John E. Toews

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John E. Toews

John E. Toews has had a rich professional career in teaching biblical studies and serving as an academic dean and president at various Mennonite colleges and seminaries. He served at Fresno Pacific College (1961-1968), Conrad Grebel University College (1970-1973. 1996-2002), Tabor College (1973-1977), and Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (1977-1995). At the end of December 2002, Toews retired as president of Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario.

Toews was born in Hepburn, Saskatchewan, and grew up in numerous communities in Canada and the U.S. He graduated with a B.A. in History (high honors) from Tabor College in 1958, and an M.A. in European Intellectual History from Wichita State University in 1960. Following studies in theology at Mennonite Brethren Bible College, Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, University of Southern California, and Pacific School of Religion, he entered doctoral studies in New Testament at Garrett Theological Seminary/Northwestern University in 1968 and graduated with a Ph.D. in 1977.

Many of Toews' writings have been under assignment from church bodies such as the U.S. Conference and the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches respectively. He edited the books, The Power of the Lamb (1986) and Your Daughters Shall Prophesy (1992), in which he also contributed numerous chapters.

Toews and his wife Arlene are charter members of the College Community Church (Mennonite Brethren) in Clovis, California. They have three adult children—Delora Toews Schneider, Dawn Toews Hartman, and Mark Toews—and twin grandsons.