SAIACS FACULTY

SAIACS sees itself as a premier centre of evangelical higher theological learning in South Asia. It brings to its halls some of the finest scholars from all over the world to teach and guide the students in research. Apart from the adjunct and visiting professors, the residential faculty bring in various expertise to strengthen the overall learning experience at SAIACS.

DR. IAN W. PAYNE
Principal, Head of Department of Theology, Educational
Consultant
BArch(Hons) University of Auckland (1979),
BD Melbourne College of Divinity (1988),
MTh(Hons) (Theology) SAIACS, Bangalore (1996),
PhD in Theology, University of Aberdeen (2003).

Dr Ian Payne was brought up in Kerala where his New Zealand parents George and Bettie Payne were Christian workers until 1967. Having worked as an architect, he decided to build people rather than buildings. This led to his return, with his wife Judith and three daughters to India in 1994 to study at SAIACS. He was a SAIACS faculty member for four years and then visited SAIACS annually teaching theology. Building on a study of Karl Barth, his PhD was on parallels between God’s love and human knowing. His research interests are epistemology, the Trinity and mission. Since 2003, he was Principal of Pathways Bible and Mission College in Auckland, New Zealand. He joined SAIACS as Professor of Theology and as Principal in 2008.

DR. V. BABU IMMANUEL
Academic Dean
Professor of New Testament
BD, Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur, (1987)
MTh, United Theological College, Bangalore, (1996)
PhD (King’s College London, University of London, UK, (2002)

Rev. Dr. Immanuel was born and brought up in Tamil Nadu. After his BD from Leonard College, Jabalpur, he served as a Lecturer at South India Biblical Seminary. After earning his PhD in New Testament from King's College London for his literary critical study on the relationship between the supernatural phenomena and the discourses in the Book of Acts, he served in TAFTEE as a Senior Academic Staff. He joined SAIACS Faculty in April 2005 as a Professor of New Testament. His research interests are Luke-Acts and Hermeneutics. His doctoral work has been published as a Monograph by HIM International Ministries, Inc (Perth, Australia) in 2004. Publications

DR. ATUL Y. AGHAMKAR
Professor and Head of Department of Missiology
BD from Union Biblical Seminary, Pune (Serampore, 1977)
MTh (Missiology) SAIACS, Bangalore (1985)
PhD in Intercultural Studies from the School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA (1995)

Rev. Dr. Atul Y. Aghamkar is from Pune, Maharashtra, where he and his wife Suman served with the Christian and Missionary Alliance of India from 1977 to 1990. Atul was instrumental in planting and pastoring churches in the cities of Pune and Nagpur. Having ministered in the urban context and exposed to the challenges and opportunities in Indian cities, Atul consciously moved into teaching ministry after completing his doctoral program in Urban Studies. He served at Union Biblical Seminary, Pune where he taught and headed the department of Missiology before joining SAIACS in 2001. Along with teaching Missiology and Urban Studies, Atul continues to research in the area of Hindus in the Diaspora.Publications

DR. CORNELIS BENNEMA
Professor and Head of Department of New Testament
PhD in New Testament from the London School of Theology, Brunel University, UK (2001)

Cor Bennema comes from the Netherlands, where he worked as an IT professional for five years. He did his theological studies at the London School of Theology (an associated institution of Brunel University) in London (UK). Between 1996 and 1999, he spent half of his time in India, including teaching at Allahabad Bible Seminary. In 2002, Cor started teaching at SAIACS. His research interests are John’s Gospel, Second Temple Judaism, pneumatology and biblical theology.Publications

DR. HAVILAH DHARAMRAJ
Professor and Head of Department of Old Testament
MA in Christianity from SAIACS (2001)
PhD, University of Durham, UK (2006)

Following her Master’s degree in Biochemistry, Dr. Dharamraj taught Chemistry at the Plus Two level in various Bangalore schools before switching to theological studies.

DR. J. ARUN KUMAR
Associate Professor of Religion
MA in Missions from SAIACS (1997)
PhD, University of Leeds, UK

A structural engineer by training, Arun served with Indian Evangelical Mission as a missionary for nine years and presently is in training as SAIACS faculty.

Rev. DR. G. ISAIAH
Professor and Head of Department of Pastoral Theology and Counselling
PhD, Southern Western Baptist Theoloical Seminary, USA (1995)

Dr Isaiah comes from UBS, Pune where he served for 25 years in the Christian Ministry Department as Professor of Homiletics.

Mr. PAUL JOSHUA
Professor of Pastoral Theology and Counselling
PhD, Southern Western Baptist Theoloical Seminary, USA (1995)

In October 2009, Paul Joshua joined SAIACS as a full-time faculty. He served as the Director of the chennai-based 'Mylapore Institute of Indigenous Studies' for several years. He has also served as the Editor of 'Dharma Deepika' journal.

DR. F. HRANGKHUMA
Professor and Head of Department of History of Christianity
BD from Union Biblical Seminary, Pune (1971)
MTh in History from United Theological College, Bangalore (1976)
PhD in Intercultural Studies from the School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA (1989)

After three years of pastoral ministry in Mizoram, Rev. Dr. Hrangkhuma taught at UBS for 20 years, 4 years at the Serampore College, Serampore, and served for three years as the General Secretary of the Baptist Church of Mizoram. He was instrumental in the founding of the Centre for Mission Studies at UBS with its two-degree programs – MDiv in Mission and MTh (Missiology), and started an MTh (Missiology) at Serampore College. He is a founding member of the Fellowship of Indian Missiologists, and its Vice President for several years. He has authored and edited several books including Introduction to Church History (TBT) and Christianity in India: Search for Liberation and Identity (ISPCK). He teaches Missiology and History, and is developing Tribal Studies at SAIACS. Publications

FACULTY-IN-TRAINING

MR. NIGEL AJAY KUMAR
Faculty in Training, Department of Theology
MA in Christianity from SAIACS (2000)
MTh in Theology from SAIACS (2005)
PhD candidate at SAIACS

After completing his BA (Hons) in English from St. Stephens College, New Delhi, Nigel worked in Filmfare Magazine, Mumbai, for three years. He then did his MA in Christianity from SAIACS and went on to teach Journalism and Religious Education at Woodstock School, Mussoorie. He is currently enrolled in the SAIACS PhD degree programme in Theology. Upon the completion of his PhD, he will join the department of Theology.

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Site updated: March 15, 2010