Ready to make a global impact? Dive into the vibrant world of cross-cultural ministry! Discover new perspectives, build powerful skills, and ignite your passion to spread the Gospel in Aotearoa and worldwide.

In the unique cultural landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Gospel has a vital role to play in shaping our conversations about justice, reconciliation, and identity.

Laidlaw College has over 100 years of training cross-cultural workers, and our faculty offer broad missions expertise and experience. We can’t wait to guide you through wrestling with the Te Tiriti ō Waitangi, exploring the intersection of Gospel and culture, and engaging with the complex outworking of faith in a diverse society.

Study Options

There are a range of ways to explore Missions and Cultural Studies at Laidlaw College, including through our Missions Studies Degree Specialisation. Check out our other offerings below. 

• Diploma in Christian Studies
• Bachelor of Theology (Missions Studies Degree Specialisation)
• Graduate Diploma of Theology (Graduate Studies in Missions and Culture)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Theology
• Masters of Theology

"Studying really helped me to integrate missional humanitarian and justice work with the gospel. It equipped me for my role... where we're motivated by Jesus to act for justice and alleviate poverty around the world."

Kevin McFetridge - Missions Graduate

Theology staff

Our staff are leaders in their fields. Here are some of lecturers involved in our Missions and Cultural Studies courses.

Rebecca de Jong

Theology Lecturer

Rebecca de Jong is passionate about all things mission. Rebecca completed a BTh through Laidlaw College and a MA in Missiology through All Nations Christian College (UK). Rebecca has been a missionary in Myanmar for twelve years with her husband, John, and four children. Read more about Rebecca de Jong here.

Bradford Haami

Pou Amorangi/Māori Director

Bradford Haami (Ngati Awa) is the current chair of Te Rūnanga o te Wānanga Amorangi - The Māori Council for Laidlaw College - and sits on the governing board of the college. He is a lecturer in biculturalism at Laidlaw College and holds a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Theology. Read more about Bradford Haami here.

Rev. Dr Stuart Lange

Senior Research Fellow (Theology)

Stuart has a BD from the Melbourne College of Divinity, an MA with first class honours in History from Auckland University, and a PhD from the University of Otago. He joined Laidlaw in 1990 and teaches courses on the History of Christianity. Read more about Stuart here.

Rev. Dr Mark J. Keown

Director of Evangelistic Leadership

Mark is an author, singer, minister and current Director of Evangelistic Leadership at Laidlaw. The focus of his role is the development of leaders for evangelism, apologetics, church planting, and evangelistic renewal. His current research projects include Biblical Evangelism, Biblical Apologetics, Biblical church planting and courage in Paul's letters. Read more about Mark here.

Dr Ryan Lang

Professional Teaching Fellow - School of Theology

Ryan Lang teaches in theology at Laidlaw College and is based at our campuses in Auckland. He was born in Pakistan, where his parents served as relief workers, and he grew up between there and Aotearoa. Read more about Ryan Lang here.

Dr Samuel Carpenter

Research and Professional Teaching Fellow

Sam teaches into Laidlaw’s Church History courses with a specialist focus on New Zealand religious and political history. He leads Te Rongopai ki Aotearoa Project at Laidlaw that is exploring the multidimensional relationships of Christianity and Māori society. Read more about Dr Samuel Carpenter here.