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"Is there life after Bible College? YES! A course at BBC, from anywhere between three months to three years can be an invaluable springboard for any kind of part-time or full-time ministry." Steve and Lorna Mc Gowan
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Each member of the College 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 - in mission, the pastorate etc. This results in a double benefit to students.
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 David Shepherd - Profile
Principal, Lecturer in Old Testament
BA (Sask) PhD (Edinburgh)
Following undergraduate studies in Canada and doctoral studies in Edinburgh, David served on staff at St. Paul's and St. George' s Scottish Episcopal Church. In 2001, he returned to Canada to become Associate Professor of Old Testament and Academic Dean at Briercrest Seminary. In 2005, David joined the College as Principal and Lecturer in Old Testament. He is the author of numerous articles in biblical studies and has written two books including Targum and Translation (Assen: Van Gorcum, 2004). David’s current projects include a popular book on the Sabbath (BRF) and an edited volume on the Bible and film (Scholars Press). He and his wife Hilda have two daughters, Anna and Sophie, and attend Lisburn Cathedral (Church of Ireland).
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James McKeown - Profile
Vice-Principal, Lecturer in Old Testament
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.
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Graham Cheesman
Director, Centre for Theological Education
BD Hons (London), MPhil (CNAA), PhD(QUB)
After a pastoral ministry in Essex, Graham studied for the 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 children.
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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
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Karen Fulton - Profile
Director of College Studies, 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.
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Geoff Donaldson
Director of Student Development
BA (DeMontfort) BTh (LBC)
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. 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. They worship at Lambeg Baptist Church.
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Ian Dickson - Profile
Director of Postgraduate Studies, Lecturer in History and Practical and Spiritual Theology
BA Hons (Open), PhD (QUB)
Ian joined the staff of BBC in 2004 to take up the role of Director of Postgraduate Studies. Prior to this he was engaged in freelance writing and was a Research Fellow in the Department of Religious and Theological Studies at Cardiff University. He had previously been working in pastoral ministry in Scotland. Ian teaches spiritual theology, history and church ministry studies. Coming from an academic background of religious history, he has diversified into the field of lived theology and religion. He continues to exercise a preaching ministry alongside his academic role. His research interests currently include the spirituality and pedagogy of preaching, expressions of church and Christian communities as well as the study of humanness, church and learning disability. He has published in the Journal of Ecclesiastical History (Cambridge) and the Journal of Adult Theological Education. Following his book Beyond Religious Discourse (Paternoster 2007) which explores nineteenth-century sermon literature, he is working on A Beautiful Art: Reflections on the Spirituality, Humanity and Pedagogy of Preaching in Western Christianity. Ian is married to Yvonne and they have two children, Ross and Amy.
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Robert Keay - Profile
Director of Undergraduate studies, Lecturer in New Testament and Theology
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).
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Jacob Thomas
Lecturer in Missiology
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.
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