Visiting Lecturers

Paul is Executive Director of the Centre for Christianity in Society, which seeks to connect Christian thinking with contemporary culture across Ireland and online. Previously he has worked as Head of Ministry Operations for Living Leadership, a full-time lecturer in Belfast Bible College, a pastor in the Chinese Church in Belfast and a junior doctor in NHS hospitals and the NI Hospice. He has extensive ministry experience in preaching and teaching, pastoral care and disciple-making, youth work, and ministry with people with intellectual disabilities and continues to preach and teach the Bible and provide training and consultancy in apologetics, ethics, leadership and pastoral care regularly for churches and conferences across Ireland and in several Eastern European countries. His academic experience includes six years of full-time teaching in Belfast Bible College, external examining for Middlesex University in their partnership with Oak Hill College, and participation in a validation panel for the Open University for post-graduate courses in All Nations College. As well as teaching in IBC, Paul teaches ethics for Munster Bible College, contributes to pastoral care and leadership teaching in Union Theological College, and teaches ethics and ministry modules for KVBC Malaysia. He holds degrees in medical genetics and medicine as well as a PhD in divinity from Aberdeen University and a post-graduate certificate in higher education teaching. He is also a graduate of IBC, having completed his Masters here in 2007. Paul is the author of several books and book chapters, including Keeping Care Pastoral: The Heart of Gospel-Shaped Pastoral Care and Honour, Fear, and Love: The Shape of Christian Faithfulness in a Post-Christian Society. He has also released two collections of devotional poetry, writes online articles regularly on subjects including theology, apologetics and ethics, and has edited four books for three different publishers. He lives in Lisburn with his Chinese Malaysian wife and their two teenaged children. As a family they attend Windsor Baptist Church. For relaxation, Paul enjoys writing poetry, walking the hills, and reading popular history.

Mervyn is married to Karen and they have four children. Mervyn is from Dublin, and serves as the Director of Baptist Missions, having previously worked in evangelism and church planting with the Mission in the Cork area, latterly in Youghal where a new church was planted in 2010. Before that he worked in the airline industry.

Ben serves as the pastor of Coleraine Baptist Church. He is a graduate of Queens University Belfast (Microbiology) and the Irish Baptist College, and he is currently undertaking the MTh at the College. Ben co-teaches the second year module on Romans.

David and Debbie have served long term with SIM in Nigeria, teaching in Kagoro Theological Seminary. Prior to that they had occupied others roles in SIM, Nigeria and Debbie has worked in Brazil in Theological Education.

Colin graduated from IBC and served as pastor of Knockconny Baptist Church from 2003-2014 and Craigavon Baptist (2017- 2019). He now works for ABCI as Ministry Support Coordinator; supporting Pastors, supporting Baptist Churches, encouraging churches in evangelism and providing counselling. Colin is a member of the BACP.

Gail is married to Steven, who is the pastor of Ballymena Baptist Church. They have four grown-up children and nine grandchildren. Gail has served as Director of Baptist Women since 2009, and together she and Steven have been involved in church ministry for over 40 years. Gail coordinates the Ladies' Study Fellowship, and teaches the Women's Discipleship Course in conjunction with the College.

Matthew is a member of Newtownbreda Baptist Church and is also a graduate of IBC, completing his studies in 2019.

Andrew has pastored in a number of Association of Baptist churches including Newtownards, Armagh, Millisle and Portadown. He also served as a missionary with Baptist Missions in Peru. Andrew is a graduate of Queens University Belfast (English literature) and the Irish Baptist College. He is a poet who has published 33: Reflections on the Gospel of Saint John. Andrew teaches Biblical Theology and Apologetics.

Gordon serves as the pastor of Carryduff Baptist Church. He graduated from IBC in 2012 and prior to that worked as an IT professional. Gordon teaches Old Testament.

Alan was pastor in a number of Baptist churches prior to taking up a post in the College in 2007. After retirement he has continued to teach part-time in the area of Pastoral Studies. Alan has served in many roles in Association life, most recently in a second term as President.

Bobby is an Elder in Magherafelt Baptist Church. He was formerly Principal of Slemish College in Ballymena and Religious Education Adviser in the west of the province.

Andrew Collins is Director of Counselling Ministry for Biblical Counselling UK. He spent many years working as a consultant psychiatrist alongside part-time provision of a biblical counselling service from his home in Portadown. He is an elder in Killicomaine Evangelical Church and tutors on the BCUK Certificate Programme in Belfast. Andrew’s role with BCUK aims to serve experienced carers with training and resources to grow their wisdom and skill in counselling ministry.

Edwin teaches Biblical Theology, Homiletics and Ministry Studies. He has over 20 years of pastoral experience in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. He guest lectured at IBC for 19 years before joining the College staff in 2007 and taking up the role of Principal in September 2010. Although now retired, Edwin continues to guest lecture pastoral studies. Edwin has been published in the Journal of the Irish Baptist Historical Society and Semanatorul.

Ian is married to Judith and they have three children. Ian is pastor of Armagh Baptist Church, having previously served the Mullaghmeen church and planted the Cavan church. He also worked for a period as the Irish Director for Serving in Mission (SIM).

Sarah worked as Old Testament Tutor at the College in the early 2000s. She has also worked as a missionary in France, as editor of the Baptist Magazine, and in a church plant with her husband in Scotland. She began teaching at the College again from June 2014 until 2025 when she retired from her full-time position. As a visiting lecturer Sarah will teach Genesis, History of Israel, and some Hebrew. Sarah has contributed an essay to The Seed of Promise: The Sufferings and Glory of the Messiah (GlossaHouse, 2020), a festschrift in honour of T. Desmond Alexander.

Andrew is a member of Great Victoria Street Baptist Church and currently serves as the Director of Baptist Youth, having previously worked as a high school teacher in Banbridge. He is currently finishing his graduate diploma studies at IBC and is passionate about helping young people grow in their love for Jesus and confidence in God’s word.

Jonathan Rea leads New Irish Arts, a parachurch organisation which seeks to exploit the beauty of the Arts to encourage people to worship God. He holds an MA and PGCE from Cambridge and an LTCL diploma in collaborative piano playing. He was a music teacher for 15 years, but these days he enjoys teaching adults to think critically, creatively and practically about church music ministry. Jonathan also broadcasts regularly as a conductor and speaker for BBC and RTE. He has published a number of choral compositions and worship songs. He is a member of Hamilton Road Baptist Church.