Bala Khyllep is Director of World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Seminary
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary has named the Rev. Balajiedlang (Bala) Khyllep as the next director of its World Mission Initiative, which is a part of the PTS Neighborhood Collaborative. Bala has been an integral part of WMI for the past eight years, serving as associate director from 2018 to 2024 then as acting director from 2024 to his current appointment, which took effect January 2026.
The World Mission Initiative coordinates programming and offers resources which nurture intercultural competence and prepare Christians to engage in God’s intercultural mission. At Pittsburgh Seminary, WMI cultivates relationships with Christian leaders in several countries and facilitates international partnerships between PTS and other institutions. WMI coordinates short- and long-term intercultural learning experiences for learners at and beyond PTS, including but not limited to the intercultural immersion experiences, which are a required part of the Seminary’s M.Div. program. Additionally, WMI offers U.S. churches resources pertaining to Christian mission, supports congregations seeking to grow in intercultural hospitality, and hosts an annual lecture series and biannual conference featuring national and international speakers addressing topics relating to mission in the present age. Through these and other programs, WMI fosters intercultural awareness and opens opportunities for North American Christians to build relationships with members of the global Church.
“Christian mission is a key topic now more than ever,” says the Rev. William Baker IV, vice president of strategic initiatives and continuing education. “The ability to navigate intercultural relationships with awareness, curiosity, and respect is relevant not only to global partnerships but to successful ministry in multicultural contexts in the U.S., a reality in which more and more American congregations are finding themselves. Churches are wrestling with what mission looks like today, and the ability to learn from our brothers and sisters in Christ with humility, as well as the cultural self-awareness which stems from that, are traits that truly set ministries apart in terms of the kind of presence they are able to have in their communities.”
“Mission is not something we do for God—it is an invitation to participate in what God is already doing in the world,” Bala says. “As director of WMI, I am truly excited about the opportunity to form leaders who listen deeply, love boldly, and intentionally engage with our global neighbors—not only those across the world, but also those in our midst, especially our immigrant neighbors.”