Colin Bennett

Vice-Principal (Development) and Director of Training for the Community and Family Studies Course

Colin became a Christian whilst training as a Youth and Community Worker at Westhill College in Birmingham. Following his training, he worked in Birmingham and Sheffield on a variety of high-profile innercity youth and community work projects.He is a regular writer and speaks on family, youth and community issues.When he is not busy with College life, he enjoys various sports and, along with his whole family, is a keen football supporter.

Articles in Magazines Books or Professional Journals:
Book Reviews International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM) and Journal of Youth and Theology - Dec 07

Research Papers/ Activity:
Facilitator for Fuller University, USA Research Project at Moorlands Exemplars of Spiritual Thriving in Adolescence- An Exploratory Study - Feb 08

Yvonne Bennett

Learning Support Co-ordinator

Yvonne is part of the Learning Support Team here at Moorlands. She became a Christian whilst at college in her home town of Birmingham where she studied Religious and Theological Studies and gained a teaching degree. Her teaching experience has been mainly in supporting adults and children in the area of literacy and her qualifications include the assessment of dyslexia and the teaching of those with dyslexia. Yvonne also has particular interest in the development of Study Skills. 

Yvonne is married to Colin who is also on the staff team at Moorlands and they have three adult children. In her leisure time she enjoys countryside and beach walking, reading, and Zumba classes.

Steve Brady

College Principal

Steve is Principal and involved in lecturing, specialising and thoroughly enjoying teaching New Testament and Greek. He was converted in his teens and went on to work in Local Government. Prior to college life, he has served pastorates in Buckinghamshire, Leicester, East London and Bournemouth.

Contributing from his pastoral experience and holding a PhD in Theology, he preaches widely at conventions both in the UK and abroad. He is a trustee of the Keswick Convention, Chair of the Association of Bible College Principals and also finds time to write. His most recent book is a study in Colossians, ‘King of Heaven, Lord of Earth’. He thoroughly enjoys football (Everton!), squash and running – and hates gardening!

Articles in Magazines Books or Professional Journals:
Bible Reading Notes for: Daily Bread - 2007 Living Light - 2007/08 Premier Radio - 2008

Published Books:
All You Need is Christ, A Study of Galatians Authentic; Stg edition - July 2007

King of Heaven Lord of Earth Colossians Authentic; 2008, 'The Apostles' Creed', a ten part study by Steve and suitable for small groups, has just been released (for details, go to www.nationwidechristiantrust.com )

Mandy Catto

Tutor

Mandy has an MA in English Literature and Language from Aberdeen University as well as a PostGraduate Certificate in Teaching. She taught in primary schools in Scotland as well as training and writing for Scripture Union. She is passionate about evangelism and is the national director of Activate Your Life. She enjoys mentoring students in her role as adjunct tutor and tutor to placement based level three students.

She keeps busy with youth and children's work in her local church alongside bringing up her three children. She is in three reading groups, like tennis and, together with her husband Stephen, is learning to surf!

Ian Coffey

Vice-Principal (Strategy), MA Course Leader and Director of Leadership Training

Ian is a Baptist minister who has led churches in suburban, city-centre and international contexts. He has also served as Director with the Saltmine Trust and the Evangelical Alliance. He was a member of the leadership team of Spring Harvest for nine years and continues that involvement as chair of the Board of Spring Harvest Holidays.

Ian has a strong interest in writing and has published fourteen books and acts as a consultant to Inter-Varsity Press. His Master of Theology degree was awarded for his thesis on how churches grow.

Ian is married to Ruth and they have four adult sons. The Coffeys regularly speak at conferences and church events in the UK and abroad.

Articles in Magazines, Books or Professional Journals:
Ian has written for a variety of publications and for ten years was a columnist for the Western Morning News. In 2010 he was commissioned to write the teaching material for Bible Sunday. His most recent paper; " Preaching Jesus from the Epistles" has been published by Methodist Evangelicals Together.

Published Books:
Ian has a number of books currently in print the latest being Working it Out – God, You and the Work you do was published in the Faith at Work series (IVP). Shock and Awe - Tasting God's Outrageous Grace - BRF, September 2009.

Ruth Coffey

Foundation Course Leader

Ruth is a qualified nurse and has spent a significant period working in the National Health Service at a senior level.

She has been married to Ian for almost forty years and they have four adult sons and two granddaughters.

