Faculty

Biography: Gonam Raju is the Associate Dean of Online Education.  He lives in Barrhead, Alberta. Since 1964, Gonam has been working in education as a teacher and administrator. He worked at the Alberta Distance Learning Center(ADLC) for over twenty years, and most recently as CEO Supervising Principal since 1997.

Gonam helped the co-founders of IBOLT (now Vanguard College Online) to get their online courses developed for use by students. After retiring from ADLC Gonam was appointed the Registrar for Vanguard College in Edmonton and served from 2005 to 2009. Based on his extensive experience with distance learning (since 1964) Gonam was appointed Director of IBOLT in November 2009.  He now serves as Vanguard College Online Associate Director.

Education: B.A. (Psychology and History), University of South Africa; Honours B.A. (History), University of South Africa; Bachelor of Education (with distinction), University of South Africa; Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting, Economics), University of South Africa; Masters of Education, University of Alberta

gonam.raju@vanguardcollege.com

Biography: Anil V. Satralkar comes from Maharashtra State of India. He served as an associate Pastor at the Christian Faith Centre, Chembur, Mumbai during 1984-86. During this period God enabled him to pioneer a church in the suburbs of Mumbai. Later the Lord led him to the ministry of theological education. Since 1993 he has been living and serving in the Kolkata, West Bengal. Before coming to Kolkata, he served as the Academic Dean at the Eastern Bible College, Dimapur, Nagaland. He received his ministry credentials and ordination from the Assemblies of God of East India. At present he serves as the Academic Dean and teaches at the Assembly of God Church, Buntain Theological College. He lives with his wife Ashalata Satralkar and two daughters Ashnil and Anisha.

He assisted in establishing and coordinated the ministry of seven extension Bible Schools under the umbrella of the Assembly of God Church, Kolkata. He also assisted in the Pastoral ministry of the adult section of the Assembly of God Church Kolkata for six years. Apart from his involvement in the theological education, he serves as the Vice President of the Bridge of Life. He is also the co-founder along with his wife for the First Love Ministries of India in Kolkata nurturing, caring, lodging, boarding and educating fully orphan and abandoned girls. Anil finds it a great privilege to be on the faculty of the Instructors for Vanguard College Online (formerly IBOLT) since 2009.

Education: Bachelor of Theology (B.Th), and Bachelor of Divinity (B.D) from Southern Asia Bible College, Bangalore, South India, Master in Theology (M. Th.), Systematic Theology from South Asia Institute of Advance Christian Studies, Bangalore, Doctorate in Ministry (D. Min.) from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary Springfield Missouri, USA.

anil.satralkar@vanguardcollege.com

Biography: Gerry is the co-founder of IBOLT (now Vanguard College Online).  He served in pastoral ministry in Alberta and Ontario. He also served as Director of World Mission Communications for the PAOC, President of Vanguard College, Executive Director of Mission of Mercy and as principal of International Biblical Online Leadership Training (IBOLT), now Vanguard College Online. He now leads ALONGSIDE – leading better as an instructor, coach, and facilitator. Gerry and his wife Karen have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Theology (Pastoral Studies) from Vanguard College; Honors M.A. in Leadership and Management, Briercrest Seminary.

gerry.johnson@vanguardcollege.com

Biography: Burton K. Janes was an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador. He and his wife, Sherry, live in Bay Roberts, NL and have two grown children, Krista and Christopher.  Burton is a writer, editor and online instructor.  He is the author of several books, including eight in his History of Churches series. He is the editor of Beyond Aslan: Essays on C.S. Lewis.

Education: Memorial University of Newfoundland, B.A., M.A.; Eastern Pentecostal Bible College, Dip.Th. 

burton.janes@vanguardcollege.com

Biography:

Education: Bachelor of Science (Microbiology & Immunology), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Master of Divinity (Pastoral), Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia.

nathan.hill@vanguardcollege.com

Biography: Jay and his wife Kathy-Sue, along with their three children live in Edmonton, AB.  Jay is the Worship Arts Program Director at Vanguard College.  Jay loves mountain top experiences… skiing with the family each February break.  His favourite recent quote is from his 8 year old daughter Holly, “When I walk to school, I hear God talking to me.”

Education: Certificate in Cinema, Television, Stage and Radio Arts, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology; Bachelor of Religious Education, Vanguard College; MA in Worship, Briercrest Seminary; Doctor of Worship Studies, Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies

jay.dyrland@vanguardcollege.com.com

Biography:   

Rob and Lorinda Bedard are extremely proud parents of two great sons, Cameron and Stephen (wife Lisa).

In 1989, Rob’s ministry began in Ontario where he youth pastored in Christian Life Assembly (Thornhill), Mississauga Gospel Temple (now Portico), and Parkwood Gospel Temple (Windsor).  Moving to Selkirk, Manitoba, Rob led his first church, Bethel Chapel.  After serving as Assistant Pastor (Adult Ministries) in Terrace Pentecostal Assembly (Terrace, BC), Rob returned to Manitoba where he served as District Ministry Director in the Manitoba & Northwestern Ontario District Office of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.  For nine years Rob served as Lead Pastor of Bethel Tabernacle, Ladysmith, before accepting the call to serve as a Leadership Development Pastor at Beulah Alliance Church (C&MA), Edmonton, Alberta.  Most recently Rob serves as Associate Pastor (Serve) at Christian Life Assembly, Langley, BC, where he focuses on the health and development of staff and volunteers.

