Craig Ott

Professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies

Dr. Ott’s particular fields of expertise include theology of mission, contextualization, church planting, and teaching across cultures. He previously served twenty-one years in Germany with ReachGlobal (formerly the EFCA International Mission).

He has planted churches in Schaumburg, Illinois, and in Munich, Ingolstadt, Neumarkt, and Markt Indersdorf, Germany. From 1995 to 2002 Dr. Ott served as Central Europe Church Planting Consultant for ReachGlobal, and from 1998 to 2002 he taught at the Akademie für Weltmission in Korntal, Germany, where he continues to teach regularly as an adjunct professor.

He also served from 1994-2020 as adjunct faculty at Theologische Hochschule Ewersbach (Germany). He has taught or consulted national and mission leaders in forty different countries.

Dr. Ott and his wife Alice live in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and have three grown sons.

Education

Affiliations & Achievements

Publications

Teaching and Learning across Cultures: A Guide to Theory and Practice (Baker Academic 2021)

The Church on Mission: A Biblical Vision for Transformation among All People (Baker Academic 2019)

Against the Tide: Mission amidst the Global Currents of Secularization (William Carey 2019), coeditor

The Mission of the Church: Five Views in Conversation (Baker Academic 2016), editor

Missionary Methods: Research, Reflections, and Realities (William Carey 2013), coeditor

Global Church Planting (Baker Academic 2011), coauthor

Encountering Theology of Mission (Baker Academic 2010), coauthor

Globalizing Theology (Baker Academic 2006), coeditor

Books by Dr. Ott

Study with Dr. Ott


Master's

ETC: Intercultural Studies Concentration

36 CREDITS | 1.5 YEARS

ABOUT

The MA in Ethics, Theology, and Culture with a concentration in Intercultural Studies equips students for the practice of cross-cultural mission, drawing upon theological, historical, and social scientific disciplines. The complexity of ministry in a world of globalization, resurgent traditional religions, growth of the church in the global south, migration, urbanization, and rapid change demands the highest quality of academic, spiritual, and practical preparation.

COURSEWORK

  • Theology Core – 10hrs.
  • Ethics & Culture Core – 8hrs
  • Intercultural Studies Concentration – 8hrs
    • Evangelism & the Local Church
    • Hist Expansion of Chty
    • Theology of M&E
    • Gospel in Cultural Context
  • Electives – 8hrs.
  • Formation Group (1 semester)
  • Capstone – 2hrs.

TOTAL: 36hrs.

Master's

Ethics, Theology, and Culture

36 CREDITS | 1.5 YEARS

ABOUT

This program provides interdisciplinary study in the areas of ethics with specialization in bioethics, intercultural studies applied to global and Western contexts, and human flourishing that integrates studies in ethics, social sciences, public health, and holistic mission. Students develop knowledge and practice of ethical and cross-cultural engagement within their area of concentration preparing for a range of service in non-profit and mission organizations, healthcare, advocacy, and the local church.

COURSEWORK

  • Theology Core – 10hrs.
  • Ethics & Culture Core – 8hrs.
  • Choose a Concentration – 8hrs.
    • Bioethics
      • Foundations of Bioethics
      • Clinical Issues in Bioethics
      • Life and Death Bioethics
      • Ethics of Emerging Technologies
    • Intercultural Studies
      • Evangelism & the Local Church
      • Hist Expansion of Chty
      • Theology of M&E
      • Gospel in Cultural Context
    • Human Flourishing
      • Students meet with the Program Director to customize core concentration courses
  • Electives – 8hrs.
  • Formation Group (1 semester)
  • Capstone – 2hrs.

TOTAL: 36hrs.

Doctor of Philosophy

Intercultural Studies

60 CREDITS | 4 YEARS

ABOUT

Develop the ministry and research skills of leaders involved in a wide variety of missional, cross-cultural, and educational ministries. Focus is upon deepening our understanding of human diversity, contextual realities, and cultural change in ways that inform redemptive, gospel-centered ministry in the contemporary world.

COURSEWORK

ThM

Master of Theology

24 CREDITS | 1 YEAR

ABOUT

TEDS’ ThM offers discipline concentrations in each of our eight departments: Church History, Counseling, Educational Studies, Mission and Evangelism, New Testament, Old Testament, Pastoral Theology, and Systematic Theology, or specialized inter-departmental concentrations developed in consultation with the departmental faculty. The program can be completed in one year of study.

COURSEWORK

  • Concentration Core: 20 hours
  • Capstone: 4 hours
Certificate

Leadership in Missions

12 CREDITS | 1 YEAR

ABOUT

By studying the theology and history of evangelism and missions around the world you will gain a strong foundation of anthropology, discipleship practices and practical evangelism methods which will enrich your ministry abilities both in the United States and around the world.

COURSEWORK

Featured Courses

  • Theology of Mission & Evangelism
  • Global Mission and the Local Church
  • Evangelism and the Local Church
  • History of the Expansion of Christianity
  • Anthropology for Ministry
  • World Religions
  • Missional Church