Michelle Nunn becomes new Regents Principal

Pivotal year for the college as it becomes an independent charity

Michelle Nunn has been appointed as Principal of Regents Theological College and has taken the reins at Elim’s national training centre.

The move comes ahead of a pivotal centenary year for the college, which is currently transitioning to become an independent charity – Elim College Limited – that will remain part of the Elim family.

With extensive experience leading as a pastor and in other contexts, Michelle is well prepared to build on the achievements of Dave Newton, who stepped down as Regents Principal and Elim’s Head of Training in February.

“As soon as I heard Dave was leaving I felt called to this role,” Michelle says. “While I’ve led Nantwich Elim and serve on Elim’s National Leadership Team, probably the main reason I’ve been appointed is my experience with change management, and casting and seeing a vision come to pass.”

She cites the example of redeveloping Regents’ former Nantwich home when the college relocated to Malvern in 2009.

“We had management consultants and developers tell us our plans wouldn’t work, but thanks to God and an incredible team we repurposed the site and built a hub within the community which is home to Nantwich Elim Church, 47 local businesses and our resident overseas students, as well as the meeting place of 20-plus community groups each week,” she says.

Michelle is now applying these skills to build on Dave Newton’s recent expansion of the college, having taken responsibility from 1 August 2024.

“Dave strengthened Regents, introducing in-context learning so students can live on campus or study flexibly from elsewhere. He also successfully led the college through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and launched a new teaching base at Kensington Temple in London.”

Michelle will oversee yet-to-be-unveiled plans for a year of centenary celebrations. “We’ll use the year as a catalyst for raising awareness of the college and all it offers throughout Elim and beyond,” she says.

Then, she will work with the team and newly appointed trustees to develop ideas for growth beyond the current reach of the college. Can she expand on that? Not yet, Michelle replies, but some clues for Regents’ future are hinted at in her job description: “The goal remains to build strong foundations, accelerate growth, amplify the voice and broaden its reach and influence, reinforcing the college as one of the leading Pentecostal theological colleges in Europe.”

Key to achieving this will be the existing team at Regents. That includes Vice Principal Pete Read, who will step down from this role and from holding the fort as Acting Principal, and lecture for the centenary year before retiring. It also includes excellent academic and administrative teams based at Malvern.

“It is an exciting time for Regents!” says Pete Read. “Michelle’s leadership experience in different contexts will be invaluable as we continue to develop our core programmes and roll out new courses in different learning centres around the country. The team is excited about Michelle’s appointment.”

Michelle said she felt privileged to have led Nantwich Elim and is confident the existing team will continue the ministries of the church while a new senior pastor is appointed. Her last Sunday leading was 7 July. She is excited about Regents' prospects for growth.

“Regents has a strong team delivering high-quality Pentecostal theological education through undergraduate and post-graduate programmes, and Elim’s Ministry Foundation Certificate.

“It provides a caring context where students can thrive as they prepare for their future ministries and careers. “The academic team are influencing Pentecostal theology through their teaching and writing, as well as future generations of Elim Ministers.”

“While there is much pressure on theological colleges and universities, Regents is well placed to develop its influence as a centre of excellence in Pentecostal theology and ministry training – not only for the UK but for Europe.”

Find out more about Regents by visiting: regents-tc.ac.uk/why-choose-regents

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.

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