The Thinking Teams Podcast: Dr. Todd Martin, President of Trinity Western University (Ep. 3)

Summary Dr. Todd Martin, president of Trinity Western University, joins Jason Mills on The Thinking Teams Podcast to talk about the institution’s history, identity, and future. Todd traces the university’s growth from a small junior college to Canada’s largest Christian university, explaining how its mission has shaped its approach to academics, theological education, and national presence. The conversation explores Trinity Western’s expansion through its Richmond and Ottawa programs, the launch of its standalone divinity school, and the pressures facing Christian higher education—particularly international-student policy changes, financial sustainability, and shifting public attitudes. Todd reflects on his own path from pastoral ministry to university leadership, emphasizing clarity of identity, relational leadership, and creating conditions for people to flourish. The interview closes with Todd’s hopes for a visibly and culturally distinct Christian university, his view of the university as a partner to the church, and a candid outlook on the challenges and opportunities ahead for Christian higher education in Canada. Timestamped episode timeline 00:00 — Podcast introduction and welcome 03:45 — The origins and early history of Trinity Western University 08:45 — Growth, enrollment, and evolving education models 10:35 — The Richmond and Ottawa campuses 13:40 — Christian institutional identity and navigating public resistance 17:25 — The transition from the ACTS Consortium to a standalone divinity school (TEDS) 22:40 — Relationship with Regent College 24:20 — International-student policy changes and institutional adaptation 26:35 — Online education and multimodal learning 28:45 — Todd Martin’s path from pastoral ministry to university president 33:35 — Leadership as problem-solving and serving people well 39:10 — Clarifying Trinity Western’s Christian identity and the vision for a chapel 45:55 — What Todd hopes visitors will experience on campus in the future 48:50 — Leading thoughtful people through shared mission, culture, and relationships 54:50 — Faculty representation, structure, and relational leadership 56:35 — Trinity Western’s relationship with the church 61:50 — The university’s hoped-for contribution to the wider church 63:25 — The future of Christian higher education in Canada 67:40 — The book Todd still hopes to write 68:15 — Closing remarks and episode outro