Throughout their marriage Ruth has actively supported Ian and has been involved in various roles in the different churches they have served. During their period of leading an International Church in Geneva, Ruth acted as Pastoral Co-ordinator for a congregation with up to 60 nationalities. During this time she developed a pastoral team and established a care plan.

On their return to the UK in 2008, Ruth commenced her MA studies in Applied Theology. Her research topic for the final dissertation was on the pastoral implications of assisted dying. This arose directly from her leadership experience in continental Europe.

Ruth leads the Foundation Course at Moorlands, teaches on Pastoral Care and has an active role as a personal tutor.

She and Ian have an active joint ministry in many parts of the world. To relax Ruth enjoys gardening, entertaining, walking and going to the gym. But best of all she enjoys being a grandma!

Andy du Feu

Director of Youth and Community Work

Andy grew up in Rugby (the home of the sport), until at 17 he spent three years working with urban young people in Camden, NJ, USA. He is a qualified youth worker, and has worked in both Local Authority and Church settings. Andy became a pastor at 24 years old in the Chilterns. This presented fresh challenges, and he and his wife, Vanessa, invested heavily in growing a vibrant church and birthing a thriving youth ministry. During this time Andy completed his MA in Applied Theology (Christian Leadership) at Moorlands.

Andy has a competitive streak, enjoys cooking curries, and loves the hour before others get to work. But more than these things, he is compelled by the vision of 2 Timothy 2:2 - passing on the baton of life-changing investment found in Christ to others in such a way that they will know how to pass it on. Outside of College, Andy speaks at youth events and churches with his own high-octane and dynamic flavour.

Chris Jack

Director of Postgraduate Studies

Chris has been lecturing since 1997 at London School of Theology, where he more recently served as Acting Principal. He was previously the Principal of Romsey House Theological Training College, in Cambridge, having spent time prior to that in pastoral ministry and as a missionary in France. As Chair of the International Trustees of the European Christian Mission, Chris maintains a keen interest and active involvement in mission in Europe. His love of France is almost matched by his love of football and opera (not usually both together!). Chris is married to Babs and they have two grown up children.

Ian Kirby

Vice-Principal (Academic), Director of Cross Cultural Training, Assistant Director of Studies and MA Course Leader

Ian was converted as an 11-year-old at a Christian rock concert. After school he did a gap year with Operation Mobilization in Ireland, and during that time he felt a call to serve God in the Muslim world. To qualify him to gain entry into countries not sympathetic to Christian faith but needing his skills, he studied computer science, eventually gaining a PhD in Artificial Intelligence. After his initial theological training, he spent ten years in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. He was involved in many things apart from teaching computing, including leading a rapidly growing church congregation, working as a teacher and Dean of Students at the United Theological Seminary, and lecturing on Islam and Christianity (to Muslims) in a secular university. He also completed a research masters degree in theology, looking at the impact of cultural values on how we do church.

Ian is married to Fay and they have three children. He spends his evenings encouraging the completion of homework or playing music (he is rumoured to be teaching himself to play the piano badly). He and his wife enjoy running in the New Forest.

His academic interests include Islam, contextualization and mentoring.

Reviews:
Book review – Journal of Youth and Theology – March 2008

Sandra Lewis

 Learning Support

Sandra was educated at Burlington Grammar School before attending Maria Grey Training College where she studied Biology and Education. She obtained a Teaching Certificate (Infant & Juniors) and taught in a variety of schools, both full and part-time.

She taught all ages, from 3-11 years and particularly enjoyed working with children with Special Needs. When at home with her family she helped in local schools with Reading Support and general classroom tasks. She obtained her Threshold Standards Award before leaving teaching.

She then studied for 3 years at Moorlands College, taking many of the degree modules and gained the Moorlands Certificate. Her huband, Edward, also studied at this time and is now employed here.

They have a grown up son living in London. Her hobbies include gardening, walking, swimming, reading, visiting historical houses and travel.

Lecturer in Biblical and Theological Studies

Alistair teaches in the areas of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics), the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the book of Revelation, systematic theology, introductory Hebrew, Old Testament theology, Christian spirituality, and issues in Applied Theology. He is also responsible for the first-year double module of Effective Christian Communication and Service.

Alistair grew up in Scotland and Canada and was involved with Scripture Union from an early age. After studying Physics at Manchester University, he went with Elim Missions to teach Maths and Science in Emmanuel School in Katerere, Zimbabwe. He worked in industry as an energy consultant before going on to study Theology at London Bible College. He lectured in doctrine, biblical studies and ethics at CFN UK Bible Training Centre before joining Moorlands College. He is married and lives in Chichester with his young family and enjoys squash, hill walking and occasionally playing bass guitar.

