Rev. Rachel Toombs, Ph.D.

Rachel oversees children, youth, and adult formation at Ascension. She is a native Minnesotan, growing up on the Minneapolis side of the cities and now residing in St. Paul. She also serves as Assistant Professor of Old Testament at the Episcopal seminary, CDSP. She received her B.A. in Youth Ministry from Bethel University, Her M.A. in Theological Studies (Old Testament) from Regent College in Vancouver, Canada, and her theology Ph.D. from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She has written two books, both focused in their own way on the power of stories: Flannery O'Connor & Stylistic Asceticism and Reading the First Five Books: The Invitation of the Pentateuch's Stories. Rachel is a transitional deacon in the Diocese of Texas; Lord-willing she will be ordained a priest at Ascension in Winter 2026.

Rachel is married to Lance and has two dogs, Eowyn and Rosie. In her free time she likes to bake, read fantasy, and watch the Twins reliably disappoint in playoff years.