Summary

Bob Ekblad is executive director of Tierra Nueva and The People’s Seminary in Burlington, Washington. A minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), he holds a ThD in Old Testament and is known internationally for his courses and workshops on reading the Bible. He is married to Gracie who serves as associate director of Tierra Nueva and is a minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Together they minister both at Tierra Nueva and at their home-based retreat center New Earth Refuge. They have three children ages 17, 15 and 12.

As Directors of Tierra Nueva-New Earth, Bob and Gracie join 5 other staff and numerous interns and volunteers to serve immigrants from Latin America, inmates, homeless people and people struggling with addictions. Bob’s roles include serving as part-time chaplain to inmates in Skagit County Jail and teaching two courses per year as Sessional Lecturer for Regent College of Vancouver, BC.

Training current pastoral workers and future leaders to minister to people on the margins of society is one of Bob’s highest priorities. One of Bob’s core values is that theological reflection and teaching be rooted in hands-on ministry to the poor and marginalized. The “vineyard” that produces the “wine” that is dispensed through teaching and itinerant ministry is Tierra Nueva’s day to day ministry to inmates in the local jail, advocacy and accompaniment alongside immigrants and ex-offenders through the Family Support Center and pastoral support of participants in TN’s weekly Spanish and English congregations and regular trips to Honduras. 15 half-time Honduran lay pastors serve peasants in Tierra Nueva Honduras. The People's Seminary is TN’s ministry training center for pastors, theology students and lay people.

Bob and his wife Gracie founded Tierra Nueva in Honduras in 1982, which began as a sustainable farming and preventive health program and grass-roots Bible study movement.  In 1989 they moved to France to pursue studies in theology.  They both completed their Masters if Theology from the Institut Protestant de Théologie in Montpellier.  Bob completed his Doctorat in Theology with and emphasis in Old Testament with Daniel Bourguet.  Bob has been member of the French Fraternité Espirituelle Les Veilleurs since 1992.  Bob currently pastors, teaches courses in Scripture and ministry, leads retreats and oversees Tierra Nueva.  He has written The Theology of the Septuagint of Isaiah According to the Servant Poems, (Peeters: Leuven, 1998) and Reading the Bible with the Damned, (Westminster John Knox Press; Lousiville, 2005), which will be published in French with Editions Olivetan.  Three years ago Bob, Gracie and their entire ministry were deeply touched by the Holy Spirit in a fresh way-- leading them into a dynamic confluence of social action and advocacy, physical and inner healing, Scripture study, and contemplative and charismatic spirituality.  Over the past three years Bob has traveled regularly to France, Honduras and has made trips to Mozambique, South Africa, and around the United States teaching on the ministry of Jesus and the Kingdom of God. 

Bob and Gracie are committed to the emergence of a new paradigm and praxis that brings together diverse emphasis and parts of the body of Christ in the service of the least-- on earth as in heaven.

>>Click to view PDF version of Cross Diagram <<

Version Francaise
Bob Ekblad, pasteur presbytérien et directeur de Tierra Nueva, docteur de théologie (de la Faculté Reformée de Montpellier), auteur du livre « Reading the Bible with the Damned » (Lire La Bible avec Les Condamnés) travaillent à plein temps avec des personnes marginales en Amérique Centrale et aux Etats-Unis depuis 1981.

>>Read about The Story of My Life<<

>>Read "Born From Below" <<

>>Read "Skagit Valley Herald Article" <<

>>Download Bob Ekblad's Curriculum Vitae (CV)<<

Resources on Bob Ekblad

>>Article from Skagit Valley Herald <<

>>Article from Sojouners Magazine <<

>>Article from Seattle Times <<

Audio Resources

>>Radio Interview (25k - November 7, 2006) <<

>>2006 Retreat with Bob Ekblad - Calvary Chapel, Seattle, WA <<