Master of Divinity (MDIV)

Aaron Brown, M.Div.

Director of Master of Arts in Formational Leadership programs, Associate Chair of Special Projects and Innovation, Assistant Professor

“My passion is to craft learning experiences for present and future ministry leaders that instill a passion for deep thinking, foster healthier relationships with God, and nurture a desire to serve Christ humbly in the church and in society.” — Mr. Brown

Aaron Brown, M.Div.

Director of Master of Arts in Formational Leadership programs, Associate Chair of Special Projects and Innovation, Assistant Professor

abrown@lbc.edu

717.569.7071 ext: 5439

Aaron serves as Director of the Master of Art in Ministry (MAM) and Master of Arts in Formational Leadership (MAFL) programs at LBC | Capital. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Biola University and a Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, CA. He is also currently a student in Capital’s Ph.D. in Leadership Studies program. Aaron’s primary research interests include spiritual formation, discipleship, and the influence of digital culture on individuals, communities, and society. He has presented on these subjects at workshops, retreats, and training conferences. Prior to joining Lancaster Bible College, Aaron served in a variety of youth ministry roles including most recently Senior High Youth Director at Living Word Community Church in Red Lion, PA. He and his family currently reside in Mount Joy, PA where he also serves as an elder and teaching team member at his local church.

Education

M.Div. in Adult Christian Education, Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada, CA
B.A. in Biblical Studies, Biola University, La Mirada, CA

Philip Béna, MA

Associate Professor, Master of Arts and Divinity Christian Care Program Director

“Jesus takes care of us, so let’s learn to care for others!” — Rev. Béna

Philip Béna, MA

Associate Professor, Master of Arts and Divinity Christian Care Program Director

pbena@lbc.edu

301.552.1400 ext: 5826

Rev. Philip G. Béna, MA, was a member of a Bible college faculty for 31 years. During that time, he taught and was their Director of Student Ministries and Chairperson for their Department of Psychology and Counseling.  Professor Béna has a B.A. degree in biblical studies and an M.A. in counseling psychology. Presently, he is a Professor and Program Director for the Master of Arts and Divinity Christian Care Programs at Capital.  In addition to his Seminary work, he is an ordained minister and has been an Assistant Pastor at the same Bible church since 1997.  He maintains an active speaking and music ministry to various churches, institutions, organizations and has published four musical recordings.  He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and has served on multiple ministry boards. He has been married to his wife Brenda since 1978. They have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Education

M.A., Bowie State College, Counseling Psychology
B.A., Washington Bible College, Biblical Studies

Ronald Belsterling, Ph.D.

Professor, Youth & Young Adult Ministry Program Director

“Trusting Christ to guide and oversee the teaching-learning process, we hope to produce leaders who make disciples, bringing hope, peace, and joy to those to whom they minister.” — Dr. Belsterling

Ronald Belsterling, Ph.D.

Professor, Youth & Young Adult Ministry Program Director

rbelsterling@lbc.edu

717.569.7071 ext: 5454

Ron has extensive education and academic experience in the fields of youth, family, marriage, & ministry. After graduating from Grove City College as a double major in Psychology & Religion, he attended Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, accruing 36 credit hours in an M.A. program. After obtaining an M.S. in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University, he pursued doctoral studies at Syracuse University (Ph.D. ABD in Child & Family Studies) and Biola University (Ph.D. in Education). Procuring a grant in one case, Ron has led and collaborated on several research and writing projects primarily focusing on attachment, mentoring, youth work, and the religiosity of youth. He has published chapters, articles, and reviews in academic texts, journals, and trade resources. Ron recently published the text, A Defense of Youth Ministry: Attachment Relationship Ministry, which is being used in Higher Ed classrooms from the U.S to the U.K.” On a broad variety of topics, Ron has also presented papers at academic conferences and speaks regularly to youth workers, pastors, and youth. He has served on or consulted with the Board of Directors of multiple organizations, most recently overseeing research presentations, leadership nominations, and a graduate-student-scholarship sub-committee, as a board member for the Association of Youth Ministry Educators.

