Meet the team that cares for Langham Scholars

20 January 2017 |

Did you know that there is a team of people dedicated to looking after those who are studying through Langham Partnership’s Scholar programme both here and abroad? Known as our ‘Scholar Care Coordinators’, these unsung heroes provide crucial pastoral and practical support. They regularly visit, email, Skype and gather prayer news.

Fred Gale – US and Canada Scholar Care Coordinator

When Fred Gale was studying in London in 1973, he worshiped at All Souls Church, and through one of the Senior Wardens he was introduced to John Stott. Upon Fred’s return to the US to go to seminary the following year, John Stott recommended that Fred join the group of John’s friends in the Chicago area who were gathering to form the Langham Foundation – what is now the Langham Partnership, USA.

After graduating from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a M.Div., Fred pastored American Baptist Churches in Massachusetts and also obtained a D.Min. in Pastoral Counseling from Andover Newton Theological School. The primary focus of Fred’s ministry became pastoral counselling, and he served on the staff of the Worcester Pastoral Counseling Center.

In 2012 while he was on the Langham US board, now Langham Partnership Executive Director Mark Hunt asked Fred to be the Interim US Scholar Care Coordinator for one year, and Fred agreed to do that. Fred enjoyed this ministry to the scholars so much that he asked Dr. Riad Kassis, International Program Director of the Scholars Program, if he could continue in it, and Dr. Kassis consented to this. Fred and his wife, Nancy, live in Boston, Massachusetts.

Liz McGregor – UK Scholar Care Coordinator

“I am from Scotland but have lived most of my adult life overseas in Nigeria, Ethiopia and in USA. My husband, Malcolm, is an architect by profession and I am music teacher and it was in our professional capacities that we went to Nigeria in 1975. We became SIM missionaries in 1985 and served for 11 years in Ethiopia, living on the campus of Addis Ababa University where my husband lectured in Architecture and Town Planning.

“Although these were dark days in the history of Ethiopia during the communist regime, we were actively involved in a ministry of evangelism, discipleship and leader development amongst graduates and undergraduate students.

“Since leaving Ethiopia in 1996, I have served in various senior leadership roles with SIM which is a large global mission agency that has, throughout its history, had a very strong commitment to Theological education at all levels. In each ministry that I have been involved in, I have always had a very clear focus on personal growth in the Lord, discipleship and leadership development. I have had the privilege to travel to about 70 countries, have lived for some time in Seoul, South Korea and spent a semester of sabbatical study at SAIACs in Bangalore, India.

“In June 2013 Malcolm stepped down from being International Director of SIM, a role he held for 10 years. It has been an enormous joy and privilege to hand on this vital role to a Nigerian colleague, allowing us to return to Scotland after almost 40 years. We live now in Edinburgh where Malcolm is working with one of the larger city centre churches and I am seconded from SIM on a part time basis to the Langham Partnership.

“I was invited to join the Langham Global Scholar Care team in 2014. My role as a Scholar Care Coordinator for those studying in British universities allows me to use my gifts and experience as I invest in Langham scholars and their families. Nothing gives me greater joy than to spend time encouraging men and women in their love for God, for his word and for people.”

Mardochee Nadoumngar – Africa (non South Africa) Scholar Care Coordinator

“I am Mardochee Nadoumngar, born in March 13, 1956 in a Christian family in the city of Doba in south Chad, Africa. I believed in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord in 1964. Later I was baptised on November 21, 1976.

“My education: I got my high school degree in 1981. I was thinking of studying law in university and becoming a lawyer in order to earn more money, but the Lord called me rather to start theological school at Bangui Evangelical School of Theology in October 1982. In July 1987, I got my BA and went back to Chad to serve the Lord. Ten years later, I was sent to further my studies at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. There, I had to learn English first, and then begin theological studies in Fall 1999. Three years later, I got my Th.M in New Testament Studies and went back to Chad. Later in 2009, I had the opportunity to begin my doctoral studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston, USA where I got my D. Min on May 12, 2012. My field study was Pastoral Skills and I wrote my thesis on ‘Mobilising the Chadian Church to understand and treat alcoholism’.

“My work in theological education: From 1989 to 1998, I had served as Academic Dean and professor at ESTES (The Shalom Evangelical Theology in Chad). After I went home from Dallas Theological Seminary, I was teaching for one year at ESTES, and then was appointed Director/Principal of ESTES from 2003 to 2014. Although I was the Director, I also served as a professor.

“During those years I had opportunities to attend Overseas Council’s Institutes of Excellence in Christian Leadership Development from 2002 to 2011. In addition, I have been serving as Assistant Coordinator of CITAF, the association of evangelical seminaries in Francophone Africa from 2012 to 2014. These experiences along teaching in churches, writing 4 doctrine manuals to be taught at grass root level and Bible schools are what I can list at this stage.

“My family: I married Ruth on September 23, 1983 and the Lord granted us 5 children of whom we have 4 boys and one girl. Our daughter has married and had a baby girl.

Bill Houston – South Africa Scholar Care Coordinator

“I was born in Zambia but grew up in Cape Town. I have been married to Joan for 44 years. We have three adult children, a pastor, a doctor and a teacher. I lectured in a missions training college in the UK for 6 years before returning to Pietermaritzburg to teach in a seminary for 13 years. From 2005, I worked for Overseas Council International for 6 years visiting 40 evangelical seminaries in 23 African countries. I retired in 2010 but still teach on a D Min program in Nairobi.

“Last year I went to South Sudan as a consultant to the Africa Inland Church. I am currently a ‘Scholar Care Giver’ of African students doing doctorates in South Africa who are on John Stott scholarships. I have known of the work of Langham in its three divisions for many years and count it a joy to be able to help in a small way.”

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