Brisbane School of Theology

OUR BOARD

ABOUT ⋅ BOARD

Qualified, committed, and all in!

The college is ably served by a very qualified and committed volunteer Board, who share the vision of BST to produce disciples who are shaped by God’s word, ready to serve His world.

Meet Your Board

Terry Leister

GAICD (Retired), FCEOI (Retired)

CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Scott Pasley

BEng(Electrical), BDiv, MA(Theo)

DIRECTOR

Scott Waddell

B.Bus, FCPA, ACIS, Dip.PMM (Dist), Grad Dip (CorpGov)

TREASURER

Sumi An

BA, LLB, GradDipLegal Prac. LLM

DIRECTOR

Terry Leister

GAICD (Retired), FCEOI (Retired)

CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Terry was appointed to the BST board in May 2015 and was appointed Company Secretary in November 2015. In May 2020 he was elected as Chair of the Board. After an extensive career in Business Management at Senior Levels in Australia, Canada and the USA he retired in 2017.

An innovative leader with a record of disrupting established markets, Terry brings over 30 years of experience in Enterprise Management Systems. He has served as a non-executive director of the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney and St Lucia Bible Church where he and his wife, Julie, currently attend. 

 
 

Scott Pasley

BEng(Electrical), BDiv, MA(Theo)

DIRECTOR

Scott is a missionary with City Bible Forum where he is the national network manager for evangelistic prayer teams. Before moving to Brisbane, Scott served as a Baptist pastor in Central Queensland. Scott has also worked as an electrical engineer in power distribution and hazardous area construction and compliance.

Scott, his wife Deb, and their three teenage children attend Grace Bible Church, Corinda. Scott was appointed to the board of BST in November 2022.

Scott Waddell

B.Bus, FCPA, ACIS, Dip.PMM (Dist), Grad Dip (CorpGov)

TREASURER

Scott has over 25 years of experience in resources roles and has held a range of senior board and executive positions in various ASX listed companies.

His corporate roles have included his current role of director and executive for Metallica Minerals Ltd, CFO and Company Secretary for Metro Mining Limited and Cape Alumina Limited, and various finance and executive management roles with Anglo Coal Australia and Rio Tinto Alcan.

Scott is a Fellow CPA and a member of the Governance Institute of Australia, and has completed the Company Directors Course with the AICD, as well as various post-graduate studies.

He has been married to Sylvia for over 25 years and they have a daughter and son who are both currently studying at university.

Scott and Sylvia attend Kilkivan Union Church and a home church.  They have been involved in leading various ministry opportunities over many years of active church involvement.

Sumi An

BA, LLB, GradDipLegal Prac. LLM

DIRECTOR

Sumi was born and raised in South Korea. She came to Australia as an international student and completed her tertiary education in Sydney and Brisbane.

A qualified lawyer, she has over 13 years experience working in criminal law and civil litigation in Australia, and serving in various international and cross-cultural liaison roles for local government officials in South Korea. She worships and serves at City Tabernacle Baptist Church in Spring Hill and was appointed to the Board of the BST in February 2020.

GAICD (Retired), FCEOI (Retired)

CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Terry was appointed to the BST board in May 2015 and was appointed Company Secretary in November 2015. In May 2020 he was elected as Chair of the Board. After an extensive career in Business Management at Senior Levels in Australia, Canada and the USA he retired in 2017.

An innovative leader with a record of disrupting established markets, Terry brings over 30 years of experience in Enterprise Management Systems. He has served as a non-executive director of the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation, St Andrew’s Cathedral School, Sydney and St Lucia Bible Church where he and his wife, Julie, currently attend. 

 
 

BEng(Electrical), BDiv, MA(Theo)

DEPUTY CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Scott is a missionary with City Bible Forum where he is the national network manager for evangelistic prayer teams. Before moving to Brisbane, Scott served as a Baptist pastor in Central Queensland. Scott has also worked as an electrical engineer in power distribution and hazardous area construction and compliance.

