27th October 2025
Stories
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Director of Reader Training
Rev Dr Benjamin Leighton
Ben oversees the training of Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) at St Hild and teaches modules in Biblical Studies
More about Ben:
I'm currently working on a couple of writing projects at the moment. The main one is focused on turning my PhD thesis into a book. The book will deal with Paul's 'sin' language in Romans and is all about how he not only thought about sin as human behaviour, but as an agent who victimises people. All being well, it should be out next year! I'm also a part of two churches in Bradford (St Margaret's and Fountains), where my wife is on the team, so I'm enjoying getting to know everyone in those communities. I'm originally from the South East (near Brighton) but moved to Bradford about three years ago. I love the outdoors and impromptu chats with a stranger, so I'm really enjoying Yorkshire! Theological study has had a huge impact on my own faith and relationship with God, so I'm really excited to be in involved in the ways that God is and will encounter and change people through being a part of the St Hild community. It's a real privilege to spend time among others who are pursuing God in their thinking and ministries, and to be a part of encouraging that!
Academic and Formation Tutor
Rev Jo Harbidge-Summers
Jo oversees development, learning and formation through St Hild Online.
More about Jo:
Outside of St Hild, I am in my third year of a part-time PhD, researching guest-host dynamics in hospitality as a lens for mission. My particular focus has been an ethnographic study of a community garden and the relationships emerging between church and community there. My first degree was in English and fine art, followed by a PGCE, which led me to my first teaching job in beautiful mid-Wales in a Welsh-speaking secondary school. If anyone wants to practice Welsh with me, I'm still learning and happy to chat! I love to get outside and paddleboard along rivers and on the sea with husband Matt. I'm also a keen grower of vegetables, whenever I can get access to an available plot.
Academic and Formation Tutor
Dave Horsfall
Dave was an Associate Faculty member with St Hild between 2021 and 2025, teaching Christology, Introduction to New Testament, Mission and Evangelism and Preparing to Learn. In August 2025, he began his role as Academic and Formation Tutor.
More about Dave:
I have led Leeds School of Theology for the last six years, which has helped people in local churches access theological study in an informal and encouraging environment. I am also completing a PhD with Durham University, looking at Jesus' radical questioning of the family in Mark's Gospel. I belong to Mosaic Church Leeds, where I preach and teach on a regular basis. I am a perennial student and have currently amassed one BA, one MSc, one MA, one GDip and am hoping to add a PhD soon (but then that's it!). Growing up in Chesterfield means I am a Spirerites fan (let the reader understand). I love travel and having recently visited New Zealand have a strong desire to get back there as it is stunning. I love hanging out with my family and my church family. I don't mind what we do too much; I just like being around them. The thing that excites me is that each student has a desire to grow closer to Jesus and be a means by which his grace is extended to those around them. Everyone gets to play a part, and everyone can have a profound encounter with God. I love getting to see this happen and hearing from students how God is at work.
Centre for Baptist Ministry Administrator
Helen Swan
Helen is the Administrator for the St Hild Centre for Baptist Ministry
More about Helen:
Outside of St Hild, I'm a mum to 3 children: aged 8, 6 and 3. On the days I'm not working at St Hild, I'm looking after my very active 3-year-old boy, which I love. I love travelling, adventure and trying new things. When I visited New Zealand, I went sky diving, black water rafting and bungy jumping! In my spare time, I love exploring new areas of the Peak District with my family and friends. Over the summer, I loved wild swimming near Chatsworth, cycling round Ladybower and having a picnic on Mam Tor. I also love singing and sing with Vivacity Choir in Hillsborough. I'm excited that my role helps facilitate the training of Baptist Students at St Hild. I'm excited to be able to journey with the students as they grow deeper roots in Jesus and transform the community around them. I'm also excited to be involved in creating pieces for social media and communications for the CBM.
Baptist Formation Programme Leader 
Rev Dr Nike Adebajo
Nike is the Baptist Formation Programme Leader. She is also a regional minister in the Yorkshire Baptist Association, with responsibility for churches in South Yorkshire and Huddersfield and the lead for justice issues in the association.
More about Nike:
I am a Regional Minister with the Yorkshire Baptist Association with responsibility for supporting churches and Baptist ministers in South Yorkshire and those in the Eastern Area. I lead on justice issues in the Association, including helping our churches move from multi-ethnic to inter-ethnic churches as well as helping our churches respond to Project Violet, a piece of research into the experience of women ministers in our Baptist family. I was born and raised in Nigeria, have a degree in something that no one would guess PhD in Socio-linguistics, and no, it’s not being multi-lingual, but the study of language in society. I crochet (knitting takes too long), and I'm not a gardener at all, but I love visiting gardens. As a formation lead for Baptist Ministers in Training, it’s seeing our student ministers grow.
Academic and Formation Tutor
Dr Andy Wier
Andy works part-time as a St Hild Academic and Formation Tutor primarily in Lincoln. Alongside his role, he runs a research and consultancy practice.
More about Andy:
Alongside my St Hild role, I have recently established a new research and consultancy practice called Winging It Consulting. The heart behind Winging It Consulting is seeking to resource faithful improvisation in mission through research and consultancy that is rigorous, relevant, playful, provocative, empowering and transformative. I am also a Lay Reader in my local church and a co-director of my wife's counselling practice - Sheffield Central Counselling.
I've done a few crazy running challenges over the years. A few years ago, I ran the whole Northumberland Coast (126 miles) in one weekend, starting in Berwick-upon-Tweed, running round Lindisfarne, and then finishing off in Newcastle with the Great North Run! I wouldn't be able to run that distance now, but last year I set myself the challenge of seeing how many different towns/cities I could run to from my home in Sheffield. The furthest I got was Manchester - 40 miles from Sheffield via the Peak District. I love the St Hild vision of 'Deeper Roots and Wider Horizons'. It's a phrase that neatly encapsulates what I think a lot of my previous work has been about, and I'm excited to be continuing this in a new context.