Education

Ph.D., Biola University,Education
M.S., Villanova University, Counseling & Human Relations
B.A., Grove City College, Psychology/Religion

Esther Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Interim Chair, Church & Ministry Leadership | Children & Family Ministry Program Director

“My heart is that there would be many more leaders who share God’s heart for children and are equipped to reach and disciple them wherever they are found.” — Dr. Zimmerman

Esther Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Interim Chair, Church & Ministry Leadership | Children & Family Ministry Program Director

ezimmerman@lbc.edu

717.569.7071 ext: 5314

Esther is Scottish though she now makes Pennsylvania her home. She attended Cairn University (B.S., Bible and B.S., Secondary Education), Pennsylvania State University (M.Ed., Training Design and Development) and earned a Ph.D. from Lancaster Bible College | Capital Bible Seminary & Graduate School. She has been teaching full-time at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Bible Seminary & Graduate School since January 2016. Prior to that, she served for 12 years as International Children’s Ministry Director for a global mission organization while also supporting her husband in local church ministry. Esther has been blessed with a global ministry perspective as she led a training project that extended to 60 countries. Her passion is multiplication of discipleship ministry to children in their families and communities and she continues to serve as an active member of the Global Children’s Forum and 1/50 Initiative. She and her husband, David, have three children: Rebekah, Daniel and Abigail.

Education

Ph.D. in Leadership – Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School, Lancaster, PA
M.Ed. in Instructional Design – Pennsylvania State University, Centre County, PA
B.S. in Bible & Education/Secondary English – Cairn University, Langhorne Manor, PA

Mark Farnham, Ph.D.

Professor, MABS in Christian Apologetics Program Director

“Young pastors face a far more complex world than previous generations, so be sure you get the best possible preparation for ministry.” — Dr. Farnham

Mark Farnham, Ph.D.

Professor, MABS in Christian Apologetics Program Director

mfarnham@lbc.edu

717.569.7071 ext: 5553

Dr. Mark Farnham has been training future pastors for more than fifteen years at the undergraduate and seminary level. He was born and raised in western Connecticut, and knew he wanted to be a pastor by the time he was twelve years old. After seminary he led the revitalization of an urban church in New London, CT for seven years as the senior pastor. Since that time he has taught Apologetics, Systematic Theology, Ethics, and Church History in seminary, and Pastoral Studies at LBC. He is also the Founder and Director of Apologetics for the Church, a local church training ministry dedicated to equipping the average church member to effectively defend and share the Christian faith. He earned the PhD in Apologetics from Westminster Theological Seminary and a ThM in New Testament from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He loves preparing future pastors and watching God move them into positions of service in the local church for the glory of God and the shepherding of His flock. He blogs at https://apolotheo.wordpress.com.  

Education

Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary, Apologetics
Th.M.,Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, New Testament
M.Div., Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary, Pastoral Ministry
B.A., Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Pastoral Studies

Fun Fact

Hobbies: Hiking, fishing, travel, history, New England sports teams

Verse

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV)

Douglas Finkbeiner, Ph.D.

Professor and M.A.B.S. Director

“It is my great joy to know Christ and to minister His Word to others for His glory.” — Dr. Finkbeiner

Douglas Finkbeiner, Ph.D.

Professor and M.A.B.S. Director

dfinkbeiner@lbc.edu

717.569.7071 ext: 5372

Dr. Doug Finkbeiner and his wife Sheri have been married for 32 years and have 6 children between the ages of 20 and 29. Doug has 13 years of pastoral experience and speaks extensively at churches and conferences. In 1997 Doug became a full-time professor at Calvary Baptist Seminary and began teaching in the area of New Testament and Practical Theology. In 2014 Doug became a full-time professor at Lancaster Bible College, where he teaches primarily in the area of the New Testament at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level. He especially enjoys teaching undergraduate and graduate students how to interpret and communicate the Bible. He has completed four graduate degrees-- a Master of Divinity from Calvary Baptist Seminary (1985), a Master of Theology from Calvary Baptist Seminary (1989), a Doctor of Ministry from Denver Seminary (1995), and a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania (2010). While his doctoral degree at Denver Seminary focused on preaching, his doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania focused on Early Judaism and Early Christianity.

Publications

• “An Examination of ‘Make Disciples of All Nations’ (Part 1): Calvary Baptist   Theological Journal 7:1 (1991): 12-42.
• “An Examination of ‘Make Disciples of All Nations’ (Part 2),” Calvary Baptist Theological Journal 7:2 (1991): 1-10.
•  “Variety in Worship: ‘Innovation, not Accommodation,’” Calvary Baptist Theological Journal 9:2 (1993): 17-25.
• “An Analysis of the Structure of Proverbs 28-29,” Calvary Baptist Theological Journal 11:2 (1995): 1-14.
• “Peeling Away the Layers,”  Frontline Magazine, November/December 2007, 16-17.
• Review of The Samaritans in Flavius Josephus, by Reinhard Pummer, in Journal of the American Oriental Society, 2011 (131.1),  8-9.
• “Think about it: A call to engage with our culture through thoughtful evaluation,” Echo Magazine,  Summer, 2017.

Education

Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
D.Min., Denver Seminary
Th.M., Calvary Baptist Seminary
M.Div., Calvary Baptist Seminary

Verse

Phil. 3:10