Gerald
was born in Mexico at a time when his parents
were missionaries among Mexican natives. His
parents returned to Canada when he was still
young and settled in Altona, Manitoba, where
he completed all his elementary and secondary
studies. Studies at CMBC were direction setting—he
had expected to pursue mathematics or the natural
sciences, but during his time at CMBC he became
drawn to Bible and theology.
Gerald has spent most of his working life at CMBC/CMU, serving as Admissions Counsellor, Interim Business Manager, Academic Dean (1982-97) and President (1997-2003 – CMBC; 2003- at CMU). He served one year as Interim President at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.
Gerald has a Bachelor of Christian Education, CMBC (1967); a BA from Bethel College, North Newton, KS (1968); did studies at Earlham School of Religion, Richmond, IN (1968-69); obtained a Master of Divinity, Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN (1973); obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Bible), Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA (1980); was a Fellow, Tyndale House, Cambridge, England (1986); was a Fellow, Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, Collegeville, MN (1987, 1994-95); was a Visiting Scholar, Acadia Divinity College, Wolfville, NS (2002-03).
Gerald and his wife Esther have three children – Nathan (married to Angela Pauls), Brad (married to Natalie Enns) and Virginia. They have been active at Bethel since their marriage in 1971. Gerald and Esther enjoy travelling together, and he enjoys following as many athletic teams as possible.
Selected Publications
- Clues for Gracious Living (Deuteronomy). Youth Bible Study Curriculum, Students' Manual and Teacher's Guide. Newton, Kansas: Faith and Life Press, 1983.
- Better Than Rivers of Oil (Micah). Newton: Faith and Life Press, 1985.
- Kingship According to Deuteronomistic History. Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series #87. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1986.
- “Canadian Mennonite Bible College: An Example of a Bible College." Pp 74-86 in Educating for the Kingdom? Church-Related Colleges in English-Speaking Canada. The Proceedings of a Conference sponsored by University of St. Jerome's College and Conrad Grebel College in Waterloo, Ontario May 1-2, 1990.
- “The 21st Century Calling for a Faithful Community – Strategies,” pp. 230-253, in What Mennonites are Thinking, 1999. Edited by Merle Good and Phyllis Pellman Good, Intercourse, Pa.: Good Books, 1999.
- “Spirituality” in Vision 1:1(2000), 9-11.
- “Scholars as Servants of the Church.” In Direction 14:2 (2004) 133-42.
Selected volunteer involvements
- Board Member and Chairperson, Elim Bible Institute, 1982-86
- Task Force on Seminary Education for the Conference of Mennonites in Canada, 1987-88
- Board Chairperson, Toronto Mennonite theological Institute, 1990-98
- Board Chairperson, Westgate Mennonite Collegiate, 1991-94
- Member of General Conference Review Team for Bethel College and Bluffton College, 1994-95
