Revd Dr Ash Barker leads the Seedbeds School for Shalom at Nazarene Theological College, including pathways in Social and Community Transformation with specialist BA and MA units. He also supervises MA and PhD research students in related fields. An urban missiologist, shalom activist, and Pioneer Minister, Ash brings over 35 years of experience in unlocking the potential of local communities on three continents.

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Ash lived and served for 12 years in Bangkok’s largest slum before relocating to inner-city Birmingham, UK, in 2014. He is a dynamic speaker and the author of nine books, including ‘Slum Life Rising’, ‘Make Poverty Personal’, and ‘No Wastelands’. As founder and Executive Director of Seedbeds International, he works to release the unique potential within local people and places around the world through Seedbeds affiliates and partners. 

Ash lives in intentional community at Newbigin House in Winson Green (inner-city Birmingham) with his wife Anji, where they have also planted and lead two new local congregations with United Reformed Church. He’s passionate about pilgrimages, football, and helping communities flourish in the most unlikely places.