Tyndale's Past Presidents
Dr. Elmore Harris (1894 - 1911)
TBTS
Dr. Elmore Harris was President of Toronto Bible Training School (Tyndale) from 1894 to 1911. He was born in 1855 in Beamsville, Ontario and his father founded A. Harris, Son & Co. Ltd., which is now the major agricultural equipment manufacturer Massey Ferguson Ltd. His grandfathers were pastors, and Dr. Harris followed in their footsteps to pursue pastoral studies, obtaining a Bachelor of...
Dr. William Boyd Stewart (1894 - 1906)
TBTS
Dr. William Boyd Stewart holds the honour of being the first Principal of the Toronto Bible Training School (Tyndale) founded in 1894. Born in Scotland, Dr. Stewart completed his degree at the University of Glasgow in 1856 and then later emigrated to Canada, where he served as a Baptist pastor. His career shifted between pastoring and teaching in various locales within Ontario, as well as...
Dr. John McNicol (1906 - 1946)
TBTS TBC
Dr. John McNicol was Principal of Toronto Bible Training School/Toronto Bible College (Tyndale) from 1906 to 1946. He was born in Hanover, Ontario, where his father was a teacher. The family moved to Ottawa, and from there John studied classics at the University of Toronto’s (U of T) University College, graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in 1891. In Toronto, he was very involved...
Dr. J. Wilmot Mahood (1935 - 1944)
LBI
Dr. J. Wilmot Mahood was President of London Bible Institute (Tyndale) from 1935 to 1944. He was born in 1864 in Huron County, Ontario, and was an elementary school teacher in Harriston, Ontario before he began preaching at Methodist churches in the Dundalk, Ontario area. After a pastorate in the United States, he became an evangelist for the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He received his...
Dr. James N. Bedford (1945 -1954)
LBI
Dr. James Bedford was President of London Bible Institute/London College of Bible and Missions (Tyndale) from 1945 to 1954. He was first educated at Moody Bible Institute in 1932. After Moody, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Houghton College in 1936, a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1939, and received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from...
Dr. Joesph Bernard Rhodes (1946 - 1953)
TBC
Dr. Joesph Bernard Rhodes was Principal of Toronto Bible College (Tyndale) from 1946 to 1953. He was born to China Inland Mission (CIM) missionary parents and attended a school established by Dr. Hudson Taylor for educating the children of missionaries in Chefoo, China. Dr. Rhodes went on to the University of Toronto, receiving his Philosophy degree with honours in 1925 and his MA degree the...
Dr. Alden Gannett (1954 - 1957)
LBI
Dr. Alden Gannett was President of London College of Bible and Missions (Tyndale) from 1954 to 1957. He was born near Geneva, New York and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Houghton College and Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary. Before becoming President of London College of Bible and Missions (LCBM), he served as a pastor in multiple...
Rev. E. L. Simmonds (1954 - 1962)
TBC
Rev. E. L. Simmonds was Principal of Toronto Bible College (Tyndale) from 1954 to 1962. He came to Canada in 1930 from his native England to train for ministry. He earned his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto in 1937. He went on to complete his Master of Arts and attended Wycliffe College to earn his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1940. He served for fifteen years in various roles in...
Dr. Percy H. Harris (1958 - 1959)
LBI
Dr. Percy Harris was President of London College of Bible and Missions (Tyndale) from 1958 to 1959. A native of Forest, Ontario and a Second World War veteran, he served as a bombardier in the Royal Canadian Air Force. During the war he was shot down over Germany and taken prisoner. When he was finally released, he returned to Canada for his studies. Dr. Harris earned a Bachelor of Arts degree...
Dr. Joseph C. Macaulay (1960 - 1966)
LCBM
Dr. Joseph C. Macaulay was President of London College of Bible and Missions (Tyndale) from 1960 to 1966. He was born in Scotland, and immigrated to Canada with his parents when he was a teenager. Dr. Macaulay had a long history of experience as an evangelist, pastor, musician, hymn writer and teacher. He was the pastor of Wheaton Bible Church in Wheaton, Illinois, where he ministered to Wheaton...
Dr. Stewart Boehmer (1963 - 1973)
TBC OBC
Dr. Stewart Boehmer was President Toronto Bible College/Ontario Bible College (Tyndale) from 1963 to 1973. He was born in 1907 in Kitchener, Ontario, and attended Benton Street Baptist Church with his family while growing up. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1933, and his first pastorate was at First Baptist Church in Waterloo, Ontario. In 1943, he accepted an invitation to be the...
Dr. Victor Adrian (1973 - 1983)
OBC OTS
Dr. Victor Adrian became President of Ontario Bible College/Ontario Theological Seminary (Tyndale) from 1973 to 1983. As President, he presided over two highly significant milestones in the school’s history: the establishment of Ontario Theological Seminary (now Tyndale Seminary) and the move to the campus at 25 Ballyconnor Court, Toronto, both in 1976. Before coming to Ontario Bible...
Dr. William J. McRae (1983 - 1991)
OBC OTS
Dr. William McRae was President of Ontario Bible College/Ontario Theological Seminary (Tyndale) from 1983 to 1991. While President, he taught in the Pastoral Theology department and the Biblical Studies department. Dr. McRae graduated from Emmaus Bible School (1954), Toronto Teachers College (1955), Queen's University (1966), and Dallas Theological Seminary (1970 Master of Theology, 1983...
Dr. Bruce E. Gordon (1991 - 1995)
OBC OTS
Dr. Bruce Gordon served as President of Ontario Bible College/Ontario Theological Seminary (Tyndale) from 1991 to 1995. He is a Certified General Accountant, and holds a Master of Business Administration and an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Zurich. Dr. Gordon has been involved in a number of organizations, including roles in ownership and senior administrative positions...
Dr. Brian C. Stiller (1996 - 2009)
OBC OTS Tyndale
Dr. Brian Stiller was President of Ontario Bible College/Ontario Theological Seminary/Tyndale University College & Seminary from 1996 to 2009. Since 2009, he has served as President of the Tyndale Foundation, led a capital campaign raising $44 million for the purchase of a new campus, raised $8 million for endowed chairs and is now President Emeritus of Tyndale. Dr. Stiller was raised in a...
Dr. Gary V. Nelson (2010 - 2020)
Tyndale
Dr. Gary V. Nelson joined Tyndale University on July 1, 2010 as President and Vice Chancellor after serving as General Secretary of Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM), the national and global working arm of Canadian Baptists, for 10 years. Previous to his tenure with CBM, he served in a number of congregations in both staff and senior roles. Dr. Nelson received his Bachelor of Education from the...