Jon has been a missionary in Lebanon, a theological student at Aberdeen University and part of the first intake of Cornhill Scotland. Having finished Cornhill, he was the Assistant Minister at Plains Evangelical Church near Airdrie, and then the first pastor of Bruntsfield Evangelical Church in Edinburgh. For five years Jon was the Director for Conferences and Resources at The Proclamation Trust in London. In 2021, Jon returned to Scotland to join the team at Cornhill in Glasgow.
Andy left a career in Respiratory Medicine to join the staff of St Helen’s Bishopsgate working with Dick Lucas. He went on to be Assistant Pastor at Spicer Street Church in St Albans, and then was for 12 years Senior Pastor of Beeston Evangelical Free Church in Nottingham. He joined the Cornhill staff as Co-director of the Cornhill Training Course (Scotland) in 2011. He is also Director of the Pastors’ Training Course (PTC).
Charles joined the Cornhill Staff in January 2015. He studied Biochemistry and then worked as a Research Assistant at Aberdeen University. He went on to study Divinity before embarking on a career in Education. He taught at Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen and for 12 years in Zambia, at Chengelo School, where he was the Headteacher.
Edward has been with Cornhill Scotland since it started in 2005. He was the Director of the Cornhill Training Course until 2022. Before coming to Scotland Edward was in full-time ministry since 1976. He served a number of parishes, most recently St Peter’s Stapenhill at Burton-on-Trent.
Peter was in church ministry in Aberdeen from 1996 until 2015 before becoming Team Leader for UCCF in Scotland. He is married to Eleanor and they belong to Edinburgh North Church.
Having been an elder at Easterhill Community Church, Challum joined us as a tutor in 2024. He has grown up, worked, and been a part of local churches in the East End of Glasgow for most of his life. He still lives there with his wife and three children.
Carla studied English Literature and Theatre Studies and worked coordinating the activities in a care home before joining the Cornhill team in April 2024. You’ll find her in the Cornhill Office on the first floor surrounded by stationary.
Graeme worked for Standard Life in Edinburgh. He took early retirement and completed Cornhill in 2010 and subsequently took on the Treasurers role – much of his work is done remotely but he pops through to Glasgow on a regular basis. He is on the leadership team of Edinburgh North Church.
William Philip is minister at The Tron Church in Glasgow City Centre where he is committed to Biblical expository preaching and training. Formerly he spent 5 years directing the ministry of the Proclamation Trust in London. He regularly teaches parts of the Cornhill Training Course.
Agnes heads up the Women’s Stream on the Scottish Cornhill Training Course. Agnes has been on the staff of the Tron Church since 2003 where she leads the ministry of Women and Children’s work.
The London Cornhill started as a hopeful, but enthusiastic, experiment. After a dozen or so years under David Jackman’s fine leadership, with more people applying each year than can be accommodated, any doubts as to its usefulness have disappeared.
The pattern of a year’s serious study of Scripture, specially designed with those in mind who hope to have a preaching, or teaching, ministry, plus a church placement where oversight and help can be received locally, as well as opportunities taken for ministry and practical service, has proved a ‘winner’.
It seems that in days when young converts often have little Bible background this course meets a real need. It is also clear that in the sometimes hostile, often unhelpful, atmosphere of academic theology, this preparation is invaluable and stabilizing for ordinands. Further, it is evident that Cornhill is a significant opportunity for those who come to discover whether or not ‘word ministry’ is for them.
So I could go on. It will be clear that I am an enthusiast for this type of training. May this great venture surpass all that has been achieved so far.
Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois
Those of us who have closely watched the ways in which the Cornhill course in England has helped many people understand their Bibles better, and learn, too, better ways of teaching them, cannot help but rejoice over the inauguration of The Cornhill Training Course in Scotland.
In a time of considerable spiritual dearth and remarkable biblical illiteracy, we should be grateful to God for every instrument that God raises up to combat these discouraging and evil trends. Moreover, the choice of Edward Lobb as Scottish Cornhill’s first Director is already ample evidence of God’s blessing on the endeavour.
I have had the privilege of watching Mr Lobb in several settings, but above all in his responsibilities as minister in charge in St Peter’s, Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent. That is the church my wife and I almost invariably attend when we are visiting her family in the Midlands — and never have we come away unfed. Edward Lobb has a remarkable ability to get across what Scripture says straightforwardly, simply (without descending to the simplistic), attractively — and his personal gifts of friendship strike me as no less honed.
I earnestly hope and pray that Christian leaders in Scotland will quickly recognize the gospel potential of Cornhill Scotland, and lend it their support.
Learning to handle the Bible with faithfulness and accuracy and to communicate it to others with clarity and relevance is the heart of the vision for the Cornhill Training Course in Scotland. It offers a year’s investment towards a lifetime’s ministry, in developing practical skills tied in to front line experience in local churches. The agenda is specific and focused. The goal is to see God raise up a new gospel work-force, equipped to preach and teach his unchanging Word throughout the land.
Its location in Glasgow is strategic for its accessibility, not only from Scotland, but also from Ireland and northern England. Its duration for one academic year makes it feasible for people at different stages and from varying backgrounds to enrol for this excellent foundation training. It is especially valuable for young people who are seeking to discern God’s will for their long-term future, with gospel ministry very much in view.
I am delighted that the course is full-time and under the expert leadership of Edward Lobb. I warmly commend it to the churches as a valuable new opportunity to deepen and strengthen Biblical ministry, both in Scotland and further afield.
I’m delighted to endorse the new Cornhill Training Course in Scotland. As crucial and irreplaceable as theological training is, it does not usually prepare us well for the actual practice of preaching, teaching, and pastoring. The Cornhill training, however, bridges the gap between school and our work. It develops skill in the core function of gospel ministry—understanding and clearly communicating God’s Word to people.
There’s no better place location for such a ministry in Scotland than the very heart of its largest city, Glasgow. Having worked with Willie Philip over the years, I know that (as chairman) he’s the one to oversee this enterprise.
If I could begin my pastoral ministry all over again, I would sign up for the Cornhill Training Course — especially now that it is offered in my own city, Glasgow. Having benefited at a distance from its instruction, I cannot commend it highly enough.
Who knows but that this course will serve to see the fulfillment of Glasgow’s ancient motto:
“Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of Your Word…”
And not only this city, but the cities of the world!
Cornhill Scotland
31 Bath St,
Glasgow,
G2 1HW,
United Kingdom
Email: info@cornhill.scot
Tel. No: +44 (0)141 333 0152
