David Lingham (’12 & ’25)

With an integral role in the lives of Philadelphia-area students, both in class and online, David Lingham (’12 & ’25) knows what it feels like to be on both sides of the desk, first with the Center for Urban Theological Studies (CUTS), then with LBC | Capital. For five years, Lingham has supported students as they begin or continue their educational journey, most recently as Manager of Recruitment and Admissions at LBC | Capital – Philadelphia, where his wife, Janine (’24), is enrolled in the Biblical Studies bachelor’s degree program. David also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Bible & Theology Department, teaching courses such as Prison Epistles, Christian Ethics, Old Testament and New Testament Theology.

Now, David is seeing the educational journey from the other side of the desk again. He’s enrolled in LBC | Capital’s PhD in Leadership program, learning skills and taking away valuable knowledge that impact his role with students in both the present and the future.

Get to know more about David Lingham through this ECHO Q&A.

LBC: Please tell us about your first experience with LBC | Capital through CUTS in Philadelphia.

DAVID LINGHAM: Wow, I still get excited reflecting and thinking about my educational journey at CUTS. I remember my first experiences just like it was yesterday. I had just completed a six-year program at a local Bible Institute, earning my diploma in Biblical Studies, and God put hunger and thirst inside me to learn more about His Word. So, as I began my pursuit of my bachelor’s degree; my first two classes were Old and New Testament Theology. What really impressed me was the way the professors began to introduce Hebrew and Greek aspects of Biblical Studies. It was just what I needed—a smooth transition to next-level sound Biblical Studies.

LBC: What changes have you witnessed in the biblical training landscape in Philadelphia, especially after CUTS became part of LBC | Capital in 2015?

DL: One major change is the focus being only on Bible and theology classes, where there were once also ministry classes, such as Introduction to Biblical Preaching. Many of our students are preachers and pastors who could benefit from classes designed to enhance their current ministries. When I graduated from CUTS, I had a ministry toolbox that made me immediately effective in the local church. It was through the ministry classes that I was exposed to various ministry models that I could leverage and apply. I pray that one day soon LBC will add ministry classes with a contextualization function that will tremendously bless the local churches in our community and beyond.

LBC: Why has it been important for you to remain committed to students in Philadelphia through both CUTS and LBC | Capital?

DL: This is important to me because it was my place of preparation for my master’s degree studies. It was the solid biblical and theological educational foundation I received at CUTS that properly prepared me. In fact, I was told and taught what to expect at the next level. I remain committed to the students at Philadelphia to give back the same preparation I received. My God-given purpose at LBC | Capital – Philadelphia is to prepare my students for next-level academic success.

LBC: How has returning to the classroom as a doctoral student informed how you support undergraduate students and help them realize their goals?

DL: My doctoral studies have blessed me to be able to create and evaluate curriculum from a scholarly perspective. Most importantly, my doctoral studies have given me the tools to incorporate educational assessment in my teaching as well as challenged me to blend current technology into my teaching.

LBC: As the college celebrates 90 years, what’s the best thing about Lancaster Bible College?

DL: The best thing about LBC is our biblical focus and our God dependence. I thank God for our visionary leadership. By being ready in this season, looking to God as the author and the finisher of our faith, we celebrate what God has done in these past 90 years. I think of what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church as Corinth: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9, NLT). As we celebrate and thank God for 90 years, the latter will be greater!