OUR TEAM
Don McNally - Oak Centre Founding Director
Don McNally, President Emeritus, NetAccess Systems. Ph.D. (1982) in the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology at the University of Toronto. Chaired Curriculum Committee as part of the establishment of Redeemer University College in Ancaster (1979-1981); Established a program in science and religion at St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto (1986-1998); Co-founder of the Pascal Centre for Advanced Studies in Faith and Science, Redeemer College (1988-1992); Founded NetAccess Systems Inc. (1993); Co-director of the John Templeton Foundation Science and Religion Course Program Summer Workshop at Victoria College, the University of Toronto (1996-1999); Executive Director of the CSCA (2003 - 2018); and was appointed a Fellow of the ASA (American Scientific Affiliation) in 2023.
In December 2023, Don established the Oak Centre as a Project of TeachBeyond/CATE (Christians Advancing Transformational Education) and serves on the CATE advisory board. In July 026, Don was confirmed as a member of St. George’s Reformed Episcopal Church and is a Ministry Ambassador for Our Daily Bread Ministries Canada.
In December 2023, Don established the Oak Centre as a Project of TeachBeyond/CATE (Christians Advancing Transformational Education) and serves on the CATE advisory board. In July 026, Don was confirmed as a member of St. George’s Reformed Episcopal Church and is a Ministry Ambassador for Our Daily Bread Ministries Canada.
Ted Beverley - Curator and Custodian of the Beverley Collection
Ted Beverley graduated in 1982 from the University of Toronto with a BAH in philosophy and religious studies in Christianity and Judaism. From 1982 to 1984, he worked on a Master of Divinity at the University of Toronto's Knox Presbyterian Seminary. He later completed his Master of Divinity in 2003 at Tyndale University College Seminary in Toronto. Between 2010 and 2012, he worked part-time while pursuing a Post-Graduate Master of Theology degree at Tyndale University College Seminary. During this time, Mr. Beverley was an active member of the CSCA and participated in local chapter meetings at the University of Toronto. An avid reader and book lover, Mr. Beverley has systematically built his collection since 1965 to illuminate connections in Western thought and culture across philosophy, theology, science, history, and the arts (especially literature and film). He is particularly pleased to find an avenue to pursue his passion for learning through the establishment of the Oak Centre.
Oak Centre Advisory Board: (2026-2029)
Gerry de Koning (Toronto), BSc, York University, Chair of the Oak Centre Advisory Board. Currently an Elder at Knox Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Gerry brings seasoned Christian leadership, thoughtful judgment, and strong governance experience to the Oak Centre Board. His strengths in mission alignment, financial oversight, and institutional stewardship help anchor the Centre’s long‑range planning and reinforce its commitment to building durable Christian intellectual infrastructure.
Harold Klassen (Abbotsford, BC), BSc in Chemical Physics, Simon Fraser University. Harold Klassen brings thoughtful judgment, Christian educational experience, and a long‑standing commitment to spiritual and intellectual formation. His strengths in program discernment and steady governance help anchor the Centre’s long‑range development. His website, Transforming Teachers, integrated with and supported by the CATE Centre, is one of the largest in the field and is regularly consulted by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
George Durance (Silverton, Oregon), PhD, Durham University, currently CATE Centre Facilitator, brings decades of senior leadership in Christian higher education and global mission work. His executive maturity, strategic insight, and institutional wisdom reinforce the Centre’s credibility and strengthen its vision for the next generation.
Stanley Carlson-Thies (Washington, D.C.), PhD in political science, University of Toronto. As founder of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance (IRFA), Stanley Carlson brings years of ministry and organizational governance experience. His integrity, clarity, and mission focus give donors and partners confidence in the Centre’s responsible stewardship and long‑term stability.
The Rev. Paul Luth, Minister of St. George’s (Hamilton), M Div, Concordia Theological Seminary. The Reverend Paul Luth brings pastoral steadiness, theological clarity, and extensive experience as Rector of St. George’s Church. His commitment to discipleship, Scripture, and spiritual formation adds depth to the Centre’s governance and strengthens its long‑range vision.
Sevda Lindo (Hamilton), B.Ed., Azerbaijan Teacher’s Institute. Sevda began her teaching career in Azerbaijan. Her education background has shaped her passion for working with students. This experience has provided a strong foundation for her current ministry with InterVarsity at McMaster University.
Joshua Arp (Scranton, PA), PhD, University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. Dr. Arp is a deacon at Grace Reformed Episcopal Church in Scranton, a licensed preacher, and an adjunct faculty member teaching theology at the University of Scranton. Joshua Arp brings academic depth, reflective judgment, and a strong commitment to Christian intellectual formation, combined with ministry in the Reformed Episcopal Church. His program insight and strategic thinking help ensure the Centre’s initiatives remain rooted, thoughtful, and generational in scope.
Harold Klassen (Abbotsford, BC), BSc in Chemical Physics, Simon Fraser University. Harold Klassen brings thoughtful judgment, Christian educational experience, and a long‑standing commitment to spiritual and intellectual formation. His strengths in program discernment and steady governance help anchor the Centre’s long‑range development. His website, Transforming Teachers, integrated with and supported by the CATE Centre, is one of the largest in the field and is regularly consulted by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
George Durance (Silverton, Oregon), PhD, Durham University, currently CATE Centre Facilitator, brings decades of senior leadership in Christian higher education and global mission work. His executive maturity, strategic insight, and institutional wisdom reinforce the Centre’s credibility and strengthen its vision for the next generation.
Stanley Carlson-Thies (Washington, D.C.), PhD in political science, University of Toronto. As founder of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance (IRFA), Stanley Carlson brings years of ministry and organizational governance experience. His integrity, clarity, and mission focus give donors and partners confidence in the Centre’s responsible stewardship and long‑term stability.
The Rev. Paul Luth, Minister of St. George’s (Hamilton), M Div, Concordia Theological Seminary. The Reverend Paul Luth brings pastoral steadiness, theological clarity, and extensive experience as Rector of St. George’s Church. His commitment to discipleship, Scripture, and spiritual formation adds depth to the Centre’s governance and strengthens its long‑range vision.
Sevda Lindo (Hamilton), B.Ed., Azerbaijan Teacher’s Institute. Sevda began her teaching career in Azerbaijan. Her education background has shaped her passion for working with students. This experience has provided a strong foundation for her current ministry with InterVarsity at McMaster University.
Joshua Arp (Scranton, PA), PhD, University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto. Dr. Arp is a deacon at Grace Reformed Episcopal Church in Scranton, a licensed preacher, and an adjunct faculty member teaching theology at the University of Scranton. Joshua Arp brings academic depth, reflective judgment, and a strong commitment to Christian intellectual formation, combined with ministry in the Reformed Episcopal Church. His program insight and strategic thinking help ensure the Centre’s initiatives remain rooted, thoughtful, and generational in scope.