Fuller Associate Provost Appointed Trustee for Fund for Theological Education

Juan Martínez joins board for organization supporting Christian leaders :: 01/11/12

Juan Martínez, Fuller’s associate provost for diversity and international programs, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for The Fund for Theological Education (FTE), effective January 1 of this year. FTE is a national, ecumenical, nonprofit organization dedicated to finding and supporting Christian leaders—both pastors and theological educators. The FTE board has governance responsibility for advancing FTE’s mission to develop young leaders from diverse backgrounds for vocations in pastoral ministry and theological scholarship. FTE annually awards more than $1.5 million in fellowships to undergraduates and seminary doctoral students.

In addition to Martínez, four other trustees were appointed, representing a diverse cross-section of FTE stakeholders. One of these four, Dr. Byron Klaus, is also connected with Fuller—he graduated from the seminary with his DMin. Klaus currently serves as president of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Mo., where he is also a professor of intercultural leadership studies. He previously served for 20 years on the faculty and administration of Vanguard University of Southern California.

“These five distinguished trustees will strengthen our historic commitment to diversity on the changing landscape of religious leadership,” said FTE Board Chair Florida Smith Ellis. “Together with our president, Stephen Lewis, they will help navigate our way into the future as we continue to serve young people who show extraordinary potential as future leaders.”

In addition to his associate provost role at Fuller, Martínez is associate professor of Hispanic studies and pastoral leadership. Since coming to Fuller in 2001, he has also served as director of the Center for the Study of Hispanic Church and Community. Among other topics, his current research focuses on Latino Protestant history, identity, and ministry. Martínez is a Mennonite Brethren pastor and the author of five books, including Churches, Cultures and Leadership (with Mark Lau Branson) and Los Protestantes: Latino Protestantism in the United States.