Ivor Poobalan
Principal
BA (Hons), ThM, PhD
BA (Hons), ThM, PhD
Graduate of the London School of Theology (UK), and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (USA), where he earned the ThM in Old Testament and Semitic Languages. He was awarded the PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Cape Town (South Africa) for his thesis that argued for the re-examination of the meaning of the Pauline phrase ‘The God of this Age’ in 2 Corinthians 4:4. He is a leader at the Kollupitiya Methodist Church, and ministers primarily through preaching, youth-guidance, and teaching 13-17 year olds in Sunday School. He serves as Co-Chair of the Theology Working Group of the Lausanne Movement.
Ravin Caldera
Academic Dean
DipAgri, BTh, BA, MA
DipAgri, BTh, BA, MA
A graduate of the CTS and the Open University of Sri Lanka. He holds a Masters degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary and has many years of experience in pioneer church planting. Due to his understanding of the Ancient Middle East and biblical geography, he has been a key resource person for maps in publications in Sri Lanka. He is an ordained minister of the Living Christ Church
Mano Emmanuel
Head of Academic Advancement
FCCA, BTh, MA, PhD
FCCA, BTh, MA, PhD
Graduate of the London School of Theology (UK). She was awarded a PhD in Peace Studies from the Asia Graduate School of Theology (Philippines). She worships in the Methodist Church where she is a Local Preacher. Author of To Faith Add Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Doctrine, and Interpersonal Reconciliation between Christians in a Shame-Oriented Culture: A Sri Lankan Case Study. Formerly, Academic Dean at CTS. Her previous career was as an accountant in London’s West End.
Julian Devadason
BTh, MDiv, MTh (candidate)
Assistant Academic Dean at CTS. Graduate of the South Asia Institute of Theology (SAIT, Sri Lanka), and the Asia Center for Theological Studies and Mission (ACTS, South Korea). He is currently reading for an MTh from the South African Theological Seminary (South Africa). He serves as a Ministry Associate for Ambassadors for Christ International, and a Pro-Life Speaker for the Abortion Survivors Network. A member of St James Church Chilaw.
Einsteen Fernando
HND (Counselling), BTh, PgDip (BAPC)
A graduate of CTS, Einsteen served many years as a pastor of the Kochchikade branch church of Kithu Sevana Ministries. He also served as a teacher and vice principal at the Kithu Sevana Discipleship Training Centre. Involved in the counselling ministry he earned his Higher National Diploma in Counselling from the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.
Sanath Athukorala
BSc, BTh, MA (Hons), PhD
Spiritual Formation Coordinator at CTS. A graduate of CTS, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, an MA in Christian Education (2007) and a PhD in Education (2020) from the Torch Trinity Graduate University (South Korea). He has over 20 years of experience in ministry and teaching and is a member of All Nations Church Sri Lanka.
Dilip Gunaweera
BTh
A graduate of CTS, Dilip is the Coordinator of CTS' Study Centre in the North Central Province. He formerly served as an Assistant Pastor of the Hanwella branch of the Calvary Church and Pastor-in-charge of the Sinhala Division of the Moratuwa branch. He is currently a lay preacher and leader at the Ceylon Church in Anuradhapura.
Johnson Sandrasegar
BTh, MA (candidate)
A graduate of CTS, Johnson holds a Certificate of Old Testament and New Testament Christianity from the International College of Theology, Korea. He has served for many years as an adjunct faculty member and has taught widely in CTS’ Tamil-medium Provincial centres. He is the Senior Pastor at the Tabernacle of Mount Zion for over twenty years, and also serves as the the Secretary General of the Christian Ministers Fellowship of North Colombo.
Rajaram Hariharan
BTh, MMin
Extensions Manager at CTS. A graduate of Trinity Theological College (Singapore), Hariharan has served long years in youth ministry, and brings with him the rich experience of living in the Northern province throughout the civil war and working within the trilingual ministry of YFC. He worships at Methodist Church, Moore Road, Wellawatte.
