Team
For more than a century, Oxford students have found the Pastorate chaplains to be men and women of mature Christian faith who are willing to support and encourage young adults in their life and faith journeys. The current Pastorate team continue on this trajectory, seeking through personal contact and occasional events to encourage the flourishing of true and lively faith among Oxford's graduate students.
Chaplain
Dr Jonathan Brant is the Oxford Pastorate Chaplain. He wrote a DPhil in Theology at Trinity College, Oxford which drew upon systematic theology, film theory and qualitative research in considering the potential religious impact of contemporary Latin American cinema. Prior to coming to Oxford, Jonathan worked for Anglican churches in London and South America. Jonathan is the award-winning author of fiction and non-fiction books which introduce young people to the joys and the mysteries of the Christian faith. He is married to Tricia and has a eight year-old son, Isaac.
Associate Chaplains
Emilie Noteboom, Oxford Pastorate Associate Chaplain, came to Trinity College, Oxford in 2008 to research the influence of Christianity on Western philosophy and culture. She focused her research specifically on early 20th century Catholic historian Christopher Dawson's views on history of culture. Prior to coming to Oxford, Emilie managed Christian development projects in countries as diverse as India, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Emilie has a background in law and is Dutch, but has lived most of her life outside Holland and feels at home where her friends are. She loves learning about cultures, looking for the hilarious in daily life and spending time with people. (Contact Emilie)
The Revd Christian Hofreiter combines his role as Oxford Pastorate Associate Chaplain with research toward a DPhil in biblical interpretation. Before coming to Oxford, he worked as a university lecturer in his native Innsbruck, Austria, and as an international government relations associate in Washington, DC. Through many ups and downs, he has forged a deep conviction that nothing can separate us from the love of God, that “all things work together for the good of those who love him.” The thrill of seeing others taste the goodness of God has been the most rewarding aspect of his ministry in Austria, the US and now the UK. To relax, Christian loves to ski, hike and swim in lakes – and to hang out with his wife Helen, who works in micro-finance. (Contact Christian)
The chaplains are supported in their ministry by the Trustees and Council Members who have overall responsibility for the administration and work of the charitable trust. The Trustees are all Senior Members of Oxford University while the Council is a more diverse group composed of academics, Rectors of evangelical Anglican churches of Oxford, and others who have particular gifts or expertise which they are willing to exercise in support of the Pastorate's mission.