Rubén David Bonilla-Ramos will be joining Atlantic School of Theology this early fall as the Director of the Ecumenical Shared Ministries Training Program (ESMTP). 

A Ph.D. candidate at Emmanuel College (University of Toronto) with a deep, lifelong background in ecumenical leadership spanning from Puerto Rico to Toronto, Rubén brings a powerful blend of rigorous scholarship and grassroots local church experience to this landmark coast-to-coast initiative.

As he prepares to step into this new role, we sat down with Rubén to discuss his 90-day priorities, his passion for diverse church traditions, and his message for Canadian faith communities navigating dwindling resources.

Can you provide a brief overview of your professional and academic background? What previous roles prepared you most for leading a large-scale, multi-organizational project like this?

For the past 12 years I have been immersed in theological, ecumenical, and religious scholarship. I completed my bachelor’s degree in religious studies and my master’s in divinity, and I am about to complete my PhD in theological studies. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize that it was my formation and leadership at my local church in Puerto Rico that best prepared me for this role. 

Being a leader since I was 15 years old, organizing and directing summer camps, church retreats, youth conferences, representing the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico globally, etc.—all of those aspects prepared me to assume this role. They gave me the organizational tools and ecumenical background to step into this role. My scholarship helped me develop these tools in a deeper way, but those first experiences with local churches really built the framework of who I am today and set the ground for the capacities I bring into this role.

How would you describe your own experience with or passion for ecumenical ministries?

Ecumenism is at the heart of everything I do. I grew up Methodist, moved to a Pentecostal church during my formative youth years, and then back to the Methodist Church. I worked with Baptists, Presbyterians, Disciples of Christ, Lutherans, and non-denominational churches on the island. When I moved to Toronto, I became a member of the United Church of Canada. 

All of this to say that my life has been shaped by the richness of different church traditions, each of which played a pivotal role in developing my knowledge, appreciation, and love for ecumenism. I believe it is a growing necessity and a praxis that needs to encompass our daily life as scholars and church leaders.

What drew you to this specific role with Atlantic School of Theology and the ESMTP?

Growing up in the church and then pursuing my PhD, I’ve always felt drawn to positions that combine both the local church and academia. Then, you throw ecumenism into the mix, and you captivate me. 

The ESMTP encompasses my idea of theological thinking: scholarly work, grassroots communities, and ecumenical engagement. It is a move beyond the theoretical idea to concrete engagements with faith communities. It is the way I do theology and the way I believe we move forward as a church.

The ESMTP is a massive collaboration spanning multiple provinces and traditions. What do you see as the biggest opportunity in bringing these diverse partners together?

Collaboration and diversity. This is at the heart of this project. Ecumenical Shared Ministries are a precise example of what sustainable collaboration looks like in everyday lives. The unity and commitment of these partners will bring to life the possibilities of collaboration, and we will set an example of what can be accomplished when diversity stands at the centre of theological thinking.

As you prepare to step into this role in the early fall, what are your top priorities for the first 90 days?

Once I get past the excitement, we will start working hard to set up realistic and sustainable goals. My idea of moving forward is about sustainability and community. I am excited to start developing our office, establishing our yearly goals, and fulfilling our commitment with the Lilly Foundation. 

But most of all, it is about the foundation: reaching out to partners, asking questions about what they expect and what they hope to gain from this valuable program, and touching base with ESM leaders across the regions to explore their needs and to hear their inquiries. These first 90 days will set up the groundwork from which we will build, and we will do that by listening attentively, engaging communities, and remaining organized and accountable to our goals.

If you could share one message with the lay leaders and ordained ministers across Canada who are struggling with dwindling resources but looking toward an ecumenical future, what would it be?

I understand you. I come from small churches, from low-income and low-resource backgrounds. I hear your concerns, but I am also familiar with your situation. We will listen to your stories; we will be accountable for our program; we will do our best to respond to your needs. Most importantly, we will work together on this; no superheroes, no lone rangers. We will embody what ecumenism means and hopefully build sustainable models for the future.

About ESMTP

Late last year, Atlantic School of Theology (AST) received a grant of $2.5 million USD from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help establish its Ecumenical Shared Ministries Training Program (ESMTP). 

ESMTP will operate with a combination of local resources housed with the collaborating partners and online teaching that uses the resources of AST.  

AST is working with St John’s College in Winnipeg, the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism in Saskatoon, Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Henry Budd College for Ministry in The Pas, M.B., and the Canadian Council of Churches on a project that will develop curriculum and training for lay and ordained leaders in Ecumenical Shared Ministries.

The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. This initiative is designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future.