ABOUT
ABOUT ⋅ WHO WE ARE
Who We Are
We’re an interdenominational community of learning with a shared purpose of illuminating the power of God’s word through theological study and training.
At BST, you’re part of a committed group of faith-driven students and teachers who are united in ministry and mission. As an interdenominational college and campus, we celebrate diversity and offer a welcoming and supportive environment for every student.
Our commitment to community sets us apart. We offer a live-in residential college option for students who wish to experience an enriched learning journey, building faith through community and fellowship.
Our wide range of theological courses—covering undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate programs—are academically rigorous and designed to allow light to shine on big ideas. We are driven by a common purpose to elevate the work of the Gospel through inspired teaching and interactive learning.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
A Timeline of God's goodness to BST
For more than 80 years, God has been working through his people to build a college that shapes disciples to serve His world. Here are some of the highlights of that long history…
Beginning with God’s word…
In the years before the college was born, Rev Dr Gwilym Morgan began preaching and conducting bible studies at Albion Baptist Church. He didn’t know it at the time, but those bible studies were the seeds of what is now Brisbane School of Theology.
Queensland Bible Institute is born
As his bible study groups continued to grow, Rev Dr Morgans expanded his Bible study classes, placing them on a systematic basis, and Queensland Bible Institute (QBI) was born.
Rev Jacob takes QBI interdenominational
In 1944, Rev Dr Morgans handed over his leadership of the fledgling QBI to Rev J Egerton Jacob, from the nearby Lutwyche Methodist Church, and a Board composed of a wide cross-section of Brisbane’s evangelical leadership. The college became fully interdenominational, with Rev Jacob as principal from 1944-1948.
The move to Cross Street
Three years after classes formally began, L.K. Addison, a generous and enthusiastic voluntary Board member, purchased—and donated to QBI—a 5.5 acre homestead in Toowong that previously operated as the Silky Oaks Children’s Home. This property, officially opened on 5 July 1947, became our current residential training premises.
Rev Potter becomes honorary principal
After four years as principal, Rev Jacob stepped aside, and Rev Eric Potter, from the Hamilton Methodist Church, became the new honorary principal on the recommendation of Rev Jacob. Rev Potter had the privilege of overseeing QBI’s first official graduation ceremony on 2 December, 1949, and served as principal until 1956.
Rev Nicholls expands the campus
After serving as a visiting lecturer at QBI, Baptist minister Rev C Harold Nicholls became QBI’s principal from 1957 through to 1969, overseeing significant growth and change to the college and grounds.
Rev Paxton expands the library
In 1971, Rev Geoffrey Paxton became principal of QBI. The library, situated below the administration offices, was renovated, expanded, and renamed ‘The W.J. Tunley Memorial Library”. Rev Paxton served as principal for five years.
Rev Warren guides an important transition
After Rev Paxton stepped down in 1976, Rev Keith Warren stepped in as principal for one year before returning to full-time pastoral ministry. Rev Paxton may have been our shortest-serving principal, but his leadership sustained the college through this important transition, and immediately preceded the appointment of our longest-serving principal…
Dr Ken Newton revolutionises the college
In 1977 Dr Ken Newton, our longest-serving principal, took the helm. Under his leadership, the college flourished, changed its name, saw our highest ever student enrolment numbers in the 1990s, the development of family units on the property, and the birth of the Chinese program.
QBI joins the Australian College of Theology
In 1982, QBI became affiliated with Australian College of Theology to deliver accredited courses, as part of a growing consortium of bible colleges across the country.
The birth of BCQ
After more than 40 years as Queensland Bible Institute, the college changed its name in 1984 and became Bible College of Queensland (BCQ)—one of many big changes to come in the following years…
Caulfeild House is remodelled
The main administrative building at the college has always been Caulfeild House. The building, standing since 1887, housed our offices and meeting rooms upstairs, as well as our library downstairs. After more than 100 years, it was due some attention. It was significantly remodelled, ready for a new century, and officially reopened by BCQ’s Chairman of the Board Alan Shanks on 6 May 1995.
Launching the Chinese program
In 1997, Dr Johan Ferreira began the work of building BCQ’s Chinese program. This was the first of its kind in Brisbane, and to this day remains one of only a small handful of colleges to offer theological training in Chinese at a Bachelor level. The Chinese program was officially accredited in 1999.
Dr Ralphs becomes principal
After 25 years as principal of the college, ushering in a great deal of growth and change, Dr Ken Newton resigned as principal of BCQ. Dr Peter Ralphs takes on the mantle, serving as principal from 2002-2009.
Dr Ferreira takes the reins
After serving as a longstanding lecturer, and previously Head of the Chinese Department, Johan Ferreira became the college’s 10th principal in 2009, taking over from Dr Ralphs. During his tenure, the college also underwent two name-changes.
A new name for a new chapter
In 2011, we opened a new campus in Rothwell on the Northside of Brisbane. As part of the transition to a multi-campus college, Bible College of Queensland became Crossway College. In 2013, when it became apparent that the Rothwell campus would not be moving forward, we changed our name one more time…
Brisbane School of Theology
The day after our Rothwell campus closed its doors, we changed our name one final time, becoming Brisbane School of Theology (BST).
Rev Dr Gibson becomes principal
In 2014, Rev Dr Richard Gibson took over leadership of the college as our 11th principal. In his time as principal, Richard has already overseen the development of the Centre for Asian Christianity, fostered close relationships with Living Wholeness and Scripture Union Australia, developed the college’s fundraising capacity and seen the college through the COVID-19 pandemic and into a world of hybrid offline/online learning, while still maintaining our core focus of face-to-face learning with a heart for mission and ministry training.
The Centre for Asian Christianity
Recognising BST’s long history and connection with the Asian church, fostered over two decades of ministy training in the Chinese program, BST launched the Centre for Asian Christianity in 2016, under the direction of Rev Dr Andrew Prince. The Centre’s vision is to be an Australian hub for the acceleration of gospel growth in the Asian church. Its mission is to equip Christians for ministry in Asian contexts, amplify and encourage engagement with Asian theologians and literature, and connect Asian-focused Christians, churches, and organisations to one another, through events, resources, and partnerships.
Living Wholeness
After several years of collaboration, BST entered into a formal arrangement with Living Wholeness to provide the Graduate Certificate of Pastoral Care for Mental Health that seeks to equip people with the skills and knowledge to care for others in a holistic and transformative way.
The COVID-19 Pandemic
As a result of Government restrictions in Australia, BST closed down the campus for a number of weeks in 2020, and for much of the next year and more operated primarily online through ‘synchronous learning’, where students would attend class via video link from their homes. Much of campus life ground to a halt, and many residents had to leave for a time…
Returning to campus life
With God’s provision, BST made it through the pandemic, and we saw life (and students!) return to the campus in 2021 and beyond (with the addition of a continued online presence for classwork).
Partnering with SU Australia
In 2024, BST entered into a strategic partnership with Scripture Union Australia to offer the Diploma of Ministry (Chaplaincy Pathway), and the Graduate Certificate of Divinity (Chaplaincy Pathway), offering solid theological training for school chaplains across Australia.