Scott, his wife Deb, and their three teenage children attend Grace Bible Church, Corinda. Scott was appointed to the board of BST in November 2022.

B.Bus, FCPA, ACIS, Dip.PMM (Dist), Grad Dip (CorpGov)

TREASURER

Scott has over 25 years of experience in resources roles and has held a range of senior board and executive positions in various ASX listed companies.

His corporate roles have included his current role of director and executive for Metallica Minerals Ltd, CFO and Company Secretary for Metro Mining Limited and Cape Alumina Limited, and various finance and executive management roles with Anglo Coal Australia and Rio Tinto Alcan.

Scott is a Fellow CPA and a member of the Governance Institute of Australia, and has completed the Company Directors Course with the AICD, as well as various post-graduate studies.

He has been married to Sylvia for over 25 years and they have a daughter and son who are both currently studying at university.

Scott and Sylvia attend Kilkivan Union Church and a home church.  They have been involved in leading various ministry opportunities over many years of active church involvement.

BA, LLB, GradDipLegal Prac. LLM

DIRECTOR

Sumi was born and raised in South Korea. She came to Australia as an international student and completed her tertiary education in Sydney and Brisbane.

A qualified lawyer, she has over 13 years experience working in criminal law and civil litigation in Australia, and serving in various international and cross-cultural liaison roles for local government officials in South Korea. She worships and serves at City Tabernacle Baptist Church in Spring Hill and was appointed to the Board of the BST in February 2020.

Vivienne Ip

BCom, BEcon, CA

DIRECTOR

Megan Verhoef

B Urb Reg Plan, Grad Dip Nat Res, Grad Dip App Sc, MPIA CPP

DIRECTOR

Rich Priebbenow

DIRECTOR

Ian Auld

DIRECTOR

Vivienne Ip

BCom, BEcon, CA

DIRECTOR

Vivienne has worked in the public and commercial accounting for over 7 years in areas of external audit and business advisory across a diverse range of industries. She currently works in global financial reporting at Flight Centre and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Vivienne was born and raised in Brisbane, but her family background is from Taiwan and Hong Kong. She loves visiting her family overseas, learning and understanding about her culture and eating delicious Asian cuisine. 

Vivienne and her husband, Wesley, attend Toowong Baptist Church, where she is involved in the youth and music ministry. She was appointed to the board of BST in June 2020.

Megan Verhoef

B Urb Reg Plan, Grad Dip Nat Res, Grad Dip App Sc, MPIA CPP

DIRECTOR

Megan has worked in local government for 22 years in the areas of development assessment and strategic planning. She was appointed to the BST board in May 2015.

Megan and her husband, Peter, attend Wavell Heights Presbyterian Church, where she is involved in the children’s ministry and also serves on the Committee of Management.

Rich Priebbenow

DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

Rich is a Church planter and pastor of a young church in Brisbane. 

Formerly a High School Physics teacher, Rich transitioned to full-time gospel ministry in 2000 as part of a team focused on evangelism and discipleship of students at UQ. Rich then served for several years as Campus Outreach Regional Director for Au/NZ before moving to the UK with his wife Cherie and four kids to take up a pastoral role in a Church in Manchester. During his four years in the UK, Rich studied Theology through Acts 29 / Oak Hill Academy (now Crosslands Seminary). This has given Rich a passion for the delivery of robust, alternative and in-context modes of Theological training to equip the next generation of gospel labourers. 

Rich was appointed to the BST board in November 2022.

Ian Auld

DIRECTOR

Ian has held a number of senior positions in the world of finance over the past 47 years and currently runs his own financial advice practice in Brisbane, which he commenced in 1995. He has held executive positions on boards and committees in both the secular environment and Christian ministry.

Ian and his wife Carol currently attend St Lucia Bible Church and have two children and four grandchildren. They enjoy family life and anything to do with hiking.

