A biographical sketch

This is my personal website, or 'blog'. I am a theological writer and peripatetic lecturer, focussing upon Christian world mission and intercultural studies. I live in South Wales, with my wife and four children. My name is John.

I first encountered Jesus Christ, in a personal way, whilst studying at Nottingham University in 1987, whereupon I immediately experienced a definite sense of calling to Christian service. Less than two years later, this resulted in my joining the “DCI Course for World Christians” — a world-mission orientated, leadership training course, an involvement that I facilitated by working simultaneously as a structural engineer.

In 1996 I left the civil engineering profession to develop my own business in desktop publishing and printing, with a view to it being a 'stepping stone’ towards a greater involvement in Christian mission work. Two business partnerships eventually emerged from this original venture, both of which chose to support my increasing involvement in the vocational work of writing, lecturing, research and development of a mobile mission academy.

I first conducted this 'Academy of Mission', in 2001, for a Kenyan church pastored by Anthony, a fellow DCI trainee in '89-90. I have since conducted the 'mobile academy’ on behalf of MIEL and RESJSED, within Burkina Faso and on behalf of Healing Every Nation, within Texas.

In January 2008, after over four years of part-time distance-studying, I completed and received a Master of Philosophy degree in Intercultural Studies, from New Covenant International University. Following this, I established the Eternal Purpose Institute for Missiology (Biblical Theology, Missiological Research and Cultural Understanding), as well as continuing to develop the Academy of Mission project.

Whereas the writing on those sites is very directed or focussed, my blogging here is ad hoc and 'off the cuff'; it also indulges my other interests besides theological writings, such as birdwatching, sport, politics and technology.

I also offer technology services: for the past five years, I have been using and developing websites built upon the powerful web 2.0 platform: Drupal.

Using the expertise gained, I build websites for clients on request. However, I am a communicator by nature and a lecturer by vocation, so I am actually in the process of making my expertise available for teaching others how to harness and utilise the benefits and methodology of the award-wining Drupal software.

Please feel free to contact me concerning any of the above.