Robert Schmidt began his career teaching at a seminary in Nigeria but left near the beginning of the Nigerian Civil War. Confronted with the issues of poverty and wealth, especially as they are evident in the poor countries of the world, he began to study political science to better understand the Global South, its poverty and conflicts.

            In America he served as campus pastor at several universities. He studied political science with special attention to problems and conflicts in poor nations.  After receiving a Ph.D, he became a professor of theology and political science at Concordia University in Portland. He has lectured in Zimbabwe, Germany, Japan, China, Kazakhstan, and India. He has also participated in gatherings in Mexico, Russia, and Ukraine.