Main Staff
Sebastian Rab
Principal
Sebastian has a Master’s Degree in Theology and Ministry from Cranmer Hall, University of Durham. He has worked with students through UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship) in both York and Leeds, and with churches in North Yorkshire. He is currently CEO of The Jonas Centre, a Christian retreat centre in the Yorkshire Dales and is also church planting in Northallerton. He loves dry stone walls, hilly landscapes – and teaching the Bible!
Mike Beaumont
Principal Emeritus
Mike, our founding principal, has degrees from Durham and London School of Theology and has over 50 years’ experience as a pastor, Bible teacher, and broadcaster, working with churches and Bible colleges all around the world. He has written over 15 Bible reference books which are published in 25 languages and he has produced several podcast series for UCB Radio. Although now retired as Principal, he continues to teach on the course.
Gordon Smyrell
Academic Dean
Gordon worked as Civil Engineering lecturer and School Manager at the University of Teesside but is now retired. He has worked with SAT since its foundation and completed a Master’s degree in Theology and Ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham, in 2024. He is now pursuing doctoral research into Prophetic formation using a Lectio Divina approach to Old Testament prophecy.
Teachers
Our teachers are drawn primarily from the churches of Taking Ground and other like-minded movements.