Alumni – Edinburgh Bible College

Edinburgh Bible College

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Edinburgh Bible College

Home
EBC Distinctives
News
People
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Study
- Program And Tutions
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Our Alumni |

Our community of graduates continues to expand as more individuals complete their studies and transition into the next chapter of their journey. These alumni have successfully moved into various forms of active ministry or have chosen to pursue specialized further training to deepen their expertise. Seeing our former students apply their education in the real world is a testament to the preparation they receive during their time here.

The list provided below highlights the remarkable diversity of backgrounds and ambitions present within our student body. It is clear that EBC serves a wide spectrum of people, supporting a vast array of unique callings and professional paths. Whether a student is preparing for local leadership or global outreach, our programs are designed to cater to the specific needs of each individual’s vocation.

This ongoing expansion of our alumni network serves as a constant reminder of the transformative impact of the education provided at EBC. Each graduate represents a unique narrative of growth and commitment, illustrating how the foundational training received here translates into meaningful action across various communities and disciplines. By fostering an environment that encourages both spiritual and academic rigor, we ensure that our students are not only equipped for their current roles but are also prepared for a lifetime of service and learning.

Meet some of our graduates |

John Verdi (USA)

John Verdi (USA)

Graduated from EBC’s School for Preachers in June 2015 . I am a pastor at Sonship Ministries, a church in Brooklyn, New York. I cannot begin to tell you how EBC has changed the way I preach and teach. Before taking this on-line course, I would use commentaries to put together my sermons. I believe God still used that simple method because I was faithful to His Word. However, after learning how to apply the science of interpretation (hermeneutics) and homiletics to a text of Scripture, I am now able to structure the sermon with clarity and have a greater understanding of the text myself so I could preach with a greater passion and confidence. It taught me how to put an outline together directly from the passage, which has helped me to see the text more clearly and, so, my hearers can see it more clearly. It also taught me how to bridge the gap between then – when the text was written -and now, which immensely helped me with the application of the sermon. Not only am I reaping the benefits of the course, but my congregation is as well – all for God’s glory. I currently pastor at Sonship Ministries, a Christ-centered ministry. I love our small church whose congregation is intensely lovable and willing to learn about Christ. As with all ministries, we have our shortcomings and problem areas. Please pray that God will help us in our struggles and that these struggles will not veer us from the bigger picture of preaching and teaching Christ and Him crucified.

Adam Urban (Poland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Theology in June 2016. Adam lives in eastern Poland and serves as an assistant pastor in Evangelical Christian Church in Siedlce and a co-church planter of Evangelical Christian Church in Łuków.

Rebekah kirk ( N Ireland )

Hello, my name is Rebekah and I'm from Bangor, Northern Ireland. I grew up in a wonderful Christian family and became a Christian when I was very young. Later, while I was living in England, I was part of the international work in my church. Some of the international students were asking me questions about Christianity and I realised that although I knew what I believed, I didn't know how to explain and express it in an understandable way. This started my desire to study the Bible in a systematic way to complete my understanding of how the Bible fits together and help me to express my faith to others. A few years later I moved to Edinburgh and God enabled me to go to Edinburgh Bible College. I am grateful that EBC was very flexible and enabled me to continue working as an optician and attend college part time. Later, when EBC moved on to zoom I was even able to attend class while in Japan for 6 months on a short term mission trip. I am very grateful for all the wonderful teaching that I received at EBC. At college we learnt how to study the Bible, what the Bible teaches and how this should outwork in our life. My personal walk with God has been greatly enriched and I feel more prepared to serve God in whatever opportunities He gives me. After graduating, I am now back in my home town working and serving God in my home church. I am so grateful that God gave me the opportunity to take time to study His Word at EBC and I would encourage everyone that it is time well spent.

Rachel Strawbridge (Scotland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Theology in June 2015 I’m Rachel, I’m from the blustery Shetland Islands, and when I started at EBC I had just turned 19. I had hoped to be at University studying nursing but God had a different plan. I had always wanted to study the Bible in some capacity, whether it be a discipleship course or something similar, but when a friend told me about this newly established Edinburgh Bible College I was intrigued. After much prayer, advice-seeking and an interview, I was to start theological training in the Autumn. Before I started studying, I felt quite intimidated by what lay before me; only ministers and pilgrims and godly people went to Bible College, and I certainly didn’t feel like I qualified! I had no call to become a pastor or any kind of preacher, I just wanted to learn more about God and His Word and apply it to my own life. EBC has been designed to be accessible for people of all walks and calls of life, and so in hindsight this is why God led me there in particular. I was one of the only female students and definitely the youngest, but those differences didn’t seem to matter when you’re surrounded by people who want to learn and love God. I am by no means an expert on anything theological, but I do feel so much more comfortable handling God’s Word after my two years at EBC. We were given a walk through the whole Bible, studied different characters, different themes, different genres, different theological arguments. We worshipped God, evangelised, and developed our ability to read, interpret and speak on passages. In this society, God is forgotten about and is left behind in biblical history; EBC helped me to bring Him back to His rightful place – at the centre of everything. When we forget about ourselves and focus on the King of the Universe, everything else finds its rightful place. It was two incredibly valuable years and the knowledge I gained has helped me massively in my faith. I’m now back in Shetland, nursing and married to David and have two amazing children, Euan and Lucy. After college I married my husband David, and have begun studying nursing at the University of Stirling – God had it in His plan all along! David works for Scripture Union Scotland as an outdoor activities instructor. We have become members of a church and are getting involved in various youth ministries. I haven’t gone on to be a minister or pastor as would be the norm after theological training, but I bring with me into the world a bigger knowledge of God and His greatness.

