PASTORAL STUDIES

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.

YOUTH MINISTRY

Matthew is married to Annie and they have two children, Zachary and Mollie. Matthew is a member of Newtownbreda Baptist Church and serves as the Media & Communications Coordinator for ABCI. Previous to this, Matthew served as the ABCI youth director for 7 years and is a former graduate of the Irish Baptist College

PASTORAL STUDIES

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.

MISSIONARY STUDIES

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.

EVANGELISM

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.

ETHICS

Paul is Executive Director of the Centre for Christianity in Society, connecting Christian thinking with contemporary culture across Ireland and online. A former pastor, lecturer, ministry leader and medical doctor, he teaches widely in ethics, apologetics, leadership and pastoral care. He holds degrees in genetics, medicine and a PhD from Aberdeen, and has authored books, chapters and devotional poetry. A graduate of IBC, he lives in Lisburn with his family and attends Windsor Baptist Church.

BAPTIST WOMEN

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.

BIBLICAL STUDIES (OLD TESTAMENT)

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.

NEW TESTAMENT

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.

PASTORAL STUDIES

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.

EVANGELISM

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).

WORLD RELIGIONS

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.

YOUTH MINISTRY

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.

BIBLICAL THEOLOGY, APOLOGETICS

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.

EVANGELISM

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.

CONDUCT OF WORSHIP

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.

OLD TESTAMENT

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.

PASTORAL STUDIES

Carol currently lives in Cavan where her husband is pastor of Cavan Baptist. She has been actively involved in local church ministry for nearly 30 years and has worked part-time as a psychiatrist for the past 14 years. Carol has spoken at church meetings and conferences on a variety of mental health issues over the years and offers biblical counselling through her local church. Currently she is involved with Equipped to Care, a biblical counselling group in the Republic of Ireland, that is aiming to provide resources and training to churches in Ireland on a variety of counselling topics, (supported and encouraged through Biblical Counselling UK and CCEF).