Alumni Spotlight: Dora Bortey
For Dora Bortley, ministry has never been confined to one place. From the United States to Ghana, her life’s work reflects a steady calling to proclaim the gospel, equip believers, and serve communities with faithfulness and conviction. Her journey is one marked by deep theological formation, global vision, and a lifelong commitment to living out the message she proclaims.
- Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Ghana. I’m 71 years old, single, and the oldest of my siblings. I am the founder of Salt & Light Ministries in America and Living for El-Shaddai Ministries in Ghana. My spiritual gifts are teaching, preaching, and being an encourager. I enjoy reading, American football, and soccer.
- Please share your journey and how you got to Truett Seminary and then the start of L.I.F.E. (Living for El-Shaddai Ministry) and Salt and Light Ministries?
I graduated in 1994 from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS). The First Baptist Church in Annandale, VA, recommended me for ordination. Upon their recommendation I was ordained into the ministry that same year. I founded Salt & Light Ministries (which is registered in the state of Kentucky as a 501C) to bring awareness to the ministry in Ghana and raise support. I felt the call to return to Ghana to serve and in 1998, I relocated to Ghana. In 2000, Living For El-Shaddai Ministries, (L.i.F.E.) was registered as a non-for-profit organization.
A friend from Ghana, who was pursuing his PhD at Baylor, heard I was interested in pursuing a doctorate in ministry. He suggested Truett. I considered the possibility and liked the program offered. The decision to come to Truett in 2001 was sealed for me when I realized Dr. David Garland was on the faculty. He had been on the faculty at SBTS when I attended and I respected his theology and how he engaged students.
- You received your Doctor of Ministry from Truett. How did your time working on your DMin from Truett prepare you for living and working in your context?
My doctoral thesis emphasized the sanctity of life. The more I worked on it the more convinced I was of my choice. I got all the necessary help needed from professors and my supervisors. Since I have been back in Ghana, carrying out the Great Commission and preaching the sanctity of life has been my life’s work. I have had countless opportunities to apply my education and experiences to bring awareness to many churches, schools, and families. Many lives have been saved as a result.
- Tell us about some recent praises and/or struggles you have in your non-profit ministries.
L.I.F.E. celebrated its silver anniversary last year. It has been a joy to know that more than twenty-five thousand Bibles have been distributed; the Good News has been shared to thousands of children and teens, with many of them having received Christ as their Savior; it is knowing that our first residence to house Ministry staff is under construction.
My struggle has been to find donors to support the ministry.
- Tell us about your connections with other Truett alumni who live in Ghana.
I am frequently in touch with three Truett alums (all of whom I recommended to Truett) and their families here in Ghana. Their ministries are thriving by His grace. Several times on our long mission trips by bus, my team of at least forty volunteers, have taken journey breaks and have been refreshed by all three alums in their respective cities. Their hospitality and prayers have been invaluable. I am looking to partner with one of them to help us with sports evangelism in the near future. We welcome additional partners.
- Tell us about your book, Personal Letters to My Sisters, you recently wrote and published. Why did you decide to write it? Who is the intended audience of this book?
I have always been fascinated with James 5:7. All the characters in the Bible were not superhuman or angels, they were human like us today. With this book I wanted to show the truth of the statement with the various characters I wrote to. Their struggles, pain, situations and victories can be seen in our lives today, thousands of years later. The book’s unique approach demonstrates that we can also choose to live out our faith well, persevering like some of them did. As Paul pointed out in 1 Corinthians 10:11, the book was also to help the reader learn from their mistakes.
Although the believer is an intended audience, I believe it will speak to unbelievers as well and perhaps turn some to Christ. The book therefore is for everyone.
- What advice would you give to current Truett students or alumni considering international work or ministry back in their home countries?
- Cultures may be different but people are still the same everywhere.
- Because of phones and social media, people thousands of miles away are on top of latest happenings around the world.
- The field is ripe for harvest everywhere.
- Know the country you are going to well, and be knowledgeable of the acceptable practices of the people.
- If going back to one’s home country, they should reacquaint themselves with their country especially, if they have been away for quite
