Scottish Baptist Lay Preachers Association

Markus Thane (South Leith)

In a paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Markus Thane and I was borne in Minden, Germany. I have studied Business Adminstration and worked in the marketplace for 8 years. Even though my background was Luthern, I came to Christ on September 14, 1997 in the Pentacostal church of Eickhorst, where I also received believers’ baptism. Since that time, I have always been actively involved in all kinds of church activities.

After a lay preacher workshop I felt called into ministry and in the beginning I worked as a lay-pastor at Berlin International Church, an English speaking congregation, representing believers from 30 different nations.

 In 2003 I started my seminary education a the Baptist seminary in Elstal, Germany, receiving my Bachelor of Theology in December 2006. We moved the following year to the US where I continued my studies at George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, TX,, at Baylor University, graduating with the Master of Divinity in 2009. I became ordained on May 31, 2009 as “Minister of the Gospel” at Park Lake Drive Baptist Church. We moved to Scotland to pursue my PhD at New College, Edinburgh University.

 I am honoured having had the opportunity to serve and preach in Germany on numerous occasions, at churches in Texas, at International Baptist Churches, and most recently in Scotland. I have been married to Beata for almost 14 years and we are blessed with our daughter Sara-Michelle. My strengths besides preaching are, church planning, vision development, moderation and conflict management.

 How long have you been a member of SBLPA and what attracted you to join?

After having been accepted in January of 2010, as a new member to the SBLA,  I feel that besides my studies, I want to be genuine to calling, sharing and helping Scottish Baptist churches with my gift of preaching.

How did you first discover your gifts in preaching?

As I stated before, I discovered my gifts of preaching at a lay preacher workshop.

 What was your most memorable preaching trip?

During the years 2003-2005 my interpreter services at various revival meetings throughout Germany called “Meet Jesus”, where I discovered also my evangelistic telents. 

In seeking to develop as a preacher – what has your favourite book been so far?

Karl Barth, Homiletics and Thomas G. Long, The Witness of Preaching.

 What advice would you give to another lay preacher starting out?

Try and learn from the best!