Articles in Magazines Books or Professional Journals:-
‘The Language of Genesis’, in Norman Nevin (ed.) Must Christianity Embrace Evolution?, Nottingham: IVP, 2009
Book Reviews - Third Way, Journal of Youth and Theology, Journal of Adult Theological Education

Catherine McLellan

Learning Support Tutor

Catherine grew up in Glasgow and became a Christian in her late teens. She has a Diploma in Education and has taught in a number of primary schools around the UK. During the 1990's, Catherine, with her husband and two daughters, spent six years with United Missions in Nepal. Catherine helped teach English to Nepalis and also taught at The British School in Kathmandu. On her return to the UK she taught in Oxfordshire and helped to coordinate Special Education Needs. She also completed a counselling diploma, and with ITN in Bournemouth completed a TESOL certificate, and is now part of the Learning Support Team at Moorlands.

Catherine has been married to David for over thirty years and they have two adult daughters.

David McLellan

Business Manager

David manages a team of skilled and talented people who keep the College running, covering finances, personnel, I.T. health and safety, catering and looking after the college premises and our beautiful 14 acre site. He became a Christian in his late teens in Glasgow. David worked in the steel and oil industries before serving in Nepal for six years with United Mission to Nepal. Immediately prior to joining Moorlands in 2011, he worked with BMS World Mission, and has qualifications in maths, finance and business management. David has a passion for cycling and playing badminton. He is married to Catherine and they have two adult daughters.

Chris Sinkinson

Lecturer in Old Testament and Apologetics

Chris became a Christian when he was a teenager. He has a BA in English and Philosophy, an MA in Biblical Studies and a PhD in Theology from Bristol University. He has been involved in Christian ministry with UCCF in Bath and Moordown Baptist Church in Bournemouth. Chris once had a job as an archaeologist and has a leather jacket like the one Indiana Jones wore! Chris regularly writes a monthly apologetics column for Evangelicals Now. To relax, he plays with his two young sons and enjoys jogging.

Published Books:

One Light, Many Lamps: In Conversation with John Hick, Reform, February 2013

Youth and Old Age: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8, Going the Distance, ed. Elizabeth McQuiod, Nottingham, IVP, 2013

Confident Christianity, IVP: January 2012.
Reconstructing Theology, edited with Tony Gray, Paternoster Press: Carlisle 2000. The Universe of Faiths, Paternoster Press: Carlisle 2001. “Confessing Christ in a Pluralist Culture” in Grace and Truth in the Secular Age ed. Timothy Bradshaw, Eerdmanns: Grand Rapids 1998. “John Hick: Religion for the Modern World?” in Getting Your Bearings: Engaging with Contemporary Theologians, ed. Philip Duce and Daniel Strange, Apollos: Leicester 2003.
“Exclusivism” in New Dictionary of Apologetics ed. Campbell Campbell-Jack and Gavin McGrath, IVP: Leicester 2006. “A Different Kind of Treasure: Matthew 6:19-24” in Creation, Chaos and Christ, Authentic Media: Milton Keynes 2008.

Tony Thomson

Librarian, Director of Learning Support and Disability Advisor

Tony came to faith in his twenties. He has a BA in History of Ideas and Religious Studies from Middlesex University which was followed up by an MA in Library and Information Studies at Loughborough University. Tony and his wife, Angela, completed a CDTS (Discipleship Training Course) with YWAM. Tony is currently working towards a Masters in education with a special needs focus, an area which is of particular interest to him. Tony relaxes by walking (especially in the Lake District) and reading.

Andrew Whitman

Lecturer in Homiletics

Andrew was brought up on a farm in North London and was converted out of the hippy movement in the early 1970's. He has served with Agape in University ministry and has led 3 local churches. Andrew is currently the Equipping Pastor for evangelism and discipleship at Bournemouth Community Church. He has a B.A. in Theology from London School of Theology and a Master of Ministry (Preaching) from Spurgeon's College. He is passionate about Arsenal Football Club and the prog-rock band "Yes" - but not about DIY!

Published Articles and Books:

Andrew has written for publications as diverse as "Evangel", the "Cell UK" magazine, and his church webiste. His only book, the Crossway Bible Guide on 1 Peter "Free to Hope", is now sadly 'out of print', but he has another book brewing long-term on the present ministry of Jesus at God's right hand.