In 2002 Rob founded The Leadership Institute, offering leadership training workshops to churches and organizations.  Whether Rob is teaching in Canada or abroad; whether he is teaching in ministry training schools, secular universities or churches; or whether Rob is teaching higher education courses or leadership training workshops, Rob’s passion for Jesus, His Word and His Kingdom are best expressed when he teaches and mentors tomorrow’s ministers. Rob is a certified coach for Birkman, and for years has coached individual and teams of leaders through StrengthsFinder.

In 2014 Rob became an online adjunct faculty member and, while living in Edmonton, AB, Rob served as a part-time campus professor at Vanguard College. In October 2019 Rob became a part-time faculty member of Trinity Western University (MA LEAD).

Education: B.Th. in Pastoral Theology, Eastern Pentecostal Bible College (now Master's College & Seminary), Peterborough, ON; M.A. in Leadership & Training, Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC; D.Th in Practical Theology, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.

robert.bedard@vanguardcollege.com

Biography:
Matt is the director of our Youth Ministry program. Since beginning his youth ministry career in 1995, he has served in churches across Canada and is passionate about the training and development of youth leaders.  

Education: B.Th in Youth Ministry, EPBC (now Masters College and Seminary), M.A. - Marriage and Family Counseling, Liberty University

matt.ball@vanguardcollege.com

Biography: Jenna lives in St. John’s, NL with her husband Jérémie. She currently serves as the Regional Manager of Pastoral Care & Ethics, Acute Care, with Eastern Health (the largest integrated health organization in Newfoundland and Labrador). Her previous experience includes hospital chaplaincy and church ministry, where she served in the role of Youth Pastor for about 10 years. Her passion is working with youth and young adults, through discipleship, mentoring, & teaching. She spends her free time adventuring, reading, and drinking coffee.

Education:  B.A. (Theology; Youth Ministry Major), Vanguard College, M.A. Counselling, Providence Seminary.

jenna.king-poirier@vanguardcollege.com

Biography: Erin has found her life in ministry to be more adventurous than she imagined. She has been involved in ministry within Edmonton, Metro-Vancouver, the jungles of Malaysia, and leading students on short-term Missions Trips. Over the past twenty years Erin has served on pastoral staff in churches, leading a one-year discipleship program, directing youth camps, and campus ministry. Her involvement at Vanguard College has included: Youth Ministry Institute Assistant Director, Field Education Assistant Director, Assistant to the President, and the Biblical Studies Assistant. She has undertaken her education with a heart to serve God’s people and is invested in seeing students engage with God through His Word and uncover their potential as Faith, life and work intersect. Erin and her husband, Darrell, live in Edmonton with their two children, Owen and Charlotte, and have one more on the way!

Education: Diploma of Theology, Christ for the Nations, Bible College; B.A. (Theology, Youth Ministry Major), Vanguard College; M.A. Christian Ministry (Youth & Family), Briercrest Seminary; M.A. Theological Studies (Old Testament), Briercrest Seminary

erin.wiens@vanguardcollege.com

Biography:
Brad has been teaching Old Testament and Pastoral courses at Vanguard College as well as online teaching with Vanguard College Online.

Education:  Diploma in Bible​ from Atlantic Baptist College (now Crandall University), ​B.A.​ from St. Thomas University, Diploma in Library Technology​ from Lakehead University, a M.L.I.S.  from the University of Western Ontario and a M.A. from Briercrest Seminary. 

brad.fawcett@vanguardcollege.com

Biography: James is a Vanguard alumnus. After graduation, he moved to Toronto to study the Hebrew Bible and write a thesis on social justice in Ecclesiastes. In July 2017 he married Kirstyn, a PhD student in Clinical Psychology.

James has a heart for integrating Christ’s Church and academics. He currently serves as the Worship Arts Pastor at Warden Full Gospel Assembly in Scarborough, ON. He has experience teaching a variety of online and in-person courses. He is interested in music ministry, pentecostal theology, biblical languages, and Old Testament studies.

Education: B.A. in Theology (Music Ministry Major, Biblical Studies Minor), Vanguard College; M.A. in Theology (Hebrew Bible), University of St. Michael’s College 

james.macknight@vanguardcollege.com

Biography: Brian and his wife Terry reside in Edmonton. They have 3 married children and 4 grandchildren. Brian graduated from NBC in 1976, then helped plant Spruce Grove Community Church. After serving on staff for 6 years he went on to further studies and in 1989 began his 19 years role of Professor of NT Studies at Central Pentecostal College (renamed Horizon College and Seminary).
Presently he is a freelance writer, speaker/teacher, and online coach. He is the author of a commentary on 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Full Life Bible Commentary) and is now writing two books on Proverbs. 

Education:  Diploma of Theology, Northwest Bible College; BA University of Alberta; MCS, Regent College.

Brian.Glubish@vanguardcollege.com