
About Rachel
Originally from Minnesota, Rachel lived in Djibouti and Somaliland from 2003-2023 working in education, sports development, and literature. Her Christian faith was strengthened in powerful and positive ways by deep interaction with her Muslim community. This experience inspired her research interest in Islamic Studies, interfaith dialogue, spiritual formation, and trauma. She is exploring the intersection of Islam and Somali traditional practice through women’s sittaat in the Horn of Africa, and considering ways Christians and Muslims can partner for mutual growth, health, and transformation. When not studying, Rachel is spending time with family, training for marathons or triathlons, and working on her ghostwriting, book coaching, and editing business.
Education
Fuller Theological Seminary
2023
MA Intercultural Studies, MA Theology
University of Minnesota
2000
BA Linguistics
Research Interests
Islamic Studies, Interfaith Dialogue, Spiritual Formation, and Trauma
Publications
Embodied interreligious engagement: Female gendered bodies, reconciliation, and sport in Djibouti
Missiology Journal, 2024.
Pillars, How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus
Plough, 2021.
Stronger than Death: How Annalena Tonelli Defied Terror and Tuberculosis in the Horn of Africa
Plough, 2019.
Dudley Woodberry’s Legacy in Witness Through Word, Culture and Spirit
(Chapter Forthcoming)
Fuller Seminary hosts these profiles as a courtesy to our doctoral students. Their views are their own and do not necessary reflect the views of the seminary.