ITI Articles

Staff and students of Bible College of New Zealand's (BCNZ) Auckland campus celebrated the award of over 100 qualifications including two doctorates, at their annual graduation ceremony in April 2005.

Mark Keown, the college's recently appointed theology lecturer, who already holds a Bachelor of Theology with honours, was awarded the Australian College of Theology's Doctor of Theology, while fellow lecturer Merv Coates earned ACT's Doctor of Ministry. BCNZ partners with ACT to offer the awards.

Dr Coates says he was motivated to complete the thesis, "Missional Churches in an Age of Globalisation", by an increasing interest in international ministry. "Because Auckland is so cosmopolitan, it provides untold opportunities for international ministry on our doorstep," he says.

One examiner, Princeton Theological Seminary's Dr Darrell Guder, said the thesis was "an impressive and thorough study of his subject" and employed an "insightful engagement of the Gospel and Culture material".