Pamela Stewart (England)

Pamela Stewart (England)

Graduated with a Diploma in Biblical Exposition, July 2013 Serves as an Evangelist/Bible teacher and author, based in the north of England.

Gordon McBirnie (Scotland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Biblical Exposition in June 2016. I am the Mission Development Worker at Craiglockhart Parish Church in Edinburgh. I did most of my course by distance learning, doing the work at my own pace, which I really appreciated. I feel I have a greater understanding of the Bible and theology and I am sure my own teaching here at church has improved because of it. The last module I did was Homiletics and I was able to attend classes for that one which benefitted me so much as the feedback and encouragement from fellow students was challenging and stimulating. If you are able to attend classes I do recommend it.

Paul McManus (N Ireland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Biblical Exposition in June 2016 The EBC course allowed me to study at my own pace and at a distance. This was important as I live in Northern Ireland and because of my more mature years. I had previously gained a Diploma in Expository Preaching under John Brand’s teaching and knew that he had great abilities as a tutor, but also that he stood firm in the final authority of Scripture. The lectures were informative, interesting and enjoyable. The lecturers were experts in their own fields and were very enthusiastic. The course was not an easy option – we were made to think, question and research for ourselves. I was challenged but also blessed. It was also a blessing to be able to visit the college itself for some classes and take part in discussions. Rev. Brand was available at short notice when I had queries or just needed a little encouragement. I would heartily recommend this college to anyone who has an interest in the Bible and would like to expand their knowledge of Scripture but who lives remotely or cannot commit to full time study. It is also a Bible College in the traditional sense for those who would like to study for a Diploma in Theology. The course has certainly opened up the book for me and equipped me to evangelise part time in the South of Ireland and in Portugal. So many times when I was almost lost for words, God brought to my remembrance portions of Scripture that I had studied during this course. To God be the glory! I am currently looking after a mission hall in Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. After Covid we have been meeting again in person since late 2021. We have a Sunday night Gospel service and a Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible study. Numbers are small after the pandemic but slowly recovering. I have done some outreach with literature distribution and do some home visits. We are beginning to have some guest speakers again. I am still involved with some activities in my home church also. Never did I think that I would oversee a work of “my own” but God has His own plans, and they always work out. Again, EBC was part of that plan!

Gillian Glancy (Scotland)

Graduated with a Licentiate in Theology in 2020. From childhood I attended church but I didn’t come to saving faith until I was about 40 years old. These days my service to God involves autism families, like my own. The God who comforted me brought others to me who needed comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4). God was working in and through me, for His glory. I am seeking to serve God so that I can be for the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:12). Every day I realise that I have to keep spiritually healthy by feeding on God’s word. I am totally dependent on Jesus for my growth in Christlikeness and for discipling others. In John 15:5, Jesus said “….for apart from me you can do nothing.” My purpose is to glorify God, grow in Christ-likeness, give my God given gifts to the Body of Christ, and share the gospel. The results are God’s business (Acts 17:32-34).

Jamie Gallacher (Scotland)

Jamie Gallacher (Scotland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Expository Preaching (Hons) in 2017 and a Licentiate in Theology in 2020 After graduating from EBC with a Diploma in Expository Preaching (Honours) EBC in 2017, Jamie undertook a two year church placement in London as part of further training and in 2020 was awarded an EBC Licentiate in Theology. He then undertook further studies at Highland Theological College and graduated with a BA(Hons) in Theological Studies. Jamie is currently planning on doing a 1 year top up Masters at Edinburgh New College and then hopefully a PhD in Textual Criticism.

Joshua Truesdale (N Ireland)

Joshua Truesdale (N Ireland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Applied Theology in 2019. I grew up in the countryside of County Down, Northern Ireland, in a family who knew and loved God. With a combination of their faithfulness, children’s meetings and other services, and the grace of God, I came to a saving faith in Christ as a child. As I came across EBC and saw what they stood for and practised in study, everything just seemed to click for me. The key was not their advertisement as an academic institution, but a place where people are in a transformational process into the types of people God would want them to be. They also aimed to focus on some of the more practical aspects of ministry that can be lacking in other colleges.

