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"B.B.C. has a ministry that is now worldwide and acclaimed by many denominations. It provides a vital support to the local church and through the fellowship of its international student body and superb teaching modules, trains Christians to be effective witnesses at home and overseas." Rt. Rev. Dr. S. John Dixon
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Each member of the college teaching staff brings both extensive academic knowledge of their subject area and teaching practice, as well as valuable experience in service to God and in the world.
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David Shepherd
Principal, Lecturer in Old Testament
BA (Sask) PhD (Edinburgh)
Having completed doctoral studies in Edinburgh, David ministered at St Paul's and St George's Scottish Episcopal Church before joining the faculty of Briercrest Seminary in 2001, first as Associate Professor of Old Testament and later as Academic Dean. Since 2005, he has served as Principal of the college and Lecturer in Old Testament. Licensed to preach in the Diocese of Connor, he attends and assists at St Colman's Church of Ireland, Dunmurry, where he lives with his wife Hilda and daughters Anna and Sophie. In addition to scholarly articles on topics in both Testaments, he has written and edited volumes on ancient translation (Targum and Translation, 2004) and Bible and Film (Images of the Word, 2008). More popular works include Some Assembly Required (2001) and Seeking Sabbath (2007). He is currently writing a commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah.
Graham Cheesman
Director of Centre for Theological Education; Director of Open Learning
BD Hons (London), MPhil (CNAA), PhD(QUB)
After pastoral ministry in Essex, Graham studied for an MPhil before serving in southern Nigeria with Mission Africa. Having lectured and directed the ministry training division at Samuel Bill Theological College for seven years, Graham returned to the UK in 1988 to take up the principalship of Belfast Bible College.
In 2005, Graham stepped down as Principal to set up the college’s new Centre for Theological Education. Graham is the author of two books including Hyperchoice: Living in an Age of Diversity (IVP) and his current research and teaching focus is in the area of theological education. Graham and his wife, Menita attend the Baptist Church in Finaghy and have three grown-up children.
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Robert Keay
Director of Undergraduate Studies
ThM (Gordon-Conwell), PhD (St Andrews)
Originally from Plymouth, Massachusetts, Robert studied and lectured in New England before completing doctoral work in New Testament at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland. Joining the College in 2005 as Director of Undergraduate studies and Lecturer in New Testament and Theology, Robert took up the post of Undergraduate Advisor within the Queen’s University Belfast Institute of Theology in 2006. Robert’s doctoral work focused on Paul’s self-identity and his current research interests include: the social life of the early Christians, the emergence and development of a uniquely Christ-centered theology in early Christian communities, and the relationship between Christian faith and research in the natural sciences. Robert lives with his wife Jill in Lisburn, where they worship at the Cathedral (Church of Ireland).
Ian Dickson
Director of Postgraduate Studies
BA Hons (Open), PhD (QUB)
Ian joined the staff of BBC in 2004 as Director of Postgraduate Studies. After studying theology at Romsey House in Cambridge he worked in pastoral ministry for fifteen years before moving into theological education. After a short period as a freelance teacher and writer he became a Research Fellow at Cardif University. At BBC he tutors in Christian Spirituality and Practical Theology. His special areas of interest are preaching, ministry and spirituality, theology and intellectual disability. He is married to Yvonne and they have two children, Ross and Amy.
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Jacob Thomas
Lecturer in Missiology; Director of College Studies
MA(Econ)(Kerala), BD (Serampore), ThM (Harvard), DTh (Serampore)
Having studied economics in his home state of Kerala, Jacob’s subsequent studies in theology led him to America and the Divnity School at Harvard. Following completion of his doctoral studies in missiology, Jacob was appointed as Assistant Professor of Christian Social Ethics at Union Biblical Seminary in Pune, where he also served as Academic Dean. An ordained minister of the Church of South India, Jacob joined the College in 2005 where he teaches and writes in the area of missiology. The author of From Lausanne to Manila: Evangelial Social Thought (ISPCK), Jacob teaches and ministers to Indian Christians around the world. He and his wife Elizabeth have three children.
