The Light College Lecturer Biographies

All our lecturers are passionate about their faith and approved by the University of Chester, with a wide range of experience and practical knowledge.

They can be emailed via tutor.[forename]@lightcollege.ac.uk

Rev Glyn Jones

Glyn was the co-principal of The Light College, before recently taking up a Church planting role. Glyn lived for many years in France before returning to the UK to establish a college of evangelism. He holds a Masters in Applied Theology and is currently conducting doctoral research in how non-churched people find faith. Glyn describes himself as an ‘everyday evangelist and storyteller’. He has published a book of short stories and lectures in history and culture.

Ali Boston

Ali is the Vice Principal and a lecturer at The Light College. She has two married children. Her husband Andy is self-employed and they both work from home. Ali became a follower of Jesus at 14 years old after hearing God speaking clearly to her. She loves teaching and empowering students to be the best they can be, and to follow Jesus into what he has for them. Ali co-led a church plant for 15 years and has been an airport chaplain at EMA for nearly a decade, sharing the Good News in creative and pioneering ways. Ali enjoys swimming, collecting thimbles, Pilates and reading. She doesn’t like liver or hot curry.

Rev Jacky Bone

Originally a primary school teacher, Jacky studied at the London School of Theology and then St Mary’s University College, gaining a BA in Theology and an MA in Chaplaincy Studies. For 25 years she was part of the charismatic renewal movement leading and planting churches affiliated to the Pioneer network of churches. Following her theological training, Jacky spent 15 years as lead Chaplain for YMCAs in London, working with those in housing need, in gyms, sports facilities, community cafes, and in youth and children’s work. During this time she became an accredited Baptist Minister leading a local Baptist church alongside her Chaplaincy work. She now works as a pioneer minister and evangelist in Witney, Oxfordshire, in a Baptist-Anglican partnership, reaching out to a new housing estate.

Philippe Ndabananiye

Philippe committed his life wholeheartedly to Christ at 15, was baptised at 17 and has been an active member of his local church, Whetstone Baptist Church, ever since. In the following 15 years, the Lord gave him many opportunities to serve His people locally and overseas in short-term cross-cultural mission trips. In church, he recently devoted a decade to nurturing a post-Alpha small group and working with the associate pastor as a cluster leader for 5 emerging groups of new believers. Philippe served on a discipleship team set up to help encourage and resource the discipleship of the whole church family through the small group network.

Gareth Cheesman

Gareth first worked with the Light Project in 2004 as a volunteer Youth Worker, whilst studying Youth Work with Applied Theology with the University of Chester. After university his first job was heading up a network of community youth clubs across Chester supported by The Light Project and local churches. From 2011, Gareth has taught a variety of modules, with a common theme of serving the communities we live in practically. He has a strong passion for critical reflection as a key way for all learners to develop and grow. Since training in youth work, Gareth’s work has specialised on relationships and sex education for young people with the Christian charity www.acet-uk.com, and holds a Masters in Public Health from the University of Chester.

Jo Dowds

Jo studied her BA (Hons) & MA in Applied Theology at Moorlands, working in church ministry as a children and family co-ordinator, and elder. Within her local church she leads worship and preaches regularly. Jo is a Study Skills Specialist, supporting students 1:1 and facilitating accessible learning environments in both Further and Higher Education settings. Jo was a Tutor at Moorlands and taught Spurgeon’s Foundation Year. Jo is an Associate of the Dyslexia Guild and Higher Education Academy Fellow (AdvanceHE). Jo’s next academic adventure is PhD research in Ethnodoxology and the impact for worship leaders today with the London School of Theology. Enjoying sunshine, sea and the beach, Jo lives with her husband, two boys and their dog on the South coast.

Amanda Roche

Now a trustee, Amanda achieved a BA in Theology, Mission and Evangelism with the Light College, and is studying an MA in Kingdom Theology with WTC Theology. Part of the preaching team at the recently planted Potteries Vineyard in Stoke-on-Trent, Amanda co-leads a life group with her husband, Stephen. She helps deliver community parenting courses through the charity Kids Matter. An English and Drama secondary teacher for 25 years, she has recently taught in a primary school and is finally realising her gift might be teaching! Definitely not retired, Amanda is enjoying new challenges and opportunities (including lecturing and writing even more essays!). Her passions include hiking, reading, and time spent with her husband, son and cockerpoo, especially in the beautiful Fife countryside.

Rachel Oatridge

Having been born in Northern Ireland, lived in Scotland and now England, Rachel feels truly “United-Kingdomish” – she just needs to live in Wales!!  Rachel loves reading, horse-riding, walking and paddle-boarding; is married to Jonathan; and has two amazing and inspiring daughters.  Rachel’s passion is to see people experience true contentment and fulfilment through reaching their potential in every area of their lives.  She facilitates this through coaching, encouraging reflection/learning and being a private Occupational Therapist – particularly supporting those who are Neurodiverse.  Rachel and Jonathan run Oatridge Coaching (www.oatridgecoaching.com) through which they do coaching, training and church consultancy.  Rachel has a Masters degree in Contextual Theology, is currently a pioneer and Mission Enabler for Northern Lincolnshire and is the tutor for Christian Theology.

We’ve had some excellent former lecturers too

Below are a selection of those who have previously taught on our courses

Rev Dr Seidel Boanerges

Seidel lectures full-time for Spurgeon’s College and is a guest lecturer with us. He teaches in the areas of Christian mission, evangelism, apologetics, world religions, homiletics and ministerial training. He has a first-class honours degree (BA) in applied theology specialising in evangelism from Moorlands College. He completed his Baptist ministerial training and a Master of Theology (MTh) degree in homiletics with distinction from Spurgeon’s College. Seidel is currently pursuing a professional doctorate in homiletics and apologetics from the University of Chester. Seidel’s reputation as a preacher, teacher and evangelist became established over the last decade as he spoke at many churches, conferences, seminars and university Christian unions. He has a rich experience in mission, evangelism and apologetics in countries such as the UK, USA, India, Romania and Italy. Recently, he was one of the speakers at the International Congress of Preaching in Cambridge. He is married to Linda and loves to play cricket and badminton.

Rev Carolyn Skinner

Carolyn Skinner is the founder and CEO of Third Space Ministries, a charity which seeks to demonstrate the love of God in leisure industries through chaplaincy and team outreach. She is passionate about helping people find faith in Jesus, and equipping Christians for evangelism. She loves to be where people are least likely to expect a ‘God encounter’. She has had experience of working as a chaplain at international sporting events, local gyms, in the music industry, and in strip clubs.  She is one of the tutors on the Pioneer Chaplaincy and Mission course.

Carolyn lives in London, and outside of her work can often be found going for a run, drinking coffee with friends, or sitting in the sun with her flip flops on!

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Dr Ruth Empson

A joy-seeker and lover-of-life who is daily saved by experiencing and sharing the grace of knowing Jesus, especially in hidden spaces, and seeing God in all things; cosmos, creator and carer of all.

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