Christina Baxter for 2010 Bishop's Bible Week
The speaker at next year's Bishop's Bible Week will be Canon Dr Christina Baxter, CBE. Dr Baxter is Lay Chairman of the Church of England's General Synod, a member of the Archbishop's Council and Principal of St John's College, Nottingham.
Bishop Harold made the announcement on the final night of this year's event. He expressed his delight that such an illustrious speaker would be joining us, the first woman to address the Bible Week. 'But most importantly,' he added, 'Christina truly loves the Lord and she truly loves his Word.'
Christina has been at St John's since 1979, becoming Principal in 1997. Of her role there she says, 'My first concern is that people grow in maturity into the likeness of Christ. Secondly I hope that students will be grounded in Christian theology which gives a firm framework for their ministry and worship. What can be more important than understanding who Jesus Christ is, and what he has done and continues to do in the Church and the world?'
Christina is passionate about theology, prayer and mission - and the need for Christian service to be framed by faith, hope and love. 'Without trust in God, we will not be able to make a difference in the world; without our hope in God we can have no vision for the future; if we do not love one another, then we cannot claim that God makes all things new, since we ourselves have manifestly not allowed God to make us new. Faith, hope and love are all key to Christian ministry.'
Whilst Christina has roles at the highest levels of the Church of England she is also a Reader in the local parishes of Awsworth and Cossall and brings that grassroots experience to her work and ministry.
Next year's Bishop's Bible Week will take place from Monday 23rd August to Thursday 26th, at a venue to be announced.