Geoff Donaldson
Chaplain
BA (DeMontfort) BTh (LBC) MTh (QUB)
Originally from Coleraine, Geoff moved to England where he completed a degree in Business Studies with a focus on human resources. After completing a theology degree at London Bible College (now London School of Theology) he worked with UCCF for three years. Having been ordained to the Baptist ministry, Geoff pastored an inner-city multi-cultural church in Peckham. Currently he combines his role as Chaplain with being the Pastor of Lambeg Baptist Church. Geoff’s current teaching and research interests include leadership, discipleship and theological education. He and his wife Rosaliene live in Lisburn with their three children, Jessica, Ryan and Lisanne.
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Desmond Maxwell
Senior Teaching Fellow
BA (NUU), MDiv (Westminster), MTh (Princeton)
After reading history at what is now the University of Ulster, Desmond studied first in Philadelphia and then at Princeton Theological Seminary before serving in pastoral ministry in Canada for three years. He returned to Belfast to pastor a Presbyterian congregation in the city centre, before eventually joining the College in 1987. Desmond’s teaching and research interests are in biblical studies and he has become well-known in Ireland and beyond for his interest in the Jewish background to the New Testament. Much in demand as a teacher and preacher, Desi worships at Elmwood Presbyterian Church in Lisburn. He and his wife Heather have two daughters, Rachel and Vicky. Although no longer teaching at the college on a full-time basis, Desmond maintains close links with the college community.
James McKeown
Senior Research Fellow
BD Hons, PhD (QUB)
Having worked as Irish Secretary of SGM International, James read theology at The Queen’s University Belfast before earning his doctoral degree there in Old Testament. Since joining the College in 1986, James has taught widely throughout the Old Testament and written numerous articles in Old Testament studies. He maintains an active interest in the Hebrew language and the geography of the Near East and has just completed work on Genesis in the Two Horizons commentary series (Eerdmans). James and his wife Audrey worship at Great Victoria Street Baptist Church in Belfast. Although no longer teaching at the college on a full-time basis, James maintains close links with the college in his role as Senior Research Fellow.
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Karen Fulton
Lecturer in New Testament
MA (Cantab), MTh (London)
Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Karen read Classics at Newnham College Cambridge before moving to London where she worked for a computer consultancy. After a number of years in the market place, Karen studied theology at King's College London specialising in New Testament Studies. In 1994, she left London for Kenya and Berea Theological College, where she taught men and women preparing for ministry in the Anglican Church in Kenya and neighbouring countries. Returning to the UK in 2000 to direct the College’s certificate and diploma programs, Karen teaches in New Testament and her current research interests include the writings of Paul and the interface between New Testament studies and principles for contemporary ministry and mission. She lives in Saintfield and worships at Fitzroy Presbyterian. Karen is currently on sabbatical whilst completing her PhD studies.
Jill Harshaw
Director of Education Support & Community Life
LLB, PCPLS, MTh (QUB)
Following an early academic background in Law, Jill completed a Master in Theology degree through Queen's University in Belfast. Her research centred on the field of Practical Theology, focusing particularly on the developing subject area of Theology and Disability. She is a member of the European Society for the study of Theology and Disability, and recently presented a paper at the society's second biannual conference in Switzerland. She is currently studying for a PhD in the area of spirituality and disability. Jill's teaching centres primarily on the area of Pastoral Theology with additional excursions into issues of spirituality and ecclesiology. Jill is married to William, and they have two sons and a daughter.
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William Ford
Lecturer in Hebrew & Old Testament
BA (Durham) MSt (Oxford) PhD (Durham)
William is from England and studied theology at Durham and Oxford. After working for five years as a chartered accountant he returned to Durham for doctoral studies in Old Testament. This work has now been published as God, Pharaoh and Moses (Paternoster). In 2006 he started teaching at All Nations Christian College near London, and joined the college in 2009 to teach Old Testament and Hebrew. His research interests are in the area of how to read theologically 'difficult' texts.
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Peter Lynas
Faith at Work Co-ordinator
BL (QUB/Dundee); MDiv (Regent College)
Peter joins us on a part-time basis to co-ordinate the college's faith at work initiative. Peter is originally from Portstewart and practiced as a barrister in Northern Ireland for five years before completing his MDiv at Regent College, Vancouver, specialising in the area of ethics. He also works for a public policy think tank based in Cambridge where he specialises in the areas of family and social policy. He is married to Rose, and they have a new baby daughter, Keren.
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