biblical and theological studies. In 2015 he received his PhD from Seminario Teológico Centroamericano (SETECA) following his ThM from DTS in 2008. Most of his ministry prior to DTS involved theological education leadership and teaching in Spanish-speaking countries, especially Cuba. Since being at DTS, Dr. Ortiz served as the initial director of DTS en Español, a department developed to offer master’s-level programs to the Spanish world. His primary academic interests relate to global theological education and contextualization. He currently serves as International Director of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education and also often speaks at conferences. Dr. Ortiz has been married to Kathy for over thirty years, and they have two adult, married children. He also still maintains a law practice in Florida.

Ramesh P. Richard

In addition to his many years of faculty service, Dr. Richard serves as founder and president of Ramesh Richard Evangelism and Church Health (RREACH), a global proclamation ministry that seeks to evangelize leaders and strengthen pastors, primarily in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. His pre-evangelistic talks through social media sow the gospel and grows spiritual interests from large numbers of responses worldwide. In 1997, Dr. Richard founded TOPIC (Trainers of Pastors International Coalition) to champion nonformal pastor training where church health is not keeping pace with church growth. In 2005, in partnership with DTS, RREACH launched the Global Proclamation Academy to equip influential young pastors from all over the world to preach, live, and think biblically. In 2016, he convened the first Global Proclamation Congress for Pastoral Trainers in Bangkok, Thailand, followed by the second Global Proclamation Congress for Trainers of Pastors in Panama City, Panama in 2023. He and his wife, Bonnie, have three grown children and three grandchildren.