As Principal of Carey Baptist College, John leads the college. With the senior management team, he is responsible for setting Carey’s strategic direction, protecting Carey’s culture, nurturing Carey’s staff team, and representing Carey among churches and stakeholders. John also teaches history and homiletics in Carey’s undergraduate programmes.  

John began his working life as a lawyer, practicing in the area of civil litigation. After several years in pastoral ministry, John completed a PhD in the history of the New Zealand church’s engagement in public debate. He has published books and articles in the areas of preaching, Baptist history, and Christian engagement with social issues.  

“I love working in a theological college that is so focused on serving the church, so committed to training leaders for ministry, so oriented towards mission and gospel renewal. I believe deeply in Carey’s integrative approach to theology and in our relational approach to learning. I really enjoy Carey’s rich community life and the Tiriti hikoi that is shaping us into a learning community where students from all cultures can flourish. And I marvel at the remarkable staff team that God has assembled at Carey. It’s such a privilege to work with them as we see students transformed by the gospel, for the gospel.”