Paul spent the first eight years of his life in Asia before his missionary parents returned to the U.S. and settled in the Pacific Northwest. Paul is now a professor of religion at Walla Walla University, where he has taught since 2001. He came to WWU after completing his Ph.D. in Missiology at Andrews University, where his research focused on issues related to the effective communication of the gospel across cultural barriers. Prior to his time at Andrews, Paul served as a pastor in the Oregon Conference. Paul and his wife, Kristyn, have three adult children.