Naomi Entwistle (Scotland)

Naomi Entwistle (Scotland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Theology in 2017. I live in Edinburgh with my husband and two daughters. I took a year out of my training as a junior doctor to do a Diploma in Theology at EBC, initially “in person”, and then finishing online. I really appreciated the flexibility of EBC’s approach to learning. Since graduating I have been pursuing my dual calling to both medicine and church ministry. I am part of the leadership team at Community Church Edinburgh, where I preach regularly, and also work for the NHS as a psychiatrist. I am passionate about drilling down deep into both God’s Story and the story of those around me, and seeing the Holy Spirit’s transforming work as the two are brought together.

Joe Brown (Scotland)

Joe Brown (Scotland)

Adele is a Consultant Occupational Physician who has worked across the UK, including mission and humanitarian aid organisations. For 17 years she was Executive Editor of the remote learning MSc programme for Occupational Medicine at Manchester University. Her part-time theology studies reflected mission interest and research into mental health and Christian identity. She is a voluntary drugs educator for Hope UK and pro-life groups, part of the PRIME tutor network, anti-trafficking groups and a Board of Reference member for the Scottish Council of Human Bioethics.

Gavin Dickson (Scotland)

Gavin Dickson (Scotland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Theology in 2015 and a Licentiate in Theology in 2020. I was sent to Bible College by SASRA (Soldiers’ Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association), which is an evangelistic ministry working behind the wire with the army. My role as Garrison’s Scripture Reader in Catterick, N England, sees me entering 9 camps and working with 14 units ranging from army bands, RMPs and infantry battalions. What I do on a daily basis is enter the camps and have low-level conversation with the soldiers in order to introduce them to the Christian faith; to warn them of the reality that awaits them after death and to present them with the claims of Christ. The work is basic evangelism, yet with those the church finds it hard to reach. For 178 years SASRA have gained access to these unreached men and women with the Gospel. I am proud to say that EBC, John Brand and his team, prepared me for this great task, equipping me with the Bible knowledge and the ability to answer the many questions I am asked daily, to have a solid overview of the Bible, to have wrestled with some of the mysteries of the faith. I have often been asked about the Trinity by non-Christian soldiers and to explain it in terms they understand I believe might be one stage of them entering the Kingdom. I remain thankful to God and to SASRA for my time at EBC. Helping me to be equipped in such a manner has helped me so far in ministry and I know it will continue to do so for the rest of my life. EBC has given me a base on which to carry on learning just how big God is and how wonderful his Word is, both written and incarnate.

Joe Monagas (USA)

Graduated from EBC’s School for Preachers in June 2015. Joe serves as an Elder at Tottenville Evangelical Free Church in Staten Island New York. He lives with his wife Gloria and their children in Old Bridge New Jersey U. S. A

Ryan McKernan (Scotland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Theology (Hons) in 2018 and a Licentiate in Theology in 2020. The previous 12-18 months have, in many respects, been the most difficult for myself and my family for various reasons, but unsurprisingly, they present a period where I have had the most spiritual growth. I am thankful to God for all that I have learned whilst studying at EBC, from the classroom teaching to the many assignments to the placement experiences to the fellowship.

Peter Barrow (Scotland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Applied Theology in June 2023. Peter Barrow, graduated from EBC in the summer of 2023. After completing a Pastor in Training role at Deeside Christian Fellowship, Aberdeen, Peter has recently accepted a call to pastor South Glasgow church. Peter is continuing studies with BCUK and Westminster Seminary UK, he is married to Kate and they have two young daughters Esther and Rebekah.”

Ian Llewelyn (Scotland)

Graduated with a Diploma in Theology (2020) and a Licentiate in Theology (2021) I had the great opportunity to be able to study at Edinburgh Bible College (EBC) for three years, having obtained a Diploma, then culminating with a Licentiate in Theology. I chose to study at EBC because their focus is on the Bible, on Scripture. During my time there, I enjoyed meeting other students who were also keen to expand their knowledge, lecturers who were passionate about the Word, and the ethos of the college, which encourages discussion and participation. While classes are structured, there is also an informality to them, which gives an atmosphere that encourages discussion and learning. I had the great privilege to do a third year, where I worked under the mentorship of two pastors, hands-on in church settings, and then to work with Edinburgh City Mission, a para-church organisation. This final and third year, was invaluable for me, and has held me in good stead now that I am a pastor myself, serving at Buckhaven Baptist Church in Fife, Scotland. I do not see those three years as being the end, but as being the beginning, as I continue to learn and participate in classes now, and I’m sure also into the future.

Edinburgh Bible College (EBC) offers flexible and accessible Bible training to suit a variety of lifestyles and commitments. Whether you prefer full-time, part-time, or online study, EBC ensures that quality biblical education is within reach.

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