Ro was born on 1935 in North Pyongan, Korea and grew up during the Korean War.[5] Following the death of his father, Ro lived in extreme poverty with his mother and five siblings.[6] He completed a year studying philosophy at Seoul National University before moving to the United States with only fifty dollars.[5] In 1956, Ro moved to South Carolina only knowing a few words of English.[6] In 1957, Ro spent three months in New York City and was inspired by a Billy Graham crusade to pursue a liberal arts education.[1]
Ro served with the Overseas Missionary Fellowship for thirty years and was the first Asian to be sent as a missionary by the organization.[8][9][10] As a missionary he lived throughout Asia including Singapore (1970–74), Taiwan (1975–89), and Korea (1990–2000).[8][11][12] In his early teaching days, Ro taught at Singapore Bible College.[13] While working in Singapore, Ro was crucial to the founding and development of the Asia Theological Association,[14] serving as executive secretary (1970–1990)[1] and dean of the Asia Graduate School of Theology.[3][15] He played a significant role in shaping the program and structure of the Asia Theological Association as the organization emerged in helping develop evangelical theological education in Asia.[14][16]Billy Graham noted how Ro's book Korean Church Growth Explosion "gives insight into the dynamics of the Korean church and suggests ways churches around the world can profit from its example."
Ro, Bong R, and Marlin L. Nelson. Korean Church Growth Explosion. Seoul, Korea: Word of Life Press, 1983. Print.
Ro, Bong R. Christian Alternatives to Ancestor Practices. Taichung, Taiwan, ROC: Asia Theological Association, 1985. Print.
Ro, Bong R, and Ruth M. Eshenaur. The Bible & Theology in Asian Contexts: An Evangelical Perspective on Asian Theology. Seoul, Korea: Word of Life Press, 1991. Print.
Gener, Timoteo D, Stephen T. Pardue, and Bong R. Ro. Asian Christian Theology: Evangelical Perspectives., 2019. Print.
Nicholls, Bruce J, and Bong R. Ro. Beyond Canberra: Evangelical Responses to Contemporary Ecumenical Issues., 1993. Print.
References
^ a b c d"Dr. Bong Rin Ro '62". magazine.wheaton.edu. 2016-09-12. Retrieved 2022-05-18.
^Getting to know ATA, retrieved 2022-05-19
^ a b"Bong Rin Ro". The Gospel Coalition. Retrieved 2022-05-18.
^Ro, Bong Rin (2008). "A History of Evangelical Theological Education in Asia (ATA): 1970–1990" (PDF). Torch Trinity Journal. 11 (1): 27.
^ a bataasiaadmin (2021-01-07). "Developments Leading to ATA Formation". Asia Theological Association. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
^Lee, Rachael (2014-11-25). "Missionaries and Churches Must Focus Efforts in Building Leaders in Asian Countries". Christianity Daily. Retrieved 2022-05-19.