Dr. Ma is a Korean Pentecostal scholar who spent most of hiscareer life in four countries. His first theological study was at HanseiUniversity (then, Full Gospel Theological College), during which he spent twoyears in Vietnam as a soldier. His first ministry was at an Assembly of Godchurch at the original place where David Yonggi Cho had opened his first tentchurch. During this short 2.5 year period, he ministered among youths, marriedhis wife Julie, and received ordination.

Then the family began a new life as missionaries to thePhilippines from 1979 to 2006. They engaged in various ministries, includingevangelism and church planting among mountain tribal groups and theologicaleducation at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Baguio City. They developed astrong sense of “Mission in the Spirit” both practically and theoretically. Hechose his PhD dissertation title, “The Spirit of God in Isaiah,” to enrich hisunderstanding of the Spirit in mission. In addition, he developed “AsianPentecostal Studies” as a discipline. He established the Asian PentecostalSociety and served as Founding President (1998-2000), and founded Asian Journalof Pentecostal Studies. Besides his tribal ministry and teaching, he alsoserved in various administrative responsibilities, including Vice President forAcademic Affairs. He participated in various international mission andecumenical meetings as an Asian Pentecostal.

From 2006 to 2016, he served as Executive Director and DavidYonggi Cho Research Tutor of Global Christianity at Oxford Centre for MissionStudies, Oxford, United Kingdom. During this decade, the school grew to offerthe largest PhD program in mission studies throughout Europe. He also directedRegnum Books International, which has published, among others, the 35-volumeRegnum Edinburgh Centenary Series. At the same time, he and his wife enjoyedwalking along The Thames and British countryside, as well as city-hoppingthroughout Europe.  

Now at ORU, he feels that he has come “home” to teach andresearch on the Holy Spirit and Global Christianity. His desire is to bringtogether 1) the theological richness of the OT, 2) local theologies ofPentecostalism (as experienced in Asia), 3) the bigger global picture of theSpirit’s work in our time, and 4) God’s unchanging mission in human history. Hefeels privileged to serves as Distinguished Professor of Global Christianity atthis spiritually and academically committed university community.

He and his wife, Julie, who also teaches at ORU, have twosons. The elder one has been serving as a missionary to the Philippines, whilethe younger son teaches English in Seoul, Korea. They are proud grandparents toadorable grandchildren who live in Manila.