Ian was appointed to the BST board in August 2023.

BCom, BEcon, CA

DIRECTOR

Vivienne has worked in the public and commercial accounting for over 7 years in areas of external audit and business advisory across a diverse range of industries. She currently works in global financial reporting at Flight Centre and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Vivienne was born and raised in Brisbane, but her family background is from Taiwan and Hong Kong. She loves visiting her family overseas, learning and understanding about her culture and eating delicious Asian cuisine. 

Vivienne and her husband, Wesley, attend Toowong Baptist Church, where she is involved in the youth and music ministry. She was appointed to the board of BST in June 2020.

B Urb Reg Plan, Grad Dip Nat Res, Grad Dip App Sc, MPIA CPP

DIRECTOR

Megan has worked in local government for 22 years in the areas of development assessment and strategic planning. She was appointed to the BST board in May 2015.

Megan and her husband, Peter, attend Wavell Heights Presbyterian Church, where she is involved in the children’s ministry and also serves on the Committee of Management.

DIRECTOR

Rich is a Church planter and pastor of a young church in Brisbane. 

Formerly a High School Physics teacher, Rich transitioned to full-time gospel ministry in 2000 as part of a team focused on evangelism and discipleship of students at UQ. Rich then served for several years as Campus Outreach Regional Director for Au/NZ before moving to the UK with his wife Cherie and four kids to take up a pastoral role in a Church in Manchester. During his four years in the UK, Rich studied Theology through Acts 29 / Oak Hill Academy (now Crosslands Seminary). This has given Rich a passion for the delivery of robust, alternative and in-context modes of Theological training to equip the next generation of gospel labourers. 

Rich was appointed to the BST board in November 2022.

DIRECTOR

Ian has held a number of senior positions in the world of finance over the past 47 years and currently runs his own financial advice practice in Brisbane, which he commenced in 1995. He has held executive positions on boards and committees in both the secular environment and Christian ministry.

Ian and his wife Carol currently attend St Lucia Bible Church and have two children and four grandchildren. They enjoy family life and anything to do with hiking.

Ian was appointed to the BST board in August 2023.

Nick Watson

B.Bus (Management)

DIRECTOR

Nick Watson

B.Bus (Management)

DIRECTOR

Nick has over 10 years experience in technology consulting, entrepreneurship and innovation; recently co-founding and developing an Education Management SaaS platform called Tuii. 

His corporate roles have included his current role of Co-Founder of Emmaus Technology Pty Ltd, Director and General Manager for technology consulting firm YesIT and technology and customer service roles in Telstra. 

During his time in technology consulting Nick managed and maintained key client relationships with publicly listed companies such as Genex Power, Queensland Pacific Metals, Metallica Minerals & Metro Mining. He has also been active in church volunteering including with the youth chaplaincy organisation Red Frogs.

B.Bus (Management)

DIRECTOR

Nick has over 10 years experience in technology consulting, entrepreneurship and innovation; recently co-founding and developing an Education Management SaaS platform called Tuii. 

His corporate roles have included his current role of Co-Founder of Emmaus Technology Pty Ltd, Director and General Manager for technology consulting firm YesIT and technology and customer service roles in Telstra. 

During his time in technology consulting Nick managed and maintained key client relationships with publicly listed companies such as Genex Power, Queensland Pacific Metals, Metallica Minerals & Metro Mining. He has also been active in church volunteering including with the youth chaplaincy organisation Red Frogs.

Rev Dr Richard Gibson

BSocWk, DipATh, BTh, MTh, PhD
PRINCIPAL, HEAD OF BIBLICAL STUDIES, NT LECTURER
Raised in a Christian family, it was at university that Richard realised the importance of Jesus and his gospel.

After studying theology and being ordained as an Anglican minister, he pastored a congregation in Sydney’s west for four years.

