RTB's Vision

Our scholars meet directly or via technology with audiences around the world—in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East—wherever scientific expertise opens partly or fully closed doors to the gospel. While STEMM-trained internationals tend to have some fluency in English, many find spiritual concepts more easily grasped and shared in their native language. We increasingly receive requests for the translation of our faith-building books, videos, articles, and blogs into various languages is growing. So, we aim to greatly expand our offering of translated resources in the days ahead.

There are Christians who hold positions in STEMM research and teaching positions at secular institutions, yet they tend to see themselves as alone in their Christian convictions. Given widespread public perception of “church people” as anti-science or anti-intellectual, some of these Christians have kept quiet about their personal faith. Few have much exposure to or experience in science-faith dialogue. Many feel unprepared to face challenges for which they lack an effective response. Thus, one of our primary aims is to build up a community of Christian scholars working in research and academia, men and women ready to engage in spiritually significant conversation with peers and eager to encourage and support each other in their faith journey. Our dream is to see this Scholar Community grow so that Christians gain a more audible voice in research and academia, where young lives are shaped and moral-ethical decisions are made that affect the future of all.

When asked about their career aspirations, approximately half of all young people involved in church groups say they’re hoping to work in STEMM. However, fewer than one in ten student ministry leaders and even fewer pastors in Christian churches today have any significant background—or even much interest—in STEMM. This disconnect often suggests to students that they must choose between participation in Christian discipleship and pursuit of their STEMM interests. This disconnect also discourages STEMM professionals from church participation. So, Christian students have few role models and mentors in their churches with whom to relate. Our mission is to provide STEMM education and appreciation to current and future pastors and church leaders. To this end we’ve developed undergraduate courses for Christian universities and graduate-level courses and degree programs for seminary and divinity school students. One of our major aims is to increase the number of institutions where these courses are offered so that science is no longer an ignored or undervalued topic within the Christian community.