James E. Plueddemann, PhD

Dr. Jim Plueddemann is professor and chair of the Mission and Evangelism Department at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield Illinois. He teaches courses in areas of leadership and culture as well as teaching in cross-cultural settings.

Dr. Plueddemann earned his BA and MA in Christian Education from Wheaton College, and his PhD in Curriculum Research in Education from Michigan State University.

From 1967 until 1980 he and his wife, Carol, served in Nigeria as missionaries with SIM. During that time he was director of the Christian Education department for the Evangelical Churches of West Africa.

From 1980 to 1993 he served on the faculty of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He traveled each summer in Africa, Europe, and South America to assist teachers and administrators of theological schools with curriculum design, creative teaching, and spiritual formation. He has an active and continuing interest in cross-cultural Christian education, leadership development, and theological education. Other areas of concern are team relationships, realistic future-oriented mission strategy, and especially prayer and revival.

Dr. Plueddemann served as the International Director of SIM (Serving in Mission) from 1993 until 2004. SIM currently has about 1,600 missionaries in active service in approximately 40 countries.

Dr. Plueddemann's wife, Carol, grew up in a missionary family in Quito, Ecuador. She has written (or coauthored with Dr. Plueddemann) a number of books and was the editor of the bimonthly SIM family journal entitled Intercom. Her special interests include small-group Bible studies and ministries for children. Carol is currently serving as Minister of Congregational Life at Immanuel Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Winfield, Illinois. Their two children, Shari and Dan, were born in Nigeria.