He then took up a position as Lecturer at Moore Theological College for 20 years. Seeing the value of continued learning, he completed a Master’s degree on 1 Timothy and a doctorate on the emotions in early Christian thought.

Subsequent published articles have addressed issues in the New Testament, church history and ministry. Richard’s love of effective preaching led him to serve on Sydney Diocese’s College of Preachers which he chaired for seven years.

Richard has more than 25 years’ experience teaching Greek, New Testament, church history and preaching. He recently published Reading Biblical Greek for first-year Greek students.

His greatest passions are his family, teaching the Bible, and caring for students. Richard and his wife Kim attend Moorooka Presbyterian Church. Kim is involved in ministry to university students with AFES and volunteers with the GROW women’s conference committee.

In his spare time, Richard enjoys playing golf or tennis.

Mr John Coulson

BSc (Hons), DipMin, BTh (Hons), MTh
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL, ACADEMIC DEAN, LECTURER IN BIBLE
John has more than 40 years of experience in church ministry and leadership in the Brisbane area. His passion is teaching the Bible and encouraging God’s people in Christian discipleship and ministry. John has been on the faculty of BST since July 2004. His post-graduate research has been mainly in the letters of Paul: Jesus and the Spirit; and God’s judgment (published as The Righteous Judgment of God: Aspects of Judgment in Paul’s Letters [Wipf and Stock, 2016]). John and his wife Rowena are both originally from Queensland and have four adult children. John loves camping with his family, walking (with or without the dog), gardening, and having coffee with Rowena and friends. John has been involved for over 25 years at Hillsong Brisbane (formerly Garden City Christian Church), where he has served in various ministries. Prior to doing theological studies and Bible college ministry, John worked for many years in IT with the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Rev Dr Andrew Prince

BVSc, DipMin, BTh, MAMin, PhD
ACADEMIC DEAN, HEAD OF MINISTRY AND PRACTICE, LECTURER IN MINISTRY & MISSION
Andrew grew up in Sydney, originally training as a veterinarian. After working in rural and urban practices in NSW and QLD, Andrew studied theology at Moore Theological College in Sydney. In 2003 he returned to Brisbane and pastored two Baptist churches before joining the faculty at BST in 2009. Andrew’s doctorate was is on the subject of contextual communication of the gospel across cultures and was subsequently published as Contextualization of the Gospel: Towards an Evangelical Approach in the Light of Scripture and the Church Fathers (2017). Andrew’s research interests include missiology, Asian Christianity, contextualisation, homiletics, spiritual formation, and pastoral health and practice. Andrew teaches subjects in the areas of missiology and practical theology. Andrew also is the Director for BST’s Centre for Asian Christianity, which seeks to train, equip, facilitate research, and resource Asian-focused Christians, churches and organisations so that the gospel advances in Asian contexts. Andrew is married to Susan and they have three sons – Nathan, Matthew and Joshua.

Dr Wally Wang

BSc, MSc, PhD, MDiv, ThM
DIRECTOR OF CHINESE PROGRAM, LECTURER IN CHRISTIAN THOUGHT
Before delving into the theological world, Wally worked as a theoretical physicist while also pastoring a Chinese church in Sydney. He then began studying and teaching Theology in Hong Kong. Fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, Wally has been lecturing in both our English and Chinese programs since 2013. Wally’s MDiv and ThM were both gained through the China Graduate School of Theology in Hong Kong, where his final thesis addressed the topic of the Holy Spirit’s role in God’s self-revelation. He’s a regular member of Centenary Uniting Church, but also commits many Sundays to preaching at two Chinese churches. Wally and his wife Ling have one son and two grandchildren and are originally from Hong Kong. Wally’s hobbies include photography and watching the Parramatta Eels.

Karen Nivala

BSpPath (Honours), GradDipDiv, MDiv
LECTURER/STUDENT ADVISOR
Karen is our Greek lecturer, tutor and mentor. She completed her Masters of Divinity at BST in 2017. She worked as a speech pathologist for 10 years both in Queensland and in the UK.

