Stuart Blythe to leave IBTSC Amsterdam

The Rector of the International Baptist Theological Study Centre is to take up a new position at Acadia Divinity College

The Revd Dr Stuart Blythe, Rector of IBTSC Amsterdam is leaving to take up a new position in Canada, the European Baptist Federation has reported.

Dr Blythe is the first Rector of IBTSC Amsterdam, taking up the post in 2014 and steering the institution through the critical period of establishing the operation in Amsterdam following its move from Prague.

Over the past three years Dr Blythe has successfully overseen the new partnership with the Faculty of Theology at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the first successful PhD promotions. In addition he has overseen the new relationship with Manchester University in the provision of the Masters programme.

Dr Blythe will take up his new position as Associate Professor in the John Gladstone Chair of Preaching and Worship at Acadia Divinity College in September.

Commenting on Dr Blythe’s resignation, chairman of the IBTSC board, Revd Dr John Weaver, said, ' We are deeply indebted to Stuart for the leadership he has provided during the formative years of IBTSC in Amsterdam.

'His commitment to the students, the staff and delivery of high quality academic programmes has been outstanding.

'We are very sorry to lose him but recognise that this new position with Acadia provides a unique opportunity for him to develop his specialisation in homiletics. We wish Stuart every success for the future.'

In his letter of resignation Dr Blythe noted that IBTSC has been successfully relocated from Prague in terms of programmes and that in the next few months the final physical relocation to the new Baptist House in Amsterdam will also be complete.

Dr Blythe, the first head of the institution to be an IBTS graduate alumnus (he obtained his BD degree magna cum laude at Rüschlikon in 1989) said, 'I think that the team at IBTSC have achieved a remarkable amount in the last three years.

'Student numbers on the PhD programme remain good, something of a new narrative has been written, and there is the potential for a long term sustainable future. I wish nothing but the best for IBTSC. I consider this institution in its first incarnation as one of the most significant influences in my life.'