Ruth Keidel Clemens
A Quest For Purpose
From Illinois to Congo, Cambodia and Beyond
Available soon from the following retailers:
About the Book
Drawing on her parents’ missionary calling in Congo and her own experiences as a “missionary kid,” A Quest for Purpose invites readers to reflect on the pivotal moments that shape our lives. Ruth’s stories embrace both the joys and challenges of growing up in Congo, revealing how those early experiences fostered a lifelong passion for international service and meaningful community engagement. Through her journey, readers are encouraged to find purpose and fulfillment—no matter where life leads.
About The Author
Ruth Keidel Clemens
Ruth Keidel Clemens grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where her parents served as Mennonite missionaries. She went on to serve with Mennonite Central Committee for 27 years in Congo, Cambodia, and the United States, holding a variety of leadership roles.
In 2020, Ruth created a website for young adults looking for practical tools to find their calling in life, at https://callingtools.net/. And in 2024, she published African Fables, Book III, a collection of stories her mother gathered from Congolese friends.
Ruth holds a B.S. in Music and Psychology from Indiana University (1978), an M.A. in Community Agency Counseling from Western Michigan University (1985), and an M.A. in Management from the College of Notre Dame in Maryland (1998).
She and her husband are active members of North Baltimore Mennonite Church, where Ruth plays piano and manages a house for asylum seekers. They live in Baltimore, Maryland, and have four adult children.