John Barton, Ph.D.

Biography

John Barton is Associate Director of Vocational Formation at the Institute for Faith and Learning at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He also serves as Professional Development Program Officer for NetVUE (the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education) and is co-host of the NetVUE podcast Callings: Conversations on College, Career, and a Life Well Lived. For the twenty-three years prior, John was professor of philosophy and interreligious studies at Rochester University in Michigan (2002-2014) and Pepperdine University in California (2014-2025).

He also served as provost of Rochester University for six years, and director of the Pepperdine Center for Faith and Learning for eleven years. His areas of research and teaching include African philosophy, Christian studies, and interreligious peacebuilding. He is the author of the 2023 book Better Religion: A Primer for Interreligious Peacebuilding with Baylor University Press, and author and editor of numerous articles, book chapters, journal issues, and edited volumes.  John is a founding board member and former president of Kibo Group International that partners with East African communities for asset-based sustainable development.

Education

• PhD, Philosophy, Makerere University (Kampala, Uganda)
• MDiv, Theology, Harding Graduate School of Religion
• BA, Religion, Harding University