Linda is passionate about ministry formation and Christian history. During her years in pastoral ministry, she gained a deep appreciation of the important role theological education plays in equipping those preparing for ministry and of the need for ongoing personal renewal while serving others in order to sustain ministry long-term. She also discovered a passion for teaching and research. Alongside lecturing, she has spent over 14 years researching Pentecostal history and theology.
She published her first book in 2015, A Full-er Gospel? Pentecostal Proclamation in New Zealand 1990-2008, a section of which was published as a chapter in New Frontiers: redefining Christian ministry in 21st century contexts in 2013. Linda has recently completed a PhD on the history of the Elim Churches in New Zealand from 1922-2000. Some of her work has already appeared in peer-reviewed Dictionaries on Pentecostalism Internationally and as popular articles in Elim’s Breakthrough Magazine.
Linda’s career spans over 20 years in theological education and pastoral work respectively as well as ten years in nursing. She began lecturing as an adjunct in 1999 first with Elim Ministry Training College, then Laidlaw, and for a few years - Alpha Crucis. She taught a range of subjects but predominantly, Church History, Ministry Formation and Pentecostal Theology. She joined Laidlaw’s permanent staff in 2007 as Field Educator for the Distance Learning Programme.
In 2011, Linda and her husband moved to Auckland where Linda was employed as Lecturer and National Internship Programme Coordinator (a role she shared with her husband Graeme) until 2020. Since arriving in Auckland she has contributed to the establishment of Laidlaw’s Centre for Church Leadership and the Sustain Network for Women in Leadership. Linda has also served on the Executive committee of the Australia New Zealand Association of Theological Field Educators (ANZATFE) and is currently treasurer of the Religious History Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ)
Prior to taking up the national role, Linda worked with Graeme in pastoral ministry: For three and a half years in Tauranga and later, for thirteen years at Burnside Elim Community Church in Christchurch. In 2013 she was ordained as Pastor with the Elim Churches of NZ. Currently she continues to research and works part-time as a Hospital Chaplain for the Waitemata District Health Board.
Linda and her husband Graeme have three married daughters and two grandchildren. To relax she enjoys gardening, walking, and any form of logic-based puzzles.