Lindy Backues is Associate Professor of Economic Development at Eastern University, teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His publications, writings, and public speaking events have explored the connection between theology and community development, especially as the two interface in the midst of practical, implemented, participatory involvement. Dr. Backues came to Eastern University after nearly two decades of direct involvement in development work in Indonesia, where, among other accomplishments, he founded a multidisciplinary, multifaith community empowerment, non-government organization. He also served as program supervisor between 2005–2007 for tsunami response in north Sumatra. Living in Indonesia from 1989–2007, Dr. Backues worked primarily in the region of West Java amongst the Sundanese, and served as Indonesia Country Director for Millennium Relief & Development Services out of Houston, Texas USA. Dr. Backues teaches a wide variety of courses at Eastern University, such as “Epistemological Insights for Anthropological Practice,” “Faith and Economic Justice,” “Economic Development of Third World Countries,” “Economic Reasoning Seminar,” "Theology of Culture", and “Theology of Poverty.”