John Weaver MA (Oxon)
BSc PhD, Principal. John Weaver MA (Oxon)
BSc PhD, Principal.
Email John Weaver
John was born and brought up in Cardiff. After taking a BSc and PhD in Geology at the University College of Wales, Swansea, he was first a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Geology at the University of Derby, teaching structural geology and geotectonics. John trained for Baptist ministry at Regent's Park College, Oxford, where he gained an Oxford MA in Theology. He was the pastor of Highfield Baptist Church, Northamptonshire, from 1981-1991. From 1992-2001 he was the Director of Pastoral Training and Tutor in Pastoral Theology, at Regent's Park College, Oxford. In 1997 he received a Templeton Award for an MTh course he taught in Science and Faith. John has been the Principal of South Wales Baptist College since 2001, teaching courses on Practical Theology and the Dialogue between Christianity and Science. His main areas of research are: relating faith to life and work; theological reflection; adult education; and the dialogue between science and faith. John will be President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain from 2008-2009. Contact John to find out more about studying at SWBC.
Karen E. Smith, BA MDiv
DPhil (Oxon),
Tutor in Church History
and Spirituality
Karen Smith has been teaching at the South Wales Baptist College since 1991, and is the pastor of Orchard Place Baptist Church in Neath. She was brought up in Georgia (U.S.A.) and graduated from Mercer University in Macon and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She then went to Oxford University where she did research on eighteenth century Baptist life. Dr Smith has written a number of articles and contributed to scholarly works on Baptist history and spirituality. She is a retreat leader and a regular contributor to BBC radio. She is married to Paul Harris and they have two children, Taylor and Caleb.
Roy Kearsley BD PhD, Tutor in Christian Doctrine and Theology of Mission
Roy was born and brought up in Southport , Merseyside. He spent five years working as a legal assistant there before working for three years with WEC International in Ghana , West Africa . After returning from Africa he took a London University BD and in 1978 began teaching at what is now International Christian College in Glasgow . During his career there he graduated with a PhD from Glasgow University and was heavily involved in leadership of two Baptist churches in Glasgow . He also designed and led undergraduate, research and youth ministry degrees before moving to Wales in 1999. He has written Tertullian's Theology of Divine Power, (Carlisle, 1999) and has contributed to journals and books including The New Dictionary of Theology, Leicester, 1988, The Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters, Illinois, 1998, Dimensions of Baptism, Sheffield 2002 and The Dictionary of Apologetics, Leicester (forthcoming). His main areas of research lie in the area of church and power, theology of mission, and theology in the contemporary world. He is on the general committee of BMS World Mission and the EA Media Voice Team for Wales and is involved in the support and encouragement of ministers. He is married with two grown-up daughters.
Simon Woodman BA MLitt, Tutor in Biblical Studies
Simon grew up in Sevenoaks in Kent , and has degrees from Sheffield and Bristol Universities . After training at Bristol Baptist College, Simon joined the pastoral team at Counterslip Baptist Church, Bristol, and had an exciting ministry in this thriving and growing church. Simon joined the staff at South Wales Baptist College in 2004 as the Tutor in Biblical Studies. His specialist research interest is the book of Revelation. In addition to teaching biblical studies, he is responsible for the ‘Listen, Learn and Serve' course, which provides an excellent opportunity for congregations to be trained and inspired for discipleship and service. Contact Simon for details of modules starting soon.
Martyn Moss, Resource Manager
Martyn was born into a mining family and brought up in the Cynon Valley village of Aberaman . Until joining the College Martyn worked in the Coal Processing Industry mainly in the manufacture of smokeless fuel and chemical by-products. From commencing his employment as an engineering apprentice Martyn left Wales in 1980 to take up his first management position in Chesterfield , Derbyshire. Returning to Wales in 1984 he progressed through various management grades to become a senior manager in both process and engineering departments.
After a life changing experience in early 2004 Martyn became a Christian and, not always patiently, waited for God's leading in the workplace. He therefore feels that his exit from the coal industry into the service of the College in September 2006 is an answer to prayer and God's calling. Martyn is married to Sue and whilst they have no children of their own, share 3 boys and one girl from previous marriages, all grown up.