Paul De Neui (773) 244-6230
Professor of Intercultural Studies and Missiology
Director, Center for World Christian Studies

Paul and his wife Gretchen were called as missionaries with the Evangelical Covenant Church to Thailand in 1987 where they served until coming to North Park Theological Seminary in 2005. Paul received his bachelor's degree from California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo in Landscape Design where he met his wife in Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship. He and Gretchen attended North Park Theological Seminary for a year of orientation studies before being commissioned as missionaries. Paul has his M.Div in Cross Cultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. Paul and Gretchen worked with national leaders in a variety of holistic ministries in Thailand addressing both physical and spiritual needs through contextualized Thai expressions. Upon completion of their first four year term in Thailand Paul was ordained to word and sacrament in the Evangelical Covenant church. On later home assignments Paul completed a Th.M degree in missiology and began a Ph.D program in Intercultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. His Ph.D dissertation, String Tying Ritual as Christian Communication in Northeast Thailand, explored the missiological implications of contextualized forms from within a Buddhist culture. Paul has served as contributor and editor of several volumes with SEANET, a group of practitioners in mission in the Buddhist world including, Communicating Christ in the Buddhist World, Communicating Christ Through Story and Song: Orality in Buddhist Contexts, and an upcoming volume on urban issues in Buddhist contexts. He is also involved in a book project with a Thai artist to present the life of Christ through Thai art. Paul and Gretchen have four children, J.P., Anna, Andrew, and Nettie. He enjoys bicycling, swimming, organic gardening, and learning of the creative ways God is at work in the myriad of cultures in the world.

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