Nathanael Somanathan
BEng, MA, PhD (candidate)
An Associate Pastor at Christian Revival Crusade and a PhD student at the University of Birmingham, UK. He specialises in historical and systematic theology, with a focus on theological anthropology. He combines pastoral ministry with academic teaching, offering insights that bridge theological scholarship and practical ministry. His work engages deeply with ecclesial history and doctrinal development, fostering a richer understanding of theology for students and church communities alike.
Vanaja Rajkumar
BTh
Assistant Librarian at CTS in Kohuwela and Coordinator at CTS' Study Centre in North Colombo. Besides being involved in women's and children's ministries and she is a trained 'Master Facilitator in Healing the Wounds of Trauma (Children)' and a Senior Facilitator of 'Mother Design'. She has worked for four years as the Administrative Coordinator of the Tamil Division of Sathiya Vasanam (Back to the Bible). She is a member of St.Thomas’ Church, Ginthupitiya.
Christnie Edirisinghe
BTh, MA (candidate)
Coordinator: Children’s Ministry at CTS. A graduate of CTS. She has worked as a Sunday school and pre-school teacher for nearly twenty years and then as the director of the Moratuwa branch of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). She is working on her Master’s degree dissertation in Holistic Child Development at the Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS), Philippines.
Adjunct/Visiting Faculty
David C Goodwin
Cert IV in AWT, Dip Couns, Grad Dip Min, MMin, DMin
International Director of Kidsreach. Is passionate about children’s, youth and family ministries. Has been working as a pastor, trainer and counsellor for more than 50 years. Based in Sydney, Australia, David has been ministering in Sri Lanka since 1994. Has written more than 70 books and manuals on ministry and counselling. Is an ordained pastor with the CRC church and travels extensively training in ministry and counselling.
Denisa Poobalan
BTh, MA
Graduate of CTS (BTh; MA in Biblical Studies). Having begun her career as a lecturer in computer studies, she moved on to serve as a stay-at-home mum to her two daughters. She worships and serves at the Kollupitiya Methodist Church.
Dileeni Abraham
BSc, MA
Course Leader: Counselling at CTS. A graduate of the University of Peradeniya and Alliance Biblical Seminary (Philippines). Holds an MA in Christian Counselling, with many years of professional counselling experience. She is certified as a Master Facilitator by the Trauma Healing Institute of the American Bible Society. Her ministry includes training and mentoring lay counsellors, teaching counselling, leading trauma healing equipping sessions, and leading women’s retreats. She worships at Kollupitiya Methodist Church.
Duleep Fernando
BSc (Eng), BD, ThM
A Methodist Minister (retired). Graduate of the University of Peradeniya, London School of Theology (UK), and Fuller Theological Seminary (USA). With a professional background in Engineering, he lectured at the College of Higher Technology, Katubedda (later, the University of Moratuwa). He is a former President of the Methodist Church, Sri Lanka.
G P V Somaratna
BA, MA (Missiology), MA (Theology), PgDip (Demography), PhD
Research Professor Emeritus at CTS. A prolific researcher and author of books and academic articles. He was Professor of Modern History at the University of Colombo, and has been Visiting Professor at the Truman Institute of the Hebrew University (Jerusalem), Lee University (USA), and Fuller Theological Seminary (USA). Author of the seven-volumed Bible Encyclopedia in Sinhala.
Havilah Dharamraj
BSc, MA, PhD
Faculty in Old Testament at the South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS, India). Having earned an MSc in Biochemistry, she went on to obtain an MA in Christianity from SAIACS, and subsequently a PhD from the University of Durham (UK). A writer and editor, she is a contributor to and editor (OT) of the South Asia Bible Commentary. Her areas of academic interest include OT narrative, and comparative literature which converses biblical texts with the sacred texts of other faiths.
