During lockdown, the basic certificate programme went online and expanded greatly. It soon became obvious that theological institutions were looking for higher-level accredited professional training. We are now working with GWC to develop an online postgraduate diploma in higher theological education for lecturers in Africa and beyond.

Dick was ordained in South Africa in 1981 and was involved in church planting, ministry and lay and pastoral training in southern Africa, the UK and Germany until 1999. After his initial theological training, he completed a master’s degree in theological education and a PhD in mission and theological education. Since joining CMS in 2000 he has taught theology, run a theological college, trained lecturers and consulted for Christian higher education in Africa and beyond.

Caroline originally trained as a language teacher but diversified into theology, doing an MA in mission studies in 2001, an MTh in 2009 and a PhD in 2015. She has taught theology and languages in five sub-Saharan colleges and universities and has had administration roles in several of them. She also supervises doctoral students for a South African university and leads a team who are writing a contextual commentary (for people from Muslim Backgrounds of East Africa).

Church Mission Society has a rich heritage of evangelism, church planting and theological education across the continent of Africa. We are privileged to be building on that foundation to further equip the church for the task of mission.