[Unedited] Ellen Davis with Krista Tippett

Sudan Education

Ellen Davis shares her experiences teaching in Sudan, where she observes the profound impact of biblical teachings on the community. The Episcopal Church of Sudan plays a vital role in social services, integrating theological education with sustainable agriculture and community health. This approach not only reconnects people with their ancestral skills but also empowers them to become leaders in their communities 1.

The church has actually become in southern Sudan... the primary deliverer of social services.

--- Ellen Davis

The fertile land of southern Sudan, rich with resources, has been a source of conflict, yet it also offers hope for rebuilding lives and communities 2.

   

Early Influences

Reflecting on her childhood, Ellen Davis describes growing up in the scenic San Francisco Bay area, which instilled in her a deep appreciation for the land. Her academic journey was marked by an unexpected shift from classics to biblical scholarship, influenced by her time in Jerusalem 3.

I grew up on an island in the San Francisco Bay... very attuned to what was around me.

--- Ellen Davis

This connection to the land and its changes over time sparked her interest in environmental themes within biblical texts, leading to her current focus on land and theology 4.