Teaching

Adam is responsible for overseeing the Bible School’s outreach programme. He and his wife Beth moved to Capernwray in the summer of 2024 with their three boys. 
Adam is originally from Scotland but grew up in New Hampshire in the United States. Before coming to Capernwray, Adam worked in politics and continues to have an active interest in the intersection of faith and politics. He loves to learn and has degrees in linguistics, psychology, and political science. 

Outside work, Adam enjoys spending time with his family, reading, travelling, learning languages, and watching sports, especially baseball, Formula 1, and sumo wrestling.

Andy is Care Pastor at Deeside Christian Fellowship Church. His training for Christian ministry has included two years at All Nations Christian College, the Cornhill Training Course, a masters in Biblical studies from Trinity Seminary in Indiana and more recently a two year course in Biblical Counselling.

Andy’s website

Andy and his wife Tina and we have two young boys. They live in Garstang (between Lancaster and Preston) where Andy is a Pastor at Garstang Free Methodist Church. As a couple they love the Church, and see it as such a privilege to serve God’s people.

Andy’s website

A former Principal of Capernwray Bible School Charles has recently retired from pastoral ministry in Canada after being an international Bible teacher reaching an audience of millions around the globe. As well as speaking at many Christian events throughout the UK Charles is also a published author.

Sample talk by Charles

Cristi is the Lead Pastor of Carnforth Free Methodist Church and a regular teacher at Capernwray Bible School. He is passionate about communication and community, longing to see the local church become a hub of radical discipleship. He loves good coffee, reading books, watching indie movies and listening to music.

Cristi’s website

Debbi is a Bible teacher and Content Editor for Our Daily Bread Ministries, as well as a freelance artist. She also regularly teaches at Capernwray Bible School.

She’s married to Russell, a Chaplain to the Royal Marines Commandos, and they have two married daughters and a baby grandson.

She enjoys onesies, painting, and never leaving the house; but her true passion is leading others into a deeper appreciation of the Lord Jesus through the study and teaching of God’s word.

Debbi’s website

Sample talk by Debbi

Derek Burnside is the Principal of Capernwray Bible School. He’s married to Penny, is a member of St Cuthbert’s Church in Over Kellet, and when not working enjoys cycling, swimming, squash, tennis, reading, film and theatre.

Sample talk by Derek

Hester first walked through the old front door of the Hall as a 10-year-old. Capernwray holidays have been significant for her walk with the Lord, both as a guest and volunteer. Hester’s role focuses on the pastoral care of the female students, whilst also being involved in many aspects of student life and regularly teaching in the Bible school. Hester can often be found enjoying a long run or on a netball court.

Ian trained at Oak Hill Theological College in London, and then worked for a couple of churches in London before heading up north to Beverley where he lives with Rachel, his wife.

Iain’s website

Ian is the Community Pastor of Carnforth Free Methodists. He was born and brought up on a small sheep farm in North Yorkshire and shepherding has always been a passion of his. He attended university in Lancaster before coming to Capernwray Bible School as a student in 2005 and spent a further 14 years as a staff member.

Sample talk by Ian

Johan Schep grew up in a large farming family in the Netherlands and soon began traveling the world. In Israel, he came to know Jesus and was born again. It was there that his passion to share the message of Jesus Christ with others grew. 

At the age of 53, he married Linda. Together, they joyfully serve in refugee work in the Netherlands and in prisons abroad, where they distribute Bibles and share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

John has been teaching at Capernwray for many years and brings a great wealth of experience and knowledge to his lectures.

Jonathan works as a commercial lawyer. As former Managing Director of Capernwray and Principal at Tauernhof Bible School, he continues to enjoy a speaking and teaching ministry. He is married to Claire and they have three young children. He loves to go for a run or head for the mountains when he can!

Sample talk by Jonathan

Kim came to Capernwray as a student in 1993/94 during which time God planted the desire to be involved with the ministry in her heart. In 2000 He opened the doors for that to happen and it has been a privilege for her to be a part of His work here, watching God meeting with people through the teaching of His Word, fellowshipping with others, and enjoying the beauty of His creation. She enjoys being outside, pottering in her little garden, reading, and spending time with friends in tea shops.

Mark is the Director Emeritus of Capernwray. He is the second eldest son of founder Major Ian Thomas and was Managing Director of Capernwray for over 30 years.

Matthew Skirton is from the UK but has spent more than half of his life serving in Eastern Europe. Together with his wife, Helen, he pioneered OM’s work in Moldova in the mid-1990s, handing over field leadership in March 2015. He also served as Regional Leader for OM in Eastern Europe for seven years. Matthew took on the role of UK Chief Executive of OM in 2016.

Michael Ots is a Christian speaker and author. He is passionate about sharing his faith through university missions in the UK and outreaches in Eastern Europe. 

Paul is the UK Director of Walk Through the Bible Ministries. His continually growing passion is to see people reached with the Word of God.

Paul’s website

Peter is the Director of Bodenseehof and General Director of Torchbearers International. Discovering that Christ did not just die for us but rose to live in us changed his life as a Christian and it has been a discovery he has been re-learning ever since.

Peter’s website

Rob has been at Capernwray for many years and previously served as our Principal. He is an internationally renowned speaker, bringing a wealth of experience to his role. Rob has some amazing teaching series, a particular highlight being Getting the King out of the Boy.

Sample talk by Rob

Sharon Dirckx is a speaker and author whose work focuses on responding to the spiritual and faith-related questions that people ask today.

She is motivated to show how and why the person of Jesus Christ remains as relevant as ever to the pertinent questions of our time, and to do so in an engaging way.

Originally from a scientific background, she has a PhD in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge. Sharon is invited to speak and lecture across the UK and internationally, in workplaces, universities, schools, churches and conferences.

Steve is the Bible School Principal of Bodenseehof, another Torchbearers International centre in Germany. Steve is passionate about sharing the truth of the Bible in new and creative ways.

Tim works in pastoral care, teaching, and various other aspects of life at Capernwray. He’s spent much of his life in Scotland, but studied and worked in Canada for several years, and is married to Claudia, who is from Austria. Tim was originally a veterinary surgeon, but then changed vocation to work in church ministry, and most recently served for a decade as the lead pastor in a baptist church, before moving to Capernwray. Tim has degrees in veterinary science, and theology and biblical languages, and is currently working towards a PhD in philosophy. He loves football, reading, history, and spending time with his kids.