She gained experience in training and mentoring. Her interests lie in New Testament studies. She completed her research on the portrayal of the communicative functions of the heart in Matthew’s gospel.

She is currently pursuing PhD studies and is passionate about building God’s kingdom.

Dr Robert Edwards

BA, MA, PhD
DIRECTOR OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, HEAD OF CHRISTIAN THOUGHT, LECTURER IN CHRISTIAN THOUGHT AND HISTORY
Robert was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, where he also pursued a degree in classical studies (University of British Columbia). It was during his time at university that he first read the Gospels and came to trust in the Lord. This was followed by a master’s degree in biblical studies at Wycliffe College (Toronto), and then a PhD in early Christian theology at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA). Before joining BST in September 2023, Robert was a researcher at the University of Göttingen (Germany)—but please don’t ask him to speak German! At BST, Robert teaches in the subject areas of theology and church history. He is also available to supervise PhDs.

Robert has authored numerous journal articles and essays on early Christian history, theology, and exegesis. His book Providence and Narrative in the Theology of John Chrysostom (Cambridge, 2022) was awarded the Lautenschlaeger Award for Theological Promise. His current research centres on early Christian preaching and worship.

Robert is married to Kerensa (a Sydneysider), and they have two daughters: Eliza (a Canadian) and Margot (an American).

Dr Jason Bryan-Brown

B.Min, BTh (Hons) (BST), PhD
LECTURER
Jason has been involved at BST since 2012, when he began his undergraduate studies. After completing his Honours in the Book of Revelation, he and his family moved up to pastor a church in Nambour for a few years. They moved back to Brisbane while Jason completed his PhD on interpreting the Catholic Epistles of the New Testament (James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John and Jude) as a collection. His academic interests lie in Hermeneutics and the later New Testament (esp. the Catholic Epistles and Revelation).

Jason is married to Courtney, who is a primary school teacher and also a BST graduate. They have three children. They live in Middle Park, and enjoy spending their weekends building lego, watching movies and playing board games with family and friends.

I have had the privilege of serving on the BST Board since 2015, it has been one of the highlights of my pre-and post-retirement years. It is gratifying to bring the skills and experience from my career to bear for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. Our Board members give their time and talent voluntarily to ensure that this exceptional college has proper governance and that the Faculty & Staff are well supported as they train up future generations of Christian leaders.

TERRY LEISTER

I have had the privilege of serving on the BST Board since 2015, it has been one of the highlights of my pre-and post-retirement years. It is gratifying to bring the skills and experience from my career to bear for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. Our Board members give their time and talent voluntarily to ensure that this exceptional college has proper governance and that the Faculty & Staff are well supported as they train up future generations of Christian leaders.

TERRY LEISTER
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Pastor Grace Lung

BSci (Comp Sci), GradDipDiv, MA (ChrStds)

DIRECTOR

Grace grew up in Sydney in a large Chinese church. Since then she has served at various Chinese churches over the years in youth, students, young workers and women. Her passion and interest is contextualizing the gospel to Asian Australians and developing Asian churches in Australia. Grace is a graduate of Sydney Missionary and Bible College and Fuller Theological Seminary. Her study focussed on Chinese Australian identity and ministry.

Her previous roles have included: Director for Asian Contextual Engagement for the RICE Movement, Team Member for Interserve Culture Connect and OMF QLD’s Ministry Team. She was an Anglican Deaconness Ministries Summer Fellow in 2019. Her writing has appeared on the SOLA Network, Gospel Coalition Australia, Centered: Resources for the Asian American Church, Common Grace and Ethos: EA Centre for Christianity and Society.

In addition to her role as Director of CAC, Grace is also serving as a pastor alongside her husband, Chris, at Rise Alliance Church – a new church plant servicing the Rochedale area.