Guy Saffold, EdD
Biography
Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
Associate Professor of Leadership
guy.saffold@twu.ca
ABOUT GUY
An energetic, creative, and collaborative leader, Dr. Saffold has extensive experience in organizational and ministry leadership. Originally a pastor with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada, Dr. Saffold joined the staff of Trinity Western University in 1978, eventually serving in a number of roles including Dean of Trinity Western Seminary, Executive Vice President of the University, and Chief Executive of ACTS Seminaries.
In 2006, Dr. Saffold joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada where he served as Executive Director of Ministries, overseeing the organization’s many-faceted ministry operations both in Canada and internationally. Working with the teams there, Dr. Saffold contributed to refocusing the organization for more contemporary ministry and changing its name to Power to Change.
Dr. Saffold rejoined the work of Trinity Western University in 2014, working on legal and public communication projects before being serving as Executive Director of ACTS Seminaries 2016-2019. He is currently engaged in a broad-based project in Thailand to support the Thai National Plan for the Evangelization of Thailand.
How does the Bible inform your life and teaching?
I teach leadership, and the Bible includes a record leadership experiences extending across thousands of years and hundreds of individuals and communities. Best of all, it is the authoritative message of God to the world. It is a tremendous source of wisdom for teaching leadership, for life as a Christian leader, and a personal and daily guide for all that I do.
Why do you value a theological education?
I have three degrees: a BSc, an MDiv, and an Ed.D. Each one has made an essential and invaluable contribution to the roles I have been called to do. My theological degree has provided the conceptual, philosophical framework that integrates all three into a holistic vision of life and leadership in a way that the others cannot.
What are some of the diverse voices you incorporate into your teaching?
I draw on many sources in my teaching: scholars in leadership, management, and organizational behaviour are essential. Works of Jewish thinkers like Jonathan Sacks and others are pivotal. I like to use biographies of all kinds of leaders, good, poor, and evil in teaching, especially in video format. The voices of women in leadership are especially important in contemporary leadership as well as perspectives from various cultural communities.
What do you hope your students get out of your classes?
I hope that they will be able to have an authentic engagement with the complexities and the urgency of leading in the mission of God and a conviction that effort spent serving God and people is the highest calling in life.
Why are you at ACTS Seminaries?
ACTS is a forum for interacting with other learners about how we can have the deepest impact for God. It's a privilege to share this learning journey with so many others of like mind and heart.
Education
BSc - University of Illinois
MDiv - Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
EdD in Educational Leadership - Seattle University
Research