Meet Petr

Chief Research Coordinator

Petr is chief research coordinator at ncd.life, helping us mine our enormous database as well as track character, community and church trends in countries around the world.

Born and raised in the former Czechoslovakia, I have always carried a deep desire to bridge faith and everyday life in ways that are practical, transformative, and authentic. My academic journey led me to Andrews University in Michigan, where I completed an M.Div. (1997), MSW (2000), and PhD in Mission (2002). During that time, the groundbreaking findings of Natural Church Development (NCD) were first released. My professors—Erich Baumgartner and Russell Burrill—who had studied at Fuller Seminary, quickly integrated NCD into their courses. As a student of social work and research, I was invited to analyze how NCD results were calculated. After a year of working with survey data from 350 Seventh-day Adventist churches, I was able to replicate the NCD results—a foundational moment for my lifelong connection to NCD.

After graduation, I returned to the Czech Republic as an intern pastor (2000–2003), driven by a dream to engage meaningfully with Czech atheists. From 2003 to 2012, I served as a volunteer community organizer, lecturer, and freelance missionary. I founded and led the nonprofit Generations Center, launched the nationwide Marriage Week campaign, and directed the Generation Gospel Choir—composed largely of non-believers. During this time, I also collaborated with Christoph Schalk and the NCD International team, assisting with data management and research, while applying NCD principles across diverse ministry settings—from church planting to teaching and choir leadership.

Since 2013, I’ve served as Director of the Institute of Church Ministry at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. In 2016, I resumed direct involvement in NCD, serving as the national partner for the United States. In 2025, this work transitioned into the nonprofit NCD America Inc. I’ve had the joy of working closely with Christian A. Schwarz—revising foundational NCD resources like ABC of NCD into NCD 101, co-authoring The Triune God Applied in Church Health and Life, and collaborating on the development of new tools and materials to further NCD’s impact.

In addition, I edit the Journal of Applied Christian Leadership, serve as Director of the Doctor of Intercultural Studies program, and work as a methodologist for the World Mission Department. I also lead the Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association and actively contribute to several academic organizations including the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Faith Communities Today, the Great Commission Research Network, and the Adventist Society of Religious Studies. Over the years, I’ve published dozens of articles, research reports, and edited several books. I thrive in creative, collaborative environments—developing frameworks, facilitating research, and supporting leaders and communities.

I’m married to Daniela, and together with our four boys—Timothy, Jonathan, Nathanael, and Matthew—we love living out and sharing God’s love in everyday life. The NCD journey has shaped my life deeply—spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and relationally. I believe, with all my heart, that NCD principles and tools can help individuals, families, churches, and entire communities grow healthier and experience the transforming presence of the Triune God.