Heather Davediuk Gingrich
PhD
A counsellor, scholar, teacher, and former missionary. Serves as Program Coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Trauma Therapy, is on the graduate counselling faculty at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia, and maintains a counselling practice with complex trauma survivors. The author of Restoring the Shattered Self; co-author of Skills for Effective Counselling; and co-editor/contributor to Treating Trauma in Christian Counselling. Her scholarly work focuses on understanding and working with those who have histories of child abuse and other forms of relational trauma, particularly as they relate to issues of Christian faith and spirituality.
John Daniel
MTh, PhD
Academic Dean and Head of the Department of Intercultural Studies at South Asia Institute for Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS, India). He has also been an adjunct faculty member at several Bible schools in Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Specialising in diaspora studies, his academic research is supported by over three decades of pastoral leadership.
Mandy Kellums Baraka
BS, MA, PhD
Associate Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the School of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Therapy at Wheaton College (USA). She is also a clinical licensed professional counsellor in Illinois, a qualified supervisor, and a Registered Play Therapist. After she earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southwest Baptist University, she lived in Southeast Asia and South Asia for a decade working in the field of education. She then pursued a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College, and subsequently earned her PhD in Counsellor Education from Regent University. She has published articles on multiculturalism, faith practices and spirituality, and supervision.
Manjula Mathews
CCS, FCMA, MBA, MA (candidate)
She is a practising counsellor and is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as well as EMDR. She has extensive work experience in the corporate sector both in Sri Lanka and the UK. Her current responsibilities include serving as a director of First Capital Holdings PLC in Sri Lanka, and Habitat for Humanity International. She worships at People’s Church Assembly of God.
Mitchelle Peiris
BTh, MA
A Licensed Minister with the Assemblies of God of Ceylon, she has been involved in developing curricula for youth ministry at a national level. A graduate of Asia Pacific Theological Seminary and Southern Asia Bible College. She serves as a visiting lecturer teaching courses on practical theology and history at Bible colleges in Sri Lanka.
N Earnest
BTh, MDiv, ThM
Graduate of CTS (BTh), and the International School of Theology‒Asia (Philippines). He has served as a full-time faculty member and MA Programme Coordinator at CTS. He is an ordained clergyman in the Anglican Church.
Reupah Philips
PhD
A Counselling Psychologist in Bangalore (India) with experience of over 15 years in teaching and training, counselling and supervision, marriage and family therapy, She received a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands (USA). She is the founder of Meadows of Hope, a centre for emotional wellness, in India, that offers counselling, supervision, coaching, training, and research in the field of emotional and mental healthcare.
Shari de Costa
BA (Hons), MA
A graduate of Mills Collage, California (English and History) and CTS (MA in Biblical Studies). Her MA thesis was “Thy Kingdom Come: An Exploration of the Need for Balanced Theology of the Kingdom of God for the Church in Sri Lanka.” She is a pastor at the Living Way Church, Battaramulla. She is a Technical writer and copywriter at Executive Writer and a partner at Kiribath Publishers.
Tabea Binder
MDiv, MTh, PhD
She had her basic theology training in Germany and Belgium, and completed her doctoral studies from Colombia International University (US). Has served as a theological educator in various Asian countries, including as a full-time faculty member and MA Programme Coordinator at CTS. Currently, she leads a Christian Adult Education programme in Berlin, (Germany), and teaches at various Bible colleges in Europe. She specialises in Christian Education, Church History, Biblical Studies, and Christian Spirituality.
Ted Rubesh
BA, MA, DMiss
Graduate of Multnomah University, Portland Oregon USA (BA in Biblical Literature), Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, USA (MA in Missiology), and Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon, USA (Doctor of Intercultural Studies). The co-founder of Kandy Bible Fellowship Church, he served as its pastor for many years.
Terri Watson
PsyD, ABPP
Professor of Psychology at the School of Psychology, Counselling, and Family Therapy at Wheaton College (USA), and served as its Dean until 2022. A board-certified clinical psychologist and an approved supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Her scholarship focuses on the integration of clinical practice with Christian faith commitments and includes Developing Clinicians of Character: A Christian Integrative Approach to Clinical Supervision.
