Jean Gibson grew up on the beautiful north coast of Ireland, not far from the world famous Giant’s Causeway. From childhood she loved words, language and storywriting. After graduating from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in English, French and Psychology, she took a postgraduate teaching diploma and taught in Ireland for two years. Moving to England to pursue her studies, she obtained a Diploma in Theology from London University.

Along with her husband Brian, Jean was involved in theological education with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa for eight years. Their two children grew up in Kenya, where daily life was interspersed with experiences of spontaneous joy, tragic need, Kenyan wildlife and the beauty of the Ngong Hills. Published writing during this period was mostly for church publications and courses for Theological Education by Extension.

On her return to Ireland, Jean worked for the Youth Department of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, co-ordinating their overseas youth exchange programme. For the last twelve years she has been Northern Ireland Manager of Care for the Family, a charity which seeks to strengthen family life and help those who have experienced family difficulties.

Jean lives in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, where her husband Brian is minister of Railway St Presbyterian Church. They enjoy travelling to see their son and daughter in law in London and their daughter, son in law and two little grandsons in Glasgow, Scotland. Elderly relatives give a rounded experience of family life.