Ruth Padilla DeBorst at Urbana 2009

Ruth Padilla DeBorst serves as a Christian Reformed World Missions' missionary in Costa Rica with her husband Jim.  This past December Ruth spoke at Urbana, one of the largest mission conventions in the world, drawing more than 20,000 young people on average. Her presentation focused on the necessity of reaching out to the uprooted and homeless people of the world.  She taught that Jesus recruits people on the move, using stories from the Bible to challenge those in attendance to “tear off their blinders and see the world as God's transnational family.”  She stated, “we are sent like Jesus into the world, to teach, to preach and heal, to aid those in need, rescue the oppressed and release the suffering." It’s a valuable message for all, particularly for North Americans, as we consider how we interact with the growing church worldwide. 

"Speaking at Urbana is yet another opportunity to serve God by accompanying God's people in a learning, growing process that can mold us all into better channels of God's love for all people and for the whole of creation," says Padilla DeBorst.  "It is humbling because so many people there are living out the Gospel in ways that challenge my life and choices.  I am no authority, simply a sister and co-laborer."

• Watch Ruth's message, "The Movement of Peoples," as recorded by InterVarsity:

Born in Colombia and raised in Argentina by an American mother and an Ecuadorian father, having served in Ecuador, El Salvador and now Costa Rica, Ruth brings a wealth of unique experiences and perspectives on cross-cultural missions.  She currently serves with CRWM in the areas of theological education and leadership development, supporting local professionals, teachers, NGOs and churches to live out the Gospel in all dimensions of life.  She focuses on two main ministries: the Institute for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education and on-going support of Seeds of New Creation in El Salvador.  Additionally, she is serving as General Secretary of the Latin American Theological Fellowship and as Director of Ediciones Certeza Unida, the publishing house of the Spanish speaking member movements of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students.  Ruth has an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Wheaton College Graduate School, and is working on the completion of her doctoral studies in Missiology and Social Ethics at Boston University School of Theology.

• Watch the video, "Ruth Padilla DeBorst's Neighborhood: San Jose, Costa Rica," as recorded by InterVarsity: